Should I adopt another new year?

I might just need a summer new year. As I journaled and mediated and worshiped and prayed this weekend I realize that I currently celebrate three new starts during the year.

 

There’s January when the calendar year changes. There’s Easter when I celebrate the renewal of life with the resurrection, and there is September, which I’ve written about before—the back to school new year (something about those school supplies gives me a call to set goals, organize and start projects).

 

Chart from David Allen's GTD web site

For my spring new year I have been studying and practicing the methods David Allen promotes in his book, “Getting Things Done.” One of the most appealing aspects of his system is to release the lists that are spinning in your head and get more done by trusting your list.

 

I’m a big fan of emptying my head. That is one of the reasons I am devoted to journaling and journaling in the 80% written format. It empties my head. Now I’ve found a method that promotes me emptying my head. Is this the answer to my unquiet mind?

One of my recent journal pages- I write
more than I create designs. Artful lettering
and written work with ink/paint background.

So far, it’s working when I work it. My lists feel too long and jumbled. I want to go back and review how he explains making choices based on my priorities. He uses the analogy of a plane on the runway and increasing miles above the ground to explain this theory.

I have not been playing in my studio nearly as much as I desire. It’s a state of chaos in there which may be my biggest deterrent and not this new system.

 

Today I am home unexpectedly. I am going to empty my wandering brain and clear my inbox. Wishing you a joyful and abundant Spring.

 

Small ideas and big results

I won't get lost in the crowd, April 2013
Check out my ATC gallery
http://www.nachattin.com/artfulspiritATCgallery.html

I've been on my ATC streak for months now and it's still not getting old for me. After reading this article from Stampington Magazine's Art Journal publication--I'm inspired to explore small scale in my journaling too.

Stampinton Magazine publishers have got it together. In a time when so many printed publications in our industry are fading, they keep changing and adapting. Their magazines have always impressed me as more artsy and "high-end" than most others.

They are also hosting three art retreats a year called Art is Life.  I enjoy drooling over the workshops available--http://www.art-is-you.com/mysitecaddy/site3/ I am seriously considering some of their online workshops this summer.

Bloom Child Noni Art

My Noni art is appearing everywhere. Here’s an ATC sized piece that rests happily in my art journal.

 

 

See http://www.artfultourist.blogspot.com/2013/04/noni-art-what-you-get-when.html for background on the Noni Art.

Direct from Dropbox--journal snippets

In March, I started some doodling projects
I've been working with a book Sir Henry
 got me for Christmas called Creative
doodling byStefannie Corfee. This is my
grand-daughter's little foot on paint day.

I am the first to admit that my blog photos are not high on the technique and quality scale. I don't use my blog to make money, I don't update on a regular schedule, and I'd rather make art than photograph art.

I have a new smart phone (apparently smarter than the last one) that takes photos on a 3gig camera. That's the same size as our first digital camers which weighed 6 pounds back in 2003. I figure it will do and as Lorretta Lynn says, "I have never been afraid to make do."

Today I am experimenting with taking photos directly from dropbox downloads off my cell phone and not editing them in any way. For a woman who loves her PhotoShop this is a tricky task.

So, here are a few more journal snippets from 2013:

I've been studying faces by other artists
to develop my own face skills with my
journal doodle dollies.

Long time no see journal pages

Used upcycled chip board for front and back covers.

I was asked the other day if I was still art journaling.  The art journal has become so much a part of me that I have neglected to mention it on the blog for some time now. So, here’s where I am this year:

·         I made my own spiral bound journal with the Zutter™

·         I adore using this journal with all the cool insert pages I put inside

·         I average 45 minutes daily writing, working, playing in my journal

·         I’m still more of a writer than an full page artwork kind of journal keeper

·         I have been experimenting more with original drawings and different mediums like Pan Pastels™

My only full page entry so far this year--
she is Naomi Jean.

Here are some recent pages from my “of course I’m still journaling” Journal.  Stay mighty-- arm yourselves with pens my fearless ones!

This is the bossy sitcom lady listing my pointless
complaints about the world, for example,
 knowing the difference between a butter knife
 and a table knife.

                                                                                                 

Yes--there is still time to register for the FREE wreath class in West Palm Beach.

If you're happy and you know it

I just watched this by referral from my long-time Internet friend and inspiration Asling D'art. If you don't have time for all 12 minutes (which I heartily recommend because he's fun, knowledgeable and entertaining) then fast forward to about the 11 minute mark. There you will see the formula for happy living which includes gratitude lists and journaling.

Collage it all from one piece of card stock

My Zutter Bind-it-all got busy with Paper Temptress card stock to create a fun little artsy journal called Partying Words. Check out the full details and pictures on the Paper Temptress blog.

I used only one piece of card stock but this project is nothing close to monochromatic.

Here's a teaser photo....

Artful Tourist Tenants of Creativity



Background from Designer Digitals, image from Deviant Scrap.

 By releasing the cumbersome burden of my old web site I am inspired to create new projects and pages. Today I took an extra hour of my Thursday morning scheduled renewal time (yes, I schedule renewal) to create imagery for my Tenants of Creativity. These nine tenants represent my personal philosophy of creativity. I made an art journal page in May that I've wanted to express digitally for weeks. I'm so refreshed by this process.




The art journal spread that inspired the Tenants of Creativity


Explore your own tenants of creativity the next time you visit your studio space or consider an Artful Tourist workshop to guide you in this process.

Look for individual tenants of creativity to be posted on the Artful Tourist Facebook page in the coming days. You are welcome to tag them or print them for your personal use and inspiration.

Now What's in my journal?

The first artful visual journal of 2011 is complete. I bid it a fond farewell in this video and also post my update for the Art Journal Every Day group on Julie Balzer's blog.

I had to make three version of this video because the first two were really too long to be considered a quick peek inside. I'm going to use some things from the longer one on my web site so it is also posted to You Tube. You can scan the bar at the bottom of the blog post to check out the long version. My advice--skip the long one and go journal--grin.

Art Journal Every Day with Julie Balzer

Style Options



Trying out a different style in my art journal. NAChattin.com


There's always another way to do things. I was fascinated by Julie Balzer's post on January 28th. She outlined a week's worth of art journal activities which was fun--but first she discussed the different types of journal styles:


"1.painty - love to splash paint and mist around and can't get enough gesso



 2.wordy - less of an art-er and more of a journaler and storyteller3.collage-ish - love patterned paper,     imagazine pages, and decoupage medium


 4.scrapbook-ish - used to using photos when you tell your stories


 5.doodler - can't stay away from the pens and markers "

She pegged me, I'm the wordy one. As shown in previous videos, I like to journal in books that I am "renewing" into journals. I layer on colors and magazine images, papers, stickers, and then layer on the words, words, and more words. Here are a couple typical examples:

My pages are prepped in advance. As I start to journal each day I will add embellishments and then begin to write and write and write. I've been writing in a journal since 1973. There has only been one real constant since I started--words. It works.

After reading Balazer's post I decided to challenge myself to each style of journal. This two page spread (at top) works the painty and possibly the scrapbook-ish styles. On the left I did a torn paper piecing technique that I employ on scrapbooks and cards. On the  right is a magazine advertisement for lingerie. I used gesso over the model and the painted in a new figure.

I really had fun trying new styles although it took me longer than my usual 30 minutes per day. Now I'm off to try the doodler technique.

Facebook Greetings-New on the web site-Take a peek at my journal

It hasn't been THAT long since my last blog post, but I've got lots of new ideas and links to share.



Facebook birthday greeting


***The Artful Tourist Facebook page now offers photo greetings you can use for your friends on Facebook.
Check out the photo album called Birthday Greetings to share on Facebook--there's lots of designs. Just tag a friend in the photo for it to show up on their profile. You can also right click to download the photo to your computer and then insert it into a page post.

****New on the Artful Tourist Web Site

Renew This Book Part One Tutorial and Video--http://www.nachattin.com/articlerenewthisbookcanvas.html

Renew This Book Part Two Tutorial and Video http://www.nachattin.com/articlerenewthisbookcutcolorspace.html

Flash Cards! New video and tutorial featuring double sided paper

Gallery--A collection of Florida inspired greetings http://www.nachattin.com/galleryflcards.html

Gallery--Recycled mail art http://www.nachattin.com/galleryrecycle.html

Article--Inspiration from Miss Betty--See how getting a beautiful card from my friend inspired me to create several more http://www.nachattin.com/article2scorefront.html

At left the cool thank you card Miss Betty sent me in December. She's always so on top of every card occassion...

Below is one of the cards she inspired from my studio. This birdie one is also featured in my latest Flash Cards! Video featuring double-sided papers from Rouge de Garance.

*** Are you curious about what's in my journal? I created a video to keep up with the wonderful group on Julie Balzar's blog. We're committed to "Art Journal Every Day."

The journal as a lily pad

I've been rocking steady on my latest "Renew this book" visual journal for two weeks now. This is such a refreshing and motivating experience for me. I've been so caught up in the writing, the collaging, the journaling, and the creative byproducts that in the short time since my last post I could write about six updates.

One of my favorite comments from a friend was, "The journal stuff is grand, but I still want to see your cards, photo art, and gift ideas."

This week I made a goofy journal post about reindeer. I purchased the cool Fiskars reindeer punch at an after Christmas sale and wanted to stay true to my commitment to use new items within ten days of purchase. I played with the punch and made a couple thank you notes for holiday gifts. Using the punched out reindeer as a stencil I played with it again on a journal page.

From that journal post I did a leap frog from my journal lily pad to creating a Valentine card. I've always loved the the corny phrases used on many Valentines and the deer pun was too good to resist.

Moving right along....

I've signed up at Julie Balazar's blog for her Art Journal Every Day challenge. I've been taking pictures of posts and will show some on my web site and here.

A new article about  journaling was posted at Helium last week:
How Writers and Artists can use a Journal to Develop Creativity

Planning a wedding any time soon? There's also a recently published article called How to incorporate tree branches into your wedding decor

The newest video series "Renew This Book" is in process now. The first video is up on You Tube--the subject is selecting your base book. There will be written instructions for each video posted on my web site.

Before you get off the internet and start journaling--check this out :)

Journals Rock
-- Check out these latest posts and articles and then go to your pages:

How to Start a Journal Today http://www.nachattin.com/articlejournalstart.html

Journaling Writing Prompts http://www.helium.com/items/2052634-journal-writing-prompts

For Keeps--Your Very Own Journal  http://authspot.com/thoughts/for-keeps-your-very-own-journal/

Artful Tourist Facebook Page  http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Artful-Tourist-Norma-Anne-Chattin/118332131569912?v=wall



Collage doll page from one of my art journals

 I've started taping the "Journal For Keeps" how-to videos and hope to have the first one up before the end of the week. If you don't see it by then you'll know I was off with my own journal some where.

Gentlefolk, start your journals

Step right up ladies and gents and see the marvels of keeping your own journal. You’ll be amazed and astounded at how this one small change in your lifestyle can impact your success. Experience the therapeutic value to mind, body, and soul today for the low admission price of just paper, pen, and a bit of time.


 I channel carnival hawkers and infomercial stars when I get excited about a topic. Journal keeping is one of those exciting topics. In the upcoming weeks I’ll have a series of articles published on journal keeping and may even have a few videos online too.


Journal keeping is the closest thing I’ve ever found to the “cure-all, end-all, be-all, most amazing, life changing practice on the planet.” There’s even a satisfaction guarantee! That’s right folks, if you’re not completely satisfied with the journal keeping process in 90 days, you can get a 100% refund of the price you paid to read this blog post.

Develop a regimen
At its core, journal keeping is an exercise. Like any new exercise program you will need to start from your experience level and work from there. Check my web site for detailed information about starting from your current level of fitness. http://www.nachattin.com/articlejournalstart.html

Here are a few basic tips to get you going:

There’s no time like the present, keeping a journal does not need to wait until you have the perfect moment—there are rarely any perfect moments. 

• Find paper and pen or use your computer’s word processing program to begin. You don’t have to get the perfect book or font to begin, that can all develop as you go along.
• Chose the best time to journal and add it to your schedule as you would a doctor appointment or an exercise routine. Try out a few different time slots to find the one or combination of times that’s best for you.
• Begin with 15 minutes a day and work up to 30 minutes a day.
• Date your entries at the top or the bottom of the entry.
• Create a first line that can get your words moving every time you start to journal. Make it positive and short. Some examples:

 The best thing about this very moment is

Drifting thoughts from my precious mind

Hello superstar—or any other positive nickname

• Commit to putting down words for your allotted time. Discard grammar, spelling, sentence structure, and all the other limitations that prevent you from just going to the page. Lists, questions, key words, quotes, and even doodling shapes among your words are all great starting tools. 

• End your entry with a point of gratitude—list three things you are grateful for in this moment or write a personal affirmation or just say good bye to your page in a positive way. 

• 

Blessings journal by NAChattin 2007

A wonderful world awaits you as you practice the art of journal keeping. Impress your mind, body, and spirit with the clarity, success, and healing that you deserve.