finding ourselves and losing ourselves at the same time

I'm loving the freedom that art journals give me to experiment and to work on one-page or two-page spreads.  With time always at a premium, I've begun leaving my supplies and journal projects out on the dining room table during the week so that I can take advantage of any down time that comes my way.

This started out as a painted page that I was ultimately dissatisfied with so I laid down a piece of scrap book paper, drew the feather with pencil, added some minimal color with gel pens, and completed the lettering with a fine tip Sharpie, gel pens, and a metallic silver Sharpie.

first art journal

This is my first art journal and I'm using the opportunity to experiment with anything and everything--watercolors, pen and ink, colored pencils, acrylic paints, gesso, Mod Podge, scotch tape, and a variety of techniques.  I have two other empty art journals ready to go, again made with brown paper grocery bags and bound with yarn.  I'll take my favorite techniques and mediums and start creating journals with themes.

I made the cover with a piece of fabric glued on with Mod Podge and then trimmed with household masking tape.  I braided the ends of the yarn used to bind the journal.  I'm very please with my first attempt and can't wait to start on the next one.