On Wednesday, four lovely ladies gathered around my table to discover the magic of art journaling.
To an onlooker, someone who hasn't heard of art journaling or doesn't understand what art journaling is, these photos may look as if we are just doing kids' stuff: playing with stencils, glueing and sticking, a bit of doodling, playing with paper, collage, throwing a bit of paint around, playing (there's that word again) with some art materials (OMG are those felt pens?) and drinking coffee.
Well, we did all of those things and we did drink coffee and herb tea, while eating almonds and Cadbury's chocolate.
But the key words are 'kids' stuff' and 'playing'. They are UTMOST important. Art journaling invites your inner child out to play.
Which is in itself incredibly powerful. And if that was all that art journaling did, that would be enough. When did your inner child last come out and run round the playground shouting and screaming for the sheer joy of it? Choosing yummy textured paper to use for collage or pushing around gloriously coloured paint does just that, if a little more quietly.
Art journaling lets us explore our creativity like we're a child again.
In fact, art journaling lets us explore our creativity. Full stop. When I was re-connecting with my creative self after many years of zero creative activity, art journaling was the main method I used to reconnect with the muse.
But art journaling goes even deeper than that. Art journaling is soul work. Deep soul work.
When I asked these wonderful women to dig deep and answer some journaling prompts, they replied with such passion and enthusiasm you could feel the energy sizzling off the pages.
Your art journal gives you a safe space to spill your questions and feelings, your deepest thoughts, your doubts and your fears. It's a place to face your gremlins but also to celebrate your blessings and all you are grateful for. It is a place to explore who you are.
Other things you need to know about art journaling:
Art journaling opens up the channel to the secret messages from the Universe. Are you listening to the whispers? This magical tool will help...
An art journal is also the most powerful tool I know for manifestation of dreams and desires... Bring on the magic...
There are no rules for art journaling - except that there are no rules...
Is the sky blue? No, it's orange or purple or green. Actually there is no sky, here in my art journal I'm outside of time and space today. Which is another thing art journaling does - it puts you in the moment and allows you to be part of the flow.
And being part of the flow is making your own connection to Source - wherein lies the joy.
Create art (journals); create happiness... (Did you see what I did there?)
Are you an art journaler? Are you already partaking of the magic? Yay!
Or are you yearning to be creative and don't know where to start?
Do you need some direction? A little step up and a helping hand while you do?
I'm creating a series of online workshops for 2014 including at least one on art journaling. If you are interested please leave me a note in the comments box below or hit reply and send me an email.
There will also be more in person workshops if you live in the North East of England.
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AND as you may already know I'm going to be a tutor in the 21 Secrets art journal playground in 2014. Read more about my own Glorious Goddess art journal workshop for 21 secrets here.
I'm off to play in my own journal - I have goddesses and an inner child to keep happy...
From my heart to yours
Rachel xox
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