Some recent and not so recent art journal pages

I’ve been creating more art journal pages lately, and have tons of photos in my July folder because of it.

I wrote a note about how I got back on track with more consistent art journaling. I set up a so-called “rule” for myself – every time I paint, I must do one page in my art journal before I do anything else.

It also helps to keep an art journal right on my table, so I can’t miss it.

I admit I kinda groan and roll my eyes at myself when I sit down to paint because “art journal first” pops into my head now.

I’ve even caught myself thinking, what a stupid rule! Who made this dumb rule and why am I abiding by it? Who has time for this? 🤣

Turns out, I do have time. It’s all about slowing down and making time.

As much as I love my art journals, I do go through spells where the process feels like extra work, and I already work enough. I’ve been going through a wee bit of feeling burnt out lately.

And, then there’s the blank page to deal with. Once I start painting, I’m fine, it’s just the whole initial process of flipping through the pages & then looking at the blank page and thinking what am I supposed to do with this?, that can be a tad bit uncomfortable sometimes.

If I stay there staring a second too long I’ll think too much & freeze up, and then I won’t do anything. So, I just jump in and immediately make a few marks or brush strokes before thoughts like I don’t know what to do, so why bother doing anything at all creep in. I can always change my mind once I get going, but getting any little mark or line down is better than staring at a blank page.

I can tell when I really wasn’t in the mood to do some of these pages, tho. haha I just slapped some paint and oil pastels down in a comical way, and called it a day. 😀 NEXT!!

Getting in the habit again of picking up my art journal before painting anything else is actually a good thing because it gives my brain time to shift gears.

Going from the real world and all its drama, violence, and massive problems to my tiny art bubble with all my imaginary cartoony friends can be quite a challenge.

It takes time for my brain to let go, relax, forget all the crazy shit, and start thinking like an artist once again. I love entering the world of play, and would stay there forever if I could. Who needs all that negativity anyway?

Since I don’t use reference photos, this warmup seems to rev up my imagination, which makes the first painting after that seem like it’s painting itself.

The page on the left is new, but I might have posted the one of the right before. My art journals aren’t in any sort of order usually.

I’ve found that chronological order doesn’t amount to a hill of beans when I pick the book up 10 years later. I don’t remember or care if this one was painted on Tuesday in May, and that one on Friday in September. All that truly matters is I created something & that I had fun doing it.

I still have a bit more to go before this art journal is finished, but it shouldn’t take long now that I’m back to using my art journals again.

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What I’ve been reading this week:

I finished The Maid by Nita Prose. It was my second time trying to read it, and I probably should have stuck with my first impression and left it as a dnf. I ended up giving it 2 stars out of 5. I won’t be reading more of the series.

Moving quickly on, I was hoping The Dutch House by Ann Patchett would be available on my library app, but it said it would be another 2 weeks, so I borrowed another book by Ann titled Taft. I only had a chance to read a couple pages, and got the notification that Dutch House could be mine, all mine for the next 21 days, so I raced to borrow it. I put Taft to one side for now.

This is my first Ann Patchett book. I’m about half way through with The Dutch House, and I’m on the fence whether I like it or not. I thought I did, at first, but it’s starting to drag. I often feel this way about many books when I’m about half way through, tho. I hope it picks up again soon, but I’ll finish it either way.

I also bought a couple books, which I haven’t started reading, so I won’t bother linking to them yet. Soon!

Watching:

Don’t quit your job to be a Full time Artist (the reality) - The Purple Palace

I Still Don’t Like My Art - after 9 years of filling sketchbooks, she still doesn’t like her artwork, but I do. xo

David Hockney: Another View of the World - I’m still so sad that he passed, but at least the videos will live on, right?

His Art Is So INSANE Everyone Thinks It’s AI - how fun! “I take silly very seriously.” haha! Me, too!

Artist Sheila Hicks: We’re Crying for Softness

A lovely short documentary about working textile artist in her 90s. Such amazing, beautiful lady making stunning work. I’m in awe.

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My artwork is available on Daily Paintworks (US shipping only), Etsy, and eBay (worldwide shipping).

Check out my weekly eBay auctions with low starting bids.

You can also find me on pinksky & blsky.

I’ve also been posting notes here on Substack in between these longer posts.

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May you be well, happy and peaceful. ☸️