You can't mess up.
The beauty of art journaling is the freedom of knowing that you can't mess up.
Seriously, if you don't like something you can rip it out or just layer it in fresh paint and start over. So very simple. There are no rules~ art journaling just needs YOU.
I love the idea, too, that those little gesso pages are a playground for our own heart-art. The art you create may eventually grow into art you love. They may turn into prints, gifts, or just bring you a quiet joy seeing how your art-life has grown and blossomed. You may paint some ideas (radishes) over and over again. You may love an idea enough to try it on a larger canvas!
There can be a good reason or no reason at all! It is your art...
This bitty video (3.5 minutes long) is on preparing a hard-backed book for art journaling. I absolutely love to use books in my art, I just hope my tearing & wild gluing doesn't upset the bibliophiles that may be visiting.
May your heart and art be filled with goodness this weekend~
I will be back with my finished pages! YES! And with the newest little lambs, too.
In His creative messes today,
jj
you are so cute! lovely to hear you and see you create
ReplyDeleteLoved the video! Super helpful and it made me chuckle. :) Happy Weekend!
ReplyDeleteOh, I am so glad you posted that video! Thank you! We were wondering about how to alter a book into an art journal. My son (second of 5 kiddos, age 11) and I are really wanting to start art journaling! But I am such a beginner that I don't even know where to start. I've never tried anything like this before, but it really seems to be calling my name somehow. (sewing is usually more my thing.)I found your blog about a month ago and began following as soon as I saw what it is you do! We both want to do that too!! I really want to sign us up for the wild art class, hopefully next month if it's still going on! Thanks again, we are really enjoying your blog! Rachel
ReplyDeleteRachel, I think it's great your son wants to do this with you. This art journaling is new to me also and I love love it. The best thing to do is just JUMP IN and HAVE FUN and DON"T THINK JUST DO!! You will be hooked very quickly and it will make your days happier and messier!!
DeleteHer class is amazing and you will learn so much and have tons of fun.
I buy used book at our library for 25cents so maybe you can start there. Just get some basics and use what you have around the house to start. HAVE FUN!!
Oh, Junelle, you are so cute! Thank you for the visual on this -- was still a little scared to dive in . . . but watching you and hearing your sweet laugh has me wanting to work on mine this weekend!! Love your enthusiasm! LOL!! Do you by chance buy stock in gesso? ;)
ReplyDeleteOOH! Also, LOVE the idea of the shower curtain. Brilliant!
My husband was even telling me to just paint some of that white stuff over the paintings I detested. made me laugh. He said to just jump in and start painting, if you dont like it just paint some white stuff on it! ;) youd be a great team.
ReplyDeleteThank you Junnelle!
ReplyDeleteLOL!!!
ReplyDeletebaby wipes... ✓ (or maybe a bucket of water & towel... hehe)
shower curtain... ✓
gesso... ✓
book... ✓
all this equals
MESSY, CREATIVE and INFECTIOUS FUN!!! School teachers could learn a lot from how you teach girl - it's so engaging!
hugs
Darlene
I can't believe how much faster that looks like it is just using hands! Sometimes we just make things too complicated! LOL
ReplyDeleteFor all those ladies that don't like dirty fingers...use a credit card to smooth out your gesso. (Not your current one of course) Or old loyalty card etc
ReplyDeleteYour happiness and joy and excitement (I know, I'm using a lot of descriptives, but I couldn't settle on just ONE!) are SO infectious. I totally want to be like you when I grow up. Not that I'm that far behind, but... you know what I mean. ;) Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete(PS - you can use wax paper in between your pages to keep them from sticking too!)
I am a book lover to the point that it makes me sad to see all of the discarded books every time I go to the thrift store! At least you are showing your books some love. I have a stack that I bought just for the purpose of altering and need to get on that pronto. Thank you for sharing your process!
ReplyDeletePS, I have a palette knife that I have used to spread gesso over surfaces.
I've never been very interested in scrapbooking...I don't know why art journaling is fun to me, where scrapbooking wasn't. Maybe it's because there's no PRESSURE to make sure you document all of your kids lives. There's no pressure at all.
ReplyDeleteI love doing this to books I buy at the library. Having books around me makes me happy, love to read and the feel of pages. Thanks for showing us your fun way of adding gesso!!
ReplyDeleteMy table is covered with newspapers when I paint then I just fold them up and reuse them again.
Thank you for the encouraging words " you can't mess up" this is what I keep telling myself.
Can't wait to see this art page when your done.
Thank you! You make everything look so easy! Your fun, easy going style is infectious when I am working on my art projects. Just what I needed, or I may have given up by now! Thanks for the permission to have fun!
ReplyDeleteYes!!! I love your "wild art", so much fun. I use my fingers for painting a LOT.
ReplyDelete