She who reconciles the ill-matched threads of her life
and weaves them gratefully into a single cloth - It is she who drives the loudmouths
from the hall and clears it for a different celebration.
Rainer Maria Rilke
Just so you know, this is one of my favorite quotes of all time.
Leafing through my amazing twenty-five cent vintage poetry book yesterday I found this image of a lovely lady, waiting patiently to be added to my art journal. She looks like a girl who has reconciled the ill-matched threads of her life, don't you think? I don't know that she looks grateful, but she definitely looks peaceful, even though it appears that a cockatoo is about to land on her face.
And here she is in her new surroundings...woven cloth and all.
The background is made of strips of recycled sari silk. Did you know if you coat both sides of a piece of fabric with watered down gel medium you can cut and use it like paper in a collage? It's not an exact science, but I'd say about a 50/50 ratio of water to gel medium should do the trick. Lay wet fabric on parchment or wax paper so it will pull up easily when dry.
I prefer using silk because it is very lightweight and smooth, allowing it to accept paint easily. It really feels and cuts a lot like paper.
The rest of the page came together very quickly. I like the way that blue haze surrounding our girl makes her look kind-of glowy... like gratitude is just oozing from her pores. No wonder the loudmouths are clearing out. They never had a chance against all those peaceful, grateful vibes.
I wrote in this post a few days ago that gratitude is a game changer. A grateful life is alive with hope and possibilities. Gratitude washes away strife, leaving peace in its place.
Today I'm thinking about how our gratitude affects others. If you express your joy over something or tell me about a blessing in your life we both benefit. Your gratitude brings you greater peace and contentment while it helps me recognize my own joys and blessings.
Gratitude Expressed = Gratitude Multiplied
I have an entire circle of
friends sharing their thoughts about gratitude and being thankful today and
we're linked up in a blog circle. If you follow the link provided in each
post you will visit a dozen or so blogs from around the world and end up right
where you started...here! That's a lot of gratitude multiplied!
Today I'm linking to Laly Mille, an amazing mixed media artist
from France
Also linking up all of November with :
Wow! This is a great piece - I love the weaving of fabric in the backgroud! And I'm glad you kept the parrot in the piece, too, lol. I love it!!!!
ReplyDeleteHey, girl. Glad you'll be joining us next month!
DeleteI really like the idea of integrity driving out the loudmouths - an interesting piece all round :D
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful! I have to try this technique! And thanks for the sweet introduction ;)
ReplyDeleteLaly
I didn't know you could do that with gel medium. I use modge podge a lot, doing the same thing. I'm not as artsy as the rest of you, but whenever I paint, I also use fabric + generally use modge podge as the adhesive + do it exactly as you described! (I think I use it because I like peeling it off my fingers. I don't know why, but it makes me happy.) lol
ReplyDeleteI love that you used old saris. How beautiful. The quote, too, is extraordinary and you always make me laugh with your explanations of the poetry illos. lol
And you're right: just reading through all of your blogs is making me feel more + more grateful. Gratitude multiplied, like you said! Thank you!
What a gorgeous piece and I had no idea you could do that with fabric - I don't have silk but I do have some other lightweight fabrics that I'll try it with. Thanks! Beautiful gratitude thoughts - thanks for sharing.... visiting from AEDM
ReplyDeleteI love this journal page. I would like to try the cloth paper, thanks for sharing. I am just starting with art journaling, of course I have always written and doodled but never painted. It's true she looks peaceful, strong and glowing. :)
ReplyDeleteChandra
I love the quote and i love what you did with it. I also like what you did with the fabrics - I'm going to look for some. I guess I just thought silk was too lightweight, so I'm looking forward to more experiments. You have inspired me to start journaling - make a wholehearted attempt at keeping up with it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great quote and I love how you have used it. I really enjoyed seeing the photos of your process as well as your beautiful finished piece of art, thank you for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteThis is superb, a true mixed media piece, and a wonderful quote.
ReplyDeleteAhh, that really spoke to me.There is something about the weaving that is very special.
ReplyDeleteI am finding this blog circle fascinating! Blessings, Nancy
Awesome... very beautiful. Thanks Flyer!!
ReplyDeleteWowie ZOWIE! Love your lady! Sigh...love her. Aaaaand what you have done with her. sigh.
ReplyDeleteJanice- I enjoyed so much in your post this month, great art, some art tips and a terrific quote!! Yeah! See you next month on the blog circle
ReplyDeleteHi Janice,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment on my blog, which brought me to yours. I love your collage, quote and wonderful words about gratitude. A great way to start my day!
Love the use of fabric. "Gratitude Expressed = Gratitude Multiplied", that's quotable!
ReplyDeleteSo true! Thanks!
I really enjoyed seeing the process of your creative piece. I love the weaving also and appreciated learning about your technique of using fabric for your creative art piece. It is so true that sharing our gratitude spreads and magnifies to those around us. Thank you for blessing us with your gratitude! xo
ReplyDeleteBeautiful piece! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSTUNNING work :) And gratitude multiplied.....LOVE it :)
ReplyDeleteI really loved your fabric tutorial. I've been thinking of ways to incorporate fabrics lately so your info was timely. I hadn't thought of stiffening it ahead of time.
ReplyDeleteYou have all been so wonderful to leave such kind, supportive comments! Thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. It has been such a big step for me to post more of my artwork. On one hand I want to keep it close and protect my vulnerable artistic self but on the other hand, the whole purpose in creating art is to share it, right? Having you stop by and then take the time to leave a word of encouragement means the world to me!
ReplyDeleteHey the first time I visited your blog, interesting art work you have there! I'm your new follower ^.^
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Lovely collage. I have a lot of fabric and am thinking of incorporating it into some artwork. Thanks for the gel med tip.
ReplyDelete