Learning As I Go

The Early Years of Art Journaling

Today I sat and looked through the stacks of art journals and notebooks growing on my little stand. Some of which haven't been opened in 6 months or so. Memories came back looking at some as they hold so much emotions. Each page has a story or theme of their own. I explored a lot in my early journals and made plenty of mistakes. Countless hours were spend on YouTube and art blogs watching and learning. Doodling was something that I did all through high school and never would have thought it would be incorporated or a big part of art journaling.

Rewind to almost 5 years later, May 2011. After a year of exploring and making gawd awful but beautiful pages I decided to upload my first video. Not sure how many times I watched the video before I hit the upload button. This was going to be it, the whole world will watch, they are all getting a glimpse into my life. (Eek!) After some thought, I clicked the button. Here it is for you to watch and hopefully get inspired. 

After last weeks revisit with working with magazine clippings I got to thinking about the early years. At that time my crafting supplies were very limited. Gesso was a foreign word to me as was mod podge. Never knew watercolor crayons were magic and that PITT pens would be my favorite writing tool/marker. Everything was so new and interesting! I wanted every color of paint, tools and stencil that existed. It was crazy. I remember making my first trips to Michael's to buy inexpensive acrylic paint (which I still use), brushes, stencils, gel pens and a sketch book. Magazines were within arms reach and junk mail with fun images were kept for later use. Coffee sleeves were my favorite. I still keep some in my stash to use as a stencil or for added texture.

That moment I discovered and started art journaling was like reaching the top of a hill and on the other side a valley of green trees and blooming flowers beamed back at me. I found what made my heart sing. It was then that I decided art journaling was going to be apart of my life. Years later here I am, started a blog, making greeting cards, and painting big when I crave to throw paint. I hope that this inspires you to pick up a sketchbook and get journaling. Check back soon for the journal flip of my very first art journal!

Learn as you go.

xo-Starlynn

Courage

The courage to create a new beginning.

Talk about it one too many times and it looses its power.

Courage.

Discipline.

Do it or don't talk about it.

And yes, these are the words I say to myself. 

The first week is done and that included our first art meet up of the year! Woohoo! It's been a long time since I last mingled with the lovely creative souls. Being around the great group we built and meeting new people is such a great feeling. 

As usual, my plans or ideas don't appear until atleast a layer of paint and gesso are laid down. This first week has been quite a challenge. My daily routine is changing, new habits are trying to be formed and well, life is just different. It was very productive but the time spent laying in complete silence and tuning into me was the most healing. The emotions distracted by being "busy" finally hit the surface and I found myself bawling my eyes out. Talk about healing. It's actually quite refreshing.

So when I started painting I let those emotions revisit. The mismatched paper was my way of expressing that nothing has to be perfect. Things may be scattered everywhere around me but they somehow work together. They all hold a different importance in my life and are defiantly unique. 

The leaves of the newly bloomed flower signifies growth. We all know that saying "Bloom where you are planted." At one point the sand was soft enough for the plant to grow easily. In time the weather changed and came the rain, snow and negative temperatures that harden the dirt. Now I am stuck under this heavy solid slab of dirt called a rock. This rock is my challenge. I know that with the courage and discipline I will bloom where I am planted. 

The stenciled design shows me the sun rises everyday. Today may have not been the best but the next day can be. My daily actions will be the water that will feed and nourish my mind, body and soul.

It takes one day and today I will try again.

"Bloom where you are planted"

xo-Starlynn