Why I want to start an art journal....

I'm back today to share my thoughts with you on why I want to start an art journal.  Yesterday I put a new Art Journal Kit in the shop which is kind of a new avenue for me.  I'm not sure what has sparked my new interest in using more artful techniques in my work but it's exploded and I'm really loving it.  I'm calling it my art revival journey.  

I've added some photos today that I've been pinning to my Pinterest boards.  These are the types of art journal pages that caught my interest and are inspiring to me so I thought I would share them with you.  If you're new to art journaling and maybe/kinda wanna do it, creating a Pinterest board is a great way to discover your style.  As the board progresses and you look at it as a whole you start to see what designs and colors and techniques that you like.  

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So on to why I want to art journal.  As I was searching for art techniques online I kept coming across art journal pages.  I knew what art journals were but I never really got the "why" of why people created them.

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But the more I researched and the more I came across art journals, I began to get it.

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Art journals are the perfect way to express creativity and to focus on the process.  Focusing on the process.....not the finished product.  This is when it all hit home for me.

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 I  believe that there is a calling for all of us.  There is something inside all of us that tugs at your heart.  Something you really want to do.  Want to be.  For me it is art.  It always has been.  I've been creating art ever since I can remember, in some form or another.  And although I've stayed within that creative area in my career there's always something more.

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And now, it's calling my name again.  Back to my roots.  Back to those art classes I took way back in grade school and into college.  That desire to just create and see what happens.  Focusing on the process.  

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 I'm finding that I want to dig in again and get reacquainted with my art supplies.  To create just to see what happens.  No pressure to create a work of art, a finished card, a great scrapbook page.

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The idea of an art journal is what I'm thinking will enable me to do that type of creating.  I must admit that those blank pages are pretty intimidating.  But you have to start somewhere.  Just add that first brush stroke, slap on that first piece of paper.....cover your hands with paint.

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And so the journey begins.  I have no idea where it will lead.  I don't have any big plans.  I'm not aspiring to create great works of art.  I'm not looking for approval or critiques because it doesn't matter. But I do feel compelled to share my work.  That has always been a fun part of this journey...sharing with others.  Feeling a part of a community.  Enjoying the process.

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Each art journal page will be a new idea, a new start.  It's terribly exciting to me right now.

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 After working in the paper crafting industry for over 15 years, I feel that you must progress.  You must change somewhat...but also stay true to your style.  I think this helps you grow and learn.

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 And that can totally happen.  I'm not abandoning my card making, my scrapbooking, my Project Life.  I'm just experimenting to see what happens.

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To see what adding art to the mix does.  I hope some of you will join me in the journey.  I'd love to learn and re-learn techniques right along with you.  I'd love to share my ideas, cool finds, great links and my projects with you.

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I hope that you are inspired.  I hope that you have a little spark inside you to try something new.  I'd love to hear your thoughts.....have you ever considered doing an art journal, do you want to try new techniques, do you ever feel that you get a little bored and need that creative spark, is it totally intimidating to you when you hear the word "art"?  Let me know, I'd love to hear where you are in your creative journey right now.