A blessed book + gesso = love.
I have been back in the paint this morning. Among the many things I should be doing this weekend, I threw all my paints out on the kitchen counter and made a huge mess ~ and had a huge beaming smile on my face.
Oh, paint. I love paint.
I know there are other forms of seeking nirvana, meditation, contemplation, prayer...but some days it just takes a bit of play in wet color to make my heart happy and quiet my thoughts. I talk to myself, too. (It is better if no one else is home and the music is on, too.)
Now for all of you who love Beth Moore, I understand if you just lost your breath. "My heavens girl, look at what you just did to that book!" I know! I love it!
Of all the books/authors I could have chosen, picking one of her books just made me happy -- and I think she would love it. I have read and re-read this book and decided that as part of my therapy I would use it as my canvas. Why not? My sweet art journal will be blessed & infused in a huge outpouring of Jesus love. Amen.
If you are not comfortable using an existing book for your art journaling -- just choose a notebook or one of the many art journals you can find in your local shop. (I think I promised to do a post on this didn't I?)
I wanted this book to start with where I am right now. It is going to be a book of wide-open-discovery of God's influence in my daily life. I have sat awake at night with ideas for sketches...this is where my creative heart is living right now...
I don't know what tomorrow's art will be -- I only know to expect something...
I am also very excited about Christy's class starting this week, her influence on the art journaling movement is so fun and playful. If you haven't joined in, why not?
Any girls still following along in the sketching process, I am still sketching loads! I hope you are too. This new book will incorporate some of those newest sketches. Come on~
If you are inspired to follow along, please do. I am always so inspired by what you share!
In gesso and Jesus,
jj
love the image you have created, and the idea that you used a book that is imprinted on your mind..
ReplyDeleteThis is fabulous!
ReplyDeleteA new beginning...
Such lovely work - and to use a book that you already love, so meaningful
ReplyDeleteFantastic spread! Love the peeled paint effect and great sketch.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous - I love it! What fun you're having making every day a new exploration.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful! I love your crackle texture, as always, and whatever you used for her boots looks great! I really like that you're using an existing book too.
ReplyDeleteI just adore this spread....love, love, LOVE texture & your use of it! Very inspiring & exciting post! As always, THANK you so very much for sharing your heart. ~H♥~
ReplyDeleteOh you have so inspired me today! And, yes, I can't wait for Christ's new class to start!
ReplyDelete...You're amazing. :o)
ReplyDelete...Blessings
LOVE your work!!! I'm taking Christy's class as well, I can't wait!!
ReplyDeleteMy daughters will be following along too!
Can't wait to see what you have planned for this new book!
Love, love this. I agree. Beth Moore would be absolutely tickled with you using her book.
ReplyDeletexo
lynn
So glad you used this book as a foundation. I learned that the foundation really does matter. I tried it years and years ago with a Stephen King Novel I picked up for nothing. Liked the size of the book tho. It ended up in the trash.
ReplyDeleteMy recent one has been perfect for the training wheels of creativity. WIll be back to sketching since 31 for 21 and moving daughter back home and.......have to dust the drafting table off first. SO good to see a new post today!! Husband took me to the Art festival today. Was very inspiring.
Oh, Junelle! This is one of my favorite posts ever! And yes, you took my breath away when I saw the Beth Moore book in one frame and the next with the gesso on the page. My daughter overheard me and I had to tell her about it. But I so agree with you....it's kind of like when I use bits of scripture in my background, and I think, "somebody might be offended by this", but I like to have it as the foundation, the cornerstone, the starting point. That's what it is to me...not desecrated, but honored as the basis for what I create. I love that you used this book as a canvas. And I loved that you signed "In gesso and Jesus". Smiles all around here!
ReplyDeleteThe other day my 4 yr old Erin said, "I want to do some gesso-ing, can you get me a gesso brush?" And I thought to myself, how funny it is that she even knows what gesso is . . . when two years ago I did not.
Great days to you, friend!
This is beautiful Junelle! I so love that you are making this right on a book that means something to you! That just adds so much meaning to the work. I love the crackling. Your mess turned into a beautiful work. So happy to see you 'in the studio' this week with us! ♥
ReplyDeleteJunelle, this is beautiful! You probably don't remember me but we took many BPS classes together. I lost track of your blog and am so glad to have stumbled on it again! Your work, your photography, everything is simply stunning. I won't lose track now, I've added you to my google reader!
ReplyDeleteWow....I loooove it. Beautiful work.I love Christy's workshop nad can not wait for the new one = )
ReplyDeletealways A JOY to see your work!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely ADORE what you have made! Thank you for sharing! - Irma
ReplyDeleteJunelle,
ReplyDeleteI love your fervency and your creativity with your new book! I am an art journal fan, and I love your work. It's beautiful. I can so appreciate using a book that has meant a lot to you and taking the pages as a place to express your art. There's such good energy there, you can't go wrong! Your enthusiasm is contagious!
I have chosen your post, A New Book, for the #JournalChat Pick of the Day on 11/8/11 for all things journaling on Twitter.
I will post a link on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, my blog and website Refresh with Dawn Herring, and in Refresh Journal: http://www.refreshwithdawnherring.blogspot.com/.
You're welcome to join us for #JournalChat Live each Thursday at 4 CST/2 PST for all things journaling on Twitter; this week's topic is journaling to enhance the power of memory.
Thanks again for such a heartfelt, inspiring, and creative post!
Be refreshed,
Dawn Herring
JournalWriter Freelance
Host of #JournalChat Live and Links Edition on Twitter
Just popping in from a whisper from our friend Christy Tomlinson. So excited that we will be working on the 12 ornaments workshop together. Look how cute you are! Can't wait to peek all around here and see what you've been up to!
ReplyDeleteAmen
Junelle, just LOVE this! How did you do the background on the right hand side? Actually, I love both backgrounds. Beautiful! And I am in Christy's class too. Can't wait to start! Blessings,
ReplyDeletestunning Junelle. I love that you are using a book.. I have 2 of these on the go.. and just love them. this is such a beautiful page.. love the girl, the crackle background.. everything is just amazing!! Have fun taking Christy's class.. maybe I will catch it next time around. can't wait to see what you do. life is too busy to take any classes this time around. hugs xx
ReplyDeleteI happened to come across a picture on Pintrest and it was your book here! I love the idea, although I'm not sure I could paint over the words! ha, i might have a panic attack. Beautiful blog!
ReplyDeleteThat is just gorgeous - I love it!
ReplyDeleteI really like your paintings and photography!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou really have such a beautiful work, very, very clever. I just love it!
ReplyDeleteyou are amazing and I'm happy to found your art, love it!
ReplyDelete♥Love this idea.using a real book..i would have never thought of that!
ReplyDeleteAs always your work is amazing. ♥ Gesso and Jesus ♥
Thank you for sharing
Wow, I really don't know where to start. I adore the idea of using a book as an art journal. I try to use catalogs that I get in the mail. I love your site, your writing and your photography. I love lambs too... (and pigs... and duckies!)
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your work and words, truly inspiring. Kate