Have you guys been hearing about Quinn McDonald's new book, Raw Art Journaling?
I wanted to help support this hot new publication so I've put together a film while creating an Imagined Landscape using several of the techniques in the book. Then I transformed the landscape into ATCs to give-away here! To top it off, Quinn has generously offered a signed copy of the book as grand prize!! (Find out about your chance to win below).
Most of you already know that I'm a big Quinn fan. Am I biased? Probably. But you can't take my Quinn love away. She was my creative coach, and the person who introduced me to the concept of "Making Meaning".
Raw Art is about making and discovering your own meaning. This book is for people who need help learning to create from their minds and their imaginations. This book made me think about all the pages in my moleskin that I don't share because they're "not good enough." Raw Art is exactly about that kind of artwork. Meaning is different for all of us. And meaning isn't always the prettiest or "best" artwork. Meaning comes from your own discoveries through experimentation.
Although Quinn was born in the United States, she grew up in a German and French speaking home. So I asked her if she had any special "German-ness" she'd like to share with us and out came the most amazing Sauerkraut story. I couldn't make something this good up if I tried...
In Quinn's own words,
My mom didn't like the idea of store-bought, preserved food. When I was growing up, we had a garden, and my mom baked bread, made all our meals from scratch, canned fruit, etc. One year she decided to make sauerkraut. There was a big stoneware vat on the back porch, with a fitted stoneware lid. I was too young to get the concept of "ferment" but I was scared of the vat because the lid rocked and "burped" as the sauerkraut developed. In my mind the vat was at least 3 feet tall, but I was a toddler, and my mom wouldn't have made 5 gallons of sauerkraut, so it was probably a one-gallon pot, but in my memory it was huge. One day the fermentation got out of hand, and the lid blew off the container. I didn't see it happen, but I was absolutely sure that sauerkraut was an animal and not a vegetable. For years, I was convinced sauerkraut was alive. How weird is that??
Awesomely weird Quinn! Excellent. (I actually rubbed my hands together reading it). This is exactly the kind of journalistic discovery I'm proud to bring to the mixed media community, so KUDOS for sharing something fun and crazy with Studio Mailbox readers!! I'm never going to look at sauerkraut the same way...
The landscape I demonstrate in the film has been cut up into ATCs - for you! Studio Mailbox would like to support Quinn's book release by giving away 9 goody packs (ATCs, cancelled German postage, old book pages, and little treats like mini-butterfly cards and tags)! In addition Quinn is offering a signed copy of Raw Art Journaling!
Winners will be drawn randomly from those who take a moment to comment on what's meaningful to you. Those who want to help make some noise and post the video on their sites or facebook walls get to leave bonus comments, along with those who do that tweeting thing! You know how it works, so feel free to help spread the love. When I put these goody packs together I came across old postcards that might be from Poland, Czechoslovakia or Russia. I'm not a "cat person" but man, those feline expressions are priceless. So come on folks, there's nothing like angry kitties as an incentive!
Frankly, I think this video might be a first step in launching my TV career. (Yes I'm kidding. I'm so freaked to be in front of the camera that I came down with crazy-voice! Be sure to pay close attention at around 3:29 when I start channelling my inner Canadian. Although I really like making the videos in my computer, I'm still not super confident recording myself. Go easy on me!)
Most importantly, congratulations to Quinn on an awesome publication. JA WOHL!
Don't forget to leave a meaningful comment:
Goodie Packs complete with mad cats, for 9 lucky winners!
Why 9? Because that's better than "nein" winners! (ok that was lame)
Grand Prize is a signed copy of Raw Art Journaling!!
Drawing takes place Monday, 1st of August (German time!) Be sure to check back to see if you're a lucky winner...
what a wonderful give-away and l loved the video too. please put my name down as l would love to win this book as l follow her work with admiration on her blog! lynda x
Posted by: lynda howells | July 27, 2011 at 10:33 AM
dearest sweet TJ, the book looks really interesting and inspiring. What's meaningful to me? Lots of things tho it's hard to pick just one. I think living life and living your dream like it matters most. Thanks so much for such a wonderful inspiring giveaway! Have a lovely merry happy mid-week and love to yoU!
Posted by: Jacqueline | July 27, 2011 at 10:34 AM
What a great video - thanks for sharing the work in progress :-) It was interesting to see some of Quinn's techniques being put into practice - I am also a long time follower of her blog, and wouldn't mind winning a copy of the book. Especially as she said it wasn't just US and Canada (I'm in Scotland). Thanks for the opportunity - and the chance to meet you through your blog.
Posted by: Joanna Paterson | July 27, 2011 at 10:56 AM
I would so love to win this! I am learning about work and journalling and need all the help I can get!
Posted by: Margaret | July 27, 2011 at 12:32 PM
Love your video TJ; inspirational, fun, fast and furious! :-)
Meaningful to me: having a home where I feel comfortable and safe, where I can keep my things organized (or not) and sit and create art, sleep well at night and be content.
XOXO
Posted by: iHanna | July 27, 2011 at 01:46 PM
Thanks for sharing your work! I think what's meaningful to me is my family first, and also my friends who I share ideas with and have fun creating together whether it's in a class or get-together. It's so much fun being with other art lovers.
Posted by: Marjorie | July 27, 2011 at 02:12 PM
What is meaningful to me? It's very simple for me....a moment in time. To be fully present, with all my senses involved, to completely experience all the moment provides.
Posted by: Marilyn Harris-Mills aka Maer | July 27, 2011 at 03:17 PM
Meaningful...those seemingly insignificant events that come on you unexpectedly...like someone is whispering...pay attention!!
Posted by: Dave | July 27, 2011 at 03:55 PM
How wonderful of you to have a give away! I loved the video and how you used all the elements of art.
Posted by: Sherrie Roberts | July 27, 2011 at 04:10 PM
I am totally a cat person so I'd love the cat postcards especially. Receiving the book would be a great gift because I cannot afford to buy the book (book buying has been banned for at least a year!). I could get it from the library, but you can't write in them, sigh. I especially enjoyed watching TJ do the project she did--maybe I, even I, really can do art!
Posted by: JD | July 27, 2011 at 04:17 PM
Lovely video! *...ummm, tell your inner critic to sit down and shut up!* LOVED the stitching over the imagined landscape to created the ATC frames (inspired!)
Meaningful (to me): quiet moments that inspire larger/rowdier thoughts - that then inform the color and rhythm of my next creative session... The 'wheel of life' keeps on turning; and I am enjoying the ride!
Posted by: PennyA | July 27, 2011 at 04:17 PM
I went over to You Tube, and Posted to both my Facebook, and I that Twitter Thing as you said. I also, listed the video to Google +1 Recommendations.
Also, I am signed up to take an online class with Quinn. You talk with Her, please tell Her that Cabbages are alive. I promise.
Sherrie Roberts
Posted by: Sherrie Roberts | July 27, 2011 at 04:22 PM
YOu both did a terrific job...with the video!I loved it!
I can't wait to see the book.
I hope I'm the winner.
I'm also signed up to take the class with Quinn.Yahoo!
Jackie Wimberly
Posted by: Jackie Wimberly | July 27, 2011 at 04:38 PM
Really glad I followed the trail of online crumbs to your blog, just spent a pleasant while exploring it.
What I think is most full of meaning would have to be a dictionary... Oh, wait, no, that's full of meanings! ;) No, seriously though, for me it would be a heartfelt hug at the right time, or a quiet word, or a written line that shows someone's thinking about you (or vice versa) right then.
Posted by: Rillaith | July 27, 2011 at 04:42 PM
What's meaningful to me? My family, my garden, and my new-found love of making art! I am just starting out in mixed media and am finding the creative outlet so inspiring. It makes life more meaningful!
Posted by: Tracey | July 27, 2011 at 04:43 PM
Very excited about your giveaway. What's meaningful to me is being able to share any part of my own life experience that can stir another to search for that part of themselves (which may have been long buried)that sparks their love for life and can help them embrace who they are and live fully each day.
Posted by: Robin H | July 27, 2011 at 04:45 PM
nice video and I love the colourful page!
I'd love to win the book also.... ;-D
Posted by: Annie | July 27, 2011 at 04:49 PM
Love the video and the book looks like just what I need to free me up. Meaningful to me is creating something every day and teaching my son to create.
Posted by: Heather Thompson | July 27, 2011 at 04:49 PM
I cannot wait to get a copy of this book - I know that it will be a valuable addition to my studio library. As to what's meaningful to me, it would be the look of amazement on a student's face when they discover the joy of creating/journalling. I tell my "kids" that anything goes in their books, and we break all the rules in the process of building our journals, and they are astounded at the beauty that emerges from their own fingertips!
Posted by: Kim Santini | July 27, 2011 at 05:13 PM
meaningful to me? I'm not lucky enough to have a dedicated art room yet; but I do have my "space", and it is very meaningful to me. I particularly like playing in my space surrounded by my family watching tv or just chatting.
bev a
Posted by: bev a | July 27, 2011 at 05:21 PM
Meaningful to me?? Boy that's a question - I guess it may even depend on the day. But first and foremost would always be my family - a smile on a child's face can always lift you spirits. Everything else is secondary in comparison. I guess I will have to ponder that one a bit more to come up with a better answer for myself.
Posted by: Susan | July 27, 2011 at 05:26 PM
Meaningful can be anything that touches a special place in you, a photo of a wilted flower, apath in woods, a special color. Something that helps make you YOU.
Posted by: Bo mackison | July 27, 2011 at 05:55 PM
What's meaningful to me? Having a purpose for someone or something, big or small.
Your video makes me want that book...
Posted by: German Gems | July 27, 2011 at 05:58 PM
I wanna be in on the fun! As to what;s meaningful, right now it's....COLOR. It seems like I am drawn to the same colors over and over when I am creating. Even when I try to "branch out", my hand keeps reaching for the same colors. Until, of course, my eye is taken by the next lovely combo. Thanks for the fun giveaway, TJ.
Posted by: Melissa Parks | July 27, 2011 at 06:00 PM
Hello from Ireland!
Please put my name in the hat, I'm fairly new to the art journalling world... After many failed attempts things are starting to flow... It's becoming more natural but I would die for advice and guidance!
Posted by: LMV | July 27, 2011 at 06:33 PM