Water lily and dragonfly Water color pencil and ink Bali Journal 2015
I am still drawing in my Bali journal and quietly proud of it. I am determined to complete it and although I have a number of different projects that I think I would like to try, back to the journal it is. This will not be one of my many uncompleted projects. With the completing of journals I feel the need to start some larger more finished art works. It has been ages since I did a big drawing outside a journal. (See one sentence is about finishing and the next is looking at the bright, sparkly idea over there, the attention span of a gnat.)
The drawings that I have recently completed in the Bali journal all have a watery theme. One of the highlights from the trip was a tour we took to the north of the island to go walking through the rice fields. I was also keen to get out of the built up areas of Bali and see the rural landscape.
Line drawing of rice fields Pen and ink Bali Journal 2015
Above is a line drawing of the rice fields, I haven’t added the colour yet, not sure what medium I want to use, but no rush. On the way to the rice fields we passed by some volcanic lakes, one with an important water shrine, Pura Ulun Danu Beratan. We had followed a whole village who were going for the yearly celebration to this important shrine, they were packed into every type of transport imaginable including large trucks with about 50 people squashed into the back. It was a beautiful and tranquil place and here are a couple of water serpent carvings that were right on the lake edge.
Water serpents at Lake Danau Beratan. Matt water colour and ink Bali Journal 2015
While at Ubud I went to the art store, you can get some really cheap and unusual art supplies in Bali and I found some matte water colours which looked like fun. I used them on the serpents, interesting with a chalky feel to them. Undecided on whether I like them or not, but always fun to have new supplies. Below is a picture of the line drawing before I added the water colour.
Line drawing of water serpents Ink Bali Journal 2015
I had to have a close up of the water lilies in the journal as that pond was such an important part of our trip. This picture was taken to catch a fleeting glimpse of a the dragon fly, but as such things happen I really liked the composition and decided to use it for my picture. I took the image onto the next page to add some interest to the journal spread.
Life on the lily pond page Journal spread water colour and ink Bali journal 2015
Last of all is another Balinese inspired pattern, it has been a horrendously busy 10 days at work and I just needed the solace of a peaceful repeat pattern. Art is such a wonderful retreat where I can forget the problems of the present and return to my holiday.
Balinese Pattern, water colour and ink Bali Journal 2015
Karen
Karen Bailey Studio 
hey. i love the boldness of the flower and water serpents, karen. i know you can finish the journal 🙂
Thank you so much for your support much appreciated
Karen, this journal is stunning, such a treasure. I can see where it might be the jumping off point for a larger painting. Always good to be thinking ahead. Your drawings and paintings are like a dream, only the imagination can create such beauty. I can’t call out one as a favorite because I love them all, they are so brilliant and vibrant! Thank you for sharing. I also love the way you have designed each image!
Your so kind Cathe, the battle to stay focused is helped by my posting of the work and the support of the community. Of course the beautiful images I am working are such a joy.
Stunning Karen, your colors and designs are so appealing. My niece just returned from Bali. I will share your blog with her.
Thanks Sharon. I hope your niece had a great time in Bali and that some of my images remind her of the trip.
It’s looking so great Karen, you definitely must complete it! There is such a story there, which is one of the nice things about a journal, it becomes a complete object in and of itself, and will enhance all your memories of that trip to Bali. You have such a joyful sense of colour! I understand the yearning to do a large artwork, after almost 3 months of nothing but sketchbook I am busting to do something BIG!
Hi Anna, are you back home yet, I have lost track of how long it has been since you started your trip back. I am sure you will be ready to emerge yourself in your our full range of art supplies. It will be nice to do some larger work again once this is finished, but I am on the home stretch now so only a bit more to go.
The nice thing about journals is that you get experience with materials to use in a larger piece. I am doing an imaginary trip next year in my journal–very keen on that after seeing your lovely Bali art.
I have heard of the imaginary trip journals, they sound like fun, if you can’t go in person then going there in your art is the next best thing. I am glad my Bali journal helped inspire you.
I am with you…I too need to do a few more pieces that are outside the sketchbook/journal…but these journal pages are gorgeous and memorable and important! The paint you bought…do you think they are gouache…? That sneaky gouache seems to be popping up in our lives everywhere, hehe! Love hearing about your trip!
I wondered that too Rebecca, but I don’t think so, they worked like watercolour and although they were matt, they were transparent. Very strange medium, but always love trying something new.
And well you should be proud of your journal. Your Bali journal is a work of art – a big piece that’s bigger than the sum of the parts. It encompasses experiences and visions ~ think of it as perhaps the groundwork for what is next, important building blocks. Your images are magical !!!
Oh thank you, your words are so kind and mean a lot to me. This little journal is becoming a major work and I am living every minute.
Your journal is TOTALLY AWESOME!
Karen, you Bali journal is making me think – especially your post about what you’ve learned – you could teach a class about keeping an art travel journal. Your lessons learned are all the more precious since you’ve generously shared your experiences and your lovely artwork. Thank you!
Thank you for your kindness, I have previously thought of doing some journal classes. No time in my hectic schedule at the moment but you never know in the future. I also thought I would need one finished journal before I could claim any expertise. 😉
You are well on your way to having an awesome credential in regard to your expertise with your work!