The Minnesota Center for Book Arts Visual Journal Collective meets 12 times a year on the third Monday of the month, from 7 to 9 p.m. at MCBA. (See their website for directions.)
The Collective is part of the adult workshop and program offerings at MCBA. Meetings are free and open to any adult who is interested in keeping visual journals. All skill levels are encouraged from beginner to life-long journal keepers. See the bottom of this post for a list of meeting topics.
I (Roz Stendahl) am the volunteer coordinator and maintain a Yahoo-update list for the group. If you would like to be a member of this list please email me with a request at rozjournalrat@gmail.com.
As volunteer coordinator I also organize the meetings. We look to the membership's talent, expertise, and interests to provide topics for the meetings as well as volunteers for brief presentations. Past program examples include our annual portrait party (pairs sketched portraits of each other and the entire group creates a photocopier book of the results for everyone); landscape drawing tips from a local landscape artist as a lead-in to summer vacation; State Fair sketching prep; three State Fair Sketch Outs; and the showing of book arts related films such as a biographical documentary on Peter Beard, and the documentary "1000 Journals Project."
The group also devises and executes collaborative projects such as an Altered Book Journal Round Robin, a journal card exchange, a journal zine project zine exchange and our 2011 Box of Journal Bits Exchange.
Meetings include discussion and sharing of current journal work. To read about past meetings and view photos and sketches from the meetings click on "MCBA" or "Visual Journal Collective" in the category cloud found in the left column of this blog. (You really need to check both categories because I didn't add the Visual Journal Collective category early enough to catch all the related entries—but those you'll find under MCBA.)
If you would like to be invited to the Yahoo list for this group (to receive updates on meetings and details about on-going projects) please send your email to rozjournalrat@gmail.com with the request. The list is pretty quiet so you won't be receiving a lot of emails each day—maybe only a couple each month. But through it you'll also find out how the traveling projects are going and any special events like group paper purchases. You can also find the group on Facebook, where meeting notices will be posted (especially immediate news on any weather-related meeting time changes; we are in Minnesota after all).
We are an eclectic, curious, and welcoming adult group interested in sketching and observing our lives. Come and join in the fun.
Upcoming Meeting Topics for 2012
(Note some meeting topics may shift due to availability of speakers; check back here for more details.)
Please read the blurb for each meeting thoroughly to learn if there is any supply costs or any need to bring special items to a particular meeting. Most meetings are free with no supply costs. Please watch the regular blog postings for last minute changes to topic or speaker. Join the Yahoo list for updates as well, or the Facebook page.
Monday June 18, 7 to 9 p.m. Creativity Coach Kim Hines
It's difficult to improve any skill if you don't get feedback with which to check your progress and your goals. Taking classes can be an integral part of your artistic growth. There are others. Kim Hines is a creativity coach who has made her own path as an artist (writer, director, actor). She will discuss what creativity coaching is and how it can help artists. Hines inspires artists to grasp the larger picture and to focus. She is a role model for accessing one's creative force. Don't miss her talk.
Monday July 16, 7 to 9 p.m. Happy Birthday Murphy: We'll Draw Golden Retriever Murphy on His B-day!
Yes, more life-drawing for the Collective (remember Benson the Bunny!?). Member Molly Anthony has agreed to bring Murphy along so that we can sketch a dog from life. Roz will start the evening with a few tips on drawing from life and then we will sketch, sketch, sketch. Join us for this wonderful practice session which will help you prepare for sketching at the zoo, State Fair, or in nature. Drawing from a live animal is a great way to experience the energy of the animal and hone your observational skills. So come and wish Murphy a happy birthday by bringing your attention and focus.
Monday, August 20, 7 to 9 p.m. Working with Wet Media
Still in the planning stages—Roz will demonstrate using gouache as a sketching medium. We'll also talk about watercolor and acrylics. Get some inspiration just in time for the Fourth Annual Minnesota State Fair Sketch Out.
Tuesday, August 28, Daytime, Meeting Time To Be Announced—The Fourth Annual Minnesota State Fair Sketch Out
Watch for meeting details. After two years of Saturday Sketch Outs we are returning to a Tuesday to give folks who work on weekends a chance to attend. Instead of two meetings during the day (which might disrupt your sketching) we'll have one meeting to get together and share work. There will be some pre-planning discussions if you want to meet up with a sketching partner. Participants will receive a free commemorative button with a really cool drawing by local illustrator Marty Harris! Mark your calendars today!
Monday, September 19, 7 to 9 p.m. Sketching and Painting Around the Globe—Steve DeLaitsch
Painter and printmaker Steve DeLaitsch will speak about the sketchbooks and journals he created while traveling the world (Alaska, China, California, The Southwest US, Australia, and Italy). He will discuss direct and efficient drawing techniques that he employs to work on site. He will also discuss how he created private sponsorships to fund his trips.
Monday, October 15, 7 to 9 p.m. Favorite Journaling and Art-How-To Books Night
Each year we hold one of these "My Favorite Books" evenings. They prove to be among our most popular meetings. Bring 3 of your favorite journaling or art-how-to books and an introductory paragraph about each book. We'll take turns presenting the books to the group, explaining what's great about each book. Be sure to bring your own visual journals where you have put those techniques into action, to also share with the group.
Monday, November 19, 7 to 9 p.m. Our Annual Materials Swap Meet—coordinator Jean Shannon
Our swap sessions have been so popular we are doing another one this year. Bring paper, art supplies, and oddities (such as the things you might use for altered books or collage) to the meeting for other folks to select and take away. There will be materials for other artists for you to select from. While much of the material will be on a "give-away" basis, more substantial items can be in a silent auction (a label will go on your item and people can write down what they will bid for it). Extremely large and cumbersome items such as studio equipment can also be auctioned off—simply bring a photo of the item. (You'll arrange with the purchaser on transfer.)
Starting in October, if you have large items you would like to auction off please send a posting to our yahoo list so interest can be generated in the group.
This meeting is a great time to clear out useful supplies from your space and give them new life in the hands of other artists.
December 17, 7 to 9 p.m. T.B.A.
To be announced.
Note: Possible topices for the T.B.A. meetings include an eraser carving and printing night If you have a topic or know a presenter, please submit the information using the PDF available on the Yahoo List, or write to rozjournalrat@gmail.com for a form to fill out.
View Information about Past Meetings
If you would like to see what we've done at past meetings go to the category cloud in the left column of the blog and click on "Visual Journal Collective" or "MCBA." Posts will come up that announce the meeting (typically with samples of the speaker's work) along with posts that provide a wrap up of what was presented (typically with more samples and also photos of the members enjoying themselves!). Come and join in the fun.
If you would like to be invited to the Yahoo list for this group (to receive updates on meetings and details about on-going projects) please send your email to rozjournalrat@gmail.com with the request. The list is pretty quiet so you won't be receiving a lot of emails each day—maybe only a couple each month. But through it you'll also find out how the traveling projects are going and any special events like group paper purchases. You can also join the groups Facebook page to learn of any last minute meeting changes due to weather.
