Welcome Back
For a few years now I have been considering starting an art journal. I am a big fan of Suzi Blu and her inspirational videos really made it look a lot of fun, I wanted to try but was afraid of ‘doing it wrong’. Suzi Blu showed a trailer for Julie Prichard’s Layer Love class and mentioned Julie’s blog. After seeing more art journaling there and an advert for a new magazine that Julie was featured in by Somerset Studio called ‘Art Journaling’ I decided to take a look.
The magazine had been out for a while by the time I found it, but there was still a digital version available. Looking at the few pages offered as a taster of the magazine I decided to buy it. What can I say…OMG! This was a revelation, a publication full of amazing images of different styles of Journals and from many artists. The publication has advice on choosing pens, journals, glues etc. There are interviews with many artists and a whole host of links, to those artists websites and blogs.
Reading this issue got me off the fence and I started an art journal of my own, and it is just as much fun as people say it is. There is so much inspiration in that publication, all in one place together. I finally realised that like any other creative endeavour that there are as many different styles as there are artists. There is no wrong way, you journal in a way you like, it is your journal after all. There is a picture of a journal page on the top of page 29 that really called to me. I believe the work is by LK Ludwig. The image is of a man holding a birds wings, and the text below reads;
‘He offers you wings and asks the question
Can you forget your fear of falling long enough to fly?’
That totally summed up my feelings towards art journaling, I did want to do it, I was just afraid of falling and getting it wrong. It was fear preventing me from starting a journal and after reading this magazine and visiting the wonderful websites of the artists featured, I was hooked.
Is Art Journaling Magazine for me?
Buy this magazine if you can say yes to the following;
You want to find out what art journaling is all about?
You want to find links to superb artists, for inspiration?
Although the physical issue 1 has sold out there is still a digital version available to download. Issue 2 came out 1st September 2009.
This has taken my creative journey to a whole new land of possibilities. It is one of the best presents you could buy for your creative side. Go check it out on the links below.
Links
Art Journaling Issue 1 (Digital download)
Best wishes and thanks for reading, see you soon
Billie 
Oh that post just makes perfect sense to me Billie! I am going to treat myself to Issue 1 tomorrow…
I took Layer Love because I really liked Julie’s style of painting – calls to my grungey side! Through her, I learned about paints and mediums and that I can create beautiful paintings and then write, draw and collage on top of them too!
The bookmaking isn’t half as demanding as I love to stitch and have been collaging for ages… and having already taken one class with her, I have become more confident of my ability to improvise, rather than spend! That’s not to say I can’t buy more stuff, because I will! Yes, I am hooked on bookbinding – it’s wonderful and very relaxing. I have given away both my first books and they’ve been well-received, so I must be doing something right!!
Thanks for your patience and kindness – you anwered many questions for me and that means a lot!
Good luck with your art journalling!
Rosie xoxo
Hi Rosie
Thanks so much for your comments they mean the world to me. Not so many people leave comments, so you never really know if what you are writting is going down well or not do you?
If you are enjoying the bookbinding check out the book reviews on the subject, there are loads of books out there that will really inspire you.
I’m really loving Julie’s classes, they have totally changed my view on painting and I love painting now
If you like Grunge….stick around I’m having a whole series coming up on grunging 
with Grungeboard and acrylic paint.
You are going to love that Art Journaling magazine, there is soo much eye candy in there. I just downloaded a copy of ‘Where Women Create’ in digiatal format. I am now very jealous of people with large warm craft spaces hehehe.
Best wishes
Billie