Art Journaling and remembering

Today we celebrated my Man's birthday. I'm so thankful for him, for his quirky humor and frank honesty. I'm thankful that I learned to look beyond my own narrow perceptions of the world, when he was brought into my life. I'm thankful for our differences, and how we came together!

We had a good day, eating out at a little surprise party for him.

Right now he's at a local wrestling event with two of the boys. I stayed home with the sleeping kindergartner, and teenager who enjoys a quiet house.

Really, I wanted to spend some time in art, hoping that it could heal or soothe a bit of the pain that will continue to carry over from yesterday.

I've journaled through some of the best, and some of the hardest, moments of my life.

Lots of processing through the years, and plenty of things worked out through that process.

 These books, stacks of them, have been my diaries, prayer journals, Bible workbooks, and unfiltered memories & thoughts.

 They've helped me with who I am, who I am growing to be, and what God plans for me.

(yep, those pictures above are of me. I am a true blond.
But, more important, I have always been passionate about art and nature.)

Just working on this, below, led to talks of how our family might change.

How we want to keep our doors and hearts open to possibilities.

Working through the "how should I feel" part of life. How do we cope? Where do we turn? Who is ultimately responsible for our happiness? How do you reconcile the beauty in this world with the pain?

It's like exercise. Often when I need it most, I have the hardest time getting going. Tonight, I NEED to draw. Even if my pen just moves across the page, it helps. 

No one draws or runs without a thought in their head. You start off, and begin processing and/or praying without realizing that "therapy" has started.

After a day in our country like yesterday, we could all use some prayer and a healthy dose of therapy.

Starting an Art Journal

Art journaling is one of the best, healthiest, creative habits that I've found.

It can be as elaborate or simple as you want.

In this journal, I've used simply ink.

(I branch out, using a lot more color and layering, in some of my other journals.)

I write, doodle, sketch things out, while I'm waiting in lines, riding in the van with my Man, or watching the kids play outside.

First, simply get something to draw/write in. Don't have the money for Smashbooks or scrapbook sets? Not a problem. My absolute favorite art journal is one that is heavy enough to add paint or sharpies to, but not so thick that it's bulky. The spiral bound is a big perk, too, as the journal will lay flat while in use. Plus, this enables you to work easier across 2-page spreads. (That link goes to the exact journals I buy, from Amazon.) It's a mere $9-ish and will last you quite a while....BUT if you don't have the money for that, start with printer paper, a notebook, or even an old used journal. Or, heck, use a napkin.

I also prefer to use Micron pens or Copic markers,

but sharpie pens...or just about anything else, will work fine, too.

There's really no excuse to delay starting!  

Remember-- there are no rules. Doodle quickly, or sketch for hours at a time.

Draw a salt shaker, or a lake. Record your memories, thoughts, dreams, goals.

Nothing is too small, or too big.

 Using nothing more than my hands and my imagination, I can create.

When I'm stuck-- which doesn't seem to happen often these days--I try one of these prompts:

Write out and/or illustrate your Bucket List

Sketch family members or pets

Trace your hand, and fill it in with facts and information about yourself

Take a personality test and record the results

Try to recall the dreams or nightmares you've had recently

Write and illustrate a list of ways to bring happiness to others

Illustrate some of your favorite quotes, sayings, or verses

Work through emotions.

Art journals are an amazing mixture of words and images that can convey raw emotion

much more effectively than one or the other alone.

Don't forget to capture the lighthearted, goofy moods as well....

I have a thing for maps so, about a year or so, I began illustrating my home state, places we've vacationed, and places as I lived as a child.

My family lived, for a few years when I was a teenager, in a small town called Goose Creek, near Charleston, SC. We went to the Charleston Marketplace on the weekends, swam often at Kiawah Island, played tennis, drank sweet tea.

I recalled so many good memories, while adding doodly pictures to the state!

Words can only express so much.

When I combine drawings with words, I come to a deeper understanding of myself and the world around me in ways that writing alone can't touch.

Think of the art journal as a way of illuminating your words and in turn illuminating yourself.

Just like any journaling, art journaling gets easier and more effective when you make it a daily habit. I often work in the evening, when I'm tired and have a whole day's worth of thoughts tumbling around in my mind. I kick back with my art journal and a glass of wine, like a meditative treat, working through my joys and frustrations.
I believe all "artsy-type people" need to create. It's a longing, a pull that can't be satisfied until we're producing something. By simply letting my pen move, releasing my thoughts and ideas, that deep need is satiated, and I can joyfully carry on.

Live with Joy

details...

I plan to do this one in watercolor.

It's my new favorite medium. :)

Color Whimsy

I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other
way--things I had no words for.
Georgia O'Keeffe

Color has taken possession of me; no longer do I have to chase after it. I know
that it has hold of me forever... Color and I are one. I am a painter.
Paul Klee

(*ahem* Here are a few of my words, on Wordless Wednesday. Yes, I'm a notorious rule-breaker.

**Take note: when you run out of the good paper, keep painting anyway, even if it tears up your pages a bit!

My next painting journal hasn't made it here yet...I ordered this one again, as I was so happy with it last time! Naturally, though, it went down in price right after I placed my order! It holds up wonderfully with heavy ink & watercolors-- never bleeds through. It is also spiral-bound, which is nice. What do you use?)

Short Hair Art

My hair is getting long enough now for mini pigtails on the sides. Which is nice when it's blazing hot outside...but still gives me a definite "Not Me" Feel. I need some curls and/or spikiness at all times. Maybe a renegade braid, too.
I'm thinking it may be time for another cut. Or shorter bangy things. Or that purple streak that I mentioned, not too long ago.
Take note of the hair I drew not the way-too-skinny poor woman who obviously needs more cake and beer (because cake and beer are awesome together and, unfortunately, also rather plumping! Mental note: cut down on cake and beer.)


I like the hair. Long enough to curl, but short enough to be a little wild. Whatcha think?
As crazy as this sounds, I just realized that there is no Hair tag for this post. Craziness, considering how often I post about hair!

Dress Up your Spaghetti

This recipe is featured on They Draw and Cook! Check it out! :)

My kiddos love pasta, and my man love casseroles, so this recipe pleases them all. Plus it has lots of cheese, so I'm a happy camper, too.

(I used model car enamel paint for the silver pot!)

This moleskin journal is dedicated to recipes. When it's completely filled (probably years from now) I'll put it up with the other things I have for My Girl, to give when she moves into her own home. :)

For the Love of Coffee

I'm never out of inspiration, with a cup of great coffee around...

"This year Consumer Reports brewed over 1,000 cups of coffee to deem two new champs among Colombian varieties: Gloria Jean's Colombian Supremo Medium Roast and Newman's Own Organics Colombian Especial Medium Roast."

Have you tried these? What do you think? I'm a coffee lover, for sure, but I rely on my amazing friends to point me in the right direction. Money IS an issue here, and I can't always buy the amazing stuff. I need help, folks! If I'm grabbing something from Wal-Mart, what should I reach for? Or what about in a coffee shop? I tried a coconut latte the other day that was heavenly. Mmmmm....