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Friday 6 January 2017

Going Around In Circles

Hello all and happy New Year!  It's time for the first challenge of the year at A Vintage Journey, and this month we are Going Round In Circles with our wonderful host, Brenda.  Circles, bubbles and dots are always lovely to play with, and I ended up exploring the idea in my small journal.


Going around in circles is something I try to avoid in life - I like to be heading somewhere new, with a learning curve for sure, and not stuck in straight lines either, but certainly not going around over the same old ground time and again.







But then there are definitely cycles in life, energy which swoops you upwards and onwards at times, and then other periods where you swing back down again into hibernation and recovery.










That was the theme of some of my turn-of-the-year journalling pages at almost exactly this time last year, and funnily enough circles played a major part in some of those spreads too, like The Depths of Winter.














There's something about the enclosed, protected shape which somehow connects to hibernation, preserving resources.














But there's also a positive energy, an uplifting buoyancy to the bubble shape; the circles rising and moving around the space of the page.














And as long as your circles continue to expand, to orbit new territory, perhaps there's power in going over that ground again, making it your own and then growing your experiences from that secure centre.















For this spread, I used my Movers and Shapers Sized Circles to cut some book page bubbles and hoops (by cutting the smallest circle out of an already cut medium circle).












I glued some of them onto my roughly gesso'd pages (this is the tiny Moleskine journal, 5.5 x 3.5 inches when it's closed) and added more gesso over the top.











Next step was some stamping including some Bo Bunny postmarks and the lovely musical advertisement from Pink Paislee's London Market set (spot the accidental upside-down one!).

Then I tried out Andy Skinner's page-ageing technique shared in his Quick and Easy Media Techniques video.












Over that, I added another round of book page bubbles on which I used Distress Crayons to create some dimensional shading.  (We're working by lamplight now, it was such a gloomy day).















From there, I just followed my fingers...















... adding accents and splatter...















... and shading around the edges of the pages.
















Oh, and of course there are some words for the New Year..













... a positive message to take forwards into 2017.














The word stickers are by 7 Dots Studio (just for a change from the Idea-ology word stickers!).















I used pastel pencils and the Distress Crayons again to add the watercolour shading drifting around each phrase.















Around the edges at various points, I added some straight lines of Titanium White with a plastic card.














There was something not quite working until I added them.















I think it needed them to echo the straight lines of the phrases amidst all the swirls and circles.















And I love the texture they add.














These are some circles I wouldn't mind going around in again.  It's such a pleasing shape to work with, and it holds so many meanings and possibilities.







I hope you'll hop over to A Vintage Journey to see the brilliant inspiration on offer from my lovely team-mates.  We'd love to see how you end up Going Round In Circles too this month.


And on Monday I'll be making the first stop at Destination Inspiration for 2017.  I hope you'll be able to join me then but, for now, have a wonderful weekend everybody.

Our task must be to free ourselves by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty.
Albert Einstein

Ich lebe mein Leben in wachsenden Ringen,
die sich über die Dinge ziehn.
Ich werde den letzten vielleicht nicht vollbringen,
aber versuchen will ich ihn.

Ich kreise um Gott, um den uralten Turm,
und ich kreise jahrtausendelang;
und ich weiß noch nicht: bin ich ein Falke, ein Sturm
oder ein großer Gesang.
Rainer Maria Rilke

I live my life in ever-widening circles
which spread themselves out over all things.
I may not complete the final one
but I will make the attempt.

I am circling around God, around the ancient tower,
and I have been circling for thousands of years;
and still I don't know: am I a falcon, or a storm
or a mighty song.
(translation - Alison Bomber)

I'd like to share these pages at Art Journal Journey where the guest host Erika has chosen Every Journal Page Tells A Story as her theme.  This story doesn't have a beginning, middle and an end - it's about the cyclical journey I'm on, travelling, I hope, in ever-widening circles.
And at Stamps and Stencils the theme is Swirls, Whirls and Flourishes - what could be better?!

57 comments:

Monika Gulyas said...

Fabulous journal pages, Alison! The ageing technique (by Andy Skinner) you recommended is amazing and it worked perfectly on your pages! Happy New Year! xx

Helen said...

I love circles, too - what a perfect challenge! love how you've cut the middles of some of your circles.

brenda said...

Super mixed media pages Alison and a gr at take on the circle theme.

B zx

Jane said...

What a wonderful concept for your circles theme Alison. I loved reading your thoughts as you created your pages. Such lovely colours, textures and shapes here...far from a dizzy going round in circles you have created something which is slow, relaxed and rounded. I love it! xxx

Julia Aston said...

What lovely thoughts and poem about circles to share along with your beautiful journal pages Alison! Your signature blues/tans are perfect with your layerings and stampings - an inspiring circle project! Julia xx

Brenda Brown said...

Fantastic pages, fabulous circle design and a wonderful post to read, this has set me up for the day. xxx

Jennie Atkinson said...

Such a fabulous journal page Alison and as usual such a gorgeous palette and layers. A fabulous take on the challenge theme. Jennie x

Candy C said...

Gorgeous work, Alison. These journal pages are such a creative venture into using circles. Love them!!

Suzanne C said...

Awesome circles. I love circles and using them designs. Your circles out of text and layered are fab.

Evelyn Walter said...

Hello dear Alison and I wish you a wonderful and happy New Year!
I love your pages, so inspiring again! I need to try out Andy´s technique, looks gorgeous!
xxx Evelyn

Marci said...

They look like planets in the sky to me. I love the texture you achieved. The larger stamp you used is gorgeous! Do you mind saying whose stamp it is? Wonderful quote and poem, even Rainer Maria Rilke's name itself sounds like poetry. How could he not have been a poet? See, you lead us to other thoughts and places. Beautiful journal spread.

Words and Pictures said...

Hi Marci - glad you liked it. The stamp is from a set called London Market by Pink Paislee. I got it right when I was starting out, so I don't know whether it's still available, but it's lovely!
Alison x

Words and Pictures said...

Yup - here's one supplier at least...
Ax

Marci said...

Oh, I remember that line! I bought paper but I don't think I ever bought the stamps. I will check. Thank you for replying, and for the source.

Pamellia said...

Absolutely gorgeous Alison! Your work was such an inspiration to me this past year, I look forward to more in 2017! Sending wishes for a belated Happy New Year!!

SewPaperPaint said...

This is stunning, yet again, Alison! I just love the subtle texty circles and especially love the way you highlighted the beautiful and inspiring sentiments. Happy New Year! Hugs, Autumn

Sandy said...

Gosh this is wonderful Alison - to say I love it would be an understatement. I want to get busy in my art journals this in 2017 - and I think I have my theme for my first entry into Art Journal Journey. The circle of life - I love the fact that the texture really adds to the dance of the circles. I want to take you idea and run with it -- is that okay? If you went around the world 100 times, you would be going around in circles but seeing something new all the time!
Sandy xx

Hazel Agnew said...

Happy New Year Alison. Onto a winner here with satisfying circles. Love all the stamping detail. Made me think that you might be good at forging banknotes for some reason. Pity that they are moving into plastic ones....missed your vocation.
Love your pages and your verses! Xx

Amanda said...

What a beautiful journal spread, there is just something about circles and you've done them proud!!
Love
Amanda x

toni said...

Happy new year Alison! This is a Fabulous journal spread! Love the way you have Built up the layers of stamping and collaged circles. Love those watery blues too. Thankyou for joining in with our first challenge of the year over at Stamps and Stencils. Toni xx

Corrie Herriman said...

I love circles and I love your journal pages. Stunning ! I adore this vintage look and wish I could do it as well as you !
Corrie x

Lys said...

What a relaxing and self thinking post, Alison! The neverending shape of circles gives a lot to think about cycles, and I love how you balanced the round shape with the straight white lines and phrases edges. I prefer considering winter like a resourcing time for nature, and you illustrate this so perfectly!

experiments in paper said...

Wonderful pages, Alison! I adore your shading and vintage look - will definitely have to go watch Andy's magic at work. Your musings on cycles and the yin-yang aspect of life resonate with me as well. Hoping you have a wonderful, exploratory 2017! xxx Lynn

Valerie-Jael said...

Wonderful journal spread, so many great details and lovely texture. Thanks for joining us at AJJ, hugs, Valerie

rachel said...

beautiful pages alison - wonderful use of circles and I love your trademark muted tones - really gorgeous! Hugs rachel x

Meggymay said...

Its a fantastic journal spread and I enjoyed reading the post and how you came to create it. Circles make you think about life, everything continues on its way and we cannot stop that happening, but live and enjoy the day.
Yvonne xx

My name is Erika. said...

This is an amazing journal spread and I love how you showed us how you made it. I'm with you, I had just stuck spinning in a circle, which in some ways is my life right now and I need to get out of that spin. I'm really glad you shared your story and page with us here at AJJ. Erika

Mrs.B said...

Fabulous journal spread Alison and I loved reading your thoughts and inspirations as you've created it.
Avril xx

Jenny Marples said...

I love the building of layers on the pages and that ageing to soften the look and allow the circles to really pop. A beautiful layout xx

Little Artbee said...

Your circle pages looks great, well composed wow.
Happy New Year
Sabine

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I was impressed by the way you guided us through building up your layer upon layer. Beautiful outcome. I came to visit from AJJ.

Craftyfield said...

Love the colours, the ageing and distressing of the pages and all the stamping! Fabulous pages Alison, very inspiring.

froebelsternchen said...

That's an AMAZING spread Alison - right my alley - and a great "STORY" to it as well!
Thank you for joining Art Journal Journey!
We are happy to have you with us!
oxo Susi

Astrid Maclean said...

Beautiful spread Alison, amazing to imagine it all on this small size. It all has such depth to it with those subtle techniques, - beautiful!

Nikki Acton said...

Your words and pictures never fail to inspire me! x

rose AKA Walk in the Woods - she/her said...

Love the collage, texture and simplicity of palette ~ beautiful journal spread!

sarascloset said...

Well, call me inspired! Alison, I got so immersed in reading your post (I think I like words better than pictures!) I find myself sitting here for nearly a third of an hour! A little introspection here with my morning coffee!

Your journal pages are gorgeous, love that shading on your circles and around your words. Lovely composition that drew my eye right in! Love this HUgs!

Gaby Bee said...

Gorgeous pages Alison! Love the way you have built up all the layers and the stamps you've used.

Gaby xo

Anneke said...

I really love this journal page. Your thoughts gave some things to
think about. Very inspiring!

pearshapedcrafting said...

A truly beautiful page Alison! A great way to start the New Year too! I wonder where your work will take you this year? Wherever, I wish you a wonderful year! Hugs, Chrisx

A Pink said...

Fabulous pages , Alison with your narrative giving them extra depth of meaning and 'food for thought'.
Have a lovely weekend x

craftytrog said...

A gorgeous spread Alison! I love circles, my favourite shape!
Have a great week,
Alison xxx

Redanne said...

You are a true inspiration Alison, both in your beautiful work and in your wonderful words! You have created so much depth and feeling in these tiny pages. I love the Andy Skinner technique you used and the way you shaded the circles makes them look so dimensional! Love the quotes today too. Anne xx

Anke said...

Wonderful pages, Alison.

Happy New Year !!!

Hugs
Anke

Sue said...

Ooh just gorgeous Alison, wonderful splatters xx

Gio said...

It's amazing, Alison. An ArtJournal page full of deep meanings.

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Great journal pages, love them. Happy crafting, Angela xXx

Paper Profusion said...

How fantastic your pages and post are Alison!! I'm terrified of Journalling so really admire when others do it so well. Yes, the horizontal lines are a perfect element. Do continue to shine brightly! Nicola x

Matilde said...

It looks brilliant! Happy and creative New Year, Alison! xoxo :))

sally said...

Got to love those circles!

Sally xx

Jackie PN said...

Just lovely Alison! You even make plain circles look brilliant!! xoxo

Cocofolies said...

Smashing page Alison!!.. Loving all your circles, and your feelings about them.
And thanks for the video link, i've just looked at it, it's easy and gives a wonderful result indeed!!!
Thanks so much for sharing as usual, I love your art.
Hugs Coco xx

S@ndy Diller said...

Love your pages, so soft yet so much texture. Simply lovely. Sandy x

Ruth said...

Truly beautiful pages, love the script flourish style stamp used and the subtle vintage palette makes for a gorgeous spread.Thanks so much for joining us at Stamps and Stencils. Ruth xxx

Kasia said...

Wow! So fabulous pages :)

rachel said...

just popping back to say thanks for joining us at stamps and stencils this month! Hugs rachel x

Princess Judy Palmer said...

I find circles so hard to work with... so confining in their roundness. LOL! I've nothing against circles though, just don't ask me to play with them. Your pages are lovely and show that circles can be tamed!