Just Be - Journal52

I know I said I would almost always go with a literal interpretation of the Journal52 prompts, but this week the prompt was 'Just Be' so I thought I should just be in the moment and create whatever feels right at the time. I forgot about what I like from other people's work and what I don't like about mine and just laid down a couple of quick layers. I have to say that I LOVE the resulting page!

 

 

If you're interested in how it came to be, I started by gluing some torn book pages to the page and then put gesso over the whole thing. I applied clear stamping ink through a stencil and then applied clear embossing powder over the top to heat set it. Distress inks in orange and yellow were applied over the page, with the ink wiping off from the emboss resist.

 

I roughly drew on some circles using a white crayon to preserve the yellow/orange colours, then hit the page with purple and blue spray mists. The blue blended with the background to create that green colour but I still like the result. Because I used Glimmermists the page has a magical sparkle too.

 

Lastly, I sponged black ink through another stencil for the swirls and used Thickers for my letters. Relatively quick and easy, just quite different to what and how I normally create. I love that art journaling is already getting me out of my comfort zone. I also love that I can already utilise some of the techniques I've learnt in Journal Journey 2015.

Pathways - Journal52

When my friend Amanda found out I was trying my hand at art journaling for the first time this year she suggested I join Journal52 on Facebook as well. They give a one word prompt every week and it seems pretty open. The first prompt was 'Pathways' so I've chosen to paint a forest scene and use one of my favourite quotes from Ralph Waldo Emerson: 'Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail'.

 

 

I found the perfect journal at my craft store today: A5, 80 sheets, 120gsm paper with canvas covers so I can easily alter them. I was so excited to be able to get started straight away. I learnt a lot from this first piece:

1/ I am likely to always go with literal interpretation of the prompts. I just don't do well with abstract execution, even though I love the look of it in other's journals.

2/ I probably need to update my paints and brushes. Most of these are years old.

3/ I don't like the look of my handwriting and it appears unlikely I will be able to make it a feature of my art like some people can. I had to re-paint the path as I didn't like my first attempt at writing the quote.

4/ This was fun and I really need to make sure I keep spending time in my craft room. It doesn't matter if I'm out of practice and they only way I'll get better is to keep creating.