Spread 203 – After A Long Time March 17, 2013

I didn’t come a long way to continue considering others’ expectations of me. I did come a long way, however, to consider others’ feelings, thought processes, and pains, when they choose to share them with me. I hope they do the same for me. Some go around the world to find out what they need from themselves. I did that and finally found it right where I am and in my visual journal.

A 5-Day Luxuriant Nature Journaling Adventure March 14, 2013

Join me on July 29 – Aug. 2, 2013, for a 5-day ART JOURNALING RETREAT at Pacific NorthWest Art School on the beautiful Whidbey Island in Washington State.

“I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.”-John Muir

I am a creator of intimate maps, just like you, like wind, like land, and like water. We are all creators of boundless paths.  For five unobstructed days we will explore the vast nature that is around us while unearthing our own expansive nature, discovering the many ways that all is mysteriously and beautifully interconnected, all through the magnificent mixed media practices of art journaling. Some birds use man-made materials to build their nests and some humans use nature-made materials to adorn theirs. We use both, in our boundless visual expression. Our nests will be hand-sewn journals, pre-made for you out of lusciously absorbent watercolor paper, pages with flaps ready to reveal and conceal intimate visual information, availing themselves to soak in all that is to come.

In the fullness of time, Journals bear witness of our zealous yearnings to live meaningful lives, to connect to our very spirit, to others, to nature, to fulfill our perpetual longings for expansion and self-discovery through the process of raw, tactile, sensorial, and honest visual expression. Touched by direct closeness to nature we’ll be assigning new functions to natural elements like tree branches and leaves as line and texture makers. We’ll also be using our glorious hands to paint, smear, spill, drip, and smudge in our journal pages. In addition to traditional art supplies we’ll be using various natural materials and dyes such as soil, tea, and spices. Combining all that with our own intimate images, our stories, and our imaginings, will ensure a rich, lush journal, filled with awe and wonderment.

Henry Miller said: “The moment one gives close attention to anything, even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself.” Let’s create such a world! 

http://www.pacificnorthwestartschool.org/all/mixed-media

Spread 202 – Relational Landscapes March 12, 2013

In my visual expression I often consider color, line, form, shape, text, pattern, and texture. Less intentionally I refer to how these elements relate to one another and how they are placed or arranged on my pages. At times these elements seem to me to be disconnected from one another. It is obvious however, that through the relations between them that a visual narrative magically appears and an abundance of possible complex and enchanted worlds are formed. Exploring these relations in my journal is what makes it ‘a creation’, rather than ‘a journal page’.

Spread 201 – Bone-To-Bone March 7, 2013

Hurt gets stuck in the bones, it won’t make the slightest movement. The resistance that one encounters when moving over another, rubbing against each other, is causing friction, is sensitizing, causing one to respond swiftly, at times destructively, and at others, creatively.

Spread 200 – Inner Knowings February 21, 2013

Constantly seeking meaning, like everyone else. That meaning is singular, unique to me, and only I can find it for myself. I seek it by means that are perceptible, visual journaling for example, forming bonds with other individuals who are seeking meaning, or by walking on that misty line separating the ocean from the land. I figure, if I know why I’m here, I’ll figure out how to be here.

Spread 199 – Where Learning Is Found February 15, 2013

I found this quote by Amin Maalouf to best reflect my visual expression of today: “To imprison oneself in a victim mentality can do the injured party even more harm than the aggression itself. And this is as true of societies as of individuals. They huddle themselves away, they barricade themselves in, they try to ward everything off, they close their minds, they ruminate, they give up looking for anything new, they don’t explore anymore, they don’t make any more progress, they are afraid of the future, of the present, and of everyone else.”

Announcing the winner of 14 Artist Journals, the book: February 14, 2013

Much gratitude to you all for the heart-warming reaction to my second published book 14 ARTIST JOURNALS. It came in abundance via generous blog posts, blog hoppers, FB, personal Emails and conversations, and through so many of your comments here, on my blog. It gave rise to the sweetest feeling of self-realization and also to the realization that I am truly a part of a much greater and high-spirited community. Whether you participated in my book, visited and stumbled upon my book here on my blog, commented on it, ordered it, leafed through it, or had the chance to delve into it more deeply, I genuinely thank you. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed putting it together.

For another chance to win a coppy of my book please hop over to Brian Kasstle’s blog. He is one of the 14 kind artists who allowed me to borrow his beautiful journal pages for the book, and he is hosting a drawing of his own.

I used True Random Number Generator to draw the winner of my book giveaway.

Congratulations Monica!                                                                                                                          

 Thank you for your supportive and spirited comment.

14 Artist Journals – New Book Release and giveaway February 3, 2013

14 Artist Journals is a wondrous grouping of journal pages from fourteen impassioned individuals. In it I reveal the delicate worlds of creative types for whom visual journaling had become a spiritual practice, an honest and raw expression of who they are. The book sustains my belief that all individuals have the capacity to make changes that are needed in their lives through the act of creating and to find new ways to advance their physical, emotional, and relational well-being. It makes known that art journaling is most definitely one such way.

I am endlessly grateful to the fourteen artists who agreed to be a part of this intricate tapestry of visual expression and humanity: Nathalie Nayer, Tracy V. Moore, Erin Faith Allen, Seth Apter, Juliana Coles, Maya Dunsky, Pnina Gold, Jesse Reno, Brian Kasstle, Hana Klos, Gil Avineri, Rachel Urista, Darcy Ruth Ritzau, and Vered Gersztenkorn.

I am excited to announce that 14 Artist Journals is here, available to be enjoyed.

-It can be purchased via my blog                                                                                                                                                                                   -Support me best by ordering it through CreateSpace eStore
-Much less supportive (-: nevertheless is available on Amazon, visit to take a “Look Inside”.
-Pick up a copy where I physically teach, at my workshops and retreats.

Book Giveaway: Leave a thought in my comment box to get a chance to win an inscribed copy of 14 Artist Journals (-: Winner will be announced in the morning of Valentine’s Day, Thursday, Feb. 14.

Spread 198 – The Expressive Ribcage February 1, 2013

Like my physical journal, the structure consisting of ribs and their connective tissue encloses and protects what’s inside. As I breathe, I speak, and I sing, my ribcage moves in and out, up and down, creating an expansive space where I can sway through the spaces between the bones or use them as a ladder to reach imagined heights. The existence of the protected space allows me to open, stretch, and let out. Although suspended by its edges, there is a sense of flight and transformation. There is always that promise of movement and sentience.

Spread 197 – The Thin Horse January 24, 2013

Let’s make an invisible place, visible. A place where there is no deprivation of any kind, no denial of anything. A kind of place where there is a lot of excitement of paint and words, clearly evident, all around,  in the air, and on the ground.