Happy little art journal pages

Since 2020 is right around the corner, I’ve seen a lot of artists rushing to finish up their art journals and sketch books by the end of the year. They want to start fresh in 2020, since it’s a new decade and all.

I didn’t give it a lot of thought until last night, when I started going through some of my old journals around midnight. I was looking for a specific painting I did of Sweet Pea, which I never did find. But, what I discovered was, I have several books that aren’t finished. So, I’m quickly jumping on the ‘finish these blank pages before 2020″ bandwagon. I’m not going to care if I get them all done before then, but I figured I’d give it a shot. No pressure tho. 

Looking at my old work made me nostalgic for the artist I used to be, before I got all serious and boring. I decided I want to spend some time in 2020, rediscovering, and reconnecting to my inner child. I want to be more playful, waaaay less concerned about details and trying to paint perfectly. I just want to have some fun for a change, and bring some magic back into my work. 

Interestingly, this was on the inside cover of one of my journals. It’s as if I glued it there knowing my future self would find it some day, and need to read this message. I have forgotten to do the stuff I wanted to do all along. Instead, I’ve become all too serious, extremely hard on myself, and UGH..businesslike. Well, enough of that! Life has been dragging me down for too long. It’s time to play like a kid again.

Here are some more old art journal pages that I absolutely adore…

I used to paint a lot of houses in my old work, I’ve realized. Where did they go? Why did I stop? 

he sings to her

I’ve always liked this photo of me. 

Aren’t these fun, tho?? I feel like I’ve found a goldmine. 🙂 It’s so weird how an artist’s art can change so much over the years. I’m not sure the changes have suited me or my personality well. I hate to criticize myself, but I love this playful style I used to have better than the work I’ve been doing lately. People keep telling me that my portraits look sad, and this is probably the reason why. I haven’t been having much fun in my studio. Perhaps there will be big changes coming in 2020..more than I realize right now. hm..it sure is fun to paint without a care in the world, so perhaps I can get my inner child to come play with me more often. I know she wants to. 😀 

Anyway, when I’m finished with the books, I’ll scan the pages to put up on my art journal page. I might offer prints of some. Maybe do some flip-throughs on youtube? We’ll see.

Okay, bye. Ack!! I’m so excited to go play I can hardly contain myself. 😀