Friday 8 June 2012

Preparing for change

I bought a new art journal and have started to paint the covers in the evenings after work, to make it more personal. I meant to use my at the moment favourite colours, purple and green. But after having completed a first green layer, I just had to add some orange and red the following day.


It is actually already looking different again, as I've been working on it some more. I just didn't manage to take new photos yet. A lot of the red and orange has been covered up again with different shades of purple and some blue. And I've added some patterned paper too. 


To continue working on these covers, and to keep changing them until it all feels right is actually very appropriate for this particular art journal. Because this journal will be all about change. I've been thinking a lot about change recently, big and small, wanted and unwanted. About all the changes I want to make in my life, about how to turn negative, because unwanted, change into positive opportunities, about attitude towards change and how to influence it. It feels like now is the right time to start and make some changes. Maybe not start with all those big, scary but also exciting ones, and not everything at once. But at least start taking the first steps. Sit down with a journal and make some notes, turn the one or other little idea into action, put your mind to it, and get the focus and attitude right. And believe that everything will turn out okay somehow. And make lots of inspiring and encouraging and most of all honest and authentic art journal pages on the way.


Linking this up with the wonderful Paint Party Friday, a truly inspiring community.

31 comments:

  1. A new journal is an opportunity to start again. I like that. I have never done art journaling, but I write lot in my journals.

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  2. Looking good! Very inspiring ♥

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  3. I really like how you've totally personalised the outside of your art journal. You inspired me last week with your gorgeous illustrations of your travels in Germany and I wanted to do the same for our trip last weekend but I couldn't find my journal before we left and in the end up I didn't find/make time to do any art while we were away after all! I do want to try to find one of those journals though because I love the little separate boxes for art mixed in with your written thoughts!
    Good on you for making changes - small steps is the way to go!

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  4. erstens sieht das schon mal begnadet aus... oh wow ich bin schon gespannt...
    und das Theam ist auch interessant...
    ja das Leben ist eine permanenete Veränderung und ich hab ja inzwischen gelernt..
    dass fast alles seinen SInn hat so wie es geschieht ...
    ich für mich kann mich durch den kreativen Prozess so gut entspannen und mit dem Leben in Einklang kommen ....

    und das sich Verändern können ist ein Geschek, das jeder annhemen sollte um sein Glück zu optimieren!

    Freu mich schon auf mehr und freu mich auch schonwenn DU wieder bei der Art Journal Journey mitmachst!

    Liebe Grüsse ...

    Susi
    die Farben sind GRANDIOS!

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  5. Change is good and writing and reflecting upon the changes always helps me. I am a big believer that change is always something that happens, so I want to be the one who makes the change not reacts to it as it happens.
    I love the idea of personalizing your cover. It looks great!

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  6. Great, this all sounds just wonderful and adding your personal touches to the cover is so good too. It's such a great feeling as journals thicken up over time with all our personal notes and sketches, paint, poetry whatever needs to get out, so very therapeutic! Have fun!

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  7. These look great. What a great idea to make them visually enticing even on the outside!

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  8. Ooh, I love the idea of personalizing the cover! I might just have to do something like that with mine!! Instead of that boring, hard black case, surely colours make it far more inviting and even mysterious to others :0)

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  9. GORGEOUS journal- I know you'll fill it with so much beauty! Also, thank you for your inspiring words- wonderful!
    Happy PPF!
    Stephanie

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  10. The cover for your next journal adventure is really beautiful. Journaling is such an enlighting expericence. Have fun and enjoy the ride. Happy PPF

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  11. Wow! You are really being very creative with this journal cover ~ can't wait to see the pages ~~thanks, namaste, (A Creative Harbor)

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  12. Ein neues Journal ist immer aufregend und dieses ist wunderbar präpariert. Ich freu mich schon auf die pages von Dir. LG Stephanie

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  13. That's beautiful. I plan (someday!) to make an art journal from an existing book and to something awesome like this for the cover. Thanks for the inspiration.
    Rinda

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  14. Great painting! I've never painted my covers, such a great idea. I love how yours turned out. Happy PPF!

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  15. Loved the post before... I hate ears too.... but this one is just perfect... I have been thinking a lot about change too... it is a constant companion at the moment, and lots of thoughts and sketches are making their way onto paper... I have no clue how people get through anything without a journal or sketchbook... I would be lost...xx

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  16. How much more exciting is it to open a journal that is so very personal, right from the cover? Good luck embracing all the changes, I think keeping a journal about it is a great idea.

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  17. It's looking lovely - it will surely invite you in to paint and create often!

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  18. Sieht jetzt schon wunderschön und einladend aus Dein Journal! Ich liebe die Texturen und die Farben passen so schön zusammen :) Ja das Leben ist Veränderung und deshalb ist es eines der Spannendsten ;) Freu mich schon auf die gefüllten Seiten GLG von Conny

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  19. Great journal - the layers of color are just scrumptious!! Looking forward to seeing how you explore change! Happy PPF!

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  20. I LOVE your journal. It will help you through many changes, I have no doubt. Happy PPF!

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  21. What a beautiful attitude! I believe you will make significant changes that bring you love, laughter and creative abundance!!! Wonderful journal! All the best on your journey!!

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  22. Beautiful journal cover painting!!
    I really connected with what you wrote about change...what a powerful theme and so well articulated in your post.
    ♥♥♥
    Happy PPF!!
    Mary
    Mixed-Media Map Art

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  23. Change is happening in my life as we speak! And marking changes on your journal cover illustrate yours for you and give me ideas for mine too.
    thanks for that inspiration. I like the texture you have added with what looks like fabrics. HPPF!

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  24. Wow! Gorgeous!! I love the texture! Happy PPF!!

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  25. What a great theme for a journal! Looking forward to seeing more.

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  26. That's so cool that you painted your journal to make it more uniquely your own. Now I'm tempted to do the same--though first I need to go out and purchase a journal. Also don't let your dreams intimidate you. They're there for inspiration, at least that's what I like to think even when I know I can't go chasing them head on.

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  27. Exciting.. I should have bought a journal book too, as the one I have has too thin sheets.. Is your journal book of aquarelle sheets?

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  28. fabulous....the cours are gorgeous...xxx

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  29. Looks great! Happy new book beginning!

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  30. Lovely colors, looking great :-)

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