I've been hitting the journal pretty hard lately. I go from lull to excess without skipping a beat. When I'm in an overwhelmed* state, it feels really good to journal it out. How about you?
Making art in a book is so much less stressful than making Art. And there is Brenda Ueland again with one of my favorite quotes - feel free to use it. It's a great reminder.
Everyone needs a dawdle and a putter sometimes. Watercolors, stencils, stamps, pen and a bit of collage.
And now the tulips, daffodils and flowering trees have come. As I write, I wear one cozy slipper and one Birkenstock. Such is the nature of April and art journaling.
And a question. Who wants a very beginner art journal class. Crayons, simple collage, kid's watercolors and a pen? Which of you, lovely readers, are simply reading and wanting to work in a journal but feeling overwhelmed?
*All is on schedule with The Wedding, however, the MOB is feeling a bit stressy. This is strictly emotional and not logistical.
Happy April, Diana... :) I am sitting here with my coffee, my light-up slippers, and my daughter, utilizing her age (2) to the utmost... getting into virtually everything ;)
I actually would like to take a beginner's class, even though I'm not technically a beginner. Of course the times/price do play a factor, but I kind of feel I rather missed something by jumping right into the art journaling head-on, and maybe I can glean a better foundation with a beginner class. I'm having a blast with Kim's "Jump in Puddles" right now, because a lot of it is just playing rather than being so meticulous. And many beginners are NOT meticulous!
If you'd like to see what I've been up to, please visit my blog http://www.aloquin.blogspot.com and keep me updated if you plan on teaching that class. I'm in!
Posted by: Aloquin | 04/26/2013 at 10:37 AM
Love these journal pages, pretty pretty! Have a nice weekend!
Posted by: iHanna | 04/26/2013 at 12:56 PM
I would love to take a beginner class. Think it could actually get me started. I have books, dvds, supplies, and still . . . no beginning. . . only in my head. Just really want to play/have fun with art. Keep waiting for that spare time that never comes. I marvel at those, like you, who just "do it" and it seems to somehow fit into your busy lives. I seriously think if I could just get started, it would quickly become part of my everyday life, just seems a bit overwhelming usually. I love Brenda Ueland's quote! Thanks for sharing that. Love your work too, Diana.
Posted by: Barbara | 04/26/2013 at 01:09 PM
Love your art journals! Hmmmm.....crayons, simple collage, kid's watercolors and a pen? Sounds very interesting. If you do a class like that and the timing for the price is right, I'd love to try it! :)
Posted by: Annie Hamby | 04/26/2013 at 01:32 PM
Hi, Diana, Miss you!
Kind of what Barbara said. "You buy her the books, you send her to school..." as my husband would say. Still I feel blocked.
I've just started toying with the idea that I don't need to WRITE in my art journal! I always did backgrounds and then wrote all over them. And sometimes felt that if I had nothing "profound" to say then it wasn't worth writing in there.
So the short answer is, yes, I am interested.
Posted by: Sandra L. | 04/26/2013 at 03:01 PM
it never ceases to amaze me that I find art journaling so relaxing - sometimes I don't know how overwhelmed I'm feeling until I find myself relaxing by 'dawdling and puttering' around a page. I just love a good moodle ;)
Posted by: Sarah Anderson | 04/26/2013 at 03:18 PM
The Moodling Quote is perfect!
Love your pages.
Posted by: Boo | 04/26/2013 at 06:54 PM
Me, me, ME! Hand stretching to the sky with enthusiasm :) Although I am working through the 21 Secrets workshop with sooo much fun, I am making & preparing, but not using, so a little extra help will go a long long way with me :0))
Loving your daisies and the quote is fabulous :0) Mo
Posted by: twinkletoes2day | 04/26/2013 at 07:15 PM
One of my favorite all time quotes! I think I know what you mean by "making & preparing but not using." But just to clarify, do you mean that it hasn't quite sunk in? If so, give it time and it will begin to. You will find yourself do a bit of this class and a bit of that. But truly, let me know, OK?
Posted by: Diana Trout | 04/26/2013 at 07:35 PM
A quote I've used for years. And Sarah has a blog called "The Art of Moodling!" Lovely blog. http://sarahanderson1.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Diana Trout | 04/26/2013 at 07:38 PM
That has been exactly the case with me lately, Sarah. and I LOVE your Art of Moodling blog http://sarahanderson1.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Diana Trout | 04/26/2013 at 07:39 PM
It's been too long since I've seen you, Sandra. And I so appreciate your tip on Marketplace of India. Sometimes I feel like writing and sometimes I don't. Whatever. Maybe I'll try to get the online class up. VERY BASIC is what I'm thinking. Especially in terms of supplies which can sometimes be daunting.
Posted by: Diana Trout | 04/26/2013 at 07:42 PM
Thank you, Annie. Yes, I'm thinking a simple class with basic, cheap supplies. It would be online and probably 25 bucks. I'm pretty excited about it right now so it could be sooner than later.
Posted by: Diana Trout | 04/26/2013 at 07:43 PM
You know, it really isn't easy to "just do it." You have to get over the hump and sometimes go back to the beginning and leave the confusing supplies out of it. The class would be online and I'm thinking 25 bucks.
Posted by: Diana Trout | 04/26/2013 at 07:45 PM
Thank you, sweetie! Same to you. It will be our first peaceful weekend in a couple of months. Garden, sewing, reading!
Posted by: Diana Trout | 04/26/2013 at 07:46 PM
Yes, the 2 year olds are very helpful :) I remember those days so well and with much affection. Now I'm marrying one off! The class would be online and I'm heading over to your blog now!
Posted by: Diana Trout | 04/26/2013 at 07:48 PM
I really enjoy when you show us your journal pages. Thanks for sharing with us.
Barb
NC
Posted by: Barb | 04/26/2013 at 07:51 PM
Thank you Barb, you are a lovely reader and I appreciate every comment. Have a great weekend.
Posted by: Diana Trout | 04/26/2013 at 07:58 PM
i have days when everything but art seems to need my attention.....so i have been doing the "365 creative challenge 2013" instigated by ihanna. it has helped me to be more disciplined & consistent.
i try to do something every day, sometimes i get a bit behind but then i have days where i go hell for leather & don't want to stop.
it is less stressful when i am doing it in a book!
there is no pressure as it is just for me, it's not perfect, but quick & messy & wrinkly.
Posted by: raylee | 04/27/2013 at 06:01 AM
Isn't that the best, Raylee? And, the funny thing is, that even though we throw abandon to the wind and are not so concerned about how our pages turn out... they end up turning out great anyhow! :)
Posted by: Aloquin | 04/27/2013 at 12:41 PM
YES, I would love to take such a class. I am in.
Posted by: Susan | 04/27/2013 at 03:24 PM
your journal entries are wonderful; love the watercolors...so very pretty.
Posted by: Sandra at Thistle Cove Farm | 04/28/2013 at 08:47 AM
These pages look like the were created with such flow I can feel movement all along them Dxx
Posted by: CraftyDawn | 04/29/2013 at 07:58 AM
Oh Diana, a beginner's class would be awesome. I am new to art journaling, but love to write. I have kept written journals for years, but feel the need for visualization. I can't believe how blocked I am. I stare at my paints, pens, & papers and I am frozen. Started to lighten up a little this week. I think my block is from a horrible experience when I was in the 7th grade in art class, I was told I am not creative and my paintings stink. So this stigma has stayed with me & I am trying to rebirth my inner Frida! Lol. I know it sounds goofy, but some experiences kind of stick more than others. So yes, a beginner' s class sounds great. Good Luck with the Wedding, enjoy every minute. Thank you for your inspiration and promptings.
Julia
Posted by: Julia | 04/30/2013 at 06:48 PM
I'll have it up in the next month, Susan! But first, I'll have Taming the Critic up.
Posted by: Diana Trout | 04/30/2013 at 07:30 PM
Ahh! Thanks Sandra
Posted by: Diana Trout | 04/30/2013 at 07:31 PM
That's a very nice compliment. It's where I always want to be - in the flow
Posted by: Diana Trout | 04/30/2013 at 07:31 PM
Oh boy, the truth! I was the victim of that kind of put-down too. And it really stays with you. It took me years after art school to get back on track. I'm going to do that beginner's class! Exciting :)
Posted by: Diana Trout | 04/30/2013 at 07:33 PM