Saturday, February 24, 2007

Cabinet of Curiosities {Destination and Reflection}

Well, we are on our last prompt for the Cabinet of Curiosities Challenge that Bonnie and I have co-hosted. What fun these several weeks have been and seeing everyone's interpretations of the theme each week has been awe inspiring!! Hope you've all enjoyed it as much as we have.I'm curious what you all do with your work, do you display it in your home or studio or keep it in a drawer for safe keeping? I tend to display mine and wanted to show a couple of my "Cabinet" challenges here. I went and bought an orchid last night. I needed some greenery in our house. It seemed for a bit there that spring wasn't far away, and now the snow and sleet have come and spring is fleeting, so I needed a little pick-me-up. I thought it looked nice with the green of the {Collections} collage and the {Inspiration} framed piece. This little plush owl (below) is from Anthropologie and I paired it with my {Explore} assemblage. I liked the comforting look of it all together, so I thought I'd share.On to the topic for the week....destination and reflection. I know, I know, art is all about the journey not the destination. I agree. However, when we come to the end of a project like this one, you can't help but want some sort of closure. I consulted Julia Cameron's book Finding Water (one of the sequels to The Artists Way). She talks about how we must finish a project to get that burst of energy and inspiration to propel us to start another. She talks about finishing anything, whether that is mopping the floor, mending clothes, building a shed...or finishing that little art project that's been sitting in your studio for months. Then we can start another. So that's what I did!
I took my first online class from Shimelle last fall. It was called You Think You Know Me. She picked ten topics that we were going to dive into and make a mini book about ourselves. This was a somewhat daunting adventure, since I never take pictures of myself and rarely scrapbook beyond my family...mainly my kids. I wanted to take on the challenge. I had just recieved this card (above) in the mail from my sister and it inspired my color palette and mood for my book. So here's how it started...


I bought this mini album by Making Memories that had a (somewhat) clear cover and put the card inside.

Here are my first five pages that went smoothly. The biggest challenge was finding pictures of myself that went with each "mood".




That's where I stopped, and it sat...and sat for several months. I had it displayed and visitors would look at it and I vowed to finish it some day, since it really was a fun book to make. So after reading about getting creative energy to start something new by finishing something unfinished, I took on the task and did the last five moods. Again, it was hard to find the "right" pictures. After deciding to venture into some old photo albums from my childhood, that really helped me finish this project up.




Hope you enjoyed seeing this seemingly unrelated project. So for this week, think about some things that are unfinished in your life. Is there something that you could complete that would give you a burst of energy to start that project that you've been thinking about? Maybe its finishing up the other themes for the Cabinet of Curosities. Maybe it's something unrelated. If you are caught up with everything in your life (lucky you!) then do a piece of art on this theme of ending a journey, reaching the destination and reflecting on where you've been. Can't wait to see what you all come up with:)

Finally, here's something to think about....
Destination: all the discoveries beyond the horizon that are whispering your name. How do you recognize them? When they appear, your senses will celebrate exuberantly. Here's to whatever comes next!!

17 comments:

xxxxx said...

Great post! First of all, I like how you displayed some of your pieces from this challenge. These are just meant to be looked at and enjoyed daily. As for this week's topic, it could not be more a propos for me as I'm right in the middle of wrapping many things up, including art projects, in preparation for our move to another country. Well done on completing your Shimelle Class! I remember your previous posts about it :-) And how synchronistic that you mentioned Julia Cameron's latest book. I just received it from Amazon this week!

Sharon Tomlinson said...

Oh dear, I am just about to finish "happiness". And I think this word is the first one that doesn't immediately bring forth.....ispiration for a page. I will be pondering on it.
I love your project and it doesn't seem unrelated at all to me as my little tiny Cabinet of Curiosities has really turned out to be ME on ME. I have two extra pages and I am going to do one on "passions" and I'm still thinking on the other. This was great fun and I'll be back when done to say so.

Monica said...

I'm a little behind, I've been taking care of sick children over here. I just finish my "collections" piece last night but I still have to post it. I'll do "happiness" tonight and for this last post, I certainly have a lot of unfinished projects to choose from.. Love how you display your art! And wath a beautiful book you did! This has been an amazing challenge, it certainly got me started in creating an art journal and explore new ways to expressing myself. I hope you and Bonnie host more challenges in the future. Thanks so much for this great Cabinet of Curiosities!

P.S.Hope you host more swaps in the future. I won't miss the next one!

kymmie said...

These are so fabulous! I took the same Shimelle class as well and my book is incomplete. Actually, the written down is were I discovered your blog, now its a daily read!

longnecklady said...

You and that book are amazing!

so glad I found you!

Sue

Bonnie said...

Thank you Kari firstly for hosting this challenge with me, it has been fantastic. I loved each one of your prompts. Also I think this is a very reflective post and since I have not done the collection post yet, I will complete that! And a few other little projects lying around that I haven't... I'll be back!

Matroskin said...

I came upon your blog via someone's link list. What fascinating pictures. Really inspiring.

Juliann in WA said...

Thanks for sharing your Shimelle book - I did that class too, with my daughter who lives 5 hours away - it was a great way to get to know each other in a new way.
You asked about what we do with our projects? Most are in my art journal which is pretty much just for me although my family has access to it. Some I do display - I did at least two that are displayed in my home now but they are more like wall hangings. I might even take my threads quote and hang it in my work space.
Okay, off to think about Desitnation - great theme.
thanks again to you and Bonnie
Juliann

Anonymous said...

Ohhh this is great! I love the bottom one the best!!!

Monica said...

I just wanted to let you know that I just posted my "Collections" challenge!

Anonymous said...

Hi Kari...I just wanted to let you know that I forwarded my address again to you for the swap. I had the wrong email the first time around......Love the journal. Beautiful....Here's my email just in case kcd1000@cox.net

Anonymous said...

WOW! I love your ideas. For me, writing is the creative outlet that keeps me sane. I post a lot of it on my website. Feel free to stop by sometime for a read. And keep giving this world the beautiful prudicts of your creativity--they are lovely!

Anonymous said...

Oh dear...I meant "products" of your creativity. Please don't ask me to define prudicts :)

eb said...

loved this little book and your creative process is so interesting and orderly - would that I might...

its always fun to see what you are up to

xox - eb.

Jeanne said...

Just posted my final page for the challenge. I've enjoyed participating in this challenge and want to thank you and Bonnie for hosting it. It has been great fun!

http://jeanneszewczyk.blogspot.com

Jeanne said...

I just posted the cover to my Cabinet of Curiosity Challenge if you want to take a peek.

http://jeanneszewczyk.blogspot.com

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