Monday, May 6, 2013

Art Journaling From the Heart


Hi there to all of you amazing people who follow and/or read my blog.  Welcome and thank you to all the new followers!

I thought I'd share a look inside my art journal.  There's been a lot going on in my life, and my journal is where I process it.

(And stick with me because there's a quick video of my process at the end of this post.)

I almost always clean my workspace by collaging leftover papers into my journal.  Sometimes I spill my feelings out on these randomly collaged pages. 

If the words are expressing angry or frustrated feelings, it is easy to pour them out, knowing that eventually I will cover them over with art, as I call on my muse to bring me peace of mind.


Sometimes my journal pages are reminders to myself of quotes I love, words of wisdom and comfort:


Sometimes, I have so much to say that I scribble over what I've already written....but who cares?  It's just my journal!


Sometimes I use my journal to honor someone or an event that I want to remember.   

Lillian Gallashaw, the woman who helped my parents raise my brother, sister and me, and who raised three children on her own as a single mom, passed on at the age of 87.  She played such a big part in my life. She had strong opinions about everything - politics, race relations, work, my friends and especially my boyfriends!  She was with my family for over 35 years, after which she retired.  My parents had always insisted on paying into social security for her, so she was able to retire comfortably.  I am so grateful to have had her in my life.   The day of her wake, I came home and created this in my journal to pay tribute to her:


Here is a fast forward video of my process.



Linking to Art Journal Everyday, Paint Party Friday, Pin and Tack,  Our Creative Corner (Anything Goes), Artsyville, Glue if Tuesday, Inspiration Journal (favorite quotes) and Illustration Friday (tribute).

Thank you for visiting!  I truly love to hear from you.  I read and treasure every comment and will answer any questions as quickly as I can.
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43 comments:

  1. AnonymousMay 6, 2013 at 10:55 PM

    I love that. Your images, and what you have done are so unique. Great job.

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  2. Kim's CreationsMay 6, 2013 at 10:58 PM

    Wow, thanks for sharing your journal pages! I loved the video, its so neat how people do things differently. I know your video was on fast forward but I still think you are way faster than I am, I ponder everything before I paint you just go for it; awesome!

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  3. Renee DowlingMay 6, 2013 at 11:41 PM

    I watched your video yesterday on YouTube and saw how thick your journal is. I wondered what some of the pages look like and coincidentally today you gave us a glimpse of a few of your pages!!!!

    What a wonderful touching tribute to Lillian. You are fortunate to have had her in your life. She is lucky that your parents were so supportive and appreciative of her love to help her in her retirement. What an important part of your life she was. I am sure she would be very touched to see your journal reflection. It looks like love that is so endearing!

    I appreciate your openness to share your techniques, your feelings and a bit of your life! Hope your week is grand, and full of special memories of Lillian!

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  4. iHannaMay 7, 2013 at 7:45 AM

    A very sweet post, and lots of yummy art journaling going on. My favorite is the fish page, with all the writing. It's just soooo cool. :-)

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  5. ClaudineMay 7, 2013 at 8:36 AM

    Jessica,
    Your journal pages are amazing. Thank you for sharing us part of your heart in your pages. Your tribute page to Lillian is beautiful, she must have been a beautiful lady.

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  6. Rhonda HalushkaMay 7, 2013 at 8:43 AM

    What a wonderful treat to see your art journal pages! Love the fish!! And the last page is wonderful, very heartfelt... I really enjoy your art!
    Nice to see the video of your process too, thanks! And thank you for visiting my blog earlier!

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  7. Judy SheaMay 7, 2013 at 8:51 AM

    Another great video, Jessica. Love seeing your process.. and can I just say.. Your parents are wonderful people to take care of Lillian in that manner. So special.

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    Replies
    1. UnknownMay 7, 2013 at 10:09 AM

      Thanks Judy. They really set an example for me of how to life and treat people. They always insisted on paying her "on the books" so that she would have medicare and SS when she retired. Don't know if I ever told you this, but in the 1960s, my dad volunteered in the south with the National Lawyer's Guild to help with voter registration. He was nearly killed. The story had such an impact on me growing up -- to always do the right thing and treat everyone as an extension of one human family.

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  8. Carolyn DubeMay 7, 2013 at 9:05 AM

    Fabulous journal!

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  9. AnonymousMay 7, 2013 at 12:23 PM

    I needed to see your angel today, in the back home catching up craziness that is my life, thanks for being there and for being a source of inspiration and friendship. xox

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  10. froebelsternchenMay 7, 2013 at 3:37 PM

    wonderful Jessica!

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  11. Hairball AlleyMay 7, 2013 at 5:09 PM

    This was such a touching entry...I identify, as we too had a woman, Amelia, who helped raise me and my brothers, and then stayed to care for my mother, and my stepdad. This is a lovely tribute.

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  12. MariaMay 7, 2013 at 5:28 PM

    I loved watching you paint these faces!

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  13. MargieMay 7, 2013 at 6:12 PM

    Thank you so much Jessica for sharing your beautiful and unique art and journalling with us at Our Creative Corner. I really enjoyed looking through your pages. Margie x

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  14. Anita Houston The Artful MavenMay 7, 2013 at 11:17 PM

    Thank you for always teaching me something when I come to visit! You are such an inspiration, and your Art is just stunning!

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  15. AlexMay 8, 2013 at 7:05 AM

    What a wonderful idea to pay homage to Lilian that way! I love it and I love what your parents did for her!

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  16. Marjie KemperMay 8, 2013 at 11:15 AM

    What a treat to watch your painting of this beautiful image... such a very special page. A beautiful tribute!

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  17. Jenny MarplesMay 8, 2013 at 5:32 PM

    Awesome journalling here Jessica and what a tribute! Thanks for sharing your creative genius with us at Our Creative Corner this time, hugs Jenny x

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  18. AnonymousMay 9, 2013 at 6:41 AM

    Awesome pages...I love their freedom.
    Lynn

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  19. PiaRomMay 9, 2013 at 6:27 PM

    Those caring and heartwarming expression on your piece!! also love what you did in the end with the colored paper....I can feel how much you love her ♥ Conny
    http://piaromsartjournaling.blogspot.de

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  20. PamMay 9, 2013 at 7:04 PM

    Beautiful canvas! I loved watching you paint, you made it look so easy. Gorgeous work!

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  21. ChristineMay 10, 2013 at 8:50 AM

    beautiful pages Jessica, you are inspiring me to create my own journal.. do you draw on only the front side of the journal pages?

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    Replies
    1. UnknownMay 10, 2013 at 8:56 AM

      Hi Christine. I use both sides. Since I almost always collage book pages down, there's no bleed through...

      Delete
  22. BreesmimiMay 10, 2013 at 9:38 AM

    Jessica, your journal tribute to Lillian is so beautiful and touching. My brother and I were cared for by a dear sweet woman named Ethel, and this reminded me so much of her. Thank you for posting this video, it was a pleasure to watch your page come alive.

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  23. MichellemMay 10, 2013 at 10:12 AM

    Jessica - Such a beautiful tribute to your Lillian! Special people always live on in our hearts forever! Love watching you paint in your video. . .

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  24. AnonymousMay 10, 2013 at 10:16 AM

    lovely lovely lovely pages...each one a delight...happy PPF!

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  25. dentheMay 10, 2013 at 11:07 AM

    It's great to have a look in your artjournal. Love all the different pages, and love the idea of cleaning up your desk by glueing everything in your journal :-)The last painting is a wonderful tribute!

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  26. Maria OntiverosMay 10, 2013 at 2:48 PM

    Beautiful! Maybe I will make art this Mother's Day!
    Rinda (Maria Ontiveros)
    p.s. I received my awesome Henry Miller quote art work (prize) . . . I love it!
    Thanks so much.

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  27. Paper rainbowMay 10, 2013 at 3:26 PM

    Your journal pages and view into your creative journey are fabulous. Lots of inspiring ideas. :)

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  28. pedalpowerMay 10, 2013 at 4:28 PM

    What a beautiful page and tribute to Lillian. The video is fantastic, loved watching he process.

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  29. VonMay 10, 2013 at 10:09 PM

    Always enjoyable to watch you create, Jessica ... but love when the heart of you and yours is shared like this. Its ever so special! (((hugs)))

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  30. Lynn CohenMay 11, 2013 at 1:30 AM

    Such a beautiful story Jessica! I still have warm feelings about a housekeeper named Jawnita, who held my hand as she walked me to kindergarten, who made me lunches, gave my girlfriend and me milk and cookies at the kitchen table. I can "feel her warmth" as I remember all this! Thanks for the memories.

    Your art journal page shows the love you felt too!

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  31. ElisaMay 11, 2013 at 2:36 AM

    Lillian is so beautifully portrayed by you jessica. touching words and beautiful painting.

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  32. www.dorissdaughter.comMay 11, 2013 at 2:59 AM

    WOW! This is a fabulous journal Jessica with so many techniques. I love the little fish:) HPPF

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  33. NettyMay 11, 2013 at 10:30 AM

    wonderful pages Jessica and a terrific tribute to Lillian. Happy PPF, Annette x

    http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/

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  34. bellefrogworksMay 12, 2013 at 5:49 PM

    Loved your pages - the video was terrific. Love to watch people work on their art. HPPF

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  35. PumpyMay 14, 2013 at 4:13 AM

    I love these pages, really want to do an art journal myself, but cannot get started, that is all we have to do, and you really inspire me to move it.xx

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  36. Julia S-WMay 14, 2013 at 7:35 AM

    These pages are wonderfully alive Jessica and the fact that they come from the heart of you makes them so much more special! I just love your angel and mermaid.
    Thanks so much for joining us at Our Creative Corner this time.
    Juliax

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  37. Gloria j ZucaroMay 15, 2013 at 11:26 AM

    Wow, that was an incredible amount of work! You really spent a lot of time on drawing and adding depth to the faces. Really great video and sentiments, Jessica. Thank you for your time and sharing your talent.

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  38. AnnabelleMay 16, 2013 at 7:33 AM

    Hi Jessica,

    A very touching tribute to a beautiful lady who was such a significant part of your life and your family's.
    Lillian will always be with you in heart and spirit.

    I know I'm quite late, but I'm glad I didn't miss you and your lovely post, enjoyed it very much especially the video. All gorgeous journal pages !

    Take Care,
    Annabelle O,O

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  39. TriciaMay 16, 2013 at 7:58 AM

    Such great pages - I love your idea of cleaning up by putting your scraps off your desk into your journal - I am going to have to give that a try. And such a wonderful tribute to your friend. I also really like the page with your fish. I am inspired to give it a try writing my feelings down and even writing over them. I think that is such a good way to do it. Thanks for sharing.

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  40. LaurartMay 16, 2013 at 11:01 AM

    Amazing creations! They are so beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing it with us at Our Creative Corner Love from Laura xxx

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  41. Sue from OregonMay 27, 2013 at 4:40 PM

    Thanks for sharing with us at the Inspiration Emporium May Quote Challenge!

    This is just amazing...still looking at all the details!

    ♥ Sue Kment

    ReplyDelete

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