Published: July 09, 2008 04:05 pm      

Pearson welcomes artists with 'ugly journal'

When Patricia Pearson welcomes a new person to the open studio sessions at the Midwest City Library, she invites them to create a page in the “ugly journal.”

“I call it an ugly journal on purpose to show people that you can do anything you want to the outside of a journal,” said Pearson, a local artist.

Everything from inspiring quotes to ornate drawings to colorful scribbles can be found in the journal, commented Pearson. She said each page represents the mood of the person at that time … exactly what a journal is supposed to do.

“I am an advocate on keeping a journal,” she said. “You’re recording your own history for future generations.”

Pearson herself has created several journals; some have covers made from old gift sacs. Others consist of antique books with pages coated with a clean white sheen of plaster.

The ugly journal came to be sometime last summer. Since then, various patrons of the class have contributed to pages of art within.

“I wanted to keep a record of some of the artwork that is here,” Pearson explained.

When the book fills up, Pearson plans on donating it to the library, with the hope that it will be displayed for the general public to see.

Open studio sessions began in 2006 when Pearson started her conversations with the library about increasing their opportunities to engage the public in art. The sessions began shortly afterward. For the remainder of the summer, these free sessions will be held from 1-4 p.m. Wednesdays. The utensils used are professional art supplies. People from all ages and walks of life come to develop their artistic side. Pearson said the sessions have been attended by architects, basket weavers, professors, research biologist and 2-year-old children. She stressed that it’s open to everybody.

Pearson wanted to inspire others to use the library for furthering their art skills. It was at the Midwest City Library where Pearson learned to draw in 2001; her lessons came from a library book. She’s currently taking classes in painting from Rose State College. Pearson specializes in water colors, portraits and animal portraits, but she too engages herself in a variety of art forms.