Unfinished Pages

Video: Let’s Make Some Unfinished Art Journaling Pages

     Leave a Comment

Hello everyone I hope your week is off to a great start.

I’ve been struggling with some anxiety lately and time in the studio today really helped re-focus my attention. I worked in my Creative Business Journal doing my first 4 page spread. I shared this journal in a previous video that you can watch in this blog post.

Today I decided to a play with my ink sprays that have been collecting dust. It was a lot of fun-even with some jammed nozzles. Initially I thought I was just going to make some backgrounds but then I decided to add a little collage as well. Combined with some quick stenciling, tissue paper and some acryllic paints and I had a really fun time.

The key for me was to just have fun. I had to let go of wanting to make a perfect page or even create a unique video to share on my channel. While I want to make interesting content what I really want to do is to share my process in the hopes of inspiring you to make some art each day. Even if you feel you can’t do a lot or you aren’t an artist it’s really worth giving yourself a few minutes each day to play with paper and color.

Want to join me? This video is just about 5 minutes long. Why not get out some supplies, your favorite cuppa and let’s create together. If you do-please comment below and tell me what you made-or better yet link to your blog so I can hop over and see!

Until next time…

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante

Video Breaking in a New Art Journal & Unfinished Pages

     2 Comments

I am in my cozy chair at the studio as I write to you.

Cozy chair has a twin that lives at home where I also like to sit and write. And eat popcorn and watch Netflix. I like to think that they are united in some way, where the creative and cozy energy just flows back and forth between them. I need more cozy vibes in my life, how about you?

I haven’t been in my studio since Friday and it’s always a surprise to come back in and see the bits and pieces I have left laying around. An in process art journal page on the one table, another in process journal page on the other. Little reminders of how I left things.

I usually come in and put my bags down in the comfy chair. Then I set up the coffee and while that’s brewing I unpack my studio bag. Which has turned into 2 bags on most days. With all the journals I have been making I have been repurposing a lot of cardboard boxes so I am bringing them from home in my large purple bag. Inside that bag is usually a mish mosh of items that I felt would be better used at the studio than at my creative corner at home.

Once I am unpacked I have been trying to sit in my cozy chair, sip some coffee and see what the plan for the day is. I have my schedule written off, but I usually take some time to get quiet and just listen and see if there is another area that I should be focusing on.

After that I usually try and get to work. It may require a warm up session in a journal first but then I try and get down to the business of creativity-and of course writing you.

Today I had planned on editing the video I made Friday only I left the memory card at home so that bit will be done later. If I am honest, writing the blog post is still my favorite part along with filming. I love sharing the creative process with you and hope that, like me, you enjoy some company from time to time in your creative areas.

There are times when I like my creative time to be just me, a cup of coffee or tea, some music and my creativity. Other times I opt for no music but having a creative video playing in the background. Do you like to have virtual company when you are creating? I haven’t had real-life creative company in a very long time but I have a feeling that might be changing soon.

Today I have a little journal with me video. I am breaking in a journal I made a few years back but never started working in. The journal was made as a part of a class I took with Jennibellie where she shows how to do these unique expanding pages. It was a lot of fun and if you are interested in how to make your own you can see the class here. I painted an owl on the cover inspired by a class I took with Juliette Crane. I think it was her Whimsical Animals class but I’m not positive. I’m pretty sure she demonstrates an owl there too.

I have decided to make art journals for specific areas I am focusing on in my life (like my word of the year journal). This journal is going to focus on my creative business and I thought it would be fun to start with the first page. A lot of time you may hear that it’s good to skip the first few pages because we often times need to get a feel for a journal and sometimes we can put pressure on ourselves for that first page.

Today, I decided I wanted to start at the front and treat as a title page of sorts. I wanted it to have the feel I am hoping to call in for my business and also some reminders to keep me on task as I go through the year.

As you see in the video I got a little stuck looking for words. I was going to try and hand write them but it just didn’t feel right. I found some definitions in an old dictionary that I was really happy with but I still wanted to put a few main words on the page. I searched through magazines without luck and ultimately decided to leave the page for now and come back to it.

It may feel like we need to finish an art journal page at the same time we start it but giving ourselves permission to walk away and come back can not only allow time for the page to reveal itself to us but also provide insights we may not have had otherwise.

It’s important to allow things to unfold in their own time an space (a reminder I needed more than anything else). I love how art journaling helps us in every area of our lives, revealing the parts that need healing, the parts that excited and of course, the parts are still developing.

I hope you will join me for a few minutes with some of your favorite art supplies and your journal. Whether you are breaking in a new one or cracking open a chunky favorite maybe we can keep each other company and make a little art together. You can watch the video below.

Until next time…

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante

 

Music by Saint Stephen – 50’s Milkshake – https://thmatc.co/?l=352EAE2D