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| Journal page by Mary M Payne |
I found this Greek word Meraki, "to do something with soul, creativity or love , to put something of yourself into your work. " I think that is what this personal journaling is all about.
These two chickens are cut out of a paper napkin. The paper is thin enough to collage easily onto the pages of this latest recycled cotton rag journal.
I have a special fondness for chickens . There are eleven hens living across the street from us and I love to hear them "talking" and we certainly love eating the eggs still stuck with straw. The owner gives us a gift of eggs from these hens each week.
I even like the looks of a strutting chicken: proud and upright.
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| Khadi Journal |
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| John W. Gardner quote, watercolor journal pages, Mary M Payne |
This image of a "target" was something I created years back. I found it in my "scrap-box" . The quote is from John Gardner, an American writer and essayist.
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| Journal page by Mary M Payne |
And here are a couple of quotes on the next two page spread with one quote used as a border. Underneath that is writing with a silver pen that shows only as a textured, graphic background.
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| Collage pages, Mary M Payne |
In this collection of ephemera is a family photo (from monsieur's side), my first and perhaps only telegram, a passport piece and a diary entry from a world traveler I knew, a piece from a 19th century hand written accountant's log book ( in French) and a piece of gold colored burlap. The butterfly is a transparent paper sold for "decoupage".
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| Journal Pages, Mary M Payne |
The printed paper glued down on the right is stenciled with acrylics. It came from Amazon as package wrapping. The quote reads: "Soyez vous meme, Tous les Autres sont déja pris. " Oscar Wilde.
Sorry, but as much as I try, I cannot get a circumflex on my Mac for the word "meme".
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| Journal pages Mary M Payne |
The "seals" of gold colored acrylic paint are dried and glued down with gel. Like most magpies, I have a "faiblesse" for the color "gold".
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| Journal pages by Mary M Payne |
In the next arrangement on the left side are book pages attached with gel and painted white to make a background. Both pages are sprayed with a fine mist of acrylic ink. Ink and rubber stamps are used to complete the page.
The butterflies are added from an old wall calendar.
I vowed no hearts, butterflies, cutesy sayings or formulaic flowers in my journals... but as you see, I have not entirely kept that promise.
I prefer not to fall into exaggerated sentimentalism...."Schmaltz" as the Jews and New Yorkers say. But somehow it creeps in.
