Not quite finished
Every time I thought I was finished with this journal page, something else begged to be included. First, an additional flower, then another flower pod, another leaf, and finally two seed heads. But while I was adding the seedheads, several ebony jewelwings appeared and I thought, okay, yes, you can be part of this too. So here it is, a week of poppies come and gone and a week of painting in the garden. It’s time to turn the page.
Tips & Techniques– While it is important to plan your composition and color scheme for a finished painting, that doesn’t happen in the same way when working spontaneously in a journal. I often start with what strikes me and keep adding until the page feels complete. Each time I add an element, I think about the overall composition, but sometimes an addition pushes me in a new direction. Sometimes it creates a problem that needs to be solved. Sometimes the page unfolds beautifully, and sometimes it doesn’t. Because it’s a journal, the result is intended to be a reflection of your experience more than a perfect painting. Learning to embrace the imperfect is part of the process.
Drawn In 
This is really lovely… I love all the additions.. your journal pages are always an inspiration to pick up a paintbrush. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Betty. That’s very sweet of you to say.
This is so pretty! I’m so in love with poppies.
Me too. I love the way their petals seem like skirts of a dancer. So enticing!
Beautiful pages! Love the addition of the ebony jewel wings!
Oh Jean, I love everything about this! I really appreciate you articulating how a journal is a record of experience; I’ve been having a very similar one. I started my own journal page after watching your ‘nests and eggs’ tutorial on Martha and Winslow Art’s Spring Fling (or showcase or whatever she called it). Loved it, and so appreciate you both! My page grew and grew, and none too gracefully, but I still love it as a record of what was going on. If I could figure out how to post it, I’d share it to let you see what you’ve inspired, but I think I can only put text here. (Night) Birds and eggs led to frogs and tadpoles and crickets, a compendium of the sounds I hear on April nights here in central Texas. Scale was off, Chuck-will’s-widow eggs that are laid on the ground were at the top of the page and became surrounded by tree frogs, but what the hay, it makes me think of how life surges in wet periods in this typically dry region. Thank you for your continual inspiration to love and enjoy the beauty all around us, what a wonderful impact to have on the world!
Cathy- Thank you for your thoughtful note. Wish I could see your page. I sounds like it evolved in unexpected ways that added up to a good record of your experience. I’m glad to provide some inspiration for your work. Keep it up!
Your Tips and Techniques are so useful and inspiring and informative. Today’s “Learning to embrace the imperfect is part of the process “ is just what I need to hear today. Thank you.
I need that advice today, too! Thanks for checking in!
Turned out to be a lovely and dynamic composition. And you introduced me to the beautiful ebony jewelwing damselfly, thanks!
They are lovely streamside damselflies. They range across the entire east and midwest from Maine to Florida and west through Texas. Be on the lookout!
Embracing imperfection in the process — brilliant! You’ve captured the poppy life cycle beautifully. We have some in our garden and I’m planning to capture its stages in my journal. I’m fascinated with the fuzzy buds and the remaining seed pods! Thank you for sharing.
I love every stage! Enjoy sketching yours.
This is a stunning sketch. I like what happened when you expanded your design.
Thanks so much. It had its problematic moments, but I like the challenge of trying to make it come together.
Love it! Sometimes I too add and add to my sketchbook art work days after I said I was finished! It’s good that it’s all recorded in a sketchbook where you can play around. Sometimes the play turns out like something I’d like to tear out and frame. Most of the time…it’s just a playground for time with pencils and paints.
Of course, yours are much better in so MANY ways but you’ve given us “permission”to experiment and not worry so much about the outcome.
Thanks so much for sharing this lovely image. It made me 😊.
Glad it brought a smile to you…as your nice note did to me!
so fresh and beautiful !
Thank you!
Simple and fresh color flowers