My Artful Journey

Giveaway! Book of Days 2022

4/11/2021

Hi everyone,
I can't tell you how excited I am to be teaching in Book of Days 2022. One of my favourite art courses, I just love being part of this year long exploration into art journaling, immersing myself into this mixed media process which focuses on the expression of our inner self through art. It is no secret how transformative I believe art journaling is and it has been with me since way back in 2012 and my first class taken with Effy Wild.

Registration opens on November 15 so make a note in your diary so you don't miss out on all the fun.

Read all about this course and what it entails over here, and if you would like to join me next year, be sure to come back and enter my giveaway for a free spot in Book of Days 2022

Giveaway is now closed

1. Click the link to the Book of Days 2022 registration page and bookmark it

2. Leave a comment below telling me what appeals to you about Book of Days.

* The winner will be chosen on November 14 and will be notified by email.

*Links in this post are affiliate links, which help support me and my family at no extra cost to you. I very much appreciate it when you sign up using these links, Thank you

** I am not requiring you to follow me on social media or tag others for this giveaway as I want you here because you choose to be here. I do offer newsletters and post regularly on Instagram, sharing artwork and short videos and chat about my creative practice. So if you if you are new here and so feel inclined, I invite you to sign up for my newsletter or connect with me on Instagram. I just love sharing my love for art and creativity and being part of this wonderful community of like minded souls. And if you know of anyone who may be interested in this giveaway or my art, please feel free to share this post.

GIVEAWAY - Do you want to win a free seat in Book of Days 2021?

10/11/2020

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Honestly this year has been so topsy turvy that we need a little normality, don't we?

Just take a look at the wonderful array of art that will be on offer in next years Book of Days. Run by the lovely Effy Wild, this year long exploration of art journaling has been a consistent art practice of mine since 2012.

With a plethora of artists to inspire and guide you, there is something for every artist whether you are just starting out on this grand adventure or a seasoned traveller.

As well as Effy's guiding hand you will have lifelong access to pdfs with prompts and musings to stimulate your creative juices and encourage you to dive deep into your personal creative expression. Then, each month, two new artists will share their creative practice via full length videos of their art journal pages and mixed media techniques, tips and tricks.

Book of Days is a buffet of arty goodness and, together with an exclusive Facebook group that is supportive and delightful, your creative journey could not be in better hands, surrounded by friends and a safe place to land.

This, from Effy's website explains how Book of Days began........

“Why It’s Called “Book Of Days”
Back in the day, a ‘Book of Days” was a journal in which the journal keeper would record the minutiae of their lives.......... They often included sketches – especially from the world around them, and seasonal information to do with their gardens or the land around them, snippets of things they read or heard, prayers, ticket stubs, pressed flowers, and just about anything else you can think of. In late 2011, I decided that I wanted to adapt this idea for myself, but with art as personal expression and exploration being the primary purpose and focus, and Book Of Days was born......
In 2019, I decided that it was time to create a more expansive experience for my students by inviting other journal artists to join me so that instead of just learning about and adapting my way of doing things, they’d get a virtual buffet of ways from some of the best journal artists, known and emerging, out there today. It has been a beautiful experience, so we’re doing it again this year! “
This class, which will include 24 artists + over 33 lessons + monthly workbooks + SO MANY BONUSES

So, how do you win?
It's Easy..

***

1. Sign up for my newsletter
(you'll also receive a free art lesson as well as added bonuses each month including videos of my art journal process

2. Follow me on Instagram and comment on the giveaway post telling me why you'd like to win

3. Follow my Facebook Art page and comment on my post about the giveaway

***

You don't need to do all 3 but they all give you extra chances of winning

Good luck and I can't for you to join me

2 Comments

Finding snippets of creative time

14/11/2019

1 Comment

Following on from a previous post, I am wondering if you have made some time to nourish your soul?

I get antsy if I don't get some creative time, do you? Being mindful of finding time, lead me to this post

So, how do we deal with the necessities of life and fit in art time?

wait,

let's just sit with that for a minute...

Of course there are things in life that we must do first, priorities of everyday and family life, but how high on your to do list is scheduling in creative time?

I'm realising that sometimes the reason why I don't find time for my creativity is because I don't treat it as a necessity. In all honesty, the very idea of creativity not being a part of my life, quite literally makes me shudder. I can't imagine my life without it and my mood suffers when I don't keep up my creative practice. So, after all is said and done, creativity is a must for my well-being and therefore, for me, a necessity of life!

So, the question is if creative time is a priority for you and how can we make it part of our day? Further, why is it so hard to make time for it?

Now these are my thoughts that apply to me, but maybe I'm not alone. I have played with how to make this work for me for a long long time. from scheduling it in my diary, to having reminders pop up on my phone, to habit trackers, you name it I've tried it. I tried blocking out a minimum of time I'd like to spend arting in my calendar, but that ended up making me feel worse if I got to the end of the day with no big chunk of creative time in sight. I soon realised too that I am terrible at estimating how much time certain tasks will take and these would eat into my art time if they took longer than expected. So now I am more realistic with blocking out time for tasks so that I don't feel so rushed or pressured.

Another thing I realised was that my personal boundaries were virtually non existent or sketchy at best when it came to spending time for myself. I wasn't respecting my own time and the value of it but little by little I have re-established my boundaries one step at a time.

For me it started with something as simple as dialogue. If someone asked me to do something for them, instead of jumping in and saying yes to help out, with no regard for my personal calendar, I now ask if I can get back to them with an answer. This has allowed me time to take a breath before committing.

Arting at my work desk

Another way is to look at my creative time differently, realise that even 15 minutes can be just as valuable as an hour in some respects. And so I began taking a small art kit to work to play in my art journal during lunch. This was my inspiration to begin my Lunchtime Art Time, which you can read more about here

I'm not saying this is easy, I still struggle at times to make art time part of my day but these small changes have made a huge difference to my mental well-being, my mood and creative practice. I still list it in my calendar but it is not so defined. I grab whatever time I can to art, in any shape, size or form of art I can get.

This feeds my soul. What do you do to feed your creative habit? I'd love to know how you fit art into your day and other strategies for setting gentle but firm boundaries around your personal time.

1 Comment

Reinventing a painting

29/10/2019

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I did something recently that I have never done before. I renovated a painting.

What started out as a little tweaking ended up being a full repaint of a previously completed and varnished painting.

And that was OK.

I had struggled with this concept of a painting renovation, thinking that the original painting was part of my art story, part of a timeline that I needed to preserve. But isn't it also an important part of my art story that I was able to recognise a piece of artwork that no longer spoke to me and let it go to allow something new and possibly wonderful to emerge?

So how did I come to the decision to paint over this particular painting?

I have quite a stash of paintings ready to be sold after a outpouring of creativity over the past 5 years, and let's be honest, I would rather have them hanging on someone's wall where they can hopefully give some enjoyment than sitting in a cupboard hibernating, so I sat down one day with pen and paper in hand and tried to detach myself from the emotional connection I have with each canvas and clinically look through the eyes of an outsider.

The first step was to narrow down my choices. I was mindful of not dwelling too long on this part so I relied on my gut feeling, placing them in two piles. One pile was for the paintings that I was completely happy with. The other pile was for if I felt something was a bit off in the painting. At this stage I didn't ask what that feeling of "offness" was, I just kept going through the pile.

Once this was done, I then went back and really examined each painting objectively, one by one in the questionable pile. With notepad and pen I initially listed what immediately came to mind. Was the focal point off or non existent? Was the colour scheme to my liking? Was I happy with the shape and texture of the subjects? I then began to write in more detail what exactly I didn't like or thought needed tweaking, one painting at a time and what I thought was needed to enhance the piece.

So how do you prepare a varnished canvas ready for more layers?
I used spray Satin varnish on this painting so I first removed the varnish by lightly spraying the whole canvas with Atelier Unlocking Formula. This product is primarily used to unlock layers of paint that you would like to re-work. I discovered that it also unlocks thin layers of spray varnish. After letting it sit on the surface for 5 minutes I grabbed a light kitchen scourer (one you use for non stick pans) and lightly scrubbed in a circular motion, all over the surface to loosen the varnish. I then wiped it over with a baby wipe and then sprayed lightly with a mist of water and wiped a clean paper towel to remove as much residue as possible. After letting it dry, I applied a coat of Atelier clear Gesso, I was ready to begin.

So, with my surface prepared, where to next?
My first step was to build a colour palette, not knowing whether I was going to keep elements of the orginal painting or not. There were definately elements of this painting that still appealed to me, namely the colours in the background so I painted some swatches in my sketchbook and used a palette knife to see how they would look togther.

So, now to the scary part. What am I saying? Up until now this whole process has been scary.
But I digress....
I needed to let go of the original painting and to take a step that I couldn't go back from I chose this deep red to begin.
Grabbing a small sponge brush i decided to cover up the part that was my least favourite, the white at the top of the canvas.
I have to say that I had my heart in my throat at this stage and I think I may have closed my eyes at the first swipe of colour. But, after that inital fear I relaxed into the process and accepted that there was no going back now.

Some dripage followed which added some lovely glazes to the underneath.

Adding more colours from my chosen palette, my original art work was slowly being covered up but because of the transparency of some of the colours I had chosen, the images were still somewhat visable, and I liked seeing parts of what was underneath.

At this stage, I was over my initial fears and I was really happy with the colours and way they were blending. I began working on the composition by penciling in the flowers, leaves and stems with a chalk pencil. I wanted to keep the lotus flower theme from the original painting. Then I underpainted with a light lime green made up of the background colours

I added more and more layers of colours, pushing and pulling the highlights and shadows, giving the flowers shape and beginning to decide which ones needed to come forward and which ones to push back.

As I get closer to finishing a painting I usually bring in more dry brushing to add texture and a crispness to some of the elements

And finally the finished piece.....
When I decided down this road I was filled with apprehension. What if it didn't work? Does this mean I am a throwaway artist? Am I an artist at all if I discard my work? All of these insecurities were sitting on my shoulder through the inital steps.
But this turned out to be a most liberating experience and gave me the confidence to change my mind if I decide something isn't resonating with me, that it was OK and totally my perogative to take this step. I am much happier with the new version and can definitely see my own growth as an artist between the old and new.

So if you have the inclination to do reinvent a painting, I'd love to see the before and after and hear what you thought of the process.

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Hi there,

I am a mixed media artist, art journaler who believes in the power of creative expression and who wants nothing more than for you to explore your creativity

Come with me while I explore how to express my true nature artfully and with kindness and compassion.

Let's get inspired!

Book of Days 2022

Giveaway! Book of Days 2022

Giveaway is now closed

GIVEAWAY - Do you want to win a free seat in Book of Days 2021?

So, how do you win?
It's Easy..

Finding snippets of creative time

Reinventing a painting

Hi there,

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Giveaway is now closed

So, how do you win?It's Easy..

Hi there,

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So, how do you win?
It's Easy..