Falling Apart in Order to Bloom: Art Journal

Blooming in 2024: My First Art Journal Spread

Copyright Bloom image 2024 Dawn Herring

Hello and Welcome Back to Beginnings, where we talk about Fresh Starts, New Cycles, Experimentation, Exploration and Creativity. And this is my first blog post for the New Year of 2024, and I'm excited to bring you my first completed art journal spread, which I have titled: Falling Apart in Order to Bloom. I did the majority of this spread in 2023, starting back in July, when I was in the throws of grieving my father's passing in January (1/8/23 will be a year). 

Copyright Falling Image 2024 Dawn Herring

I had an idea for this spread before I even started, which is not usually the way I go about things in my art journal. And even with an idea or a simple plan, it often doesn't go as expected. 

Although I have shared a list of materials below, I will give you a brief overview of the process. I started with india ink as first layer, pulled out some leave stamps and planned out what I would use where. I used 2 of those stamps to create "blooms" which ended up with many layers of pencil, pastel, gouache paint, plus collage elements of magazine paper and fabric, along with some embellishments. 

This whole process was very slow going, but it began to pick of speed during the holidays and now it is complete. 
I didn't know what the message would be until the very end, which is unusual for me. I often receive its meaning within a short time of beginning. 

But alas, 2023 was a complicated year for me, to put it mildly. So it doesn't surprise me that the message came in the last few sessions in January of 2024. 
Once I did, it all made sense to me: Falling Apart in Order to Bloom. 

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Now, what does that mean exactly? As of this writing, (1/5/24), I'm still contemplating. But in reflection, I think it speaks to the "falling apart," or breaking down phase when you are reckoning with a life changing event that correlates with some very deep rooted parts of your life experience that are foundational to who you are. And my father's passing certainly contributed to that experience. Somewhat of a metamorphosis, which entails a breaking in order to re-build and bloom. And this takes courage! And discernment of how to get from the beginning of this process to the beauty of transformation. 

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I am grateful to have experienced what I have as an individual, as a woman, a family member, an artist, a creative. This is why I say that my creative practices, are a necessity, rather than a nicety. (You can view and listen to that topic here.) My art is my way of processing deep, life changing events that impact all of me in one way or another. 

My love of this process is what keeps me coming back to the page again and again, to see what my heart and Spirit is speaking to me that words might not capture initially. Image, color, texture, raw expression, the whole intuitive process is foundation to Deep Listening. It keeps me wide open to receive what I need in my core. So I can Bloom. 

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Copyright flower image 2024 Dawn Herring

So here is my art journal tool and supply list used in this spread: 
India ink
Gouache paint
oil pastel
water soluble pastel 
colored pencil, both water soluble and non water soluble
fabric in various prints
buttons
sequins
leaf stamps in various types and sizes
letter stamps
gel medium
matte medium 
magazine clippings 

Journaling Prompt:
Have you experienced a "falling apart" in order to bloom in a new place? What was that like for you? What did you learn from it? What new undrstanding do you have of yourself now that you didn't have before as a result? How did you take care of yourself in the process? 

Thank you so much for being a part of my journey as artist and creative. 
Your presence is greatly appreciated. <3 

​I wish you the Happiest of New Years in 2024 and the very Best of Beginnings! 

Dawn Herring, Artist