. . .a series of art journals around different themes?
This is an idea that has been stirring in me the last few weeks and I want to put it out there to the blogosphere and see what kind of response it might get. What I am thinking of are different journals that would include a combination of text and art. Each would have a focus like discernment, grief, dreams, creativity, lectio divina, liturgical and natural seasons, etc. There would be some content — reflections on the theme, but there would also be lots of luscious open pages with photos, collage, and other art laid out alongside poetry and reflection questions. I am considering doing this project through a publisher like Lulu.com so that I could have complete control over what the journals look like and not have to deal with the endless work of book proposals (most publishers would stay away from a cost-intensive project like this anyway). I like the idea of their full-color square size of 7-1/2 by 7-1/2 inches. Something about a square book seems like it would feel good to hold.
There would also be the possibility of doing some collaboration and including not only my own artistic expressions, but the art of others. I have come to know so many talented people both in Seattle and through the blog, now spread across the country and beyond. Like for instance Heather’s great icons I just mentioned in the last post. Or Bette with her wonderful woodcuts and haiku. And Trish with her amazing music (maybe a mini-CD with a song included?) Lots more folks I could think of too, although I don’t want the organizing of it to get too complex. But I am drawn to bringing image and word together in a more tangible form than the blog.
So I am looking for some feedback on this. Would you even want to buy such a journal? What would be most/least appealing about this for you? Go ahead, be honest, I can take it!
I’d also love to hear from all my readers who check in here quietly, an invitation and encouragement to come out and say hello! What keeps you coming back?
Have a wonderful weekend!
-Christine Valters Paintner (feel free to email me as well if you’re shy) :-) sacredcenter@aol.com
11 Responses
Oops I see I have have many typos- sorry
enjoyed discovering this site. I am an artist and lay chaplain in a hospital where I have published (in house) a little manual on “Art and Healing”. In it besides the usual warm exercises I have introduced Mandalas with some suprising results. I personally keep a mandala journal-one of those kinds found in art supply stores with half sheet having lines and other half blank. I can do a combination of Lecio Divino or just recored what ever the mandala seems to be saying. Gracia
Thanks Cathleen! I definitely will ! :-)
This type of journal sounds so inviting. I yearn for images, color, sound ~ all those rich, sensory images. And to know that women who contributed to it would make it richer! Keep dreaming! Cathleen
Thanks Trish, I love your vision of all the places such a book could be. I will keep dreaming about this and see where it takes me. I have a couple of friends who have used Lulu and liked it.
Well, golly! What a swell idea! I can imagine such a book/journal sitting on the shelves of bookstores at retreat centers, especially. Also hospital gift stores, independent book sellers, and coffee shops. I’d love to continue dreaming into this with you/others. And square books are so lovely.
Thanks for sharing the Lulu.com site — what a great resource for independent writers/musicians/artists! I’ve already shared the good Lulu news with three others!
Antony, glad to hear you are intrigued!
Bette, it does feel like a good possibility for putting together many of the things I have been working on. Have your friends found Lulu.com to be a positive experience overall?
Wendy, I appreciate your honesty and that might be something for me to consider as well, a book with content and images and a separate journal. Much to chew on.
I’d love to keep hearing from more of you. Thanks so much to those of you who took the time to write emails! Feel free to do so if you don’t like leaving public comments.
Blessings, Christine @ sacredcenter@aol.com
Honestly, though Im sure it would be lovely, if I were in a bookstore (or ordering online) I probably wouldnt purchase something like this, I would be more prone to purchase a book with the images and exercises and reflections as a seperate little concise book, and have a plain journal seperate. But then thats just me, a journal doesnt feel like a journal to me if it isnt blank. Now if it were a set—a blank journal, a reflection/images/prayers/exercises book, some art supplies, all together in a little package, then I’d be more apt to be drawn.
Christine I’m wowed and humbled that you would envision my woodcuts in such great collaborative company! Sounds like a great way to introduce new windows and doors to people :) I would purchase such a book just for the images! My two journals are, a simple 1/4″ spiral-bound notebook and a 1″ 5×7 spiral-bound blank sketchbook. The journaling part of these books would be great for your spiritual ministering exercises!!! Alot of my haiku colleagues have used Lulu.com.
I will say that I am intrigued by this idea.