Have I ever told you how much I love Art Journaling? I'm always singing its praises since I know how rewarding the process can be. And this 2 page spread that you see in the first image is no different. 

I did want to express the importance of having a good stash of art journal fodder on hand if you like the collage element of creation like I do. I recommend saving magazines, circulars, junk mail and anything that has images, text or designs that you like and pull what you're drawn to. I love doing this; sometimes when I don't want to paint but I do want to get into a creative mindset, I'll go through a magazine or two and pull what I like and stash it in my drawers for future reference. 

For this particular spread, I used several things from my stash, with my current favorite color (or at least one of them!) turquoise. I decided I also wanted to lay down some newspaper and tissue paper along with the magazine fodder to create a more layered look. And I achieved just that. :) 

I used gesso to prime the pages initially. Then I started to tear the newspaper in strips and adhered them with matte medium. Once I had that down, I tore bits and strips of the turquoise fodder, first one with a lighter color turquoise, then later I added the darker hues that included black from another image altogether. I added more gesso between these applications to tone down the color but to also add texture and visual interest. Gesso is great for that. I usually apply the gesso with a wide plastic palette knife initially then I switch to a more narrow palette knife when using it over layers. The second image is an up close of the left page. 

Once I had all the layers and gesso down, I also added some turquoise watercolor paint from Prang and added stippling in various areas for more design and for visual interest. I also added some black in various spots to highlight some of the black on parts of collage I used. Once I had all of this complete, I began to look carefully at the composition I created and realized it reminded me of being under water with the color turquoise. Deep under water. Water can also been symbolic of emotion. And emotions are in the soul. Thus the title, Soul Deep. So I stamped the words SOUL DEEP with upper case alpha stamps and again in smaller letters. I accented the letters with black, turquoise and white to define them. The third image is an up close of the right page. 

One of the things I wanted to point out with this Soul Deep spread; when we want to go deeper in learning more about ourselves, deep where those core emotions lie, it can feel a bit overwhelming, especially when we reckon with unexpected emotions of the soul. This is where we have to be nurturing with ourselves, so we don't end up feeling like we desperately need to come up for air. You know how when you go swimming and dive deep, the first thing you want to do, out of necessity, is come up for air. The same goes for emotional swimming. There's a place for seeking and splashing and discovering. But when it's time for air, we need to be flexible with ourselves, rather than exacting. Especially when we've made mistakes. 

Be willing to go deep--even soul deep. But Be Gentle with what you discover. But be ready to see what needs to change too, because that will come. But you'll be ready for it. 

And when you do come up for air, the air will be sweet and invigorating; and you will be changed--for the better. 

Enjoy your swim! 

Copyright 2015 by Dawn Herring
Copyright 2015 Images by Dawn Herring Collection

I've been wanting to show this spread to you since I completed it! This is the first spread I did since moving to my new house. So, it is truly the Start of Something New, and since it was during the holiday season, I decided to go with a red and green color theme. I had recently seen a fellow art journal artist on the Art Journal Junkies Facebook Group I'm a member of (LOVE this group!) using a stencil in the shape of flowers that were really cute and whimsical. So I thought I'd try my hand at cutting a flower stencil; I used a sheet of card stock that I had handy. I must say I love the art journal flow of moving with what's at hand. It all about experimenting to see what comes out, what works, what doesn't, and what I will try again! 

Once I had my stenciling done and my collage elements down, I decided to add some watercolor paint edges from the black sponge I had been using which gave it some visual interest and texture along the way still leaving a lot of white but just enough color to be pleasing. :) 

Then it was time for some stamping for the message. I did not plan out ahead of time what it would say. I find this the most organic part of all; it's that's listening I always talk about with an intuitive process, Honoring the Voice within that guides. As I thought about beginning in a new house (built in 1972) and in a new neighborhood, I decided to honor that passage by stamping out with watercolor paint, "The Start of Something New" with a set of lower case alpha stamps (my favorite size). The final image shows an up-close of the message. The placement and spacing of the letters is fun to Play with, whether vertical, horizontal or a mix of both. 

Art Journal Tip: I don't recommend using card stock for making stencils due to its absorbency. This was on a whim and I made the BEST of it. :)

Art Journal/Journal Prompt: 
Have you started something new recently? How About a New Year? Just a couple of weeks into it, huh? Do you have any new friendships, new projects, new opportunities to look forward to, to develop, in Honoring Who You Are? 

Go into detail on anything new on your horizon or that you've recently delved into; mention what you love about it and what you're not so thrilled with, to keep it balanced and true. It's okay to feel any disappointment with something new you're experiencing since what we have in our head doesn't always work out the way we expect. But maybe it's even better, hmm? Also include images, if you'd like, that represents this newness in your life. 

How about starting an art journal? I started my art journaling 5 years ago on January 1, 2010 and I've loved every page creation process. 

Starting a written journal is something I highly recommend as a refreshing practice for the soul. Or you could combine the two if that's you're preference. 

Listen to your heart and be sure to keep life fresh and pay close attention to what really matters to you. Watch what inspires you, what you want to learn more about, and see what you start up that's New to You. 

@Copyright 2015 by Dawn Herring
@Copyright 2015 Images Dawn Herring Collection