TECHNIQUES for Art Journaling 2- T Tuesday

More ideas for Art Journaling techniques:

• Seasonal Themes- Whatever the weather or season, it can be a topic for a journal page.  These pages (above) are done in an altered book of 'Seasons', and seemed appropriate, since we are celebrating Thanksgiving this week in the U.S.  The art work is done on brown craft paper that was crumpled up and then smoothed out.  I painted the images in craft acrylic paint, and the green leaf border at the top was created from hand-carved stamps. The text reads: "give thanks...for all that we are and all that we can become...for moments of Beauty, for truth, and for joy..."  

• Collage Scraps- Whatever scraps of delicious papers or images you haven't been able to throw away, those are great elements for collage!  Above, are some bits of watercolor paintings, pen doodles, and even a photocopy of a drawing that I had previously drawn. I also love to use bits of scrapbook papers, greeting cards, food packaging, junk mail, envelopes, fabric scraps, and the occasional magazine image. 

• Combine your own art work with collage- Above, one of those tiny paper collages from scraps, combined with fabric and watercolors.  The green leaves in the foreground were drawn on a separate paper, then cut out and glued to the page...and the only text on the page is my signature and the date.  Below, the collage creates a border around the text.

• Use a Quote: Above, a quote from Maya Angelou. TV and radio quotes and also song lyrics are favorite sources for text on the journal page.
• Use "Challenge" art work- If I participate in a challenge or a swap on-line, I sometimes have an 'extra' copy of art work left over...sometimes a person drops out of a swap or I purposely made extra, "just in case."  Those extras can be adhered to a journal page. I often use a decorative tape to create a hinge-fastening the art work into the journal, so that both sides can be viewed. If you don't have decorative tape, you can easily just use glue and a strip of paper or fabric.

Top, the Linen and Lace 4x4 collaged with fabric and stitching. Below it, a detail of the Anniversary swap page flipped open to reveal text and designs beneath it in the journal.

• Sketches of Future Projects- Art Journal pages don't have to be 'finished' works of art. Sketches of ideas for paintings, or drawings of things you want to make are always good to record.  Ideas have a way of disappearing from our minds if not recorded! The above necklace was an idea to make from fabric and beading, inspired by an on-line image of a metal necklace from Africa.

Linking up with Bluebeard and Elizabeth for T Tuesday at Altered Book Lover.  Please visit to see what else is happening this Tuesday! 

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