Journal Laboratory

I am always finding out new things about myself.  Most of the time they are blatantly obvious, but I never think it out loud.  Then the realization of it hits me and makes perfect sense.  Like art journaling.  I think I love the experimental playing part more than the actual journaling part.  I have sort of known that over the past few years, but suddenly Really realized it as a fact set in stone.

I'm working on a new journal spread, with experiments on side by side pages.  Gesso as a base on one side, but not on the other.

Same techniques on both pages, starting with a stencil and texture medium spread through the stencil.

Watercolor crayons on both pages.

Playing around with water on both pages to see how well the crayon blends and mixes.

The real reason I started this experiment happened after I was reading Dina Wakley's new book, Art Journal Freedom.  One page had a simple comment, but it has become my new favorite quote.

She was talking about gesso, and said "Gesso is like underwear for acrylic paint.  You can get by without it, but something isn't right."

That cracked me up.  But it totally took me by surprise too.  I sometimes put down a base before working, sometimes not.  I have a feeling, all future pages will have a beginning base of some kind.  I just can't get that quote out of my head.
:o)