I stared at the screen all day yesterday and was amazed when no new posts materialized.
Today Deirdre got me thinking with her post mentioning a new box of crayons. This dovetailed with me finding two sets of felt tip markers that I have had for years (yes, they still work). No longer my implement of choice, they have been languishing.
I am still thinking about visual journals so Deirdre’s post made me think of the “visual work” I did when I was a kid. Doodleart were black and white posters you bought in a tube and then colored with felt tips. I loved Doodleart posters and am amazed that they are still in business! I see the aquarium and think I did that one way back when.
I was also thinking about coloring books. I used to go to TG&Y on my bike and buy coloring books and paper doll punch out books. I think coloring books may have been the original visual journals for me.
This Disneyland coloring book is copyright 1975 by Walt Disney Productions. It is called a Whitman Book, Western Publishing Company, Inc., Racine, Wisconsin. There is a history of this company online.
I really thought a lot about color when I was coloring. Notice how Minnie’s shoes carefully match her dress?
It should come as no surprise that I was extremely neat in my coloring. I also DID NOT share. I didn’t want anyone messing up my work of art. 😉
Still no movement on actually creating a modern visual journal, but it is still rolling around in my head. I think I need to find a good art store.
I’ve always kept journals, 99% of them words only. Since I’ve started blogging, I consider that my journal and I rarely use a pen and pencil anymore. Not sure if that’s good or bad, it just is. But I’ve also been considering doing a visual journal, a sort of “practice’ spot for my interest in collage. Just need to find the time to do it.
Racine, Wisconsin – I was born there. I always think of that when I see Whitman Publishing anything, and also Johnson & Sons cleaning products – several of my family have worked for them.
I have also kept a paper and pen journal for a long time – since high school at least, but perhaps longer. I like to focus on the minutia of quilmaking on Artquiltmaker blog, so I still put pen to paper for other thoughts. I love the physical act of putting pen to paper and forming the letters. the drwing of the letters is a kind of art, in a way.
I feel the same way about a visual journal. I am trying to draw little bits, but haven’t found the right space (time, brainspace, time of day, quiet time) to do it yet. I am ok with doing little bits (getting started) and working towards something bigger.