Experiments: A Guest Post by Samantha Kira Harding
Monday, September 27, 2010 at 2:02PM 
© 2010 Samantha Kira Harding
Lately, I’ve been playing around, experimenting with materials on-hand and new ones I’ve become interested in. My desk quickly became littered with small pieces of bristol paper, each the outcome of a particular idea I needed to test out — what if I used these colors together? What if I used glue on a stamp? What if I added water?
It’s been a long time since I’ve sat down with the express task of experimenting with materials; I’ve been painting and journaling for years, and have, in the last year, fallen into a pattern of using my favorite bits to create the paintings and journal pages I love. I know how these work, how they’ll react with water, how the colors mix together, how they layer over collaged papers. It’s comfortable and enjoyable, but no longer filled with the same sense of play that marked the first few years of my artistic endeavors.
These inks, that I’ve been playing with, are foreign. I don’t know much more about them than stamping — apply ink, press stamp to paper — so all I can do is play around. And while my journal is a place for play, working on smaller papers is easier when looking to achieve a specific result.
© 2010 Samantha Kira Harding
My studio has become a laboratory, full of experiments and laughter. I feel rejuvenated, as though a new depth has been discovered in my creative well. I’ve created a journal to document my new discoveries, full of notes — and failures. There’s just as much to learn from those times things don’t work out as when things do.
More than that, by documenting my journey, I can pass on what I learn more easily; I never approached learned acrylics or my favorite watercolor crayons in this way, which makes me wonder: is it time to stretch my knowledge on those supplies I thought I knew so well?
Treating your art time as play, as experiments, takes the pressure off. You’re not creating journal pages or paintings — you’re playing. These aren’t finished pieces, they’re rest stops on your journey, those charming pieces of Americana children beg their parents to see when on long road trips. Who are you to deny that child inside? And while you’re at it, take some photos — you never know when you’ll need those notes for a bigger piece...or that journal page you’re creating just for you.
,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸-(About The Author)-,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸
Samantha Kira is an art journaler, artist, and writer living outside Chicago in a charming green studio. She’s been published and featured in magazines, teaches workshops both online and at cute scrapbooking shops, and has never lost that love of play....
...Why, just last night, she was blowing bubbles into her drink. Thankfully, it was just a glass of water. Her home on the web is http://www.journalgirl.com, where you can find links to her shoppe, Flickr, Facebook, YouTube, & Ustream channel.
Reader Comments (5)
Awesome post! Love what you did with your bits of paper experiments, it makes for a great reference tool for future work and a lovely art journal!
i love to experiment and have been for years, but failing to record the results of most of the discoveries i've made has now come back to haunt me. i look back at past projects and don't know how i did what i did. Some of my discoveries are now second nature, but many are lost. i've been thinking of starting a new experimental journal, but this time around i plan to TAKE NOTES! Seeing this post was inspiring and was the push i needed to jump in. Thanks!
Also, Distress Inks are my favorite inks in all the world. There's so much you can do with them! One thing i love: stamp the inkpad a few imes onto a craft sheet, wax paper, glass, something non-porous, then spritz with water. Dip a paintbrush into the wet ink and use for painting in stamped images or drawings. Try blending colors right on the paper. Fun!
The color of your cover is Beautiful......Love it
I am partial to using Inktense pencils with acrylic paints. I will grab those without really thinking. Mind you, I have other materials close at hand, but I will reach for (what has become) the familiar. Sadly, I have not been good at or consistent with note-taking when I work in my journal and have very often come across pages months later wondering: how did I get that?! Geez!!
this is SO inspiring! THANK YOU!
-juliette