Journal Two

The second book I chose from the “library shed” at the town refuse and recycling center, was The French Lieutenant’s Woman, by John Fowles. I chose this book because the main character is a woman artist, and I had read it and enjoyed it years earlier, as well as other books by this author.

Since I knew and liked the story, and because I had been an illustrator for 12 years, I was at first stymied by what to do. Should I illustrate the book or continue my technique of using it as a sketchbook, where my unconscious mark making led the way? Once I decided not to illustrate the story, my imagination felt set free to proceed, unlimited by the story, although, most probably, subliminally affected by it.