journal junk

journaljunk: moleskine #8

journaljunk: moleskine #8, originally uploaded by artjunkgirl.

Lose yourself. Find yourself.
The journaling continues...moleskine #8.

You don't need a class to Art Journal. It's a book in which you put yourself in. There are no rules. Just do it. You will find your way.

xo lia

My New Journal~ and it's not a moleskine this time!!!

I am so absolutely thrilled that the very artist that inspired me to start journaling several years ago, has now released a line of journals, cards, etc. available through papayaart.com. Below is my first journal from her collection. (There are many more styles available). I so wanted to share this with you all as I'm so excited about it and I know many of you are fans of Sabrina's work as well. The journals are very durable as well, with thick paper. I really think the price is very reasonable as well! 

I look forward to filling this new journal with my intentions, words, and art. 

I know I haven't updated in a while for I have been here and there and everywhere all summer long! I will be updating more regularly starting September. Hope you all are having a fantastic and inspiring summer. Keep journaling your dreams! They may just come true! They have for me, in many ways, shapes and forms this summer, and this was one of them. :) xoxo lia

Painted Journal background for your art journal

Painted Journal background for your art journal, originally uploaded by artjunkgirl.

It's May already!!

2009 moleskine journal, originally uploaded by artjunk88.

Have you started your journal yet? What are you waiting for? It doesn't have to be perfect! Make a mess! It's ok! It's your journal! You can paint over it later! If you started your journal and want to share your pages, please join the journal junk photo group on flickr.
www.flickr.com/groups/journaljunk .

from my sketchbook journal

Song Credit: Fake Empire by The Nationals

journal junk

new moleskine page, originally uploaded by artjunk88.

What is your favorite reason to journal?

Here are mine:
1. A journal is a safe place to experiment without worrying about the end result.
2. A journal is a nice container of memories, ideas, etc all in one place.
3. A journal is portable art. You can take it everywhere.
4. A journal can be private or public. You can decide whatever you want your journal to be.
5. There are no "rights" or "wrongs" in journaling.
6. It doesn't cost much.
7. It can't talk back to you...but it can teach you alot!

Have you started your new journal yet? What are you waiting for???

LK

Your Moleskine Questions from JournalJunk

Dear ARt Journaler's:

Here are your answers to emails regarding Moleskines. (please note, these answers are only my opinion and experience, I am not a "moleskine" expert!) Please check moleskine (dot) com for thorough info. on Moleskine sketchbook and journals. 

Question: What is a Moleskine?

A Moleskine (which I am told is pronounced "Mole skeen" is a brand of a sketchbook. It comes in different sizes. I use the one with the purple label that is approximately 4 x 5 ish. I have written more posts on my artjunk blog about Moleskines. Please check the moleskine category there for more info. I may be repeating some answers here for those that are interested in the journaljunk blog only. 

Question: Do your moleskine pages buckle and get thick after painting, etc?

YES. They most certainly do. That's probably why I like the strap so much...it still keeps it together. I don't get obsessed about things being perfect or archival in my art journal. That defeats the purpose for me. I look at my art journal as a place to try things without worrying about such things. I often sketch out new projects and try new media (like watercolor crayons, etc.) inside. There is so much available out there and I get bored with the same things. I like having a place to work all that out. Moleskine pages are nice and smooth and durable. They can take a beating! Yes, the spine does buckle, but I don't rip out any pages, I just paint over them. This is a good way to ensure it does not fall apart at the seams..literally...

Question: Do you gesso your pages first?

No. I think the pages are thick enough and take the paint just fine. 

Question: Do you worry about using copyright images?

No, this is my own personal journal. I don't think a magazine company is going to come after a person that posts pics on flickr of their journal that happens to have some magazine clippings mixed with paint and angst inside. I am not selling my journal or submitting it for publication. It's just for me. The point of sharing them is to inspire others as I've found it to be a very relaxing activity. I try to encourage others to art journal including members in my own family. 

Question:  Do you go in chronological order.

I will work in a journal from beginning to end, but I do flip back and fill in empty spaces from time to time. I've also gone back and painted over a journal entry. So, I guess the answer is yes and no!

If you have any other questions, feel free to email me: artjunk88 (at) gmail.com. 

Hope this was helpful! Keep journaling!

:) LK

5 moleskines-a year in color - journal junk

5 molys - journal junk, originally uploaded by artjunkgirl.

have you started your art journal yet? alot can happen in a year...why not record it with color, scribblings and whatever you want...all in the privacy of your very own journal. It's fun to look back and see what's inside.
visit the journal junk flickr group and other art journal groups on flickr for more inspiration!
Happy Holidays from Journal Junk!!!

Paper Bag Journal!

I found this wonderful tutorial on youtube! I love making paper bag books (will post mine soon). This is a great way to recycle as well as for those who are timid about the blank "new" journal.

I also love the young man's sweet voice in the background! This is a fun activity with to do with kids! enjoy!

"how dorothy left home" journal page

"how dorothy left home" journal page, originally uploaded by artjunkgirl.

I heart my moleskine. I don't leave 'home' without it.....

"just as it should be", by Nancy Baumiller, yes, indeed!

(photo property of Nancy Baumiller. all rights reserved. 2008) Do not copy without permission.

Dear JournalArtists:

Journal junk went on a bit of a respit this summer. You really can't complain when you had the beautiful and talented Lara greeting you when you came to visit here!
WEll, we hope to resume our regularly scheduled programming so that we can encourage and inspire both beginner and avid journal artists.

A great way to jump back in is to tell you what's "happenin'" in journal world on flickr, in blogland and beyond. For one, 1000 Artist Journal pages was released this summer. Several contributing artists continually and graciously share their work in the journal junk group and other art journal photo sharing groups on flickr.

One of those Artists is a lady that I hold very close to my heart, Nancy Baumiller. She was among my first influences in journal writing, as well as a huge encourager, cheerleader and wondrously talented woman to follow and be inspired by. Several of her journal pages grace the pages of 1000 Artist Journal Page's.

I was SO excited this summer when I heard that Nance was starting a collage challenge group on flickr! yippee! For more information on joining the flickr group and partaking in the weekly challenges and prize drawings, go to the Crowabout Collage Challenge Blog. You can also see more of Nancy's (affectionately known as Nance!) work at her blog Something Two Crow About. You will fall in love with her soulful, colorful and intriguing journal pages and art (which is already collected by many collectors and artist's alike). I'm so thankful for Artist's like Nance that share their knowledge, encouragement and beautiful art with us all!

Happy Journaling! more links coming soon!!!!

The Journal Junk group~

Go See Lara's Journal!

new journal!, originally uploaded by kaliji.

Lara is a delightful and extraordinary artist in the journal junk group. Go see pages inside this journal here . I love this pic of her posing with her journal. It's always fun to get a new journal and hold it in your hands with anticipation of what is to unfold inside!
Thanks for sharing your pages in the JJ group Lara!
xo lia

first altered book/journal 2005

Summer 2005 gluebook.

This journal was started in the summer of 2005. It was a "gluebook" of sorts. I used it to cut out inspiring images and little decorative vignettes I liked. I had not yet had an art space, or the art supplies here, but it was something that I envisioned for myself in the future. I think this is a good example of how a visual journal doesn't need to have words. It can simply be images of what you want to see in your future or a catalog of images that appeal to you that tell you something about yourself that you do not even know yet! What I would do is flip through magazines and pick images quickly. I didn't think about it too much. Tomorrow I will show you my first "art" journal in which I got out the paints and added words.
LK

Inside the art journal~

Dear Fellow Journal Artist:

This week, I plan to take you "inside" some of my journals. This is my big black sketchbook journal. I really felt like getting it out again this week. I use this one when I want a big surface to paint on. That is what I love about an art journal, it is so versatile. You can pick any type of book you want, there is no right or wrong book, just what feels comfortable to you. You can use it to journal in, paint in, or both. You can collage in it, you can let things "out". You can experiment. It's a place that no one has to see, or you can share your pages and inspire others.
I've been cleaning my studio for the last week, or so, with the emphasis on "or so". I found a box of journals I had forgotten about. So, I've decided that for the next week I will post a page a day from these journals. Some of them are more personal. It won't be anything I've shared here before, or on my flickr. So, come along with me this week and see all the things that an art journal can be to one person.
p.s. Have you started your art journal yet? What are you waiting for?!
xo lia