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.

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.

"New" Video Up -- 5 EZ techniques for Altered Book Art Journals

As previously mentioned, I am not going to miss time in my studio to put my studio projects online. Making movies and taking great photos is a wonderful art form but it is not the one I choose first. Consequently, I end up finding videos I made months ago and realizing I never posted them. Here's one on art journal techniques from last spring.

2012 Art and other Journals Update

I used my altered book art journal every day last year with the exception of about 6 days. I am so happy about that and I really FEEL so good when I create in my journal every day. I used a new book every quarter and still have to do a review of Journal 4 from 2011 for posting.

Oddly enough, although I prepped an altered book for 2012, I decided to step away from the altered books and use a blank page journal. I thought I'd try it for a quarter and now I'm not sure if I can even last a month with it. I still experience that blank page anxiety and I tend to use the journal in my study not my studio so the entries are not as fun to view.

I created a total of 3 scrapbook pages in 2011 and I thought perhaps the art journaling alleviated my desire for scrapping. The experiment in a "plain" book was a test to see if I would scrapbook more without an art journal. So far, I have made 3 scrapbook pages in January 2012...but the verdict is still out. I will find some balance between the two creative outlets very soon.

Here are a few photos of the "plain page" book I'm using this month. It is a journal I bought years ago in Fort Lauderdale and liked so much I didn't want to use it. All journal keepers have had that experience at one time or another, right?

This one has a cool feature call a Zen board in the back. You wet a brush with water and paint on the board. Within 5 minutes the painting disappears and you can do another one. That part is quite fascinating, but may not be enough for my every day use.

Cover of first journal for 2012 before alterations

Painting before a written entry

Same painting as it fades

I decorated the front with my "one little word" OTL and call to action.

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.