Wednesday, August 19, 2015

ADVENTURES IN ART JOURNALING

Hi everyone!  Welcome back to my blog!

Art journaling is HUGE.  I was a bit late to jump on the band wagon and I have to admit that when I see some of the absolutely AMAZING art journals out there, I feel hugely inadequate.  I have never had a drawing lesson in my life and what little doodling I do, I have just picked up and played around with.  

But I totally LOVE the idea of art journaling and I love experimenting with mixed media elements.  I want to get better at it.  I want to learn about drawing faces and doodling and that is something I hope to spend more time doing.  But in the meantime, I don't want to miss out on playing around with art journaling and expressing myself through my own art because I feel ill equipped with DRAWING faces or expertly doodling.  Hopefully I am talking to some people out there who are feeling the same way.

Recently I got together with some of my wonderfully fun friends and crafting buddies.  We all bought a 9" x 12" Strathmore spiral bound 140 lb. Watercolor paper "Visual Journal" as our basic art journals. We decided to try a MODIFIED version of Shannon Green's "Journaling in 5s". Click HERE to find her on YouTube.  

My journal is way different than hers but I really like the CONCEPT of the "Journaling in 5s" and I think it's a great thing for people who seem to be "blocked" about how and where to start when trying to create a background and go from there.  We did not stay within the time restraints either ... but as I said, it was sort of an outline for us to follow and it really helped in getting over the "where do I begin?" fears.

This was a fun way to play around with pattern, color, texture, magazine images, ephemera, stencils, paints, inks, washi tapes, fabric strips, stamps, fibers ... you get the idea.

Over the next few weeks, I wanted to share some of my pages with you.  I did not take photographs of the process in creating these pages, because it was just "play time" for me. So, I apologize for not having tutorials to share with you.  But I hope you enjoy the pages for art's sake.  Some are finished, some are still a work in progress ... maybe there are ALL still a work in progress.  (smile)  

If you are like me and NOT a fabulous painter or doodler and you feel completely intimidated to do any art journaling, I encourage you to take the leap of faith and just go for it.  Start out simple and go from there.  It truly is FUN to actually SEE your pages develop and take on your personality and attitude on any given day.


Mixed Media Magazine People Art Journal Page

Almost all of the pages began with gelli prints that I did either on copy paper or on deli paper.  From there, you can see all sorts of layers of text, magazine images, ephemera, washi tape, stamping, paints and inks added. 


Mixed Media Art Journal Page With Magazine People

This book makes me happy just to look at it.  I love the diverse colors, patterns and textures that all converge in such a unique way. I didn't realize it at the time, but almost every page has a positive, encouraging message. Yet another reason to smile!

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I hope that in maybe some small way I've encouraged you to not squelch your creativity because you aren't a fabulous doodler or painter.  There's always a way to be creative, express yourself and have fun at the same time!

14 comments:

  1. I did try doing this once in a much more limited way. It was a good exercise, but not as liberating for me as playing with paper. I keep thinking I'[ll give it another go. You've encouraged me! Love what you've done...very playful and very artistic!

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  2. Gorgeous! You're such a diverse crafter. I love how you can make bright, bold pages like this and then make something very soft too.

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  3. Very nice candy love what you did here

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  4. Holy Moses, girl! I LOVE these pages. So fun, so pretty, so loose. My biggest obstacle is letting loose, so I try try try to just let it go. I'll be checking out the Journaling in 5's video. Thanks for such lovely inspiring art!

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  5. Oh wow Candy - these are both WONDERFUL. I like the second one the most. Whatever you do - you just have such a knack for making it INCREDIBLY LOVELY. I love how there is sooooo much - so many things to see but it doesn't look "busy" or "grungy" at all to me - it just looks intriguing and draws me in to keep looking more and more. YOU DID FANTASTIC on both of these. Definitely inspirational - makes me want to go play. j.

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  6. Wow Candy, your pages are quite simply - amazing! I would never have guessed you are new to this! I love the colours, the designs, the images, all so beautiful. Even though I have taken a couple of classes with Dyan Reaveley, a friend has given me a beautiful journal and I have the will, I am just not sure about taking the leap. I will definitely watch Shannon's video and hopefully have a go! You are such an inspiration Candy! Love, love your pages! Hugs, Anne xx

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  7. magnifiques pages pleine de détails et de couches.

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  8. These pages are just wonderful, Candy! You are so multi talented, seems you can do anything :)
    Your art journaling couldn't be better. Beautiful textures, colors and images...there are so many details here and they all work together so well. It's perfectly balanced with all your elements! Love your style girl!

    Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Candy. It's always nice to hear from you!

    Hugs,
    Gaby

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  9. I am behind in this as well, but you are certainly inspiring, Candy! I love your pages and all the images and mixed mediums you combined to perfection! Maybe I will be more active with this style that I don't understand! Hugs!

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  10. Beautiful pages Candy, fabulous colours and textures! You seem to have this art journaling concept well in hand! I can totally relate to not having confidence in the ability to draw faces, it is definitely outside my comfort zone as well. Thanks for the link to the videos, I'll check them out! Deb xo

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  11. Candy! Is there anything you are not fabulous at?!! Beautiful pages- so glad you shared these!! xo

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  12. What amazing collages, Candy - so full of colour and life and detail - you could pore over these for hours and still find wonderful new things to enjoy. I can absolutely see why they make you happy!
    Alison xx

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  13. Oh so fun and colorful and full of life, Candy!! These AJ pages are phenomenal and I appreciate what you've said about feeling inadequate in the whole big wide world of art journaling. I'm totally going to go by Shannon Green's channel and get the AJ help that I need, too :) :) Thanks for linking her!!
    But, looking at these two pages, it looks like you've overcome any creative AJ fears that you may have had! Simply Fabulous!! Thanks so much for sharing, Candy!! I can't wait to see your future pages :) :) XOXO-Shari

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  14. Candy, you've been on a roll with your art journal! Love all your fun and whimsical pages. Just pinned a bunch. Happy Saturday, hon!

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