Not Only in Heaven....

Ocean Dreams Altered Journal Page

As the temperatures climb, my thoughts are drawn to anywhere refreshing and cool...especially the ocean. And the ocean to me means Coney Island. I loved everything about Coney Island...from the subway ride, to getting to the water by walking down the streets with the magical names...Surf Avenue, Nautilus Avenue, Neptune Avenue, and the best of all...Mermaid Avenue!

I have a fascination with Mermaids. The concept is so intriguing to me. The idea of living life in the ocean, swimming in the moonlight, wearing starfish in your flowing hair sounds wonderful to me. I like to think of the mermaids as benevolent, beautiful creatures...graceful as they swim, like Synchronised Swimmers with added drama and mystery.

The page is from a 1001 Journals Project journal. The theme was Ocean Dreams. What could be dreamier than vintage mermaids?

The page incorporates vintage images of mermaids and starfish, found paper, handmade paper, postage stamps, inks and dyes.

But best of all is the quote from Johann Heinrich Linck's De stellis marinis liber singularis written in 1733:

"Not only in heaven, but also in the seas are there stars."

And the mermaid's brilliance reflect in their celestial  light.

O Muse!...The Story of a Life

O Muse!

I am a hopeless Romantic. I admit it..freely.

The collage is in a Journal I started as part of the 1001 Journals Project. The theme is "Friendship".

I was intrigued when I purchased both photos used in the piece...what was the story? Who were the women? Why is the woman in the photo in a suit and top hat? Are they all friends...or more?

I guess I'll never know the answer, but wouldn't it be nice to know how they came to that point in their lives...the image frozen forever on film...and where did life take them? Who was the Muse to guide them?

The collage is a bit of a hybrid. It started out as a conventional piece using vintage photos, found and handmade papers, and inks. In the end, digital ephemera was added. I love digital work as much as conventional, and it came together for me in this piece.

May you all find a friendship, or a love, to last a lifetime.

Somewhere...Beyond The Sea...

"Ocean Dreams"

Whenever I hear Bobby Darin sing "Beyond The Sea" my mind instantly is drawn to memories of Summer days on the beach at Coney Island. Everything about the song is perfect...the melody...the lyrics. The song always takes my mind and heart running back to a wonderful childhood in Brooklyn.

When I found out about The 1001 Journals Project I quickly signed up. The concept is great. To quote the website: "1001 Journals is an online community for people who enjoy writing, creating art, photography, and sharing their creations. Using three different journal types (traveling, location, and personal) users are able to share their thoughts with users around the world."

This page is from the "Ocean Dreams" Journal. I couldn't wait to start working on it. With Brighton Beach and  altered with handmade and found paper, postcards, stamps, old photos.

I've always loved the idea of a message in a bottle. In many ways, altering the journal and sending it on its' way is the same. I wonder if any of the 1001 Journals will end up in a time capsule?

Wouldn't that be a wonderful way to see our art survive!