Art Journaling

Starting an art journal has been a life changer for me. I am a journal keeper by nature, but words alone have never had the same weight for me as visual language. When I started putting words and imagery together on paper my soul soothed, my mind came alive, and the joy of expressing myself was heightened. Here are a few pages from my art journal this year - a year of growth, passion, uncertainty, and newfound confidence.

 

artfully yours,

Slowing Down

It's that time of year when everything slows down. Out of necessity. We need more time to sleep, to hibernate, to rejuvenate. It's cold out, and cozy in. I'm reflecting on what I want to get out of this winter.

Slow down. Be in the present. Use my hands to make things. Show my son how to. Taste my food when I eat. Hike in the fresh air and ferns, and notice the trees and beauty around us. Feel my body working when I hike. Look at each other when we talk, rather than speaking over our shoulder as we walk away. Enjoy silence. We don't need to fill every space with conversation. We can fill it with quiet love. Play music together and sing along, making up the words as we go. Let our son lead. Run, tumble, chase, hide. Let the squeals and belly laughs fill us up and feed our souls. This is life. Slow down. Participate. Enjoy. We don't want to miss this. 

 

 

[a page from my art journal]

From my cozy home on a snowy winter's eve,

Friday Art Journal

My son asks me often "How do you know?" It's a good question. I find myself asking the same thing. How do you know... you're enough? How do you know... you're on the right track? How do you know... this is what you want? The answer must lie within. I have to trust myself. We all have to trust ourselves. Tonight's art journal page is my little reminder.

artfully,

Creating with my hands - a rich summer

Autumn has arrived and I am reflecting on my summer harvest. Learning, experimenting and - most importantly - expressing myself authentically have been the biggest rewards of the season. This has been a summer of using my hands to create beautiful things. I took Danita's Mixed Media From the Heart workshop, Christy Tomlinson's She Art workshop, and am now taking Flying Lessons - Tips and Tricks to help your creative biz soar by Kelly Rae Roberts. These women are amazing. I have been inspired and motivated all the way, building a clearer vision of who I am as an artist and where I want to go. I've made art journaling part of my studio routine which has opened up a whole new side of myself I didn't realize existed, and has helped me to keep my creativity flowing daily. I feel like my life expanded this year. I'm inspired, and I'm my whole self. Do you know what I mean? I've been wanting to share this joy and document changes and creations as they happen, and so this blog is born. Everything that is "me" will show up here, and I'm hoping I can bring beauty and inspiration to add to your day. Thanks for sharing this experience with me. And thank you to my art mentors for all they are teaching me.

A glimpse into my summer makings:

Breathe - Sometimes it’s the small moments of tranquillity and vulnerability that are most real and meaningful in a modern life. A breath of pure calm is captured here with mixed media on cradled wood panel. Collaged with paper, ink, paint and beaded lace.

Garden Story - A story of growth, truth and finding her way in the world. The whimsical “her” portrays my journey of soul-searching and finding my path. Mixed media on cradled wood panel. Collaged with type, paper, ink and paint.
 

A simple and soulful art journal entry expressing the combined sorrow and happiness that solitude can bring. Acrylic paint and ink in a handmade art journal.

 

Taking time to celebrate a soulful state of mind with vivid feminine colours and a girl who symbolizes me. Collaged with paper, hand-illustrated words, ink and paint.

I discovered the pure joy of creating tiny 3 x 4 inch art blocks for the youngsters of some of my favourite friends. It is one of the most rewarding kinds of art to do because the inspiration comes from these energetic, happy little souls. I would love to expand my business and do more custom pieces for tiny hands.

 

Sketching is soothing. Everything and anything that comes to mind or inspires me, I try to sketch it.

And finally, making my own stamps has been incredibly fun. Use lino block and a lino carving tool, and voila! Thanks Danita for showing me such a simple and rewarding tool.

Creatively,