The last unexpected visit of 2022

This wasn't supposed to happen, but I got a wild hair...

Art Journal Collage #24

Playtime

There’s just something simple and satisfying about paper and glue. I know many here are digital artists first and foremost, but sometimes the creative spirit needs a little more hands-on approach. 

In April, I started a collage journal in an airport lobby while my family and I waited on yet another delayed flight (the airline industry has us over a barrel and they know it). The project started strong but I lost touch with it after a few weeks as the inspiration took hold and I was off doing other things. 

During the holiday break, I’ve been a bit lackluster in my creative expression, and as I was cleaning my desk off, I found the journal. I stopped what I was doing, cracked it open to a clean page, grabbed a glue stick and some paper bits lying around, and I immersed myself in 20 minutes of playtime. 

Have you thought about becoming a Maker because you want to get all the goodies that Makers get, but you were waiting for some unknown reason? Well, let’s just say that this is the right time to do it because I’m feeling a little extra giving (for a limited time, of course).

It’s not a fine work of art, nor is it meant to be. The purpose is to express an idea that needs something more than written words—it needs fingerprints. Of course, I make hand-painted and collaged items often, but the immediacy of this book is more about the process than the result. 

In 2023 I plan on doing a lot of exploring new artistic territories, making things outside of my comfort zone, dwelling in unfamiliar lands, and once I get comfortable, making them my own. With that comes a reasonable amount of trepidation that may try to stop me from moving forward. In those moments, I’m thankful for the journal and its unmistakable purpose of kicking me in the proverbial pants. 

Maybe one more page, and then I’m off into uncharted territory. 

See you next year.