Alternating Rhythm

Subtracting text from a page in an altered book (or from a piece of paper torn from a magazine, newspaper article, or book) is one of my favorite ways to begin a journal entry.

Ideally, for me, I choose a page in the altered book I'm working in; something where the text on a page relates to an aspect of my life that "rings" a particular bell. In this example, the page in my altered book included prose on how to maintain a balance between solitude & retreat time and the fast pace life of work and family. Read and re-read the selected text and "subtract" the words that do not relate to your situation. Then reconstruct the remaining words in prose that speaks to you. My challenge is to maintain (find?) a balance between three different vocational callings: pastor, art, and writing. I reconstructed the prose on the right side of the two-page spread and titled it "Alternating Rhythm" to speak to what I learned/heard during the art & listening; listening & art process.

 Materials: clear gesso on left side; diluted white gesso on right page. Colored pencils to mark out/"subtract" text and to (re)write the new prose. The green lettering was done with stencil; the rest was freehand alternating the "font" by mixing upper case and lower case lettering with repeating the general formula of "upper-lower-lower."

Heart-Cry of Prayer

 This altered journal entry begins by subtracting text on the right side of the page (use a dark marker to scribble out the "extra" words on a piece of text until the remaining words form a core theme for your reflection). The remainder of the pages are covered over with white gesso EXCEPT the lower left side which is a  photograph that has been covered with clear gesso so that the photo shows through. Take key words and phrases from the remaining words left exposed by the "subtracting text" and create a series of words/prose. Here I used upper and lower case letters to individually stamp the words. I embellished the edges with B&W paper strips and flowers cut from art paper. The words (bottom left) are key themes of my prayers and they are written in basic graphite pencil on top of the clear gesso which is over an image in the (altered) book.



Use baby wipes to clean the edges of a rubber stamp to make a clean print on the letter.

Might Could

 I like the creative and reflecting thinking which occurs during the process of "eliminating text." Begin with a page of written text-either as part of your altered book journal or a separate page that you can glue to your journal. Read and re-read the page of text and mark out ("eliminate") words that do not apply to what you are thinking about. Let the words that keep jumping out at you remain uncovered.

It will take numerous careful and reflective readings before you have a small portion of text remaining. Then, write a bit of prose on the opposite blank page (pre-coated with white gesso). You can write free-hand or use small rubber stamp letters to individually stamp the words. You can leave the completed "re-composed" text stand alone, or you can continue to embellish it with artsy theology...now or later.

Begin Again

Create a "poem" by subtracting words from an arbitrary text; then rewrite the words to make them your own.

 I used a Sharpie oil-based marker to mark out words on a page in an altered book (right side); then I slightly re-organized most of the remaining words to express a reflection that grew out of blotting out the words. From this exercise I was reflectively reminded of God's care and providence as I gave myself permission to "Begin Again."

I jazzed up the edges with cut pieces of decorative paper to add visual interest on the theme I was reflecting on, and then used stencils to put the "bold type" message that had come to me through the experience of art/journaling.