Friday, April 24, 2009

GPP Street Team Crusade # 30 - Cat Got Your Tongue ?

Okay, so I think anyone who has spent any time with me, virtual or real, knows I love WORDS ! I read signs everywhere, I spell words with license plate letters (in Canada, esp.), I am a whiz at word games of all kinds and I love to use words in my art work. In fact, I think it is hard to find a piece of mine without words in it in some form.
So when Michelle gave us the challenge to USE Our WORDS in the 30th GPP Street Team Crusade, I was really gung ho ! I started looking back at some of my favorite "Wordy" pieces from a few years ago right up to the present. That was when I realized how easily words come to me, from all different sources, and find their way into my art journal.

Sometimes I use the words as the "paintstrokes" (click on any of the images to enlarge) :

Art Journal piece - Words as Paint, 2007


Or as accents, like here around the spirals :


Art Journal piece - "Don't Box Me IN !" - 2007

Sometimes, I print them out ont the computer in a font that connects to the page somehow :


Art Journal page - "Gross Gordon", digitally altered, 2008

Sometimes, I hand-write a favorite quote, trying to make my handwriting look good by doodling it up a little :

Art Journal page - "Breaking the Shell", 2008

Or I just cut out words from an old book and see what "poetry" happens :

Detail of Art Journal page - "Love Paths" 2009

There are times when a single word is the focus :

Art Journal Page - "Courage" - digitally altered, 2008

Or an entire phrase :

Art Journal Page - "I Got The Power." - April, 2009

Often, the words of others will get mixed in with my own :

Art Journal Page - "I'm Sorry", April 2009

I know there are those who think that Visual Journals, or Art Journals should rely more on images than words. I guess that is one way to think. Some may think I use too many words in my art pieces. Whatever ! This is how I like things right now, though this experiment in visiting the "wordiness" of my pieces made me think about trying out some non-verbal pieces and see what happens.

The best thing about Art Journals for me has always been that there are no rules ! I get to do it MY WAY ! Wordy, yes, but I love it too !

Now leave a comment if you are so inclined ( I always love to hear from my Blogland Pals !) and then go visit the GPP Street Team Crusaders and check out their Wordy Fun ! Such a bunch of talented peeps !

Have a great weekend !


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26 comments:

  1. michelle wardApril 24, 2009 at 8:19 AM

    Kim - I love seeing your word styles all lined up - such wonderful different ways you've illustrated to use words. I'm so digging I GOT THE POWER. I can hear the tune in my head, and recognize the attitude. That one makes me smile. Thanks for rockin' Crusade No. 30. xo

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  2. Tumble Fish StudioApril 24, 2009 at 8:39 AM

    Well, having been a graphic artist at one point, in my opinion, you can never have too many words in your artwork! (I'm just not good at putting them in anymore!) All of these pieces are wonderful and you used words in so many different powerful ways - always making them part of the whole and not just it's own little part which is tricky to do and I struggle with all of the time. You have done incredible work!

    There's a flickr group just for posting art with words in it. These should all be there!

    Have a great weekend!
    marsha

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  3. SnapApril 24, 2009 at 8:47 AM

    Kim - These are all wonderful. Love the colors, the words .. great! It's what I like about art journals -- or journals in general ... they belong to us ... to do what we wish .. to explore ourselves... adventure!

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  4. AnneApril 24, 2009 at 8:52 AM

    Hi, Kim! I love these examples of how you've used words in your journaling! They are fabulous! :-)

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  5. The Bodhi ChickletApril 24, 2009 at 10:47 AM

    Hmmm. Opinions are strange things some times. The words in your pieces work. They are all radically different which proves that words are one of your tools. Your art, journal or not, is you. Words, warts and all. (Not that I'm implying you have warts, oh no.)

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  6. JenniferApril 24, 2009 at 12:07 PM

    I love your journal pages! I love that you are so brave with words. Sometimes I feel guilty for having words in my visual art, but this makes me think about it in a whole different light!

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  7. AnonymousApril 24, 2009 at 2:19 PM

    Hello there my dear, dear friend. Thanks oh so much for the wonderful and much needed forehead kisses! I love how you play so creatively with words and really enjoyed zooming in on each piece. So playful and soooooooo inspiring!!

    Hugs, kisses, and love to you.

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  8. AnonymousApril 24, 2009 at 2:22 PM

    THanks for the treat after a long day at work! I love them all! I'm a firm believer in words; my pages are usually crammed with them! They're as important to me as the art.

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  9. Kate RobertsonApril 24, 2009 at 5:23 PM

    Kim,

    Words are very powerful. I don't think you use too many at all. Your pages are all wonderful!!!

    Kate

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  10. Commuter's JournalApril 24, 2009 at 6:30 PM

    Well said, Kim! I love the variety here and all the ways words emerge in your art. Wonderful!

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  11. AnonymousApril 24, 2009 at 6:40 PM

    Word magic! All of these are so fantstic, Kim..but what caught my eye is the graphic feel created by your beautiful dymo tape! LOVE

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  12. Megan WarrenApril 25, 2009 at 12:04 AM

    Great journal pages - I love the words as paint and breaking out of the shell! thanks for sharing.

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  13. Genie SeaApril 25, 2009 at 7:10 AM

    What a potpourri of prolific prettiness! :)

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  14. DawnApril 25, 2009 at 7:12 AM

    Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed all the different ways you added the words and got some ideas too.

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  15. jgrApril 25, 2009 at 7:45 AM

    Kim,
    Your words are awesome!! I love seeing all the different ways you've used them-I am inspired again! I am struggling a bit with this challenge, but that's a good sign, it means I'm learning alot.
    Thanks for the inspiration.

    -Jane

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  16. Joy LoganApril 25, 2009 at 4:45 PM

    Each and every one is wonderful Kim!

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  17. OliviaApril 25, 2009 at 10:17 PM

    I too love words, Kim. Thank you for sharing this. Your art is beautiful and inspirational for me! xo, O

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  18. carolynApril 26, 2009 at 5:03 AM

    hi kim~
    your journal pages are (as always) wonderful, personal pieces of art. it looks so cool to view them all in one post. i am into "text" right now...photographing signs and such that catch my eye.
    i hope you had a great weekend and soaked up the sun!

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  19. SherryApril 26, 2009 at 7:28 AM

    You have a way with words...and I love how you incorporate language with art...the two blend beautifully together. Yes, one picture may be worth 1,000 words but sometimes 1,000 words can "be" the picture. As always I love your art, your interpretation and your ability to express yourself, thoughts and feelings with your work.

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  20. Canadian Artists ONLY Valentine's Day SwapApril 26, 2009 at 8:36 AM

    I love words too Kim! Not exactly sure why, but they are utterly delicious ~ maybe that's why I have so many old advertising art pieces in my kitchen with vintage typefaces.

    It's fun to see all the art you're showing with words ~ I especially like the "Don't Box Me In" collage.

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  21. RobinApril 26, 2009 at 9:38 AM

    Sister, I hear ya. I love words too. And I love your words! What a great idea to actually use them in spirals and as paintstrokes! And your funky doodle writing? Too cool.

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  22. DMGApril 27, 2009 at 2:21 AM

    I love all your word art, girlfriend! Scrabble is my favorite game. we should get together on the UP and play, but I warn you: I rule!

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  23. bockel24April 27, 2009 at 1:46 PM

    Wow, so many variations on the theme! I especially love your house page as I just LOVE that shape, and you´ve put it to good use!

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  24. Kathy McCreedyApril 29, 2009 at 5:39 AM

    Hey girlfriend! AMAZING!!! Simply amazing... as always, you never cease to please the eye of your visitor... and you are correct... it's your place to write as many or as few words as you choose! Have fun, girlfriend, have fun! xoxo

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  25. MelisaApril 30, 2009 at 5:07 PM

    Words as paint strokes...I love that!

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  26. UnknownJune 29, 2009 at 5:55 PM

    Kim
    I found your blog today and love your crusade pieces!! Wonderful.

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