Saturday, March 17, 2012

Pretty Art Journaling

This is the old blog from Peony and Parakeet. 
Welcome to follow the new blog at www.peonyandparakeet.com
This post is also found in the new blog, go to: 
http://www.peonyandparakeet.com/pretty-art-journaling/

I have started to wonder: is there only one style in art journaling? Is it only for those who are ready to explore with paint and who are not afraid of getting messy. And scrapbooking: is it about using commercial products and aiming for pretty pages?

Can't there be pretty art journaling?


I bought this pink Smash book some time ago. The pages were so pretty I could not put any mess over them. And my style of making scrapbooks was not suitable for them either. But after getting fed up with messy mixed media, I dared to open it and just make it pretty!

So why not glue all the pretty stuff to your art journal? Add lace and frills and anything you find beautiful!

I added both commercial products and my own handdecorated papers to the page. Even my handwriting is a bit more controlled than how I usually write.

Happy journaling!

22 comments:

  1. I like this VERY MUCH!
    As a mixed media artist, I'm so sick of seeing art journals that all look alike and mostly look like a two year old cut loose with markers and paint.
    Who wrote that art journals had to be a mess??? (and some flat out ugly...)
    Love the details in the pages you shared~~maybe you can start a trend!

    XXOO~~
    Anne

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    1. Anne........ I thought I was the only one who felt that way. I agree with you!

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  2. Lovely. I agree. I have seen too many journals that are slapdash and thrown together. Thanks for sharing your journal page.

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  3. I agree that there seems to be a great deal of similarity with some of the journals I have seen featured. It's nice when a person can find their own voice amidst all of the wonderful techniques that are being shared out there. When I was just in India I ended up by several dozen packets of stick- on bindis from a street vendor, I think they would go perfectly in a journal like yours.
    xoxo Kim

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  4. I don't think you should be limited to messy - if your style is having pretty think to look at, then work your magic that way! I like it! {:-Deb

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  5. I have been writing for years about how a make an artwork scrapbook with my artwork, not of the commercial stickers and cut outs that are the most popular. I think it is more meaningful when you create the design for a scrapbook, and do so on a budget. I like your journal by the way.

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  6. I think a journal can be whatever you want and look however you want - the point is for it to be about you and your style! So keep on!

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  7. Wow, I am so happy to receive this many comments on the post! I am now convinced that pretty is allowed in art journaling! Thanks all!!

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  8. There needs to be a big LIKE button here on this post for your beautiful journal page.

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  9. Very pretty! Art journals can be anything you want it to be. Everyone has a style and yours is pretty! I like it!

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  10. Love your pages! Thanks for sharing. I have been trying to find my style of art journaling...I comb the web looking at everyone's...I've yet to really dig into a journal and beautify it with art.

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  11. Thanks Beth! Have a great time with art journaling and remember: don't let your inner critique spoil the fun!

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  12. They're very beautiful and intricate!!:)

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  13. Thank you Elaine! Please note that my blog has been moved to www.peonyandparakeet.com

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  14. I got so tired of seeing all the art journals with drawings of those odd, big-eyed girls with pointy hats. Really??? I thought they were not very pretty - and I like pretty!!! Thank you for this!

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  15. Nancy, thanks! Welcome to follow my blog at www.peonyandparakeet.com
    There's also a video about this book after it's finished: http://www.peonyandparakeet.com/finishing-an-art-journal/

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