I've been wanting to tell you about this for months, but I've waited until it was an actual fait accompli. Last year, I happened upon a copy of Artful Blogging; Visually Inspiring Online Journals at my bookstore and was very impressed with the beauty of its design and content. It's a Somerset Studio publication and these are known for their extremely high quality. I thought, *sniff, sniff* that someday I'd like to be in it. But no, that wouldn't happen. There seemed to be more expressly inspirational blogs in it, like Andrea Scher's Superhero Journal (also featured in the autumn issue) or heavily photographic blogs focusing on craft, design, or lifestyle, such as Carol's Garden, also in this issue. Carola was an early blogging acquaintance, so it is fun to see her in this context with me!
Laurelines isn't an illustrated journal, per se. It isn't a lifestyle blog, though it is a repository of images from my art and life. It's not about crafts. So, I was thrilled and surprised last April when Christen Olivarez, editor, wrote and asked if I'd like to be in it! I said, yes, yes I will, yes. In writing the essay to accompany my images, I thought about exactly what Laurelines, now in our fifth year, IS as a blog. Excerpts follow:
Line by line we write paragraphs, pages, books. Line by line we make drawings, sketchy or highly polished. Line by line we trace in paint the geometry and calligraphy of the visual world.
As a person who both writes and paints, I live by lines, and in my blog, Laurelines, that is evident.
A blog is a story that unfolds in real time. It is not subject to the rules of fiction writing, or of non-fiction writing for that matter, but if you do it right, there's a continuity that is discernible---a storyline that hangs together whether you spend a month drawing in Paris, as I did in 2006, or whether you're documenting the birth of your daughter's first child, as I also did, last fall.
[The text continues with a discussion of my yearly art plans, my way of self-directing, my themes.]
You can see that my path may be linear, but it goes
places. It may be directed, but it curves and meanders, just as my
drawn line does. My way is not everyone's. But for me, guidelines of my own making give me focus and focusing frees me... . In life as in blogging, if we're conscious and we persevere, if we're receptive and patient, we'll be following, and also creating, our own story, line by line.
The autumn issue hits the newsstands August 1 and, though I say it who shouldn't, it's smashing! Check it out!
I just happened upon a copy of Artful Blogging at my bookstore. Your blog is beautiful and refreshing. I will check back often, it is a pleasure to meet the lines of your life.
Posted by: Karin | August 30, 2009 at 08:23 AM
Thank you so much, later commenters! You've made my week with your messages of enthusiasm!
Posted by: Laura | August 04, 2009 at 05:13 PM
Bravo! Well deserved!
Posted by: larry | August 01, 2009 at 04:58 PM
Congratulations!
Posted by: Julia@kolo | August 01, 2009 at 04:26 PM
Congratulations Laura!!! Your blog was one of the very first art blogs I ever discovered - it blew me away then... and continues to every time I visit. Love your work so so much and I am so happy for this recognition! Well done!
Posted by: Liz Steel | August 01, 2009 at 07:06 AM
Congratulations, Laura! I've seen that magazine, and thought it was great. Good for you! Looks wonderful!
Posted by: sue | July 31, 2009 at 05:07 PM