Sisterhood Of The Book

Amy Scheiderman

When did you start art journaling?

Just this past November. I stumbled on the concept of art journaling while link hopping. I wish I could remember where I first saw the idea but links led to links which led me to Effy (still at Wild Precious, just pre-BOD) The site caught my attention because I love the Mary Oliver poem that the phrase "wild precious life" comes from ("Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" has been my email signature for YEARS).

I've long been a written journal keeper (lapsed the last year or so) and used to love gluing random bits form my life in with my writing so the idea of adding art to the written word really lit me up and I dove into the idea head first.

Do you maintain an art 'practice' or are you a seat-of-the-pantser when it comes to your art?

I'm pretty seat of my pants. I try to do something in my BOD every day, even if it is just some doodling or writing a few lines about my day. I am tip-toeing into doing art outside of my BOD in the last few weeks.I even bought an easel!

What do you enjoy most about Book of Days?

About my actual BOD, I love the chance to be creative (almost) every day. It really keeps me connected to my muse and fills me with creative satisfaction. What I enjoy most about the Sisterhood is the beautiful sharing and support that pours forth from everyone. The love and connection that I feel from my fellow BOD sisters is just amazing and something I really need in my life right now.

What are your favourite supplies?

Acrylic paint, Adirondack Colorwash Sprays, Neocolor IIs, pens of all kinds.

Anything else you'd like to share with us?

Just that I am so very grateful that this community has come into my life. All of the talent that inspires me and the support that encourages me and the plain old silly fun are all so good for my soul.

Where can we we find you on line?

My oft neglected blog: http://eclecticwhimsy.wordpress.com

 

Peg Pritchett

When did you start art journaling?

Art journaling began with the BOD this winter, so still a newbie to all things art journal.

Do you maintain an art 'practice' or are you a seat-of-the-pantser when it comes to your art?

For the last year I paint with acrylics/mixed media at least 5-6 times per week, I LOVE it. After working through Julia Cameron's The Artist Way last year with a group of people, well, my artist came bursting out after a life of suppression. A fantastic shift has happened over the last year and now my life is filled with passion where there had been very little before.

What do you enjoy most about Book of Days?

BOD finally makes journaling fun and meaningful for me. I'm a VERY visually oriented person and the serious dose of imagery involved in the making of BOD pages takes me to places my old school 'words only' journal could only dream of going.

What are your favourite supplies?

Tempted to answer 'all' to this question, but digging deeper I'll go with Golden Fluid acrylic paints, fan-shaped paint brushes and cotton ear swabs for removing bits and pieces of wet paint.

Anything else you'd like to share with us? 

If you have even the slightest twinge to create, please start creating something, anything or at least do the work to uncover whatever may be blocking you. I know I did and it has brought oodles of joy and energy to my life!!

Where can we we find you on line?

Check out my blog at  http://pegpritchett.blogspot.com/  I started this blog last year to follow the story of my unfolding creative life which I have every intention of fueling and growing more and more expressive AND expansive :)

 

 

Lee Clements

When did you start art journaling?

I have been art journaling for just over a year now but have dabbled in art since I was young. My mum is an artist so I was always surrounded by creative inspiration.

I love the freedom with art journaling, the total ‘no mistakes’ way to create that has re-ignited my creativity in different ways and has allowed me to find a style that expresses more of me rather than sticking rigidly to a formula that others would tell me was the ‘right’ way to paint, but never really felt like it was me. Now I feel like I am finally expressing the real me.

Do you maintain an art 'practice' or are you a seat-of-the-pantser when it comes to your art?

I try to integrate my spiritual practices in with Art journaling to tap into my intuition, so when I sit down to art I usually have inspiring or meditative music or inspiring podcasts playing, I light a nice scented candle or incense and go into a light meditative state before I start.

As for seat-of-the-pants or structured, I bounce between the two depending on the time available to me and how long it has been since my last session of arting. I find the more ‘itchy’ I am to make art when I am not in a position to, means that I am seat-of-the-pants creating when I get the chance. I set myself up and just go for whatever is within arms reach. If I have been regularly arting, I find that I am a bit more structured and thoughtful about what I am trying to create but it is still a more intuitive process than it was years ago.

What do you enjoy most about Book of Days?

I like the idea of having a record of my year to look back over. In years past, I have always longed for things to be written down, to remind me of an event, a feeling or headspace I was in, but never got around to it. I do practice automatic writing sporadically but never kept a daily journal as just writing everyday somewhat bored me after a while. I have also tried ‘Morning Pages’ but have not kept that up either. The combination of art with the written word feels more like the real me. You can express so much more with colour, an image and texture than just plain words. It is funny that when I look at the pages I have completed so far there is a lot more writing on a daily basis than I have ever done before. It’s like the art behind it gives me the freedom, and in a way, the permission to write.

This will be a lovely reminder of where I have been, and to create art at the same time, well, it is a given that it is an enriching and joyful experience to express myself so completely on a page. The videos and newsletters are so full of wonderful inspiration that I can’t wait to sit and create every time one comes out.

I also love connecting with like minded souls and the Facebook and Premium group have given me a lovely place to sit and chat with new friends, ask and answer any questions about art supplies, etc, have a coffee while I peruse the lovely artwork, and gives me the chance to offer encouragement where I can. I am so inspired by everyone’s creativity which then spurs mine on.

What are your favourite supplies?

Well if I have to narrow it down, at the moment I would have to say Gesso, black permanent markers like Sharpie’s, my White Signo pen, stencils, acrylic stamps, paint, Inktense pencils and Black Staz On ink. 

Anything else you'd like to share with us?

Art journaling has also taken my teaching to a different arena and I am now teaching art journal workshops at a local Scrapbook Shop on a monthly basis, which I love so much. To share what I have learnt through my blog and the classes and then see the smile on others faces when they create something themselves is so fullfilling.

I firmly believe in the power of gratitude and blogging is my way of expressing the gratitude that I feel for all the generous teachers I have had in the past, passing on the love for this art. It feels like I am exhaling after holding my breath for so long, trying to find my place if only for a while until the universe sends me in another direction.  I also believe that you never know where life will lead you, but if you don’t take the first step you will never find out. Life is an exciting adventure.

Where can we we find you on line? 

My blog is called ArtfulLee Designed and you can find me at http://artfulleedesigned.blogspot.com.au

My Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000219408420

My paintings can be found on the Chroma website http://www.chromaonline.com/chroma/teachers/lee_clements/gallery

 

Gigi Butterfly

When did you start art journaling?

This is my first time art journaling, I didn't even know art journaling existed.  Then a friend posted the link to BOD on her facebook page, and I thought I would check it out.  I'm not a joiner, I'm a loner, so it's kind of strange that I would have joined.  But I sure do like it!

Do you maintain an art 'practice' or are you a seat-of-the-pantser when it comes to your art?

I am a professional artist.  This is what I do for a living. We converted the garage into a gallery, and  I have my own gallery - if a professional gallery won't accept me, I'll just create my own!!!

Summer times can be very busy for me when my gallery is open, so I do most of my art and painting during the winter when it's cold, rainy and dreary. Painting bright flowers on grey days seem to make the days better!

What do you enjoy most about Book of Days?

I love the encouragement, I love the exchange of ideas, I love the sharing of techniques - no one wants to keep things to themselves and say "MINE!" like a kid in kindergarten.  For example, I never knew about napkins, and now I'm in LOVE with NAPKINS!

What are your favourite supplies?

For my regular practice, I use Oil Pastels - I finger paint with them. But I have just taken an online Faux Encaustics course, and am in complete and utter love with Acrylic Gloss Medium.  It seems as though not branching out and doing other things and just working in Oil Pastel, kept me in the same spot for YEARS!!!  So by doing the Book of Days, I'm expanding my mind to try new things and I love it.  The possibilities are endless!

Anything else you'd like to share with us?

I always knew I wanted to be an artist, but it was never encouraged or supported by my parents.  When a child isn't supported or encouraged by their family, it changes the person they were meant to be, and I ended up in some very very dark places.  First, a life of a programmed zombie, and then complete and utter chaos, where the life and sparkle were sucked right out of me… Coming from the pit, of what seemed like hell, made me realize how precious life is and how we need to grab it by the balls and
live our passion and do the things we need to do to make ourselves happy - somehow things always work out.  I live with the faith that "Whatever happens is the only thing that could have happened, whoever shows up are exactly the right people, when it begins, it's always the right time, and when it's over, it's over."    And I have no regrets and accept most things as the way they are…  Including the dark with the light.  And I have a really great life today.

Where can we we find you on line?

I have a website:  www.gigibutterfly.com - where you can link up to my two etsy shops and my blog - but be warned.  I'm a horrible and irregular blogger...

Wendy Erman

When did you start art journaling?

 

I've kept a blog for many years. Likewise, I've had a daily art practice for many years, yet, I never thought about combining my writing and art. I've seen people doing it for years via their scrapbooking pages and through artists like Teesha Moore who have fabulous art journals. I only became serious about the practice after happening upon Effy's Book of Days group. Initially I was wary of sharing my writing in that format. I don't like my handwriting, and I'm an editor by nature, so I'm hesitant to share my "off the cuff" thoughts with people.  Yet, I find art journaling fulfills a particular need I have to find a community that appreciates my efforts in both genres. I have a handful of blog followers. I have fans of my art via my business, but only via the book of days do I feel like I have comrades, friends, sisters, fellow soldiers whom I can trust not only to share my work with, but my daily life concerns. That's so vital!

Do you maintain an art 'practice' or are you a seat-of-the-pantser when it comes to your art?

My life is all about ebb and flow. I'm at times ecstatic, while other times I'm lethargic and unsure if I want to continue. This is true all things in my life, not just art journaling.  For instance, several years ago, I started a blog that I wrote in daily.  After a dedicated 3 years, the practice began to wear on me. It no longer felt fun or like something I was benefitting from, so I closed that particular blog to the public and stopped writing. Of course, I resumed blog writing in a different blog. However, the blog is no longer a daily practice. I try to post something once per week. I consider it a blessing if I post more than that.  Yet, when I do post, I find that it's something that's at the tip of my tongue. I find that it's something about to explode out of me. I like that new feeling of urgency.  My art journal is different. I try to work on it on weekends--Thursday through Sunday. I often work on it while my boyfriend is gone working his second job. He is an art teacher by day, and he unloads trucks in the early morning hours. When he wakes up at 3 a.m., I often get up too, put on a kettle of water for tea, read Facebook to see what my sisters have done in their Book of Days, and then I settle into working in my own Book of Days. I like the quiet. I sometimes cue up a movie or TV show on Netflix or Hulu to listen to while I work. I take breaks to cuddle with our cat, Charlie. Mainly, though, I'm focused and humming with the energy that arting generates.

What do you enjoy most about Book of Days?

By far, I like the communion with others who are committed to an art and writing practice. It's hard to do anything well in isolation. This has always been the case. It's why I went to graduate school for writing. I send to wither alone, yet I flourish when surrounded by other like me who are willing to provide feedback, criticism, and enthusiasm. I think this is very much like a writer's workshop, with one exception. In writer's workshops, the criticism is not only positive. In fact, it can be brutal. Fellow writers often tell you where a piece has failed, and they may even tell you what they think you should do to fix it.  The effect of this reminds me of the quote Effy included in her last newsletter. The Rumi quote includes imagery about a person being polished by aggitation. I wonder about that. On one hand, pressure of any kind can result in the beautful (just think of the pressure that turns coal to diamond). On the other hand, sometimes too much pressure can wear somethind down to a dull nub! So I think it's fantastic to be among women who can find at least one thing to admire in each person's layout. It may only be the handwriting that catches a person's fancy. It may be a color combo. It may be the sentiment or quote. It may be a technique used.  And that is lifesaving (and artsaving)! It's the sort of positivity that allows us to not want to throw in the towel or give up. Even if I don't like a layout in my book, I will keep it if just one person finds something redeeming in it. That's how we go on. It's the same with life. We may find flaws in our bodies, our minds, and even our souls. Those flaws may lead us to the brink of despair, but when even one person points out some good in us, it creates a little pocket of sunshine that allows us to see ourselves in a different light.

What are your favourite supplies?

I'm a magpie by nature. I save everything. I don't throw away scraps. I often pilfer things out of junk mail, bills, things that others deem garbage. I like things from thrift stores and yard sales. A lot of my layouts are made up of those bits that others might give up on. I save those bits in color-coded Ziploc baggies and often will just grab a baggie and start in on a project.  I also am a longtime patron of our local recycling center. I dig around in the bins for magazines and old books I can rip images out of (or sometimes the whole book is a beauty, and I alter it). In terms of things I buy, lately I've been a bit obsessed with stencils. I also like spray inks, acrylic paints, Permaball pens, gelatos, Pitt pens, alcohol inks, washi tape, painted papers or backgrounds made via special techniques like using Citrasolv on National Geographic Magazines. 

Anything else you'd like to share with us?

I teach college-level English composition and research writing. Don't let that scare you or change the way you talk to me. Don't fret about your writing skills or your punctuation or grammar. I only wield the "red pen" while on duty.  I don't judge people, and I hope you won't judge me. I consider my art journal and even my blog a place where I'm not going to play editor. I'm also a published poet, with a book under my belt, yet you won't always see poetic things written on my Book of Days. Poet, Walt Whitman once wrote, "I am large. I contain multitudes." Such is the case for me. I am teacher, writer, artist, business woman, pet lover, Tobe lover, TV watcher, book reader, movie buff, mother to a woman going blind, friend to any who will have me. Some days it's hard to keep all those personalities in check. Other days "we" have it all under control.

Where can we we find you on line?

I'd love it if you followed my blog!
You can find it at: http://innergraffiti-wendy.blogspot.com/

You can find photos of my life and my art via Flickr:  
http://www.flickr.com/photos/innergraffiti/

I'd love it if you "Liked" my business Facebook page! You can find it here: 
https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Re-Used-Muse/138921239453161

Feel free to check out my boards on Pinterest too: 
http://pinterest.com/innergraffiti

 

 

 

Jo Crawford

When did you start art journaling?

I actually only started art journalling relatively recently in about September/October 2011. After seeing Effy and other on-line friends' journal pages I wanted to give it a try as a therapeutic model around a specific issue I was facing. I've been trying to conceive since my husband's successful vasectomy reversal in 2009 and it has been quite an emotionally challenging journey. I came to a place where I needed to get away from words and talking it out over and over again. My art journal gave me a sacred container to express all the joy, fear and frustration I hold in this path. Being able to create beauty out of heartache has been such a gift to me. I see each spread as a sacred prayer of intention for a healthy pregnancy and baby.

Do you maintain an art 'practice' or are you a seat-of-the-pantser when it comes to your art?

I'd say that in general I am a seat-of-the-pantser as I create when the muse strikes...but I have a deep desire for regular art practice. I've been making art in some form or another since I was very young but have had big stretches of time in my life where I did not prioritize creative expression. One of my intentions for 2012 is to create something everyday for me - not for my business or friends, but for me. I've kept to my intention so far and let me tell you, my stress levels reflect it! I am more centered and smile more readily when I've been creative everyday.

What do you enjoy most about Book of Days?

I love having the structure to ground me as I develop a daily art practice. I may not always follow the prompts to a T, but they always act as a springboard for whatever my muse has up her sleeve. The other component I love is the community that is growing around Book of Days. I'm so inspired and have learned so many cool techniques by my fellow BoD'ers' artwork. Creating in a creative community and receiving validation for my creations fills me with so much joyful energy.

What are your favourite supplies?

Neocolour II crayons, watercolour pencils, collage elements, Sakura gel pens and gold anything ;)

Anything else you'd like to share with us?

I see creative expression as a sacred expression of the divine. As I art I connect to my core life force and that is so powerful and healing. It is my prayer and my sacred truth.

Here's a video of my January 2012 Book of Days: http://youtu.be/cGDlOZNRHTE

Thank you Effy for making Book of Days so accessible to those of us wanting to explore spiritual creativity.

Where can we we find you on line?
Art Blog: http://www.jocreates.org
Website: http://www.craftingthesacred.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/craftingthesacred

 

Xfacta Kel

When did you start art journaling?

I started visual journalling nine years ago, after I had a minor stroke. At the time I was working as a magazine editor, but after the stroke impaired my language ability, I was really struggling in my job. Without knowing why, I decided I had to do some kind of art course and found myself in a community centre learning all about vision-building and visual journalling. It was so helpful in helping my brain recover and reconnect my writing abilities. So, listening to my body I found the right 'medicine' for myself, with no prior knowledge of art's usefulness in stroke recovery. Back then it was just pastels in an off-the-shelf visual art diary.Since then I've expanded into art journalling in altered books and love it. 

Do you maintain an art 'practice' or are you a seat-of-the-pantser when it comes to your art?

I maintain an art practice in that I try to create something every day. Whether it's a journal page, a piece of writing, or some other creative outlet. That said, my process is very seat-of-the-pants, in that I work intuitively, with no set outcome for most of it. 

What do you enjoy most about Book of Days?

The shared space in a community of like-minded creatives.

What are your favourite supplies?

Black gesso, recycled stuff.

Where can we we find you on line?
www.xfacta.blogspot.com

Anything else you'd like to share with us?

I know from personal experience the power of art to heal. Never underestimate what 'playing with paint' or other arty stuff can do for you. It's my medicine, and a daily dose is best 

Sarah Cooper

When did you start art journaling?

‘Create’ was my Word of the Year for 2010, spent the year dipping my toes in untested creative waters... My 1st Art Journal page ever was created January 4th 2010. 

Do you maintain an art 'practice' or are you a seat-of-the-pantser when it comes to your art?

Oh so seat of the pants! I follow a lot of Blog Challenges, like to be given a ‘starting point’ (theme, supply, color etc..) but then I let my Muse wander around unfettered. She’s not real good about staying on anyone else’s set path, which is just fine with me. I have no set style or medium; will try anything and everything I can get supplies for. As my Blog statement says: I have A.D.A.D (Attention Deficit Art Disorder), but I’m not suffering! 

My turn-around-blessing in having 2 boys (of 4) with behavioral disabilities and myself having chronic painful medical issues is the ‘need’ to be a stay-at-home; this means my Studio and I are rarely separated. 

What do you enjoy most about Book of Days? 

I totally love the ‘group’! I myself am quiet (tend to post pictures then run *blushing* and hide) I so enjoy seeing all the fantastic eye-candy everyone is creating. My personal Muse-Food is definitely ‘Visual Feasting’ and The Sisterhood of the Book is quite the banquet! 
For myself… It’s the challenge, Daily. 

Thinking ahead in order to make many 'days' fit together on the page(s), but not crash up against each other... learning to use flip-outs, pockets and other add-ons. The continued need to think very much 'outside the rectangle', love it. 

What are your favorite supplies?

I don’t have a ‘favorite’ but I do find that the Sharpies (big and small) as well as paint are wandering onto my pages more than other items from my stash. My main goal this year with my Art is to use what I have and what comes my way... no extra spending, ok… not much. lol Do really like to use of ‘junk’ when I can, nothing thrills me more than saving another lil bitty do-dad from the landfill! 

Where can we we find you on line?

Blog: http://www.keepsakescrafts.blogspot.com/
Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/KeepSakesCrafts
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/KeepSakesCrafts
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/keepsakescrafts/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/#!/keepsakescrafts
Google +: https://www.plus.google.com/116593993377537396645

Anything else you'd like to share with us?

I’m shy… painfully shy. After surviving an abusive 11 year marriage I’m just learning to come back out of my shell. Learning to open-up using the ‘shield’ of being online, find written conversation online easier since I am deaf on one side. Blessed to be remarried, to a man that waited for my since high-school (yes, it’s a real tear jerker love story) and was willing to take on my baggage as well as my 4 boys. But people in general scare me… Please be gentle with me. 

I operate KeepSake’s Crafts: Specializing in Recycled Mixed Media work, also Greeting Cards, 4 X 4 Art, Postcard Art and other Paper Goodies. Our Motto: Reduce, Reuse and Redecorate. Using up as much 'junk' as we can... Always striving to re-beautify with items that would otherwise go to waste. That means my children bring me home all kinds of ‘junk’ to use, but also hide their broken toys if they think I might craft them!

Thanks to Book of Days being posted on my blog regularly I’ve been asked to write up a Tutorial for Toucan Scraps Tutorial Blog:http://toucanscraps.blogspot.com/ (coming out Late Feb/early March) about how I Art Journal. Delighted and Nervous as heck!

My other *toot toot* is being an artist for: www.Landfillart.org a Global Art Project encompassing one-thousand-forty-one (1,041) artists from around the globe who each tok an old hubcap and created Art. I was (at the time I submitted) one of 5 selected to represent Canada. There is a book coming out in 2012, for now my art hangs alongside others in the online gallery at: www.landfillart.org. 
…aaaand that’s all folks!

 

Becky Young

When did you start art journaling?

My first experience with art journaling was at school. When I was doing my A-levels I had an eating disorder and my art teacher wanted me to try and explore my feelings through the journal, but I wasn't ready then...... Then over the last few years I tried again, I looked at a few sites, but nothing really worked and I tried but I felt a drift....... That was until I discovered Effys book of days... Then I felt now is the time!

Do you maintain an art 'practice' or are you a seat-of-the-pantser when it comes to your art?

I HAVE to be creative everyday. It is a NEED which must be bet!!! I do do some commissions, and design work, but I have to do something for me everyday, even if it is taking a photo on my big girl camera (Christmas pressie so still learning) but it can be anything, today I did string painting with the kids at my art class I run, that was fun!! 

What do you enjoy most about Book of Days?

The GLITTER!!!! And the sisterhood! And the personal and creative journey I am on. 

What are your favourite supplies?

I have a wonderful pen, like a fountain pen but with a brush instead of a nib, and as of yesterday inktense pencils, wow they are fab, vivid colours and so soft to draw with! 

Where can we we find you on line?

www.beckyyoungartist.com
Flickr Becks young
Facebook becky young

Anything else you'd like to share with us?

I would like to just say a big thank you to Effy, it is a privilege to be on this wonderful journey of book of days with you!! And to everyone in the sisterhood. You don't know how you have helped my self confidence return in the last month with your friendship, lovely comments and love and glitter flinging!  xo

 

Annie Mac

When did you start art journaling?
I started art journaling in January of this year, although I had been , during the last months of 2100, keeping a record of my artistic endeavours. I ‘graduated ‘ from card making 5 or so years ago into mixed media, and latterly textiles has been my main focus.

Do you maintain an art 'practice' or are you a seat-of-the-pantser when it comes to your art?
I try to art most days, but I never know what I am going to be doing until it is done, so I guess that makes me a seat-of-the –panster. 

What do you enjoy most about Book of Days?
I love belonging to the sisterhood. I am a bit of a loner, so for me it was strange to feel oddly adrift whilst I couldn’t connect with the group. I enjoy the enthusiasm that you give to us all, your time and generosity. I don’t think that I would be disciplined enough to keep a journal without this help and support.

What are your favourite supplies?
My favourite supplies change regularly lol At the moment I am loving my Stewart Gill Paints, my Pitt Pens and stencils (must get more). I am waiting for the postman to bring me a package of Inktense blocks, and I am sure these will be well used.

Anything else you'd like to share with us? 
I art in my son’s former bedroom. It is quite small, but it contains all my supplies , my sewing and embellishing machines , my music . It is my retreat and any visitors have to sleep in our caravan.

Where can we we find you on line?
I haven’t updated my blog yet this year, but you can find me athttp://anniesatticroom.blogspot.com/