WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

Thats a broad question I know...but the real reason for this post was prompted by a conversation I had recently with a friend, who thought that every entry she made in her art journal had to be a resolved and well thought out piece of art. 

This started up a conversation about what the true meaning of keeping an art journal is about and we decided if you are going to start one, dont think that every page has to be a finished piece of high art as that way of thinking can hinder you and stifle your creativity. I truely believe the secret to unlocking your creativity is to simply have fun! Don't be too contrived, get messy and experiment after all if we art talking about an art journal we are talking about a book that houses and nurtures your ideas a tool, a medium to document and capture what in essence inspires you. 

I was really attached to my art journals years and years ago when I studied Printmaking at art school. It was a requirement to present an artist journal at assessment time so often one wasstashed in my bag and went with me everywhere.

This was a great insight into our young creative minds and our lecturers referred to them often and got a tap on the hand if we weren't being vigilant in keeping one. I loved to collage in mine and often glued imagery that I found in my travels usually in those free postcards or concert flyers found around town. I was intrigued by advertising and loved the really random designs that were being taped or pasted around town during that time. I would then deconstruct these ideas and emulate them into my screen prints and etchings. At the time I didnt appreciate the artworks I had created after all they were just studies of shape, pattern and colour. I am full of regret for doing this but sadly I threw alot of these teeny tiny little prints away (they measured about 4"X6").

So then I thought I should scan some pages of my art journals circa 1989-91 to share with you and reveal my thought process but...after spending the past few hours trying to find mine in amidst all the boxes stored away...I was left with a pile of mess and a completely futile exercise...grrr...I have a sneaking suspicion they have been lost along the way! Oh well I figure it was the late 80's and then another thought maybe they just turned to dust after becoming fodder for the silver fish!he he...

Either way I have started a new Art journal and although its not an artist journal in the true sense of the meaning its a great way to try out new techniques and to play with some fun backgrounds and can't wait to see the pages filled with random experimental play. Over time I will share some of those pages  filled with snippets or paraghraphs of my favourite writers, lists of words that grab me. Pasted newspaper clippings and human interest articles that define the times. I am going to share photo's and small doodles and try to discover the subconscious parts of my mind that influence my thoughts and actions and well simply put, I am just gonna HAVE FUN and maybe find myself again! Keep posted tee hee

Onto a different kind of share...a couple of projects featuring my godson, Kellan from the past couple of weeks as guest creative team member for Captivated Visions. Here are two that I had some fun with. I am loving extracting my photo's it makes the digi page look more collaged. Its a start yeah? Getting back into mixed media it's like retraining the brain ;)

'Shine'
Digital Credits: Captivated Visions
You Are Worth It Value Bundle
Blueberry Blush Mixed Media Papers
Font: Veneer by Yellow Design Studio

'Little Sprout'
Digital Credits: Captivated Visions
Mish Mash Stamp Stash Value Bundle 02
Creme Caramel Value Bundle

'Little Sprout' got a GSO which was a bit exciting! 

Thanks for stopping by I had better run off and get all sorted... Tige and I have a picnic date today!
Have a beautiful day everyone and hey if you can share what inspires you I'd love to hear about it!

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14 comments:

  1. You are rather an inspiring creature!

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    1. naww your even more inspiring I love your gorgeous pages xo

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  2. Awwww---isn't that nice of Chantalle...& you do have AMAZING ideas to get ideas from!!! These are stand out delish....LOVE that collage style of scrapping! I let my room inspire me & will often just look around & grab something after I've popped the photo on my table...& it goes from there! Totally random, really:):)!!!!!!

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    1. He he...thats the best way I reckon Lizzy, just go with the flow!

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    1. Thank you sweety and master of colour, pattern and happy layouts! ;) xo

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  4. oh Em these are just so cute! <3!

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    1. thank you heaps Sandi, your my collage inspiration I love your pieced pages they are so beautiful!

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  5. just so fabulous Em!! love your designs!!

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    1. thanks heaps Keren, you have been creating some deliciously beautiful pages these past couple of days, I wanna know what has been inspiring you girl? xo

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  6. Wow.. I love these layouts.. I love the cut out photos.. stunningly created.. and what inspires me.. well I like to keep my eyes and heart open and get inspired all the time.. by the beautiful world we live in, spring autumn winter summer they all have the most magnificent colors if I stop and look... I love seeing the new papers, shopping online for papers is not the same as seeing and touching them in the real...T-shirts can have the most interesting and appealing designs on them too... but most of all the amazing scrappers who share their talents on their blogs.. This is the biggest world of inspiration for me.. so thanks so much for your inspiration right here!!

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    1. Loving all your inspiration sources Lizzy and totally on the same page re: T-Shirts having great designs! And thank you too sweety xo

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