Yesterday, I complained about not liking my square journal. Today, I decided to try it one last time. At the same time, I joined an online class (Jacqui Graham’s Yahoo Group, Artists of the Round Table) whose goal is to make every book in Alisa Golden’s book–and there are 100 of them. I may not last, but it was fun getting started.
It turned out that the book we made was. . . a square. I pressed ahead. I’ll admit the book structure was fun. It was made out of an 8.5-inch x 11-inch sheet of paper, folded and cut. It had a separate cover, made out of heavy paper.
Cover of tiny book, showing dried orchid
For emphasis on the tiny structure, I used lace paper for the inside. In the pockets, I tucked dried pansies. The cover flower is a dried orchid. The novelty was interesting, but tiny, multi-fold books are not the joy of my life.
Dried pansy inside the lace book.
I also noticed that no matter how carefully you fold, the book wants to wonk out of shape. I made three of these–one with printer paper, one with thick paper and the one here, which was the only one that worked. There is a group that’s dedicated to making all 100 of these books. Really? Well, I’ll press on.
Back to the square journal. I’m working on some collage at the moment, so I borrowed some photographs from Bo Mackison at Seeded Earth (I asked and she said yes, even when she found out I was altering them. That was very kind.) In this one, I added metallic hand lettering and a background made from a color transfer. It’s the square journal, and I just had to use the second page. It says, “Put your ear down to your soul and listen.” –Anne Sexton.
In both these pages, I had to continue to the other side to get the rectangle approach. I prefer portrait orientation, but landscape it had to be. I cut out the original image in the adobe house and made the cut out work both ways. On the first page, you see a photograph of the moon (Bo didn’t take that one, I did).
When the page is turned the window now looks out on the endless road. I’m pleased with the idea, but not the execution. The cutline says, “Walk into your own Night.”
Now I just have to decide if I finish the book in not-great collage, or if it’s OK to abandon it for now, maybe come back to it later, or just have a book that’s half done. Any suggestions what to do with the rest of the book?
–Quinn McDonald wants to move on to free-standing collage pages. She’s the author of Raw Art Journaling.
Hi. I just listened to your podcast with Leslie Riley. It is fantastic!
I’ve long wanted to take a class with you, and this Sunday you are going to be at Zinnia (local to me). However, I have family business and can’t attend. I was so bummed, I wrote to Tamara and insisted you return, and she said you’d be back. I’m so GLAD!
Now I’m off to get your book!
I’m going to miss you, Chris. Wish you could come to Santa Ana on Saturday. I can’t wait to teach at Zinnia again! Tried to leave a note on your blog, but Blogger wanted me to open a blog first. Yikes! I can barely keep up with this one!
My only suggestion is to leave the layout alone and come back to it in a week or more. Maybe it will make more sense to your inner artist. Never can tell if it’s the inner critic talking or your inner artist telling you to wait for another day. Just reading this blog entry was very entertaining this morning. Way to go, Quinn. And the idea of 100 handmade books? I don’t think so. I’ve made small handmade books that took days because I move back and forth in projects. The handmade cloth books on my blog were much more fun but not for hand journaling. You’re doing great no matter what.
Marrianna
Thanks, Marianna. I think I may have to put it away for a few days at least. I hate doing that, I lose steam, but I also need to see what comes up. The bookmaking class may have to take a back seat to a new client who has asked me to write a workbook on technical writing. That will have to come first.
I think not liking a square format has something to do with it’s comparatively staid, predictable format that constantly pushes to the inevitable sense of a circle and a center point. (But it’s NOT a circle!)
This is as opposed to a rectangle which does a lot more towards approaching sacred geometric Golden Mean proportions and sends us creatively spiraling…in a good way. Does this make some sense?
It not only makes sense, I’m hugely relieved. Who doesn’t like a square? I was feeling weird. Now I feel sacred. Thanks, Liz, I can always count on you to be smart and make me feel better!
Not all of your pages in one journal have to be oriented the same way. You could turn the book sideways so you have one long portrait orientation to work over the 2 sides of open pages. You could also add fold out extensions that make the square pages into rectangles. Just a few thoughts.
Those are two excellent suggestions. I love the idea of a fold out. Yes, I do. Hmmmm. . . (Your coiled mats are beautiful, prairiepeasant!
Thank you on both counts!
So the first book to make was a square one. Now, if that’s not karma offering you a change to challenge yourself, I don’t know what is
Oh, dear. I wonder what waits me.
When I was making it, it did seem a bit on the karma side!
I am deeply inspired by the journal pages in this post and would gladly hang any one of them in my home as great art!!
You are a sweetie, a good friend and an encouragement!
I was going to suggest cutting out the unused signatures and then repurposing those in other journals (but you already came up with that idea!). I would leave some blank pages in the book. You never know when you will just NEED a square book, and you will have it.
I love the window pages though – really beautiful.
sorry … i didn’t leave my name … Melanie
Oh, what a great idea. I hadn’t thought of leaving some blank pages in the book, just in case I need them. Clever idea.
Quinn, I think it’s hip to be square but personally I hate working in a square format too and I don’t know why.
On one hand I think you should just let it go because ultimately we work to enjoy the process and if you’re not enjoying this book then it defeats the whole purpose.
On the other hand I think every time I’ve pushed through crap I didn’t enjoy doing, I found that I grew in ways I wouldn’t have if I would have stayed in my comfort zone.
Maybe this is a creality moment. Are you unhappy with the square because it’s not turning out like the idea you had for it in your head?
Sometimes I think situations like this can serve a purpose. I like the haiku suggestion above but I also think you could use this book to document your “square stuff.” Like the place to document what makes you uncomfortable or makes you feel like a “square!”
Good luck, keep us posted…
Wishing you happy creations, tj
I just think it’s too small and confining–although I like working small. Such a contradiction. But I know you work in a similar context way, and pushing through to something else may be the idea here. Don’t have to think about how many pages. Just push through. I like that idea. It goes with the other one that said the answer is mine to dig out.
I say just set it aside; not much worse than pushing on with something you know is not for you. In the 100 books, statistically there’ll be at least 1 you’ll enjoy!
Thanks, Trece. As usual, I am talking about six different things on my blog–the books I made and the square journal I’m working in, which is my topic of frustration, rather than the ones we are making.
I don’t believe art should ever be forced. And the feeling of having to finish the book because you started it may cause further resentment. If you find joy in working in it then continue. If it bothers you to have an unfinished piece hanging around perhaps you could give the started book to someone in one of your classes or a friend that loves the square format. I believe you have the best solution waiting.
As in all my journals, I’ve written some personal thoughts, ideas, classes. Too much of my stuff to give away. I think it’s mine to dance with. Have been thinking of cutting out the unused signatures, creating an accordion fold with pockets and re-attaching it to store other things. I’m warming to it.
That sounds like a great way to repurpose your book.
Maybe it would give a different perspective if you drew a line on the two page spread horizontally — two long horizontals. Think cartoon format, though content wouldn’t need to be cartoons or maybe it might. Would the comedian Quinn please step up?
hmmmmm. I did divide some pages and liked working that way. That might be a really interesting idea, Bo.
I would use your square journal for haiku;
as they are word pictures, you can use the portrait orientation you prefer, and gather inspiration on your walks to compose the haiku and then add simple, complimentary images. I like what you’ve done so far! I’ve used windows before and they feel special. The square journal is rather like a window itself.
That may be a really great alternative–using it for haiku and found poetry. I don’t know why I’m finding it so constraining. Maybe the smaller size bothers me.
Love your books – and I am also in the Yahoo bookmaking class. It is my intention to make all 100 books . . .we’ll see!
I would set your book in question aside for a few days – allow that creative intuition to bubble up – cause what you have started is wonderful. I would love to see it finished!
I hate to abandon a book. I also don’t want it to know I dislike it! I think putting it aside may be a good idea. About that Alisa Golden class–I’m already behind and it’s only week 2! I did the wrong book on page 35. We’ll see what happens.