I love America!

Paris One Day
Originally uploaded by JournalArtista

Hi all,

First off, I want to say thanks so much to all those that have spent the time leaving such sweet comments. I truly appreciate them and will respond as soon as I am back home.

I am currently at a safety training course in St Louis. I spent the entire weekend (last weekend that is) sick to my stumach, anxious about the trip. As usual, now that I'm here, I feel great. The course is educationional, entertaining, and exactly what my facility needs.

Another benefit about being in the US is Borders and Archivers. Now, we have huge book stores in Toronto, obviously, but they just don't stock the art books I'm interested in. I was able to pick up:

Collaborative Art Journals by L.k. Ludwig
Journal Spilling by Diana Trout (LOVING this book so far!)
Exhibition 36 by Susan Tuttle
True Vision by L.K. Ludwig and
1000 Artist Journal Pages. I must say, I bought this book a few years ago when it first came out but lost it somehow when I last moved. Anyway, I just HAD to buy another. You know what that means though... I will find my other copy within a week. ;o)
Because I'm in a hotel room, I cannot link the books to the Amazon page, but I will edit this post on the weekend to show the links. In the meantime, please check out these titles on Amazon yourself... SO worth the money!

I was also able to go to Archivers. This has always been a treat for me as we don't have any in Canada. I was a "good girl" but did pick up some cool things. I always feel so inspired after buying new supplies! I wanted to go to Dick Blick, but it was just too far. So sad!

I brought a WC Moleskine and a few basic suppplies along with me in case I felt the urge to Journal. After one night I have felt the urge, but have spent too much time shopping! :o) I plan on doing some journaling tomorrow. I have been keeping some cool ephemera from the trip and can't wait to put it onto paper.

I hope you all are having a great week!
Much LOVE!

It's Time to Love Myself

Love Myself
Originally uploaded by JournalArtista

 

I'm thinking that it's no secret that I struggle with self esteem... I mean, who doesn't right? I have spent so many years not living up to my potential, being happy (or pretending to be happy) with mediocrity. I am not sure why I've always been this way, where this fear of succeeding started from. I sometimes wonder if it's merely a matter of being lazy, but that would be the easy answer, one that doesn't require any soul searching.

Soul searching, that is what my journaling lately has been about. I'm using this tool to throw myself "out there", the uglies and all.
It's time to finally love myself and LIVE my dreams.

Much Love!

Finding my Own style

Finding my Own style
Originally uploaded by JournalArtista
Good (snowy) Evening!

This page is again from my BPJ (Black Page Journal). It's my cover/first page. As I've mentioned before, I'm trying to find my own style. Yes, I've been hugely inspired by so many artists such as:

Mystele
Tracy Bautista
Dina Wakely
and of course, Teesha Moore

That being said, I still want my journals and pages to be a reflection of me. After typing that I'm starting to think that's a bit silly... of course all my work is a reflection of me. Anyway, I think you know what I mean. ;o)

This journey is so exciting for me. I feel like I have grown and, most importantly, have started healing. I can't wait to see what the future brings, and for me that's a step in the right direction.

Much Love!

Art is Love

Art is Love
Originally uploaded by JournalArtista

For the first time in awhile I decided to play with watercolours. These particular ones have shimmer, but my camera didn't pick it up unfortunately. I've been added to this page since last week, finally finishing up tonight.
The journaling is about trying to take time every day for art, even if it's just a little bit of "couch" art. No, I didn't come up with that term, but I cannot remember where I first heard it.
I'm struggling with the lettering for "art", I'm tempted to cover it up somehow and use a different kind of lettering... but for now I will just have to sit with it. :o)
Much Love!

I'm In The Danger Zone

Danger Zone
Originally uploaded by JournalArtista
Oh baby is it ever snowing outside! As I've mentioned, it's been quite the green winter here in Toronto. I would classify today as our first "official" snowfall. Again, I'm not complaining. ;o)

I came home today and went right to my art room. So many crazies in my head I just had to get them out! I finished this page that I've been working on here and there for about a week now. So much going on here... acrylics, tape, stamps, scrapbook paper, ephemera, lots of ink... the usual good "old" scrap supplies.

This is Journal #4 (the black page one) and I am trying to keep it to a certain style. I enjoy many "styles", and remain true to what I'm feeling at the time, which is another reason why I have two journals on the go right now.

Check out my Flickr to see close ups (and my journals sorted by #), but be warned, the words may be a little ugly, I tend not to sensor. ;o)

Much Love!