Art Journal Inspiration

A few years ago when I started painting on a regular basis and following art blogs, I saw many artists creating in art journals.  I just couldn't do it at first.  I felt like I was wasting paper and paint and time. Then I took an online class with Mindy Lacefield called True Free Spirit and she suggested we paint many of our lessons in a journal. Since then, I've been hooked.  I truly feel like "playing" with colors and shapes and creating things I never did before (like painting girls) has opened me up to new things as well as painting more freely.  It helped me focus on being right there in the moment instead of thinking about other things or wondering if this painting was "good enough."  It is like having a little therapist right there with me, one who doesn't respond but kind of pushes me to find the answers myself by just exploring with my words or paints and trusting that I can handle things or they will eventually work the way they are supposed to.

I now love painting and writing in my art journal. It takes me to a calmer place.  Sometimes I share it with others on-line and even make prints out of my creations, and other times, it's just for me to try new art techniques or to work through things I'm worried about.  

I own the book Art Saves by Jenny Doh and I've come to believe that little phrase.  No, my lupus is not healed in the sense that I'm physically healthy like I dream of being, but I truly feel that creating art whether for myself or customers has saved me in so many ways.

I'd like to start sharing some of these pages here weekly in the hopes that maybe you can take some encouragement and inspiration from them too!

February Love...Valentine's Day

I don't want to use the word "love" lightly, because I truly really love mostly people in my life, but since I am a passionate person, I guess I do "love" many things.  This month all my posts have been about people or things I love.  Since it's Valentine's Day, of course, I'm going to share a few more things I LOVE and that really give me joy.

 My sweet daughter and my funny husband...This is our past Christmas card (well one version).  We take a picture every year and I thought we needed to spice it up a bit and be a little funny.  Shane is actually wearing my mom's Christmas sweater--no he doesn't typically wear lady's clothes.  Most recipients loved it except one couple who seemed very offended...oh well...this is us most of the time, so we thought it is more fitting than just sitting there smiling nicely for the camera.

Oh, yes, I guess, that cute little lapdog Mazie I love too...most of the time!  She is high-maintenance to tell you the truth, but she has brought lots of joy to all our lives.

Aside from these two loves of my life, I have the sweetest little niece that I'm completely enamoured with---which brings me to another love--BABIES.  I am drawn to their big, smiling eyes, their chubby cheeks, chunky legs and their pure joy.  I am still sad that I could only have one baby of my own, but my little niece gets lots of love and attention by me.  How could she not?  Look at her!

In addition to these lovable people in my life, I'd like to share one more thing that brings me great joy...

PAINTING of course.  Here are a few of my favorites that I guess I do "love" either because of the intent behind them or just the feeling I get from how they turned out.

 

© Jill's Dream Artwork (this one is still for sale in my shop too!)

© Jill's Dream Artwork

Above, I really loved the process of making it because of the colors, the inspiring and motivational quote AND the leaves and flowers are actual pieces from a journal page I created, so there's a lot of "me" in it.  It is truly one of my favorites--it sold at a boutique I have things in and I wish I could've met the person who bought it because I like to meet the people who buy my creations.

I'm also taking an online painting class called True Free Spirit given by the wonderful Mindy Lacefield.  It's pretty much out of the zone of what I typically paint and I'm loving this class--it's whimsical, funky and teaching me to be free and child-like!  Here's a sample of a few things I've created or am still in the process of creating in this fun class.  No they aren't perfect...but I'm really having fun learning new techniques, using new supplies and expanding my horizons.

I hope you have tons of people, events, hobbies and "things" in your life that bring you joy and love.  Happy Valentine's Day!

Good Stuff to Start off 2013

Some good stuff to start off 2013...

1.  I'm signed up and rolling along in the True Free Spirit Course by Mindy Lacefield of Tim's Sally...I just got enrolled and made my first free spirit girl yesterday.  I had hoped to get the course as a Christmas gift, but I didn't so I sort of purchased it myself since I really felt called to be a part of it.

The initial rough sketch of just her face seriously brought anxiety to me, but once I got painting and adding stuff I actually loved what I made.  This is where I left off last night.  I may add more or I may leave her here and just do another new one.  She is holding a heart in her hand.  Mindy told us to have her holding something sacred to us...my heart, my feelings and the love I have for others is very sacred to me so that was my first choice and I went with it. I'm really trying NOT to second guess any of my choices, especially while creating!

2.  Brave Girls Club is again finding new ways to inspire and uplift women and girls and now they are heading around the world with their caring mission.  They are doing a Brave Girls Truth Card Exchange to help those who really need encouragement and Melody's first stop is to the Phillipines.  I made my card and it is ready to be mailed...I forgot to take a picture of it before I sealed the envelope, however.  They really are amazing women.  I had actually hoped and prayed that 2013 would be the year I would participate in Brave Girls Camp, but so far it is not to be.  I am not giving up hope though.  If you've never visited their website, please do--they are such vibrant, selfless and inspiring girls.

3.  I haven't formally chosen a "word for the year" like I did last year (my word was commit), but I guess I'm going to focus on acceptance and release so you could say I've chosen two words or just am planning on more of these two things in my life this year.  Maybe I'm a bit scared to pick them formally for some reason, not quite sure--maybe I'm worried that will make them seem like resolutions, and those typically haven't worked for me.

How about you?  How has 2013 started for you?  Have YOU chosen a word or a focus for this new beginning?

True Free Spirit

As the new year approaches I am looking forward to a fresh start as I'm sure you all are.  One major thing I really want to work on is acceptance...I have a hard time accepting "what is" - A LOT.  I know I'd be more at peace and happier if I could just accept what is and try not to obsess over something I can't change.  

Something else I'm looking forward to is being more open and painting more freely and I'm hoping to do that while taking the online class True Free Spirit with Mindy Lacefield.  I'm sure I first saw her art over a year ago or so and I was instantly drawn to her childlike, whimsical and colorful creations.  

Artwork at right from Tim's Sally/Mindy Lacefield

I truly hope I can really connect with my true self through my art and really free up any blocks I have when creating...I see her art as a way to also connect with my inner-child.  I hope you'll stop back throughout the course and see some of my creations that I make while taking this class.

Are you looking forward to any new events or changes in 2013?  I'd love if you'd share them!  

Thanks for stopping by for a visit.  Happy New Year to you all!