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.

Journal 02: Trying New Things

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.

This February I decided to experiment with layers and patterns. It's quite a shift from my usual minimalist style, but I did enjoy the process. Many of the spreads started with random scraps of paper glued down, and then I doodled floral patterns on top. I'm not in love with these pages, but the pen detailing and pattern play are ideas I'd like to implement in my future work.

"Exploring"
{collage, pen, and marker}

"Blooming"
{collage, pen, and marker}

" Remember"
{acrylic, collage, and pen}

"Into the Jungle"
{collage, pen, and marker}

"Dreams to the Moon"
{collage, pen, and marker}

"Don't Waste Time"
{collage, pen, and marker}

"Magic Machine"
{collage, pen, and marker}

"To Paisley"
{collage, stamps, and pen}

So far I'm enjoying working in these smaller handmade journals. There's less pressure to make perfectly complete pages, and I feel more open to experimenting than I ever have before. You can see pages from my January journal here.
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What's your favorite type of journal or sketchbook? Do you feel free to play or experiment in your journals or do you usually plan your pages ahead of time with a set idea in mind?

Journal 01: My January

In a previous post, I mentioned one of my creative goals this year is to complete one art journal per month. Well, the first one is done! I'm so happy that I made the time to create consistently throughout the month. My January was all about challenging fear, embracing change, and setting intentions. This January...

"Just Breathe"
{collage and marker}

 I needed a reminder to breathe.

"His Plan, Not Mine"
{watercolor, alphabet stickers, and pen}

 I reflected on God's plans.

"I Am Here"
{collage, acrylic, and pen}

I realized I'm already where I need to be.

"Joy"
{collage, marker, and pen}

 I found the joy in every day.

"You are Loved"
{collage, watercolor, pen}

 I remembered there is love all around.

"There is Love to be Found"
{collage, stamps, and pen}

 I embraced the light in the world.

"Remember This"
{collage and pen}

 I made a list to remember.

"January 2017"
{acrylic and stamps}

I finished my first art journal!

How was your January? What did you create? What did you learn?

New Year! New Goals!

Happy New Year, everyone! (I know, super late!). Nevertheless, I hope the new year is treating you well and you're remaining steadfast in your resolutions and creative goals. Since we're already halfway through the first month of the year, I figured I should go ahead and share one of my own creative goals with you!

This year I want to make it a habit to art journal on a regular basis. I love art journaling, but I don't often make much time for it. I often have these creative spurts that fill my heart to the brim, but afterwards I go weeks without creating anything and I start to feel a bit discontent. So, this year I've decided to create 12 art journals for myself, and my goal is to complete one for each month of the year.

I enjoy creating in small-sized notebooks and journals the most, so I made these journals 4.5 x 6 inches in size. I folded four pieces of sketch paper to make about eight full spreads inside, and I used some of my favorite scrapbook papers for the covers. After I added washi tape to the spine, I used a three-hole pamphlet stitch to bind each one.

In December, I signed up for Mindfully You, an art journaling email course that promotes mindfulness and encourages introspective art journaling. Each month a set of prompts and a mini tutorial is sent to your email that promises to inspire your creativity. In this spread, I was reflecting on my one word for the year, Plan. I have dreams, but I need to start planning day to day and create an outline for my life in order to achieve them. I also know that God has a plan for me, one that is greater than my own, and it is my desire to tap into it faithfully and wholeheartedly. First, I smushed watercolors on the page. Then, I used adhesive letters to spell the word "plan" in the center of the spread. Finally, I added a little bit of journaling to complete the page.

This is another introspective art journal spread. Earlier in the day, I was listening to the song "You are Loved" by Stars Go Dim, and I felt inspired to create this page as a little "note to self". For the background I smushed some watercolors around in hues of orange, yellow, and green. All the floral elements were cut out from various scrapbook paper patterns, and I added a few paper doily bits as well. Then, I drew a scribbly line across the page and added a tiny word sticker to tie it all together.

I love that I am making day to day progress in my art journal. I can't wait to share the whole journal with you at the end of the month!

Have you made any New Year's resolutions? Have you chosen a word to guide your year? What are your goals for the year, and how do you plan to tackle them?