Sunday, October 17, 2010

Sitting and Thinking....

Today as I sat down to do a little journaling I began to think about how important these little books we carry around with us are. I have several journals. An art journal, an idea journal, a to do journal, a recipe journal, etc... You get the idea. Lately I have been working on a journal with daily thoughts, ideas, recipes, and tips for little things. This journal evolved during my rehab visit and then the first few weeks home. Unable to get to my art supplies upstairs, this journal was more of a glue book.

As I finished it up this morning I thought about what changes this journal and I had seen and would I continue to create like this or go back to my arty, painting style. I decided that there is room in my life for both. Most important is to journal. I thought I would share a page or two from so other peoples journal's with you today. I hope they inspire you to journal.


Emily Bronte - The Night the Storms has Past. Can't you see her sitting at a table writing down her thoughts, fears, an impressions of that night. Just like we sit and write our impressions and thoughts of what is going on with us in our journals. Not so different is it?

This is from what they call the Drake Manuscripts. An explorer's impressions written in his journal of a land and people he could hardly imagine. I love how in one quick journal page he has given us an image that portrays the people, how they live, the flora and fauna, this is a great journal page!

Mark Twain has written this little ditty in his journal for a book he is helping to write. I love Mr Clemen's work. My grandmother would have me read Mark Twain's work to her when she was ironing. Our favorites were The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The White Elephant.

John Ruskin jotted in his journal some detail work for a project he was working on. Does this not sound familiar fellow artists?

Mr. Poe working on his poem/story - Tamerlane. Working through his thoughts, the kinks, to come up with a masterpiece.

Last, but definitely not least Calder's notes on one of his amazing mobile sculptures. I love how he has used crayons to color his notes as the sculpture is also in these colors.

15 comments:

bobbie said...

These are wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing them...

Shopgirl said...

Journals are so wonderful. Most of us will never be famous, and outside of friends and family we are mostly unknown. But one day when we have left this earthly life, just maybe someone will know us because we shared thoughts and who we are in a very special way.
Hugs, Mary

Elizabeth Golden said...

I could not have said it better, Mary!

Terri Kahrs said...

Today's post is both awesome and inspirational, Elizabeth! Hugs, Terri xoxo

Cynthia said...

These pages are wonderful and inspiring. As you wrote about your daily thoughts, ideas, etc., I'm remembering all the books I've found that my Mom has done and realized that they were her way of journaling and I'm so touched. She has one for recipes, one with funnies/cartoons, and several more all with her own unique way of looking at the world. So much truth to Shopgirl's comment. Thanks for sharing.

Beverley Baird said...

I have an old journal (scrapbook as my dad called it) that my dad did when he was in grade 8. It is in an old black composition book and it is so precious to me.(He died 38 years ago.)
Thanks for sharing these wonderfaul journals.
Hope you are getting your strength back!

Dianne said...

thanks for sharing these...fascinating look at working sketchbooks...or at least that's what I used to call them. Not sure when art journals became the finished project instead of the "sketch." I agree with you, why not journals of several types!

Elizabeth Golden said...

Beverly how fortunate you are to have such a treasure! I am working out every day and slowly but surely my stamina and strength are coming back. Thank you for asking.

Unknown said...

I am inspired....I love the Lewis and clark journals too...They had an artist/ botanist along that sketched all the wildlife and plants....Pretty cool stuff....

Rita A. said...

oh My gosh. How inspiring. Thank you. I'm going to go get my journal out right now.
Love all the pages you shared.

Catherine said...

Oh what a lovely post. I love the journal pages you shared with us. Simply beautiful.
Catherine
PS
Thank you for popping over to my blog : )

Wildflowerhouse said...

Elizabeth I am always amazed when I come to your posts. Always interesting and so educational too. You must have had a wonderful childhood. Your grandmother sounds very special.

Anonymous said...

Oh Elizabeth, thank you so much for sharing these beautiful journal pages, Mark Twain's is really touching, how great !

Timaree said...

It's always interesting to see others' journal pages. For me it's kind of a sense of approval of what I am doing in my own journal. Thanks for sharing.

Heavens2Betsy said...

How lovely of you to share these pages. I was considering starting journalling in the near future ... but you have helped that become today. Thank you. Penny