20 Comments
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Mary Tolbert's avatar

I know this feeling of being moved by creating. Being captured— almost pulled along by the need of doing. The mystery and winding of the process as magical as the finishing.

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Margaux Kent's avatar

Yes! Maybe more magical in the mysterious, winding process?!

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Ellen Estes's avatar

Amazing that creating is in all of us!!

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Mary Tolbert's avatar

Yes! I believe it stems from being created in the first. Each of us a born creator.

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Nell Morningstar Ubbelohde's avatar

Your attitude toward your journals is similar to mine. I am only interested in making blank books so I can fill them! Thank you for your generosity in sharing your process, I am happily making books for myself and as gifts for others. I love your colour palette for this post-refreshingly summery.

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Margaux Kent's avatar

So great that you are happily making books! Me too, these colours are exquisite and following me around.

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Beverly Army Williams's avatar

I love the spine, too, and the chapter you quoted from Braiding Sweetgrass was one of my favorites.

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Margaux Kent's avatar

Thank you and yes! Such a beautiful chapter...

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Spencer Welch's avatar

I wish I filled books like you do. I used to be an avid journal but it seems more and more difficult to open it up and put something on the page, whether a word or a picture or a scribble. I don’t know. I am afraid the seriousness of art is keeping me from making the art. I was hoping the road trip would help me get out of this weird funk, and yet still I have only made one tiny painting! And one journal entry.

I do have a show next year, a big one, so hopefully when I get home I will get out of this silly mood and start making! I do plan to watch your tutorials, I am excited to make a book for the show (the three of us, artist women, will all be making an artist book). My plan is to fill it with everything, thoughts and poems and drawings and paintings.

Wow, what a ramble! ☺️

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Margaux Kent's avatar

I think the weird funks are sometimes where we collect thoughts and ideas for the work. But there is always something to scribble - if only to hear and feel the pen move. The show and artist books sound like great motivators Spencer!

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Ellen Estes's avatar

Inspiring for sure! I do not make my own books~journals, but sure do love filling up my beloved leuchtturms!!

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claire b bushby's avatar

Your journal is so beautiful, very inspiring. I like to make books but haven’t done it in a while.

Also I like your black dog (?) collage.

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Margaux Kent's avatar

Thank you - i hope you start again!

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Jill Brooks's avatar

Living all your threads - they hold me up!

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Margaux Kent's avatar

Aw thank you so much Jill - this is so so sweet to read.

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Samm Menzies's avatar

That spine is 😍. And the colours of this one are gorgeous. My current book has red tabs (hidden) and red end bands with a dark brown, cosy, wool blend fabric cover. It’s wintery and comfy.

Your pond project sounds fun… how delicious to have a natural swimming option at home 💛

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Margaux Kent's avatar

I have to find your book! I think I saw a glimpse on ig... Sounds lovely. And YESSSSS this pond!

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Susan Krahn Anderson's avatar

I have to digress a little and ask about your darling dog. He is so sweet ❤️

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Margaux Kent's avatar

She! Her name is Pearl. I love her to bits!

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Susan Krahn Anderson's avatar

I understand completely!

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