Taming Fear with Art Journaling

 The last few weeks have been super duper uber intense as we prepare for ReMe Retreats, May on Ocraoke Island.  I've been going back and forth between the retreat preparations,  working in my outside studio, working at my home studio, working on another big project coming up in May,  and of course keeping things together here at the 'ranch' with my 14 1/2 year old.    Whoosh. Makes my head spin in the best possible way.

To relax and unwind, I've been finding myself diving into my journal and escaping or relax in my own way.   Today I'm showcasing another journal I started not too long ago. This one is also a Dylusions Journal but it's the smaller version.

As much as I love the large Dylusions, once you get it really filled up...it weighs about 20 lb.s haha!! There's so many pages in it!

This one also has a lot of pages but not as many as the larger version, and they are about 1/2 the size which is nice for some quick evening doodling or collage work.

Many times I jump all over the place putting collage here or there,  going back and refining this or that, then moving on to the next spread or page.

 There's hardly ever a theme for my journals as a whole. I can't seem to stick with one theme, rather I just go with whatever the mood moves me for each individual spread. Most of the time it's a bunch of random thoughts!

I guess when I have a lot on my mind, I need a way to get it out without having to worry about the composition as a whole...just play around and communicate with myself through my visual journal.

Sometimes the pages do have accidental threads of similarity. That's often because I have my journal next to me as I paint almost all the time..so left over paint lands on the page or pages. I'll go back to the page in the evening or early morning when  I am ready to relax or begin the day in a quiet way.

If there's not a lot to say,  I'll look for a quote that has a bit of meaning or sparks my interest.   I've noticed that my pages are rather busy lately...that could be attributed to my state of mind. I constantly feel like I'm juggling everything at all times and rarely wind down.  Until I force myself, and that quietness sometimes comes in the form of art journaling.

Before I do a big project....I always, no matter how many times I've done something, get a case of anxiety and nerves.  I recognize this in myself and have learned to tame in my nerves, I need to have a sense of quiet and peacefulness. I can't just roll into an event or project in the middle of chaos or exhaustion.    With less than 6 sleeps left before our big event, ReMe..I have to find that sense of peace quickly...and I have in many ways, thanks to the preparation that we've put into place over the course of the year for ReMe,  thanks to the sanctuary of my journal, and thanks to the place I've come to discover within myself.  I'm learning to listen to what my body needs, I've learned how to quiet my mind and ease my thoughts...but honestly the fear and anxiety never goes away 100 % and that's probably a good thing.

I've found the more you care about something, the more meaning it has for you which naturally causes a bit of  struggle internally.  You want it to be amazing.You want others to enjoy it. You want it to flow smoothly and without any hiccups. 

The truth is, there are always hiccups or bumps in the road. 

There are always unexpected occurrences that change the direction, big things and little things.

The only thing you can control is your reaction and actions I've learned.

You can tame the fear and turn it into wonder and excitement.

You can quiet your mind and ease your worries by doing something you love  and taking care of yourself.

You can be more confidant by preparing yourself ahead of time and not rush into your project or event.

These are just some of the things I've recognized within myself, I hope it helps you to know that you are not the only one with fears. 

We all have them from time to time.

Until next time,

Jodi Ohl

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The Messages That Come Through Art Journaling

You can learn a lot about yourself through art journaling. Leafing through some recent pages I can see snippets of where my mind was at the moment I created the page.  Sometimes the reflections I portray through visual clues and cues are from that very moment, and sometimes I'm speaking to someone I know or wish I could impact in some way, and sometimes they are just words I've captured in my mind from some other fleeting experience that I felt the need to keep with me as a reminder.

Rarely ever do I start with an end in mind, if that makes sense. Most of my pages are works that evolve from painting sessions. Cleaning off my brushes, stencils, stamps, brayers...whatever has paint on it at the time can land on a journal page.   Then late at night when I'm cozied up in my jammies, watching tv or perhaps early in the morning while it's quiet, I will sit and work on a page (or 2, or 3).  They may take weeks to finish.  Even months.   It's at the finish line I will infuse words or conversations I have with myself...or those I want to speak to in the sanctuary of my art journal book(s).

Sometimes there are a lot of words....sometimes there are just a few poignant reminders highlighted on the page.  I don't know....I think art journaling allows me to feel less lonely in some ways.  Not that I feel isolated, but there are times when I wish I had someone to talk to when there isn't anyone there.

And then other times, the words are not for me to feel comfort with...as an artist I realize more and more that the words or images are for someone else to take hold of and feel that sense of comfort.

As if...the message comes through you so someone else may hear what they need to hear..when they need to hear it.  An affirmation if you will that is put into the world to boomerang back to the soul that has requested a sign.  Sometimes it is just me that needs the message...but more often then not, there are others out there too that need the guidance.

This page I created last week after spending a few days with someone that I had(have)  a close connection with for the last 11 or so years.....someone that actually was partially responsible for me getting back into art several years ago...some of the words go out to that person...and the rest are just for me.   Sometimes,  art journaling just helps you come to terms with things going on in your life.

I can't fix everything.

You have to want change in order to get it.

I'm glad this AJ streak I've been on has continued as long as it has.  It keeps me humble and allows me to release and let go so I can do what I need to do next, which is to move forward.

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Is there something that you do in the quiet of the evening or the first glow of the morning sunshine that keeps you grounded with a sense of peace?  If not, find that thing....it could be jogging, walking, writing, drawing, painting or knitting.  You'd be amazed at how less alone and more comforted you will feel while partaking in that activity that is meaningful to you.

I'd love to hear from you!  Drop me a line and tell me what your 'thing' is that keeps you sane!

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"Letting Go and Not Looking Back" 

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Living With Art and No Rules Art Journal

Extremely excited to see that one of my "Living with Art" pictures was featured over at my friend Seth Apter's Blog,  "The Altered Page".  Click the image to be taken to his blog and check out my 'living with art' picture!  If you don't know Seth or you haven't taken one of Seth's classes...you are missing out on meeting one of the kindest, sweetest and most talented artists and instructors out there in the mixed media world.    He is also the author of a couple of mixed media books and has been featured in countless publications and contributed to many many others.  Bookmark his blog to stay in touch with the pulse of mixed media!  I've had the good fortune to get to know Seth a bit as our paths have crossed on many occasions at several mixed media retreats, I'm honored to be a part of this new series he's curated.

So ya in other news...I've been on a journal roll lately in case you haven't noticed...my last post shared several other pages recently completed...and here are two more.  Again...no real rhyme or reason why I did either of these pages. That's one of the many exciting things about art journaling...you don't have to have a reason or even do the same thing twice.  When you are working on your 'regular program' of art,  if you fall off the beaten path...people really take notice and question why you are doing this that or the other.....in your journal,  it's all about what ever strikes you at the moment and further more,  it doesn't have to be reveled to anyone unless you want it to be.

I suppose that's how your art is too...but my point is...if I suddenly did a painting of a pirate ship with dark moody colors painted with my fingers..haha...I'm stretching here.....I know I'd get emails or messages asking me if I was feeling okay...where did the colorful houses go or quirky flowers! :))   Journal..I could paint my pirate ship and no one would notice I was feeling a little ARRGGGHH!!

Maybe that metaphor wasn't the best but you get the picture.  There's no rules, and I like that sometimes. :)

Artfully yours,

Jodi

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Speaking of dark and moody but totally fun loving, have you checked out my online class, Grunge Ink?  This is messy, cool. fun,and chock full of great techniques using ink, Golden High Flow Paint, and Yupo paper among other things.

Stop by and see what its all about!