Another year, another leg of the journey. I mark the arrival of 2015 in my journal with calligraphic numbers written with double pencil and tinted with Inktense pencils. I spritzed each number separately with water so the colors would dry in layers instead of mix. Then I had to flatten the paper with humidity and then blotter paper, with mixed result, but in a journal perfection is not necessary even if I do like my pages to lay flat. The bitty rainbow edge of light from the window glass made a nice echo of the pencil colors, where I laid the paper on the edge of my grandmother’s old oak kitchen table.
A few years ago I found myself starting my new annual journal further and further after January 1. But this date only reflects one calendar. We had Ramadan in June, Rosh Hashanah in September, Celtic New Year at Samhain, the solar new year at Winter Solstice, the secular new year five days ago, the lunar new year approaching in February, and Persian and Mexica new years at the spring equinox. There is also the personal new year on one’s birthday. It all feels quite seamless and fluid.
My annual journal is tending to start closer to spring. Last year’s began in March, so this 2015 artwork will not be at the front of the journal but along toward the back. I am using up a batch of white Ingres paper and had enough for three more sections, so March it is. The pages are all still unbound.
I wish you all a happy, graceful and prosperous new year, whenever you mark it.
“January 1. … only reflects one calendar. We had Ramadan in June, Rosh Hashanah in September, Celtic New Year at Samhain, the solar new year at Winter Solstice, the secular new year five days ago, the lunar new year approaching in February, and Persian and Mexica new years at the spring equinox. There is also the personal new year on one’s birthday. It all feels quite seamless and fluid.”
In the words of Lewis Carrol (or Walt Disney): A very merry un-birthday to you!