If you're new to Art Journal Every Day, there is a short introduction here. All of the previous posts can be found archived here. Remember, it's just ten minutes of nourishing your creative self every day! No need to finish anything or even like it. If you've done some art journaling this week, use the hashtag #artjournaleveryday so that we can all take a peek. Even if you're not on social media, you can see everything (from twitter, pinterest, instagram, and facebook) that uses that hashtag here.
So, I often post art journal pages that I've created or that other people have created and say something like, "I hope you see something that inspires you." But today it occurred to me: What does that mean? I can only speak for myself, but usually when I see something that "inspires" me, it's usually a technique I want to try or a pattern I really like or an idea that I want to make my own. Being inspired by something is a step beyond liking it. There are things that I like that don't motivate me to do anything. Something that inspires me, motivates me to create. Today I thought I'd share some pages from the #artjournaleveryday hashtag and explain exactly how they inspire me. My hope is that by spelling it out, perhaps it will jump start your own art making process! (Also, feel free to share how any of the pieces I'm sharing inspire you!)
artist: azamyazamy
This is a piece that is totally not the style I create in, but I love the three petaled leaf/flowers. Are they leaves or are they flowers? Clovers? I don't know. I like them as leaves. And I like the way they drape all over the place. Definitely putting "three petaled leaves" in my memory bank to try out in my journal.
artist: carolyn_dube
This is a funny kind of inspiration. It's not actually about what she's making in the photo. Rather, it's a reminder to myself that taking photos of the art making process is sometimes as lovely and valuable as the finished art. I'm putting this bit of inspiration in my mental rolodex.
artist: catseatdogsmakes
If you've seen any of my art journal pages, you know that I love a dashed line. Desperately. I also adore this take on the dashed line — almost teardrop shaped. I want to try making some less squared off dash lines in my art journal.
artist: gemmavies
Oh baby, I love this lightbulb. It looks paper pieced to me — even the background. Proof that paper piecing doesn't have to be cutesy. It can be really cool and hip looking! I want to try adding some trendy paper pieced designs into my art journal too!
artist: happypup0143
I love text and this simple sentence has me riveted. Perhaps it's the bird or the book text, but it reminds me of the poem that Henry Crawford reads to Fanny with the line "I can't get out said the starling" in Mansfield Park. After seeing it, I'm inspired to use some simple quotes from literature that resonate with me. (I know that the quote in the photo isn't from literature, but that's how inspiration works. It's kind of a crooked line.)
artist: madebyciara_
What bold simplicity. I love it! Again, I think it's paper piecing rather than painting. Let's call it collage. I'm inspired to create a spread with Tetris pieces now, using unusual colors. I love this whole idea and I can't wait to break out the scissors or maybe the ScanNCut to give it a go!
artist: haleyca
Lots that inspires here: the black and white is great. Sometimes I think I use color as a crutch. I love the "u" shaped doodles. They were a common shape in the Aboriginal Art I saw in Australia and I want to incorporate that shape into my work. I also love the text with the empty inside. I usually feel like I have to color text in. I like leaving it empty. It's powerful. To sum up: I want to create empty letters, use that "u" doodle, and get some black and white going in my art journal.
artist: studio318
I don't know about you, but I see people in this sketch. My art journal has become very "finished art" rather than sketchy. I'm totally inspired by this piece to create some sketches that aren't quite so controlled and that embrace the possibilities the viewer brings to the table.
How about you? What are you going to create in your art journal inspired by one of these pieces?
Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for letting us into your process. I am finding myself drawn to more graphic designs these days, so the Tetris-like layout will find its way into my journal for sure!! And who can resist the dashed line??
Thanks for letting us into your process. I am finding myself drawn to more graphic designs these days, so the Tetris-like layout will find its way into my journal for sure!! And who can resist the dashed line??
Thanks for letting us into your process. I am finding myself drawn to more graphic designs these days, so the Tetris-like layout will find its way into my journal for sure!! And who can resist the dashed line??
Thanks for letting us into your process. I am finding myself drawn to more graphic designs these days, so the Tetris-like layout will find its way into my journal for sure!! And who can resist the dashed line??
Thanks for letting us into your process. I am finding myself drawn to more graphic designs these days, so the Tetris-like layout will find its way into my journal for sure!! And who can resist the dashed line??
Thanks for letting us into your process. I am finding myself drawn to more graphic designs these days, so the Tetris-like layout will find its way into my journal for sure!! And who can resist the dashed line??
So much inspiration here. I adore the journal page with the bird, especially. But what grabbed my attention was what you said about inspiration: ‘…but that’s how inspiration works. It’s kind of a crooked line.’ I love that.
So much inspiration here. I adore the journal page with the bird, especially. But what grabbed my attention was what you said about inspiration: ‘…but that’s how inspiration works. It’s kind of a crooked line.’ I love that.
So much inspiration here. I adore the journal page with the bird, especially. But what grabbed my attention was what you said about inspiration: ‘…but that’s how inspiration works. It’s kind of a crooked line.’ I love that.
So much inspiration here. I adore the journal page with the bird, especially. But what grabbed my attention was what you said about inspiration: ‘…but that’s how inspiration works. It’s kind of a crooked line.’ I love that.
So much inspiration here. I adore the journal page with the bird, especially. But what grabbed my attention was what you said about inspiration: ‘…but that’s how inspiration works. It’s kind of a crooked line.’ I love that.
So much inspiration here. I adore the journal page with the bird, especially. But what grabbed my attention was what you said about inspiration: ‘…but that’s how inspiration works. It’s kind of a crooked line.’ I love that.
GREAT POST! The page “I can’t find my way” … wow, just wow … and your connecting it to the poem so resonated with me this morning … been a fan of yours for 3 years, and still am! Love seeing how you continue to explore, evolve and inspire!
GREAT POST! The page “I can’t find my way” … wow, just wow … and your connecting it to the poem so resonated with me this morning … been a fan of yours for 3 years, and still am! Love seeing how you continue to explore, evolve and inspire!
GREAT POST! The page “I can’t find my way” … wow, just wow … and your connecting it to the poem so resonated with me this morning … been a fan of yours for 3 years, and still am! Love seeing how you continue to explore, evolve and inspire!
GREAT POST! The page “I can’t find my way” … wow, just wow … and your connecting it to the poem so resonated with me this morning … been a fan of yours for 3 years, and still am! Love seeing how you continue to explore, evolve and inspire!
GREAT POST! The page “I can’t find my way” … wow, just wow … and your connecting it to the poem so resonated with me this morning … been a fan of yours for 3 years, and still am! Love seeing how you continue to explore, evolve and inspire!
GREAT POST! The page “I can’t find my way” … wow, just wow … and your connecting it to the poem so resonated with me this morning … been a fan of yours for 3 years, and still am! Love seeing how you continue to explore, evolve and inspire!
Definitely Agree w Kim T above. Great inspiring post! Makes me want to go in different directions. Thanks for sharing.
Definitely Agree w Kim T above. Great inspiring post! Makes me want to go in different directions. Thanks for sharing.
Definitely Agree w Kim T above. Great inspiring post! Makes me want to go in different directions. Thanks for sharing.
Definitely Agree w Kim T above. Great inspiring post! Makes me want to go in different directions. Thanks for sharing.
Definitely Agree w Kim T above. Great inspiring post! Makes me want to go in different directions. Thanks for sharing.
Definitely Agree w Kim T above. Great inspiring post! Makes me want to go in different directions. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Julie! Thank you for featuring by artwork! I check your blog every morning while I have my coffee and I was surprised to see my own piece. I work the same way – I take a little idea I see somewhere and just get started with it. I don’t really have a plan. I just see what happens. I started off with the “floppy vines” idea this time and I would call those things leaves!
Hi Julie! Thank you for featuring by artwork! I check your blog every morning while I have my coffee and I was surprised to see my own piece. I work the same way – I take a little idea I see somewhere and just get started with it. I don’t really have a plan. I just see what happens. I started off with the “floppy vines” idea this time and I would call those things leaves!
Hi Julie! Thank you for featuring by artwork! I check your blog every morning while I have my coffee and I was surprised to see my own piece. I work the same way – I take a little idea I see somewhere and just get started with it. I don’t really have a plan. I just see what happens. I started off with the “floppy vines” idea this time and I would call those things leaves!
Hi Julie! Thank you for featuring by artwork! I check your blog every morning while I have my coffee and I was surprised to see my own piece. I work the same way – I take a little idea I see somewhere and just get started with it. I don’t really have a plan. I just see what happens. I started off with the “floppy vines” idea this time and I would call those things leaves!
Hi Julie! Thank you for featuring by artwork! I check your blog every morning while I have my coffee and I was surprised to see my own piece. I work the same way – I take a little idea I see somewhere and just get started with it. I don’t really have a plan. I just see what happens. I started off with the “floppy vines” idea this time and I would call those things leaves!
Hi Julie! Thank you for featuring by artwork! I check your blog every morning while I have my coffee and I was surprised to see my own piece. I work the same way – I take a little idea I see somewhere and just get started with it. I don’t really have a plan. I just see what happens. I started off with the “floppy vines” idea this time and I would call those things leaves!
Such a great post! I love how you shared the specifics of what inspired you about each piece. What a great peek into that creative mind of yours!
Such a great post! I love how you shared the specifics of what inspired you about each piece. What a great peek into that creative mind of yours!
Such a great post! I love how you shared the specifics of what inspired you about each piece. What a great peek into that creative mind of yours!
Such a great post! I love how you shared the specifics of what inspired you about each piece. What a great peek into that creative mind of yours!
Such a great post! I love how you shared the specifics of what inspired you about each piece. What a great peek into that creative mind of yours!
Such a great post! I love how you shared the specifics of what inspired you about each piece. What a great peek into that creative mind of yours!
Thanks Julie, I liked the one one that showed what anxiety looks like it reminded me of when I get a migraine I always think I should draw what I am seeing when I have those vacancies in my vision. I also liked what you said about the sketch because for me just scribbling is a great way to get started sometimes and I can see a bunch of people in that one too!
Thanks Julie, I liked the one one that showed what anxiety looks like it reminded me of when I get a migraine I always think I should draw what I am seeing when I have those vacancies in my vision. I also liked what you said about the sketch because for me just scribbling is a great way to get started sometimes and I can see a bunch of people in that one too!
Thanks Julie, I liked the one one that showed what anxiety looks like it reminded me of when I get a migraine I always think I should draw what I am seeing when I have those vacancies in my vision. I also liked what you said about the sketch because for me just scribbling is a great way to get started sometimes and I can see a bunch of people in that one too!
Thanks Julie, I liked the one one that showed what anxiety looks like it reminded me of when I get a migraine I always think I should draw what I am seeing when I have those vacancies in my vision. I also liked what you said about the sketch because for me just scribbling is a great way to get started sometimes and I can see a bunch of people in that one too!
Thanks Julie, I liked the one one that showed what anxiety looks like it reminded me of when I get a migraine I always think I should draw what I am seeing when I have those vacancies in my vision. I also liked what you said about the sketch because for me just scribbling is a great way to get started sometimes and I can see a bunch of people in that one too!
Thanks Julie, I liked the one one that showed what anxiety looks like it reminded me of when I get a migraine I always think I should draw what I am seeing when I have those vacancies in my vision. I also liked what you said about the sketch because for me just scribbling is a great way to get started sometimes and I can see a bunch of people in that one too!
It’s an honor to be mentioned on your blog page. Thank you for the shout out. Your work is always inspiring. 😉
It’s an honor to be mentioned on your blog page. Thank you for the shout out. Your work is always inspiring. 😉
It’s an honor to be mentioned on your blog page. Thank you for the shout out. Your work is always inspiring. 😉
It’s an honor to be mentioned on your blog page. Thank you for the shout out. Your work is always inspiring. 😉
It’s an honor to be mentioned on your blog page. Thank you for the shout out. Your work is always inspiring. 😉
It’s an honor to be mentioned on your blog page. Thank you for the shout out. Your work is always inspiring. 😉
The dotted line – I forget about the dotted line to outline images & I love it. Thanks for the reminder. I may have to go back & revisit a few of my pieces now. 🙂
The dotted line – I forget about the dotted line to outline images & I love it. Thanks for the reminder. I may have to go back & revisit a few of my pieces now. 🙂
The dotted line – I forget about the dotted line to outline images & I love it. Thanks for the reminder. I may have to go back & revisit a few of my pieces now. 🙂
The dotted line – I forget about the dotted line to outline images & I love it. Thanks for the reminder. I may have to go back & revisit a few of my pieces now. 🙂
The dotted line – I forget about the dotted line to outline images & I love it. Thanks for the reminder. I may have to go back & revisit a few of my pieces now. 🙂
The dotted line – I forget about the dotted line to outline images & I love it. Thanks for the reminder. I may have to go back & revisit a few of my pieces now. 🙂
I am honored to be mentioned in your post. I have been inspired by your art for years, and enjoy your art journal every day posts. Doing at least one small piece of art each day keeps me sane – and your techniques and things you’ve posted have often been my inspiration!
I am honored to be mentioned in your post. I have been inspired by your art for years, and enjoy your art journal every day posts. Doing at least one small piece of art each day keeps me sane – and your techniques and things you’ve posted have often been my inspiration!
I am honored to be mentioned in your post. I have been inspired by your art for years, and enjoy your art journal every day posts. Doing at least one small piece of art each day keeps me sane – and your techniques and things you’ve posted have often been my inspiration!
I am honored to be mentioned in your post. I have been inspired by your art for years, and enjoy your art journal every day posts. Doing at least one small piece of art each day keeps me sane – and your techniques and things you’ve posted have often been my inspiration!
I am honored to be mentioned in your post. I have been inspired by your art for years, and enjoy your art journal every day posts. Doing at least one small piece of art each day keeps me sane – and your techniques and things you’ve posted have often been my inspiration!
I am honored to be mentioned in your post. I have been inspired by your art for years, and enjoy your art journal every day posts. Doing at least one small piece of art each day keeps me sane – and your techniques and things you’ve posted have often been my inspiration!
Such a great and yes, inspiring post Julie. How you explained what ‘inspired’ means to you is exactly like how feel it. I am collaging more lately and ‘found the inspiration’ when I was at a local gallery seeing the artist’s work (I made collages that way a few years back but kinda ‘forgot’… I’m back on the abstract path now) Have a great weekend!
Such a great and yes, inspiring post Julie. How you explained what ‘inspired’ means to you is exactly like how feel it. I am collaging more lately and ‘found the inspiration’ when I was at a local gallery seeing the artist’s work (I made collages that way a few years back but kinda ‘forgot’… I’m back on the abstract path now) Have a great weekend!
Such a great and yes, inspiring post Julie. How you explained what ‘inspired’ means to you is exactly like how feel it. I am collaging more lately and ‘found the inspiration’ when I was at a local gallery seeing the artist’s work (I made collages that way a few years back but kinda ‘forgot’… I’m back on the abstract path now) Have a great weekend!
Such a great and yes, inspiring post Julie. How you explained what ‘inspired’ means to you is exactly like how feel it. I am collaging more lately and ‘found the inspiration’ when I was at a local gallery seeing the artist’s work (I made collages that way a few years back but kinda ‘forgot’… I’m back on the abstract path now) Have a great weekend!
Such a great and yes, inspiring post Julie. How you explained what ‘inspired’ means to you is exactly like how feel it. I am collaging more lately and ‘found the inspiration’ when I was at a local gallery seeing the artist’s work (I made collages that way a few years back but kinda ‘forgot’… I’m back on the abstract path now) Have a great weekend!
Such a great and yes, inspiring post Julie. How you explained what ‘inspired’ means to you is exactly like how feel it. I am collaging more lately and ‘found the inspiration’ when I was at a local gallery seeing the artist’s work (I made collages that way a few years back but kinda ‘forgot’… I’m back on the abstract path now) Have a great weekend!
Inspiration from others is limitless! Which is why I love work like yours and keep an idea file and binder. You always amaze and amuse, too.
“Daisies are the friendliest flowers” (from You’ve Got Mail)- do love those leaves for a whimsical change; go back and forth with geometrics. Depends on the day. But it’s always a great day when creativity is involved! Thanks once again.
Inspiration from others is limitless! Which is why I love work like yours and keep an idea file and binder. You always amaze and amuse, too.
“Daisies are the friendliest flowers” (from You’ve Got Mail)- do love those leaves for a whimsical change; go back and forth with geometrics. Depends on the day. But it’s always a great day when creativity is involved! Thanks once again.
Inspiration from others is limitless! Which is why I love work like yours and keep an idea file and binder. You always amaze and amuse, too.
“Daisies are the friendliest flowers” (from You’ve Got Mail)- do love those leaves for a whimsical change; go back and forth with geometrics. Depends on the day. But it’s always a great day when creativity is involved! Thanks once again.
Inspiration from others is limitless! Which is why I love work like yours and keep an idea file and binder. You always amaze and amuse, too.
“Daisies are the friendliest flowers” (from You’ve Got Mail)- do love those leaves for a whimsical change; go back and forth with geometrics. Depends on the day. But it’s always a great day when creativity is involved! Thanks once again.
Inspiration from others is limitless! Which is why I love work like yours and keep an idea file and binder. You always amaze and amuse, too.
“Daisies are the friendliest flowers” (from You’ve Got Mail)- do love those leaves for a whimsical change; go back and forth with geometrics. Depends on the day. But it’s always a great day when creativity is involved! Thanks once again.
Inspiration from others is limitless! Which is why I love work like yours and keep an idea file and binder. You always amaze and amuse, too.
“Daisies are the friendliest flowers” (from You’ve Got Mail)- do love those leaves for a whimsical change; go back and forth with geometrics. Depends on the day. But it’s always a great day when creativity is involved! Thanks once again.