I’ve been enjoying the 30 Journals 30 Days Interviews so much. Each day when I jumped on the computer I would race to Connie’s blog to read the latest interview. I thought it would be fun to participate.. and this way I can see YOUR interviews as well… I CAN’T WAIT
How long have you been Art Journaling?
NOT LONG ENOUGH
Over the years I’ve dabbled in Visual Journals and keeping a ‘diary’. Sadly my enthusiasm has died out as life got busy and too hard. You know the deal.. family, work, other commitments.. life. About 6 months ago I found DirtyFootprints and participated in Art Journal LOVE Letters .. which has helped me find a way to journal which is ME.. since then I’ve spent hours and hours watching and learning. I’m hoping to develop my own style .. but in the meantime I’m loving the chance to learn new techniques..
going with the LOVE .. I do often
How has Art Journaling impacted, changed, or enhanced your life?
I’ve been struggling for the last year to get past some things in my life. I’m learning that I can make choices that are in MY best interests. I can walk away from relationships if they don’t make me feel good and I can TRY to NOT feel guilty about that. I can also revisit those relationships at a later time on MY terms. I can take time to do something that makes my heart and soul sing, or cry.. Art Journaling has opened up my mind to possibilities. I can express the rawness of my emotional journey without hurting other people, I can rejoice, repair, remember… I can’t imagine NOT Art Journaling it is so important to me now. It is in my best interests and those around me if I do Art Journal.. often.
started with a splodge in the middle
followed it
around and around..
I love this spread..
not finished yet
or maybe
it is??
What are a few of your favorite Art Journaling materials?
Gesso, Gesso Gesso.. lol. Also Gel Medium but it has taken us a while to find the ‘love’.. watercolour crayons are another favourite along with faber castell pitt pens.. I’m still adding to my list .. oh another one is telephone book pages.. love the texture. I love layers of paper and acrylic paints.
bad photo
I like the colour mess.
I tried alcohol on this page..
more playing to come
Who are some of your favorite Art Journalers?
Firstly I would have to say Connnie who has shown such honesty in the path she is taking. Also Sarah Whitmire of Soul Journaling.
I will add to my list here. (It’s 4am and I really want to do this but I’m weary..hehe) plus I want to add links and that takes remembering.
her 15th birthday
I can’t believe I have a 15yo niece..
but then
I am in HUGE denial that
I will have an 18yo son in September….
Where have those years gone.
I am the mother of a MAN… ‘gulp’
I love doodling too..
this page I played with masking fluid – I won’t again.
I did enjoy the doodling though.
What kind words of encouragement would you say to an Art Journal newbie?
Look, listen, take it all in and spit out the stuff that doesn’t resonate within you.
Be open to trying something new BUT accept it’s ok if it doesn’t work out.
Have fun being creative and embrace the mistakes.. you can always paint over, collage or gesso the pages you don’t like….messy is ok too.
HAVE FUN
I wanted to try a grid.. this is nothing like I pictured … a good example of going with the flow. This ended up being a reminder to myself.
To stop and Breathe
to add quotes,
to tell a story sometimes
to doodle
to be bold enough to DREAM
To have FUN
TO BE BRAVE
Where can we contact you…give us some link LOVE!!
Blog – I’ll be trying to steal time each week to update.. soon with pics. I’ve been a pretty slack poster in the past.. I’m endeavouring to improve.
Twitter – the amazing little Ipod Touch is my twitter friend. I spend more time reading than tweeting lately.. I go through stages…lol
I had a horrible night
It rained – poured
I was having panic attacks
anxiety going through the roof
home alone with a dog that was freaking out too
I think we had a fox
my boys and man ALL on a Scout Camp
I survived… but gee it was a LOOOONG night….lol
Short Bio - in my weariness I keep writing unintelligible dribble.. sorry.. Bed time.
Ok back on track
Hi there.. I’m Jo and I live in sunny Qld Australia. Near Brisbane. I’m on the other side of 40 (ouch) and I am the mother of 3 INCREDIBLE young men. We homeschool each other, we are Scouts together – The Man and I are both leaders as well as the boys in their various sections. I am lucky to have these 3 in my life.. they keep us grounded and are as understanding of our flaws as we are of theirs…lol
The past couple of years have been traumatic. The Man has had to learn to walk again due to a massive adverse reaction to the Flu needle, so we’ve had to cope with the associated stress of illness in family.. we still struggle with the side effects on a daily basis… we experienced a time of unemployment due to the ‘financial crisis’ and we are in the process of ’getting back on our feet’… and no we won’t be getting any flu shots soon thanks very much…LOL
I also had to stop and think about the relationships I was part of. My healing was important and there were people around me that I was realising were dangerous for me at this point in my life. . I was being used. It hurt me alot but I had to step away to make positive changes in me life.. and I’m having more fun than I ever have….. ((SMILES)) – but I’m not quite ready to go adventurously looking for ‘new’ friends at the moment… one step at a time…
With all that was happening around us I started to crumble… anxiety overtook me and then I started having panic attacks. Art Journalling found me just when I needed it most. … when I needed to heal. When I needed to take a breathe and go into survival mode.
