Living Life's Way

“I like the idea of art journaling” noted Carla in her recent online group post. But like many of the new members to the bible journaling group, she wasn’t sure where to begin. She explained “I look at the blank journal page and remain clueless.”

I could sense the exasperation in Carla’s posting. She went on to write, “Most times, I just tear the page out and feel frustrated. Any suggestions?”

And Carla is not alone in her feelings about journaling or any creative endeavor. Many of my students over the years expressed the same sentiments. And when returning to college in my mid-30’s, I also faced formidable hurdles. Like Hans Christian Anderson’s ugly duckling, I had yet to realize my true skills, calling, and giftings. I felt only the awkwardness of being among other learners that were somehow similar but different than me. Under the direction of my design instructors, however, I would soon learn the language of graphic design, adopt the tools, and begin my conversation and connection with the visual world around me.

Knowing what I know now, at 70 years of age, I want to share with you one of the tools that made life easier for me as a developing visual communication artist and, today, remains a go-to guide when beginning any new layout project like an art journaling page. It is easy and quick and will get you beyond the first unnerving creative stage with which most visual artists struggle—the blank page.

To quickly conquer the space of an empty art journaling page requires a guide or tool that can aid you in setting the necessary visual boundaries. Thankfully, graphic design offers a way to approach your blank journal page with six different types of well-established and acknowledged page layout designs. Each one has its own visual appeal. And, over the next six weeks, I will describe, explain, and explore each of them with you as we layout selected text from the Bible. The six layouts include: 1) Mondrian; 2) Circus; 3) Multipanel; 4) Silhouette; 5) Big Type; and 6) Alphabet Inspired.

In this unit, let’s take a look at the first of the page layouts. This layout is based on the work of the artist Piet Mondrian. He was a Dutch painter and theoretician. And according to Wikipedia, is regarded as one of the greatest artists of the 20th century. In his later work, he used simple geometric elements such as the line and square to guide his work and to express his concern with the nature and appreciation of beauty.

As you can see from the example below, Mondrian relied on the space that his lines created as they intersected each other. He carefully filled his spaces with bright bold colors.

If you apply his work to your art journaling page, it acts as a great starting place. Any or all of the blocks can be filled with colors, images, photos, hand drawings, anything glue-able, along with text. Animation can be incorporated for online or virtual display. Kind of, cool, right?

So, let’s take a closer look at the Mondrian type of page layout design and then try it out for yourself! As you prepare your journal page for this type of layout, take your pencil, pen, or marker, and lay down some lines. (For this exercise draw 4 vertical lines from top to bottom and 3 horizontal line from left to right). You can use a ruler, if you like, but free hand is just as good.

Remember it’s your journal and your creative expression will be unique. For a demonstration, watch the video for Unit 2 posted on the Art Journaling Workshop Group as well as the storefront pages at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/679452726298555/ or https://www.facebook.com/LivingLifesWay.

Once you get your lines down, take a moment to rest and enjoy your creation. Don’t get in a hurry; this is an important moment. Allow God’s Holy Creative Spirit to stir your inner creative spirit; this is one of many ways that you can co-create together.

Most importantly, be accepting of your individuality. The Book of Ephesians (2:10) tells us that as new creatures in Christ “…we are God’s handiwork….” You have been made by God in an incredibly special way with a particular mix of gifts, skills, and abilities. Let God’s light shine through and on those giftings as you use the works of your hands and meditation of your heart to glorify Him. Think about the following verse and what it means to you personally:

Therefore, if you are in Christ, you are a new creature, old things have passed away; behold, all things are made new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV Personalized)

DIRECTIONS Step 1. Draw four vertical lines and 3 horizontal lines. Step 2. Pick three colors and fill in three separate boxes that your lines created. Step 3. In another space, write the words: New Creature. Step 4. Fill in as many or few of the boxes with old photos, different colors, and thoughts–whatever comes to your mind. How ’bout a selfie? It’s your choice. Allow your creative spirit to feel the free flow of expression.

You can also use the empty spaces to write in any insights that you gained as you meditated on the verse from 2 Corinthians 5:17. You are God’s design specially laid out for His good works.

Last step? date and sign your art journaling page. Now, share your design and thoughts on our workshop page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/679452726298555/ . If you have any questions, you can email me at: artjournalingworkshop@outlook.com

Looking forward to Unit 3 and discovering the Circus layout!

Dr. Buck / Visual Communication Artist-at-hand / Christian Life Coach / As God gets bigger in our lives–we get stronger!

In my thinking, there is nothing better than crayons and a piece of art paper. The smell of the crayon always brings back the best of memories and the feel of art paper is genuine and satisfying to the touch. Both sit in my art room at eye level and both remind me that they are but simple yet essential tools for turning imagination into concrete creations.

Over 25 years of training transformed me into a visual communication artist. I am trained to evaluate both raw sensory data and human perception. I find that the need to communicate visually covers a wide range of interests, peoples, and venues–art history, design fundamentals and history, philosophy, film critique, photography, human behavior, curatorship, and journalism. My 3 favorites? graphic design, photography, and Christian life.

Throughout my transformation, my artist toolbox continued to grow. And for a while, I put aside the tradition pencil, paper, and glue to be captured by the emerging digital world of art and technical artistry. As it happened, in the early ‘90’s, I taught my first Adobe Photoshop 1.0 class as a teaching assistant,. 

Later, advanced studies broadened my visual communication toolbox even further with research, with theories, and perspectives. In this online workshop and seminar, I will share with you the ones that proved in many ways most interesting as well as rewarding.

My workshops and seminars are offered on both an individual and small group basis. On this page, you will find short descriptions along with links for both the free and paid courses that are designed to engage your creative spirit and spark your imagination. Whether you are a hobbyist or emerging Christian professional, I hope that you enjoy the offerings and share the links with others.

ML Buck, PhD / Visual Communication Artist / Christian Life Coach

Not too long ago, I posted a text message to thirteen of my immediate family members. The text included a simple greeting and acknowledged the challenge of living with heart disease. The text message read:

…as you already know, some of our family members regretfully suffer with heart conditions. Heart disease is known to be one of the leading causes of death in the United States. The disease is currently rated as one of the leading causes of death in the United States. It affects all ages but particularly adults according to researchers at Cedars Sinai Hospital, Beverly Hills, California.

Based on my 20 years of training as a researcher, I would like to share with you some of the information I found concerning heart disease: trends, care, and current treatment protocols. I will provide informational links from top ranked medical centers and other related agencies over the next few weeks on my Facebook social media page.

I believe that knowledge is power. I pray that this knowledge will help us better understand the disease and support those affected by it.

As my family continues to face the challenge of a life-threatening disease, my hopes are reinforced and strengthened through our love for each other and our confidence in God. A confidence revealed through a gentle word or embrace, a home cooked meal or encouraging phone call. As my older sister often remarks: Dear Christ have mercy on us as we try to be of help.

The following link may be of general interest to many and sets a foundational footing for the information on heart disease that will follow over the next few weeks.

https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/video-library/video-detail/c/coronary-artery-disease-risk-factors-and-prevention.html

Mb/11/2019

The first sign of Christmas holidays began a few weeks ago. The temperature dipped, sweaters and jackets worn, and colorful light displays hung. Directly across the walkway, my neighbors had finished decorating their courtyard with strings of lights swirled around two of their palm trees. Blinking lights hugged the framework of windows and doorways. The holidays had arrived.

Last year, I spent most of the holidays at my brother’s house enjoying turkey, gravy, stuffing, a fresh apple pie, and decorations.He’s received several city awards acknowledging the beauty, design and layout of his Christmas-themed lighted yard. My favorite was the electronic mailbox that opened by itself revealing a letter addressed to baby Jesus. It was regarded as the best display by most of the neighbors and their kids.

This year, I made the decision to spend the holidays at home, put up some decorations, and, when possible, avoid public travel. I chose to go minimalist this year with decorations. I wanted to create a small display in my kitchen area that celebrated family and friends. My creative engine started to engage. Handmade decorations? Green and red floral cutouts? Glittered paper balls? Gold papered garland?

As I looked through the bins of decorative papers, paints, stencils, and wrapping accessories, I noticed a red, shoe-sized box in the guest bedroom closet. It was a box that had followed me through the various apartments, rented houses and rented rooms over the past ten years. I was surprised that it had made the trip and all the wanderings with such little wear and tear!

With the box open and sitting on the guest bed, I pulled out the items one by one. The cardboard container was full of old Christmas cards and letters sent to me by family, friends, students, and colleagues. The senders wished me well. Some of the cards described in short fashion the joy, the work, or the interests that we had shared between us.

Each card was a reminder of a special and unique relationship. My first-cousin sent his best wishes the Christmas before he passed. Colleagues sent family updates after we graduated from our doctorate program. Family sent photos and annual news letters. My daughter celebrated moving into our new place. And, my son sent a picture of an alpaca from a farm they had visited just before the holidays. There were many more cards filled with holiday cheer from friends and church members I’d come to know. My smile grew broader with each found treasure. I decided to string the cards like garland across my patio sliding door. Without a doubt, the holidays had arrived!

Yesterday morning, sitting at my kitchen table with a cup of coffee in hand, I watched as the garland of cards sparkled in the morning light. And, I did not hesitate in my answer to: What did I learn this week? I learned that love holds up throughout the years; the cards acted as a reminder.

And, in response to the lesson I learned this week, I wanted to create a special greeting to honor all of the well wishes sent to me. I am also very grateful to all who sent their greetings of joy over the years and kept me in their prayers. God bless you greatly. Thank you for sharing your love with me.

Additionally, I wanted to try my hand at a mixed media project. The pencil drawing at the top of this post is a thumbnail of the concept. Below is the completed mixed media journal entry with text. The title of the piece is: Found Treasure. The theme is celebrating Christ and love.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good year! Mb