Finding My Creative Calm: Art Journaling in a New Season

It feels like a little while since I've properly shared what I've been up to in my creative corner. Life has a funny way of shifting things around, hasn't it? While big projects and elaborate creations might be on hold for the moment, or indeed very sparse, my need to create, to lose myself in colour and line, is still very much a part of who I am.

Now I'm not much of a TV person per say. Yes I will binge watch certain programs but on the whole they are normally on as background noise. While I'm chilling on the sofa, a little bit of guilt crept in about should I be using this time to make "content"? Then the overwhelm stepped in and I actually found myself sitting at my craft desk looking at a blank page. That had to STOP! So now when I have that "itch" to make but not for a reason but to quieten my brain, I grab some supplies, chill on the sofa and lose myself in art journaling - still with something in the background.

What is my new season?

My new season is actually about how things have changed, embracing the change, not feeling guilty about the change and now, see all the latter as part of a "new season".

Lately, my creative time has become more about those precious stolen moments, the quiet pauses in a busy day. And what I've found myself drawn to is the simple joy of art journaling. There's something so freeing about just letting your thoughts and feelings flow onto the page, without the pressure of perfection. Why is it freeing? For me is because there is no expectation of being perfect and wondering what another person thinks, being finished or even being shared!

One of the things I've been enjoying is experimenting with different papers and colouring mediums. This page, for instance, is on a lovely warm-toned mixed media paper from Royal Talens – it has this beautiful subtle texture that I really love. And my trusty tin of Bruynzeel pencils has been my go-to for adding colour. Why the tonal paper? Why not and it was also about not doing something I normally do ie: work in my black paper journals, which then meant, to me, it wasn't a content for content creating piece. I hope that makes sense?

I haven't drawn out this page. It is actually one of my Shady Designs stamp sets: Bit On The Side. I stamped the outlines in a soft gey, (Versafine Clair Morning Mist) and once dry went over the outlines with a Sakura White gelly roll pen. I have doodled some extra bits and pieces on to the design, as felt it needed it.

There's something so comforting about colouring with pencils, isn't there? The Bruynzeel pencils are just smooth and the colours are really buildable. And this Royal Talens paper has been a dream to work on – it takes the pencil beautifully without too much tooth, allowing for nice smooth shading. No, the pencils are not at the top end of the market - I have those too (lol) - but as Bruyzneel is part of the Royal Talen's family, I felt that they should be seen and used together.

The design on this page was inspired by how crowded life can be and that's why there are a group of tags on one side but just the other pieces are separate, linked and looking in. I haven't decided what sentiment, quote or if it needs words yet. What do you think?

I'd love to know, what do you turn to when you need a little creative escape? Do you have a go-to medium or a favourite way to tune out and recharge your creative batteries?

Until next time, take care,

Lou
xxx

This isn't a post about supplies but if you are interest, listed below are the supplies I have used - 

Royal Talens Tonal Papers Warm

Bruyzneel Pencils

Shady Designs Bit On The Side stamp set

Sakura White Gelly Roll Pens

Versafine Clair Morning Mist