Another Hit Interview at the Voodoo with Diana Trout

Ricë Freeman-Zachery does it again: another excellent interview, this time with Diana Trout, author of Journal Spilling.

My review of Diana's book here.

The complete list of Ricë Freeman-Zachery's podcasts here.

Review: Journal Spilling

Journal Spilling Cover ©

I thought I'd leisurely read Journal Spilling at Callicoon's new cafe, drinking coffee and taking in the last rays of sun, instead what I wanted to do was follow along with Diana and spill all over my journal(s).

The book is written in a refreshing, engaging and experienced voice--the voice of Diana Trout. “Free expression” exercises, the book’s subtitle, are skillfully woven throughout the book putting the reader, and journal maker at ease.

It is a book that motivates both the long-term journal keepers, like myself, and the novice, to set up and gather a few supplies and tools, anywhere, and just do it in its opening chapter, Warming Up. In fact, it fosters just what the title suggests, a way in which to create an organic, self defined journal just spilling onto a page from a box of crayons, a watercolour palette or a bottle of ink.

Judgment free, the chapters build on each other, and erase the terror often associated with trying to achieve the perfect page with precious materials. Instead, the Censor takes back stage while the Creator relaxes, explores and produces a seemingly effortless personal journal page(s). The book's chapter, "Taming the Critic" does some of the work, but it is the book in its entirety that grants the reader total permission to move beyond that "do not trespass" sign artists often experience.

Artistic Attempts Cover ©

At midpoint in reading the book, I found myself, “spilling” here, there and in my “Artistic Attempts “ journal—an altered calendar resurfaced with gesso.

The Words Speak for Themselves ©

The fact that I was able to venture so freely and spontaneously into a journal spill is testament to the writer’s skill and the books value. Too often, I weigh myself down with pensive pondering and few art pages.

I am not Picasso ©

My Censor and cacophony of Critics are shrill, but with Journal Spilling at my side and Diana’s voice in my head, perhaps I might yet capture that sense of freedom that arrives when we allow ourselves to just create.

Just Do It ©

You can get your copy of Journal Spilling from Diana directly with a bonus collage pack.

Treat yourself to this terrific book!

Meeting Diana Trout

Have you ever sat on a bench to rest your feet and suddenly found yourself with a companion?It has happened to me often, but in two cases, one in 1975, and the other in 2003, not only did I find myself with a temporary companion, I found a friend!

A conference had been organised on the East Coast, a rarity, and those of us who had often missed out on the plethora of West Coast opportunities, were so excited we came out in droves.

7 of Vine ©

The one workshop I was keen to take was with Linda & Opie O'Brien. I loved that workshop and have 7 of Vine hanging in my kitchen.

But what I remember most about my rare attendance at workshops and this ArtiologyWorkshop is meeting Diana Trout.

Diana had come with some of her Philadelphia friends, two of whom I knew from several on line art groups. Yet for reasons inexplicable, we gravitated to each other in a quiet way that has been sustained with telephone calls, and an exchange of submissions to our now defunct, but then respective zines.Now Diana Trout has come out with an amazing new book, Journal Spilling, Mixed Media Techniques for Free Expression.

Journal Spilling is terrific!

(To be continued)

Altering a Book, Step by Step III

When Diana and I talked recently, we both agreed that few, if any, books on journaling are as good as Gwen Diehn's two books "Decorating a Page " and "The Decorated Journal."

So I took both off my bookshelf and reintroduced myself to their content: clear instructions, simple inspirational examples and excellent technical know-how, are three of the outstanding qualities of Diehn's books.

One of Gwen's many excellent recommendations is to prepare some of your journal pages in advance with various medium. Then when inspiration strikes, you already have a selection of prepared background pages with various medium and colours.

Ink pads as background(s)

And reviewing the books reminded me of other ways to revitalise and possibly get the last of the colour out of my ink pads. Turning them upside down I used two of the many drying pads as background color for a couple of planned pages by rubbing them against the blank page. It worked.



Another of her great suggestions, and I haven't seen this one elsewhere, is to use absorbent ground to mask text rather than gesso. The ground is much finer, dries flat and is easier to apply than gesso. I checked both the MSRP and the price at Cheap Joes. It appears that there is only a couple of dollars difference for a 16oz bottle of ground as compared to gesso and Dick Blick's price is one dollar less for each product.

Diana Talks Journals

I really like to see other people's journals and especially those of friends.

I asked Diana what size these journals are and if they would take fountain pen ink.

Spoiled Recycler

One tiny problem with living far away from a town or city is how, where and when to recycle.

My ecological daughter came close to chiding me on her visit that I didn't have all the trash sorted. She had some good suggestions, and my neighbour, Jo-Ann, told me that on the second Saturday of each month our local Community Center will take many recyclable items.

I called them and yes they will even take broken appliances (of which I have several). So on my calendar

"is toss recyclables into car by 9am; drive to Conklin Hill Road and recycle."

But this little envelope book that I discovered on Diana's blog captured my attention and fancy as so much of my recyclables are paper--masses of paper, all the junk mail, and all the good things that can come in envelopes.

Art & Soul with Diana Trout

Yesterday afternoon, I was cruising at 60mph and found myself at the Art & Soul Retreat webpage--hemming, hewing, wondering if I should consider going as it is almost in driving distance and I thought some buddies might be teaching.

What a surprise to find Diana Trout's name in big letters as one of the instructors. I wrote to her immediately and her big news is the release of a book by Northlight in the Spring.

Go, Diana.

Diana and I met at a retreat similar to Art & Soul in Atlantic City, NJ and found ourselves sitting side-by-side just sharing. We've stayed in touch since and have exchanged and published each other's art work in our respective zines.

I am so delighted for my friends. They've all worked hard to climb the ladder and it appears in the last year or more quite a few have reached near-heaven.