Limberlost Journal page & video
Posted: July 6, 2016 Filed under: Art Journal, Butterfly trio, Muse, Script, Tutorial, Verdure | Tags: Art Journal, color burst, Dr Ph Martin Hydrus watercolor paints, Faber-Castell Albrecht Durer Watercolour pencils, Penny Black stamps, Tsukineko Versafine inks, Tutorial, video 21 Comments
It is over a year ago since I completed a page in my art journal so it was a good thing when I was asked to create an art journal video for the Penny Black blog. The latest release from PB, Artistic Endeavors includes some beautiful stamps designed with journaling in mind. The page I created last year was a Narnia page so I decided to stick with the literary theme and make another book inspired page. My inspiration this time is ‘A Girl of the Limberlost’ by Gene Stratton-Porter. I read the book quite a few years ago but really enjoyed it and could see the butterfly and figure stamp working well on such a page.
The main character, Elnora, catches moths to sell to collectors in order to support herself through high school. She lives on the edge of the Limberlost, a forested and swampy region where she finds the moths she later sells. I know these stamps depict butterflies but I chose to exercise some artistic license.
Because I wanted to watercolour both the butterflies and the girl I stamped them on watercolour paper, painted them, then cut them out so I could attach them to the page.
To add texture to the background I glued torn strips of tissue paper all over it then did partial stamping with a script stamp and a leafy stamp.
Journal pages take me a long time so despite the fact that I sped up just about all the footage, it is still on the lengthy side. I hope you enjoy it and, maybe like me, get inspired to pull out a neglected art journal. Or perhaps you’ll go and check the book out of the library…
Edited to add: In the video I mentioned learning a lot from Vicky Papaioannou; her videos are here:https://www.youtube.com/user/vickypgr
Supplies:
Stamps: Muse, Script, Verdure, Butterfly trio (PB)
Art Journal: Fabriano 24cm x 15.5cm
Art supplies: Faber-Castell gel medium , Tsukineko Versafine Onyx Black ink , clear embossing powder, Ken Oliver Colorburst powders (merlot, violet, ultramarine blue), Ken Oliver liquid metals (platinum, verdi gris, ultramarine blue), Faber-Castell Stampers big brush pen, lead pencil, Pigma 0.3 micron pen, Faber-Castell Albrecht Durer watercolour pencils (medium flesh, brown ochre, juniper green, ochre, burnt ochre, venetian red, delft blue, warm grey 3), tissue paper, Dr Ph Martin Hydrus liquid watercolours (Hansa yellow light, phthalo blue, phthalo green, carbon black) Art glitter designer dries clear adhesive, Ranger distress micro glaze.
Heather Telford 
Don’t you love how one art form is an inspiration for another? Your imaginative interpretation is charming!
Love your journal page! I have been neglecting mine. Yours inspired me to pull it back out. I first read ‘Girl of the Limberlost’ when I was 14. It made a real impact on me. I read it again about 8 years ago. Love that book. Really enjoyed your video.
Thank you for your kind words; I am enjoying hearing from others who enjoyed this book. I read it as an adult then passed it on to my teenage daughter 5 or 6 years ago. I enjoyed listening to it and to ‘Freckles’ over the past few weeks.
Oh, my goodness. I read Girl of the Limberlost when I was an adolescent living in Missouri in a place very similar to the Limberlost. Similar both geographically and culturally. It left a lasting impression, as I believe all things at that age shape one’s character tremendously. This is beautiful, Heather. Everything you make is beautiful. Now I must read Girl of the Limberlost again. Thank you.
I am so glad to hear from others who enjoyed the book. I just finished listening to ‘Freckles’ which I also enjoyed. Thank you for your kind words about my creating; I really appreciate them.
This is fabulous Heather and love the colours. I have never heard of this book but it obviousluy left a deep impression on you and a wonderful idea to use this as your starting point. x
I used to live in Indiana where the Limberlost is and this was my favorite book as a child. Still enjoy it and your pages are wonderful! Great inspiration for trying journal pages based on books! Thanks!
What great artistic inspiration! I learn so much from your blog and your videos.
I am in my seventies and it has been decades since I read A girl of the Limberlost but just the title gave me good feelings. Thank you for that. The journal page was so interesting and I learned much about all the mediums you used. I did not find the link to your mentor for journaling perhaps you could point it out to me. Thank you as always for your inspiration.
Hi Em,
I forgot to add that link, sorry. I will edit now and add it in. The amazing art journaller I referred to is Vicky Papaioannou and her videos are here: https://www.youtube.com/user/vickypgr
Thank you.
A Girl of the Limberlost is my all time favorite book. I have read it many times, as well as most of Gene Straton-Porter’s books. Your journal page is exactly as I would picture the scene from the book. Love your work.
Hi Jackie,
that is high praise indeed! I am glad I captured the feel of the book. I just finished listening to “Freckles” and really enjoyed it but I am not sure which of her books to try next; do you have a recommendation?
WOWZERS! Gorgeous journal! Thank you so much for a wonderful video!
[…] Limberlost Journal page & video → […]
Art journaling is still something that I haven’t tried. I like how you’ve added such dimension and texture to your pages and I especially LOVE your inspiration. The moths on your pages and the hints of leaves and vines underneath truly honor the Limberlost story. To pursue more Gene Stratton Porter books, I recommend Her Father’s Daughter and The Keeper of the Bees – both with a California setting. Another favorite of mine is Laddie, A True Blue Story. Thank you for sharing your creative process with your videos 🙂
Hi KellyRae,
Thanks for your kind comments and for the recommendations; I wasn’t sure which book to try next.
Thanks so much for sharing ,I loved watching and learning
I don’t know that I’m ready to do a journal, but I am ready to try some of the techniques! Thanks so much for taking the time to film this. It’s an awesome example and I’ve just got the book on my Kindle to read. I remember reading some of this authors books when I was a child but don’t think I read this one.
[…] The brusho colours are vibrant and the liquid metals sparkly so the combination is just like the shimmery butterflies I created for my journal […]
[…] three art journals on the go and this one has a literary theme. I’ve done pages inspired by books and others inspired by quotes. I have a few started but not finished and several in my […]