As you may already know, Refresh Daily is my artistic blog showcasing my artsy point of view in every life dimension that I enjoy sharing. So I've decided to share some of my wardrobe choices, which will, of course, include some of what I call my "Crazy Wear," which pertains to some of the wardrobe pieces I love that have lots of vibrant color and fun fabric choices when put together. 

So this is my first blog post featuring my Fun Fabrics and today's Juxtaposition features four layers. (My idea of juxtaposition is when I put two elements together that seem to contrast each other and yet, at the same time, seem to compliment each other uncannily.) Just a note: There has been a fabric trend going on in the fashion industry for several years now where seemingly contrasting patterns are being put together, so I saw that as permission to try stuff that might not be typical, sort of like an outside-the-box wardrobe choice. And, boy, am I having FUN with this! 

The top layer that's a bit darker so you may not see it clearly is the dark brown jacket I'm wearing to top of the wardrobe choices. (You can also see a smidge of it in the second image on the left side.) Got this jacket at Cynthia Elliot Boutique several years ago.

The next layer is the one with orange as the predominant color. It's a sleeveless tank with several layered frills which you can see more clearly in the image below. I think this is my favorite sleeveless dressy top since it contains many of my favorite colors, orange, yellow, brown and tan and the design element is simply fab. I got this piece at Khol's several years ago. 

But what I love about this piece is how it contrasts in a fun way to the bottom layer of the pants I'm wearing, which features Vera Wang's Princess Collection which I also purchased at Khol's a couple of years ago. I am a huge fan of print pants. I love the possibilities of what I can do with print on print. 

I think the tie-in of design visually for me with the sleeveless top and the print pants is the predominant design with the brown hue. They somehow seem to go together for me. I think this combo is one of my favorites. (You can see this most clearly in the first image.)

The layer between them is a tan tank I purchased at Cynthia Elliot Boutique about a year ago. The tank gives a reprieve of sorts from the juxtaposition of fabric designs between the sleeveless blouse and the pants. Sort of like a tie-in, if you will, that pulls it all together without visual overwhelm. 

I also wanted to share a visual of the necklace I often wear with this top, also a piece I purchased at Kohl's many years ago. I love this necklace since it combines wood, metal and beads in very cool earthy colors. I can wear it long, like I'm doing here, or I can wrap it twice for wearing just on the neck. I think it also ties in the fabrics with the color scheme for one fab look. 

Do you enjoy mixing and matching fabrics for a fun combination? Do you have any Crazy Wear pieces that make you feel fun and fab? 

I think the element I love the most about my wardrobe choices is that I can wear my favorite colors and honor myself as Artist in what I choose to wear. Folks often tell me that I dress like an Artist. I see that as a huge compliment! 

So, don't be afraid to mix things up a bit, try something new that just looks and feels good to you. Honor Who You Are by referring to your preferences. Take a pic to commemorate the occasion. 

(I did want to mention that my 21 Day Refresh Intensive includes a Wardrobe Element that is just plain fun!)

I always find myself inspired when I see other folks dressing in Fun Fabrics and vibrant colors, both women and men! So perhaps what I've shared here will inspire YOU. 

@Copyright 2015 Dawn Herring 

Art Journaling is one of my favorite activities and one of my favorite subjects! So when I see an art journal-focused book, I'm always eager to get my hands on it and see what the author has to share from inside her studio. 

Dina Wakley is one of my favorite art journal artists. I previously read her book, Art Journal Freedom, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I love her vibrant colors and her fun, layered approach to art. 

I decided to check out her newest title, Art Journal Courage. Now I know it takes courage to keep an art journal, since it is a personal discovery and journey to create art from the heart. With all that listening and choosing and doing and learning more about ourselves in the process. For me, it's a way of giving myself a place to express how I feel on any given day and to show appreciation for those feelings, thoughts and insights I gain as I create visually. 

I love the range of ideas Dina speaks to, like using your own handwriting, using yourself in your art journal, and layering with stencils as well as drawing, trying new techniques and playing without a plan. 

The first thing I noticed with Dina is her voice. I love how she addresses the fears of what we think we can't do in our journal and her way of showing us that we can do all these things and it's not nearly as challenging and difficult as we might think. She has a no-nonsense approach and yet has a super friendly way of saying it. 

Encouragement is Key in her message. Courage to just try it and see if you like it. 

There are lots of step by step photos in every chapter along with guided text that makes sense and is easy to follow. 

This year I happen to be using stencils a bit more, even making a few of my own. So I was keenly interested in Dina's approach to stenciling and I wasn't disappointed. I love her way of using stencils, such as layering and making super awesome backgrounds. 

She provides some fabulous journaling and art journaling prompts in the form of lists to help get you started so you have something to initiate the whole creative process. 

She shares a complete list and images of her favorite art journaling tools and products and why she loves them so much. I appreciate the Why part since it gives me a clearer understanding of what works for her and whether or not it would work for me. And that's important so you can have an idea of any new products you think you may want to try and not feel overwhelmed in the process. 

Dina takes the Scare out of Drawing, Layering, Altering Photos and Stamping and Stenciling so you can feel confident about trying something new and have FUN in the process. 

Lots of bold, rich color is featured as well as lots of examples of art from her journal to inspire and give you ideas to run with. 

Art Journal Courage is playful, artful, and easy-going in tone yet Dina provides enough juicy content to make it worth your while. 

I know I've got some fab new ideas to run with and can't wait to get started! 

Copyright 2015 by Dawn Herring

Spring! Ah, it has arrived and is marching forward as I type. I did this spread a day before spring commenced and am just getting the time to post about it now. But, alas, the trees are budding, the birds are singing and dancing and having a grand ole time enjoying their favorite time of year (I would assume, with all that fabulous creative energy going on!). 

When I started this art journal spread, I used a new stamp with small circles on it that I purchased from Hobby Lobby. I love circles, so it's perfect. A bit different from using bubble wrap. Once I had that down, I started tearing collage elements from fodder I pulled from my stash. I began laying it out in various places, creating a composition of sorts in the process. This gave me a structure to build on with this spring sentiment in mind. 

I will call this spread my stencil and stamp spread since I used new art items I had just purchased and was excited to try out and play with. Experimenting is key when it comes to art journaling. (Yes, I think that bears repeating.)  

The 2nd image above is a close up of the second bird I stenciled on this spread, the first you can see in the first image on the right page. I use a cosmetic sponge to apply watercolor paint to create the image from the stencil. Very key to use just the right amount of water with the pigment so it doesn't bleed. You have to practice to make it work well.  I decided to paint in a stamp of a rose on this bird above. I used several small flower stamps after I stenciled in a few round flowers with petals in various spots. 

At that point I realized that this spread was about spring! with the colors, the images of birds and flowers and such. So that's when I decided to create the word structure, The First Signs of spring. I always have the option to stamp in the letters directly on the page or stamp on colored construction paper and adhere the squares I cut out to the page. So I did a combination of both. I love this process. It's so much fun to see it come together as I lay out where the words will go and how the individual letters can be laid out. As you can see in the above image, I shifted the letters so they give the impression of a springing step. 

Once I had this complete, I decided I needed something to fill the white space that remained. I gave myself a day to consider it and came back with the idea of spattering watercolor paint lightly to give it some color without overwhelm. I used a paint brush and my finger to release the paint lightly directly onto the page so it looks sprayed. I was pleased with how it came out! 

So, the first signs of spring...the birds, the budding trees, the flowers beginning to bloom, (the fire ant mounds in Texas after some good rains)...but what about YOUR Spring? 

Art Journal/Journaling Prompt:
Spring is always associated with New Life budding and blooming. What is budding in your heart? What dreams are trying to break through your heart's soil? Any seeds planted long ago that you buried never to believe they'd have a place at some point? What are you ready for that you've been hesitating about? 

Right a list of the seeds of spring that you want to grow. 
Then take one of those items, one that you are drawn to most, and use it as a journal prompt to riff on. See what comes up. 
Or do a mind map with the word of that seed and see what associations arise. 
Or you can take the word and create an art journal spread to honor that seed dream you want to make real. 
Then write a first step you can take to implement it, no matter how small. Just acknowledging it is Honoring to Who You Are. 

Spring is my favorite time of year. It's when I see and hear my mocking bird the most. And now I have a growing collection of videos I've taken of his gorgeous song and his beautiful dance! But I also love listening to the dreams of my heart, detailing them in my journal. 

So I keep painting, keep playing in my art journal, keep nurturing those dreams to make them fruitful. 
Enjoy your Inner Spring and Celebrate Who You Are and What You Dream every day..and then go make it happen! 

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