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One great way to learn about a variety of art mediums is to keep an art journal. An art journal is a diary of sorts that has a strong visual element to it - an expression of creativity and imagination, filled not only with words, but using art to express your memories, dreams, feelings, and thoughts. No special skills are needed to journal – it is designed for anyone and everyone. I promise you – if you have problems drawing stick people, you can still journal. There are no rules. You can’t do anything “wrong”. It is YOUR journal. Whatever you dream up, you can create. The sky's the limit!
I have held a few workshops to give students a few tips and show a few “tricks” of the trade. At one time, I offered an “open studio” night, every month or so, where my fellow journal enthusiasts could bring their journals and have access to studio supplies to create beautiful and inspiring pages in their journals. It is also a great idea for a “girls’ night” or “teen night” and silly shenanigans almost always ensue.
If journaling is something that interests you and you are not quite sure how to get started, here are a few ideas:
A few ideas or “prompts” to get you started on a journal page:
Go for it! Try it! What do you have to lose? If you feel like sharing, post a picture of one of your creations on my Facebook page and tell me what inspired you when creating the page. I love seeing your work. This artist is always inspired by other artists!
~Mysi~
I have held a few workshops to give students a few tips and show a few “tricks” of the trade. At one time, I offered an “open studio” night, every month or so, where my fellow journal enthusiasts could bring their journals and have access to studio supplies to create beautiful and inspiring pages in their journals. It is also a great idea for a “girls’ night” or “teen night” and silly shenanigans almost always ensue.
If journaling is something that interests you and you are not quite sure how to get started, here are a few ideas:
- If you are local – sign up for one of my classes! (shameless plug!)
- Go to Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Walmart (any store that offers art supplies) and pick up a spiral bound art book that is designed for mixed media.
- Purchase a few acrylic paints, gesso, mod podge, brushes, scrapbooking papers, stamps, oil pastels, chalk pastels, and any other art supplies that catch your eye. They do not have to be expensive items.
- Grab a pile of old magazines (we all have them lying around the house) and flip through them … tear out any images or words that catch your eye. Anything that you like cut it out.
- Search “art journaling” on YouTube … there are many tutorials available, and many mixed media artists who love to share their ideas and techniques, will post videos.
- Just start creating anything on a page. Write down how you are feeling on any given day and then cover it up with paint and pictures. (Or leave a few words visible). Arrange images on a page that look good to you and then decorate around the images with paints or pastels. The idea is to just start SOMEWHERE and with each new page you create, you will start to see themes evolve. This is where some people find their style or niche and then experiment in other mediums.
A few ideas or “prompts” to get you started on a journal page:
- The color “white” (or choose any color). What represents that color to you? What do you think about when you say that color out loud? Does “white” invoke thoughts of clouds and cotton balls? Weddings? Something entirely different?
- “To Do” Lists. Random thoughts. Favorite words.
- Things that make you happy. Things that make you sad.
- Childhood memories. Care Bears? Hershey’s Kisses? Playing in the mud?
Go for it! Try it! What do you have to lose? If you feel like sharing, post a picture of one of your creations on my Facebook page and tell me what inspired you when creating the page. I love seeing your work. This artist is always inspired by other artists!
~Mysi~
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