Tag, You're IT !

Journals with tags and hand painted covers have been the trend in my studio work lately.   I recently purchased a set of metal tags with words stamped onto them and at the time, didn't have a clue how they would be used.   One day after making a journal, I set the tag on the cover and thought it worked pretty well.  Thus began the series.  When the tags run out, I'll have to move on to the next adventure, but for now, it's all about the word:  Inspire, Wander, Journey, Imagine, etc.   

Hand painting and collaging the covers involves a variety of stenciling and stamping techniques.  Anything within reach becomes fair game to be covered with paint and pressed into the surface:  corrugated cardboard, sequin waste, rollers, bubble wrap, plastic cups, etc.   I try not to over think the process and allow it to be intuitive.   

The words on the tags seem ambiguous enough to take on a variety of meanings, and yet just right for establishing a theme for the book.
The "Philosophy Tags" are by Tim Holtz and available on his website. You will find a bunch of other cool stuff there too, and most of it is also available at larger art supply stores.
The hand painted, hand bound journals are available in my Etsy Store.