But there's something about reading the "About the Author" page, knowing the story of the person who decided to put their art out there, what inspired this photo, why Monet only painted outside.

Maybe I'm overly romantic about this sort of thing, but it's relaxing to flip the heavy pages, read a passage out loud to my husband, learn the tried and true techniques and take the risky act of pulling out my own camera, paints, paper. Because I can't "pin" these images and say, "Eh, I'll try that later." It's all a little more immediate becuase, well, library dues.

I want to learn how to paint watercolor flowers? Well, there's the book right in front of me. It's now or never.

I kind of like that.


Some gems to be inspired by...


Expressive Photography

Monet

Paper to Petal

The Sartorialist

Dancers Among Us

Painting Flowers in Watercolor

My take on art journaling, scrapbooking's slightly rebellious younger sister.


I suppose I could go into a lengthy discussion on the therapeutic process of art journaling, how it allows one to express oneself creatively, etc. In reality, it's mostly just a way for me to kill time while my husband is at meetings at night. But it's true, cutting and pasting can be therapeutic and soothing. (I try to steer away from using the word "soothing" too often; it almost always brings up images of stool softener ads... Is it obvious I'm writing this at midnight?)


I'm a big fan of documenting my life via scrapbooking and Project Life, but that's a more structured creative outlet - I have a set method, it's very simple and clean. It's for me, but it's also for other people to flip through. But my art journal is where I can let it all out; anything goes.


I've made a few different journals throughout the years but it wasn't until recently that I found my "sweet spot" in art journaling. It took a lot of unfinished albums and trial and error to decide what the purpose of art journaling is, for me. I'm the kind of person who needs some sort of purpose behind what I'm doing, even in art. Since I do so much writing and scrapbooking and picture taking already, I have ultimately decided that I don't want my art journal to be an extention of that.


I've tried more random pages, that included everything from short fiction to stream of conscious thoughts to (very melodramatic) poetry. It was fun, but was almost so loosey goosey that I never stuck with it. I'm the type of person who needs a purpose, however simple, behind something in order for me to keep at it. So now my art journaling is a little more focused. The theme for my current journal is Things I'm Learning. It includes quotes from books I'm reading, the random vocab word (English major repercussions), Bible verses, etc.


It's fun to make, but it's also kind of helpful when I'm trying to remember something specific, like a quote from that book I was reading last summer and it moved me in a deep and meaningful way except maybe not since I can't remember it, etc. I can easily flip through my journal to find it. These little tidbits are scattered through my scrapbooks and writing journals as well, but it's nice to have it all in one place and use my art journal as a sort of reference point. If that makes any sense at all. If you are thinking I have too much time on my hands, you are correct.


Thanks for letting me share some of my pages. I'll be posting soon on my favorite materials and products to use in my books.

Have you tried art journaling? Do share!

I did a post recently on simple ways I stay inspired and I realized that there is always so much more to say on the topic of inspiration. Here are further ways I stay creative.

1. I take an interest in hobbies I don't personally do.

 I am fascinated, for example, by cooking and knitting. I will probably never be a chef or knitter, personally, but these are both inspiring to me. I love leafing through my mom's knitting magazines and seeing other people's creations, along with reading food blogs and cookbooks. Do I make the recipes inside? Rarely. But reading about a person's passion for cooking, even though I'm terrible at it, opens up my mind to the infinite avenues of creativity one can choose.

In short, learn from others' passions. Read Julia Child's memoir, listen to your roommate talk about her love for crocheting, have your mother-in-law give you decorating tips. Their passions will spark something in you.

2. I take in "visual feasts."

Writing is not a visual activity, for the most part, and staring at black words on a screen for hours can be a bit draining. Sometimes it's nice to get away from the desk and wander around a place that will ignite my visual senses. These places for me are libraries, the colorful knitting shop downtown, local parks, and even artsy, colorful movies. I was not a major fan of the movie Hyde Park on Hudson, for example, but it was definitely a visual feast that left me inspired.

3. I make sure I am constantly learning.

Part of me will always mourn that I am finished with school, but there are always other ways to continue your education. I do this by taking online classes (I am currently loving the Influence Network classes), grabbing books at the library I would ordinarily pass by (how-to's, poetry, etc.) and going to the free classes/seminars at local colleges and libraries. Okay, that last one may sound a little nerdy, but if you have the time, they're actually really interesting. I recently went to a great class at the library on screenwriting and learned things I wouldn't have otherwise.



What are some ways that you stay inspired?

I do a layout for each week of the year, which may seem a bit much for a family of two, but I always manage to fill up the pages. Lately I've been taking quotes directly from my journal and blog and sneaking them in. It gives the book a little more "depth" than having just pictures and captions.

Of course, memory keeping is all about doing what works for you. If you're thinking about starting your own scrapbook but don't think you have the time, keep it simple. Do a monthly layout, or just include your absolute favorite pictures. There are no rules, so you really can't go wrong.

"In a country of professionals, we learn to apologize for our hobbies, our weekend pursuits, the passion for rocks or country inns or forensic pathology that keeps us up late into the night. 'I'm just an amateur,' we whisper, half ashamed of the work and devotion that neither pays the bills nor wins the prizes. But where would out world be without amateurs?

With or without formal training, with or without the promise of a paycheck, with or without support, they pursue their heart's desire. Hence, the name amateur, from amare, 'to love'. If you find yourself apologizing for being 'just an amateur,' stop yourself. Remind yourself of the passion and energy that sustain your life's work, and use that passion and energy to fuel your writing."

Rebecca McClanahan
Write Your Heart Out

This week has been a whirlwind. The kind where you basically have to schedule bathroom breaks. It's fun, the good and fulfilling kind of busy, but I haven't had a spare moment to pull out my yellow notebook, put on the tea, and lose myself in a world of words.

It's funny, because I had actually been in a bit of a writing slump this past month. Am I writing because I'm feeling inspired or because I know I should? Am I wasting my time? Does it even matter? These thoughts made me shy around my notebook.

And then this week happened. And I have been desperate to capture my thoughts and stories on paper, feeling all giddy and anxious about it, so eager to write that it's almost embarassing.

So I would say to you, if you are feeling stuck or uninspired or doubtful about whether this writing shiz is really for you, break the rules. You know, the one that says to write every day. Because sometimes you just run out of stuff to say. So take a break, have long conversations with friends, eat really good food. Just take in life and your well will slowly refill without you even noticing.



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How does one "give" with their writing? I'm still working on this one, but I'm thinking it has something to do with being a truth-teller, writing things that are true and that matter in even the smallest way. I think it means not giving the cheap, easy way out but writing from the depths of ourselves in a way that gives readers the sense that they are not alone. Thoughts?

"What people don't realize is that writing is physical. It doesn't have to do with thought alone. It has to do with sight, smell, taste, feeling, with everything being alive and activated. The rule for writing practice of 'keep your hand moving' not stopping, actually is a way to physically break through your mental resistance...You are physically engaged with the pen, and your hand, connected to your arm, is pouring out the record of your senses."

Natalie Goldberg
Writing Down the Bones

Just for fun, try stepping away from you computer and write in a notebook or on looseleaf paper. It's slower than typing, but doing it the "old fashioned" way makes me feel more connected to whatever it is I'm writing. Sitting in a coffee shop, huddled over my favorite fat yellow notebook and penning out whatever thoughts come in my familiar, tiny handwriting...this makes the act of writing itself an inspiration.

I like to write on paper first, scrawling and random, and then write the final draft on my laptop. It's a way of tricking my mind into realizing that the fat yellow notebook = playtime and the laptop = getting down to business. Try it this week and see if it gives you a little more freedom.


What are your favorite writing tricks?