Lil Love Creations: July 2010

~30 Journals 30 Days: Poetic Dreams~

How Long have you been Art Journaling?

I've been journaling since I can remember. I started with an old noteboook,

I mainly drew pictures and added my poetry.

How has Art Journaling impacted, changed, or enhanced your life?

Art Journaling was my saving grace, from the daily abuse I endured as a child. I was free to express myself through the Poetry and Art I created. My Art Journal was magic to me. I would lock myself away and be so engrossed in what I was doing, that the ugliness which was my life faded with every color or word I put into my journal.

My journal kept so many secrets about my abuse that it became my one constant friend. By dumping my emotions on the clean white pages, it helped me see that I could become more then just a victim of the many abuses I endured.

My life has been blessed by the many artists I've come to know and love. Sharing from our hearts what we create gives me an opportunity to keep growing as an artist.

What are a few of your favorite Art Journaling materials?

I consider myself an "Eco-Artist" (my word for junk/garbage artist) I tend to use what I have around me. Anything from cardboard to a gum wrapper. I would say Gesso is one material I do use alot of. Oil Pastels are another fave, as well as lots of cardboard.

Who are some of your favorite Art Journalers?

WOW! That list long and special for sure! I adore each of the following artists for various reasons. Each one is unique as is their artistic style. I'm sure I'm going to forget someone and I apologize if I missed you.

Ruby Claire~ http://rubyclaire.blogspot.com/

Gary Reef~ http://www.garyreef.com/

Willowing ~http://www.willowing.org/

Leslie Herger~ http://comfortableshoesstudio.com/

Eveline Timeless~ http://eveline-timeless.blogspot.com/

Jonathan "Blade" Manning The Artistic Biker~ http://www.artisticbiker.com/

"Rhomany" Klair Scattergood~ http://rhomany.org.uk/

Mystele Kirkeeng~ http://www.mystele.com/

Mara Spires~ http://www.maraspires.com/

Goddess Leonie Allan~ http://www.goddessguidebook.com/

Rice Freeman-Zachery~ http://voodoonotes.blogspot.com/

Connie Hozvicka~ http://www.dirtyfootprints-studio.com/

Julie Prichard~ http://www.julieprichard.com/

Katie Lynn~http://www.dreamwishplay.blogspot.com/

Violette~ http://freakflag.ca/

Sunny Crittenden~ http://www.sunnycrittenden.com/

Marylin Houle~ http://marylinhoule.blogspot.com/

Samantha Kira~ http://www.journalgirl.com/

What kind words of encouragement would you say to an Art Journal newbie?

You may be tempted to destroy your journals one day. PLEASE, PLEASE don't do it! Every piece in your journal is an example of how far you've grown. You may not like some of your work, but learn from it. If you used colored pencils and you think oil pastels would've worked better, then do your next entry in oil pastels. Don't be afraid to try new things. If you feel the need to add a used gum wrapper, then by all means add a gum wrapper! There is no wrong or right way to Art Journal. Don't let ANYONE (that includes me) make you feel less of an artist. We all have different styles of creating.

The most important thing to remember is YOU are an artist, because YOU create!