Can you believe that we're more than half way through April? This month has been flying by. And I'm currently hunting for some eager volunteers. If you're an active Art Journal Every Day participant and you're willing to answer a few questions and share a photo or two, drop me an e-mail. Let me know what number you are on the April sign-ups when you e-mail me!
If you're new to Art Journal Every Day, all the posts can be found here. Please read this post first. There is a flickr group for sharing right here. Remember, it's just ten minutes of nourishing your creative self every day! No need to finish anything or even like it. Just play!
Today's post is from Michelle LaPoint Rydell.
A Journal For Every Mood
Hi everyone! I'm so excited to be here today as part of Julie's Art Journal Every Day Project! I've been inspired by Julie's work for a long time now, and feel so honored that she asked me – thanks Julie!
I admit I am a bit "obsessed" with art journaling. I started my first journal in 2007 and have been hooked ever since! One of the things that I have struggled with in the past though, is deciding what kind of journaler I want to be. Do I want to mostly write? Paint? Have it messy or organized? I'd start one type of art journal and then another idea would come into my head, and I'd get all confused – which way was the right way? Well, I finally decided that the beauty of art journaling is that I don't have to choose! I can do them all! I can make it up as I go along and it's all "right!" Yeayyy! Once I figured that out I was off and running! Now, I have lots of journals going all the time, and each day, I just pick up whichever one I feel like working in! I thought it would be fun to share a little bit about the different types of journaling I like to do.
Here's a pic of a bunch of the journals I've already filled. As you can see there is no rhyme or reason – they are all a little bit different…
I've realized that for me, it really boils down to three basic different types:
1. Documenting Life
These are the journals that tell my life story. Not that it's all that interesting to anyone but me, mind you – ha. But still, I like to write about my day, and paste in the memorabilia of daily life – receipts, concert tickets, photos, etc. Here are a few pics of different ways I've done that…
A messy mish mosh of different size pages, bound with a Bind-It-All…
Remains of the Day Style Sewn Journal…
My current grid style journal…
2. Creative Abandon
These are the journals that I experiment with new techniques in, make random painty pages, collage, work with journal prompts, etc. They are messy and overfilled and the bindings are sometimes breaking, but for me that's part of the fun! Here are a few examples of those pages…
3. Specialty Journals
Sometimes I will start a specific project or workshop, or play along with an online challenge group, and decide that it would be most fun to create a special journal just for that one thing. Here are a few examples:
My journals are my playground – where I feel free to express myself any way I choose. I am so thankful for them!!!
I will leave you with some links to my favorite art journaling supplies. Maybe they are yours too?
Markers:
- Poster Paint Sharpies (best white marker ever!)
- Pentel Markers (nice bold tips for writing and doodling)
- Pitt Pens (nice for sketching – love the array of grays and black)
Journals/Papers:
- Canson (beautifully thick paper – well made, great for writing on)
- Stonehenge paper (fantastic for use with acrylic paint, great for making your own journal)
Paint:
- Peerless Watercolor (super intense colors and great for traveling)
- Pelikan Watercolor (also beautiful colors) )
- Craftsmart (transparent, great colors and super cheap!)
- Grumbacher Academy Acrylic (opaque, bright and smooth like butter)
Fun Tape:
I live in Minnesota with my hubby Michael and our two cats Willie and Johnny. As an artist, the main thing in my head when starting a new project is usually the emotion I'm feeling or want to convey. Then I think about how I can bring that emotion to life. Music is a huge source of inspiration for me, and being a teenager in the 1970's, I'm also partial to all things with a retro-groovy kind of vibe!
I believe creativity is an evolution and my favorite mediums keep changing as I go. I love to experiment and believe that the best art comes from letting go and just playing. Along with art journaling, I enjoy painting, mixed media collage and scrapbooking.
You can visit me at my blog - Inspiration Everywhere and I also run a creative challenge blog called Scrapping The Music. Come on by and say hi – I'd love to see you!
Hi Julie, I can’t thank you enough for your AJED initiative although I do admit that I’m a bit obsessed by it as well …
Hi Julie, I can’t thank you enough for your AJED initiative although I do admit that I’m a bit obsessed by it as well …
Hi Julie, I can’t thank you enough for your AJED initiative although I do admit that I’m a bit obsessed by it as well …
Hi Julie, I can’t thank you enough for your AJED initiative although I do admit that I’m a bit obsessed by it as well …
Waw, stunning journals. Wish I was that creative too 😉
Love from Belgium,
Isolde
Waw, stunning journals. Wish I was that creative too 😉
Love from Belgium,
Isolde
Waw, stunning journals. Wish I was that creative too 😉
Love from Belgium,
Isolde
Waw, stunning journals. Wish I was that creative too 😉
Love from Belgium,
Isolde
Absolutely AMAZING creations Michelle!! You know I am truly inspired by you daily!!! :):):):):):):):):):):):)
Absolutely AMAZING creations Michelle!! You know I am truly inspired by you daily!!! :):):):):):):):):):):):)
Absolutely AMAZING creations Michelle!! You know I am truly inspired by you daily!!! :):):):):):):):):):):):)
Absolutely AMAZING creations Michelle!! You know I am truly inspired by you daily!!! :):):):):):):):):):):):)
Love your journals! All of them are so creative! Thank you for sharing!
Love your journals! All of them are so creative! Thank you for sharing!
Love your journals! All of them are so creative! Thank you for sharing!
Love your journals! All of them are so creative! Thank you for sharing!
Michelle I love the idea of having a journal for your every mood! I too am confused by what direction I want my journal to go. I have one for my daily words and started a second of mostly drawings. Yours are so inspiring!Thank you for sharing them!!!
Michelle I love the idea of having a journal for your every mood! I too am confused by what direction I want my journal to go. I have one for my daily words and started a second of mostly drawings. Yours are so inspiring!Thank you for sharing them!!!
Michelle I love the idea of having a journal for your every mood! I too am confused by what direction I want my journal to go. I have one for my daily words and started a second of mostly drawings. Yours are so inspiring!Thank you for sharing them!!!
Michelle I love the idea of having a journal for your every mood! I too am confused by what direction I want my journal to go. I have one for my daily words and started a second of mostly drawings. Yours are so inspiring!Thank you for sharing them!!!
Love your collection of journals, styles and approaches Michelle!! Such treasures! SO inspiring — thank you for sharing!
Love your collection of journals, styles and approaches Michelle!! Such treasures! SO inspiring — thank you for sharing!
Love your collection of journals, styles and approaches Michelle!! Such treasures! SO inspiring — thank you for sharing!
Love your collection of journals, styles and approaches Michelle!! Such treasures! SO inspiring — thank you for sharing!
Do you have a clone living in Colorado? In my house? This is how it looks in my art room. Although you look a little more organized than I and more disciplined. I have so many journals with LOTS of room for writing more or adding on – now that I know I’m not the only one – I’m better. Thanks for the categories and all!
Do you have a clone living in Colorado? In my house? This is how it looks in my art room. Although you look a little more organized than I and more disciplined. I have so many journals with LOTS of room for writing more or adding on – now that I know I’m not the only one – I’m better. Thanks for the categories and all!
Do you have a clone living in Colorado? In my house? This is how it looks in my art room. Although you look a little more organized than I and more disciplined. I have so many journals with LOTS of room for writing more or adding on – now that I know I’m not the only one – I’m better. Thanks for the categories and all!
Do you have a clone living in Colorado? In my house? This is how it looks in my art room. Although you look a little more organized than I and more disciplined. I have so many journals with LOTS of room for writing more or adding on – now that I know I’m not the only one – I’m better. Thanks for the categories and all!
Michelle…your art journals are wonderful and different. Thanks for the ideas and inspiration!
Michelle…your art journals are wonderful and different. Thanks for the ideas and inspiration!
Michelle…your art journals are wonderful and different. Thanks for the ideas and inspiration!
Michelle…your art journals are wonderful and different. Thanks for the ideas and inspiration!
Hi Julie, I couldn’t find your email address on your site or your profile. (Sorry if I just missed it.) Could you tell me what it is? Thanks!!
Hi Julie, I couldn’t find your email address on your site or your profile. (Sorry if I just missed it.) Could you tell me what it is? Thanks!!
Hi Julie, I couldn’t find your email address on your site or your profile. (Sorry if I just missed it.) Could you tell me what it is? Thanks!!
Hi Julie, I couldn’t find your email address on your site or your profile. (Sorry if I just missed it.) Could you tell me what it is? Thanks!!
Michelle’s journals are beautiful, inside and out…love the inspiration on every page!
Michelle’s journals are beautiful, inside and out…love the inspiration on every page!
Michelle’s journals are beautiful, inside and out…love the inspiration on every page!
Michelle’s journals are beautiful, inside and out…love the inspiration on every page!
Andria: Theres an e-mail link on the right side of my blog. A little banner being pulled by an airplane that says, e-mail me.
Andria: Theres an e-mail link on the right side of my blog. A little banner being pulled by an airplane that says, e-mail me.
Andria: Theres an e-mail link on the right side of my blog. A little banner being pulled by an airplane that says, e-mail me.
Andria: Theres an e-mail link on the right side of my blog. A little banner being pulled by an airplane that says, e-mail me.
Fantastic array of journals–and a good reminder that one size does not fit all (and that’s OKAY!). Thank you for sharing the inspiration and I’m happy to say I’m a faithful daily follower of your blog, too, Michelle!
Fantastic array of journals–and a good reminder that one size does not fit all (and that’s OKAY!). Thank you for sharing the inspiration and I’m happy to say I’m a faithful daily follower of your blog, too, Michelle!
Fantastic array of journals–and a good reminder that one size does not fit all (and that’s OKAY!). Thank you for sharing the inspiration and I’m happy to say I’m a faithful daily follower of your blog, too, Michelle!
Fantastic array of journals–and a good reminder that one size does not fit all (and that’s OKAY!). Thank you for sharing the inspiration and I’m happy to say I’m a faithful daily follower of your blog, too, Michelle!
Do you know how long I have thought I need to find what kind of journaler I am? A long while … and it stumps me and I end up NOT doing a page cause ‘this isn’t the style I am going after’ … I have to admit I like to work in one journal at a time … but why can’t I do whatever in one???? Good question.
Anyway, wonderful article! I am off to visit your blog now…. I have a feeling I will find a new one to love!
Do you know how long I have thought I need to find what kind of journaler I am? A long while … and it stumps me and I end up NOT doing a page cause ‘this isn’t the style I am going after’ … I have to admit I like to work in one journal at a time … but why can’t I do whatever in one???? Good question.
Anyway, wonderful article! I am off to visit your blog now…. I have a feeling I will find a new one to love!
Do you know how long I have thought I need to find what kind of journaler I am? A long while … and it stumps me and I end up NOT doing a page cause ‘this isn’t the style I am going after’ … I have to admit I like to work in one journal at a time … but why can’t I do whatever in one???? Good question.
Anyway, wonderful article! I am off to visit your blog now…. I have a feeling I will find a new one to love!
Do you know how long I have thought I need to find what kind of journaler I am? A long while … and it stumps me and I end up NOT doing a page cause ‘this isn’t the style I am going after’ … I have to admit I like to work in one journal at a time … but why can’t I do whatever in one???? Good question.
Anyway, wonderful article! I am off to visit your blog now…. I have a feeling I will find a new one to love!
What an amazing array of art work! Thanks for the eye candy 🙂
What an amazing array of art work! Thanks for the eye candy 🙂
What an amazing array of art work! Thanks for the eye candy 🙂
What an amazing array of art work! Thanks for the eye candy 🙂
Great to see you here Michelle! You know I’m one of your biggest fans! I think you are FABULOUS!!! YOU were the one that inspired me to dive into art journaling, remember? (On SIStv?!) Your journal pages always amaze me… love it and love you!
Great to see you here Michelle! You know I’m one of your biggest fans! I think you are FABULOUS!!! YOU were the one that inspired me to dive into art journaling, remember? (On SIStv?!) Your journal pages always amaze me… love it and love you!
Great to see you here Michelle! You know I’m one of your biggest fans! I think you are FABULOUS!!! YOU were the one that inspired me to dive into art journaling, remember? (On SIStv?!) Your journal pages always amaze me… love it and love you!
Great to see you here Michelle! You know I’m one of your biggest fans! I think you are FABULOUS!!! YOU were the one that inspired me to dive into art journaling, remember? (On SIStv?!) Your journal pages always amaze me… love it and love you!
All of those journals are so fabulous!!!
All of those journals are so fabulous!!!
All of those journals are so fabulous!!!
All of those journals are so fabulous!!!
Michelle!!! I LOVE looking at your art journals all laid out there…they tell a story just looking at them and they are all fabulous like YOU! They are filled with color and wonder – just like YOU! You are an inspiration to all who meet you….so glad to see you here, inspiring even more folks.
Julie, I am SOO thankful that you are here with this wonderful blog and that you have this series. It’s fantastic! I’m so glad I was introduced to this blog through Michelle!!
Michelle!!! I LOVE looking at your art journals all laid out there…they tell a story just looking at them and they are all fabulous like YOU! They are filled with color and wonder – just like YOU! You are an inspiration to all who meet you….so glad to see you here, inspiring even more folks.
Julie, I am SOO thankful that you are here with this wonderful blog and that you have this series. It’s fantastic! I’m so glad I was introduced to this blog through Michelle!!
Michelle!!! I LOVE looking at your art journals all laid out there…they tell a story just looking at them and they are all fabulous like YOU! They are filled with color and wonder – just like YOU! You are an inspiration to all who meet you….so glad to see you here, inspiring even more folks.
Julie, I am SOO thankful that you are here with this wonderful blog and that you have this series. It’s fantastic! I’m so glad I was introduced to this blog through Michelle!!
Michelle!!! I LOVE looking at your art journals all laid out there…they tell a story just looking at them and they are all fabulous like YOU! They are filled with color and wonder – just like YOU! You are an inspiration to all who meet you….so glad to see you here, inspiring even more folks.
Julie, I am SOO thankful that you are here with this wonderful blog and that you have this series. It’s fantastic! I’m so glad I was introduced to this blog through Michelle!!
Hi Michelle – how fun to see the array of your journals. I love that you don’t limit yourself. And I’m happy to be here exploring Julie’s blog…
Hi Michelle – how fun to see the array of your journals. I love that you don’t limit yourself. And I’m happy to be here exploring Julie’s blog…
Hi Michelle – how fun to see the array of your journals. I love that you don’t limit yourself. And I’m happy to be here exploring Julie’s blog…
Hi Michelle – how fun to see the array of your journals. I love that you don’t limit yourself. And I’m happy to be here exploring Julie’s blog…
Hi Michelle! I absolutely LOVE how you have so many different journals for different moods. That’s how I scrapbook – I have not rhyme or reason . . . I scrap where my mood takes me. I have always wanted to start a journal and now you have really inspired me! Thanks my friend! Happy Easter!!!!
Hi Michelle! I absolutely LOVE how you have so many different journals for different moods. That’s how I scrapbook – I have not rhyme or reason . . . I scrap where my mood takes me. I have always wanted to start a journal and now you have really inspired me! Thanks my friend! Happy Easter!!!!
Hi Michelle! I absolutely LOVE how you have so many different journals for different moods. That’s how I scrapbook – I have not rhyme or reason . . . I scrap where my mood takes me. I have always wanted to start a journal and now you have really inspired me! Thanks my friend! Happy Easter!!!!
Hi Michelle! I absolutely LOVE how you have so many different journals for different moods. That’s how I scrapbook – I have not rhyme or reason . . . I scrap where my mood takes me. I have always wanted to start a journal and now you have really inspired me! Thanks my friend! Happy Easter!!!!
oh my! I love these, Michelle. Love how you broke them down into their categories. They are so beautiful- every single one of them!
oh my! I love these, Michelle. Love how you broke them down into their categories. They are so beautiful- every single one of them!
oh my! I love these, Michelle. Love how you broke them down into their categories. They are so beautiful- every single one of them!
oh my! I love these, Michelle. Love how you broke them down into their categories. They are so beautiful- every single one of them!
Seeing this makes me feel so much better about not having ‘one style’! Thanks for the inspiration!
Seeing this makes me feel so much better about not having ‘one style’! Thanks for the inspiration!
Seeing this makes me feel so much better about not having ‘one style’! Thanks for the inspiration!
Seeing this makes me feel so much better about not having ‘one style’! Thanks for the inspiration!
I love the quick videos! I would like you to show the products you are using; gesso, glaze medium etc. I am sorry to be anal but I am fascinated by your methods!
I love the quick videos! I would like you to show the products you are using; gesso, glaze medium etc. I am sorry to be anal but I am fascinated by your methods!
I love the quick videos! I would like you to show the products you are using; gesso, glaze medium etc. I am sorry to be anal but I am fascinated by your methods!
I love the quick videos! I would like you to show the products you are using; gesso, glaze medium etc. I am sorry to be anal but I am fascinated by your methods!
Hi love your Blog I want to start Art Journaling my biggest question what kind of Journal do I buy?
Hi love your Blog I want to start Art Journaling my biggest question what kind of Journal do I buy?
Hi love your Blog I want to start Art Journaling my biggest question what kind of Journal do I buy?
Hi love your Blog I want to start Art Journaling my biggest question what kind of Journal do I buy?