The Journey Within 2016: A Year of Handmade Art Journals

I'm considering it a real honor to be invited to be a guest instructor for mixed media book artist Kiala Givehand's year-long art journaling e-course -- The Journey Within. Each month you will receive 6 videos covering how to make the monthly book, page spread process, and art techniques. Not only will it be an opportunity to grow your creative repertoire -- but it will be a voyage of self-discovery!  Go here to find out more and to register and take a look at the line up of teachers below!

The Journey Within's Amazing Artists:

1. Lisa DeYoung
2. ME!!! Virginia Simpson-Magruder
3. Julie Baker
4. Barb Owen
5. Sadelle Wiltshire
6. Andrea Gomoll
7. Kiala Givehand
8. Tori Weyers (Draw Riot)
9. Hali Karla
10. Tiare Smith
11. Yuko Miki
12. Lisa McLoughlin
13. Vivienne McMaster (an Exclusive Interview)
14. Mimi Bondi
15. Kelly Johnson
16. Nicole Piar (Ghost Kitten)
17. Cindy Gilstrap
18. Amanda Trought
19. iHanna

 

If one year is too long of a commitment for you, you can sign up for one or more quarters (3 month sessions) of the Journey Within by going here.

I am really looking forward to not only teaching my section in September -- but to participating in many of the classes over the year ahead. It will be a terrific way to increase my "creativity vocabulary"!

AEDM2014 Day 30: Last Day!

Art Every Day Month 2014 Day 30: Last Day!

Last day for AEDM! I finished my little journal's cover for today's art. It's been a fabulous journey this month. Once again I am impressed with the power and benefits of keeping to a regular art practice. I also loved creating again in one of the Paperblanks journals. There is something oh-so-satisfying about filling a hardbound book with art. And that fat

My AEDM 2014 Journal, Completed

AEDM2014 Day 29: "The Natural Liberation of Habits"

Art Every Day Month 2014 Day 29: "The Natural Liberation of Habits"

 

 

Because I grew up in an alcoholic home I was effected on many levels by the dysfunctions that come with living with a family of addicts. It's amazing that I never became an alcoholic or an addict. Part of my ability to survive, I think, is because I believe that I, and all life, has a connection with a loving, Creative Being. And that's about as far as I take it except that I try to live the Golden Rule. I haven't always been successful at it but that is part of living, isn't it? Meanwhile I have my own habits that so far I am unwilling to give up: chocolate, and art making!!!

AEDM2014 Day 28: "Balance."

Art Every Day Month 2014 Day 28: "Balance."

A reminder to myself every day -- yet some how I know that my real job is not to hide away on some mountain top. To be as engaged in this life as much as I can -- but stay aware. That's being in balance.

AEDM2014 Day 27: "Income for Life"

Art Every Day Month Day 27: "Income for Life" 

I find it humorous and even a bit interesting when I can't figure out why in the name of *** I put images together! Money doesn't grow on trees? (Actually I think Nature and Creation are the source of wealth.) Is the Madonna Gaia or a feminine representation of God (from whom all things flow)?"

AEDM Day 26: "To Simplify"

Art Every Day Month Day 26: "To Simplify"

AEDM Day 25: "Magic"

Art Every Day Month Day 25: "Magic"

AEDM Day 24: "Creating Change"

Art Every Day Month Day 24: "Creating Change"

AEDM Day 23: "A Matter of Perspective"

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Art Every day Month Day 23: "A Matter of Perspective"

Tonight I had to push past my "Making Ugly Art" voice and just get into playing as much as I could -- with color and images and pens and pencils. It always amazes me what the final results are --beautiful, ugly, or somewhere in between.

AEDM Day 22: "For Love"

Art Every Day Month Day 22: "For Love"

AEDM Day 21: "Unfinished"

Art Every Day Month Day 21: "Unfinished"

A lot of the times I will start a page spread and then not have a clue what's the next step. I've learned to not stress out over this lack of clarity and direction -- it's really just part of the creative process. It may take me a while to find that missing piece -- and then sometimes I learn to just love what's there.

AEDM Day 20: "The World,"

Art Every Day Month Day 20: "The World,"

AEDM Day 19: "Angelina Sleeping"

Art Every Day Month Day 19: "Angelina Sleeping"

When I joined AEDM November 2014 for the 3rd time after a 2 or 3 year lapse, I originally thought I do a drawing a day. I felt it would push me to stretch those drawing muscles -- but then it felt too difficult too much of a challenge. So returned to my daily collages. I'm glad I did because I'm enjoying creating them again. Even when I feel like doing nothing, I tap the well in spite of my best effort to do nothing! Today I was staring at Angelina curled up in my office desk drawer and I couldn't resist trying to draw her. Eeek! How do you draw a white cat when you know nothing about shading? And then trying to color "white"? Well, I made her rainbow-colored instead. And if she looks like a hedgehog all curled up -- at least I recognize my little hedgehog!

AEDM Day 18: "In Transition"

Art Every Day Month Day 18 (Side A): "In Transition"

 

 

 

 

 

 

Art Every Day Month Day 18 (Side B): "In Transition"

One of the things i like to do in these small journals is make the collages multi-dimensional.One of the ways is creating a tip in in between two sets of glued pages. The image, photo, or whatnot is glued in between to torn pages.

AEDM Day 17: "Unhideable"

Art Every Day Month Day 17: "Unhideable"

Decided to work with color and pattern tonight, then rummaging through a box of pulled images I came across this Flicker bird. He just seemed to complete the page in my mind.  Flickers are big, noisy birds that I believe are part of the woodpecker family -- and their plumage is even more outrageous than their black and white brothers. They have a raucous call -- brash is the word that comes to mind -- and is either grating or startling to the ear. One of my favorite birds to see in the woods.

AEDM Day 16: "Her Life Came Undone"

Art Every Day Month Day 16: "Her Life Came Undone"

 

Tell me about it! Life. Work. Home. Play. It all seems to too much at times.

AEDM Day 15: "Magic. Want to Stay."

Art Every Day Month Day 15: "Magic. Want to Stay."

Our kitty Angelina spends a lot of time looking at things in our yard and gardens. I love hanging and walking with this little creature. Her little pink ears match the pale pink and buff iris that grow in the garden (well, our imagined garden, ours our purple). We've experienced so many magical moments together, I don't want them to end.

AEDM Day 14: "A Sensual Sanctuary. A Rejuvenating Retreat."

Art Every Day Month Day 14: "A Sensual Sanctuary. A Rejuvenating Retreat."

AEDM Day 13: "Naturalist"

Art Every Day Month, Day 13: "Naturalist"

Being under a tree and gazing up through the limbs often gives me a feeling of flying....A green-limbed ascension in which all things seem possible.

AEDM 2014 Day 12: "Letting Go Of"

Art Every Day Month Day 12: "Letting Go Of"