This project is going to really be a challenge for me. I am not artistically inclined by nature and this first page is a recognition… not a bad thing… of that fact. But it is also a recognition that I will get better and I am on a path to improve my art.
The page is done with my trusty Micron pen, a really bad sketch of a cliff and water color pencils. Plus a few downloaded images for fun.
TFL! :) I think I am liking this landscape format. I am usually a traditional 12×12 scrapper. I thought I would try something different. Not sure if this will be the title page for my journal or my journal entry for this week. I want to see how this art journal comes together. Thanks for the challenge, Shimelle! Super fun!
American Crafts products and office supplies.
I’m looking forward to learning and discovering being part of this group. As of yet I have not been able to read the first file/prompt for some technical reason I don’t understand. However I have been able to visit the site and see work and ‘listen’ to conversations filled with enthusiasm, doubt and determination which has been great. I may not post a lot but I’ll certainly be working along with you all.
I did the cover of my journal tonight and I feel very liberated. I actually am crying as I write this. I guess the creative processes has released some pent up emotions for me. I have always been afraid of “artistic” stuff. I never wanted to take art class or painting or anything. I am always afraid of the UGLY. Well with this class/journal I am not going to be afraid. So what if it looks like a second grader did it. So here is my journal. I just sat down and tried. Thanks for giving me a safe place to share it.
Can I just say that it was nice to get some quiet, creative time tonight? Amen.
I read the primer and week one challenge earlier and journaled in response to my thought that keeping an art journal is a large, deliberate step towards finding myself again as an artist.
I realize that my handwriting is a little erratic and hard to read. If you can’t read it but are dying to, I can probably spend some time typing it up. ;-)
My first page. I know it will lead to more, there’s just so much going on with me at this time… Maybe I should call it a “Therapy Journal” instead, lol!
There are 2 bits of journaling. The first says “The new beginning. My first online, shared art journal. Very raw and personal, just my style!! So far I dig this group and hope to learn new things from these new minds. Thank you Shimelle for this opportunity to grow as an artsy gal. May 2, 2005”
And the pull tag says “Kristina. Kris. Kristi. Angel. Babe. Kricket. Labelwhore. Maybe I’m so confused about myself b/c I have so many damn names! Identity crisis here?? Am I am wife, a student, or a witress? Am I clean cut or punk rock? Smart or burnt? Maybe I’m not progressing b/c I’m not a unified whole. Or maybe that’s EXACTALLY why I will”
I am putting it all out there from the start, hope no one gets grossed out by my complete and total honesty…
My Second Page here. The colors look sooooo NEON! Totally not. I’m just playing here with my new stuff. 
Here is a close up of the journaling. Again looks neon. Journaling reads: “I started the Art Journal Challenge today! I’m very excited. It should be so cool to see what everyone comes up with. I’m trying out my new acrylic ink and practicing my High School Caligraphy skills. Clearly I’ve FORGOTTEN! Napoleon says he’s lacking skills. I’m gonna work on my skills here in the journal. Such as possibly, my Caligraphy, definately work on my writing/journaling. Maybe figure out a little bit more about ME. Sometimes that’s a good thing…learning more. So I vow to OPEN up a bit more, explore a bit more, examine a bit more.
And, here are my fun art things that I got to play with today. Fun. 
That is the name of the game here for me…..
Now, I can’t wait to see what you’ve got… Give it to me!
Oh, and here’s the cover to my journal… I confess, I made it before we got our first prompt, before I even officially signed up. The creativity just came flying out of me. It’s kind of scrapbookish, but unique in and of itself. I love it, either way, and that’s what counts. We should all LOVE what we do here, not judge or try to live up to some random ideal. This is about us. Our honesty. Our guts.
I loved looking at everyone’s work today. I’ve got to say that this was a real challenge for me. I had to keep telling myself over and over and over again, “it’s okay.”
I wanted everything to be perfect, to look perfect, to read perfectly. HELLO! That’s why I signed up for this class in the first place. To let go and have fun. You know what? It took a wee bit of effort, but I did :)
thanks everyone for sharing their art. i love seeing what others are doing.
part of what i hope to work on in this class is not being intimidated with all the wonderful work that we see.
i want to find my own artistic sense.
to simplify my art.
to find freedom to create.
i am looking forward to all this class and community has to offer.
