Do you like journaling? I love it! I’ve been keeping a diary of some sort since I was 13, and I’ve been very smitten the last couple of years with ART journaling. Words AND paint! Yes! This is my desk, with my current art journal smack in the middle. I’m using a Hand Book Artist Journal, which has great paper to handle everything I’ve done so far: markers, watercolors, acrylics and collage. The pens don’t bleed through the page, which is nice. It’s a much smaller book than the one I did before, so we’ll see how that goes.
If you like the idea or look of journaling, I can’t recommend it enough! Just start! You don’t have to start on January 1. You could start on your birthday. Or the first day of summer. Or…today.
I like to think of a word for the year, and this year it is “flow”. As in, go with the flow. Get into the flow of thinking/doing/creating. I sort of think of a ribbon in the wind, just moving with it but maintaining its beauty and grace. Yeah, flow. I like it.
You don’t have to be an artist, but I warn you. Once you pick up the Crayola crayon, you ARE one.
I admit I did this drawing in church. I’m glad I did. Every time I see it, I remember our missionary and his message. It’s a good one to remember.
I’ve always wanted to be able to draw and paint birds. Aren’t they the most amazing creatures??? Someday I will be able to name many birds around me, not just robins and jays. Maybe I won’t be able to name them all before I die, but I’ll have all of eternity. Like I said: someday.
Why not draw the condiments while waiting? Do I really have to check my cell phone for texts or Twitter feeds at ev.ery.se.cond?
A lot of my journal includes things I didn’t draw or paint. This happens especially if I have a rushed week. But I like to glue things in, and it’s a great way to collect inexpensive art.
Home away from home, England is. I had fun using a children’s How to Draw Farm Animals book. I get tons of ideas from the library, from Pinterest, from coloring books. Sometimes it’s easier for me to take a photograph first, and then draw from that. It flattens the image, making it easier. I also like coming up with words of the day.
And sometimes I just want to be messy. Oh, am I loving the acrylics for that!
Sometimes I like weekly/daily entries; sometimes I don’t. The journal is a place to try out things and play.
Let me ask you something: Do you play? I know you’re (fill in the blank) years old, but don’t you…somewhere inside…don’t you still feel, oh I don’t know….TEN?
If you’d like to see my very first art journal, here it is! I took Gina’s class on No More Excuses, and she has since made it into a book. You don’t need that particular book, but it *was* a fun class and got me going. It took a full day just to set up the journal though, so be forewarned 🙂
Take a look, and see if you can glean some inspiration for your OWN beginner art journal!
Blessings,
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