Join us in looking at today's art journal pages and looking at ways to provide a safe space to express your thoughts and feelings.
It can be a page full of text, one word or just an image that will convey what might be going on inside your mind.
What ways do you use your art journal pages?. I think that I move between a more haphazard style jumping from different journals and I like to use certain art journals for specific things. in each I aways leave space to return, to play and leave a mark.
Are you in a space where you can come and go in your art journal or would you like to create more spaces that enable you to do so and express how you feel? In this video I explore several ways that we can provide ourselves with spaces that are nurturing and enables us to play as we create.
Before You Go
Have you accessed your FREE digital art download yet, it is available until the end of October on Patreon to use in your art journals or creative projects. You can get your digital download HERE
You can check out some of the other papers available on different Tiers while you are there.
Sometimes a journal page begins with a clear idea. I find that my pages usually begin with background colors that I may have added from extra paint, or a collection of papers on the page, waiting for me to begin.
I returned to a page that already contained layers of paint. I have several pages in my art journal waiting to be worked on and this is useful for when you have a fixed time to create. I also had a bag filled with words and phrases collected from newspapers, magazines and I started to select encouraging and motivating words and phrases:
The words became the next layer of the page. and I thought that rather than creating a traditional vision board, I used the journal spread as a place to explore my intentions, hopes and creative direction.
You do not have to finish the page today
I find that one of the most freeing things about art journaling is that you don't have to finish a page in one sitting. You can prepare a background one day, add collage another day and return later with words, paint, stitching, texture or reflections. Each layer tells a different story.
When you are short of time, ask yourself 'what is the one small thing that I can add'? It can be a shape, extra paint/collage or some words that have meaning for you. It is a small step and helps keep you connected, especially when time is limited.
The Page Can Continue to Grow
The journal page is a starting point not the final destination and you can return to it, you might later decide to write about why you chose the words and what they mean to you. Use what you already have, one of the best things about this activity is that you do not need expensive materials.
You can use:
· An existing art journal page
Newspaper and magazine words
Old newsletters or brochures
Scrap paper
Glue or matte medium
Gesso
Water-soluble pencils or crayons
Acrylic paint
Stencils or sequin waste
Metallic paint
A paintbrush or palette knife
Here are specific supplies I used (do check what you have before buying something else)
In today's video we look at a selection of 5 mixed media and recycled art journals, and I show you how I have worked in them and some of the supplies that I have used. With the number of items that we have in our supplies or just around the house, you will probably find most of the things you already have without going out to buy anything else. If you don't have that particular item, then substitute it for something else (that is where the fun really begins!
Materials - remember to substitute if you don't have:
Cardboard
Tetra-pak (milk cartons)
Old greetings cards or packaging
Fabric Scraps
background papers
Paper ephemera that you have made or source images from an old magazine
Brown paper/wrapping paper
Glue
Embroidery thread to stitch the books or use yarn
What You will learn
I hope to take out the hesitation for creating an art journal, waiting for the right supplies, the right weather or whatever the excuse may be and get you putting something together by the end of the video just for you. You don't have to put it all together in one sitting, savor it and come back to it.
Reflection Prompt
What supplies or recycling materials have you been sitting on that you can use in a creative project today?
More Art Journal Designs
In my art journal playlist I have a large amount of art journals that I have made and share. Some of the videos show you how to make your own journal from start to finish, some show me working on a page using my supplies and some are flip throughs to give you some inspiration.
I mention when making some of the small art journals the digital papers that I have used. Each month on my I create a set of digital download papers across different tiers that can be used in the art journals or creative projects. I also create a set each month that are FREE until the end of the month for you to download and start creating. Each month you will be given a different digital downloads to use in your creative projects. You can get yours HERE
FREE COURSE RESOURCES
I also have a number of free classes on my Course Platform - Realityarts. There you will find my Art Tags Course which shows you how to alter and create your own art tags, there are 6 in the design to download and resource videos. Recycled mark making - do you want ideas for making your own stamps and stencils, then this mini course takes you through a range of the everyday materials that you can use in your art projects. Check out the Course platform HERE
Welcome to the Art Journal page for #secondsaturdayart, I am using some of the elements from our digital downloads (Patreon) along with a photo of Dr Martin Luther King, it is celebrating Martin Luther King day which is later this month.
You can also check out some of the other artists in the blog hop, and while you are there you can take a look at the previous Second Saturday Art that I created which is done is a similar style.
Check out some of the creative papers I have created which are available on Patreon. Some are available on their respective tiers, but do check out the Free Tier and papers available for you to use each month.
You can access the current one for November and also see some behind the scene projects.
Next month I will be sharing all the papers I have produced for 2024 with some additional visual elements which you can purchase, and you will be able to download them for use in your art journals and creative projects.
Arts Journal play, 5 Ways to Prepare your Art Journal for Creative Play
One of the most exciting things that I have found when using an art journaling is the creative play that it encourages. There are many different ways that you can use your art journal and a few ways to prepare your journal that will help you to avoid the roadblocks that can often come when doing anything creative. I cover some of the ways in the video and here are a few additional suggestions to help you get started:
Gather Your Materials Before you begin, gather all the art supplies you might want to use - and use what you have (you don't have to have specialist equipment, or journals - if a composition notebook is what you have, then use that, or make your own) Check out my YouTube Playlist on creating a variety of different Art Journal and pages.
You can also include paints, markers, pens, collage materials, stamps, stencils, and anything else that inspires you. Having everything within reach will make the process smoother and more enjoyable. I have a monthly free digital download that you can use for collage material in your Art Journal, you can access it in my Art Resource Hub.
Set the Mood Create a comfortable and inspiring space to work in. Play your favorite music, light some candles, or surround yourself with plants and artwork that uplift you. The right atmosphere can help get your creative juices flowing.
Prep Your Pages Consider prepping some of your journal pages in advance. You could paint backgrounds with different colors, textures, or patterns, or even add a layer of gesso to prime the pages for mixed media. Having a variety of backgrounds ready to go can jumpstart your creativity. If I have extra paint on my pallet from doing a particular project, I will apply the excess to the pages of my art journal.
Embrace Mistakes Remember that your art journal is a space for experimentation and self-expression. Don't be afraid to try new techniques, and don't compare yourself to anyone else. Embrace the imperfections and let them guide you towards unexpected artistic discoveries.
Start with a Prompt If you're feeling stuck, consider starting with a prompt to kickstart your creativity. This could be a word, a quote, a color scheme, or a theme that speaks to you. Let the prompt guide your artistic exploration and see where it takes you. CLICK HEREand join me in the Art Resource Hub on the 'Realityarts Academy' for a series of free downloads to get you started.
By preparing your art journal for creative play in these ways, you'll be ready to dive into a world of endless possibilities and artistic freedom. Join our online art community and share what you have been doing in your art journal
Enjoy the process and let your imagination soar!
Before You Go...
Join us on Patreon for exclusive bonus content, see behind the scenes and get more insights and inspiration, and I share more on creative play and tips for working in your art journal.
Come and join in the fun for Life Book 2024 Taster Sessions, where art meets well-being! Tamara and her team have put together an impressive lineup, taking you on a journey that can positively impact your health and overall sense of well-being.
Over the next two weeks, you will immerse yourselves in the world of art as the Life Book 2024 Teaching Team introduces you to a fantastic range of soul-nurturing experiences. These sessions will ignite your creative spirits.
The Taster Sessions will be available from September 25th, 2023, to October 8th, 2023, You can have continued access to the sessions if you join Life Book 2024, commencing on January 1st, 2024. Gaining access to over 80 enriching mixed media art sessions, each session is designed to not only awaken your artistic talents but also to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and foster mindfulness.
If you already feel the excitement, you can take the first step by pre-ordering Life Book now or delving deeper into what awaits you here. Prepare to embark on a transformative voyage that will enrich not only your artistic skills but also your life. Welcome to a world where art and well-being converge in a symphony of self-discovery and joy.
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In
today's art journal video, I am thrilled to share with you a unique and
eco-friendly approach to creating art journals using recycled materials,
specifically Tetra Pak cartons. These cartons, commonly used for packaging
beverages, pose a recycling challenge in many areas. However, instead of
letting them go to waste, we can repurpose them into beautiful and functional
art journals that provide endless creative fun.
The Need for Recycling and Repurposing
Recycling has become
increasingly important in our efforts to protect the environment and preserve
valuable resources. By recycling and repurposing, we can
reduce waste, conserve energy, and reduce the harmful effects
of pollution. Tetra Pak cartons, due to their complex composition, often
present a challenge for local recycling centers, and this led me to explore alternative ways to reuse these
cartons and turn them into something meaningful.
Creating Art Journals
Art journals are a great way to express our creativity, capture our thoughts, and document our
experiences. They serve as a personal sanctuary for self-expression and
reflection. By repurposing Tetra Pak cartons into art journals, we not only
divert them from landfills but also breathe new life into these everyday
objects.
The Creative Process:
In future videos, I
will be sharing the step-by-step process of creating these art journals with my
patrons. From preparing the cartons to binding the pages, each stage offers
opportunities for customization and personalization. You can choose to leave
the carton's original design intact or transform it with paints, collages, or
other mixed-media techniques. I have also reused the cartons as temporary plant pots in the garden and
there are a range of other creative projects that you can use them for.
I would
love to know how you use yours, and whether you have tried using them for a
creative project, by transforming
Tetra Pak cartons into art journals it provides a unique way to express your
creativity while making a positive impact on the environment.
Join us on
Patreon if you would like to see how I put the art journal together, and
remember you can sign up for a 7 day FREE trial and view over 90 Patron only
posts.
Welcome to today's Art Journal page. I I really enjoy using my paper ephemera/fodder on my pages. You are always creating these elements in projects and so when I get a chance to use them in my art journal, I find it quite a relaxing activity. There are so many ways you can use your ephemera, including creating mini cards, using them on tags and much more.
I am using book pages
and I had applied paint to the opposite side of the paper and then proceeded to cut out heart shapes and stick them to the page.
I prepped the page which already had markings on it from a previous
activity and I added additional paint and scraped it with a card. This helps it to dry quicker.
I addeddoodling on the page with ink, drawing around the heart shapes. I like to add encouraging words to my art journals and it is great to later come back and see the
messages and reminders. Check out the full video to see the process.
Welcome to my latest art project where we will be creating a recycled art journal using an old catalog.
This project is quick, easy and affordable, and the best part is that nothing will be wasted! You get to use some of those store catalogues that you have been collecting and create some wonderful projects.
To start, find yourself an old catalog, like this Tesco's home catalog that I'm using. The first thing you need to do is rip out about half of the pages. This is because we'll be adding collage and texture to the pages, so you want to make sure you have enough space to work with. Go through the catalog and rip out every 2-3 pages. I save the ripped out pages to use later.
Once you have removed the pages, stick together sets of 2 or 3 pages depending on where you ripped them out. Allow the pages to dry and then reinforce the spine with some masking tape on the inside. If you are going to be adding paint it stops any bleed through on the other pages.
I also add masking tape to the edge of the pages that I have stuck together This will also make it easy to turn the pages.
With the pages left over, look through them and cut out images or words that speak to you. I select colorful patterns and shapes and these will form part of your collage. This is a great way to still create something without having to have a lot of art supplies or anything fancy. All you need is a catalog, glue, and some basic tools.
Come and join me in the next video, I'll show you how to work on some of your pages, and ideas from other recycled journals that I have created. This art journal will be a space for you to fill up over time, write down your thoughts, and enjoy the creative process. It's all about play, so have fun with it!
If you would like to take it a step further and make your own stamps and stencils, then check out my FREE online course Recycled Stamps and Stencils where I show you how you can take items that you may have around the home and turn it into something that you can use in your art journals.
You get a video on how to create the stamps and stencils, a digital download of the stamps and stencils that I created, background papers and more! Check it out HERE
In the Mixed media art collaboration today, I share how you can create this art journal cover. You create some lovely texture on the surface and it looks gorgeous. You only need a few supplies. We gather every second Tuesday of the month and share a mixed media art project.
You can see the video below.
You can catch up on previous collaboration projects that I have created with HERE
Today I share an art journal page process as I do quite a bit of mark making on the page. I had already created the face, which is something I do a lot in my journals, either fill up the pages with background color or faces until I am ready for them.
Material Inspired
One of the other things that I would like to get back to is working with fabric. I like creating different activities that enable you to play with your supplies. These spools have been wrapped in fabric and lace and I have added stitching and a variety of different fabrics together
I also found some beads and buttons that were in my overspill container and was able to use them. The container holds all those elements that I haven't yet put away and so I would see what could be used on a project.
I managed to put together 3 spools that I can use in other projects. It was really fun working on them.
What do you have on hand in your creative space that you can get to work on if you had limited time to create, you have to try and make time for your creative practice?
How are you getting on creatively? Today I shared Week 10 of my 100 Days of Foam Stamps - each week I create a painting out of the stamps for that week.
I am on stamp number 70 and there are 30 left, it is amazing to think when you put your mind to something the results that you come out with. What were you doing 70 days ago?
Similarly I am combining the Blog challenge which combined has really been challenging me to consistently show up. Even thought I was going to plan my posts for the Blog challenge, it didn't quite happen - had a wobbly period, so I have to regularly push myself to show up for the rest of the challenge each day.
Still experimenting and being inspired and creating daily in my Art Journal - it is a place of comfort where you can express yourself with words, imagery or both or just add color to the page. It is important that you try and do something creative on a daily basis.
By continuing to show up, whether it is in my art journal or on my blog, I honor my word to myself about self nurture. When was the last time you kept your promise to take time out, or have a break or treat yourself with kindness. I love the boldness of these pages and as well as creating them just looking at them fills me with peace.
Waiting on a Miracle - there are miracles all around us. This Art Journal Page is a reminder to look at the all the things that we have around us, sometimes perhaps the miracle that you have been waiting on is the very thing you hold in your hand.
I like the science fiction feel to it, and would love to do more work in the style. Are you working on any new styles in your creative practice or found any new tools and supplies to play with?
Here is the Butterfly art journal that is part of the 52 Weeks of Art Journals. The Butterfly is made from wood and then covered with glitter - I have a few pots that I am trying to use up. I have added some collage and paint to some of the pages in preparation for when I next work in them.
You can get wooden shapes and attach them to your art journals and decorate them.
Here is one of the pages that is being prepared waiting for additional paint and other elements.
Check out the video HERE
At the end of the video I share an art journal process page
Hope you enjoy
Check out some of these courses - click on the images to be taken to the course information
Realityarts - Creativity Book Shop - Some really great titles for you to dive in
Creative Resources
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