a different sort of journal pages

After seeing illustrations by Geninne D. Zlatkis I was completely smitten. So beautiful. Look at this painting, or this one. I could go on and on. Makes me want to take some illustration and watercolor painting classes!

When I saw her diary/calendar pages, I had to try making some calendar pages of my own. I do think she should publish a calendar, don't you? Look at this page of hers, and this one too. Here's one more. Mine are nothing like hers, but a fun way to play none the less.

Of course, mine are so not as cool. There are parts I dislike so much that I cringe at the thought of  showing you. But that's ok. It's about stretching my wings, seeing differently. A new idea. A new art exercise. Here's one page starting out.

And then colored in.

My point of sharing these is to encourage you to jump in and play. Maybe try something uncomfortable. You may not get where you want to, or love the result, but you'll never come close if you don't start to play. Just start. Doodle, sketch, color, cut & glue. Playing is the best way to find some new place to go.

I'm even thinking about buying a moleskin just for this calendar keeping idea...

Comments

[Karyn]

I think your work is beautiful! Sometimes we are our own worst critic...but that's what challenges us and like you said, if we don't try or challenge ourselves, we may never know.

[trish]

I love it! I am going to have to buy a new moleskine and try it out;) plus I think yours are just as cool!
thanks for the great post
Trish

[Francesca Di Leo]

Love love love this idea!
I'm definitely going to give this a go.
I'm new to art journaling (but journaling for ever), and need these kinds of prompts to get me started. Thanks so much!

And I love love love your journal pages. When I grow up I want to be you! Smile.

Have a beautiful day...
Francesca

[Jane]

My God, you people are so talented! I'm in awe. Of course she should publish, & so should you. There should be more of this beauty in the world. We await you.
P.S. Thank you for the art journaling tips. Greatly appreciated.

[Laura]

I will Pam! This is my kind of doodling anyway.....I kind of do this already at my desk in the office all day (when I'm not diligently working)....looking at this I feel a tiny bit validated!...thanks for encouraging me.....I have to say....your words...your tips in the article written about you in WWC were the most inspiring to me of all the artists.....Thank you.
Be well, Laura

[Sandy]

I love this idea and thanks for sharing Geninne's pages with us. Wow. But you are so talented too, even if you don't realize how great these pages are already. :)

[sheila]

WOW! 2 things come to mind when I read your post

1) what do you mean you cringe at showing some of it to show us it looks smashing!

2) You should be so happy that you have the desire and the talent to illustrate such art.

I think it is gorgeous!

[Diane]

I love your work, great idea and such wonderful Eye Candy!
Hugs, Diane
www.saturdayfinds.blogspot.com

[Rebecca G.]

These are absolutely gorgeous! Thanks for sharing and for sharing the links. Loved it all!!

[Angie G.]

WOW! These pages are great! There's so many details to look at!

[Vicki Cotnoir]

Beautiful Work! Another way to Practice and Play is the grocery list! Gotta get the goodies so why not practice! I love to try different things....pens,paper,etc.

[hope]

Pam - her pages are what jump started me to start journaling (sans stitching) - but you are braver than me - I never could post mine - I still cringe to look at them - maybe I should share them though - as you say, it is about spreading wings... and it is fun to see how we each interprut a way to do something - and make it in our own style.
You also may like to take a peek at amanda kavanagh's pages here - http://www.flickr.com/photos/craftmonkeys/108870651/in/set-72057594064060114/
xo

[Debi]

Your journal is GREAT...I LOVE it!! I think you're super talented and I'm so inspired when I see your work.

[Pam]

Love your pages. Your choice of color is wonderful.

[Dollybelle]

Love it! You are amazing!
xoxo
Christine

[Kelly in Canada]

Hi Pam,
Thanks so much for the links. I think your pages are beautiful as are those you linked to. Amazon is going to have a run on their sketch books! Also, have you seen the lovely books written by Sara Midda? Her artwork reminds me of Gennine's or perhaps the other way around. It doesn't matter, both are lovely.
Kelly

[patti mullican]

I think you're WAY too hard on yourself. I think you could publish calendars or any number of things and they would sell. In fact, I was working on some books for a teacher the other day and picked up one and the lettering and illustrations reminded me of you. I'll have to look up the artist, but the books was Three Billy Goats Gruff. Thanks for sharing!

[Paula Bogdan]

These are very cool! I know that after Art and Soul, I'll be spending lots of time on her site!

[Alison Gibbs]

Great journal. Love seeing it being created.
Alison

[andra]

You are a perfect example of how hard we are on ourselves!!! While I love the paintings on her etsy site, your journal calendar is so much more eye-catching to me. Love it..love the color. I still don't get your wonderful use of color. Inspiring and I will have to re-read your last blog entry and try a few things.
Smiles your way, Andra

[Taylor]

Both are so beautiful. Thanks for the inspiration. Taylor

[Suzy]

I don't see a single solitary thing there that is the slightest bit cringe-worthy. Honestly! But I thank you for sharing something you don't wholly like yourself (crazy woman!). I think you could do a beautiful version of Geninne's calendar

[Cerri Campbell]

Oooh, I think your pages are wonderful!
Off now to read your journaling Q&A. I wish I had this ability!
Cerri xo

[lisa]

Cringe at what...everything you do is lovely! Hmmm this might be fun in that journal I created in your class:)

[Marlene Haveron]

Thank you Pam - for opening a window when a door closed for me...I've been looking for another calendar book but couldn't find the right one, and BINGO you hit the nail right on the head..here's to doodling - I can feel a doodle creation coming on right now...I'm off to grab a pencil & paper...thank you again Pam...but I don't think I will be as brave as to you to show my work - cringable subject LOL...have a honey of a night- sweet dreams! Marlene :O)

[Jeanne]

I wish I was better at just jumping in with things creatively that I have never tried. Your doodles look great. I agree with you that she should publish her calendars....beautiful!

[connie]

Ok pam, i think i could do this format!!
i want to jump into the sherbert when i see your work :) it's beautiful
~cOnNiE

[Trina Lucido]

I recently discovered your work (first saw it in the "Art Journaling" magazine) and have been smitten ever since. Your pages are an inspiration ... I can't imagine you cringing at anything you create! Thank you so much for posting your beautiful art journals.

[Robin]

Thank you so much for this post. It is such an inspiration! I can't wait to get started today. I love that you posted yours (which are beautiful) It shows how you took this idea and interpreted it in your style. This is the inspiring part of your post. We should take the idea and make it our own not just copy the idea. Too bad I have such a busy day today. I want to play now!!

[Mummakat]

I love your calendar pages!! Not ready to go there yet myself but I think your pages are terrific!!

[Teresa Sheeley]

Your pages are gorgeous too! Geninne is one of my favorite artists! :)

Teresa
xo

[Diane Duda]

I certainly don't see the "cringe parts" you talk about. These are lovely! Thanks for passing along the inspiration. :)

di

[Brit S.]

Her AND your work is absolutely gorgeous. It's inspiring! This is lovely; all of your work is lovely. Thank you very much for sharing!

[Mindy Carpenter]

Pam, you are too hard on yourself!!! Your pages and art are so beautiful. Maybe SHE is inspired by YOU!!???
Mindy xo

[Modern Crush]

Yes, her work is amazing - I have seen it before. But yours is too, we all agree!

[Laura Melohn]

Wow! So impressive...love your art.

[karen]

Hey Pam,
If it will make you feel better, I was trying out my wings on your style and shared it on my blog...Yours is awesome!
karen...
recycledrita.blogspot.com

[SusanG]

LOVE your pages!! And I love Geninne's too - I have two of her bird prints and could happily own all of them!

Susan

[shawn]

i think you are hard on yourself...even with your many accomplishments...these are just lovely and i love the idea of this...how did you add the color is it watercolor or markers?

[Lindart]

Your pages are VERY cool! Just not the same as hers! But I love yours AND hers both. Thank you for introducing her journal pages to me! It would be fun to do with all that drawing and stamping together. She has a good imagination! So do you!

[nicole austin]

I love the colors you used and your style is very free and enchanting. I've just discovered copic markers and I'm having a hard time deciding on a few colors (there's hundreds!). What colors are you using in these pages or what colors do you most often work with? (I like your palette of colors!)

thanks,
nicole

[susan gilman]

ok. seriously. I felt like a two-year old fighting off naptime last night "I don't wanna go to bed!" because I just wanted to stay up and doodle up some of these but I could not keep my eyes open! Oh thanks for the inspiration (as always!) - been trying to decide how to organize my journal pages for INSPIRED and this is just the right thing!

[mary w]

LOVE LOVE LOVE......seriously.

[pink sky]

i love these calendar pages! i am always looking for the perfect and most inspiring planner/journal/inspiration notebook, and your pages have it all. love, love it!

[susan]

beautiful! love it! can you share what medium you are coloring the pages with?

[andrea]

never cringe - just share - I LOVE! your art!

[Lorrie]

Oh my, they are all beautiful - yours and hers! Such inspiration. My mind is flying in a zillion directions. Doodling, here I come!

Lorrie

[Bridee Schrier]

I don't know how I found this blog!!!! I love it :)

XOXO...Bridee

[Amy Wing / Gauche Alchemy]

I just love your lettering, Pam... it inspires me to try my hand at it. (Hand! Ha!)

[canvas paintings]

I could spend hours browsing journels like this, terrific!