I recently took my mixed media panels and turned them into book covers and bound them into blank journals and added them to my online shop. I made five and now there are three, so if you are interested, grab one! Shipping is included in the price.
I was having a hard time coming up with titles for the book above and then I came across the phrase from a poem by Antonio Machado and I just loved it.
XXIX
Traveler, there is no path.
The path is made by walking.
Traveller, the path is your tracks
And nothing more.
Traveller, there is no path
The path is made by walking.
By walking you make a path
And turning, you look back
At a way you will never tread again
Traveller, there is no road
Only wakes in the sea.”
I think at the time I was feeling uncertain about things, art, life in general, you know one of those weeks. And there was something so reassuring about reading those words. Somtimes you just have to figure things out as you go along. I think especially when you’re on the creative path. There are just so many ways to go about things. There’s no one linear way.
My son is a junior in high school now and we have been talking about college and future plans, and I think I will write this poem on our kitchen chalkboard to remind ourselves that the path is made by walking. I really love the freedom and reassurance in that.
Below is another journal featuring a road. I do love images of passages and roads.
In my recent newsletter I wrote that each newsletter I will try to add some kind of resource or tip that could be either a book I have read that I find inspiring, a podcast, or even one of my illustrated recipes. I also wanted to add tips on either journaling or visual journaling. I want to offer a newsletter that’s not just announcements/invitations about shows or things that are available to purchase- which is super important, but I just want to add something more, something that might spark something in others.
My next newsletter will definitely have a writing tip. I don’t know if that many people even write anymore, but maybe some other people besides me do it still! Writing is such an essential part of my studio practice. I think that it has also helped me talk about my work when I have to. If you’re not signed up for my newsletter yet, here is a link. It is usually once a month, if that! Usually coincides with a show invitation. Thanks!