Art Journal: A Vacation at Home

Last night I was working in my studio for the 3rd day in a row....late in the evening, immersed in some journal work and it honestly felt delicious and extremely comforting. I go in phases when working in my journal. I almost always have it out when I'm painting to use as a palette, cleaning off my brushes or stamps right into my journal, but it might take me days, weeks, or months to complete a page.  Not always, but sometimes.   Over the last few days, I completed a bunch of pages though and started a million others. Don't you love when creativity sparks an avalanche of activity??

The outcome of these messy pages are unpredictable. I know that's disconcerting to some.  It's not easy to let go and it's easy to go down the path of what the heck is this page supposed to be.  I rarely have a plan.  I also rarely finish one page at a time, rather I work on multiple pages and multiple books when I am in the journal state of mind.    Pretty much every supply under the sun is fair game, too.   I often use my journal to use up colors or supplies I hadn't tried in awhile.  It's a virtual playground, where ideas ebb and flow.  I do feel guilty sometimes if I indulge too much in playtime.  I have to admit, days off or playtime in general are few and far between for me lately.  I think if you push yourself too far, and place too many unrealistic expectations on yourself in any area of your life,  burn out is inevitable.  Taking time off to do something a bit different than your new routine can be that break you need so that you don't crash and burn.

 So yes, when I can't escape to the tropics, or take a full day off from the studio...art journaling is a little vacation for my mind and my regular day to day tasks.  

I'm grateful for having this outlet to 'think out loud' with, and breathe in and out a bit more slowly.

What do you do to escape from your everyday life or tasks when a vacation is not an option??  I'd love to hear what type of  tools you use to cope and take a break with!

Artfully yours,

Jodi

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Be sure to check out my Etsy shop!  Back in December I had around 40 items listed but for the new year, I had a goal to increase that to 80--well now I'm pushing almost 100 items now!!! Lots of new items and even a few supplies!!

And New Note cards

Wait until you see this!! UNBELIEVABLE Limited Edition Giclee Print!

With a very exclusive print run of 50 for this size (24 x 36), you don't want to miss out on this spectacular piece for a fraction of what an original would cost yet enjoy an amazing reproduction that shows an amazing amount of texture and detail similar to that of the original.