Saturday, June 29, 2013

Inner Excavation...

Happy Saturday everyone!  Have you ever heard of the Book "Inner Excavation," by Liz Lamoreaux?  Effy Wild posted about it and so I checked it out, and it's AWESOME!  I can't believe I hadn't heard of it before, cuz it's right up my alley!  Here's the cover:

The cool thing is that Liz hosted a free seven-week read along of the book last year, and now Effy is inner-excavating along with Liz's posts, and inviting everyone to do it with her as a group!  Check it out here!

Anyways, I want to share with you what I've done so far in week one...

I'm using this Graph Paper Journal, and my plan is to keep things simple.  Focus on words and images, thoughts and feelings as I respond to the prompts in the book.


I've created an introductory page...
 The phrases that start with "i" are the titles of the chapters in the book.  On the library card, I've written my intention for the journal, which is:

"This book invites the reader to explore the inner self
through photography, poetry and mixed media. 
My intention as I go through the chapters, will be
to use this journal as a place to respond from my heart. 
To be willing to express all sides of myself - that is what makes me whole."


Here is my first page.  It's a poem I wrote entitled "I Am..."

I used a really cool website to help me write the poem.  If you would like to write your own "I Am" poem, you can check it out here.

I have another "I Am" poem that I wrote a couple of years ago that I plan to also include.  It shows a whole different side of me.  I will share that when I get it done.

So that's how far I am.  I have more plans for week one pages, which I will do as I have time.

If you want to join in on the read-along with Effy/Liz, click here to go to the website.  I hope to see you there!

Thanks so much for visiting me, my friends!  I really appreciate you.  I would love it if you have time to leave a comment!  Hugs, and happy weekend!

8 comments:

dawn said...

Michelle, you are so awesome!! I love how you keep learning and finding more ways to express yourself thru art.

I love love what you wrote and it is perfectly and wonderfully YOU!!

I will check it out but don't have the book, do you have to have one?

Thanks for always sharing these blogs and everything else with us.

Did you do the SOC for this week, I've been waiting like crazy to see what you do, I LOVE THE COLORS SO MUCH THIS WEEK AND HAD A BLAST WITH IT.

Michelle LaPoint Rydell said...

Thanks Dawn! I really appreciate your kind words!
Yes, you do need the book to do the read-along (so I guess it's not exactly free after all - ha) but it's a really cool book!
I haven't had time to do the Summer of Color for this week, but I LOVE that color scheme too! If I can work it in I will!

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

I love love love love your page Michelle!!! That journaling about you is absolutely AMAZING!!!!

Unknown said...

Beautiful poem - it made me a little weepy. I have a friend who is in the last days of his life. I visited him on Friday, and we spoke about many of the themes in your poem. But I think your title says it all -- what we know and what we don't know, what we see and what we can't see -- all part of the journey. Beautiful page, beautiful you.

Anonymous said...

I love the book and what you are doing with your own journal. I so resonated with I cry when I miss my Mom and my Mom has been gone for over 30 years now, so it truly hits home. Thanks for sharing an intimate part of you. xox

Sharon Fritchman said...

I love this post, Michelle! You ROCK, girl! Thanks for always sharing a little bit of you with us!

Patricia Roebuck said...

Wow, Michelle, the book and your journey with the journal is so cool!! Love how you explore and get creative!

Robert said...

I own the book too, it's great, and I'm in awe with regard to your journal - that looks really amazing!