A World of Artist Journal Pages

Getting my crazies out!

That is pretty much how I roll when it comes to my black and white journal pages.

No worry about colour. No thoughts on composition. Not a care in the world how they turn out.

Quite a bit different from my coloured pages where I just can’t help but wish for a good outcome.

I am very happy to say that someone else also liked my craziness.

Three of my black and white pages have been included in  A World of Art Journal Pages curated by Dawn DeVries Sokol.

It is pretty cool to be included especially since I remember my  purchase of her first book, 1000 Artist Journal Pages, very well. It was at Anthropologie in Seattle. I had stood glued to the spot with it for almost an hour. I had never heard of art journalling at the time and I was just in awe of everything in the book. It was definitely an A’ha moment.

Well, this one is no different, except this time I am in it!

I am including my pages today. I like to think of it as a little art therapy for my artistically afflicted ways. If I had have known they would be published I might not have revealed so much or been quite as messy, but then I guess that’s the beauty of it.

One more inspired by rainy day camping in the Pacific Northwest. I was actually sitting outside in the rain under a tarp freezing while this one was created….just trying to make myself happy.

I was hoping to include my favourite pages here, but there are so many great pages. The book is full of a variety of hand lettering, different textures and colours, paint, collage, mixed media and an endless stream of hand drawn goodness. If you are thinking of getting involved in the art journal world then this is a really good place to start. It is full of inspiration.

I love glancing through it again and again because  I find there is always something I have missed the first, second, third… time around. There is an extra bonus too – all  of  the artists websites are published right beside their work so if there is something you fancy and you want a bit more, you don’t have to look far.

A big Thank you to Dawn DeVries Sokol. What a wonderful piece of work you have curated and shared with the world. Well done!

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#Shareyoursketch with us on Instagram

Get your sketch on and come share with us at #shareyoursketch on Instagram. Meet others in our community, try something new, get inspired. Just hashtag your sketch #shareyoursketch and join in! It can be any medium, any style.anything goes. The creative process has to start somewhere.

Here are a few shots from #shareyoursketch this week.  Starting with me!

An actual photo of me doing what I love best – doodling. I think I was the only one with a smile on my face after 4 hours being stuck on the Sea to Sky highway. I have to admit it’s been about the only time I have had a bit of peace and quiet to actually sit down and just draw with no distractions.

 

I was a little stumped on what to draw, but here I was overlooking the Pacific Ocean so first thing that came to mind…fish! All shapes and sizes here.

Some Fish For You!

Tina of @Tinaliondes shares her work created during some stormy weather and time spent indoors.

 

@artbreaking shows us her thoughts on spring.Her instagram feed is full of zentangles, doodles and just a lot of  art! Have a visit, it’s amazing to see all her marks in one spot.

Diane of @dianekappa spends her morning hours drawing. I love her paisley pattern here with its inky lines.

Patricia of @patricia_zapata has started a #365 project which I have been enjoying. Pop by for a daily dose of what she is up to. Actually here is a little write up on her blog about what she is up to!

 Michelle of @patternandco has been doodling dahlias. I love seeing where people find their inspiration and how they transform it into a drawing.

Next we have two pieces from Wendy Flynn of  @dorisandfred. Her sketches have been digitized, coloured and made into fabric at Spoonflower. She has entered this weeks competition, Wellies and Galoshes. You can see her finished piece and vote for her here

The finished piece looks like this one here!

Last, but not least, we have Heather of @heatherunderground. Heather always makes me laugh. I have only met her once at a Flora Bowley workshop, but we have remain connected through social media.She has a great imagination! I love her sketchy portrait that pretty much sums up how I feel right about now. It’s Christmas design time and everyday is starting to feel like Christmas around here. I am in need of a big dose of summer.I am officially done with christmas baubles and reindeer.

That’s all for this week – more to come later! Pop on by Instagram and search #shareyoursketch for more sketchiness.

Have a fun-filled weekend!

Inspired by….my love for Anthropologie

My love for Anthropologie runs deep.

I love everything about the experience.. The sights, the smells , the style. I have been known to sit myself down, usually beside a patient husband, and just absorb it all in. Sensory stimulation at its finest.

 Artful displays, beautifully embroidered tablecloths and pillows, ornate candlebras, textured fabric,leather bound journals, weathered, mismatched…all of it beckoning me, inspiring me, transporting me into another world. If I cant be in these exotic far off lands at least I can have a little piece of them for right here at home.
 Unfortunately my visits to Anthropologie are few and far between ,the closest one being 2 hours away. But I have my trusty stack of catalogues, one for reading, one for cutting up. Possibilities for my inspiration board or a collage in my journal.

To keep the love alive between visits I have tidbits of Anthropologie scattered around my home.

I have my morning mug…I have more than just a few articles of clothing. Hmm…some of which I am lounging in right now.

I have my favorite books and magazines stacked high on my coffee table.

Check out Sibella Court…celebrated designer who travels the world in search of eclectic inspiration. Dream job!

Uppercase~ a beautifully handcrafted magazine about creative adventures. Paper, paper everywhere…love!
Oh look here…Angela Ritchie of ACE camps. Our very own Whistler girl! If you havent had a chance to check out her creative retreats, you must do so. She has a fantastic line up of artisans all over the big, beautiful world.

All of it just makes me feel warm and fuzzy.. This makes me very happy.

How special do I feel receiving this little gem in the mail? They are doing everything right to fuel the fire.
I also have a little secret to tell you…. Often on my visits to Seattle I would notice, crafty, very homemade, unique art hanging on the wall.

I would often think…Why not mine?

So feeling brave one January (my bravest month of the year) I arranged a meet up with the creative director at the downtown Seattle store.I had sent him photos of my collage artwork and it was arranged that I would bring down some pieces to show. Everything went well. He saw…he liked…he critiqued. He wanted them big, on canvas, a little bit grittier, more layers…I walked away excited, inspired to fulfill.

Then 2 weeks later I left for Europe on a 5 month sabbatical with my family….

I never did follow through with him come Fall. Upon our return I was just too busy re-establishing our lives, unsure of what I wanted to create, unsure of my creative desires…..I dont believe I started painting again until the new year and in my artistically afflicted way I was onto something totally different. That was 2 years ago!!

I often think about it and feel a twinge of regret. However, lately I have been thinking more about it and I am just puttin’ this out there….
One day ~ I will be featured in one of their stores! I am not sure when, but it is first and foremost in my mind.I am just sayin’…..

Maybe you too, should think about hanging some of your art there?

And on that note, I am signing off….

Happy Monday to you!

Inspired by….Me Time

Go ahead...take one!

I have been creative-less for more than a few days now. I  noticed this morning that I was getting a wee bit grumpy, a little impatient,and very antsy. This was accompanied by a nagging feeling that I was missing something…

I couldn’t pinpoint exactly why I was feeling this way and was basically too busy to give it much thought. But on further observation and questioning during my morning dog walk it hit me.

I have been creative-less.My overactive imagination has had no outlet!

Simply put –  life has been a wee bit hectic. Hectic..as in silly busy. Still filled with lots of joy, laughter, sunshine and coffee, but no me time. Time that I can just sit and do with no distractions or interruptions. My zen time. Be it 10 minutes, or hopefully more, it is just a little time out that I need to zen out.

Yes You Can!!

Once again a gentle reminder to slow down and put a little balance into  life. A balance between work,play,family life …and me!.A chance to end each day with a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment. A chance to make sure the scales are balanced.

Have you had your time today?

All images courtesty of my favorite Tumbler. Check Clement out here