Inspiration Book

Jun 02 2014

Art Journal Preview #3 — Panel Discussion Tonight!

By melissasasichambers Inspiration Book

Tonight’s the night we have our much anticipated TVAA panel discussion of Art Journaling at 6:00 pm at the Creative Access Arts Center at 500 S. 8th in Boise.

Besides me, you’ll hear from Pam McKnight, Beau Van Greener, Jeanette Ross and Lisa Cheney. The panel’s discussion will be led by Dr. Kathleen Keyes, President of the Boise Art Museum Trustees.

But before that, I have one last preview of one of my art journals — my Inspiration Book. I mentioned yesterday that it’s like a visual bucket list of things I want to have, or do, or make, and because for me there’s not much separation between my art and my home (painted floors, doors, dishes, etc.), or my wardrobe (painted boots, appliquéd bracelets, etc.), or any holiday or celebration, the book reflects a very broad range of things which inspire me….

I hope you can make it to tonight’s discussion. If not, I hope you are aware of the many pleasures and benefits of keeping an art journal. And, if the whole concept is new to you, I hope seeing a little of the kinds of art journals I keep might inspire you to begin your own.

Jun 01 2014

Art Journal Preview #2 – Painted Rugs

By melissasasichambers 2D & 3D, Inspiration Book

An idea I’ve found intriguing ever since I saw it done in Leo Adams house in the book Renovate, is the painting of rugs directly on large 8′ x 4′ pieces of masonite.

In my own home I just paint the rugs directly on the floor. Which is great until you decide to move to a new house.

The second art journal I’m previewing, before our panel discussion on Art Journaling, is one in which I painted acrylic paintings of painted rugs in 8″ x 4″ sections to give me an idea of what they might look like 12 times that size…

Tomorrow I’ll have a third art journal preview for you — of my “Inspiration Book”. It’s kind of a “bucket” for the visual lists of things I want, or want to do, or want to make. I liked filling it so much I’ve started a second one which I will bring with me to the “show and tell,” but you’ll have to come to the panel discussion on Monday to see that one in person!

May 31 2014

Art Journal Preview – “Text Book”

By melissasasichambers Inspiration Book

On Monday, June 2nd at 6:00 at the Creative Access Arts Center at 500 S. 8th in Boise I will be sitting on a panel discussion about Art Journaling with four other artists, Pam McKnight, Lisa Cheney, Beau Van Greener and Jeanette Ross.

Kathleen Keys will be leading the discussion. If you are in town you should come on down, and bring your own art journal to “show and tell” with the other artists after the panel speaks. That’s when it should get really interesting!

Here’s a preview of one of my art journals, “Text Book,” which is a Travel & Leisure magazine I folded and then drew patterns all over using Sharpies.

Tomorrow I’ll preview a completely different kind of art journal which I keep with ideas for painted rugs. Prepare to be floored.

Oct 27 2013

Inspiration Books

By melissasasichambers Inspiration Book

I remember the very first Inspiration Book I ever made. I cut out tiny pictures of toys from some catalog. Probably the Sears “Wish Book” because that’s the first catalog I remember, and it wouldn’t have been at our house, but at a friend’s whose family actually purchased things from Sears in spite of the fact we lived in Spain…don’t get me started, and then I glued them onto little pastel colored squares of paper from a little pad of pastel colored papers. And boom! Inspiration Book. Both my taste and my technique have, I think it’s safe to say, improved since then.

These pages are some of my Fall inspired spreads. The food, the clothes, the interior design, the art and craft ideas, the party plans, and gift suggestions. I love that stuff. Sometimes I’m satisfied just glueing the dang pictures in the book. They’re mine now. I can live in them in my head any time I want to curl up with the Inspiration Book and a cup of Pumpkin Spice Latte. Which is pretty often lately. Happy Fall!