Do you want to talk about art journaling? Oh, I do.
Last night I dreamed of my favorite tubes of paint, big dobs of color heaped on the page, and it made me so happy. Blissfully looking at lumps of unused paint~ like gooey eye candy, yummy yum.
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If it were the perfect day and you and I were to meet & paint, what would you need? What would you bring to our lovely painting date?
perfected little sketches
inspirational files
bunches of brushes
a perfect pen
a sweet book to hold all of the *wonders to be*
assorted watercolors
acrylics in every color
a box of gesso bottles
???
I have to admit, I am an art-creating-collector. I purchase loads of supplies that I know I will need. Do you do the same thing? One of each? I have a closet full of goodies. Does having a lot of things make it easier for me to engage in the art I so desperately long to create? Does it help you?
With a treasure trove of inspiration at my fingertips, does that make it easier for me to sit and create my own heartfelt piece?
If I had more time, if my children were older, if I didn't have to make dinner tonight...Do you get where I am going with this? :)
What is really needed to create your own Art Journal?
opus verbi veriditas - "the work of the Word is Greenness"
Can I offer an oversimplified thought? Your art journaling needs you.
Yes, you. Right now, in the present as you sit reading these very words. With the pencil you already have sitting there on the table. Doodling on the pad of paper you already have next to your bed. It is that simple.
If you have felt like trying, or if you have tried and failed, I am right here with you.
We are going to try something this week...
It will be fun and simple~
You & I will sketch something silly, sweet, goofy, meaningful, simple (whatever it is your heart reveals to your fingers), and I will meet you here Tuesday for the next step. What do you think?
You need a regular pencil, some regular paper, an eraser, a sense of humor, and a prayer on your lips for direction in what to sketch. Simple is best: a few lines, simple forms, shapes and all in pencil. Got it?
(Monday & Tuesday ~ I will give you some simple sketch helps too)
Seriously, you can do this~ we are going to do this together!
With much love,
jj
First, I adore, follow and read your blog. I just rarely comment. But you got me on this one. Because I love, love, love art journaling, too. I love to look at other people's work, I love to take classes about it, I love to collect goodies to use and I especially LOVE a blank journal. And yet...it's just as you said. There always seems to be SOMEthing calling for my attention. And I go to bed at night literally falling asleep as I think about my next opportunity.
ReplyDeleteSo, here I am, in the middle of a six-week recovery from hip surgery (bad, born-this-way hips - this is my 2nd - glad I only have two!). I have some physical restrictions that prevent me from sitting in my scrap/art room just yet. So, I packed up a little bag that I can have right next to me with one of my journals, pens, a few stamps/inks, some rub-ons, some markers and some ephemera type things I can use as prompts or just play with. There just isn't room for the whole paint/gesso/mist thing right here, much as I also love (and, yes, collect) those things...
So, I'm WITH you sister, friend! If you post it, I will read it and I will play! See you then!
Mmmm..."whatever it is your heart reveals to your fingers" ~ love this!!...am so in...thanks for the sweet, meaningful inspiration! Blessings ~H♥~
ReplyDeleteLove this...I'm so with you ;) Just do it! I always have tons of projects in the works and everyday I'm always working on a little bit of stomething, here and there. Then before you know it...I've got it done. It may take years as in my Dad's album...but I'm so okay with that because I enjoy the journey of creating.
ReplyDeletegirl if my art journal looked like THAT i'd be all over it. trust me it wouldn't. you make me want to try. love your style!!
ReplyDeleteYou're such an inspiration! and truly touched me today! I have been struggling lately, and feel that I need to get in touch with myself again, thank you for the nudge :) I would love to play along too! I look forward to your next post!
ReplyDeleteNew reader here, but I found myself looking for water-proof pens the other day. No luck, but I was thinking--I just got watercolours--technically for homeschool, but come on. Who can resist all this beauty? So...I am excited to see what you have to share about the art journals. Can you also share about your pens?
ReplyDeleteI have been a follower for some time now, just haven't dared to post. well today I decided to say thanks for all your thoughts, encouragement, all your pictures and inspirations. you have blessed my life with every post. I am trying so hard to be artsy and to do the art journal thing, but I struggle so much. I tried to come up with a word like you suggested earlier, but one didn't ever come. guess I didn't understand exactly what I was doing. haven't figured out who I am or what I feel or anything about me, but you sure do inspire me and I really want to try. so I am in all the way. now just hope I can do it. thanks for being you and sharing your life. love it!!!!
ReplyDeleteI love that - art journaling needs you and I believe it does, although I'm doing my journaling through stitches at the moment and loving it. Since you've shared your sketches/journaling I've really wanted to try sketching again but it's been twenty-something years since last and my hand feels as if it can't quite find it's former 'glory' with a pencil. But since I really want to try it I will follow your orders this week :0) I can never get enough of supplies - it's wonderful to have something new and let it reveal its magic. Your sketches and doodle words makes me SO happy!
ReplyDeletexo
P.s. No package from Greece yet??
I am such a huge fan of your blog and your artwork and your joie de vie! This particular post is so inspiring, as I collect the supplies but get intimidated when it's time to put the paint to paper. It's time to jump in feet first!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
I will readily admit to being thoroughly intimidated by the idea of sketching... it isn't anything I've really tried before. But I so love what you do with your art journaling and am convinced I could learn a lot here... so I'm playing along!
ReplyDeleteOk, I'm game, off work for a few days so this is perfect! Thanks for getting the juices flowing!
ReplyDeletewhat an exciting way to start the week off!I am SOOO in!!! I will think about what to sketch while little one is napping. I have many questions about art journaling and would love if you started at the beginning for someone thats new.(books, e-courses,supplies) Ive been an artist all my life so I have collected things over the years. I need some new things so Im making a list!
ReplyDeleteok count me in!
ReplyDeleteI'm with a lot of these girls, been following you but not commenting : ). I found you after Christy Tomlinson raved about you, and she did so so rightfully. Been following u ever since and it would b exciting to see you blog more in the lines of teaching and inspiring by helping us out. I am fairly new to art journaling and still finding my way. I luv to see your work so post more, teach us, and keep on inspiring!!
ReplyDeleteI'll give it a try...I've been saying for months I can do this but never brave enough to pick up a pencil and paper. So, count me in! Ann in Indy
ReplyDeleteOK, I'm ready!
ReplyDeleteCount me in. Jane
ReplyDeleteOh what an awesome idea! Wish i would have found your blog a week ago..
ReplyDeleteHugs Dawn
So is it too late to join the art journal sketching party? I know it started last week so if it is too late, maybe you will start another again soon???
ReplyDeleteLee Ann
I love that you add some of your beautiful handwriting and well-thought out words to your lovely sketches. you are an inspiration to us all
ReplyDelete