art journaling as a creative process

Year 3 :: Stories

2011-11-25T21:15:00.001-06:00

His ::

Mine ::

you can see all of Year 3 here

Year 3 :: Before my time ends

2011-11-06T19:37:00.002-06:00

His ::

Mine ::

you can see all of Year 3 here

Greeting Card Journal

2011-11-06T14:51:00.000-06:00

I wanted to share a really quick easy journal I made the other day with all the cards we were given for the wedding. I just punched some holes and used binder clips to bind it. (use a hole template in order to make sure the punched holes are always spaced the same!) I love that I will be able to look back at all the thoughtful cards from my loved ones, and I can use the backs of the cards to journal on too!

Year 3 :: Wedding

2011-10-30T21:14:00.003-05:00

Chris and I embarked on a journey of artmaking together, over two years ago. We have weekly art nights where we each create a page in our art journals using the same theme or prompt.
(Read more about our process here and this year's journal here.)

We took a break from the prompt jar to commemorate our wedding day in our art journals! Thank you to everyone who has congratulated us, we are very happy!

His ::

Mine ::

you can see all of Year 3 here

Wonderland Wedding

2011-10-25T10:26:00.000-05:00

Months of planning have come to an end, and the wedding day went off without a hitch. It was a beautiful day, and everything came together perfectly, more perfect than I could have ever imagined. Here is a glimpse!

"An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but will never break." —An ancient Chinese belief

These are the rings my parents used in their wedding in 1976, they had his engraved with Once Upon a Time and mine engraved with And They Lived Happily Ever After — and told us that it is up to us to write our story! To top that off, we had a ring warming ceremony at the beginning, where the rings were passed around to every guest so that they could say a blessing or a wish for us — after making it around the circle, they were warmed with love and ready for us to use in the ceremony!

Prior to the wedding day, I had a hatmaking tea party with a few of my close friends to prepare for the day. We asked all of our guests to wear a hat (both a homage to our hometown of Louisville with the Kentucky Derby hats and fitting for a mad hatter tea party!!) Here are a few of the fabulous hats from the day!

I also asked each of my friends and relatives to contribute a brooch to my bouquet. It really is so special to me, because it represents all the people that I love!

The Wonderland theme was carried into the table decor, and it was filled with whimsy. Each person had a teacup and saucer as a wedding favor. We collected them for months at thrift stores and antique malls, along with tea pots. The tea pots were then gifted to family members as a reminder of our special day. Each teacup was adorned with a "drink me" tag with the guests name on it!

Another favorite part of the day was our DIY photobooth. With the help of friends we created our own photobooth props perfect for our wedding! We drew and painted them with watercolors, backing them with foam core and pasting them on a wooden skewer to complete them. Other props were chalkboard though bubbles created using chalkboard contact paper and black foam core and frames from the thrift store that I spray painted in bright colors. The back drops were also from a thrift store, and were simply brightly colored curtains! I placed my camera on a tripod, hung the remote shutter release within an arms reach, and Voila! A photobooth!

Our guest book, incorporated both of our passions, mine is art and his is drumming. We decided it would be perfect to have everyone decorate a drumstick to commemorate our day. They turned our beautifully!

I hope you enjoyed a little peek into our special day!!

We are getting married!

2011-10-22T14:00:00.000-05:00

As you may remember from this post, Chris and I are getting married. We planned a small ceremony with a mad hatter tea party theme, and being an artistic couple, we decided to create the invitations our selves. Below is the concept art, along with the finished pieces! I am super excited about how they turned out.

Year 3 :: You are

2011-09-29T22:13:00.000-05:00

His ::

Mine ::

you can see all of Year 3 here

All good things come to an end

2011-09-26T08:00:00.000-05:00

Can you believe that it is almost October? As much as I love fall, it also means that registration for 21 secrets closes. BUT... if you have been holding out you are in luck because for the final week, 21 secrets will be on sale for just $49.99. That is a steal, as you are essentially getting 22 workshops for one low price. {to read about all the amazing workshops see my posts here and here!} Don't miss out.

Remember, 21 Secrets will be open until January 1st, 2012 To register click the link below!

Year 3 :: Love

2011-09-25T21:02:00.001-05:00

His ::

Mine ::

you can see all of Year 3 here

Artiversary

2011-09-24T09:58:00.000-05:00

In September of 2009 with the prompting from a friend, I started a monthly art group. We get together once a month to eat, talk and make art. To celebrate our two year Artiversary, we made group paintings on canvas, by switching canvases every few minutes. So that I could participate without having to watch the time, I turned the iPod on and we switched canvases after every third song. It was so much fun and at the end, we each had a canvas to keep (we chose them white elephant style!) (for information about starting your own art group, read my guest post over at Always Chrysti).

Happy ladies after choosing their canvases! A couple of finished pieces And of course we had some help

Choosing a Journal

2011-08-27T10:41:00.001-05:00

To begin art journaling you don't need a whole lot of supplies, but you do need a journal. Choosing a journal is a personal decision based on your own likes and dislikes, but their are lots of choices out there. Here is a round-up of several common types of journals with a list of pros and cons (plus my two cents!). I hope this might help some of you out there when trying to decide what to use for your next art journal, or possibly your first art journal.

Basic Bound Journal

This is probably the most obvious choice for beginners, a basic bound sketchbook.

Pros

Large variety of sizes
Easily accessible (available at many stores)
Large variety of paper weights

Cons

Blank Pages (can cause the "I don't want to ruin it" effect, or the "where to start" effect)
Some can be difficult to open flat

My Two Cents

This is a great easy choice for an art journal. The wide selection of papers and manufacturers will almost ensure that you can find something that you like and fits your needs. If blank pages are an issue, try a process of "unblanking the pages," such as creating watercolor washes on all the pages prior to starting the art journal. Moleskine is my favorite of this category, as it has a closure to hold the book safely closed, and pockets to hold ephemera.

Basic Spiral Journal

Another obvious choice in journal selection, this one has a spiral binding.

Pros

Large variety of sizes
Easily accessible (available at many stores)
Large variety of paper weights
Will easily lay flat

Cons

Blank Pages (can cause the "I don't want to ruin it" effect, or the "where to start" effect)
The spiral can be difficult to work with when creating two-page spreads

My Two Cents

This is also a great choice for art journalers. Some artists love the ability to lay the journal flat. However since I almost always work in spreads, I do not like the spiral in the middle. Again, if blank pages are an issue, try a process of "unblanking the pages," such as creating watercolor washes on all the pages prior to starting the art journal. Strathmore has recently launched a "Visual Journal" line that are spiral bound art journals.

Loose Pages as a Journal

This journal is simply any type of paper that you might journal on, in a loose unbound form.

Pros

Infinite variety of sizes, and shapes
Probably have loose pages on hand
Can discard pages if you mess up
Can pre-arrange pages

Cons

Some pages may get displaces, or lost accidentally
No closure (read more about that here)
Can discard pages if you mess up (read more about that here)

My Two Cents

For me the idea of the journal is imperative, as it keeps the imagery and ideas safe and contained. However, journaling on loose pages may be less threatening as there is nothing to fill, just one page at a time. Chris and I chose a deck of cards for our first journal together, and it was a very successful journal for us, however in the end, review of the journal became difficult as did storage.

Altered Book

Re-purposing a book as an art journal.

Pros

Cheap (we often buy books at Goodwill for 25¢, but could also get free)
Recycling (I see this as a green alternative to buying new)
No blank-page effect (working on pages with stuff already on them may not be as overwhelming)
Metaphor of transformation (taking something discarded and making it a work of art)

Cons

Pages are not made to create art on (paper quality and thickness may not be appropriate for artmaking)
May require some preparation time (gessoing pages, gluing pages together for added thickness)

My Two Cents

This is one of my favorite types of art journals. I love the metaphor of transformation, as I believe that art journaling is a transformative process. Additionally there are infinite varieties of books out there to alter. Children's books are often short and have few pages, and so are great for a defined theme, or as a beginning journal as the limited pages make it easy to finish and not as overwhelming. (Read more about altering board books here.) Larger books, such as atlases, are also great for journals. Since my style has evolved to a very mixed-media style, I also like being able to show some of the original book pages in my artwork.

Hand-bound Journal

A journal that has been bound by hand by you or someone else.

Pros

Control of the paper
Control of size
An artform in itself
Variety of binding techniques
Supports other artists (if buying from someone)

Cons

Require some, if not lots of, preparation time (if you are binding)
Learning curve (there is a learning curve, as with all new skills, and your first binding may not be as strong as you would like)

My Two Cents

This is also one of my favorite options, as I like the idea of book-making. This category has so many variations, however, that it is difficult to list all the pros and cons. I personally like to bind my books out of discarded materials, making it a transformative process, for example. But many artists will choose high quality artists papers to bind their books, which can also be very fulfilling but causes "the blank page effect." If you decide to bind your own book there are many books out there (this one is my favorite). I will warn you that it can become addictive! But it is so rewarding to have your art journal be created by you from the start to finish!

Year 3 :: Sheltie

2011-08-23T21:45:00.000-05:00

His ::

Mine ::

you can see all of Year 3 here

The 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 of my Creative Process

2011-08-22T17:05:00.003-05:00

Borrowed from feed your soul art!

One Product You Are Particularly Proud Of

Parallel Art Journaling :: It's not necessarily a single product, but I am super-proud of the Parallel Journaling Process I developed. I am proud of this, not only as an art process, but because of how much it has strengthened our relationship. I truly believe that our bond is so much stronger and deeper because we have made a commitment to grow our relationship through art. I am continuously blown away by Chris's openness to try new things, and about the conversations that are created through this process.

A few of our framed journal pages from our first year. (Mine are on top, his are on bottom)

Two Mistakes You Made In the Past

Not believing in myself :: There are so many times that I did not believe in my own capabilities and let my inner critic take over.
Listening to others :: Now although I love constructive criticism, it took a long time to realize that these were suggestions. Meaning that if I don't want to change based on the criticism, I don't have to. I have learned that I create my art for me, and not for the pleasure of others. That being said, I am over-the-moon tickled when others are inspired by my work, but bottom line is, my art is for me.

Three Things That Make Your Work Unique

The juxtaposition of artist and art therapist :: Being both and artist and art therapist has brought a uniquely personal twist to all of my art. The place from which my art comes is a deeper emotional place, than my previous art. It has meaning and soul. This does not always make for "pretty" art, but it always makes for therapeutic art!
Color :: From my first career as a graphic designer, to the paintings and art journals that I create now, the one underlying theme would be color. I love color, and although I have an understanding of color theory, I almost always intuitively choose colors based on where I am at that moment.
Style :: All of my life I have always wanted a distinguishable style. And then I stopped trying to create my style, and just let it happen. You know what, it happened. Over the past year, I have gotten comments from people on and off-line about my style. I am tickled pink that other people have recognized my style, I however do not have the words at this point to describe what that means.

If you don't get lost, you may never be found

Four Tools You Love to Use

Trash :: Ok not literally, but I love incorporating objects that would otherwise be discarded into my art journals. I see it as a way of recycling, and as a way of challenging myself creativelly to think outside of the normal store-bought art supplies. I use tags from clothing to paint over and create tags in my art journal, I use bubble wrap as a stamp to create textures, receipts and ticket stubs are great to layer in the background, nothing is safe from being repurposed in the art journal.
Acrylic Paint :: I love layering different colors of paints to create texture and movement. I especially love white acrylic, as this can be layered over watercolor paints, watercolor pastels, etc to create interesting color patterns. It can also be used to create a "white wash" effect over images from magazines.
Watercolors and water-soluble oil pastels :: I LOVE being able to use these in so many ways, and they are so much more portable that acrylic. They are a staple in my travel art journaling kit, and can be used anywhere. I use them in traditional and non-traditional ways.As I mentioned earlier, they are great to use, and then layer with white paint for a more opaque effect. I also allow them to drip like ink.
Pens :: I am a bit of a pen addict, and am constantly trying to find new pens that work for me in my art journal. I have several gel pens of course, and a lot of generic pens (I look for ones that are "check fraud resistant" aka water-proof), and I love my Pentel Pocket Brush Pen.The ink is permanent, and the line qualities that you can get are amazing!

A peek inside my travel art journal kit.

Five Inspirations

Nature :: Nature continually inspires me. There are so many wonderful colors and shapes to take in. I find myself often taking pictures of the clouds, or trees, or animals, and images feed my inspiration in other art.
Children :: I work with children and the sheer joy that they have when creating art inspires me beyond belief. If I could start each piece of art with half the enthusiasm that they have, I would be doing great. It reminds me of the Picasso quote that says "All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once you grow up."
Music :: Chris is a drummer, and music infuses our life as much as art does. Lyrics and rhythms inspire my artwork and inspire me in so many ways. Music can truly set the mood in the room, and thus the mood of my artwork. Afterall, isn't music just another form of art.
Other Artists :: I love looking at other artist's work. Whether that is in a museum, a gallery, or online (I love pinterest for that reason!!). Looking at other people's work constantly inspires me to try new techniques, to experiment with new mediums, and to just get into the studio and create.
Life :: Every day life inspires me. The monotony and mundane is only a pattern. But if you look deeper there is so much beauty in that pattern. There is beauty in cooking, cleaning, sleeping, waking. All of these things inspire me, if I take the time to look and appreciate them.

A photo I took at the Missouri Botanical Garden.

I enjoyed this process, and it truly made me think about my creative process. Some of the questions were harder than I thought they would be. I hope that you enjoyed reading about my creative process, and if you are inspired to do your own 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 I would love to read it!

Art Journal Vol V :: Priorities

2011-08-21T22:28:00.000-05:00

{ 8.21.11 }

Self-care is something that is deeply important to me, and I continue a practice I started in graduate school, which is to keep an art journal specifically for my self-care as a therapist. You can read more about that here.

I used two techniques that I love for this.

The first is Carla Sonheim's paper doll idea from her book Drawing Lab for Mixed-Media Artists which I LOVE. You can also find the tutorial for this project here.
The second, is envelopes. And today I tried a new kind of envelope that is no glue, and no cutting. Here is a tutorial:

Art Group Round Robin

2011-08-21T20:11:00.000-05:00

A while ago (2 years next month actually!) I started an art group that meets monthly for a potluck and group art making session. We are not necessarily all "artists" but I believe that through this group most have come to add artist to their identity. (for information about starting your own art group, read my guest post over at Always Chrysti). Today was one of our art nights, and I wanted to share a few images:

A couple of months ago we had a Journal Binding Party and for the last several months we have been passing journals in a round robin style. Here are my pages that I worked in a journal with a feminine theme.

Piano Hinge Journal

2011-08-21T14:42:00.000-05:00

A dear friend is moving to New Mexico, and as a farewell present her friends each created a page to be bound into an art journal. I used a piano hinge binding for this (using colored pencils!). It turned out beautifully!

Here is a link on the piano-hinge binding.

Year 3 :: Color

2011-08-07T21:04:00.000-05:00

His ::

Mine ::

you can see all of Year 3 here

Year 3 :: Song

2011-08-04T21:26:00.001-05:00

Chris and I embarked on a journey of artmaking together, over two years ago. We have weekly art nights where we each create a page in our art journals using the same theme or prompt.
(Read more about our process here and this year's journal here.)

First I want to take just a minute to confirm the power of art. Our last art journal entry was about our wish, and if you remember, Chris did his on being gainfully employed. And guess what happened that week? He got a promotion at work to management!! Amazing how that works, you put it out in the universe and it happens! And now this week:

His ::

And to further the power of art, this week's prompt was ever-so-fitting with our week full of music. Chris is in three bands, and all three bands played last week, which is what he chose to do his page about. If you wanna check out his bands they are The Orbz, Supermoon and BulletPOP.

Mine ::

And to top of the week of Chris's shows, on Tuesday we saw one of my favorite bands My Morning Jacket! They are amazing live, and this show was no exception. The highlight for me was when they played an old favorite of mine "The Dark".

you can see all of Year 3 here

Year 3 :: Wish

2011-07-15T17:13:00.003-05:00

first a look at our helper! awe!! isn't he cute!!

His ::

Mine ::

you can see all of Year 3 here

Art Journal Vol V :: Fly

2011-07-14T22:22:00.002-05:00

{ 7.14.11 }

Year 3 :: Dream

2011-07-12T21:37:00.001-05:00

His ::

Mine ::

you can see all of Year 3 here

Art Journal Vol V :: Under Over

2011-07-12T21:33:00.001-05:00

{ 7.12.11 }

21 Secrets... More Secrets Revealed

2011-07-09T14:01:00.002-05:00

I am EXCITED to share some more AWESOME news about 21 Secrets Art Journal Playground!...

First, on August 1 there will be an addition of another teacher and workshop!

Andrea Schroeder of ABC Creativity will be joining us with her class:

DREAM SPARK:

Connecting with your soul to discover your deepest sparkliest greatest big heart dreams.

The next surprise is that Connie Hozvicka from Dirty Footprints Studio will be adding another workshop to her section of 21 Secrets along with her current class Abstract Adventures!

Get It Out :: Get It Down

The final announcement is that Connie has created some incredible giveaways over at Dirtyfootprints Studio!

Connie will randomly choose 3 winners on July 11, 2011

So, What do you win?!

Each winner will receive:

One vellum bristol Visual Journal by Strathmore!

One premier issue of Erin Kenepp's new Art Zine Becoming Brave!

PLUS, One FREE registration for 21 Secrets!! Already a member?!? No worries--you can give it away to a friend or raffle the registration away on your own blog!

Here's how to enter:

All you need to do is blog about one (or many) of your own "art journaling secrets"! Secret favorite supplies/books/workshops--secret pages that you haven't shared before---art journal pages about keeping secrets--art journal pages where you hide secrets--etc. etc. etc!! Than after you finish telling your secrets...head over to Dirty Footprints Studio with your URL link to your blog post and enter it in the link on her page.

Giveaway closes Sunday at 11PM (PST)!

Remember, 21 Secrets will be open until January 1st, 2012
(registration closes October 1st, 2011)

To register click the link below!

Year 3 :: Animal

2011-06-19T19:22:00.000-05:00

His ::

Mine ::

you can see all of Year 3 here

Year 3 :: Cry

2011-06-19T19:20:00.001-05:00

His ::

Mine ::

you can see all of Year 3 here

Art Journal Vol V :: Falling Stars

2011-06-16T21:23:00.001-05:00

{ 6.16.11 }

sometimes I feel like I am wishing on falling stars instead of shooting stars

Art Journal Vol V :: Boys

2011-06-14T19:43:00.002-05:00

{ 6.14.11 }

Art Journal Vol V :: Birds

2011-06-13T12:49:00.000-05:00

{ 6.11.11 }

Art Journal Vol V :: Dream

2011-06-12T12:49:00.000-05:00

{ 6.11.11 }

For this journal page, I used one of my favorite writing techniques. As you may know, art often comes very easy for me, but the writing part does not. In fact many of my first art journal pages had no writing at all, and sometimes they still don't. However, I have found that the addition of the writing can help me verbalize my emotions and thoughts. This particular technique, taps into the poet inside of me and is often very profound for me. As a bonus, it is super easy!

Create your art however you like. This can be drawing, collage, a combination... just be creative.
Look at your image you created and brainstorm whatever words come to mind. These can be descriptors, emotions, or random words that come to mind.

My words were:

dream
child
colors
aura
penetrate
frog
radiate

Use the words you brainstormed to write a poem. (Try to use all the words, but if one just doesn't fit, don't worry. Also feel free to change the tense of the verbs, or make words plural or singular to fit within the poem)

My poem:
as if from a dream
the bright aura of color
radiates from the child within
penetrating reality

I never would have been able to come up with that poem without using this process. However when I read it, it speaks to me in a very deep place, and took the artwork to a deeper place because of it. Try it for yourself and see how it works for you!

A series of events

2011-06-12T12:33:00.000-05:00

A series of events, unplanned, have kept me away from the blog recently. Nothing detrimental, but most recently our AC has been out, which in this small heat wave, made it impossible to make art comfortably in the "studio". I was artful in other ways, but nothing to share here... Hopefully this dry spell is over for now!

The Secret Revealed

2011-06-01T21:30:00.001-05:00

If you haven't heard already,

21 Secrets registration has been extended to October 1,

and the playground will be open until January 1.

This gives you more time to register and be a part of this amazing experience,
and it gives you more time to maximize on the arting!

To celebrate I wanted to share some of the art coming out of my 21 Secrets Workshop Adding Dimension! Take a look!

Kimberly Mackey of Pumpkin Delight created this amazing paper doll family! I can't get over how cute they are.

And check out Lisa Dieken's wonderful butterfly pop-up. Really emphasizes the beauty and wonder of the season!

I just love Leith Zeutenhorst's page below. Such an ingenious use of a pocket, and a poem spoken straight from the heart!

Art Journal Vol V :: Time

2011-06-01T21:15:00.001-05:00

{ 5.31.11 }

Psst... I have a new secret

2011-05-23T15:11:00.001-05:00

I cannot believe that we are almost at the end of May! 21 Secrets has been going strong now for almost two months, and it is a beautiful thing. A magical experience to say the least. I have a secret to share with you, but you will have to wait until June 1. For now, registration is still open at 21 Secrets! Click the button below to register!

Year 3 :: Spaghetti and Meatball Face

2011-05-22T15:07:00.000-05:00

I forgot to take a picture before I started using it in the art, but it reads: "When I saw it I made the spaghetti and meatball face"

A little back story to this prompt:

When Chris and I first started dating, we went to this great little restaurant in Louisville, with my sister and some of his bandmates before one of his shows. I ordered the spaghetti and meatball (because it is my favorite!) and when they brought it out, I made a very enthusiastic surprised face (evidently, I didn't witness it of course!). From then on, Chris and my family tease me about "the spaghetti and meatball" face.

His ::

Mine ::

you can see all of Year 3 here

Eve

2011-05-22T14:07:00.001-05:00

I call her Eve: she peers at the moon, longing to be closer to nature.

Year 3 :: Self Portrait

2011-05-15T20:11:00.000-05:00

His ::

Mine ::

you can see all of Year 3 here

Year 3 :: The Proposal

2011-05-13T23:14:00.000-05:00

Chris and I embarked on a journey of artmaking together, over two years ago. We have weekly art nights where we each create a page in our art journals using the same theme or prompt.
(Read more about our process here and this year's journal here.)

So for this week, we deviated from our prompt jar... because we wanted to commemorate the proposal in our journals! {How interesting that last week we created about the first date, and this week we had the proposal, the bookends of our relationship thus far.}

His ::

Mine ::

you can see all of Year 3 here

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T01:00:00.000-05:00

Art Journal Vol V :: Transitions

2011-05-04T19:44:00.001-05:00

{ 5.4.11 }

It may be hard to tell, but this is all one spread, with several flaps (created by cutting two of the pages) in the middle...

Art Journal Vol V :: Tiniest Feather

2011-05-03T22:25:00.001-05:00

Today's entry was inspired by yet another 21 Secrets workshop: 3 Little Words. There is still time to register, don't miss out!

{ 5.3.11 }

the tiniest feather, into a butterfly
happy voices cry, sudden silence won

Year 3 :: First Date

2011-05-01T17:40:00.000-05:00

His ::

Mine ::

you can see all of Year 3 here

Altered Board Book :: Simplicity

2011-05-01T17:00:00.001-05:00

To see a tutorial on how to alter your own board book click here.

Art Journal Vol V :: Girl Disappearing

2011-04-27T22:42:00.000-05:00

{ 4.27.11 }

Lyrics borrowed from Tori Amos Girl Disappearing
a girl disappearing
to some secret prison
behind her eyes she whispers
"big surprise there was
no protection by this urban light
so I'm running to
a constellation"

Lost and Found

2011-04-26T22:27:00.004-05:00

if you don't get lost, you may never be found

21 Secrets :: Adding Dimension

2011-04-24T21:46:00.000-05:00

I am so excited about the art coming out of my 21 Secrets Workshop Adding Dimension! Take a look!

Tracy Carlton of Expressive Souls created this fantastic mermaid pop-up! And check her out peeking through that window! LOVE it!

Look at Tracy's gorgeous envelope she created in her journal too! I love everything about it: the colors are just gorgeous and I love her idea behind it!

And check out Lisa Miller's cool windows! Makes me want to walk right into her journal!

It's not too late to register for 21 Secrets. Registration is open until May 31 and the playground is open through August 1. Register for 21 Secrets by clicking the button below:

International Art Therapy Postcard Art Exchange

2011-04-24T21:10:00.001-05:00

I am starting to receive more and more postcards for the Art Therapy Without Borders International Postcard Art Exchange (read more about this project here!) It is a delight to come home to such pretty mail in my mailbox! Take a look at my artwork for the postcard here.

Anonymous — No Postmark

Hope Heffner — Bridgewater, NJ

Beth Greaney — New Paltz, NY

A bonus postcard from Beth (front and back), presumably from one of her clients! Love this!!

Year 3 :: Poetic Art

2011-04-17T19:40:00.000-05:00

His ::

Drum Sounds
The Dogs Bone in Olive County
The Blue Rain on Paint Brush
The Patriot's Hand with Light Pen
The Pure Water on Laborer's Wrench

Mine ::

moon splatters
with the moon shining splatters
a bird greets the freckled girl
and whispers sweet guidance
as today becomes yesterday
and tomorrow becomes today.

you can see all of Year 3 here

Tranquility du Jour Podcast

2011-04-17T16:54:00.000-05:00

A few months ago, I was interviewed by the lovely Kimberly Wilson of Tranquility du Jour. It is always a little odd for me to hear myself talk, but click on the link below to hear my first podcast: all about art journaling and the creative process!

More Round Robin

2011-04-15T22:49:00.000-05:00

I have started an art group that meets monthly to make art together, and we have decided to do our own round robin (read my guest post about starting your own art night). A couple of months ago we had a Journal Binding Party and for the last several months we have been passing journals.

I had so much fun with Connie's Fearless Painting Process that I was inspired to work in another journal... Below are some images of my art in Samia's journal. You can still register for 21 Secrets and be inspired too!

The writing around the hair begins with this quote:

If you surrender to the wind, you can ride it. —Toni Morrison

Art Night :: Round Robin Update

2011-04-15T18:03:00.001-05:00

I have started an art group that meets monthly to make art together, and we have decided to do our own round robin (read my guest post about starting your own art night). A couple of months ago we had a Journal Binding Party and for the last several months we have been passing journals. Below are some images of my art in Sarah's journal.

For this journal entry, I was inspired by Connie Hozvicka's Fearless Painting Process she is teaching in 21 Secrets, as well as the Paint Writing course by Silky Hart.

Year 3 :: Define Hope

2011-04-14T22:48:00.000-05:00

His ::

Mine ::

This page drew inspiration from two of the 21 Secrets Workshops: Silky Hart's Paint Drawing and Jane Davenport's Drawing Happy.

you can see all of Year 3 here

Art Journal Vol V :: Bound

2011-04-12T19:56:00.000-05:00

{ 4.12.11 }

Year 3 :: Brody's Ball

2011-04-10T22:25:00.001-05:00

Brody has a slight obsession with the ball!

His ::

Mine ::

This page drew inspiration from 3 different artists I have learned from along the way: Teesha Moore's youtube tutorials, Tamara Laporte's 21 Secrets Workshop and Pam Carriker's Visual Journal Workshop.

you can see all of Year 3 here

Art Journal Vol V :: Blossom

2011-04-05T22:28:00.002-05:00

{ 4.5.11 }

Altered Board Book :: Mother

2011-04-03T22:44:00.000-05:00

No matter how old I get there are some days I need my mom. Today was one of those days, and since I can't see her in person right now, I called her and she hugged me with her words. I created this page after getting off the phone with her.

To see a tutorial on how to alter your own board book click here.

International Art Therapy Postcard Art Exchange

2011-04-03T11:36:00.000-05:00

Angie Perkinson — Jerseyville, IL

Lindsey Vance — Washington, DC

A Peek Inside My Art Space

2011-04-01T16:48:00.001-05:00

I can't really call it a studio (although I would love to someday have a studio space!), but it is where art is created:

21 Secrets Opens TODAY

2011-04-01T08:00:00.021-05:00

I cannot tell you how excited I am that the playground is finally open, and we can all begin playing together.

To celebrate opening day, I am participating in a 21 Secrets Blogroll and want to tell you a little more about some of the lovely ladies that are going to be teaching. I am so honored that I get to teach along side of them, and that I get to learn from them!

Silky Hart :: Paint Writing :: Expressive Hart

I am so excited to be teaching along side Silky; even though I have never met her in person, I can sense her clear, supportive energy through the blogosphere. She is such an inspiring person. I am hoping to learn a great deal in her class, as writing is still the part that I struggle with most in my art journaling. I have taken a peak into her class, and am so excited about some of the techniques... I am inspired already!

Feel the rhythm and beauty of your own handwriting – like brush strokes zigzagging across the page of sky and earth in a calligraphy that shows the way to your soul. Playing with ink, watercolor, writing techniques and poetry, you’ll learn simple yet stunning ways to let paint fly onto the page from your own creative wellspring. You’ll come away with an exquisite little handmade journal of your own poetic artistry.

And although not necessarily related to her 21 Secrets class, I just love this mandala that she has created!

Tammy Garcia :: Urban Layer Cake :: Daisy Yellow

I just love Tammy's rich layers and textures in her journal, and am so excited that this is in fact what she is offering to teach at 21 Secrets. {And check out her awesome Art Journaling 101, for newbies!} I am inspire by how she uses so many colors and textures, and what a delight it makes for the eye. Tammy's approach to art journaling is what it is all about: having fun, experimenting, and letting the art take over.

Get absolutely insane on your art journal pages with urban grunge! We will turn a blank white page into a textured, infinitely chaotic art journal background. Perfectionism simply cannot interfere when your goal is grunge! {How awesome is that last line!! As a perfectionist, I feel this class may be liberating!}

Register for 21 Secrets by clicking the button below:

Art Journal Vol V :: Colorful

2011-03-31T22:47:00.000-05:00

{ 3.31.11 }

Art Journal Vol V :: Diary

2011-03-30T20:39:00.001-05:00

{ 3.30.11 }

Year 3 :: Favorite Childhood Memory

2011-03-27T22:41:00.000-05:00

Wowee... This is my 400th blog post. What a milestone, and I couldn't be happier that the 400th post is about our Year 3 Journal, as this process has come to be the most dear to my heart.

Chris and I embarked on a journey of artmaking together, over two years ago. We have weekly art nights where we each create a page in our art journals using the same theme or prompt.
(Read more about our process here and this year's journal here.)

His ::

Mine ::

TGIF: When I was a little girl every Friday my mom would take my sister and I to my Mammy's house when we would have a girls' night with my aunt and cousins. We will forever be connected.
There were so many fond memories of those nights: making popcorn balls, watching TGIF, going on a train... I am so glad that I have these memories of my family.

you can see all of Year 3 here

How to :: Altered Board Books

2011-03-27T14:21:00.000-05:00

One way of creating an art journal is to alter a board book (the small cardboard books usually for young children). There are several advantages I have found to altering board books.

Inexpensive— I usually pick them up at Goodwill or other second-hand store for somewhere around 25¢ - 50¢ a piece. You can't beat that!
Size—This is two-fold in the size of the book and the length of the books. Board books come in varying sizes but they are usually fairly small, and only a couple of pages. This allows for the altered book or journal to have a theme if you so desire, but also to complete it in a timely manner. It also takes away some of the intimidation you might feel on trying to fill a large journal—it seems more manageable.
Transform—There is something great about recycling. One it takes someone else's trash and it becomes a piece of art. Two there is a beauty in the metaphor of transformation; transformation literally of the board book but also of yourself.
Inspire—By using a page that already has images on it, you do not get the same blank page effect (you know that "where do I start, I don't want to mess up this nice canvas/paper by doing something wrong" feeling you sometimes get). Additionally, board books often have idiosyncrasies that can be really fun to work with in your art; ie. flaps, windows, textures.
Ease— Altering board books is relatively easy and takes little preparation. That being said, I am going to walk you through some steps to begin altering a board book.

STEP 1

Start with your board book. This one is just a small Christmas one I picked up at Goodwill.

STEP 2

You might want to prepare the pages if they are really slick. This can be done in multiple ways.

Gesso— Gesso the pages (the disadvantage to this is drying time)
Sandpaper— Lightly sand all the pages so that the slickness is taken away.
Peel— Peel the paper layer off the cardboard layer. This is actually really simple, and they usually peel off in whole sheets.

STEP 3

Begin creating art in whatever manner you wish. You might check out the downloads page for specific techniques (also check out the tutorials for more ideas).
In the image below, I added collaged book pages on top of the cardboard pages. I like the way this looks in my art, and I like to have bits of the type showing through sometimes; it also de-blanked the cardboard pages (a technique I find highly useful when trying to figure out how/where to start!)

SOME FINISHED PAGES

These are pages from another board book that I am working in. Each page has a flap, or door on it and they are so much fun to incorporate into the artmaking. I feel like this book is turning into a tidbits of virtues or values, and am really enjoying working in it.

Anticipation

2011-03-26T14:11:00.001-05:00

an·tic·i·pa·tion
the act of looking forward; especially : pleasurable expectation

I cannot wait for next week, because...

21 Secrets will open, and the play will begin!!

REGISTRATION: MARCH 14- MAY 31

21 SECRETS opens Friday, April 1
& closes Monday, August 1

Registration is the low, low price of $59.

Videos are not downloadable—

but each Artist will provide a supportive PDF for you to print and keep.

(All sales final.)

By registering for 21 SECRETS you receive ALL the 21 workshops at one time.

You are able to pick and choose which ones you dive into first.

The workshop is open 24/7--but will close for good on Monday, August 1, 2011.

Read more about the workshops offered here.

Click here to register

International Art Therapy Postcard Art Exchange

2011-03-25T18:40:00.000-05:00

I finally finished my postcards for the Art Therapy Without Borders International Postcard Art Exchange (read more about this project here!) I originally saw this as a large series of artwork, and tried for it to be a cohesive series... But what ended up happening was several smaller series of artwork. I still think that it works and am glad that they will all be going to their new homes soon! My favorites were of the scribble animals as the reminded me to play with the art.

Inside-Out View of Art Journaling :: a guest post

2011-03-23T17:51:00.000-05:00

As you know, my guy and I create art journals together once a week. Over the past two years he has become a huge supporter of not just me, but of art journaling. I wanted him to share his experience on the blog because he has a view of art and art journaling that I can no longer tap into. When we started this journey, he did not identify as an artist, but now identifies as one I think as much as I do. That is why I called this an inside-out view... with no further ado, here is his story.

What art journaling has done for me!

I think that the process of art journaling has given me many gifts over the last few years. Most importantly it has given me an opportunity to share emotional ideas and visual art with my best friend and partner! The journaling process has also given me time and space to develop my own style of art and art making.

As a beginning artist it was pretty scary starting off since I hadn't actually done art for maybe 25 years. But the using art journaling as a stage for my personal art helped to erase the anxieties of starting something new. The journal acts as my own personal place where I can keep art that I am working on and show the art that I want to share with others.

The process of journaling has also become a space to explore current life events. I have explored emotionally stressful times and times of joy within my art and have been able to create a feeling of closure for myself as well as save the emotions of joy that I would like to hold on to in the years to come.

The process of art journaling has reminded me that life is full of joy even when times seem to be at their most difficult. I can always go back and look at how I experienced the best times and remember how I overcame the most difficult times in my life.

~ Christopher Luckett

Year 3 :: Scariest Feeling

2011-03-20T21:04:00.000-05:00

His ::

Mine ::

you can see all of Year 3 here

Give Love: A Community Art Project

2011-03-15T22:10:00.000-05:00

Tonight I did my images for Give Love- A community Art Project

1. Art journal about a community member(s) that has positively influenced your life. This could be a teacher, student, coach, neighbor, a stranger, anyone that is not related to you. Your interaction(s) could have occurred at any point in your life.

This one reads "in my child's eye all teachers hold a special place... but especially my middle school art teacher Ms. Bethel." I really did love learning and all teachers, but the relationship that Ms. Bethel and I have continues still today. She was the first to introduce me to the field of art therapy, and I believe influenced me in so many of my life decisions.

2. Do one good deed that you would not usually do. Art journal about that experience. Again - feel free to do more than one kind act and journal about each one, but at least do one accompanied by a journal page.

This one reads "first on the scene. road rash. burns. tears. lots of tears. prayer for strangers." This is actually something that happened a while ago for me, but when faced with this prompt, anything that I could think of seemed trivial to this experience. I was commuting on my way to a final, and I was the first on a car crash. A terrible car crash. It was early, the driver fell asleep... and he and several of his coworkers/friends who were in the car were thrown as the car flipped. They were in the construction field and tools littered the highway. I pulled over and held the hand of one of the men. More people arrived and I stayed... until the ambulance arrived. I am forever impacted by this and will always remember their faces. I called the hospital, but due to HIPPA laws they were not able to give me any information... To this day I do not know what became of the men...

21 Secrets ON SALE

2011-03-14T00:00:00.005-05:00

Art journaling is about expression, both written and visual, of emotions and thoughts; it is a space for questions that may not have answers, a place for thoughts that may otherwise not have a home, a safe container for emotions so that they do not have to be loose in the world.

This workshop will demonstrate how to make pockets, envelopes, pop-ups, flaps, doors and windows— to make spaces for the questions, to make places for the thoughts, and to make homes for the emotions. Along with the techniques we will explore ways to use dimension to maximize expression (both artistic expression and expression of self).

I can't wait to see you at the playground!
21 Secrets is ON SALE TODAY
Read more about all the workshops offered here.

Click on the button below to register:

Year 3 :: Inner Warrior/Goddess

2011-03-13T23:03:00.002-05:00

His ::

Mine ::

you can see all of Year 3 here

Adding Dimension :: 21 Secrets Sneak Peak

2011-03-13T00:00:00.002-06:00

There is so much more to share!
Join me at the playground
21 Secrets goes on sale TOMORROW

Click on the button below to register:

Art Journal Vol V :: Princess & Violated

2011-03-12T13:09:00.001-06:00

{ 3.10.11 }

{ 3.7.11 }

International Art Therapy Postcard Art Exchange

2011-03-12T12:10:00.000-06:00

Ava Clark — Smithers, BC, Canada

Momo Lancaster — Albuquerque, NM

Give Love: A Community Art Project

2011-03-11T13:51:00.000-06:00

One of my fellow art therapists is putting together a wonderful art journal project about community. She is asking that you make your pages following the instructions here and mail them to her by the end of March.

This project is a parallel process to her own art journal she is keeping about working in a community based setting; and I am so impressed that she identified my blog as an inspiration for her response art journal.

Pages are already starting to come in and they are just amazing.

A page by 9 year-old Colin

A page by Nigel

See more at ACommunityArtProject.blogspot.com

I can't keep a secret

2011-03-09T21:52:00.002-06:00

My mom always said I couldn't keep a secret! And I can't wait to share this with you!!

Look at all these amazing workshops!
To read a list of the Artist bios go HERE.

♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢

Aimee Myers Dolich of Artsyville

Three Little Words

Ever get stuck for inspiration or feel like your journal pages come out false and forced? I do quite often, and that's when I rely on word prompts to redirect my efforts. In this class we take the traditional word prompt up a notch by working with three at a time. We'll go fishing for strings of words, do a bunch of mini wordplay activities and then have a mixed media ruckus in our journals with the results. You might be surprised at what three little words can unleash on paper!

♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢

Alma Stoller of Alma Stoller

Child's Play Workshop

Let's create resists, intricate patterns and one one-of-a-kind surface designs. In this 5 video workshop, I will show you numerous ways to create unique journal pages using children's toy, basic art supplies and found objects. This is an excellent class for both the beginner and experienced student.

♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢

Barbara Nigg of Creative Fires Studio

The Self Portrait Experience

Experience new ways to see yourself by creating mixed media self portraits. Together, we’ll explore our place in the world and the interplay of our deeper selves and outer lives by transforming memory and emotion into art. Using journaling exercises, very basic photography and poetry we will see ourselves through three lenses: MYSELF - who am I?; MYSELF and OTHERS - who am I in relationship?; and MYSELF AND THE WORLD - who am I in community? Self portraits increase self awareness by teaching you to see yourself through the eyes of an artist - with curiosity, creativity and compassion.

♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢

Connie Hozvicka of Dirty Footprints Studio

Abstract Adventure

Abstract painting is so much more than splashing paint around and playing with shape and line. Actually once your mind gets out of the way and you put your fears down to take a rest--abstract painting can feel like taking your creativity on an amusement park play date!! In Abstract Adventure we will take a brief tour through Abstract Art History, focus on ways to loosen up and let go with the paintbrush, and have fun examining how color, texture, line, and shape can come together passionately to express your heart and soul beautifully! Let’s get wild! Let’s get crazy! Let’s take an Abstract Adventure together!

♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢

Debra Cooper of A Little Imagination & A Pile Of Junk

Playing With Patterns

Learn how to layer hand painted, stamped and stenciled images to create your own richly intricate patterned papers and fabrics for use in your art journal. We will be playing with commercial and handmade stamps and stencils as well as acrylic and spray paint to channel your inner graffiti artist and create lovely designs that are uniquely you! We will also discuss ideas for incorporating these designs into your visual journaling, whatever your style. You may never buy patterned paper again!

♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢

Erin Kenepp of Erin Kenepp Mixed Media Art

Becoming Brave

Have you ever heard the saying that we are our own worst critic? Do you struggle with the negative voices? I'm here to remind you that you are not perfect, none of us are. But, we can all strive to be the best version of ourselves by being fearless! Inspired by my most recent art journal project Becoming Brave, I will guide you through the beginning steps to create your own fearless art journal incorporating four sections about being fearless in life, love, work, and the body. By creating a fearless journal, I hope you will find strength and understanding and the courage to express yourself freely in your pages. I will support you along the way and encourage you to look deep inside yourself and find the confidence you have been searching for!

♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢

Goddess Leonie of Goddess Guidebook

Connect with the Goddess inside you...

In this workshop we'll be doing a guided meditation to connect with the gorgeous, glowing, wise, creative goddess inside us... and then creating a beautiful intuitive journal page with her and her wisdom. This soulful technique will create both a gorgeous journal page... and a powerful thing to do whenever you need wise reminders from the Goddess in You.

♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢

Gretchen Miller of Gretchen Miller

ready for revo’lution!

This workshop will empower you to use art journaling to create your very own revo’lution! Explore concepts of transformation, creating change, and invite intentions of new possibilities through the power of collage, mixed media, journaling prompts & more. Embrace your revo’lutionary spirit to imagine, create or reclaim your ideas into action! What will your revo’lution look like?

♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢

Heather Plett of Sophia Leadership

Body Art Journaling

It's time to put your Belly Love and your Art Journal Love all in one place!

This workshop will challenge you to be a little more free with your body while you do your art. It will help you reach down deep into the places in your body that have been told for too long that they are not beautiful. Your body will rejoice to be treated with kindness and respect as you incorporate it into your art-making process.

Your body is beautiful, your art is beautiful, now put the two together!

♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢

Ingrid Murray of My Peacetree

Beautiful You, Radiant You

We spend a great deal of time focused on the external happenings of our lives, yet often neglect to explore our own dreams, needs, and souls. Join me in dedicating a few hours to amazing you - we'll investigate and celebrate all your one of a kind wonderfulness! Learn how to create mandalas, use symbolism, tuck away secrets, and employ other techniques to bring your unique self into your art journal pages. Step by step instruction, writing and artistic prompts, and a great dose of inspiration included!

♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢

Jane Davenport of Jane Davenport

Drawing Happy

"I Can't Draw!" is a lament I hear so often (that's why stamps are so popular, right!). Listen to me...if cavemen could draw, then you, who has mastered an ipod, microwave and email can do this! As a professional artist who creates artwork drawn from my imagination every day, I still have to find my way into the work. I have a bunch of tricks and tool recommendations that will warm you up, help open the floodgates to your imagination and your natural drawing style. Art, just like life, doesn't have to be 'serious' to be meaningful!

♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢

Jeniffer Hutchins of Joyful Arts Studio

Emotional Evolution

Grab your art journal--it's time for an Emotional Evolution!! Let's turn fear into opportunity, doubt into joy, and frustration into anticipation! In Emotional Evolution we will learn the incredible, transformational power of dumping it all onto the page--with just a bit of paint and a pen, we can open the door to positive change! Knock! Knock!

♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢

Kelley Brown of Art Journaling As A Creative Process

Adding Dimension

This workshop will demonstrate how to make pockets, envelopes, pop-ups, flaps, doors and windows to add depth and dimension to your journal pages. Along with the techniques we will explore ways to use dimension to maximize expression (both artistic expression and expression of self).

♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢

Lisa Dieken of Wild Creative Heart

The Fragrant Art Journal

Imagine if your art journal was not only beautiful to look at and fun to touch but also awakened your spirit through the sense of smell. In The Fragrant Art Journal we will discover the why and how of creating a Fragrant Art Journal through specific techniques and a variety of fun ideas that will inspire you to create an art journal that stirs all the senses!

♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢

Lisa Wilson of Life Unity

YOGA + ART: Journaling into Awareness

Find your foundation, play with intention, and express YOUrself! By combining the tools of art journaling and yoga, you will begin an exploration on how awareness both on the page as well as the “yoga mat” can transform mundane life – even the laundry - into something magical.

In this unique workshop, Lisa Wilson, a registered Yoga Teacher, gently guides you through very basic yoga poses that will lead you to a deeper connection with your body. Then you will transfer this heightened state of awareness to the journal page--fully expressing yourselves creatively through paint and other fun art supplies. All you need is an art journal and a body- yoga mat, previous experience, or flexibility not required!!

♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢

Natasha Reilly of Creative Nachos

Improvisation Station

When you toss out the standard, boring ways we all define ourselves and adapt some of the basic principles found in improv classes to your page, you will be better able to listen to your intuition and create an art journal spread you’ll want to share with the World.

I assure you that you will not only surprise yourself but you’ll have a blast basking in your awesomeness as you mix improv with dazzling color, collage elements and inspired words. In the end you will have an art journal spread so stinkin’ fabulous, you’ll confidently want to shout from the mountaintops, “That’s right. I’m rockin’ awesome!”

♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢

Rachel Whetzel of A Year In The Life Of An Art Journal

Silent Messages: how saying nothing can say it all....

Have you ever experienced something that you wanted to create a page about? Did the idea that someone might see that page and read your journaling stop you from creating that page? Have you ever stopped yourself from creating a page because the content was too sad? Do you feel like all you can only share your pages if they are happy?If you answered yes to any of those questions, this is a class you won't want to miss. Sometimes the word art JOURNAL can lead us to feeling like we need to have writing on all of our pages explaining what our page is about. Truthfully, there are a lot of times when journaling leaves us over exposed, and so rather than putting things on paper, we choose not to journal at all. In this class, you will learn ways to share your story without using journaling. As part of your UNjournaling exploration, I will share a technique using Creative Paperclay as a medium to add texture to your pages. We'll explore the use of single words on a page to trigger for YOU the moment you were in, and allow the silent message speak to others in whatever way they can relate. Even in art journaling, sometimes less is actually MORE. Join Rachel Whetzel in exploring new areas of creating that free you to say what you need to without spilling your guts in public.

♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢

Silky Hart of Expressive Hart

Paint Writing

Feel the rhythm and beauty of your own handwriting – like brush strokes zigzagging across the page of sky and earth in a calligraphy that shows the way to your soul. Playing with ink, watercolor, writing techniques and poetry, you’ll learn simple yet stunning ways to let paint fly onto the page from your own creative wellspring. You’ll come away with an exquisite little handmade journal of your own poetic artistry.

♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢

Tamara Laporte of Willowing

Collage, Paint & Soul

In this lesson you will learn how to create a 'paint over collage' painting covering many layer and mixed media techniques as well as looking at composition and collage. Additionally there will be a healing/ personal growth theme attached to this lesson encouraging you to get in touch with deeper parts of your soul which will assist you on your own personal healing journey.

♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢

Tammy Garcia of Daisy Yellow

CREATIVE GRUNGIFICATION

Get absolutely insane on your art journal pages with urban grunge! We will turn a blank white page into a textured, infinitely chaotic art journal background. Perfectionism simply cannot interfere when your goal is grunge!

♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢

Violette Clark of Violette’s Creative Juice

Me And My Shadow

The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek. ~ Joseph Campbell

We all have a shadow - a dark side of ourselves that we often run away from or deny. Little do we know that great riches lie in embracing the shadow and integrating the dark side of ourselves. Allowing it proper expression is the key to happiness. Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell spoke about the shadow and it's importance in our lives. What better way to explore our shadow side but through art journaling? In this workshop we'll be creating a two page spread on the shadow excavating our souls in the process. We'll create 2 pages, one of the shadow and one the face we portray to the outside world using a variety of techniques. We'll be using the page as a vessel to house our innermost thoughts and feelings.

♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢

21 SECRETS goes on sale this Monday, March 14th!

Registration will still be the low, low price of $59.
Videos are not downloadable--
but each Artist will provide a supportive PDF for you to print and keep.
(All sales final.)

♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢

By registering for 21 SECRETS you receive ALL the 21 workshops at one time.
You are able to pick and choose which ones you dive into first.
The workshop is open 24/7--but will close for good on Monday, August 1, 2011.

Introducing Year 3: Unity

2011-03-05T10:03:00.007-06:00

Two years ago, Chris and I moved together, and at that time we began a journey of artmaking together. We have weekly art nights where we each create a page in our art journals using the same theme or prompt. (Read more about our process here.) Last week we completed our second volume, and this week we embarked on our new journey: Year 3. (See the first volume here, and the second volume here.)

For this journal, we decided to do things a little differently. First we decided to have an over-arching theme or affirmation associated with the journal. After long consideration, we chose Unity. Second we are using a journal jar to pick our weekly prompts. He and I are both adding prompts or questions to the jar weekly and we will then draw from the jar each week to choose the prompt.

So without further ado, I introduce to you:

Year 3:Unity

u·ni·ty
n. pl. u·ni·ties

1. The state or quality of being one; singleness.

2. The state or quality of being in accord; harmony.

It is funny now that I am looking at the journals side by side, I noticed that we were very stereotypical with our art: his, the boy, is blue and mine, the girl is pink (although in actuality it is orange and purple!)

We used these great large binders used in boutiques for invitations and announcements to alter this year. (My mom is a manager of said boutique and they were going to toss the old books, and she thought that they would be great for art journaling—she was right!)

Getting our hands dirty during artmaking!

More images of the journals:

And of our journal jar:

Year II: Slideshow

2011-03-05T08:00:00.000-06:00

All 52 pages in a slideshow format. So fun to look at it all together like this!

My guy and I have weekly art nights, and keep art journals together. Read more about it here.

Get ready to play

2011-03-04T17:45:00.001-06:00

In just a little over two weeks, you can join the playground!! I am super excited to be one of the 21 artists who will be hosting a workshop! (See all the artists in the workshop here) The workshop descriptions will be announced on Monday... but I will let you in on a secret, shhh don't tell!

My workshop is:
Adding Dimension
This workshop will demonstrate how to make pockets, envelopes, pop-ups, flaps, doors and windows to add depth and dimension to your journal pages. Along with the techniques we will explore ways to use dimension to maximize expression (both artistic expression and expression of self).

♢♢♢

Registration starts Monday, March 14, 2011.

21 SECRETS Spring opens Friday, April 1, 2011 and closes Monday, August 1. 2011.

♢♢♢

Registration will still be the low, low price of $59.

Art Journal Vol V :: Testing

2011-03-02T21:45:00.001-06:00

{ 3.2.11 }

Year II: Week 52—Complete

2011-02-26T08:58:00.000-06:00

My guy and I have weekly art nights, and keep art journals together. Read more about it here. With the completion of this week's pages, we have successfully complete our second year of art journals together. (See all the pages from this year here.) I am excited to share with you our plans for next year's very soon! I just love to see the pages so full of life, art and emotions!

This weeks theme was Art

His:

Mine:

Art Journal Vol V :: Change

2011-02-21T23:17:00.001-06:00

{ 2.21.11 }

Year II: Week 51

2011-02-21T23:10:00.001-06:00

My guy and I have weekly art nights, and keep art journals together. Read more about it here.

Made Me Think of You

His:

Mine:
Lisa and I used to make a pact at work to wear sandals on the same day for the first time each Spring (well usually way before Spring). It has been over 3 years since this world lost beautiful Lisa, but every year when I wear my flip flops for the first time after winter, I think of her. This week we had unusually warm weather (over 70°) and I thought of her when I painted my toenails and broke out the sandals. I miss her so. (I previously made this piece about Lisa as well).

Year II: Week 50

2011-02-21T23:04:00.000-06:00

My guy and I have weekly art nights, and keep art journals together. Read more about it here.

The Greatest Gift

His:

Mine:

Art Journal Round Robin: The End

2011-02-20T12:45:00.000-06:00

In May of 2010 I joined my first round robin, hosted by the lovely Erin Kenepp. Myself and Erin, as well as 10 other lovely ladies (Ophelia, Paula, Cristi, Kathy, Carin, Elena, Ann, Emily, Lisa and Susie) were part of a wondrous art-making collaboration. I have felt so blessed to be on this journey with them. Over the course of the last several months, several of the ladies had to drop out... life sometimes gets in the way of art. And this month, it was decided that the round robin would come to an end. last week I received my journal back, and have yet to truly soak in all the magic that it holds.

I am going to warn you now, that this post has LOTS of images... so here it goes:

Art Night: Round Robin Update

2011-02-20T11:43:00.000-06:00

I have started an art group that meets monthly to make art together, and we have decided to do our own round robin (read my guest post about starting your own art night). A couple of months ago we had a Journal Binding Party and for the last several months we have been passing journals. Below are some images of my art in Anna's journal (I have forgotten to take some pictures so will have to do that next month!), as well as some images from the first journal swapping art night!

These images were from our "Thanksgiving" Art Night

International Art Therapy Postcard Art Exchange

2011-02-20T11:25:00.000-06:00

Michelle Figurski — Sterling Heights, MI

Nina Dinnenger — Greensburg, PA

Amanda Stirn — Indianapolis

Danielle Deeke — Gruenendeich, Niedersachsen, Germany

Art Show Opening

2011-02-11T13:43:00.000-06:00

One of my paintings is being featured in an art opening tonight... If you are in the St Louis area, would love to see you at the opening!

Year II: Week 49

2011-02-07T21:35:00.000-06:00

My guy and I have weekly art nights, and keep art journals together. Read more about it here. Only 3 more weeks to finish out our second year of journals! I am excited about finishing this project and starting a new venture [more details on that to come]!!

Time Flies

His:

Mine:

finding my center

2011-02-03T17:10:00.000-06:00

When my heart and mind are questioning things, I turn to art. And so today I turned to art. I still have no more answers than when I started out, but in the process of art making I found my center. I let go of the questions, of the worries and just created.

I was not ready to create art about the issue at hand today, and so I worked on a call for art that I knew I wanted to participate in. The show is called Freedom From, Freedom To and is being organized by the St. Louis Rescue and Restore Coalition. The call for art states "What does Freedom mean to you? We are challenging you to help us raise awareness about the unfortunate reality that slavery still exists today. Whether it is called trafficking in persons, human trafficking, forced labor, forced prostitution, the commercial sexual exploitation of children, or modern-day slavery—we must take action to put a stop to the exploitation of others."

When I began contemplating this, the image of the butterfly came to mind; specifically of hands letting butterflies go to fly freely in the air. I did a search for a quote, and found this one (which was perfect for what I wanted to express): I only ask to be free. The butterfly is free. ~Charles Dickens

And as I searched I also found that the symbolism for the butterfly is freedom, the soul, change, joy, color and creativity. The image I had intuitively represented seemed to embody perfectly the mission of the call for art: freedom from oppression and the chains of human trafficking, the soul and livelihood of those involved in human trafficking, changing perceptions about human trafficking, joy resulting from freedom and the color and creativity in the artwork created. And as I further thought about the image, I began to see that the butterflies are souls that have found freedom through the hands of those to end human trafficking. It is a wish realized through art that someday all people will be free.

I thought it would also be fun to show the progression of the piece:

Covered the canvas with pages from a dictionary. These pages contain the words freedom, flutter, forever... (and also Frankenstein! which I think is hilarious)

Colored the paper with water-soluble oil pastels and then went over with white acrylic leaving a nice surface to start creating on.

Cut out silhouettes of the images I wanted using wallpaper samples I have. Glued these onto the prepared canvas.

Added an outline of oil pastel, and smeared it to create halos. Added watercolor drip marks.

Stamped quote onto mulberry paper, tore the paper and adhered to the image. Gave it all a final coat of gel medium to seal it.

Year II: Week 48

2011-02-01T14:06:00.000-06:00

My guy and I have weekly art nights, and keep art journals together. Read more about it here.

Ideas

His:

Mine:

Still time to register for Valentine's couple workshop

2011-01-31T20:35:00.000-06:00

The deadline for registration is this Saturday.

I will be presenting the second half of the workshop with my guy, and we will be talking about our process of parallel art journaling and conducting a workshop around that same process. It is going to be an incredible experience and I am so excited to be sharing this process with other couples.

Saturday, February 12 | 7pm - 10pm

$50 a couple

Masterpeace Studios is hosting an art and movement couples workshop. The workshop will begin with partner yoga stretching and relaxation. Enjoy wine and chocolate as you move into the second half of the workshop and create an art piece. Bring your significant other or best pal and enjoy this intimate workshop. This workshop is led by Yoga instructor Jen Jones and Art instructor Kelley Brown {from Art Journaling as a Creative Process}.

The secret is out

2011-01-31T08:59:00.003-06:00

I am so excited to announce that Connie from Dirty Footprints has asked me to be one of the artists for 21 SECRETS {Spring 2011}. And I am super pumped that there are THREE art therapists presenting this round.

HERE IS THE ANNOUNCEMENT FROM CONNIE:

Currently we are busy, busy working on our inspiring classes...

class descriptions will be announced at the beginning of March.

♢♢♢

Registration starts Monday, March 14, 2011.

21 SECRETS Spring opens Friday, April 1, 2011 and closes Monday, August 1. 2011.

♢♢♢

Registration will still be the low, low price of $59.

Videos are not downloadable--

but each Artist will provide a supportive PDF for you to print and keep.

♢♢♢

Be sure to sign up for the Dirty Footprints Studio newsletter HERE

and join me over at Facebook HERE to keep updated on all things 21 SECRETS!

♢♢♢

AND... DRUMROLL PLEASE...

I'd like to introduce the 21 amazing Artists that will be leading 21 SECRETS in Spring 2011....

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Aimee Myers Dolich

Artsyville

Hi! I'm Aimee, and I love to fiddle around with doodles, color and words. My professional background is in retail buying, product development, and marketing -- all experiences that gradually prodded me to dig into my neglected creative side and find out what was in there. A few years ago, I started a blog as a dumping ground for my experiments, and found that the daily practice of making something brought me a satisfaction and happiness that took me by surprise -- I assumed the urge would run its course, and I'd be bored with it quickly. But the more I experimented, the more I posted, the more I mined my everyday moments for creative fodder, the more I found myself wanting to create. And during that process, though I didn't realize it until much later, doing those daily experiments helped me bring together the pieces of myself that I had always compartmentalized. Writing was always in one folder, color experiments in another; emotions in one safety deposit box, dreams in another; and so on. Creating every day encouraged me -- forced me, really -- to stick it all in a mixing bowl and put it on high. So what started as a lark has wound up being an essential part of my life. I can't ever imagine looking back now.

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Alma Stoller

Alma Stoller

Alma Stoller is a multi media artist living in New York. Her work has been published in Cloth Paper Scissors and Somerset Studio magazines and she was featured on (HGTV) The Home and Garden channel. She loves to create fabric sculptures, freeform collage portraits and embroidered painted pieces she calls Glossies.

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Barbara Nigg

Creative Fires Studio

Today my favorite color is orange. My favorite food is anything eaten in Italy. I have two Boston Terriers that run the joint. My husband is Swiss. Our daughter is 14. We live near Zürich. I am an only child. I grew up on the banks of a river called Skeena. Emily Carr is my favorite artist. I wish I had gone to art school. I am glad I didn't. Play is my learning style. 36% left brained, 64% right brained according to this test. Myth and metaphor, my bread and butter. Poetry feeds me. Nature nourishes my spirit. Horses keep me humble. Class clown and sometimes shy. Passionate about story. Fascinated by what brings us here to create.

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Connie Hozvicka

Dirty Footprints Studio

I am passionate about helping women rise above their fears, strengthen their intuition, and grow confidant as Artists through my FEARLESS Painting Process. I do this religiously through painting, yoga, diving full heartedly into my life’s adventure and sharing all of it with you in my biz/blog Dirty Footprints Studio. I am also the creator and director of 21 SECRETS and 30Journals 30Days because I believe art journaling can change the world!

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Debra Cooper

A Little Imagination &A Pile Of Junk

Debra Cooper is a mixed media artist and designer whose artwork and how-to articles have been featured in numerous magazines and books including 1,000 Artist Journal Pages and Stampington & Company's Arful Blogging and Art Journaling. She currently lives with her husband and two children in Pueblo, Colorado.

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Erin Kenepp

Erin Kenepp Mixed Media Art

Erin Kenepp is a mixed-media artist and art therapist from the Central Coast of California. Her art journaling projects have been featured in several magazines including Art Journaling, Somerset Studio, and Somerset Memories.

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Goddess Leonie

Goddess Guidebook

Goddess Leonie is an incorrigible optimist, serial gigglesnorter & mermaid who is living her dream in tropical paradise. When she's not fingerpainting with her daughter or perving on her love, she's making miracles, art & an online sanctuary for spirited, creative women called the Goddess Circle.

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Gretchen Miller

Gretchen Miller is a Registered Board Certified Art Therapist who practices in Cleveland, Ohio specializing in youth, women, and families impacted by trauma, domestic violence, and grief & loss. In her own art and creative process Gretchen enjoys finding inspiration, creating energy, and discovering transformation through working with mixed media, painting, collage, altered art, and creating handmade books.

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Heather Plett

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Ingrid Murray

My Peacetree

Ingrid Murray is a twenty-something dreamer who has huge passion for all things colorful, unique, and creative. Though nearly any craft captures her interest, her favorite projects to date remain exploring the world of art journaling, capturing life through her camera lens, and inspiring others as best she can. Ingrid's favorite food is sushi, her favorite animal the elephant, and her most enduring belief is that every individual on this planet - including you, lovely reader! - has a brilliant, one-of-a-kind gift to bring to the world.

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Jane Davenport

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Jeniffer Hutchins

Joyful Arts Studio

Jeniffer Hutchins is a professional artist and art educator... That's how these “professional” artist bios are supposed to start. However, I am done doing things how they are supposed to be done. Instead I would like to tell you this: I LOVE ART and I LOVE TEACHING. I love creating art and teaching art as a means to spark creative fires within others. I love teaching others to trust themselves and to live more creative lives. I love teaching others to use art as a way of understanding themselves and their connection with the Divine Spirit that lives in us all. This is my passion. It is an absolute JOY to share my passion with you.

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Kelley Brown {that's me!!}

Art Journaling As A Creative Process

Kelley is an art therapist and artist living in St. Louis, Missouri. She studied art journaling as a processing technique for therapists and has presented on the topic at the National Art Therapy Conference and was recently featured on Psychology Today’s Arts in Healing blog. Art journaling is the focus of her blog where she chronicles her ongoing projects, including a recent project about turning 30 and a process she coined "parallel art journaling" where she explores themes through art journaling with her significant other.

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Lisa Dieken

Wild Creative Heart

Lisa Dieken is an intuitive wisdom teacher, guide, energy healer and artist. Her focus is a gentle form of shamanic journey healing and in particular, soul retrieval. Working in both the spiritual world and the physical world, she assists you in strengthening your internal foundation in order to manifest the joy, abundance and creativity that your "wild creative heart" desires. Single sessions and multiple session intensives are available for personal and life transformation. She works with clients around the globe. Her main creative endeavor is intuitive drawing and painting, though she dabbles in mixed-media, writing, photography and art journaling.

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Lisa Wilson

Natasha Reilly

Creative Nachos

Natasha is a colorful sidewalk chalk drawing, the laughter over a pint, a Nacho chip dreaming of yummy wonderfulness and an overflowing bucket of words and paint. She has been writing and creating art since the day her mom put a journal in her hand at age four. After receiving her MFA in writing from the New School in New York City, she spent time as Marketing and Development Director for a nonprofit and later, freelance writer creating promotional materials for small businesses. She has taught writing, editing and photojournalism workshops for teenagers and adults. In addition, she has written for publications such as Family Circle, Latina, Lifetips and MediaBistro.

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Rachel Whetzel

A Year In The Life Of An Art Journal

Thrift junkie. Free Spirit. Believer. Artist. Photographer. Mom to boys. Rust Lover. Worm Farmer. Blogger. Creative Soul. Rule Bender. Spider Saver. Coffee Drinker. Cream Lover. Chook Farmer. Goat Milker. Sailor Mouth. Music Listener. Phone Talker. Garden Grower. Mess Maker. Risk Taker. Chewy Mom. Good Intender.

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Silky Hart

Expressive Hart

Silky Hart is a Certified Expressive Arts Practitioner with a degree in Dance and a master’s degree in International Business. For more than 20 years she has been leading sessions, workshops and retreats in creative expression in a wide variety of settings including shelters, schools, treatment centers and health care facilities. Silky is the Southwest Regional Coordinator for IEATA (International Expressive Arts Therapy Association.) Through workshops, retreats, online classes and one-on-one mentoring, Expressive Hart empowers and inspires people to joyously connect with their creative spirit to manifest their personal dreams and professional visions. Silky believes in illuminating magic, in spectacular possibilities, in uplifting joy and in unbridled creative expression!

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Tamara Laporte

Willowing

Tam (also known as willowing) is a mixed media artist, illustrator and online art teacher who loves being messy and is addicted to brayering paint. Her work can be described as mixed media folk art. It ranges from cute children's illustrations to a more stylised fantasy type art. Her art often incorporates healing themes, uplifting messages and inspirational poetry. She is also a prolific art journaller and creates stuffed toys and art dolls when she has the time! Recently, digital creations have been calling her and she's loving creating paintings in photoshop as well. She is based in Brighton in the UK with her lovely husband Andy and her magical child Dylan.

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Tammy Garcia

Daisy Yellow

I'm an analytical artist mom never without a camera, moleskine journal and a pitt pen. My creative life includes art journaling, drawing mandalas, photography, painting, stitching paper journals and inventing stories for my kids. I rediscovered my art and creativity after leaving my corporate job as a quantitative analyst 4 years ago. I grew up in Pennsylvania and live in north Texas with my husband, our 8 + 11 year old daughters and an eccentric rhodesian ridgeback named Kimba.

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Violette Clark

Violette’s Creative Juice

I am a mixed media artist, author, designer, workshop instructor and creative catalyst. I create whimsical and inspirational collages. I live in beautiful B.C. Canada with my partner Mr. G (aptly named for his tolerance of glitter) in a purple magic cottage. The cottage sports a huge papier mache dragonfly drenched in glitter!

My first book “Journal Bliss: Creative Prompts to Unleash your inner Eccentric” is all about Visual Journaling. My passion is to teach others to embrace who they are through the vehicle of their creativity. I do this mainly through classes on Visual Journaling (among other mixed media projects), in my online classes and in my blog. My home, glittery van and art have been featured on numerous TV shows including Weird Homes.

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Life Unity

I am an awareness artist. Basically, I do stuff that makes me feel alive. I share that stuff with others in hopes that it inspires them to do the same. (Yoga and Art are my primary tools.) I do all of this from my home in Indiana alongside 2 young kids, a hubby, and a fuzzy dog.

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Jane Davenport

Jane Davenport is an internationally awarded artist, author and gallery owner. Her exquisite art is fervently collected by gentle souls around the world. ‘Artomology' is the word Jane created to describe her unique mix of photographic art and entomological persuasions (which is fancy way of saying she likes looking at butterflies & ladybugs!). Artomology has since evolved to encompass all manner of quirky painting, drawing and video, all fueled by an inspirational love for Art/ Visual Journaling. The 21 Secrets Spring Session, will mark the first time Jane has invited peeps into her creative laboratory.

Sophia Leadership

Heather Plett is a writer, speaker, teacher, spiritual seeker, artist, photographer, wanderer, and domestically challenged mom. She delights in helping people find beauty in the world and in themselves. She is currently writing a book about the spiritual transformation brought on by her stillborn son.

Sewing and Sushi

2011-01-30T21:18:00.000-06:00

A friend of mine hosted a "Sewing and Sushi Party" and I thought that it would be a grand time to hone my sewing skills and try to creat the crafter's apron I had stumbled up. It turned out quite nicely... We will see how it actually works out this week!

Community Arts in Recovery

2011-01-28T21:01:00.001-06:00

We just completed another Community Arts in Recovery group, and I wanted to share my art from it. The group is similar to Pat Allen's method of intention writing, artmaking and witness writing, so I will also share a snippet of my writing.

There is always dark and always light. Even if you don't want me, I am still here. And without me there would be no light. Don't forget me or be afraid. I will not hurt you but instead will bring clarity to both the light and the dark.

All torn apart, hanging on by threads. Sometimes I feel it is me. Sometime I am hanging on by threads. But at least I have something ~~holding me together~~ to hang on to.

Art Journal Vol V :: Just Beginning

2011-01-24T22:39:00.001-06:00

After finishing my journal last week, it was bittersweet to start a new one today. I always find that I have to get comfortable with a new journal and its size and individual characteristics each time I start a new one. I decided to use the license plate journal that I wrote about here as my new journal.

Here are the first few pages of the journal. The first image is the opening page, kind of the introduction to the journal. And the second page is a depiction of the headache that I had only behind one eye today.

{ 1.24.11 }

Looking for an alternative Valentine’s date

2011-01-23T20:57:00.002-06:00

I am super excited to [officially] announce this workshop!!

Masterpeace Studios is hosting an art and movement couples workshop. The workshop will begin with partner yoga stretching and relaxation. Enjoy wine and chocolate as you move into the second half of the workshop and create an art piece. Bring your significant other or best pal and enjoy this intimate workshop. This workshop is led by Yoga instructor Jen Jones and Art instructor Kelley Brown {from Art Journaling as a Creative Process}.

Saturday, February 12 | 7pm - 10pm

$50 a couple

I will be presenting the second half of the workshop with my guy, and we will be talking about our process of parallel art journaling. We will provide art materials and prompts for couples to begin their own process of artmaking together.

Snow Inspiration

2011-01-23T20:01:00.000-06:00

My puppy dogs in the snow... they like it much more than I do!

I have been hibernating this weekend in the snow. It has been so cold in our old house {our old house with very inefficient heat} that all I have wanted to do was stay under the covers where it is warm. Not much art this weekend, but I have been perusing the internet and found these wonderful ideas I had to share.

First over at the blog Drawing with a Squirrel is an awesome idea for transforming an altoids tin into a travel watercolor kit. This would be a perfect addition to a travel art journal kit, and is super cute.

And over at the Magic Bean is a free pattern download for this awesome crafter's apron {or toolbelt}. It rolls up to hold all the items safely between use, and could function as that travel art journal kit! This is more than likely going to be on my agenda for next weekend!

For examples of a travel art journal kit check out this old post about a journal kit I made for a present for a friend and this list of basic art journal supplies.

Year II: Week 47

2011-01-22T15:22:00.000-06:00

My guy and I have weekly art nights, and keep art journals together. Read more about it here.

Happy Place

His:

Mine:

Year II: Week 46

2011-01-22T15:20:00.000-06:00

My guy and I have weekly art nights, and keep art journals together. Read more about it here.

Rejuvenation

His:

Mine:

Art Journaling Survey

2011-01-21T23:20:00.000-06:00

A current art therapy graduate student at SIUE is doing research on art journaling, and how it is as a clinical tool. Please take a minute to read the following email from her.

Please support this graduate survey research to further our knowledge of art journaling as a clinical tool!

Are you a mental health professional or graduate student in one of these fields? (art therapy, counseling, social work, psychology)

Do your clients use a visual, creative, art journal? Do you keep one for yourself?

Please fill out this quick, online survey. It will only take about 10 minutes to complete.

Click here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/artjournalingresearch

Thank you for your time! Sarah

Year II: Week 45

2011-01-17T13:26:00.000-06:00

My guy and I have weekly art nights, and keep art journals together. Read more about it here.

Self Actualization

His:

Mine: