Skyward

 I'm having so much with this art journaling

Facebook group I'm in!

I'm trying new things,

but still the hardest part for me is the

"journaling' part of art journaling.

 And of course, I'm running behind.

The prompt was birds.

I struggled with this for a week,

wondering what to do.

Then I was cleaning out my stamping drawers,

trying to get organized once again,

and I came across this little steampunk bird stamp.

And I knew that was the bird I would use.

I mixed that with a couple other stamps, did some tangling, and came up with a suitable quote from Leonardo Da Vinci. And called it done.

I will probably add more to this spread, but for now I am happy with it. And I got to use a bunch of product that I don't use very often.
This was built in my Strathmore Mixed Media journal. Background color is a variety of Golden Fluid Acrylic paints,  Tim Holtz Distress Inks, metallic rub-on color, regular Pitt Artist Pens, and metallic Pitt Artist Pens. Stamps are from a company called Deep Red. I also used: Derwent Inktense Pencils, microns, Sharpie fine point pens, Uni-ball Signo pens, gelly roll pens, and Copic alcohol markers.

The Inner Critic

The inner critic. We all have one.

You know - that little voice that tells you: * you'll never lose that weight, * you'll never get that job, * no one will want you, * you aren't good enough. You know - that voice.
The art journal prompt I was working on today has to do with the inner critic. In regards to my art, my inner critic tells me that I can't draw, that I can't paint, that I'm not creative enough, that I'll never sell any artwork, that no one will want my art, anyway, that I have no talent - thus, no one would ever want my no-talent-can't-draw-to-save-my-life-non-creative artwork.

And truthfully, I hear that inner critic 95% of the time. That other 5% of the time, I try to remember that my art is beautiful - even if I am the only person who thinks so. Truth.

So, take that, Inner Critic! Who do you think you are, anyway? You certainly are not welcome here anymore. Hahahaha!
Now, onward and upward.
For those that wonder, and even those who don't, I am using a Strathmore Mixed Media journal. For this prompt I used a couple gelli prints I had on hand, stamps, copic markers, posca paint pens, microns, Pitt artist pens, Sharpie fine point, and washi tape.

The One Less Traveled By

Week two of the art journaling process. Cherryl's prompt for this project was to use a quote that describes us, or describes our journey. I have always loved this poem by Robert Frost. It reminds me of the scripture found in Matthew 7:13-14,   Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few that find it. 
I believe the two go hand-in-hand. The journey I travel is the one through the narrow gate, the one less traveled, the one that makes all the difference - both now and eternally. Pretty heavy concept for week two. Cherryl is pulling no punches. Gotta love it!
My journal is a Strathmore Mixed Media journal, I used a black copic multiliner to draw the design, and colored it with Pitt Artists Pens.

Build a Basic Art Journal Page

New to art journaling? Afraid to get started? Unsure of where to go with your page? Not sure what product to use? 

Today let's start with a basic two page art journal spread. If you don't have the specific products I use, just remember - these aren't rules, they are more like guidelines. (To quote an old pirate or two.) So grab whatever product you do have and jump right in.

Facebook has a new group for all of us die-hard Dylusions Ink Spray people! Check out the group - The Dylusions Facebook Challenge. This month's challenge was to use turquoise, pink, leaves, and as many Dylusions products as you could. Here are two pages in my art journal.

I am working in my 7 3/4" x 9 3/4" Strathmore watercolor journal. The dylusions colors I used are - bubblegum pink, calypso teal, fresh lime, and vibrant turquoise. Remember the colors blend and bleed better when you spritz on some water. Once I got the colors the way I wanted them to be, I used a stencil from Joggles called Endless to make the curling bits of water. Next I randomly added white acrylic water bubbles using the Dylusions Dotted Flowers stencil. 

With a StazOn ink pad, I stamped a school of fish using the Ocean Backgrounds Dylusions stamp set, and at the bottom I stamped some waving bits of seaweedy stuff from the Dylusions set Doodle Parts. 

These little sea critters are the Dylusions Under the Sea stamp set. I stamped them onto some cardstock and colored them with Pitt Artist Pens. 

I cut out all the little guys and started arranging my elements on the pages. Several different washi tapes called my name - and they had leaves! Even better!

Then I started attaching it all with score tape and some tape runner adhesive. 

Here are some fun details.

Left side page.

Right side page. 

 So much fun! Again, the Facebook group is called The Dylusions Facebook Challenge. Check it out - you know who you are. Please don't be shy about starting an art journal - if you don't already have one. Just jump in with both feet and get started. You'll be glad you did!