I have been bitten by the ART Journal addiction, or I have fallen madly in love with ART Journaling. Or, I have become OBSESSED with expressing myself through my ART Journal. Luckily, I am still taking time out to eat and sleep. I'd quit my job in an instant to ART Journal all day. Oh sure, I suppose there's a chance I'd get tired of it eventually. But it's a chance I'm willing to take.
So I haven't much been in the mood for writing. Which means this blog. My time has instead, been devoted to painting, collaging, drawing, getting messy, exploring, dreaming, processing, creating, and in general, spent in absolute BLISS!
And I joined another e-course, Art Journal Love Letters, with 4 weeks of ART Journal prompts, and a wonderfully loving community of fellow artists, and it ROCKS! Connie Hozvicka is truly amazing! Please go visit her at Dirty Footprints Studio.
In finding ART Journaling, I have found permission to be an Artist.
An ARTIST!
This is HUGE!
For the past, oh, 25 years or more, I put off creating any visual art because, well, I wasn't an ARTIST. You know, someone who doodled their way through grade school, went to art school, studied art history, wore black, and suffered. Because in my mind being an artist was about an identity. And of course, more importantly, it was about creating something OTHER people would like. Or admire. Or BUY. No bad art allowed. So I feared even starting.
Luckily I finally, in my late 30's, did start painting. And it was grand! But still, I would hear some friends, either artists themselves or related to artists, talk about REAL artists and REAL art. And well, no way was I one of those. I dabbled. I crafted.
It was a hobby.
So I haven't much been in the mood for writing. Which means this blog. My time has instead, been devoted to painting, collaging, drawing, getting messy, exploring, dreaming, processing, creating, and in general, spent in absolute BLISS!
And I joined another e-course, Art Journal Love Letters, with 4 weeks of ART Journal prompts, and a wonderfully loving community of fellow artists, and it ROCKS! Connie Hozvicka is truly amazing! Please go visit her at Dirty Footprints Studio.
In finding ART Journaling, I have found permission to be an Artist.
An ARTIST!
This is HUGE!
For the past, oh, 25 years or more, I put off creating any visual art because, well, I wasn't an ARTIST. You know, someone who doodled their way through grade school, went to art school, studied art history, wore black, and suffered. Because in my mind being an artist was about an identity. And of course, more importantly, it was about creating something OTHER people would like. Or admire. Or BUY. No bad art allowed. So I feared even starting.
Luckily I finally, in my late 30's, did start painting. And it was grand! But still, I would hear some friends, either artists themselves or related to artists, talk about REAL artists and REAL art. And well, no way was I one of those. I dabbled. I crafted.
It was a hobby.
All by OTHER people's definition.
And then came ART Journaling. And you know what I learned? It's not about what you create. It's about the PROCESS of creating. It is personal. It is playful. There is no WRONG way to do it.
How frickin' FREEING is that?
Finally, I have permission to create.
Sing hallelujah to that!!!
And you know what?
I AM an artist.
And here are a few of my creations:
Thank you for being here along on the journey with me.
Won't you create with me?
Tracy your art work is really lovely and interesting. I especially like the last one - no, I take that back. . . I like them all! They have FEELING!!! You go girl!!!
ReplyDeleteLove you!
thank you Susie!!!
ReplyDeleteTracy, my heart literally skipped a few beats to read that now you give yourself the permission to fully be an Artist. I could not think of a better Life to embrace--a better vocation to pursue--a better way to wrap your heart in bliss.
ReplyDeleteI think you are amazing. And I can't wait to see what comes next for you now!
BIG HUGS!
Connie, THANK YOU!
ReplyDeleteYAY! So happy to hear you started arting!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I love your creations, especially - the blue-purple ones!