1/22/09

Portfolio


These were all made during the month of April in 2008. It was a personal art challenge that Elsie and I had talked about for awhile to create pages every day of the month to document where we were. I later used them as tutorials for three online art journal classes.


I ended up with about 75 pages when I was finished but I have decided to only show the ones that I really liked. The others I just had to get out of my system before I settled into a rhythm and found a style I wanted to experiment with.


I used 12" x 12" chipboard for my base as it's thick enough to paint on but thin enough to sew through. Most of my materials were scraps in my studio and pictures along the way.


There were days when journaling was easy and days when it felt forced but I still made pages almost every single day and multiples when I was on a roll. We were living with my parents at the time and Sebastian went to bed early so I had more time than I do now to work on them. It was a challenge to get started mostly because I was so intimidated by the quantity I'd have to put out but once I started it was empowering to see what I had accomplished each day.


There were days that I'd get an idea in the shower or on a walk with Sebastian. I kept a notebook with themes to try out or color combos for those days when I felt uninspired. I would photograph them before I stored them in large plastic zipper bags and then I posted them on a private blog that only Elsie and I had access to. It helped me see it all in one place and realize what themes were developing.

There are pages I'd like to add to but non that I want to toss. I feel like they were each valuable for the emotion they absorbed. Sometimes I just needed to get something out before I moved on to something I was proud of and some were just ways to experiment with color and concepts.

I've made great progress in some areas and feel exactly the same in others. I still go to bed way later than I should.

You can see the rest here.

32 comments:

Jenn said...

wow Rachel, you continue to wow me with your talents, your spirit, and the kindred I feel!! Really great work, thanks for the inspiration!

Rachel Ellington said...

Thanks for sharing. Very inspiring. And I love the last page. I stay up too late too. And I'm a Rachel!

Anonymous said...

this is so super cool...and i love the idea...great! Thanks for the inspiration!

Becca said...

Thank you for sharing. It was very inspiring, in a very genuine authentic way.

Holly said...

I absolutely love looking through your art journal pages... they feel so raw, so real. I feel like we are at a somewhat similar stage in life so I can relate to your pages in many ways. I thoroughly enjoyed your classes, and reeeeally appreciate you sharing this part of yourself with us. I've been so inspired, and have a new love for art journal all together. xo

RachelDenbow said...

thanks, holly!
It means a lot.

vantiani said...

Really inspiring creative process Rachel!
Thank you so much for sharing!

Vantiani.

Sandy said...

Your art journal is beautiful. I love the way you created it. Thank you so much for sharing it. It does take a lot to put it out there, I know. You do such great projects. I can't wait to see what you come up with next.

Rachel said...

These are all beautiful!
What kind of pen do you use for your journaling? Thanks...and happy friday :)

Our Green Nest said...

Just beatiful...

margot said...

ummmm, WOW.
i'm so impressed!

Anonymous said...

Wow, these are so emotional, and yet very inspirational. The first page is EXACTLY how I feel daily. Yet, it is amazing to see someone like you feel the same way, in my eyes, you accomplish SO much and I admire you for it. Thank you for sharing.

jarispry said...

incredible! i love how hollysarah explained it... and what a great challenge for oneself. you continue to amaze me... are you art class tutorials still available for purchase? i think this will help with a lot of emotional things running thru my noggin'.

thanks for sharing and being so open!

xo!

Mallory Phillipy said...

these pages are so inspiring. i can't imagine doing one page each day, thats awesome. maybe when i finish school i'll have the time. thank you for sharing, these are amazing!

Joyful Weddings and Events said...

I love these! So inspiring.

Charin Adams said...

I need to do this. :)
I think it could definitely be very theraputic and inspiring. :)

jen geigley said...

these are beautiful and I love your approach and process. you have helped me become an art journal believer, too. ;)

Michelle said...

Thanks so much for sharing your lovely inspiration. I always love seeing your work!

Trina Louise said...

I looked at all the pages on Flickr. You share emotions that I often have and it reminded me that it is alright to be open and raw. All of your art is beautiful and very inspirational!

Trina

Rachel said...

These are so amazing! I'm really inspired, thanks for sharing them.

Suzanne said...

wow, this is awesome! really beautiful and so inspiring. thank you for sharing it! i've never journalled/scrapbooked but have always wanted to give it a go... i think this may have finally convinced me.

Anonymous said...

I just found this really cool website and thought you might be interested.

http://www.craftstylish.com/all

Anonymous said...

These pages are so beautiful and inspiring!

Anonymous said...

as usual, inspiring and beautiful! Can't wait for the online class!
ta!,
d.

Maggie said...

I love all of this...especially the ones where you can sense the inhibition. I especially love that third one down how you can see your original writing torn on the side. A teacher once told me (when I was worried about making mistakes) that "art is most beautiful when you can see its journey." I agree with that and love seeing that in these pages.

Anonymous said...

Hey girl that is a great challenge - good job in completing it. I always get ideas, write them down and never say or do anything about them, well I did. But i got a sweet journal for Christmas that I have slowly been filling.

Aaah the comfort of ink when a page is blank.

Have a good weekend girl!!

Anne

Bianca said...

those are ahhh---mazing!! i love them all!! thanks for sharing with us!

have a lovely said...

I have stumbled onto your blog for the first time...what fabulous inspiration! I would love to do this one day...what a wonderful challenge for my creative juices! thanks so much for sharing!!

bettyninja said...

love this! I am not really that into scrapbooking sorta stuff- but this is very inspiring. Much more than a scrapbook or a journal- it is really art. Amazing

Unknown said...

They are all wonderful my dear!

Michelle said...

what a beautiful way to bear your soul. thank you for sharing. (p.s. i have fallin in ♥ with rva!)

twinkle teaches said...

I loved seeing your journal pages! I drank them all in with my eyes!
I hope you don't mind but I used a background you had put on flickr to alter a photo of my son...
you can see it here
http://mommycomplex.blogspot.com/
and I linked to your blog. If its not ok just let me know. :) Thanks Rach!!!!
Tina
harrisonsmommy1@gmail.com