I am really really really liking art journaling at the minute, so today’s ‘I like’ Friday should be called ‘I really really really like’ Friday!
My art journaling journey began late last year when I joined the Get Messy community and started to follow along with what the talented people over there were creating. I wasn’t really making any pages myself because honestly I felt rather out of my depth. It was all so full and layered and complicated and I am a kind of simple soul, especially in my art. So I watched and chatted and absorbed as much as I could.
Then a prompt appeared on Instagram with instructions, just vague directions, but that was just what I needed. So I gesso’ed and I stuck paper down and painted and stamped and wrote and doodled and I had a great time doing so.
I did it again and this page (above) took on it’s own little life. I never intended the girl to have wings, but there they appeared as I drew some random doodles. The paint kept asking to be added, so I arranged it on the pages with my fingers, blending and texturizing as I went.
Finally I spattered ink all over the place and all over my face (!) to finish up the spread. Of course I might go back and do some more to it, but I have already got a base layer on the next double spread ready to go, and I am excited to see where that will take me.
I am very optimistic that I will have a fat, paint filled sketchbook by the end of the year, heck I might even have two or three!
People always say how therapeutic and rewarding making any kind of art is and I have to say that I agree fully, even a few minutes a day just seems to open up your mind to the next idea and then the ideas and inspirations just pop up all over the place.
Keep that notebook handy folks, you are going to need it!
Clare Davis Etheridge 
Such a lovely page! Welcome to Get Messy. It has really helped to develop my art journaling style.
Thanks Melody! I am looking forward to more creations in my journal.
Beautiful pages – I really need to dedicate myself more to my art journaling. I love doing it then life gets in the way (or Christmas!) So much creativity to be had. Looking forward to seeing those bulging sketchbooks soon! xx
It is amazing what you can come up with once you sit down and do it (often the problem!).
I love looking at people art journals always want to give it a go but get distracted with other bits! Story of my life!!
I know what you mean, I have to sit myself down and get on with it!
Lovely page Clare! Art journaling is lots of fun and so relaxing. I love how you doodled on your page.
Thanks Robyn! I am not a natural doodler, I have to make some effort at it, but I like it!
I love the colours you chose. I also really like the doodling. As silly as it sounds, doodling is something I am going to practice this year. I really envy how it seems to just flow out of some people. For me, my doodles look like a 3yr olds drawings. But I really enjoy it. So more practice for me! I love how your looks so effortless.
I know what you mean, I don’t doodle all over the place like some people manage. I have to plan my ‘doodles’ a little bit, which kind of defeats the object!