Seeing + noticing things others don't...
Sat, October 15, 2011 at 12:09PM 
Another pair of doodled art journal pages from the exacompta. This started with a simple photo of me looking at drying tea bags. Then I thought - "quirky" - because really I am. But in this world quirky is not always a good thing. It's also known as wierd. The background is in tubed and heavy body acrylics, with doodling in gellyrolls. The stamps are from Traci Bunkers set, Blind Melon.
When you find others that understand why you collect bits of fabric, how you envision drawing a mandala, why you wish for a tiny cube of indigo watercolor paint, why you care what lens is on your camera... that makes you feel normal, at least with those people.
People who understand that watercolor paper is luscious for drawing, why you photograph a rusty pile of metal, and then edit that photo in photoshop to make it even more grungy, why you don't color inside the lines, why you call your messy pages art, why doing sudoku or drawing lines calms you down, why you blog.
If you are reading this and not scoffing, you are those people.
When you leave a comment, even a little bitty quip, it helps me know that you are those people. It helps me know that people are reading this. It helps me know that you might go and draw or paint or create something today. Or tomorrow.
Comments don't have to be esoteric essays but they do matter.
You'll find a good discussion about the reality of paring down the number of blogs we read, and about the importance of leaving comments on blogs you want to see continue... pop over to If Reading Fewer Blogs is Healthy What Does That Mean for Craft Bloggers? at Craftypod and Creative Encouragement: Read Less Blogs at Things Bright.
Reader Comments (54)
I'm really enjoying the direction your art journals are taking - love the little photos that are showing up. I agree about seeing things that other people probably don't - stopping suddenly to notice the shadows from an iron gate on a sidewalk, the pattern in the ice of a puddle, a design on your duvet that didn't catch your eye till now. I think both photography (well, if you have your camera) and drawing/journaling have the capacity to capture those transient images - seen at a certain angle, a certain light, a certain time of the day, in a particular frame of mind.
But it's very true that quite often people around you ask "why are you looking at that?" :)
(or in my case - "mom, seriously, you're going to take a picture of that?") :D
And to think I was scolded as a child for taking photos of doorknobs! LOL. I have kept every photo my daughter has taken. I want her to embrace "quirkiness."
Love! Love! Love these pages! :)
Love seeing your journal pages!
Don't let yourself fall into a trap of thinking that quirky or even weird is bad. I have come to peace (mostly) with my "weirdness" over the years, and I think it's because the status quo is boring. And I would imagine that most of those "normal" people out there envy you your creativity and your ability to create beauty and see beauty in the grunge. That is what creativity is-- the ability to see something that is hidden and then share it with the world, whether it be through words or pictures or paint or revamping furniture or inventing a recipe.
Those who have been great in the world-- the artists, writers, scientists, inventors, musicians-- they have all been quirky. It's that quirkiness that allowed them to see potential and new answers to old problems.
Keep up the good work, and know there are people reading and being influenced by what you put in this space. In fact, my whole family (including my two-year-old) is participating in ICAD this month. It's been so much fun and such a good way for us to spend time together. :)
I am! One of those people.
So--I'm experimenting with art journaling because of your blog. Thanks!
love these pages! the purple is a great backdrop for the pics, ephemera and writing you did on the pages. i enjoy your quirky nature, speaks volumes and speaks of creativity that knows no bounds! i check your blog daily just to see what new and interesting things you have to show and tell ;)
I love drawing on watercolor paper! The grainy feel of a good cold press paper against my pencil is heaven!
We are of the same tribe for sure! gonna go check out your links. loyally reading your blog - thanks for your bounty of inspiration and being part of my community
You always make me feel brave, my dear! Totally love your pages! Color and placement of random items of meaning and significance. The practice your inspired of a daily 3x5 literally kept me sane during a traumatic summer ... And I absolutely love bein' of da' EcleCtic TriBe of ThoSe! ♥
I am "those people"! Love these pages.
I absolutely love your blog, I think you are unique and very generous with your knowledge, thank you so
much for being an inspiration!!
Everyone, I am so touched by your words; they mean a great deal to me. I don't even know what to say, beyond {{{hugs}}} and thank you! ~ Tammy
Wonderful pages! Inspiring as always.
I found the articles you link to in your post interesting. I have been thinking about some of those same things. Just like finding other "quirky" people its interesting to find people thinking about the same things you are and sometimes get a different perspective.
I take photos of rust and algae covered oars, of yellow rafts and light on lakes that turn into sparkled dots and I take regular photographs too and I love them all, and I love color and I love art museums and I love standing in parks in the rain and watching the water drip off the autumn leaves. And I love your art journal pages. And I left you a comment just so you would know I was here and I loved immersing myself in the colors.
I just wanted to say I'm one of those people, and I love your blog and your art!
oh yes, there are more of "those" (us!) out here.... ;-D
You know, that's what I love about art and being creative. Seeing things other people find weird or 'not so special'. The other day I was in the kitchen and the morning light hit the pots of tea, flower and sugar in a special way and I thought: Wow! That's magical and ran out to get my analogue camera and when the film comes back I'm pretty sure everyone will say "why did you snap thát?!"
One of us! One of us! Sorry, I couldn't resist :) Just wanted you to know I have your blog bookmarked and look at it daily. On days when I can't find the time to create, visiting your blog feeds the starving little muse wasting away inside my brain. Thank you!
oh yes.....I can relate to all this!!! I work in a school and have to encourage the littlies to "colour between the lines."
How I hate doing that!