Art Journal Month – Today is all you Have

Another water-color based class that uses the Maya Mists.

When I did my walk this morning, I was listening to “How to Stop Worrying” by Dale Carnegie. The first chapter was about living in one-day increments. That today is all you have so you should focus on it with all your might. Live it fully. Don’t stop thinking about tomorrow but do not be anxious over it. There’s a lot more there and, of course, most of it is obvious but I still wanted to make a reminder page.

I used more Maya Mists on the letters. It was the only color I hadn’t used and I love it. I did my background using water colors. Then i glued down my letters and some flowers. I created the stems with white pen and glued a few beads in the middle of the flowers. Added the date and that’s it.

detail:

Art Journal Month – It’s Not About Being Right

I’ll have to admit this is one of my favorite pages this month. I love the way it turned out and I love its message.
And the colors.

I often try to remind myself that it’s not about getting it right, it’s about being willing to try new things. Being open to try new things. Not being scared to fail. That’s the only way you can grow. The only way you can stretch and expand your thinking and your art. I try to remember Julie Fei-Fan Balzer’s words: never be afraid to ruin it. (I might have rephrased, apologies!).

I used more Maya Mists on this. I shook it really well for two of them and I was in a rush so I didn’t shake it for the one that turned out really orange and I love it. I used watercolor on the background. My waterbrushes finally arrived in the mail today and I love love love love them!! Yey for waterbrushes.

detail:

Art Journal Month – Let yourself Soar

Another day another page. I’ve been rushing these, to be honest. I have been doing them in 20 minutes or so. Once the big todo list items are off my list, I am hoping to do some more pages. Maybe prettier ones? I am not even sure I’m capable to be honest.

This one was inspired by thoughts I’ve been having lately about who creates obstacles in your life and who judges you and who helps you soar. The kind of people you need to shed. The kind of people you need to be more thankful for. etc. The only person stopping you is you. Let yourself soar.

I got a package of Maya Road goodies thanks to the amazing Caroline. And it had some mists! I’ve never used MR mists so I tried them immediately. Used some on the cage and the bird and the letters. Then I stamped on them. Then I traced them. I added some leaves, a ribbon and inked the paper a bit to match. This paper was already in my book. It was from a Rebecca Sower kit I’d bought a long time ago so I’d used it when I put my art journal together. I am glad I got to use it today. (and Amber just helped me figure out that it’s the Sweetness paper from My Mind’s Eye’s Laundry Line. Love it!)

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Art Journal Month – Time to Get to Work

And here’s page eight.

Simple, quick one today. I spent most of my day working on the upcoming class but I am finally productive again. Working, organizing and prioritizing. Feels good.

I used distress inks with water, Tim’s timeworks mask, and some small letters. that’s it.

Art Journal Month – Not Alone

And here’s page eight.

This is made using Distress Inks and water. I stamped a bird from The Girls’ Paperie Toil and Trouble stamps using inks and water and then I “painted” the background using more ink and water.

This is what I realized yesterday as I was so down and then that package came. That we’re rarely as alone as we think we are. We might be like this bird sitting on a branch and seeing nothing in front of us but that doesn’t mean there isn’t another bird behind us, watching out for us and having our back. You’re Never as alone as you think you are.

Art Journal Month – Stop Comparing

And here’s page seven.

I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately. It’s hard not to compare. Especially to someone who’s already reached your goals. Someone who’s ahead of the game. The thing is we always compare someone’s best with our worst. Isn’t that silly?

A few people have been asking me about my book. I’m using the same book I used a few months ago. It’s an old 7gypsies chipboard book filled with all sorts of pages. Chipboard, paper, watercolor paper, copic paper, normal paper, etc. I pick pages at random depending on my mood and just do whatever I feel like.

Art Journal Month – Yellow is the Color of Joy

And here’s page six.

back to paint. I’ve recently fallen in love with the color yellow. and orange. and I just decided it would be fun to honor it.

Details:

Art Journal Month – Love Always Conquers All

And here’s page five.

Something slightly different today. Linen background with a bunch of ribbon and some wire. Old text paper and that’s it. Just felt like doing something different. Not my favorite but I cannot put my finger on what I dislike. Maybe all of it….

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Art Journal Month – Now is the Time

And here’s page three.

Yep, a bit of the same theme as yesterday. And similar colors but I still love it. Paint, trim that I colored with copics, some beads and some alphas. Now is always always always the best time to start.

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Art Journal Month – Start Where You Are

And here’s page three.

I’ve been thinking a lot about starting things where you are instead of where others are or where you wish you were. For me this is specifically about the struggles I’ve had around exercise and getting in shape, etc. This is a reminder to me to start where i am. and that it’s time to start now. don’t wait. it’s ok to be where i am. i can do this.

I channelled my inner-donna for this one. I used some golden paints, beads and flowers and alphas. simple but i love it.

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Art Journal Month – No Time for Regret

And here’s page two. focused on yesterday’s thoughts of regret.

My page is using a lot of Tim Holtz products so here they are:
Retro Grunge Paper
Lost and Found Paper
Alphas Grungeboard
Timeworks Mask
Aged Mahagony Distress Ink
Journaling Tickets
Tumbled Glass Distress Ink
Stormy Sky Sapphire Distress Ink
Shabby Shutters Distress Ink

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Catalyst 121 – My Parents

Catalyst One Hundred and Twenty-One is: How was/is your relationship with your parents?

The Weekly Gratitude entry I did in July addressed this perfectly so I didn’t want to do something else just for the sake of it.

Journaling Reads:
I have been blessed with the most amazing parents.

I must admit that I have not always been actively aware of this fact. As a child, I spent most of my time wondering how I ended up in this family where I felt like I obviously didn’t belong. It’s not that they were bad people, it’s just that they were so very different than I was. They had different priorities and ideas of fun than I did.

So I did a lot of sulking, a lot of doing my own thing and taking these amazing parents for granted. Yet, they never gave up on me and supported all my crazy and far-fetched dreams. When I told them I wanted to study in the United States, they did every single thing in their power to make it happen for me.

Even though they don’t really understand what I do and sometimes they aren’t sure why I make the choices I make, they are always 100% behind me and they are first to cheer me on. When I falter, they are the first to rush in an help me. I’ve always known that my parents were supportive but it’s only in the last few years that I’ve come to full appreciate them.