Wildflower search and journaling

Well, I promised to return and talk about how to start a new journal. I still hope to do that. But my own journal is delayed because I am in search of a very specific wildflower, since it has important symbolism for me. (Sorry for the mystery and suspense! The reason will be clear later.). I will say, though, that I plan to use the image of this wildflower throughout my journal.

You won't need to go this far to start your own journal, of course. But I will talk about choosing your own meaningful images or text.

Anyhow, I went out today on one of my favorite wildflower walks, and didn't find it. All is not lost, however, since I suspect some species are running a little late this year. You can see some of the beautiful flowers I did find on my other blog, Nebraska Digital Daybook.

Finding the flower is important to me because I always rely upon firsthand observations for my artwork. I have to see the flower to determine its true color, and its overall form. Until I see it, I can't draw it or paint it. Half of the fun for me is in the search, too. I am still the 18 year old girl who spent a day mesmerized by minuscule orchids hidden in my lawn back home.

And I don't want to start the journal without it. So, I will wait, and when I find it, I will be back, and I'll show you how I started the journal, and how you can adapt my techniques to get started on your own. Stay tuned!

Lewis and Clark inspired journals

I still find myself saying that I am new to Nebraska, even though I have been here for a year. This landscape is so different that I still feel as though I am seeing it all for the first time. This will be my second summer here, but the first one was lost to unpacking boxes. I know now where I want to go, what flowers and plants to look for, and some of the wild places that I want to explore before the cold comes again.

Thanks to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center in Nebraska City, I have also rediscovered my interest in Lewis and Clark. I have my own journey of discovery now. There are new vistas to explore, new plants to catalog and paint, new scenes to admire.

These are views of the Missouri River from the National Headquarters of the Lewis and Clark trail.

To commemorate my personal journeys of discovery, I made my own versions of an explorer's journal.

Clark's journals were bound in elk hide, with a very specific paper. The top journal, which does not yet have the pages inserted, is made from leather remnants. The bottom journal is made from imitation leather. (I found one that did not have a strong plastic odor). I like both of these journals very much, though I think the imitation leather may actually be a bit sturdier and more water repellent. They are constructed by sewing the signatures on bookbinding tapes, with a wraparound cover. This is probably the sturdiest construction for this type of journal, which I hope will be used heavily. I've dropped journals in the dirt so often that I know they need to be sturdy!

Inside, I have bound in Thai Uruyu and German Ingres papers. These are meant to be used. Once you get past the intimidating feeling of a handmade journal, and start to actually write in it, they become like old friends. Next week, I hope to show how to break in a new journal. Stay tuned!