Guess what I bought this weekend? The latest issue of Art Journaling magazine. I love this magazine. Not only is it filled with articles that inspire me to try new things, but it’s just such eye candy. The only bad thing I can say is that it’s only published twice a year.
Anyway, I know I’ve talked about art journaling quite a bit but I don’t typically share a lot of my adventures and that’s simply because well, it’s hard. You really put yourself out there when you do that. I’m trying to feel more confident and just find what works for me and well I guess I get to take you on my journey so I hope you won’t mind.
This spread is a result wanting to explore the word “attention”. What it means to “be present” for me. I used a bit of gesso (I found out I don’t think I like gesso very much), some metallic ink, acrylics, and scraps from an old book. Actually, I can’t remember if I had shown this picture before but it wasn’t complete and now it is.
This other spread came about after thinking about “homelessness.” Sadly, I see a lot of homeless people whenever I’m driving around town. I’ve seen signs asking for money, hope and work. I used acrylics, oil crayons and a surprise mistake was the blurred edges I got when I swiped a damp brush on the page. I like how the lines and words “softened” a bit more. To me they became weathered which is actually how most of the signs I see look like after the people spend countless hours in the sun or rain waiting for some help. I still need to add a bit more writing in this one but it’s close to being finished.
In case you are wondering what sort of journal I’m working on, it’s a Moleskine. I would like to use one of the journals I’ve made but most of my journals don’t have very thick paper and as I want to explore different mediums (gesso, for example) I knew I needed paper that could tolerate that, so the Moleskine it is for now.
I hope you enjoyed seeing these and I’ll try to share more of my artsy adventures. Now, I want to get back to my magazine. I know some of you have said you are interested in Art Journaling, how are your adventures going?
Wow Iliana! These pages are gorgeous! I thought they were excerpts from the magazine you got! Thanks for sharing them.
I saw this on the shelf the other day and since we are heading into a heatwave, I might treat myself and pick up a copy to read in the shade 🙂
Stefanie – Ah, thank you! Maybe one day if I’m brave I’ll send off some of my pages to the magazine 🙂
Juliann – I do recommend it! It’d be the perfect way to relax in the shade. Keep cool 🙂
Wow, these are great. The one with the homeless signs is really powerful!
The magazine sounds like great inspiration! 🙂 Your journals are beautiful Illiana!
You know I’m a fan of your journals. I’m glad this periodical gives you so much joy. Your enthusiasm is infectious. 🙂
Beautiful, beautiful! I’ve toyed with the idea of art journaling myself, but it’s REALLY HARD. I guess I need to dive into this publication and get some inspiration. In the meantime, I’m trying my hand at scrapbooking.
I love them. Great job.
Teesha would be proud!
Thank you so much for showing us your journal pages! I’ve been thinking about doing the same thing though I know it’s been awhile since I’ve used my journal.
Have you heard of Dirty Footprints Studio? I just discovered it online yesterday! It’s such a great site!
Keep up the good work and I hope you show us more pages in the future.
Kathleen – Thank you! The Homeless one was hard to do but it was something that just kept popping into my mind. I don’t normally plan my layouts but that one I sort of worked on it mentally for weeks before I could finally put it to paper.
bookworm – It really is a fun publication. I’m a junkie for stuff like that 🙂
Wisteria Leigh – Thank you! I’m hoping I’ll talk more people into art journaling. It’s just so fun and freeing!
Andi – It is Really Hard! I think part of is our expectations that everything has to look good. Well, who cares what it looks like. The point is to just dive in! I’m glad you are trying out scrapbooking. I think it’s a wonderful complement to art journalling. I used to do some scrapbooking a long time ago and really enjoyed it.
Isabel – Ah, you made my day!
Vasilly – I know I find it hard to get back into my crafty mode the longer I put it off. So my intention is to be better about it because I do enjoy it and to share my work more. I think that will keep me motivated. I hope you’ll give it a whirl too and you’ll have to share with us your experience. I hadn’t heard of Dirty Footprints but I have quickly looked for and have saved her site to check out this weekend. I saw that she does art journaling and is into yoga. She sounds like a kindred spirit to me! Thank you for telling me about her site!
hello Illiana!hi I’m new here but your articles was so amazing, the way you reviews?completely detailed. The site?simple yet endearing. Starting from now, I will be greatful to follow your site for more posting coz I enjoyed it a lot.
The homeless spread came out really well. The blocks and the colours remind me of pictures of slums in other countries as well as those signs you talked about.