Friday 24 February 2012

Mes Journals Pour Paris

In an earlier post I wrote about the various art workshops that I'll be doing in Paris (and elsewhere) when I arrive in just over 4 weeks.

I'll be filling journals with collages, prints, water colours, ink drawings and more...and  I've decided to theme mes journals pour Paris (my journals for Paris) around the 5 Senses of Taste, Sight, Hearing, Touch and Smell.  This will give me scope to develop my journals.......and capture much of what Paris is about.

I've always loved keeping journals and notebooks...even as a child....I would buy little notebooks from a local newsagent and fill them with scribbles, lists, drawings, pressed leaves and wildflowers. So keeping journals is not a new thing for me.....it's not expensive and a wonderful creative outlet.

I'll be taking my collection of journals and notebooks to Paris.......some consisting of beautiful watercolour papers, 100% cotton French etching papers, calendar eco/brown papers (which I love), and others with textured plant/fibre papers.

My collection of journals
A couple of these journals have been made by extremely talented printmakers and bookbinders. Sandra Pearce, a colleague artist from Impress Printmakers www.sandrapearce.com.au made this beautiful journal consisting of an original monotype, 190 gxm watercolour paper and onion skin/banana fibre paper (see below). Can't wait to fill this with something fab!
Sandra's beautiful journal


Rachel Hazell, based in the United Kingdom www.hazelldesignsbooks.co.uk, is the most divine bookbinder and I bought her limited edition bound journal at Spoons on the Isle of Skye last year www.thespoonsonskye.com.  I'm hoping to do a workshop with Rachel either in Paris or another spot in Europe.
Rachel's exquisite little "Spoons" journal.
I took home number 3 of an edition of 10.
By the way, if ever you happen to be on the Isle of Skye, please, please, please do yourself a favour and stay at Spoons.........divine!  The Isle of Skye is absolutely bee-you-tee-ful too.




Cute chooks at Spoons!

I loved this little red roofed cottage......maybe the subject for a future etching.
Dramatic, glorious scenery surrounds you everywhere on the Isle of Skye.
Pierre (better known as Peter - he's not French by the way) tramping in the Highlands.
Thistle...one of my favourite plants and a favourite etching subject.
I had my very first attempt at making a bound journal last weekend at Impress Printmakers.

Glen Skien, one of my favourite Australian artists www.silentparrotpress.com, led the workshop and I've posted a few images of Glen showing us the various techniques.
Glen made it look easy.........

My journal starting to take shape - with tobacco coloured end papers and a vintage ribbon divider.
I used 240 gsm French cream etching paper for the pages of the journal.
The cover was Venetian marbled paper that I splattered with grey ink and tea.
The spine was a dusty soft grey suede.
I used a little 'gold leaf' to embellish the cover.
Thought some vintage elements would also work - 1920's buckle and French grosgrain belting.
Voila - mon journal, L'Art de la Dégustation, with its little French belt!
I'm pretty happy with my attempt - which is mostly due to Glen's skill and teaching ability.  L'Art de la Dégustation (the art of tastes) will be home to water colours, drawings and collages etc of all that fantastic Parisian cuisine (theme: Taste)......though it's going to be a challenge to create something for my journal that imparts, for example, just how good this Millefeuille å la Vanille Bourbon from Le Florimond www.leflorimond.com actually tasted!!!!!  Fab restaurant by the way....and not expensive.
And now I'm starting to think about my second bound journal (theme: Sight).

I'll be making this in Paris....so let's see if I can improve on my first attempt.

A bientot mes amis.

You might also like this post on:
http://parisallons-y.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/hallelujah.html















16 comments:

  1. Oohlala! J'adore ton journal de dégustation. Your friends are so blessed by the fact that you are sharing your superb creativity and passion with us. I love the "Spoons" journal too. Fran

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    1. Thank you Fran..that is so kind of you. I also love sharing this blog with you all. See you in Paris in May! A bientot.

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  2. Great shots of the Isle of Skye, now I want to go there.

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    1. Debra you would love it...a magnificent part of the world.

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  3. You have to get rid of that stupid captcha code!!!!!

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    1. Yes!!! I agree. It's so frustrating. Blogger...please, please delete it!

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  4. What a fun post!
    I've walked by le Florimond many times but never eaten there..it's always at the end of the day. Looks very good indeed.
    And Skye too looks gorgeous.
    Many fun projects on your menu! bon chance

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    1. Merci beaucoup Carol....Le Florimond is a really fab restaurant...does the best stuffed cabbage in Paris! Love your blog too and will be following. A bientot.

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  5. Oh Thank You for such a big-up! Please, please can we cook up a plan for this Travelling Bookbinder to concoct a bookart workshop in Paris in December? There are many papery possibilities to discuss.
    Best of luck with the transition from Brisbane to Europe!
    ...There are still two places on November's bookart workshop on Skye; i'm sure the Spoons would be delighted to provide accommodation...
    Rachel (Hazell Designs Books)

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    1. Yes, yes, yes to papery possibilities.....now I really like the sound of that Rachel. Sounds like an offer I can't refuse. Will be in touch. A bientot (and thanks so much for visiting mon blog).

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  6. I love your journals and the latest creation! You can never have enough,. can you?
    Sounds like it's going to be a wonderful time! I'd love to know more about your scrap booking trip!

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    1. That is so kind of you..merci beaucoup. I'll keep you in the loop....would like to organise a workshop with the amazing Rachel in Paris in December! So...if you know of anyone who may be interested please let them know about this fab possibility.

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  7. Gorgeous journal Robyn and how dramatic is the landscape on the Isle of Skye?! Fabulous contrasts of greens and graphite. Inspirational post as always. Jude

    Do you think that Le Florimond would express delivery some Millefeuille???Yum!

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    1. Oh.....wouldn't that be lovely...merci beaucoup Jude.

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  8. Hi Robyn
    I’m sitting at work looking awfully busy when actually I’m enjoying the beautiful photos and blog.
    Love the journal,the 1920’s buckle is a nice touch, you have given me an idea for jazzing up my shawl.
    Cheers

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    1. So good to hear that you're enjoying the blog....merci beaucoup. Great idea about using a vintage buckle on your shawl...it will look trés chic Madame! Would love to see a pic!

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