"This page is for Itinerary No. 6 of the Art Journal Caravan workshop that is hosted inside The Art Journal Emporium. Using a certain amount of circles, lines and scribbles was one of the prompts. I've been making art journal pages to go inside my Happy Planner."
Tangie Baxter & CO’sArt Journal Caravanis back for 2016 and we’d love for you to join us on the adventure!
Over the years we've been fortunate to have Julie Ann Shahin share some wonderful art journaling series with the TB&CO readers. We will be re-posting some of them here on this blog. Please note these may be altered from the original posts to update links, provide information on newer programs, etc. Welcome to Flashback Fridays! Enjoy!
Art Journaling 101: Why Art Journal?
by Julie Ann Shahin
You may have heard of Art Journaling and have wondered “what is all the fuss? Why should I Art Journal? What will I get out of keeping an Art Journal? I’m already a ( ____”insert noun here such: as scrapbooker or a card-maker or an artist or a photographer___), why should I try this as well?” Let me give you 3 reasons to Art Journal.
“Creativity often consists of merely turning up what is already there. Did you know that right and left shoes were thought up only a little more than a century ago?”
-Bernice Fitz-Gibbon
2011 Art Journal Caravan Itinerary #20: Understand by Julie Ann Shahin
1. ART JOURNAL TO EXERCISE YOUR CREATIVE MUSCLES
I believe anyone who wants to exercise their creativity muscles can benefit from keeping an art journal. Just like any other muscle, if you don’t use it often, it will get weak. If you don’t have time to work on your normal project, you can whip up a quick art journal page just for the fun of it to keep your creative juices flowing.
If you have been scared to try a new technique, an art journal is the place to do it.
2011 Art Journal Caravan Itinerary: Reinforce by Jo aka Spunmonkey
Where a scrapbook or a card may have a certain style to it, an art journal can get as messy and as ugly as need be as you explore in it. This is the place to experiment if there is no other place. One such resource for encouraging you to try new things is the book Wreck This Journal by Keri Smith.
If you are interested in learning new techniques in both digital and hands-on art journaling via online video instruction by Tangie herself, you will be treated to such delights by joining the Art Journal Caravan. Also, you can watch Tangie on YouTube here .
2. ART JOURNAL TO GIVE YOURSELF A VOICE
Some people like to write in their art journals as a diary and add illustrations to it. Some like to use their art journal for their favorite affirmations or quotations. Some like to use their art journal for cathartic emotional healing.
2011 Art Journal Caravan: Itinerary - Paused by JoAnn aka joannknnrd
Often it is helpful to find creative prompts that will jump-start your journaling in this process. Whether you google art journaling prompts or decide to join and use the Art Journal Caravan Itinerary Prompts that are part of the weekly deliveries.
3. ART JOURNAL TO PLAY
If I haven’t convinced you so far, then perhaps just the sheer joy of “PLAY!” is a good reason to crack open an art journal, and just have at it.
Do you have scheduled “Me” time?
Is your scrapbooking or other craft-time really “Me” time or are you doing it for others, are the pages about you or about the ones you love? Is it really “PLAY”?
When was the last time you totally lost track of time in free play?
2011 Art Journal Caravan Itinerary: Travel by Jo aka spunmonkey
Art journaling gives you PERMISSION TO PLAY! Yes, we, as adults, have a need to play just as much as children do in the goal of living a balanced life. “Grown ups forget to play. But play, it turns out, is just as important for adults as it is for children. Adults spend too little time at play according to research, and would benefit greatly from spending more time at it.” (Source: Dr. Tian Dayton)
2011 Art Journal Caravan Itinerary #2: Thrive by Julie Ann Shahin
Play gives you a chance to have a break from your everyday “role” as a businessperson, Mommy, Daddy, etc., and have a chance to take on a different role – here for example, as an artist. Plus you get to experience such positive feelings as:
Involvement
Complete focus and concentration, either due to innate curiosity or as the result of training.
Delight
A sense of bliss and positive detachment from everyday reality.
Clarity
Great inner clarity and a built-in understanding about the state of affairs.
Confidence
An innate sense that the activity is doable and that your skills are adequate to the task. Additionally, you don’t feel anxious or bored.
Serenity
A sense of peace and an absence of worries about self.
Timeliness
Thorough focus on the present and a lack of attention to the passing of time.
Motivation
Intrinsic understanding about what needs to be done and a desire to keep the moment of play moving.
Art journaling gives you a chance to practice new techniques, speak your mind, and just have fun. If this sounds like something you would like to start now, you can join us at the Art Journal Caravan.
We hope you enjoyed our first Flashback Friday post.
Tangie Baxter & CO’sArt Journal Caravanis back for 2016 and we’d love for you to join us on the adventure!
You can also find previous years as self-study workshopshere.
Happy Monday fellow art peeps! Susan here to share a few highlights found while browsing the Art Journal Emporium which is just filled with all kinds of goodness.
Let’s get started with this wonderful collage by Liz using the Challenge Box from the Art Journal Caravan Itinerary No. 10. The cupcake grabbed my attention and then I saw her list. Fabulous take on the challenge.
Credits: Art Journal Caravan Itinerary No. 10 along with digital elements using various digital collections by Tangie Baxter and Rebecca McMeen.
Our second highlight of the week is by Pam. I love how she incorporated a lesson from the March - April book club into a journal page using the quote from the Art Journal Caravan Itinerary No. 10.
Credits: Art Journal Caravan Itinerary No. 10.
Our next bit of goodness is by Robyn who created a found poem using the March Challenge and Goodies and digital supplies by Tangie and Rebecca.
Tangie Baxter & CO’s Art Journal Caravan is back for 2016 please check it out and join us.
Don’t forget the Monthly Grab Bags are only available for a limited time once a month and priced on a sliding scale. Act fast for the best deal. For more information visit TB&CO Grab Bags.
Hello artsy friends! Glenda here to share with you this week’s sparkling Art Journal Emporium Gallery Gems!
Let’s jump right in with Jeanet’s gorgeous response to the AJE’s March Challenge. I love how she combined one of her own original paintings and goods from the March Grab Bag to highlight some wonderful “found poetry”!
Next we have Sharon’s heartwarming contribution to the Art Journal Caravan Itinerary No. 9. There is something simply magical about the dog’s eyes - something that makes me feel right at home!
And finallywe have this wonderful page created by Rosie for the March Challenge. I just adore the button flowers and visual whimsy accompanied by the thought-provoking quote!
Credits: TB & CO March Grab Bag as well as fonts Sheffre Omega, Bring Me the Gummi Bears, Alphabits Squared, Embossing Tape 1 BRK, & Quiet Evening.
Special thanks to Jeanet, Sharon Brogan and Rosie Funnell for sharing their amazing artwork! Please leave them some love!
Tangie Baxter & CO’sArt Journal Caravan is back for 2016 please check it out and join us.
Don’t forget Monthly Grab Bags are only available for a limited time once a month and priced on a sliding scale. Act fast for the best deal. For more information visit TB&CO Grab Bags.
Anne Lou’s Frida tribute is filled with rich, vibrant colors and wonderful blending. I love the quote too.
Anne Lou’s credits: Inspired by the Art Journal Caravan Itinerary No. 8.
Jenny is our last highlight of the week using the March Grab Bag. I love the choice of elements and placement on her page. Everything works wonderful together. I could see this framed and hanging on a wall.
I so hope you enjoyed today’s selections! A big thank you to Zeneva, Liz, Anne Lou and Jenny for sharing their wonderful creations with everyone. Please leave them some love!
Tangie Baxter & CO’sArt Journal Caravan is back for 2016 please check it out and join us. The Art Journal Caravan is where I discovered and fell in love with art journaling using all digital supplies and eventually branched out to mixed media.
Don’t forget Monthly Grab Bags are only available for a limited time once a month and priced on a sliding scale. Act fast for the best deal. For more information visit TB&CO Grab Bags.
Greetings fellow art lovers! It’s Monday, and that means it’s time to take a peek at this week’s gorgeous Art Journal Emporium Gallery Gems!
Let’s begin with this dreamy page created by Robyn L for the Art Journal Emporium February Challenge. Every time I look at it, I can feel the warmth of the sun and the sweet, soft breeze.
Next we have this amazing black and white piece created by Marilyn Curttright for the Art Journal Caravan Itinerary No. 7. The sad, almost desperate eyes seem to jump off the page.
And finally, also in response to The AJC Itinerary No. 7, we have some excellent advice beautifully presented by rarou47. I just love all of her wonderfully grungy layers!
I hope you enjoyed today’s selections! Thanks to Robyn, Marilyn and rarou47 for sharing their delectable creations! Please leave them some love!
Tangie Baxter & CO’s Art Journal Caravan is back for 2016, and if you haven’t participated, you should check it out! I got my start in Art Journalling via the Art Journal Caravan and have never looked back!
Grab Bags are only available for a limited time once a month and are priced on asliding scale, so act fast for the best deal! For more information visit TB&CO Grab Bags.
Have you received the latest FREE itinerary from Tangie’s Art Journal Caravan? If not, you can sign up here! As always, it was full of wonderful ideas, challenges, and inspiration. Every itinerary I receive sparks something new and different, pushing the boundaries of my creativity. Usually I’m inspired by color, words, or quotes, but this week what really caught my eye was the Artist Mastermind: Claude Monet.
In Tangie’s latest foray into authenticity, she has introduced a Vlog, and this week’s episode did not disappoint. Her insight into Monet, his work and how it relates to us all as art journalists has deeply inspired my latest piece (and sort-of tutorial for you), which I’m super excited to introduce.
But first, a little bit about the legendary Claude Monet. Monet is perhaps one of the world’s most famous painters, born in France in 1840. He, and other artists such as Renoir and Sisley grandfathered the Impressionist movement in France during the 1860s. Monet and his counterparts sought to break out from the confines of the Realism movement that was popular at the time. Instead, these artists gravitated toward new colors and techniques. Impressionists saw the world differently than their predecessors; they strived to explore the world around them through the use of light and movement.
Now, while I may not be a world famous artist, I certainly can play one in Photoshop! So today I will show you a few fun techniques that you can use to create a unique work of digital art that rivals those of the great Impressionists.
First off, a quick disclaimer: I am working in Photoshop CC, those who are using different versions may not have all the same options, but there are likely workarounds, it may just take a little more research and leg work. I am also on a PC, so keyboard shortcuts will be different for you Mac peeps.
I started off using this photo that I took of Lake Struga in Macedonia. I found it reminiscent of several of Monet’s most famous paintings.
The first thing I did is duplicate the image (CTRL+J), in theory this is so that you don't damage the original image, but in practice it's just become a habit.
Next, I applied my first filter: Filter -> Stylize -> Oil Paint
I played with the settings until it looked good to me, your photo might be different, but these are the settings I settled on:
I love this filter, we're off to a great start.
Next, I opened up my Filter Gallery (Filter -> Filter Gallery)
... warning: a world of possibilities is on the horizon!
In here the options are almost limitless. It took me quite a bit of playing around to find the effects I needed to create the Impressionist-esque look I was going for. But, here's where I finally landed:
Poster Edges
Add New Effect Layer -> Accented Edges
Add New Effect Layer -> Sponge
Hit OK and voila! A fabulous Impressionist rendition!
The piece isn't perfect, but I love the way it came out. Hopefully this quick and dirty tutorial will get your artistic wheels turning in a new direction.
The effects I chose are not the end all be all of pseudo Impressionist digital artwork either... There are oodles of other filters in the gallery to choose from (I'm also partial to the Dry Brush), the Liquify tool does some really awesome Impressionist warping effects, and if you have the patience, the smudge tool can do an awesome authentic job of recreating brushwork of the era. You could spend an entire day (week or month) delving into the fun of filters in Photoshop.
Thanks for playing along today... and if you're feeling brave, post your piece in the comments below, we'd love to see your beautiful creation!
Are you ready to join us in the 2016 Art Journal Caravan? It’s back and better than ever!
My one little word in 2015 was surrender and surrender I did. In the process, I felt a gentle whisper calling me back to where this part of my journey started 6 years ago. The Art Journal Caravan is returning January 8th, we're going to have a heartfelt discussion and create lots of art around the topic "Uncaged". Members of the Art Journal Emporium receive everything the Caravan has to offer as part of their membership at no extra cost to them. There are other ways to join the Expedition, including some of the workshop delivered FREE right here in our newsletter. You can see all the details below or in the shop. You'll also find 2 freebies below as I celebrate the return of the Caravan all week long.
