Art Journaling My Pants Off!

my happy place

Although I fully intended to begin Volume II of my Book of Days* on January 1st, it seems my journal had a different plan! In a last-minute rush to complete Volume I at the end of December, something-? made me decide NOT to tear out the last few pages of my altered book and let things unfold, organically. 

8 single pages and 3 double-page spreads later..

I finished almost exactly at  MIDNIGHT on January 31st. Ha!

So on Feb 1st, I began another fabulous journey to lose myself and find myself, through art, by just LETTING GO  

* current Session #1 with Effy Wild ends march 31, next session #2 runs: 1 Jul - 30 Sep. For more info, check out  bookofdays.org. You can also sign up via her NING commuity, theglitterhood.org free of charge and discover all sorts of fabulous art journaling FUN! 

Gratitude & Little Henry

After somewhat of a drought this summer, I'm happy to report I've felt a :: RUSH :: of creativity over the last week or so, and have been busily working in my art journals, being open to the process and letting the creativity f.l.o.w.

I also attribute my continued affection toward art journaling to the amazing wealth of inpiration I find in my artist friends:

• Effy Wild
• Samie Kira
• Stephanie Gagos
• Tamara Laporte

..spending time catching up on their amazing work through their blogs, facebook groups and social websites on NING. Please take a moment to see the WEALTH of information, classes, youtube tutorials, workshops & private coaching that some of them offer!! 

And here's my latest spread about my 17 year-old father's favorite photography subject: his littlest brother, Henry and their family dog circa 1937 ~

Art Journal Page 17April2012

 i am evolving, a photo by cookievf on Flickr.

I Am Evolving

side panel reads:
"when i'm feeling frustrated, knowing this will bring me peace... and when i think i have to have all the answers, it will help me to slow down and enjoy the ride"

bottom left: paisley design was hand "carved" simply with pressure from a mechanical pencil on craft foam w/staz-on ink
hand painted paper: black & white acrylic paint, spot made with foam "spouncer"

Art Journal Cover 9Mar2012

Enjoying Effy Wild's "Book of Days" course via the facebook group. I've found that not only is it convenient to have easy access to the lessons and videos as well as being in regular touch with her, but the community has turned out to be a blessing for all involved!

My book, as posted earlier, is an old Time-Life Book of Nature Photogrpahy and is approximately 10 x 10". The size is a bit large for me and, darn it, the pages are glued, not stitched. So I have been adding reinforced packing tape where-needed and that has worked out perfectly! I just used a few mixed letters from my chipboard collection, gessoed over the painted serface and just had a BLAST decorating with my sharpie paint pens, mini pom-pom fringe, etc!