Art Journaling

VIDEO: DIY Collage Pages

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I had some really fun play time in the studio this weekend.

I was inspired by this video to make some more collage pages. If you have been around here for a bit you know that I really love collage. There is something about gluing down bits of paper that I just find therapeutic. I am always on the search for materials to add to my pages and since it’s been a while since I made my own I thought it would be fun to bring you along while I do.

Do you love collage? If so grab some computer paper, your favorite (or least used mediums) and play along!

I used all sort of mediums so this project is really flexible-use what you have on hand. It’s a great way to play with new materials as well as using up some materials that maybe you have hanging around.

I started out with acryllics and watercolor pencils and then just started adding spray inks, Karin markers and more. I had so much fun! In my first session I made about 10 sheets and then in the second session I made around 12 more pages and added another layer to the first group.

If you want to have some creative time but maybe you aren’t sure what to create practices like this are always a great place to start. You don’t have to plan or think anything out and I find that after making some pages I suddenly have more inspiration and ideas for other projects. It’s a great warm up!

I hope you enjoy the video and if you decide to play along be sure to comment and let me know how your pages come out!

Until next time!

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante

VIDEO: Imperfect Pages: Checking in with My Word of the Year

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Today I am checking in with my Word of the Year.

I started by filling out the quick check-in sheet from my workbook and then I started on a double page spread in my Word of the Year Journal. I had no real plan so I used the bits and pieces on my desk to collage down as a background. Then I pulled it all together with a layer of gesso followed by a pretty green color.

I found these images that conveyed how my word feels so far. The idea that I am journeying home. I altered one photo with some paint pens to make it feel a bit more whimsical and then just glued down the other pages. My title came out really messy but for some reason it felt perfectly imperfect that way.

I am thinking of going back and adding some journaling around the photos but either way I am happy with this page.

I was hesitant at first to share this page because it’s not really anything special. No amazing techniques or art created but that was exactly why I decided to share it.

Creativity should be first and foremost for us.  A way to express something, release something or maybe-as in today’s page-just some playful time with no expectations. I hope this little video below might inspire you to have a play in your journal.

Until next time…

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante

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

VIDEO: Collage Mixed Media Play

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Happy Monday!

Today I am sharing a process video with you. I wasn’t feeling well last week and didn’t make it to the studio. Today I was still tired and trying to find my groove in my warm-up journal.

I spent time last week watching some really fun mixed media artists using collage to make paper dolls and applying alcohol to watercolors for some really neat effects so I decided to give both of these techniques a try. I really love the idea of collage paper dolls and will be on the look out for some images that might work well for this.

I started out applying gesso and then sticking the pages together to get some texture. I used my heat gun to dry them and then applied some watercolor. It’s a gorgeous color from a set I received in a past Art Snacks kit and it really had me thinking all things ocean.

I sprinkled some rubbing alcohol with a paint brush and it really does make a fun effect. I never can stop myself when I am having fun with a new technique so I might have gone a bit too far but I love how it turned out.

I really wanted to use some images I found of a girl in the water but felt they were too small. That’s when I decided to add the original image I had planned and then have some fun with the paper doll type technique. I added some paint pens, more gesso over top a really sweet dog that gets a bit lost in the background-but I just loved him! I finished off with some circles I punched out.

I don’t think the page is done quite yet. I want to add some doodles and a few more layers and I’ll be sure to bring you along when I do. For now, this page is filed under my unfinished art journal pages until my next play session.

How about you? Have you had a chance to play in your art journal? Do you have some unfinished pages awaiting a few more layers? Let me know in the comments below. And you decide to play along with my video below please let me know and share a link to your blog so I can see what you have created!

Until next time!

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante

 

Music by You ME and the Piano – Merry-Go-Round – https://thmatc.co/?l=4B20EFD1

Music by Little Boots – Silver Balloons – https://thmatc.co/?l=54B37541

Facing the Blank Page: Getting Started Art Journaling

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I was thinking about ideas to share with you today. I wanted to offer something unique and different but one of my most popular videos was about breaking in a new art journal and it reminded me that we can all use some inspiration.

I still sit down at my journal and think, “now what?” Sure some days creativity pours forth and I have lots of ideas but other days I just feel stuck. I may not like anything I am making or it might all blend together into a muddy mess. Days like these can make showing up at our journal again feel a bit like work.

Whatever the reason, it can be challenging to know where to start when you are looking at a blank journal page and I wanted to share a few ideas on how I get started.

One of the simplest ways for me is to use a journal that isn’t blank. If you watched my Word of the Year journal video you saw that I made some painted pages for my journal. This is so much fun because when you sit down to work you already have color and texture-some of the work is already done for you.

Another way I like to start out is to write out whatever I am thinking or feeling. It could be worries, gratitude, or song lyrics. You can just scribble on the page to give yourself a starting point-something so it’s no longer blank. If you are really feeling stuck-maybe you are worried about messing the page up-then I would say take a marker and scribble. Intentionally mess it up and then you have an opportunity to fix a mistake.

Paint is one of my favorite ways to get started. I love to cover a page with my favorite color. I start off messy using a card or scrapper tool and then add a few of my favorite paint colors. I almost always follow this up with collage. Not because it’s the right way but because I absolutely love collage. I find that putting down some color, collage and then random scribbles helps my brain to start seeing pictures. That’s usually when the page starts to take shape.

Another thing I just love about collage is that if I make mud or just a huge mess in general-I can cover it up with cut up images and glue. There is always a fix for a page-even it’s to cover it up or gluing 2 page together and pretending they were never there!

In this video I am going to share just a few little ways to get yourself started when you are facing a blank page. If you have a brand new journal that you have been nervous about breaking in-why not grab it, 2 or 3 of your favorite materials in your favorite colors, a magazine, junk mail or an old book, some glue-and let’s have a play. I used a heat tool to dry in between layers but cut it out to save time on the video. If you have any questions about the materials I used please comment below.

Until next time…

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante

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

Video: Let’s Make Some Unfinished Art Journaling Pages

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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: Let’s Make a Cardboard Journal

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Today I have a fun upcycling project for you.

I don’t know about you but I love taking things that would have been recycling or trash and turning them into something fun, useful and pretty at the same time.

Years ago my mind was blown when I watched a video that showed me I could make a journal from a cereal box. I am totally in love with the idea of making something from every day items around the house.

Today I am using a similar package to make a very simple journal. I cut it to size (in my case just under 6×6″) I add some gesso, paint and a bit of collage and bind it all together with some ribbon using a 3-hole pamphlet stitch.

It’s a great project to do if you have limited supplies, time or maybe an overabundance of cardboard you would like to use up. These would make really sweet valentine gifts for kids to give their friends or maybe add some photo memories and give them to a loved one.

I hope you enjoy today’s video. If you follow along and make one yourself please do comment below-I would love to hear!

Until next time…

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante