Seren
I’ve been making handmade journals….but they aren’t what you’d find in a cute shop in some resort town. They are messy journals. I start with my favorite kind of paper – brown Kraft paper. I use acrylic paint with glaze mixed in to add color (I add matte or glossy glaze to ensure the acrylic paint dries smooth, not tacky). Sometimes I’ll xyron down some colorful papers from whatever projects I’ve been working on…or more accurately, not working on. And yes, I add wrapping paper in between the brown paper. A lot of paper artists have a problem with wrapping paper, but I love the colors and the blank side takes Sharpie ink wonderfully (which makes me happy because Sharpies are my writing utensil of choice). Plus I tend to use paper that I’ve given or received gifts in. That adds meaning and sparks memory and feeling – which is key to strong, honest journal writing.
Believe it or not, masking tape provides lines to write on and gives texture and depth. I know, masking tape is a no-no, but I’ll talk about that a little later.
I use heavy paper shopping bag brown paper for the cover – I mean the thick brown paper of old school shopping bags…or the extra large department store bags that come out at Christmas. I use this paper because it’s sturdy/stout. I punch holes down the middle of the book using my Japanese screw punch, and use wing-back fasteners to bind the whole thing together. This process is fast. I try not to think too much or measure to closely. The point is to be impromptu…to let the materials move you in whatever direction they want to go while keeping the book strong and structurally sound.
Now, I have many art addictions…and several of them are not kosher in the art or craft world – like packing tape and masking tape. They are not archival, but they give me the look and feel that I seek. I use packing tape over my cover collages…and those collages are layers of paper stuff that I collect over the life of the journal. The packing tape makes for a firm cover that is still flexible and I can slowly build the cover over time – front and back.
I like these journals because they are lighter than the hardback version I used to use. Well, I still use those glorious Borders hardback blank journal, but only when I’m at home in my studio. I travel with my handmade journals because they are light and easy to fold up and jam into my carry-on bag. I also like how easy it is to add pages. I use redline tape and add pages whenever I see fit. I will admit though, these journals feel different than any other journal I’ve ever used. They have a depth that starts with the non-blankness of the pages. Their essence is grounded in me and my work because I use the ‘clean paper’ from my studio. I put Kraft paper under all of my projects to keep my desk clean. Paint, ink, stamped images…they all end up on the scrap paper and that’s the paper I use in my messy journals. The paint and images remind of my work…of time spent in the studio – which is especially good for me because working in the studio has been hard and easy all at once lately.
I am happy when I’m creating, but it can be so hard…it is so rare that I want to work with color and paper anymore. What used to bring me so much joy sometimes makes me feel so isolated that I can’t think. I end up washing my hands and sitting in front of the TV looking for something to spend my time on. These journals are a glimpse into what I am before I begin to write, and it feels good – it feels welcoming and comfortable...different than the stark white of store bought journals. So, I roll with it.
I like how the elegance of fine wrapping paper balances the roughness of the re-purposed Kraft paper…envelopes of all shapes and sizes give me places to stuff bits and bobs I find along my way, and I make copies of writing exercises that strike my fancy. I save all sorts of interesting things – articles, advertisements, poems, pictures, letters, and postcards. I add them to my journal as backgrounds and writing prompts – they are anchors for my thoughts; holding me to ideas in a loose, impromptu kind of way. Some evenings I sit down with the intention of writing, but instead I spend my time adding my bits and bobs to the book. The images say what I can’t write…which is perfect for a woman that has lost her words of late. What I’ve been working on has been self contained – things made for myself, by myself. My mail art has trickled down to nothing; therefore my mailbox is often empty. One more reason I’ve felt lonely and out of sorts…but I have an idea. (I’m always full of ideas!!!)
This weekend I will create 10 journals. All unique, all hand made. I will send them to the first 10 artists that send me their version of a messy journal. If I get more than 10 journals, I will send you one of the journals I get in the mail OR make you a journal – whatever makes the most sense at the time (which means… does my travel schedule allow me time to make you one). All journals, not just the ones I make, will be photographed and put on this blog.
All of my journals will be approximately 8.5x11 inches because that’s the size I like to work in…and actually, they tend to end up a bit larger than that, but it’s a good rule of thumb and your finished product should be about that size as well. Each of my journals will include some journaling supplies as well, just to keep it interesting. If you would like to send me a journal that you’ve made, please send to: Serendipity, PO Box 3246, Redondo Beach, CA 90277. If you have questions, send me an email to: serendipityartist@yahoo.com and I’ll respond as soon as I can.
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I’ve been away from art and this blog long enough. The only way to move on is to get moving…moving back to the things and people that make me happy…and mail art, zine making/swapping and blogging make me happy!
I am slowly getting back to the journal project. Most of the journals have come home and been sitting dormant for the past couple of weeks (and in some cases, months). However, Saturday I uploaded 257 photos of journals. I have been photographing the journals as they come in, but I was terribly behind with uploading them. Now all the photos that had been waiting in my camera are up on the blog.
I had to stop reading the journals for a bit. Soooo much happiness was overwhelming. I know, I know…I should have been looking for some strength in those pages, but when you’re in the throws of something painful, it’s hard to be rational – even for someone like me – someone that’s always thinking, thinking, thinking. Uploading the photos I had the opportunity to finally really SEE the artwork. In some case, I found messages in-between the lines that made me realize that bad things can be happening in your life, but you don’t have to feel bad about them or because of them. You can just chalk it up to life being life…of your life being your life…and move on.
Happiness…joy…hope, they are all have a component of choice to them. I can choose to be happy…and art helps me to do just that! Art (to make and to receive) reminds me that I am greater than the sum of my parts, I can make something from the odd bits and bobs of the world around me – and what I make doesn’t have to reflect/represent anything more, or less, than what I want. I am special…or at least can choose to be special. Not everyone can make something from next to nothing, but I can…and I will! I will share art (mine and others) with anyone willing to look or listen.
Soooo…I’m back!
What am I working on? I think a Postal Press! Yes, I know…I’ve been saying that for over a year, but I feel it. I feel like I have some new things to share…and I’m going to work hard to pull one together in the next 30 days. It may be a small version, it maybe a full-size version….who knows? I’ll take 30 days to create content…and I’ll let the amount of “stuff” I have dictate the size and shape of the zine. Though it will be a limited addition so if you want one, you better let me know soon!
I just got this in my email box:
I just have to say this, especially after the email you just sent me. I am new to altered books and journalling and was excited about contributing to your book for 2 reasons. The first, was the conect with other artists with a common thread, the second was to see what other artists did in the journal, I wanted some ideas for techniques, etc. I really didn't know what to expect, but was very disappointed when I received your journal. So disappointed, that I was tempted to just send it back to you without working in it.
Your lack of effort put into the journal was shocking. I don't know if you just don't have time, or maybe you have too many journals out there to care. Maybe you are just collecting everyone else's work and not contributing yourself. These are your journals, so do as you please. It took a lot for me to bite my tongue when you announced to the group that you had journals to work in and anyone who wanted one sent to them, to email you...Gee, everyone, send me your free artwork too!
I put some effort into what I did for you, and even wrote some words of encouragement to you in it, and yet no comment from you as to what I did, and you just send this heartless, crap for an email. Thanks for nothing. Be careful posting the invite on the group again because I just might be tempted to speak my mind.
For someone who writes about having such a big heart to care for so many children and who supposedly went throught traumatic times in the past, you sure don't come across as a loving person. Entertain strangers, because you just might be entertaining angels.
Here’s my response:
We have a misunderstanding.
Each journal is worked in by strangers -- not me. The work you saw isn't mine. The point of the journals is to get a glimpse into other peoples lives and artwork. I give people a chance to do whatever they "do" in the book without judgement or evaluation...assessment. Some people are beginners in this process/project...that's why folks work in more than one journal...to see a range of skill and to experience multiple approaches to the project.
My note was short because I was pretty sure I'd written before...and this was just to say the book is here. I don't feel comfortable saying much about peoples work anymore because most artist don't like it...I mean, don't like my "assessing" or praising or not praising their work. I am not trying to be cold, just receptive....open.
I also don't get to look at the books very closely sometimes...I try to get them in, photographed and back out because artists are waiting and they get angry when I don't turn the journals around quickly...plus, I have had some bad personal stuff going on and so many of the journals are about great families and wonderful marriages...something I don't have right now. (No. That's not me asking for your sympathy, just me saying I've been distancing myself from the artwork because I'm not able to digest some of it right now.)
You are not the first person to mention the whole, "give me your art" thing. I'm not selling the books, or auctioning them. I am not asking people to pay to work them...I'm not asking people to work in them when they don't want to...It's an open call...just want to share the art. Let people see book art up close...to touch it and hold it and see if they can do it. I'm not a bad person trying to get something for nothing. I spend a lot of money on this and I enjoy it and want other people to enjoy it too. I don't ever imply that I'm working in every book and I don't make promises about the amount of work in each book or the quality of that work.
I'm sorry that I was not more effusive about your work. I appreciate the time you spent on the journal and plan on going back through the journals when I'm in a better place...when I can really see the work.
I am sorry you were disappointed with the work done by the person before you. I found her pages stark but they seemed to be a clear statement about her current life situation...her's are an interesting contrast to the pages you created and together, I find them to be beautiful. Two different lives, but lived fully...expressed honestly and openly. I am glad you didn't send the book back unworked in...but if you'd like, I can remove your pages and send them back. I don't want you to contribute to a project you have such obvious contempt for.
That's not what I want to do...but your email is very clear about your thoughts.
I will do whatever you want me to do with your pages, just let me know.
Thanks.
This is her response to me:
First of all, thank you for explaining things a little better.
When I first requested a journal from you, I couldn't wait to get it. I love the idea of swaps, round robins, etc. but like I said, had never done it before. I am very passionate about simple things that bring the world together. I was confused when I saw the journal because it wasn't very artistic - by that I just mean that it was mostly writing, like an every day journal. I thought that woman was you, and I thought that either you simply didn't put the time in to it, or that was your ideal journal, and for a few days I couldn't decide wether to do similar pages, or my own thing - I chose my own thing.
I'm sorry I went off like that, but I was actually hurt that you didn't even take a moment to say thank you. I understand now that you thought you had already, and it would've be silly if you said it again!
I know what it's like to be in a bad space, and you don't want to hear about anyone else crap - or happiness.
Anyway, like I said, thank you for letting me know how you feel, please don't take the pages out, I made them for you, and the others artists of that journal to see, and hopefully enjoy.
I'm guilty of writing things in the heat of the moment, without cooling down first - I get myself into trouble that way!
Take care,
Oh, here’s one more:
Just one more thing - I'm sorry for accusing you of just wanting free art.
I have been terribly behind with uploading pictures (I'm adding a few pictures to this posting for fun) from the collaborative journal project because it is a lot of work to upload the pictures into the proper galleries. Once, I considered just doing a bulk upload without documenting which book the pictures were from…that would be SOOOOOOOOO much easier, but that would just be a mish-mash of pictures with no context. Aligning the pictures by journal number makes perfect sense, but it is time consuming. The one piece that I might have to let go of is putting peoples names on every single picture. 
There are so many journal and so many spreads. I have to go into each picture and add their name, city, state, and county information – I think it’s just too much for one person to do. If I have to make a choice between putting names on every picture, and uploading the photos in a timely manner; I pick getting the photos up quickly and assigned to the appropriate book. I will add names as time will allow. As it is…I will be putting names on pictures most of New Year’s Day. 
I have uploaded all the photos on my camera…they are journals 13, 18, 38, 46,44, 42, 31, 32, 59, 60, 43, and 64. These books have all been sent back into the world, though several of them are banged up. Journal number 32 is probably in the worst shape. The cover has come apart, leaving the binding exposed…which with improper handling the book will continue to deteriorate. This journal will only go out to experienced book artist, or people that journal (write) more than ‘art up’ their pages. I may even have to be retired early. There are also several books that have become so chunky they barely close. Normally this might note be a big deal, but for a journal that travels as much as these journals do…this is a death knell.
Even though all of the books have sewn pages, the pages are still just paper…and very few artists are reinforcing their spreads (which gives added strength to the over all book). The pages are ripping, which means they will ultimately fall out unless I retire them prior to being completely filled. I would do some reinforced pages, but I just haven’t the time to work in all the books (unfortunately!).
I’m thrilled to see that most people do about six 2-page spreads per 15-day visit. The cost of shipping (both for me and the artist) gets a little dicey when someone only does two spreads. The guideline says to work in the journal for at least 10 days…and I think six 2 page spreads is about right. I would love to hear what other people think.
Oh…and on the "what-other-people-think" tip…I’m wondering what people think of me replacing the missing books. Meaning, starting a new book with that number. I’m not going to re-use the book numbers of journals that were worked in and I have photos of…those books will forever stay. (I admit, I hope those will find their way home.) The books I have in mind are those where the first person stole the book (kept it) and no work was ever photographed; like the one I sent to Sharon B. in Australia. If anyone has thoughts, I would love to hear them.
Anyway…this project has been my lifeline this past year. I love seeing peoples work and have several books that are almost ready for retirement. I have had some informal conversations about places to exhibit the books, but that’s still up in the air. I need more completed/retired books before I can start shopping around for exhibit opportunities.
Though…I did have a thought and again, could use some thoughts from you…If I picked a day and a place…say, maybe a couple of different cities (since I do travel a lot for business), would people
come to work in a book for a few hours? Say, I broadcast that I’ll be at a Starbucks from 9 am to 8 pm with 15 books. People can come and work in them for as long as they want. You bring supplies…and I’ll have stuff you can use (watercolors, colored pens and pencils, stencils, adhesive, etc.). Would people come or would I be sitting there all day by myself? I could swing several LA locations, a couple of Chicago, a Minneapolis, Baltimore, Orlando, Dallas and Houston date as well. Thoughts???
This is a string of emails from today. I will not offer any information other than to say the book I sent this artist was mailed to her in September, 2006 and she paid for the international postage. I have cut and pasted these messages directly out of the emails…so no changes or deletions. -- though I have decided NOT to post the pictures she sent.
I would LOVE to know what people think:
From The Artist:
That book was returned to you many many months ago just after I returned from having my cancer removed. Please remove my name from this site or I will take legal action forthwith. Please note I am in the legal profession.
From Me (Seren):
UNBELIVEABLE!
I have been trying to contact you for months, no...over a year!
I have sent emails and post cards, posted messages on the various boards...hell, I even sent a copy of my mini-zine to you with a note asking you to contact me if the book had been lost. I also asked people that have swapped with you in the past contact you, and never...not once, have I gotten a response.
I never received a message that you received the book...and nothing saying that you sent it back, even though it is clearly stated in the initial Call for Artists that you are to notify me when the book arrives and when you ship it back.
For you to FINALLY contact me and do so with a demand is unbelievable. You admit you received the book, and that you did nothing to ensure it arrived back to me (or even touch base to make sure that I got the book) ...so why shouldn't I be able to document my loss?
My attorney suggested I send you a demand letter, but I thought that excessive. I figured something had come up (and it sounds like it did -- you were ill). I hoped that when everything settled down, you'd drop the book back in the mail. Now you contact me to say the book is lost -- and it's been so long that I can't even contact the Post Office for assistance. You didn't even give me half-a-chance to get help in getting the book back!
From The Artist:
Unbelievable is it? Here are the pictures my dear of parts of the cancer they took out of me...well the after affects and part fo the procedure They had to reconstruct my hand..and then I had to have a total hysterectomy as it was in other places. despite all theat I did the pages and was so pleased with it.
Along with my book I sent back to you is my new mail address
I have been in this art game for a long long time. I have been true to what I have done. Look at the scans for this book (attached)....just 3 of the 15 contributions to the journal I made (15 foro the 15th I figured) which I presume I will never see again. You have to go figure, why would I not bother if I did so much work in it.
Again I will advise you to remove the information. Defamatory actions and the pursuit of same is not ultra vires
I ask you again formally to remove my name from publication at your website.
From Me (Seren):
I understand you have been ill...and have no interest in the photos. I too have been contending with health issues and have my own realities to process. Additionally, I'm thrilled that you were pleased with the work you did in the book, and am saddened that I will not get to see it.
However, there is nothing defamatory about my posting. I sent you the book (and your email confirms you received it), you didn't send it back in a way that you can document mailing and/or delivery. The one thing I have changed is that the posting no longer says the book wasn't sent back. I will give you the benefit of the doubt on that one.
The bottomline is the book was lost on your watch...and I would have just chalked it up to the wonders of the postal service, but by not contacting me to let me know the book had been mailed, I can't try to track it down.
Lastly, I am wondering...why the condescending tone of your emails?
You can't be surprised that I would post the names of the people that have kept/lost the books...especially considering the number of books that have been lost. I have done everything I know how to contact you and was understanding of your illness and the impact it had on your ability to get back to me in a timely manner, yet you are short and imply that you are so much more versed in issues of this nature than I.
You don't know me, what I do for a living or what my resources are for managing issues like this, so I'm wondering why you are so comfortable in communicating with me as if I'm an idiot.
I know things happen...really, really bad things happen (hell, they've been happening to me!)...and then add in the postal service, and yeah, some books would get lost. But, why write to me for the first time in a year and be demanding when you haven't once written to inquire about the journal. Why start off demanding?
I'm curious.
From The Artist:
I've lost too much artwork...to thieves and postal systems all in one country. Some of my stuff was even stolen and sold on Ebay . Can you guess which country ? Come one now do guess??? Give up??
I am angry about the waste of time and effort I put into it. I was stupid and should have spent the money to Security Post it. Just airmail first class. I did sent it back to you with a note about my change of addy, sorry for being late as I was one handed.
Afterall I did pay for the postage out...some $12.00 I recall????
Regardless thats karma.
I do not want my name attached to anything that would bring disrepute to my me. I am now getting back on my feet so to speak and this 'find' by a friend of mine was too much. In my country ones name and actions attributed to that name are not allowed to be posted without permission of that person.
You give me the benefit of the doubt. Hardly. Who are you anyway? I don't need that from you ever, never nor asked for it. I hope I have made myself clear there as well,yes?
I have asked you to remove it or I will ask the host of your website and get them involved with any rememdy I seek if my name is not removed.
From Me (Seren):
Thank you for your reply. I appreciate the insight on your approach.
From The Artist:
One bit of advice.I suggest you read your web hosts terms and conditions as I just did.
I have "planted" a 1001journal! www.1001journal.com
There’s a really cool coffeehouse in Waukegan, Illinois and they have agreed to host a journal. I love the location …it’s owned by the folks that own the local piano company. There’s plenty of space to enjoy a cup of coffee and work on a journal. The journal is in a plastic box with plenty of supplies to spark your creativity.
Visit their website and then visit the shop and work in the journal: http://www.joplinsjava.com
Joplin’s Java Ragtime Café
114 South Genesee Street #402
Waukegan, IL 60085
Hours: Mon-Sat: 7:30AM - 6:00PM
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I had a great time with alcohol ink today. I made 15 post cards and will spend the evening in front of the TV making the mailers for them. The brown paper mailers are made of heavy paper bags from Trader Joe’s Market. They need to be pretty thick because the edges of the cards are very, very sharp! You can see my favorite five cards in the My Designs section of this blog.
I also pulled together some of my weird little mail art baggies. What are they? They are baggies of mail art that I’ve received over the past several months. I add some art calls that I find interesting, a copy of my latest issue of Seren, my zine, and a postcrossing card or two. As you all know, my apartment in California is so small that there’s no way I can keep the art I receive. I put it up on my magnetic boards for a couple of months, and then I have to send it out.
I will be up until midnight addressing the bundles…but I’m excited because these include the last of Seren One…so when I get back to Cali after Thanksgiving I will be done with Seren Two and ready to send out the next Swap Shop List. If you’d like to join the swap list, just send me some mail art and I’ll add you. I’m already up to 81 people…but the more the merrier! I will do that mailing no later than December 1.
Also, I have 8 people that want to do the journal swap project. If there are others that are interested, please send your name, address, phone number and email to Serendipityartist@yahoo.com. If you want to participate, your journal must have work in it…and you must include a self-addressed, stamped post card for each person on your list. The post card is so people can send you a note on the day that they mail your book to the next person on the list.