Weekend Journal

I've spent a lot of time working on challenges, working in my travel journal and working on canvases for an upcoming show.  I realized I hadn't been journaling for ME, and I definitely needed to just go inside and let the art happen.

I always rely on intuitive journaling when I feel out of touch with myself.  I find that after practicing this method of creating for so long, my interpretation of what has been created is often apparent to what's going on in my life.

Perhaps a much needed reminder to watch my tongue and be careful of the words I speak, or perhaps a reminder to be still and to listen to what my heart is telling me.

Sometimes I see "The Ancients", and I'm reminded to "Know Thyself" and to remember that all knowledge is already contained within.

I felt the need to play, to experiment, to ask myself, "what if?".  I played with acrylics and alcohol.  I played with my new alcohol inks.

I asked myself, " What if I took an old pen and a Styrofoam meat tray and tried to make stamps that way?  Will it work?"  I think it did! 

I played with my new stamps on my background pages.  I used the iridescent copper tube acrylic that I recently rediscovered.

And I used a more subtle color to add my number stamp to this page.  I haven't finished with this page yet, so maybe I'll highlight a few of the numbers as part of the final design.

 I continued playing with the first background I created, and before I knew it, the page took on the familiar "life of it's own".    I felt it needed a quote, and I found one that fit both the page and my current celebration of October.

"I have been younger in October than in all the months of spring." W.S. Merwin

And having said that, I'm off with my happy self to join my hubby for an autumn walk in the woods.  Have a wonderful weekend!

CELEBRATE * LOVE * CREATE

Tuesday Tips and Techniques: Play with "What If "

My inspiration for today's post comes from my friend, Jenny, over at A Simpler Life.  I hope you'll take a look at Jenny's "Playing with What Ifs" post.  Who would think that two little words could have such an impact on one's creativity?

I decided to give "What if?" a try.  I began by thinking, "I usually begin my pages with writing and scribbling.  What if I begin with deliberate lines?"

And what if instead of applying acrylic paint randomly, I use pastel pencils and apply color deliberately? 

"What if", I thought, "I use water soluble crayons on top of the pastel?  I've never tried that before!"

WHAT IF.......I add the printed word instead of writing something.....

...and add all of my details with oil pastels?  I've never applied oil pastels on top of water soluble pastels or pastel pencils.

And WHAT IF........I don't like it when I'm finished?

"The reward of creative art journaling lies not in the destination, but in the journey!" - An'Angelia

Allow Yourself to PLAY!

WHAT IF...........You throw all caution to the wind 

WHAT IF...........You play with your art supplies like you've never seen them before

WHAT IF...........You abandon the idea of having a great looking page when you're finished!

Go Ahead!  Give "What if" a Try.  You'll Be Amazed and Delighted

Here are some "What If" ideas to get you started:

What if you create an entire page using only one shape in different sizes.

What if you apply your initial background with your eyes closed.

What if you only use your fingers to apply paint.

What if you only use two colors to create a page.

What if you reach into your scrap bag and create a page around the first item you pull out

What if you do the opposite of your usual journaling techniques

What if you journal on loose paper and adhere it in your journal later.

What if you try multiple pages with "What If" techniques.  You might stumble upon something new that you really like and incorporate into your every day journaling!

Happy creating, and I hope all of you have a safe and Happy 4th of July spent in exactly the way you desire!

CELEBRATE * LOVE * CREATE