Art

Again, one important thing to keep in mind is that you will need to help others understand your own vision. Art as academic documentation usually needs some other supporting explanation. Click on this wee image

to see a full sized scan of the front cover of the 1991 Inspiration Handbook, unless you are reading the printed version of this, in which case the picture is on the page after this section. Here, too, is some material from that Handbook:

What are the different ways we can use visuals in our journals?

Cover Pages:
A striking cover page can draw someone's attention to your journal
and can be used to illustrate a specific point you are making within
your journal or thesis. An example of this was a photograph of a
refugee as the cover page for a thesis on refugees in Britain. One
can make cover pages for different sections of the journal, or cover
pages for pieces of writing.

Lettering:
Lettering can be used in different ways to create visuals. Jana
suggested cutting out letters and words from newspapers and magazines
and using these in titles or for parts of a written piece. Different
typeset can be used to emphasize a word or phrase in a piece of
writing that you would like to have stand out.

Photographs:
We looked at some photographs students had included in their journals.
Last semester for exampes, Maria used many photographs to document
art and craft processes such as silk screening. There are many ways
of displaying photographs. Some people put them in transparent
envelopes, some glue and tape them to the page, others make
photocopies of them.

Originals:
Original paintings and drawings are always a treat though they are
hard to reproduce for more copies of your journal. We looked at one
journal in which a student had put ilustrations along with her poetry.

Doodles:
Use your doodles! Give them room and validation! They are a part of
process-oriented learning as well. Doodles can go just about anywhere--
along the sides of your typwritten pages, as headings or footers or
smack in the middle of two paragraphs. Sometimes, pages of notes and
doodles make an interesting anecdote ot thought process and action.

Facilitator: Vanessa Mohr
Present: Beth Follini, Jana Van der Veer, Natasha Arnold, Beth Wohlleb, Benson Sebastian,
Vanessa Mohr, Jessica Gifford, Kelly Maynard.

Workshop Discussion Sparks

the strengths and limits of visual documentation for academic purposes
the importance of focusing on non-verbal expression, which is usually ignored in the academic world.

Inspired and Creative

Make your Portfolio beautiful!

Rigorous Training

Pick one of the modes of visual expression outlined above (or another not listed if you want) and try it out. Outside resources (books, classes, etc.) can be obtained for many of these (photography, calligraphy, drawing). Give it the level of investment that you see as appropriate.

AAAAAGGGHHHH!

Many people have been taught by themselves or others to believe that they are "not artistic." Give yourself a fair chance. That means figuring out fair expectations, setting goals and working at them, giving yourself enough time to realistically meet your goals.

See Also

Drawing on the Right side of the Brain
Ed Emberly's Drawing Books
OTHER MEDIA (D.7)
PROCESS AND PRODUCT (C.6)
COLLAGES (D.4)

Contribute to the Portfolio Resource Guide!!!

Previous Page Up to Category Next Page

Contents Index Front Page

Friends World Home