Get Messy 2017 Creative Team Blog Hop

Hi, everyone! I've enjoyed being a part of the Get Messy creative team so much. As the year comes to an end and Get Messy Art Journal gets ready for a whole new team of Mess Makers in 2018, the current creative team decided to put together one last blog hop. This go round we each created a page inspired by one of our fellow creative team member's art.

So, today you can call me Sasha! Recently Sasha started a "Call Me" series where she creates art journal pages inspired by her favorite artists. I created this page based on her abstract painting style.

I am most inspired by Sasha's use of color. I always recognize her work by the bold swatches of color in the background, and the color combinations are so fresh. She is a true messy artist who's not afraid to play with paint, mix colors, and make marks. It's completely intuitive.

I also love how she uses black to balance the page and usually adds an inspiring quote to complete it. I've learned so much from Sasha as a member of the creative team this year. Besides creating beautiful art, she leaves the most sincere and thoughtful comments and is just as eager to learn from others as she is to share her own knowledge.

Be sure to follow #getmessysasha to see more of her work and visit her Instagram (@sasha_zeen) for the next stop in the hop!

Get Messy Art Journal: Painting Galaxies Class

Last week Get Messy Art Journal launched a new course, Painting Galaxies, and it is out of this world! I've been so inspired by the course I made an art journal just for it! The incredibly talented, Katie, teaches the course, and I love how she breaks down every single step for you to paint your own galaxies, moons, and milky ways.

Katie makes it so easy to follow along, and shares so many great tips and techniques for using both watercolors and acrylics. With watercolors, the colors blend together so beautifully, and I love the softness. I enjoyed following along and creating this abstract watercolor galaxy, and I plan to frame it as a piece of art in itself.

I thought it would be difficult to create an acrylic galaxy, but Katie's blending methods helped tremendously. After several attempts using a paintbrush, I switched to using a small sponge, and I love the effects. There is great contrast between the watercolors and acrylics. While the watercolors are soft and dreamy, the acrylics are more bold and vibrant. In either case, the results are pure magic!

This course is as brilliant as the stars. As I was painting the moon following one of the lessons, I remembered this beautiful quote from a poem by Pablo Neruda: "As if you were on fire from within, the moon lives in the lining of your skin." I decided to print a photo of my hand on vellum, and I think the ink smeared in the process. I considered reprinting it, but another look and I realized it illustrated the quote perfectly. Even though it was an unexpected mishap, it's almost like it was written in the stars!

As I mentioned, Katie's teaching is beyond amazing, and there are so many possibilities. This class will spark your creativity in whole new ways. I even "painted" a galaxy using a collage technique I learned from Essie's Heart Journal course!

If you want to learn how to paint the cosmos, this course is for you! It's in the Get Messy shop waiting for you to sign up here!

*This post contains affiliate links. If you decide to enroll in the course using this link, I will receive a small portion of the sale which supports me and my art. Thank you for your support!
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Get Messy Art Journal is an art journaling program/community. We are a group of like minded art journalers who have come together under this art form to learn, share, practice our skills and push past our creative limits with hopes to inspire. Our community values consistent creating, encouragement and support, and trying new things. We would love to have you join us as a member of Get Messy Art Journal. Join Get Messy now!

Get Messy Art Journal: Heart Journal Class

Last week, Get Messy released a new online course, and I think it's one we've all been waiting for! The course, Heart Journal, was created by Essie who has the most beautiful spirit and a heart of gold. Last year she offered an email series called The Heart Journal where she presented thought-provoking prompts and shared a bit of her own process week after week to help you get in touch with your inner self. It made such a huge impact on me and my approach to art journaling, so I'm thrilled to say this new course is the same and so much more!

My art journal is my still space and my safe haven. It's a place for me to express my innermost thoughts and feelings and to find my center. If you flip through one, you will find my heart all throughout. And still, Essie has a certain way of teaching that inspires me to dive deeper.

The course is made up of six lessons, and each one is so heartfelt. In the course, Essie introduces you to artists who have inspired her own work which I found quite intriguing. Then, she shares a new technique to try. For me, the key to this course is the printable worksheets. They require some contemplation in order to process five categories of emotions (Joy & Happiness, Sadness & Grief, Anger & Rage, Wonder & Surprise, and Peace). Additionally, they help you identify the colors, shapes, and materials you associate with each emotion so you can communicate these feelings effectively in your art journal. I used the worksheets as a guide, and they helped me find my footing as I explored some complex feelings.

Don't be surprised if one lesson tugs at your heart strings more than another. Initially, I was excited to begin creating colorful, Matisse-esque collages taught in the Joy & Happiness lesson, but when I sat down with my journal a different emotion presented itself, sadness.

I was moved to create based on these conflicting emotions, and I was able to express them in my own unique way. This is why I love this course! Essie gives you all the tools you need and teaches you how to access your emotions, but it is your heart that's on the page.

If you are ready to connect with your emotional self and lay your heart bare on the page, sign up for the Heart Journal course here!

*This post contains affiliate links. If you decide to enroll in the course using this link, I will receive a small portion of the sale which supports me and my art. Thank you for your support!
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Get Messy Art Journal is an art journaling program/community. We are a group of like minded art journalers who have come together under this art form to learn, share, practice our skills and push past our creative limits with hopes to inspire. Our community values consistent creating, encouragement and support, and trying new things. We would love to have you join us as a member of Get Messy Art Journal. Join Get Messy now!

Get Messy Art Journal: Pen + Ink Class

It's here!! Get Messy Art Journal has launched a new online class! In the Pen + Ink course*, Julia shares all sorts of fun ways to use pens and inks in your art journal. From expressive lines to inky drips and splatters, even the most basic techniques will generate an abundance of creativity. 

To be honest I have been in a bit of a creative funk lately, but after watching Julia's incredible lessons I couldn't wait to start playing in my journal. I even decided to create my own to use specifically for this course! 

This course is all about letting go and embracing imperfection. As a perfectionist I often find myself pondering over pages for days. Sometimes I never even get around to actually sitting down and art journaling. There's a certain fear behind starting a new page or messing it up, but this course strips all that away one bold stroke and ink smear at a time.

First, I played on scrap paper while watching Julia's videos, and it was so relaxing. I quickly found myself lost in repetitive mark making and broad washes of color.

I also followed Julia's advice to try out different techniques over and over, and after a while I learned what I liked and didn't like. Most of the pages I made feature colorful backgrounds created with felt tips and the simple addition of water, definitely my favorite technique. 

In addition, I love how Julia encourages experimentation. There is no right or wrong in this course. Even the craziest color combinations look amazing, and the reactions between each medium are so unpredictable. 

It's so fascinating to watch, and once you start playing it's hard to stop. Each technique I tried sparked a new idea, and now I have inspiration for days. 

Now, if you are ready for a whole new adventure making art full of wonder and magic, enroll in the Pen + Ink course here!* Plus, for members, there's a discounted price of $15 USD, but only til June 25th! So don't wait, enroll now!

*This post contains affiliate links. If you decide to enroll in the course using this link, I will receive a small portion of the sale which supports me and my art. Pen + Ink is an exciting new course, and I truly believe it will reinvigorate your inner artist and spark your creativity. Thank you for your support!

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Get Messy Art Journal is an art journaling program/community. We are a group of like minded art journalers who have come together under this art form to learn, share, practice our skills and push past our creative limits with hopes to inspire. Our community values consistent creating, encouragement and support, and trying new things. We would love to have you join us as a member of Get Messy Art Journal. Join Get Messy now!

The Circle Zine

Ok, I'm seriously beaming!! I had the chance to collaborate with the amazing Zine Squad! Together we created The Circle Zine for Clare, and I'm so excited to finally share it! For the cover, I added all the gold accents, including some gold washi tape along the spine.

This is the very first spread. I drew a mandala on a piece of tissue paper and stuck it in randomly with a bit of washi tape. Katie moved it to the left side here, and I just love how her page on the right complements it.

I love this spread (by Julia I think)! I grabbed my gold Sharpie pen, and just added some gold dots around the figure 8.

Here is my full spread. I used watercolors for the background and screen-printed the floral image on top. Then, I added a few round stickers and some paint splatters to finish it off. Katie added the colorful washi tape at the top of the page.

I created the left side of the page. I don't usually work on half pages, so it was interesting trying to figure out a way to complement Vanessa's page on the right.

More gold! I added this fun sequin trimming to the page on the left. The right page is by Katie.

Here, I screen-printed the text on the left. It says "Life is beautiful" in Italian which echoes the journaling (by Vanessa?) on the right side of the page quite nicely I think.

I added gold details to create flowers in bloom with golden leaves, and also added the journaling on the left above some thin-line washi tape.

On the last page I stamped a lovely sentiment. Then, I gold-foiled a sheet of plastic with a confetti-like pattern and tipped it in with some washi tape. On the right, we all signed our names.

This collaboration was so much fun! The Zine Squad is truly the best. Don't forget to visit Katie, Julia, and Vanessa's blogs to see the rest of the zine and their amazing pages!

Get Messy 2017 Creative Team Blog Hop

Hello, hello! Today, the 2017 Get Messy Creative Team members are doing a super fun blog hop to kick off the new season, the Season of Color! Yes, get excited!! For the next six weeks, we will be mixing and matching colors, exploring color in our surroundings, and trying new techniques with all the colors of the rainbow.

I first joined Get Messy in June 2016, and I'm thrilled to be on the Creative Team this year. I created this spread after reflecting on the new season and my experience as a Get Messian. This community is so welcoming and supportive, and every day being a part of Get Messy just makes my world a little more brighter.

If you want to learn new art journaling techniques, to boost your creativity, to meet like minded individuals and make long-lasting friendships, join the Get Messy community here. There are monthly, seasonal, and annual membership options. Whether you're a beginner or more advanced, there's tons of inspiration waiting for you and a community full of love and support to encourage you along your journey.

Now for more color love, hop on over to Elizabeth's blog. And be sure to visit the rest of my fellow team members' posts because they're all so incredibly wonderful and talented.
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Get Messy Art Journal is an art journaling program/community. We are a group of like minded art journalers who have come together under this art form to learn, share, practice our skills and push past our creative limits with hopes to inspire. Our community values consistent creating, encouragement and support, and trying new things. We would love to have you join us as a member of Get Messy Art Journal. Join Get Messy now!

Get Messy Art Journal: Season of Contrast (Weeks 4-6)

After a long break, I managed to finish a couple more pages this season. This one features a bit of collage and words from Charles Bukowski's poem Nobody But You. I didn't dive as deep into the Season of Contrast as I hoped, so I plan to return to some of the prompts and tutorials in the future. For now, it's on to the next season.

Tell me, how did you feel about the Season of Contrast? What was your favorite part?
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Get Messy Art Journal is an art journaling program/community. We are a group of like minded art journalers who have come together under this art form to learn, share, practice our skills and push past our creative limits with hopes to inspire. Our community values consistent creating, encouragement and support, and trying new things. We would love to have you join us as a member of Get Messy Art Journal. Join Get Messy now!

Get Messy Art Journal: Season of Contrast (Weeks 1-3)

It's currently the Season of Contrast at Get Messy, and the prompts and tutorials this season have provided a ton of inspiration. It's also been wonderful to have Amy Maricle from Mindful Art Studios as our guest artist for the season.

This season I've returned to one of my little pocket notebooks. I started using this notebook when I joined Get Messy last year during the Season of Introspection. At that time I skipped around in the journal, so there are still quite a few pages left to fill. I decided to finish this journal with the Season of Contrast since I have spent some time digging deep and exploring contrasting thoughts and feelings.

This is the first spread I created in Week 1. It's about revealing your true self  and feeling exposed.  The quote I wrote is from a commencement speech Neil Gaiman, an English author, gave to graduates at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia in 2012. I had scribbled this quote on a piece of paper and when I came across it again, I decided to watch the speech in its entirety. His words really resonated with me. Sometimes I'm afraid of exposing too much, but I'm learning every day that when you reveal your innermost thoughts and feelings and bare your heart and soul, it fosters deeper connections, a greater capacity for understanding, and true beauty.

This spread was inspired by a prompt from Vanessa exploring light and dark. I found this heart I had drawn in my scrap stash, and I decided to layer it on top of some string to illustrate how the light in my heart is a shield. When feelings of emptiness and sorrow creep in, the light always breaks through. I truly believe love is the greatest light in the world and will always overcome darkness. No matter how dark and terror-ridden the world seems, this source of light is much greater.

In Week 1, I was also inspired by Sasha's face printing tutorial. However, instead of a face, I used an image of a hummingbird. Creating this spread was quite meditative. All my thoughts quieted and I heard a hummingbird singing to me, or perhaps for me, in the silence.

Weeks 2 and 3 I didn't do much at all in my journal. During that time, I lost two members of my family and I was feeling pretty low. I didn't feel like doing anything.  Still, I did manage to join the live webinar with Amy, and it was so relaxing to watch her work intuitively. It was so inspiring, and I made mental notes of her methods for mindfulness while creating. I found great comfort and peace while creating this spread and using some of the techniques she shared. Somehow mixing paint and making those repetitive marks helped heal my broken spirit.

In a separate journal, I used the leftover paint to create these messy florals. I decided to ditch the brushes and do some finger painting. I just love how it turned out. It was so intuitive. No planning, no second guessing. I just let it happen like Riet proposed in her intuitive painting tutorial. I enjoyed it so much, I might start a new series experimenting with the technique.

Overall, I am enjoying the Season of Contrast, but most of all the amazing art my fellow Get Messians have shared. Check out #seasonofcontrast and prepare to be blown away!
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Get Messy Art Journal is an art journaling program/community. We are a group of like minded art journalers who have come together under this art form to learn, share, practice our skills and push past our creative limits with hopes to inspire. Our community values consistent creating, encouragement and support, and trying new things. We would love to have you join us as a member of Get Messy Art Journal. Join Get Messy now!

Journal 03: Patterns and Oil Pastels

One Year, Twelve Journals: This year I want to make it a habit to art journal on a regular basis. So, I've decided to create 12 art journals for myself, and my goal is to complete one for each month of the year.

In March I received a set of oil pastels from Art Bento Box, and I knew immediately I wanted to experiment with them in this journal. I haven't used oil pastels in a long time so I just had fun making patterns with them. I also enjoyed playing with layers and discovered a new way to add journaling to my pages.

"Holding On"
{collage, oil pastel, and pen}

"Let Me Be"
{collage, acrylic, oil pastel, pen, and marker}

"Way Maker"
{collage, acrylic, oil pastel, and pen}

"Rise Again"
{collage, acrylic, oil pastel, and pen}

"Truly Yours"
{collage, acrylic, oil pastel, pen, and marker}

"It's Not Over Yet"
{collage, acrylic, oil pastel, pen, and marker}

"Broken"
{collage, acrylic, oil pastel, pen, and marker}

Like my February journal, this one was all about experimentation and testing different techniques. My favorite bits in this journal are the overlay of writing and the pattern play. I know I will carry these elements on into my future work.