Easter Bunny Art Journal

I started this journal layout just before Easter but didn’t have the time to finish it until after. Better late than never I guess. This is a pretty simple design but cute and very happy.

I created this in my Strathmore 8×5.5″ Watercolor Journal. I love the heavy 140 lb watercolor paper because I tend to use a lot of water and it holds up nicely. Most importantly, it doesn’t bleed through to the other side which is something that I really don’t like.

You don’t necessarily need a plan to journal. Just start with one thing. For example, I started this layout with the idea of one big Easter egg. Everything else just followed as I went. So it was quite a fun surprise when I finished.

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

Share the Happy 💖

“Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainty.” ~Eric Fromm

Create Some Magic Art Journaling

This was one of my very early art journal layouts. I’m not totally thrilled with it but there are things I like about it. I love the bright yellow background, it’s just very happy. The stamped watercolor flowers turned out pretty nice too. Looking at this I probably should’ve added leaves to the stems but it’s okay the way it is and I do like the green against the yellow. I also love the quote “create some magic.”

I remember when I created these pages I was trying out a new stencil and modeling paste. I like the stencil but not the modeling paste. The texture and consistency wasn’t the best and thankfully I’ve found a much better paste to work with. So even though this isn’t my favorite journal layout I did learn new things in the process.

Journaling doesn’t always go as planned and that’s okay. It’s a fun place to learn and try new techniques and to let your creativity run wild. My advice is always find the silver lining in the clouds that may visit you from time to time. Most importantly, enjoy the creation process and have fun😊

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

Share the Happy 💖

“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” ~Edgar Degas

Happy Easter Mixed Media Canvas

This was a fun and colorful mixed media artwork I created a while ago on an 8×10″ canvas. I used a lot of different techniques in this, so there are a lot of interesting elements to catch your eye.

I started this canvas by collaging torn pages from a book along with paper doilies and any other paper I had on hand. Once that dried, I painted the background in bright, fun Easter colors using acrylic paints. Next, I used a stencil with modeling paste to create the yellow flower and stars. I also added stamped images of script, butterflies and an Easter bunny.

I cut out Easter eggs from five different pieces of coordinating cardstock and glued them to the canvas. The basket was made with crumpled tissue paper that I collaged on top of the eggs and later painted. I added shading, highlights and a bit of glitter for a little bling.

I had a couple of crocheted flowers in my stash so I thought they’d add some 3 dimensional texture and more interest. Last, I printed the “Happy Easter” from my computer and glued it to the canvas and it was done!

This is a beautiful Easter decoration that you could even make with kids and treasure for years to come😊

Hope you’re enjoying your Easter weekend💐🐇💐

Thanks for stopping by!!

Share the Happy 💖

Art Journaling

Art journaling is a fun and easy way to connect with your inner muse. It’s a great tool to help you to relax and unwind after a stressful day. The best part is there are no rules!

Dedicate as much or as little time as you like to journaling; and all you need to get started is a pen and notebook. Then create whatever your 💖 desires. If nothing comes to mind just begin by drawing squiggly lines and use your imagination to take you on a wonderful adventure.

I like to keep multiple journals going at the same time. Some have a theme while others are completely random. You can write your thoughts, sketch, doodle, collage, paint and do pretty much anything you can think of! It’s your personal space to express yourself with no rules or judgement. Just have fun and enjoy the process.

So what are you waiting for? Grab a notebook and pen and have some fun today!

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

Share the Happy 💖

“If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” ~Vincent Van Gogh

Stampington Art Journaling Magazine

The big day is here! I just received my newest issue of Stampington’s Art Journaling Magazine in the mail and my article along with my Angel Journal are featured on pages 118-122🎉 Angel Valentina, shown above is one of the angels in the article.

Many of you followed me on this incredible artistic journey as I created these angels and filled my journal. It was a wonderful experience and I’m so grateful that my art was chosen for publication and that you were with me on this journey.

Thank you to all of my readers for your love and support. It means the world to me💖💖

This issue is scheduled to hit the newsstands on April 1st so make sure to pick up your copy so you can read the article✨

Have a beautiful weekend!!

Share the Happy 💖

“Angels live among us. Sometimes they hide their wings, but there is no disguising the peace and hope they bring.” ~Unknown

Art Journal Dreams Workshop with Laly Mille

This past week I joined Laly Mille a very talented artist from France for a free online workshop. It was absolutely wonderful as we created this journal spread together. I find Laly’s art mesmerizing with the lovely colors and dreamy romantic layers that pull you into each painting.

This butterfly spread took several layers but it was worth the wait. Originally I wanted the angels to be fully visible but then I thought angels are rarely seen but you know that they’re there. So I covered them a little, making them much softer and I liked how they turned out. I love pretty much the entire spread but my favorite part I think is the twinkling fairy lights, they look magical ✨ What’s your favorite part?

I highly recommend you hop over to Laly Mille’s site and revel in the beauty of her art at LalyMille.com. She also offers online courses which are available on her site.

Hope this inspires you to create some art!

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Share the Happy💖

“I dream of the painting and then I paint my dream.” ~Vincent Van Gogh

Simplest Things Journal

I’m really enjoying filling the pages of my Simplest Things Journal which I started as part of Amy Maricle’s Simplest Things Challenge at Mindful Art Studios.

I made the 3 inch square flower painting last week and wanted to find it a home. I was drawing a blank on what to do next in the journal and then I read a comment on Instagram by an admirer about the flower and butterfly:

“The little butterfly with the trail just makes it, I love how the daisy is reaching out for it.”

So I thought lots of swirly, crisscrossing butterfly trails would make the perfect background, and there simple too which fits with the theme of this journal. It was pure luck that the trail of the butterfly on the painting lined up with the trail in the background. I mean honestly, what are the odds? 😂

But it’s a happy colorful creation. What do you think?

Hope this inspires you to create some art!

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Share the Happy💖

“Color is the place where our brain and the universe meet.” ~Paul Klee

Simplest Things Journal

I added another painting to my Simplest Things Journal. I’m really loving the slow drawing process. It quiets the mind and soothes the soul 😊 This was a design I made in a smaller version and thought it would make an interesting big design. But instead of painting another circle, I wanted to try a freeform design.

What I love most about this design is how the lines overlap in some areas making thicker lines that look like folds and creases. What do you think?

Hope this inspires you to create this weekend!

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Share the Happy💖

“Art is a natural as sunshine and as vital as nourishment.” ~MaryAnn F Kohl

This was my inspiration for the the painting above 😊

Whimsical Journaling

Journaling is a great way to have fun and unwind from a long week. This was actually a warm up exercise which is part of an online class I’m working on by the very talented Katrina Koltes.

Art journaling is anything you want it to be. It can be an abstract or a more serious painting or anything in between. You can write your thoughts in your journal and then cover them up or don’t. But the choice is yours. The main goal is to simply do whatever your heart desires and makes you happy😊 So what are your waiting for? Grab your journal and have some fun this weekend!

Hope this inspires you in some way, thanks for stopping by!!!

Share the Happy💖

“What keeps my heart awake is colorful silence.” ~Claude Monet

Botanicals Handmade Art Journal

I recently created a handmade journal in an online workshop hosted by Amy Maricle of Mindful Art Studios and Ali Manning of the Vintage Page Designs. Lately I’ve been immersing myself in creating botanical designs in the journal.

I’m trying out different things like using my brushes in new ways, mark making and just having plain old fashioned fun. What I love is that it keeps you in the creative zone even if you only have a small amount of time to spare.

It’s not about making an elaborate painting or drawing unless that’s what you’re aiming for. But instead I make my marks, don’t always like them and then use my creative imagination to save it 😂 But that’s where the fun is because you never know where it will end up 😊

Hope this inspires you to get out your supplies and starting playing! Thanks for stopping by!!

Share the Happy💖

“Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine, and at last, you create what you will.” ~George Bernard Shaw