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!