The Documented Life Project

I was asked by the lovely Documented Life Project team to show my process in completing a spread using their monthly theme and weekly prompt. The monthly theme is "Using quotes and lyrics as storytelling." And the weekly theme is "One of the hardest things in life is having words in your heart that you can't utter." -James E. Jones.

Looking at my spread and my progression it may be hard to "see" that, that was the prompt I used but it is. Creating a visual spread has many levels of meaning. Color, and or image, can convey to the one creating it meaning that an observer cannot see, and that is how is should be. The words, quotes and scripture and my use of them went far deeper than can be seen on the surface of this spread. Visual journaling does that for me...you too?

 (After the last image I posted my thought process as I was thinking about this spread if you care to see.)

I am using Sabrina Ward Harrison's book "The Story Is Happening" as my journal. Most times the whole page gets covered, but there are a few times that parts of the original page peek through. It's fun to see what happens when you use an existing book with images.

(Layer 1)

To begin with, I usually add splashes of black paint to the page.

(Layer 2)

Then I like to add words from the prompt or just words that are flowing in my mind and heart. These words will most likely get covered up. I may add them back, but not always. Sometimes, I like the words to stay buried, not seen by the viewer but known to me.

(Layer 3)

Then I begin to add strokes of color.  I do this with little swipes of paint here and there.

(Layer 4)

I added drips next...just playing as I go...little additions, creating layer after layer.

(Layer 5)

I used pieces of my original thoughts that I wrote on paper before I began my spread as collage. I added other bits of collage and some ripped burlap. No reason behind adding these, just wanted to.

(Layer 6)

I added a bit more color here pulling the spread together and making it not so busy.

(Layer 7)

I did a bit of line work with oil pastels.  I love using these on my pages.  And added a bit of brown. The messy and dark spread seemed to me to reflect the feeling of weariness to me. At this point I could do more. I could add seen journaling here too, but there are times I prefer simpler pages. Pages with empty space on them. I remember what I wrote beneath the layers, I remember the feelings this spread represents to me and I felt (it's a feeling, not a knowing) that making the underneath words visible would spoil the final image. 

Just a thought, do you take photos of your pages? I often take photos of my pages, it helps me see where I may need to add or change something. 

Many thanks to The Documented Life team for asking me to participate and thanks everyone for stopping by.

Grace, Peace and Love

supplies used just in case you want to know :)

THE WEARY WORLD REJOICES

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. LEARN THE UNFORCED RHYTHMS OF GRACE. *I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll LEARN TO LIVE FREELY AND LIGHTLY.

*(it's a yoke lined with love)

Free from:

Getting my worth, peace, and love from someone and something else.

Trying to prove my worth to others.

No more proving

No more grasping

No more trying to change others

No more trying to earn my worth

No more grasping/demanding for things and other to be how I think they should be

OPENING HANDS AND HEART

LEARNING THE UNFORCED RHYTHMS OF GRACE

LEARNING TO LIVE FREELY AND LIGHTLY