Other than the new concertina sketchbook I’ve been working in, and the grid journal (example here) I’m continuing with, I have a new thick bound journal that I’m doing quick bits in– even double page spreads– mixed in with some written journaling as well. (For example this and this came from jottings in there.) I’m trying to capture ideas since they come so fast!

Pages from that new bound book (we’re calling it my “tome”) are what you are seeing in this post. Some of these were more contemplative, but most were done in quick, short, scattered moments when I’m too busy to actually paint anything more serious. It is important to keep your hand in as a maker, in order never to allow yourself to become stagnant or blocked. This kind of exploratory, low stakes work keeps me in the flow.

That red checked pattern below, for example, repurposes the paper our Thanksgiving swordfish was wrapped in, mixed with some bits of olive green paper that was used as packing material from a shipping box. Sealed in acrylic they become archival, and closed in a book, I’m not so worried about their lightfastness. Together, they capture a moment in time.

I hope you are catching and nurturing all the ideas that come to you!