A few years back, I stole Julia Cameron’s idea for morning pages. Instead of writing, which I’d done many times before, I created a small painting in my art journal every day. I kept the practice up until I reached the end of each book I’d made, and then I’d take a break.
Back in 2022, and I had two little handmade journals I used - one for portraits, and one for abstracts. I rotated back & forth, depending on what I was in the mood to paint each morning. I was able to fill both art journals within a few months.
Abstracts, mostly. Nonsense art, my friend Jake calls it. But it’s not really nonsense, it’s just—other people paint what they see. I paint what I feel. Maybe it’s confusing, swapping one sense for another, but there’s beauty in the transmutation.
V.E. Schwab
This video titled How to Paint Your Feelings by an artist named Ksenia didn’t exist at the time I was doing my morning pages, but I used some of the same methods she talks about.
Painting abstracts is liberating. There aren’t any references photos or still life objects sitting in front of you demanding you create something that looks exactly like it. You can do whatever you like, the possibilities are endless.
Having unlimited creative freedom can be exciting for some. It can also be intimidating if you’re used to painting what you see instead of what you feel.
I struggled with morning pages when I first started doing them. Some days I’d stare at the blank page for 5 minutes not knowing how to begin. It wasn’t until I started asking myself questions like, “what color am I most drawn to right now?”, and “did I want to use a knife or brush?” that I began to get comfortable. Ah, easy! ORANGE & a knife! I’d go with whatever popped into my mind. I did the same for shapes, and lines.
If I got stuck, I’d ask myself different questions. What happens if I do this or how about that? What do I like about this piece so far? What don’t I like? I’d change the areas I was least happy about.
Some mornings I felt like splashing paint around because maybe life was feeling chaotic or perhaps everything felt dull and monotonous, and I wanted to jazz it up a bit? Or I was in the mood to make a mess? I don’t recall painting this page, so I’m guessing at what my thought process might have been.
My mind can be busy first thing in the morning some days. Looks like I created the commotion going on inside my brain on this page. Or maybe I thought the page needed more than just paint? Idk?
I think I painted this mini art journal while participating in a 10 day online Buddhist retreat. My mind was calm from meditating 3 or 4 hours a day. I love this one. I only wish it was larger so I could hang it on the wall.
I remember reaching for bright yellow on those dreary gray frigid cold days of winter when I was craving the warmth of the sun & more color in my life.
Although I don’t want to paint morning pages daily, like I did in the past, I’ve been wanting to get back to this practice. I’m thinking more like a side project to work on when I have spare time. I’m hoping that posting these photos will get me motivated to start.
First, I need to make another journal or two. I want to use the same paper again (construction paper) because I love it, and have some on hand. It’s been a while, so crossing fingers I can remember how to make handmade books. I’m putting it on my to do list.
My artwork is available on Daily Paintworks, and eBay.
You can also find me on pinksky & blsky.
I’ve also been posting notes here on Substack in between these longer posts.
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The blue pages with red and yellow splashes are great!