Art Journal Step-by-Step

How to pack when you are an art journal artist and you want to take a vacation.

I love paper, all kinds of paper so I have a lot of it in my office and in my studio. Of course I can not take all that paper with me when I travel so I have a clear 12x12 inch plastic case I got at Michaels to take some of the more important papers along on my travels.

I have several journals that I work in all at the same time. I keep each one in its own large 2 1/2 gallon zip lock bags. This way I can keep all the parts I need but not get them all mixed up or have to look for anything, it's all in one place. I keep all the scraps, colors and papers I am working on with that particular journal in it's bag. The above journal is the one I was working on for the Brooklyn Library 2016.

This is my Journal Fodder Junkies trading journal. I do a little work in this journal and then send it to another artist who does a little work in it and then sends it back to me. When I get it back I have my students work in it. Right now they are adding a story line to the book.

My set of small tube acrylics I travel with.

My very special art journal travel case.

My office/closet where I keep some of my art journal supplies...and my shoes!

My Zentangle/art journal/office shelf/inside studio/sewing room.

Small spray bottles of paint.

My cutting and glueing zip lock travel bag.

the random stuff bag...

As you can most likely tell from these photos, I do not fly. I could not get a surgical scalpel or bottles of liquid paint on a plane. I have an awful fear of flying, have since I was little. I really have a fear of gravity oh I mean falling. It is a powerfully debilitating fear and has stopped me for doing lots of fun things in my life. But I am planning a trip to Cambodia next year to visit the orphanage were I support the kids college funds. So even though that trip is a year away I am already having panic attacks. But I really want to meet the kids. I also have ADHA pretty bad too so just the thought of sitting on an airplane for 19 hours is terrifying! Lots of meditation and deep breathing. When I absolutely have to ride in an elevator I repeat in my head "people do this every day", "people do this every day", "people do this every day", "people do this every day",  "people do this every day", "people do this every day", "people do this every day", "people do this every day"....well you get the point.

Just keep it simple when you travel don't get distracted from your trip. A small watercolor set and a pen will do.

Click on the Alligator Fish Boat for more of Today's Art Room Report

Art Journaling Step-by-Step...

Add torn or cut paper to your art journal. You can add to a previous page or create a whole new page using decorative papers.

Today I am using my altered book with a solid brown background that I painted a few years ago.

It has been waiting for this day for a long time!

I love using Traci Bautista Matte Collage Instant Decoupage Pauge.

I use old gift cards to spread the glue evenly. I also have a surgeon's scalpel to cut paper with 

that my favorite bookbinding teacher gave me. You would not believe the precision you get with that thing.

I pulled from the collection of papers I have stacked up in my art studio. I just love pretty paper! I collect paper where ever I see it...and then store until the perfect chance to use it when ever a project comes up. This is kind of the reason we (I) needed to rent a POD for more storage! Or I just need a bigger studio!

I cut out the paper and glued it in place, I love this ziggy pattern. I must love it, I use it a lot it seems. That is one thing I am learning during this journaling

process, that my work has similar aspects to it.

I cut the heart out of matching papers in the same color field. I added the black and white acrylic paint after the glue was dry.

Art Journal Step-by-Step...

Some where on today's page use numbers- Vacay room #, receipts, milage, calories consumed, etc.  Include numbers in a creative way on your next art journal page.

My totally awesome hand made art journal I got at Donna Downy's Studio in North Carolina.

Donna likes to add center pages in her journals. 

I used a spray bottle with water and green acrylic paint for the back ground.

I used a number stamp and a stencil for this project. I will add some road milage numbers when I get home.

I used some old orange painted paper for the steps.

256 was a number a friend in 9th grade said was the answer to everything.

I used a #9 stamp for the numbers. 

Art Journal Step-by-Step...

Day 2. Use something from where you are as a stamp...I am on the way to the beach so I used a shell. You can also use a regular stamp that expresses how you feel or create an 

easy stamp of your own.

Today I am using my altered book to journal in. I have my craft acrylics and several different types of stamps.

Acrylic background

My fishy stamp

The shell hubby found at the beach last year. I personally do not collect shells, I just do not think we should take anything away from the spaces we visit except photos. 

I date stamp I bought at Donna Downey Studios

Donna has some awesome art classes in North Carolina and she is just the cutest bug of a person. Love her art space.

If you do not have a stamp you can create your own using only styrofoam, a pen, markers and a little water. Click HERE for the link on how to do this simple printing process.

And my finished stamped project --My Shell Stamp

Art Journal Step-by-Step...

. Summer Vacay- where are you, where are you going this summer or where would you like to g0?

My journal and my box of supplies...I am ready.

My watercolor crayons of choice Faber-Castell 

They have great color and coverage. 

Watercolor background

Stencils...

Faber Castell Watercolors that I got in my swag bag at Art Scouts 2016 Ohio with Cassie Stephens.

 Art Journal entry---The Beach