25 January 2013

The Artful Readers Club for January

 

Artist's Journal Workshop: Creating Your Life in Words and Pictures 

by Cathy Johnson


Sat in front of a local church on a
sunny Saturday, then picked some flowers to examine.
I only had a pencil so I added the watercolor later.
Armed with few supplies,
I went to one of my favorite spots and doodled.
Lines added in Photoshop before posting...timid me.


Please note: I recommend this book for any artist at any stage...my reference to 12-13 year olds in this review, is remarked due to the value of journaling. It's actually a very sophisticated book on many levels.
In a brief shuffle through the pages of Artist's Journal Workshop, I found myself conflicted. The book contains numerous examples of a style of art making that toggles between the hugely personal and a publishable 'look'. So, with that...the book set up on my shelf for nearly a year.

Now, after an honest read, I still feel a bit conflicted...but in a way that offers some inspiration. Plenty of 'if's' came to surface while reading Cathy Johnson's book. Like, 'if' I were to teach art, I'd require every student to read this book in the first weeks of class. But only 'if', the students were 12 or 13 years old. And in such a scenario, the book would probably be too advanced for such young artists because of its sophisticated simplicity. In essence, it's a book about gesture drawing.  A very simple concept, yet one that takes years of drawing in order understand why it is so important for an artist to practice. So I feel this nudge to encourage artists to take up some form of art journaling as I romanticize about how my work would look had I been introduced to this practice, in this manner, when I was a teen.

Artist's Journal Workshop is a book full of creative ideas and explains varied materials showing work by trained artists doing highly stylized musings. I began to art journal 'Johnson' style from the very start of this book and have passionately continued to do so, which is great. I do like her style, yet it's really not 'me'. 

I have always art journaled a.k.a.kept a sketchbook. And reading this book has caused me to look at the two as very different ways of expression. Johnson clearly has thought a lot about art journaling because she's been doing it for over 30 years. I wonder if this is the only type of art she creates. If so, then she is an art journalist, rather than a painter or illustrator. Perhaps these distinctions are not necessary for artists but they would be for the art historians. Johnson's references to other art journalists are interesting and support the distinction that art journaling is in and of itself an art form.


In her inspired manner, I found myself focusing way too much on the 'look' of the page and less about what the page was about for me. I am certain this anxiety stems from years of creating sketchbooks knowing they were for my eyes only. But Johnson's way of organizing a page provokes a temptation to make my personal stories more public. Yet maybe this is one of the distinctions between the artist journal and the artist sketchbook...one is meant to 'share' the other is meant to 'explore ideas'. Johnson does mention it is up to the artist whether or not the journal will be private or shared and that the subject content is unlimited. The examples from other artists are varied and represent for the most part the everyday genre, seldom addressing deep philosophical musings. I am surprised by the absence of poetry as I assume most artists are also poets. 

So, Johnson's Artist's Journal Workshop overall seems like scrapbooking, but with a focus on drawing and painting. Which is partly another snag for me...because the practice of journaling like scrapbooking is unique, varied and meant for all creative types, not just those who've been trained to express realism. The Artist's Journal Workshop is for perhaps 'all' artists, but is showcasing a certain type and style of artists. Its scope is very narrow in this way, yet if one can see that Johnson is simply showing what she likes, promoting the celebration of daily life and encouraging self-expression, then it's well worth the read and the practice. 




21 comments:

  1. Love what you created Kelly... and interesting to hear about Cathy's book... I have looked at buying this book before... so lovely to hear your review...

    Jenny ♥

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  2. This sounds like a really interesting book - and as I'm only recently starting to try to draw more in my own journals, with zero proper training or teaching behind me, maybe this book would suit me, as I'm probably at about the level of those 12/13 year old students you mention :) ..... thanks for the review - and I really like your soft sketches with their gentle watercolour washes.

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  3. Those watercolour sketches are beautiful and I love the way the sketches are arranged on the page and your colours. This is my type of sketching in my non-journal sketchbooks, so I do appreciate it. The review was helpful enough to encourage me to check out The Artists Journal Workshop" with a view to buying it.

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  4. Hm, while this is a book I have on my wish-list I'm not sure this is a book for me... I think it will just stay there for a while more...
    I do like your Art a lot! It looks like Cathy's so it did bring you something! Even if it's only knowing it's not your style. That's good too! ♥

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  5. The book sounds somewhat interesting, especially as I have not yet mastered gesture drawing at all. I love the art you made, the flowers especially! This may be one to add to my wish list!

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  6. Thanks for the informative review. It sounds like I'm not ready for it, though. Your drawings are inspirational, something to aspire to. Michelle V.

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  7. An honest review, which is always nice. Sounds like an interesting book, as you said, for a younger crew. Or maybe somebody older who is new to art journaling? I also really enjoyed your artwork. Nicely done!

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  8. what a fantastic review, very insightful. I have seen this book on amazon and have wondered about it, nto sure it is for me though. Your artwork is lovely, has a very peaceful quality to it.

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  9. I loved reading your review, it really does tell me a lot about a book I have looked at on Amazon a few times. Your water colour artwork is really beautiful, the colours washes look perfect for the subject. How lovely it must be to look back on all your journals after keeping them for all those years.

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  10. Try again. Blogger wouldn't let me post yesterday :)

    I found your review really interesting - I've looked at this book on Amazon a few times. However i already journal/scrap in a kind of drawing/musing/photos kind of way. My pregnancy journal in particular is full of sketches. It took me a long long time to realise that not all art journals have to be the same and that my way was just that - my way. I wonder if I read this is it would confuse me all over again...

    Your drawing/paintings are lovely - so delicate.

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  11. Enjoyed your review and the dreamy and delicate sketch & watercolor, beautiful.

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  12. Your review was very insightful. I had never heard of the term "gesture drawing" and will need to learn more about that. I also loved your discussion of private versus public art journaling/sketchbooks. With the prevalence of social networking and blogging, the line between private and public has certainly been blurred for many. Your watercolor work is beautiful. I particularly like the pencil sketch with the watercolor added later. It has such an ethereal quality that is perfect for the subject.

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  13. I found your review very interesting and informative, especially as I am about to 'dip my toe' into the world of art journalling. I take your point that style is very personal and confirms my view that everything is good and that there is no set way to do anything. Your drawings are so pretty, colourful and gentle.

    Janet xx

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  14. I love the simplicity of the art... the colors (and the flowers) are some of my favorites. I find myself wonder what lies in the church ;-)

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  15. Thanks for an interesting review. Sounds like a book I would like to browse at the very least. Your watercolours are lovely.

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  16. Loved reading your reflection on the book. Your sketchbook looks wonderful.

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  17. I love the artwork you've done though after reading your review I'm not sure this book is for me! But that's what this club is about - finding books to avoid as well as read!

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  18. I love the style and the book sounds like something I may like to aquire for myself.
    ManonX

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  19. Love your art work ... Not sure the book is for me, but find it interesting that whatever art we create we feel we need to put into a niche of some sort... In doing this I then often start to judge what I've created and compare it to others (more often than not in a negative light towards my own work) ... Perhaps the lesson I have learnt from your review is to not do that and just go with the flow and be happy in the process rather than focus on the outcome!
    Looking forward to seeing more of your work.
    Catherine x

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  20. your sketchbook pages are beautiful! i can imagine that your favorite place, where you went to sketch, is gorgeous and inspiring, also. i would like to read this book after reading your review - sounds like there is much more to art journaling than i thought.

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