Inhabit

I'm finally making art again, it only took several heartbreaks and emotional breakdowns to get me putting my feelings back onto paper.  I spend a lot of time lesson planning and teaching technique, so by the end of the day making time for myself to make art feels selfish, but I've slowly come to understand that it makes me a better aware person when I visually journal, when I get myself onto paper I can be more relaxed and I can focus on what others might need from me.

INHABIT a sketch. almost 'before.' 

I've found myself creating again, it comes in waves.  I found myself over committed and working in the wrong industry for too long.  Giving away all my energy to someone or something else.  I've been working on budgeting energy for creative processes.  I ordered The Wild Unknown Journal to help with prompts not only for my personal self but for my student's weekly sketchbook assignments.  I wanted something I could find myself inspired by to create artwork along side them.  I've stepped too far back from my creative process for too long, ignoring the energy to make something.  I knew having a creative outlet would help ground me this year, and help me grow as an artist again.  I loved Kim Krans' The Wild Unknown Animal Spirit Deck so I had a feeling I would resonate with the prompts in this journal, as I use the journal I'll be sure to post before's and afters, except not exact before's for copyright purposes but beginnings I'll say. like the images above, on the left is the first dribble of brown watercolor paint onto the page, the nest was the only original marks on the journal and I immediately started adding branches and blues to the page, on the right you can see my completed image with my words, collages, and watercolor paintings.

In terms of craftsmanship I am happy to report the pages of this book are thick and durable enough that my light watercolor paintings did not bleed through to the page behind it, although it did wrinkle a bit as water does to a page. Closing the book and allowing it to rest between the other pages has caused it to flatten almost back to normal.  I also am biased because I love the texture of well worked on journal pages, the crinkle of the paper feels matured, lived and expressive more than a flat printed clean sheet.  This is not a sponsored post or anything, but I felt like I should share a bit about it in case you're looking for something to spark that creativity again, because I really feel like it has.

Happy painting and expressing.

this post does contain affiliate links but the opinions are my own, and are shared with the intent to spread knowledge and creativity.