7.27.2010

30 Journals 30 Days

 
Connie from Dirty Footprints Studio
has been doing "30 Journals for 30 Days"
during the month of July.
She chose various art journals from all skill levels
and asked them all the same questions.
It was WONDERFUL to get more in-depth with
some of my favorite journalers
and find new favorites.
I was sad that the end of July was coming,
thus the end of 30 Journals 30 days.
Lo and Behold, Connie extended her love
for everyone!
She is allowing us to answer her questions ourselves,
and on Saturday she will add them to her Link on her website.
How generous and thoughtful.
Though, in deciding to participate in this
I realized I have to actually dig deep to answer these questions.
I generally not a fan of that,
but that is the path I am on.
I want to figure myself out.
I want to live authentically.
I want to believe in myself.
I think I am on the right path with my newfound
love of art journaling.
Without further ado,
here is my interview with myself.

  • How long have you been Art Journaling? 
  • I started about a year ago (almost exactly!). I ran into Julie Prichard's blog somehow, and my life changed. 
  • How has Art Journaling impacted, changed, or enhanced your life?
  •  I want to say it has changed me deeply, or profoundly. It seems to for so many other people. For me, it has given me something to be excited about again. I had been depressed for many, many years, but just didn't realize it. I just thought it was who I was. I haven't felt true joy/happiness for years, but I also haven't felt the soul-sucking despair that I have felt in the past. I guess I lived numb. It is something I am still working on, but for the first time in close to 6 years, I am truly looking forward to something. Truly excited. It feels weird. 
  • I'm rambling. What this is leading to, is how art journaling has helped bring me out of that. I found something that keeps me excited, itching to come home and learn. Play. Despite many times I don't like what comes out, I keep forging ahead. A year later, and I still want to do this. I don't know if it will go anywhere, but I do believe it is better for my mental health
  •  
  • What are a few of your favorite Art Journaling materials?
  • I guess it depends on what I am currently into. For drawing purposes, I LOVE Micron pens. They are permanent, have all different sizes and are just lovely to work with. Paints. Julie Prichard introduced me to Golden Fluid Acrylics and I never looked back. They are bright and vivid. A little does go a long way. 
  • Who are some of your favorite Art Journalers?
  •  Ok. I have TOO MANY to put in here. Really, just look at my blogroll...There are so many people than inspire me; from illustrators to designers to painters to other newbie art journalers...
  • What kind words of encouragement would you say to an Art Journal newbie?
  • If you have any inkling to put paint to the paper, doodle, draw, sew...don't let that stupid inner critic in. I know. I spent all my life being jealous of my little brother because he holds all the talent in the family. He can draw amazing things. He can paint. He is the creative one. I can barely draw a stick figure! Starting an art journal was a painless transition into creativity. If I tried and messed up, no one needed to see. Turns out that my love of color (Favorite color? ROY G BIV!) is so much fun translating into smearing paint around a page. If any interest is sparked, DO IT! 
  • Where can we contact you...give us some link LOVE!!
  • Well, since you are at my blog...I don't need to give you that ;) I do have a Flickr account though! 
  • Short Bio.
My name is Dawn, and I hail from Upstate NY and have been living in Charlottesville, VA for the past 5.5 years. I have a cat named Jack, and just am trying to figure myself and life out.
 
 

15 comments:

  1. Really lovely to see this interview with yourself, sounds very like myself, can totaly empathise with lots of it.
    Maybe I will do this too. Wel done and keep smiling

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is awesome ! I love that you took Connie's challenge and ran with it. I feel very much the same about my own art journal as you do. My journal saved my life in many ways and I am still excited about filling its pages after three years and 4 journals. I love your free style writing - it looks like the artist soul getting stuff out ! Brava for sharing yourself this way !

    ReplyDelete
  3. way to go - i pushing yourself to dig deep. i love your pages - the star especially really speaks to me.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great interview...love your pages! Love your hand writing!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your pages are beautiful Dawn. I really get where you're coming from on trying to figure things out - art journaling has helped me with that tremendously (and the journey, of course, continues)!

    blessings,
    Kelley

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love that you said your favorite color is ROY G BIV. I've always hated that question. A color pops in my head and it's always different than the last time. Or, I start spewing off two or three. Okay. Really. It's all of them.

    As for your inner critic, it's about time you shut them up. Everyone is creative. Including you. You don't have to draw well, or paint well, or know your entire color wheel to be talented. You just have to express yourself in some way. That's talent :)

    Thanks for sharing your work!

    Rhoda

    ReplyDelete
  7. awesome. I loved this post and everything you have said is so moving

    ReplyDelete
  8. A very moving interview! I can relate to so much that you said.
    Love your journal pages!

    ReplyDelete
  9. This is a fierce and brave and beautiful post. Thank you for sharing this with us!

    ReplyDelete
  10. YAY!! I applaud you for diving in and being truly authentic!! My brother was always the "artistic" one so I stayed away from art somewhat but I love it so ..and colors? Oh forget about it ...I'm with you - what a great answer that was by the way :) Dawn, I love that you are excited and moving forward with journal in hand! Don't stop!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Great pages and post. My sister was the 'artistic' one. Since I discovered the idea of the visual diary and online tutorials with journal artista and milliande, I've been creating pages that I'm really pleased with. I feel that somehow art journaling has freed me up to mess about and for the first time in my life, allow expression through mixed media.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Congratulations...and well deserved. It's all so wonderful, but I'm really in love with the last spread.

    ReplyDelete
  13. These pages are wonderful! Thanks for sharing your tips, etc. with us...great interview!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Dawn - thanks for stopping by the mountain mermaid! It is fun seeing your work, too. I love your pages - the colors you are working with - and the marks you're making. Keep on playing and enjoying!
    Love your vacation photos, too. And am excited for you for the sketchbook project.

    ReplyDelete
  15. enjoyed getting to know you..love your handwriting style

    Keep on with the wonderful Art Journalling

    drop by and visit me when you have time

    ReplyDelete