art.journal.PLAY:
art journaling inspiration series
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Hello creative friends! Over the next month, I have a fun email/blog series planned where I'll be sharing a few posts to give you a peek inside my art journals through video tours and photos. I'll talk about inspiration, provide creative journal prompts and send you a few creative resources just for being an email subscriber. Thank you for allowing me to share my stories and hopefully inspire you to do something creative!
Today, I kick off the series with a short post about my art journal experience, a little about my process {I'll talk more in depth in a future post} and how art journaling has impacted my life.
The pages in my art journals and sketchbooks are inscribed with visual stories told through my personal graffiti...a combination of symbols, layers of vibrant color, doodles and images.
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Since I was younger, I’ve always kept some kind of diary/journal.
I remember back when I was second grade, I had a small blue diary with lined pages that was secured with a gold lock and key. I would write about my life, what I wanted to be when I grew up and fill up the pages with pictures, poems, stickers {I was an 80's kid} and colorful stories about my dreams. I started making my own journals in 8th grade. Back then they were simple books made with brown paper bag pages with handmade paper covers tied together with tulle.
"My journals have always been my space to dream, play, write stories and create whatever I want."
In high school, I started working in sketchbooks where I would draw fashion designs and doodles. It wasn’t until college that I combined my art and journaling on a page. I studied architecture and graphic design and always carried around a sketchbook. I would sketch, write notes and observations, sometimes adding in magazine clippings and collage images that were inspiration for my design projects.
Fast-forward 25 years, I've created hundreds of one-of-a-kind artist journals for worldwide collectors and continue to PLAY in a variety of art journals/sketchbooks. Art journaling has been something I’ve always done for fun and to relax. I don't journal everyday and that's okay with me. My journals usually don't have any chronological order. I just open up the book and start painting. I work in multiple journals instead of filling up one from front to back. They are a space to PLAY..my happy place.
"there is never a plan...I work intuitively and allow what ever happens to unfold without question."
Sometimes I paint, sometimes I doodle, sometimes I write lists, sometimes I only draw or paint with black ink, sometimes I stamp, sometimes I stencil, sometimes I collage, sometimes I practice my lettering, sometimes I draw faces and sometimes I brainstorm ideas for my creative business. I don't worry if the pages look incomplete. It's my place to experiment with color..to be OPEN and have the freedom to try new things. Often times, I go back days or years later and add more layers to a previous painting. It's always an adventure!
I am blessed to make my living doodling, painting and sharing my love for journaling. This artform has connected me with artists from around the world. Since 2001, I've been teaching techniques through my videos, workshops and writings. I strive to encourage and inspire others to develop their creative spirit.
"Art journaling has impacted my life in a great way; I found a way to turn one of my passions into a successful creative business."
My journals have been published in several magazines and books. The techniques I develop are shared in numerous best-selling mixed media books and DVDs. And I'm so grateful that this creative practice has allowed me to travel the world to teach thousands of people.
My creative business has developed from my art journals…from brainstorming dreams and goals in them, to creating art to sell and developing product lines. The ideas, sketches and notes I scribble are used as a catalyst for my product designs in stationery, stencils, stamps, scrapbook papers, digital downloads, online workshops and Collage Pauge.
Again, this creative practice can be anything you want it to be...spend some time telling your art journaling story.
Stay tuned for more insight into my art journaling process, my favorite supplies and more INSPIRATION!
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journal prompt: what does art journaling mean to you?
how has it impacted your life?
It doesn't matter when you started art journaling or how you work in your journal. Everyone's process is different and we all use this art form for many reasons, there is no right or wrong way. What matters is that your practice is uniquely YOU and it fulfills your creative spirit.
Your journals can be anything you want them to be.
It's great to learn and experiment with techniques but the ultimate goal is to create a space to PLAY, share your thoughts, dreams, fears and ideas.
Spend 20-30 minutes writing, doodling or drawing in your journal.
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creative prompt: color photocopy collage
{above} This page is a collage created with color laser prints of my artwork and doodles with paint pen
- photocopy your art journal pages in black and white or color.
- cut out shapes from the photocopies.
- collage shapes onto a painted page in your journal using Collage Pauge or dry adhesives. let dry.
- doodle over the top and edges with a black Sharpie paint marker and various Sakura Gelly Roll pens.
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I'd love to hear from you and see what you make...
share your creative work inspired by the prompts!
I'll be doing a fun giveaway at the end of the series to one person who posts using use #artjournalPLAY on Instagram or Facebook.
always be inspired...PLAY. dream. be FREE! xo~Traci
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art.journal.PLAY
mixed media lab + creative business incubator
creative IDEAS and online courses that encourage you to infuse your own style, create unique artwork and build a successful business on your terms.
starts FALL 2015..join me!
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