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To everyone quarantined at home: Stay safe, stay well, and stay creative! Time spent lost in a project is time spent without worries or fears.
I had the nicest compliment from a psychologist friend this morning: She’s seeing her clients remotely via phone and said she’s suggesting some of my ideas to her clients who are also quarantined, especially the one about taking photos of meaningful objects and then writing about them or sharing them. She’s even considering taking daily photos of her own to send to her friends and family during her time at home. It is making her see the objects around her in a new way. And seeing in a new way is always important, just seems like it’s more so now than ever.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve been doing a lot more reading than usual the last couple of weeks. (I’m making a dent in the tall stack of books purchased last fall when the used book store had a half-off sale!)
To keep track of what I’m reading I die cut a library pocket and some cards for writing the title, author, and a mini review of a couple of words. (Die set: AccuCut) Of course, I had to decorate the pocket and cards! (Stamps: RubberMoon, Die set: AccuCut)
ANY envelope, pocket, index cards or notebook will serve well! If you have a printer, take a photo of the book cover and glue it onto the review card. Share what you’re doing, post your Library Pocket project on Instagram or other social media.*
Another option:
Instead of keeping track of what you’re reading, keep track of what you’re doing and feeling by writing on a 4x6 card; tuck the cards into a Journaling Pocket. Alternatively, make a collage, gel print, doodle, sketch, or other small art each day.
One pocket will hold an entire week’s worth of cards if the embellishments aren’t too chunky. Let’s hope the quarantine doesn’t require too many pockets!* (Die: AccuCut)
*If you share via social media, please help draw traffic to The Queen’s Ink by giving the link to this post and mention that you found the idea for your Library Pocket or Journaling Pocket on the store’s blog! (Thank you for doing whatever you can for the store during this challenging time. We all want it to hang in now and then reopen and continue to thrive.)
During stressful times it’s a good idea to turn to comforting and familiar techniques. For me, that involves doodling on dark cardstock using Sakura’s Pigma Micron Black, Gelly Roll White, and Pen-touch Gold pens to make postcards!
I thought I’d incorporate words on some of them, hence “Stay Well” came to mind. The more stressed I am the more detailed the doodles. Needless to say, I was feeling much better when I drew the center postcard, but was absolutely miserable when I worked through the one at the left. No lettering on the leafy mostly-white postcard to the right - I like the way it turned out.
Coloring the background with gold is my way of “Klimtify-ing” the cards.
What’s YOUR go-to comfort project? Don’t delay! Sanitizing the doorknobs can wait a little while and so can reorganizing the linen closet.
Actually, drawing on postcards and baking chocolate chip graham cracker brownies are tied for first place as mine. Fortunately, one of them has zero calories.
1. Take a photo of an object that holds meaning.*
Print it in color or black and white.
Glue it into your art journal or traveler’s notebook.
Add journaling:
How did you get the object?
Why does it hold meaning for you?
2. Cut a photo or illustration out of a magazine or damaged book.
Glue it into your art journal or TN.
Add journaling.
3. Make a drawing or collage that expresses how you’re feeling right now.
Work directly in your journal or TN, or on a nice big sheet of sturdy paper.
Add journaling.
Oh, you don’t have an art journal or traveler’s notebook yet? What are you waiting for! This is the perfect time to start one! (Like other businesses, The Queen’s Ink has had to close its doors for who knows how long, but Patti will ship you whatever you need or you can pick up your purchases at the door to the store or out in front if you prefer not to leave your car. Also: Please support the store by purchasing gift certificates now to use later.)
*The pencil box was my late father’s from his days at the University of Cincinnati (1930s into early 1940s). I keep it propped against the wall on a shelf in my studio. Interesting to notice that the three colors most worn down are three of my favorites: Raspberry, yellow/orange and dark teal green. The tape covering the bottom of the box is translucent enough for me to read the lettering and see that they’re watercolor pencils. I think while I’m quarantined would be a good time to test them out. It’ll bring my dad into my studio in a new way.
The quarantine continues. I thought it would cheer me up to start a new Kraft brown Traveler’s Notebook insert, even though the previous one isn’t quite done - a fresh start during a confusing time that’s filled with unknowns. After all, there is no rule that a person has to finish one insert before starting the next, right?
The cover, shown in its entirety above and in close-ups below, is either finished or partway done. I’ll let it simmer for a while before deciding. The vertical band is photo paper stamped with inks straight from the pads. It’s a super easy way to get an abstract effect. The torn collage bits are mulberry paper adhered with a glue stick. I picked white acrylic paint to tie things together. But I’m thinking that something nature-themed would be a good addition. (Please leave a comment if you have ideas to share.)
I made a pocket from part of an envelope for the inside of the front cover. The facing page incorporates stamps from RubberMoon (‘Start a new chapter’ and ‘I think I’ll be an artist...’ are currently available), along with stamps from my collection (vintage Picture Show and The Stampsmith).
I’m starting to prep some of the other pages with torn paper and paint, ready for found poetry, drawings, stamping, writing, doodling, and whatever else comes to mind.
YOUR TURN
How do you use art during stressful times?
One of my neighbors says she likes having a place to let out her dark thoughts and her fears so she’s turned to journaling. An online friend is taking several classes to use her time at home for learning new things.
I tend to turn to die cutting and stamping most often these days, though I’ve found that I’m drawn more and more to painting and embroidery. And my Traveler’s Notebook is never far from my side. Welcoming a new insert booklet feels just right for right now.
I hope your creative pursuits will be a safe and happy place during these trying days.
The stash of supplies I have in my studio is coming in mighty handy during these challenging days of being self-quarantined and I’ve enjoyed doing a bit of online shopping, too, since I can’t budge from home.
How about you? Are you doing art projects with your family or on your own? Have you found peace of mind and an escape from worry while you’re working in an art journal, stamping cards or stenciling that crate you primed five years ago and never finished?
I’ve compiled a list of ideas to help you survive the coming weeks:
1. Stamp simple cards using only one ink.
2. Die cut assorted shapes for future projects, put them into folders, envelopes or baggies.
3. Decorate those assorted folders and envelopes!
4. Turn the envelopes into coil- or ring-bound books! Organize recipes or memorabilia into the envelopes.
5. Cut words and short phrases from magazines or old books. Arrange them to create “found poetry” and glue into a journal or onto some of the folders and envelopes or onto some of the die cuts.
6. Get out your gel plate and create some fabulous papers or prepare backgrounds in an art journal. Limit yourself to paint and stencils or mix in stamps and collage.
7. Take an online class (check out my friend Carla Sonheim’s web site where you’ll find free classes, among them are 5 years of Kids’ Art classes!).
8. Browse through old books and magazines. Flag some projects to revisit.
9. Organize and inventory your supplies. Box up items to sell or donate. Make swatches for inks and ink pads.
10. Phone a friend and talk about your projects. This is the time for human voices, not just texts and email.
11. Bake something tasty! (Repeat as necessary.)
12. Give yourself a daily challenge. Keep at it, give yourself permission and time to do this! But don’t stress if life intrudes and you get behind. Invent the challenge or find one online via Instagram or Facebook - there are MANY.
Other options:
- ICAD (Index Card A Day)
- ATCs
- A Zentangle tile
- Theme (flowers, animals, faces, quotes, bible verses, trees)
I began to make a die-cut pocket and hand-cut tag each day even before the coronavirus crisis began and kept it going for 40 days. Time for a new challenge! Not sure yet what it will be.
Stay safe. Stay healthy. Keep creating!
