Playing with Faces - The Benefits of Spending Time in Your Art Journal

 

Spending Time in Your Art Journal

Welcome to today's art journal.  Today, we're going to explore a mixed media art journal that I created and consider some of the numerous benefits it brings to your creative journey. If you've never tried art journaling before or you're looking for some inspiration to reignite your passion, you're in for a treat!  Check out the video to see how I sometimes play in my journal and fill up some of the pages, prepping them for future use.

Art journaling is a unique form of self-expression that combines elements of visual art, writing, and creativity. It's a personal space where you can freely explore your thoughts, emotions, and ideas while experimenting with various art techniques and materials. Whether you're an experienced artist or a beginner, there are countless reasons why spending time in your art journal can be incredibly rewarding, let's take a closer look at some of these benefits.

Stress Relief and Relaxation:

Engaging in art journaling can be a soothing and calming activity. It offers a chance to disconnect from the hectic pace of daily life and immerse yourself in a creative sanctuary. As you focus on colors, textures, and the act of creating, you can experience a sense of mindfulness and find relief from stress and anxiety.

Creative Exploration and Experimentation: 

Your art journal is a playground for artistic exploration. It's a space where you can let go of expectations, rules, and judgments. You can try new art techniques, experiment with different mediums, be inspired and push the boundaries of your creativity. The freedom to make mistakes and learn from them allows for immense growth and discovery as an artist.

Creative Confidence and Courage:

Art journaling nurtures your creative confidence and encourages you to take risks. As you experiment, play, and explore, you develop a sense of trust in your own artistic abilities. This newfound confidence often spills over into other areas of your life, empowering you to embrace creativity and take on challenges with courage.

It's a personal journey that can bring joy, healing, and growth. So, grab your favorite art supplies, find a quiet corner, and let your creativity soar! 

Your art journal is waiting to be filled with your unique voice and vision. I hope that you take the time to work in your art journal/s finding that space and time to share your stories.

These are just a few of the many benefits of spending time in your art journal - you can catch the full list on my Patreon on Tuesday, why not sign up for the 7 day FREE Trial.

Art Journal Joys - Mark Making and doodling

 

Making Marks in your Art Journal

In my video today I share with you how to prepare your art journal page and then go on to create some interesting marks and doodles on the page.

I think that it is important to spend time playing in my art journal and working on a page that was previously prepared. It is great to have a page that you don't have to start from the beginning sometimes and you can just do some mark making.

I also show you how I would start the page from the beginning, using up any spare paint that I might have to add to a page.

The Art journal is made from recycled papers and then stitched together.

Some of the supplies used:

Craft paints - https://amzn.to/3LoHkIb

Ink - https://amzn.to/3L1wFBN

Posca Pens - https://amzn.to/41p9PuV

Gelly roll Pen - https://amzn.to/3Ao73u3

You could also do this idea on card or paper and then use as collage paper to create backgrounds in your art journal.

I hope you have fun trying out the idea.

You can also get access to background papers on my course platform.  Sign up to the Art Resource Hub and other courses and receive a free digital download paper every month.

Learn More

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Love is - Mixed Media Art Journal Page

Love is

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 added doodling 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.

Additional Resources

Mixed Media Art Tags

Creating a Recycled Art Journal - Use those Catalogues!

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!

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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

Art Journal Page - Inspired, Material Mondays!

 Art Journal Page Process

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?

Stay blessed and be a blessing!

Mixed Media Art Projects - Recycled Phone Case

Recycled Phone Case Art Journal

I love using recycled materials and had gone to my charity store and picked up a phone case.  It was slightly too big for my phone so I thought I would make use of it and create a mini art journal.

I talk about the journal in the video below, and I have included some close up images of the pages as well.

On the front of the art journal I used some of my favorite handmade paper infused with gold, looks lovely doesn't it, one of my favorite colors which I use a lot when painting too.  

One of the motivations for the journal was to use the elements that I had been holding on to for what we call 'best' or 'one day' but that day never comes.  It is important to use your supplies rather than holding onto them for that one special day.  Allow yourself to be included in the special day and use it on yourself.

The journal is made up of handmade paper and I have included making use of space where I can add additional elements If I were travelling with the journal - a water brush and some water colors always travel well and have minimum cleanup.

I added sentiments that are reminders 'You are beautiful - Shine your Light' reminds us that we all have something to offer and that we need to not only shine our light for ourselves, but for others who you are impacting and helping them to be brave or step out and shine their own light.

How many times have you been self conscious about what you are doing, not because you can't do it, but you are listening to the negative talk of others.  Sometimes it is that throw away statement that can do the most damage - but you have to 'Dance like no one is watching' again, your being who you want to be will encourage others to keep going.

Each page has either an encouraging word or scripture, and also space for adding doodles or mark making.

Every page is a constant reminder to dream big, follow your heart and do the things that bring you closer to your goals.

Some of the sentiments I use especially when working on a challenge and I am working on two at the same time, the 100 Days of Handmade Foam and the Ultimate Blog challenge.  There are some days that I have not felt like posting, and sometimes you don't, and you find a way of dealing with it and then getting back on course.  I take the necessary breaks that I need, all the time reminding myself of my overall goal.

Explore, Imagine, Dream is the title of this page.  I recommitted myself to share as part of the blog challenge, to not only encourage myself but others as well - I am sharing what I love, creativity and the process.

This pages sentiments - You are unique, a miracle, don't ever compare yourself with anyone else.  Take a look back, you have come a long way, this is not your destination.

I hope you find the things that motivate and encourage you and that you take one step in front of the other to reach the goals you desire.

Blessings!

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100 Days of Handmade Foam Stamps

If you would like to see the stamps daily you can check out my Instagram HERE

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I am also taking part in the Ultimate Blog Challenge and you can check out the posts HERE

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Mixed Media Art Courses to Check out

SALE - Enjoy $10 OFF all courses until 30th April Click on the image to see the course.

Use the Code at the checkout - create2

I know Why the Caged Bird Sings - Art Journal Page

 

Come and join me as I share an Art Journal Page using the same name as the book by Maya Angelou - I know Why the Caged Bird Sings - Great book if you have not read it yet, Amazon has a reduced price at the moment.  Check out the video below:

I show you from start to finish how I would work on a page, using Neo-colors and stencils and some pens at the end.

This is a good example of using up the paint on your pallet and using it to create an image in your art journal. Hope you enjoy seeing how it takes shape.

52 Weeks of Art Journals - Jigsaw Art Journal

 

What can you do with a milk carton - make an art journal from it of course.  Check out the video I share how I made it.  Here are some close ups of some of the detail.

Stitching and buttons are on the front alongside some doodling.   I experimented with some of the stitching and added French knots, back stitch and had fun with some faux stitches by adding the white lines with the acrylic pens.

I embossed the large jigsaw puzzle piece and pressed a stamp, then added a rub on to it.

It was great fun to make and a way to recycle the milk cartons.

I included 3 different areas to write so I could vary the activity in the art journal.  Let me know how you create your art journals and if you use any recycled materials.

Weekly Art Journal Ideas - Composition Notebook Art Journal

 Composition Notebook Art Journal 

As part of the 52 Weeks of Art Journal Check out my Composition Notebook Art Journal video above.  

There is no excuse not to create, you don't need to wait for that really nice art journal, or do you need to save that art journal for 'best'.  You can get composition notebooks for under $5 and while the pages are thin, once you add paint or collage material you are good to go!

Mixed Media Art Journal Page

 

Loose Leaf Art Journal Page

What are you doing with all your background pages that you have sitting in a pile stacked somewhere? I get them out every now and again and see if I am inspired to create something on one that happens to catch my eye.

I had left this loose art journal page in one of my piles to complete for quite a while before coming back to it and I found it at a time where I just wanted to keep things simple and use some paint and just play with the time that I had.

I really enjoy creating and seeing the figure come to life and have a story to tell, and it is also great practice to keep your hand in creatively, always have something that you can do on a daily basis, you don't have to finish a piece all at once.

I hope that you decide to experiment and play!

Supplies used to create this piece:

Folk Art Paints - https://amzn.to/3d3GkI5

Posca Pens, Black and white - https://amzn.to/3gTxD4a

Water-soluble Charcoal crayon - https://amzn.to/3wOCHNH