Just give me a free day.

My second journal "The Living Room" is practically finished. I've painted and collaged every page and I only have about three pages left to add a few layers and pen to. I used spray paint and a few stencils on this page...do you like my new zebra skin stencil? Wonder what it would be like if there were pink zebras running around.

A couple of my regular reads mentioned some pretty interesting topics within the last few days. I just want to mention how refreshing it is to see opinions other than the "norm" float through blog land. I usually don't have a problem speaking my mind...but what makes me anxiety ridden is what people will think if my opinions don't match their own.

I think the same sentiment pretty much applies to art as well. I feel relieved when I see a new idea or project float around the web...invigorating. It makes me happy to see people push the limits of their art supplies to make something great.

But lately, I have been feeling a bit "flat". I am finding less exciting material to read, look at, absorb.

I'm curious to know your thoughts. Whats the buzz? Is art changing? The trends? Maybe my own personal alignment is off and I'll rebound in a couple of weeks. Ha! Let's hear it..I can take it- if you think I'm crazy, let me know.

Comments

[Sharon at Norah'S]

Well, I'll tell you that I'm going to work on a Modigliani challenge that I have set up for myself this weekend.
Love pink zebras, why not.
I don't know of new trends, I guess I'm still working on an old one that I haven't finished yet. Just can't get enough ART time.

[tina]

a page a day??? well done to you. i wish i could do something daily but it is just not gonna happen in my life right now. i love the pink zebra stripes. spray paint; love!!

[Andi Sexton (rrlscrapgal)]

Trends? I don't follow them.. if something catches my eye - then I'm on it...
Just finished reading 'Peony in Love' by Lisa See... a great book with ghosts, but the main thing has to do with capturing women's writings, instead of them being lost by being burned up and tossed to the wind... So many accomplishments were made by women in history - but never captured...... So getting your words down as well as your art is important... that's my find for the week!
ps. Loved your post yesterday with Jack N... I am having one of those days right now! My dd woke me up at 3am with an earache and sore throat... I played nurse for about an hour and have been in a crappy mood since! No rest.. oh, and she is just fit as a fiddle right now... wanting to know why she could not go to school! I could scratch my eyes out... I so need my beauty sleep....

[Kim H]

I do not know the trends! I am not trendy! Love the page! I need a free day with pink zebras!

[Janet]

I love the pink zebra! Who says zebras have to be black and white!! As for trends and what's happening recently, I think many people get stuck doing the same thing as everyone else, and after awhile it gets boring.

I know I've been in an art funk lately and can't seem to bring myself out of it. Part of the reason is when I have sooooo much to look at (the blogs) then I start questioning if I really have anything different to contribute.

[Carmen]

I don't know much about trends. By the time I know what the trend is, it has passed. lol I just keep trying to find things I enjoy working with. My opinion is that the best art is when it is obvious it was done with passion. I think you can tell the pieces that an artist really cares about. They speak volumes.

I love to see artists take an old trend (or even a new one) and put their own twist on it.... like what Funky Art Queen did with the stencil idea. If you didn't see that, check it out! Especially with your love of stencil making and photoshop!

Have a great weekend!!!
Carmen

[Carmen]

Oh and sorry to serial comment... but holy cow, your new journal is almost done! Wow that was fast!!! Way to go!

[Carmen]

Julie, I'm losing my mind... it was Girl Gone Thread Wild, not Funky Art Queen that did the cool stencil thing in Photoshop! Sorry 'bout that.

*Carmen

[Heather]

Me for one, I tend to look at the same artists/blogs over and over again; what feels comforting, what makes me calm, what makes my heart sing, what I understand. So, in that sense, things can seem pretty flat, unexciting...so here I am about to jump off the cliff and go and Google around and find something new, something fresh, something that makes me buzz, makes my heart pound, makes me ask questions or simply go, huh.

[Laura]

I love your zebra stencil in pink and I have really enjoyed what you have shared in your living room journal.

As for art trends I don't know if I recognize any.

What I have recognized is that there is a fine, somewhat undefinable line between art and craft, and although that line has been blurred for decades (if not centuries), with the increase in blogging we are more exposed to those sorts of movements.

I spend a lot of time looking at things in that grey area.

[Julie Prichard]

Thanks everyone! I really enjoy this sort of dialogue. I notice a big change in the content of the current issue of Somerset Magazine compared to the last issue (or maybe it's only me after all...)....the current issue seems to contain much more assemblage and more of an overall "darker" feel....so, if you're still reading this...do you think that we as artists are in for a change in what consumers (for those of you who sell) or fans will be interested in?

[stephanie]

Julie,
I never seem to be on the same 'trend' page as everyone else...I am drawn so many times to ethnic art rather than modern. You say you are seeing dark...I am drawn to COLOR and it seems to have to flow all around me. The comments at my studio tour are funny, many people just 'get it' and some just DON'T.

Thanks OK, I think you need to feel good about what your doing and try not to pay too much attention to the trends.

x...x
steph
p.s.
I LIKE pink zebra stripes!

[Randi]

Pink zebra stripes = cool. Purple ones would be fab, too.

With me, things just seem to ebb and flow. About five minutes after I wrote my post about being underwhelmed, things kind of started to flow again. I don't know much about trends. I don't really follow them. Usually when I absolutely LOVE something, everyone else is like, "oh yeah. huh." So I just try to please myself these days.

[Jamie]

I enjoy reading your blog because it's different. Different is good in my book. Well, that is if I had a book.

I'd be interested to see the post with your handwriting font but it's not showing up for me. I see the text in Google Reader but nothing on your blog. Is it because of my Macness?

[Tami Bayer]

I come to your blog to see what is in and new! I learn so much from your art, Julie. You did the whole spray paint, stencil burning thing. I think you just need to do what moves you no matter what everyone else is doing. I've not been feeling the creative juices lately. I think it's because the outdoors and larger world are calling me out for a spring awakening. I know that I'm just filling up my reserves and the art will come when it comes. Thanks for the prompt to put words to what is happening for me.