well, gentle readers,
I am interrupting the travelogue
to bring you
my February pages...
for those of you who are new to my
blog,
you may not know that
I annually write a love letter to myself...
so I thought I would show you my stack of journals
above and below...
some contain 2 years of monthly
journal posts...
so here are my past
February journal pages...
all of these spreads have obscured love letters written to myself...
I write what I love about myself
and what I appreciate...
I don't know about you, but I have to stop myself sometimes
and pat myself on the back...
2009
2010
2011
and below last months love letter...
I generally journal write on both pages, sometimes filling all the blank space in the journal... and then I begin to gesso or paint the page and cover part of the writing by creating a visual piece that
will remind me of what I wrote on the page.
the visual to me is often more powerful than my written words...
there was a time, as a "serious" artist...
I would never have used a heart symbol in my work
but that was before my brother committed suicide
by shooting himself in the heart...
since that time, I have found that the heart symbol
seems to express, what no anatomical heart can...
below the full two page spread...
I decided to use a mixed media quilt to express how I have been
stitching my life back together
ingredients: acrylic paint, paper ephemera, hand dyed muslin, hand dyed lace, thread, gesso, colored pencil, pen and ink...
as always,
I so appreciate all your comments....
grazie!
I will be back soon with more travelogue
photos
and new work for my
Brighton gallery
C4N!
Beautiful pages and such a great idea to write yourself a love letter. I think it's an idea I will endeavor to employ. Sweet stitching on so many levels.
ReplyDeletexoxo Kim
Oh, Cat, what a lovely idea, writing a love letter to yourself; I never would have thought of it. Your pages are beautifully personal, and the heart seems a fitting symbol for love's multiple meanings. xo
ReplyDeleteHeavenly!!! Peace. Mary Helen fernandez Stewart
ReplyDeleteHi Cat, Thank you for sharing these pages...and your feelings.
ReplyDeleteI have always loved the heart shape and am still drawn to it, even in
'crappy' machine-made things, the heart shape always draws me in for a second look.
It just means happiness and hope and the excitement of the promise of love for me...still.
I will have to try your practice of patting myself on the back. I have no problem criticizing my every fault...not what the creator intended.
And I know I have said it before, but, I am sorry for the hopelessness your brother had...you are a brave and beautiful person. ♥♥♥
Cat, the pages are gorgeous! Love the lace and feathers, they're all so vintage and warm :D Julie
ReplyDeleteLove your pages and all your journals too. Awesome work. Thanks for sharing. Everything is so inspiring. So glad I found you :-)
ReplyDeleteA lovely resting place. Looking at last months love letter, I get the feeling that your journal is often your sanctuary. Beautiful pages Cat!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, tranquil journal pages Cat ... I love your use of gesso.
ReplyDeleteYour heart is beautiful ...... thank you so much for sharing with us.
Jacky xox
I am so amazed and impressed with how your art has changed, and yet how much it has stayed the same over the years. Your Feb. pages make a powerful statement, regardless of the year. And of course, I love your use of the heart and how you stitched your life back together. That was a powerful statement AND bit of art!!
ReplyDeleteo dear sweet cat, i didn't use a heart symbol until my father died of a heart attack...it seemed a way i could connect ... i am so very sorry for your loss...beautiful pages
ReplyDeleteLove the pages Cat. The gesso works great. Great journal pages and I like the idea of writing a love letter to myself. I may just do that. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAbundant! xox Corrine
ReplyDeleteI feel so thankful to see this part of you.Often stopping by and loving your pages,but today,seeing one after another...its like a real gift and I feel blessed that you are always so willing to share this part of yourself.Hugs to you sweet Cat.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful and poignant post Cat. My eyes are welled with tears. Have always loved your artwork - but with the meanings you have shared- they are even more precious. I am so saddened to hear about your brother-can't imagine the pain that it's brought. But so very glad that you have found a way to channel your emotions- and I can't think of a more profound and meaningful way than through your art!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by my blog and commenting. Art is a way that I can release so much of my energies as well. xo
Hi Caterina,
ReplyDeleteSoo sorry to hear about your brother.
Your journals and pages are fabulous and Thank you for sharing.
I've blogged about Journaling today as well.
Creative hugs,
Anna
These are fantastic and personal! I agree that the heart is a symbol that stirs many feelings...very sorry to know of your brother's suicide. Thank you for the lovely inspiration gracing these pages...My own journals have some visuals, but now I look forward to adding more embellishment, "dressing them up" and taking them out to play! Hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely and inspiring pages Cat! Hugs to you...thank you for sharing your heart with us.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about your brother. Your artwork and journals are so beautiful and the hearts add such a special, lovely touch. Best wishes and blessings, Tammy
ReplyDeleteWhat a moving post Caterina...you have so touched my heart with your use of hearts to help heal your own....I am so sorry for your loss and send you my love and hugs.
ReplyDeleteI love your idea of a love letter to the self....and your pages depict such beautiful tenderness in your work.
Thank you also for visiting my blog and for your wishes....very much appreciated...
Loving ourselves shouldn't be this hard. I am glad you are taking affirmative action. Trying to do the same. I hear you about the heart symbol.
ReplyDeleteAnother wonderful post. I can't do hearts in my artwork, but sometimes they show up with no warning. When I see your hearts, I know they come from a personal, honest place and it really comes through. Admirable!
ReplyDeleteReally amazing pages! I especially love the feather page and I am sure that's not a surprise to you. I've missed my visits here!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pages Cat, such a lovely idea, a gentle reminder about what's good in ourselves. I'm so sorry to hear about your brother, when I see your hearts now they will have an extra special meaning for me, thank you for sharing this with us. Mx
ReplyDeleteDear Cat, I love the soft tones of gray and beige, the feeling of timelessness and everlasting love that you have for your brother. How beautiful your work is.
ReplyDeleteroxanne