Flower Art Journaling

For the first time I joined the Scrappy8Challenge on Instagram. You’re given a month to create the art you want to submit for the challenge. This is ideal for me at the moment because it’s not overwhelming with everything else I have going on.

My sister gifted me this beautiful handmade 4.5×5″ watercolor journal that I thought would be perfect for this challenge. The February prompt was “Inspired by Art” and this was my creation.

There are so many wonderful artists who inspire me but the inspiration for this watercolor painting is the ever talented Joanne Sharpe. She has such a wonderful whimsical style and I love her use of bright, fun colors which makes her art scream Happiness!!

Hope this inspires you in some way today. Have a fantastic weekend!!

Share the Happy💖

Rose Art Journaling

I started a new botanicals journal using a Strathmore Mixed Media 5.5×8″ Journal. It’s a medium weight paper (90 lb / 190 gsm) that works pretty good with watercolor paints as long as you don’t get the paper too wet because it will buckle.

I love roses and creating these in watercolors was so calming and soothing. There’s something truly magical about blending delicate hues of pink and crimson, letting each stroke tell its own story to create a dreamy yet whimsical floral painting🌹

Hope this inspires you in some way today. Have a wonderful day, thanks for stopping by!!

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Mountains Abstract Art Journaling

I wanted to have some fun creating watercolor abstracts in my Strathmore 8.5 x 5.5″ watercolor art journal. To create this fun design simply add your watercolor paints to the paper (leaving them fairly wet) and cover it using plastic wrap. Set it aside to completely dry. Then remove the plastic wrap and see what fun shapes you have.

For this design, I saw mountains emerge and went with that. Some areas turned out too light so I used colored pencils to give it more depth and to define the mountain tops a little more. It was still needed a pop of color so I added I added pink flowers and of course finished it off with a little bling.

Hope this inspires you in some way today. Have a fantastic weekend and thanks for stopping by!!

Share the Happy💖

Simple Art Journaling

Just wanted to show you how easy journaling can be. I made these fun doodles in my Strathmore 5.5″ x 8″ Mixed Media Journal using nothing more than a ball point pen.

Most of you know I’m a bit of a color nut, so I prep pages in advance with splashes of watercolor paint and let them dry. Normally I’ll prep a handful of pages at a time so I have them ready to go.

Then when I’m on a trip or waiting for an appointment I just pull out my small journal and pen from my bag and let the fun begin. It’s easy, relaxing and calms the mind plus the supplies are minimal. Journaling doesn’t have to be complicated to make it enjoyable. Simple art is extremely fun and satisfying to create.

There are a lot of holiday sales coming up so make sure to buy a small journal and create some art!

Hope this inspires you in some way today!

Thanks for stopping by!!

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Dick Blick Watercolor Contest

Happy August!! I can’t believe that more than half the year has already flown by. With all of this summer heat, I’m definitely ready for the cooler weather this year.

Dick Blick Art Supplies was hosting a watercolor contest so I thought it was a good opportunity to practice my portrait painting skills. I worked on her for some time and this was my entry into the contest. I named her “Crystal” because of her crystal blue eyes.

I feel I’m getting better but the eyes are still a bit wonky. However, I recently found a better technique to get them more even so I’m working on that at the moment. I love how her hair turned out, it took lots of layers. Overall I was happy with the painting I entered into the contest. There are so many talented artists who entered and inspired me to keep going!

Hope this inspires you to create today, thanks for stopping by!!

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“If you have the courage to begin, you have the courage to succeed.” ~Unknown

You are my Sunshine Watercolor Art Journaling

This is another flashback art journal page I made a while ago in my Strathmore 6×12″ Watercolor Journal. It’s a bit of an odd shaped journal that challenges me to create something fun in. I love zentangle designs and that’s what I ended up making here.

I made this while on vacation with my kids when they were little. My daughter was always my cup of sunshine and she was the inspiration for this page. Every time I look at this page I think of her 😊

I remember prepping a few pages with watercolor washes before leaving on the trip so I could travel with less supplies. All I ended up taking with me was this journal and my micron pen set.

If life is too busy for you to find time to create, then a vacation would be ideal. Journaling helps you to capture lovely memories with your creativity. You can even add pieces of memorabilia to your journal pages to make it even more special. Take as many supplies as you want or prep pages before leaving like I did here. It’s fun, easy and makes a great keepsake.

Hope this inspires you to create!

Thanks for stopping by!!

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“Don’t think about making art, just get it done.” ~Andy Warhol

Watercolor Abstract Art Journal

I love playing in my journals and experimenting with different techniques. I created this in my Strathmore 8″ x 5.5″ Watercolor Journal using Saran Wrap. I love the odd and interesting shapes the plastic wrap gives you. It’s always a surprise!

To create this effect you need to paint your journal with watercolor paints and make sure it’s fairly wet. While the paint is wet, lay the Saran Wrap on top, move it to where you like it and then let it completely dry. After it has dried, remove the plastic wrap to see what fun design you end up with. Then use your imagination to create an interesting work of art!

I added shading with a pencil, a little glitter, inspiring words and an uplifting quote by John F Wasik which reads:

“You can build any future you want if you let yourself grow, have faith in your dreams or visions and become open to new ideas.”

Hope this inspires you to create, thanks for stopping by!!!

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Courage Watercolor Art Journaling

I thought I’d share with you today a painting I created a while ago in an online class with the very talented Andrea Gomoll of Cre8tive Cre8tion Designs. This was a different style for me but I loved it.

This is a pretty simply painting but it definitely pulls you in. The watercolors seem to run off the page creating a dreamy and magical feeling. She has intense green, piercing eyes filled with strength and courage. Plus the colors blended beautifully especially in her long flowing hair which is my favorite part. What draws you in?

Hope this inspires you in some way today!

Thanks for stopping by!!

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Zentangle Art Journal Village

I made this cute whimsical zentangle journal page a while ago in my Strathmore 5.5×8″ watercolor journal. It’s one of the smaller journals I like to create in. It’s also less intimidating than the larger ones because you’ll fill a page pretty quickly and you get the satisfaction of completing a new art piece in a shorter amount of time. So it’s a win-win!

I love the wonky houses and the rolling hills in this one. What’s your favorite part?

Hope this inspires you to create!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Share the Happy 💖

Springtime Chicks Art Journal

I was browsing online and came across a fun tutorial for painting birds so I thought it would be cute to paint them in fun whimsical colors 🐤

I created these in my Strathmore 8×5.5″ Watercolor Journal. It’s a really fun size to use because it can also be a bit challenging. I like that it takes me out of my comfort zone and gets me to try new things.

What is your favorite size journal to create in?

Hope this inspires you, thanks for stopping by!!!

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“From small beginnings come great things.” ~Unknown