Art Journaling with Stephanie

 

Have you ever created an art journal?  I know, I know…. It sounds kind of intimidating, right?  But it's not!  Really!  I promise!  It's kind of like creating mini layouts.  It's fun, creative and there are no rules or expectations!

 

I began working on an art journal at the beginning of this year and I love it.  I have more of a "scrapbook" take on my art journal, but like I mentioned, you can seriously make it whatever you want!  Sometimes I just want to create…not an entire page, but something small and fast and fun.  That's where my art journal comes into play.  I use my watercolors, mists and paints; but sometimes I just use paper!  I believe the art is in creating, not necessarily in always making a pretty painted mess!  Today, I wanted to share a few pages of my journal using the Styleboard collection.

 

 

I'm using a canvas binder with pages that are roughly 7 inches by 8.25 inches.  I've long used the paper that was included in my album, so I typically begin my process by trimming down a few pieces of white card stock to fit into my book.  The white card stock acts as my canvas for paints, colors, thickers and paper. 

 

Often times, I use my art journal as a place to record some thoughts and feelings….kind of like a diary or writing journal.  As you can see on the left side of my journal below, I started with the prompt "today" and then wrote about what and how I was feeling today.  Starting with some type of prompt really helps me write more and get my thoughts out rather than just including a sentence or two.

 

I started the right side of the page by painting a light wash of a peach-y color onto my background.  Over top of my paint, I added a photo of my daughter that I printed on a paint swatch, as well as a Styleboard transparency.  I love the ombre look of the photo and the way the hearts line either side of my picture.  The photo and transparency are sewn onto my background and can be flipped up to reveal some hidden journaling about my daughter and her current sweet age of five. 

 

 

I continued that same theme on the back side of the page above, and included a photo of myself taken on my 37th birthday, as well as some hidden journaling about turning another year older.  I love adding hidden journaling in my book.  It's a great way to include personal thoughts without feeling like it is really out in the open for everyone to see. 

 

 

 

The page to the right is a little smaller than the other pages of my book and creates almost a peek-a-boo effect!  Here I've included a photo from a recent beach trip with some pretty papers and embellishments. 

 

 

On the back of the smaller page, I've added a die cut card from the Styleboard journaling card set.

The right side page includes some misting, a transparency and a photo.  I love how you can see the mist and photo through the transparency!

 

 

These last two pages are, again, really simple.  I've used these two pages to write some encouraging words to myself about dreaming big and making things happen!

 

 

 

 

And that's a look at my art journal!  Are you ready to start yours yet?  I promise you won't be disappointed!!

 

>> Supplies Used <<

 

 

Happy Wednesday!!

 

xoxoxoxo