Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Art Journaling, a New Girl, and Being True

Instagram picture @sadieinspired
 Yesterday I worked on a new journal page. I was SUPER happy to get a chance to just sit down and let things go. You know what I mean? I love that my journal is a place where I can not only try new ideas or techniques, but also pour out a bit of my heart in written words. I used to just "art" a lot on the pages. But, now I love the writing. Do you write in a journal or an art journal? It is such a release to write it down, right!?

She started out on a random page that I had used to wipe off excess paint from other projects. I looked and looked around the page to see if I could see something in the background to get me started, but nothing popped out...until I flipped the page that is! I normally don't do that in my journals. They are already bound so I just go page by page (skipping around sometimes) right side up. When I turned the book all the way around I saw the outline of her face. 


After I had the sketch, I began to play with my favorite color palette and some new Americana paint in Electric Pink. It was on sale, so I had to have it. ;) I really love the colors and like how she turned out. I am going to go back and add some color (white) to her nose. Initially I liked the under layers popping through and showing there...but, now I am not so sure.

What I do know for sure is that my feeling behind the page was overwhelming. 
Be True.


Be true to who you are. No matter what. There are so many people struggling through something, feeling alone, working through challenges, stepping up, placing faith in the unseen, overcoming, gracefully sailing through tragedy, facing uncertainty, and sharing their truth. So much victory and triumph lives in these places. 


For me...my choice...is love. I am going to love. I am going to stand behind or alongside these. I am going to be a shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen. I am going to share in the pain/struggle and dance proudly in the celebration. I will not judge or protest, just revel in the courage I see. I am going to choose to find beauty every day (even when I am buried under deadlines and laundry). But, most of all I am going to love deeply with the love God created.


Be True.
Be Love.

Inspiration: Carissa Paige (just plain fabulous), Kristin @ Twinkle, Twinkle (gorgeous girls with stripey colored hair), Mystele (hunting in backgrounds for stories), and Effy Wild (writing more and journaling in the hair).

Now, go be awesome!
and...

 

9 comments:

  1. Beautiful post... gorgeous girl... love your art journal page Jen... and the heartfelt message behind it... truth and love... hand in hand.... and so beautifully put...

    Jenny ♥

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  2. Lovely post and your girl is fabulous! I may have to pick up some of that pink paint! What an amazing color!

    Thanks for sharing such inspiring words as well!

    :)

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  3. This is incredible - plus I love reading the story behind it. You are so talented!

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  4. This is such a great post and I just love your girl!

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  5. Hi Jen! You know what I love about your works? Every girl, every painting, every work has a significant story. Each has its own unique character. Each has a meaning. You are so blessed Jen. I hope you will never get tired of sharing your talents.

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  6. Pretty girl...I love the candy colors.

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  7. This is so, SO beautiful, Jen! I love how you saw her with the simple rotation of your journal. The pink you added is the perfect compliment color and I like the background peeking through her face.
    Catherine Denton

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  8. Oh, this is just so wonderful on so many levels! I LOVE the way you turned the book around and found inspiration from there - and LOVE your color palette. AND thank you for the nod - that was so sweet!!
    Really, really beautiful work and writing - and no, it's something I need to add more of in my journals . . . xoxo!

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  9. Dear Jen: I love the way she turned out, the message behind her + the process. Turning the page around is so awesome...I started doing that awhile back + it's amazing what pops out! xxx
    P.S. Thank you so much for your very kind comment on my blog. Am trying not to get swallowed up by overwhelm:)

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