Note from Steph: Art journaling is exploding in both the paper and digital format. I have always been curious about the science and real therapy uses behind it. I have been asking (begging) my real life friend, Cristi to share with us some of the processes she uses in counseling sessions with her clients in the form of art journaling challenges. I am really excited that she is here to help us all get started on the process of putting our digital techniques to use as a method of self-discovery. She is amazing and our readers are too, so I’m really excited for all of you to get to know her; and her to get to know you as well.
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My name is Cristi Dame and I am a photographer and licensed professional counselor who specializes in utilizing art and play to promote inner growth and healing with those I work with.
In my experience, I found that ONE single art therapy session could master what ten talk therapy sessions could. It was as though the two parts of the brain became in sync to uncover what was really going on. Art journaling (or visual journaling for those of you afraid of the “art” word) is not only a form of journaling your inner thoughts and feelings through images but it reveals inner truths that you may have never even know you had. It’s powerful.
So, when Steph asked if I would talk a little about my work with art journaling I thought no problem. This is something I feel comfortable in and am such a strong advocate of it….
But…
Then…
I remembered one thing…
This is a digital scrapbooking site!!
(Insert dramatic music and me screaming with my hands on face like Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone)
Digital?
That is an area that I don’t have any experience in whatsoever. Oh boy- how do I incorperate my art journaling with the digital world if I don’t even know how? What if it is not good. What if you guys all laugh at my sad attempt to create something in photoshop.
You see, I feel most comfortable covered in paint and gesso.
and dare I say printed photos? Yikes!
But it hit me.
This feeling of self-doubt and uncertainty is too often how people feel when they hear the words art journal. “Oh but I am not an artist,” they often say or “I am not creative.”
Oh but they are. They just don’t know it yet.
So, let’s make a deal if I am willing to be brave and attempt this digital scrapbooking world- will you be willing to attempt to try an art journaling page with me? Fair enough.
First rule: NO JUDGEMENT ALLOWED. No pretty- no ugly. It is what it is. Art journaling is not about the final product- it is about what you learn through the process.
So here we go.
1. First, find a personal space and organize it with your supplies. For many of you- it may just be your computer. (for those of you-insert computer in this photo below)
2. Next, get in “The Zone.” Find 20 minutes where you will be alone and uninterrupted. For me, it is during my son’s lovely nap. Set the mood by having some favorite treats and music close by.
3. Now close your eyes (well after you read this of course) and take a deep breath and just be still for at least 30 seconds just focusing on your breath.
4. Set your intention. Let’s do an art page about gratitude. So, in your mind or writing down on paper- make a list of things or people you are grateful for. Set the intention that this page will be for exploring your inner gratitude.
5. Then, without thinking too much, just begin to choose colors and images that move you. No worries about whether they match or if they make sense together- just grab them and begin to play.
Below is my first ever attempt to digitally art journal. I just thought there was no way that I could only do this process digitally- so I printed this on some canvas paper that I had envisioned painting and adding additional elements to create the final product. Sadly, it never made it to that phase and remained just like this.
So, I decided to attempt again. But this time with the intention on just going ALL digital. I didn’t go searching for anything- I just let them find me. This time I feel like I went deeper and uncovered the inner truths I had about gratitude.
It was freeing.
I overcame the fear. I didn’t judge. I just enjoyed the process. In this piece- I have written in secret areas several things I was grateful for at that moment. And the words that came to me at the very end- was “abundance.”
This is what art journaling is all about. You willing to give it a try?
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From Steph: I decided to take Cristi’s challenge. As many of you know, I have wanted to try Art Journaling or Visual Journaling for a very long time. I have always been scared of it though. Even jumping in, I was scared (more like feeling panic inside). I followed Cristi’s steps, digitally of course, and this is what I came up with:
As you may know, this is completely different from my normal digital layouts, which are very clean and linear, with lots of paper layers. I just went with what I felt like doing, typed what first came to my mind and had a lot of fun with layers and layers of brushes! I really enjoyed it and cannot wait to do it again! It was exciting to me that creating something with digital brushes, paint, and goodies I don’t normally use felt so natural and authentic.
Are you ready to take Cristi’s challenge? If you do, share a link in the comments to your art journal page and how this was different for you than a regular digital layout by midnight ET 1/26/2013. We will randomly select one winner that will win $10 in product from TWO contributors to The Digi Files this month (winner can choose which designers they would like products from). I can’t wait to see what you create! Remember – there are NO RULES!
PS. Congratulations to yesterday’s reader who has won $10 to Jennifer Labre’s store: Stacey.
Share This Using…
I am past the date for contest – but I have to say this was fun. I’m not sure how I missed this when it was first posted – but so glad I found the article on pintrest! here is my 1st AJ page – this was super fun!
http://steelcitydigi.blogspot.com/2013/01/art-journaling.html
Well, here is my first ever attempt at art journaling. I also did not go with feelings for the moment, but my childhood. My dad died about a year and half ago and this Christmas was the second without him. Reading more about Art Journaling recently I felt like I needed to start writing about my childhood and if not purely for my own memories then for my kids. and so I have been thinking about what exactly I would start with for a while now and saw this kit and I knew. This is the first page in a double pager since I just went on and on in my writing. I am pretty excited and hope to do a series of holiday memories. In fact I just had a thought and had to write it down. I guess Christmas journal page number 3 is under way. :0) Thank you so much for the push that I needed to start!!!!!
http://www.the-lilypad.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=75987&title=marshall-field-windows&cat=569
oh dear I just can’t stop! lol! They may not be the artsy-ist pages ever, but wow the journaling is just flowing! Here is a second page and I now have enough journaling for another three or four pages!
http://www.the-lilypad.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=76009&title=christmas-tree-lighting&cat=569
These are really great!!! Beautiful! I’m so glad you tried it!
I was happy to see this challenge, but I didn’t follow the gratitude theme either. Our family has had a rough couple of months, so I took this opportunity to help me process everything. My scrapping seems to always be a bit messy, but I didn’t edit myself as much as I usually do with this challenge. And it’s a “me” page, which I don’t do much of either. I wasn’t concerned about telling a story for anyone but myself, in way that only I would really understand. Creating this page really helped me put things in perspective and actually made me feel a ton better about everything. I guess you could say it was awesome therapy: http://flic.kr/p/dPECBQ
I love that you went with what you felt!!! In so glad it helped!
beautiful page!
I created my first art journal page last week… right before this article came out! So, it’s not necessarily about gratitude, however, I’m grateful for the peace that comes through faith regarding the big changes to our lives that will be happening this year. http://www.flickr.com/photos/92535251@N07/8411746748/in/photostream
So much visual symbolism in this!!! Really great page!!
I’ve tried art journaling a few times and it always stretches me. Thanks for a great article and the chance to win! Here’s my layout:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sharonsuske/8410385408/in/photostream
Wow- I am inspired by this piece. Thanks for sharing!
Love this article and the process discussed. I too have considered Art Journaling alot in the last yr or so but haven’t done a thing about it…til now. thx for the challenge and lil push. Here’s mine… http://carolemac.wordpress.com/2013/01/22/embracing-the-world-of-art-journaling/
Smiles, Carole
Great job on the layout and I enjoyed your post too!
I loved how you went with what was in your mind and heart at the moment in your piece! That is truly the process of art journaling! Thanks for sharing!
Here is what I came up with! Anyone who has seen me scrap knows I don’t use a ton of pink…and when I art journal, I love to take the brush alphas I have and mix and match them.
http://www.digiscrapaddicts.com/gallery/member-galleries/p462012-grateful.html
Loving all the layering
When I looked at this it felt like I could just jump up and dance around! It was so bright and lively! I could really feel what was inside! Thanks for sharing!
What a great post. I, too, have been intimidated by the whole art journaling process but I can follow these simple instructions. Thanks for opening my mind to new possibilities and for the chance to win.
It is intimidating to put yourself out there. I am glad you are in for the challenge!
I really loved this post and the process you both went through!
Beautiful!!! These inspire me to try a digital art journal page.
Steph, what is the font you’ve used for the white writing “this is my bliss” ?
It’s actually a doodle by CD Muckosky at The Lily Pad. Everything is hers except the Kraft paper and the font which is Simply Glamorous.
In this art journal layout, I converted a picture into a drawing with the Double Sketch action. The journal talks about when I learned of my son’s diagnosis of Hodgkin’s lymphoma this summer. Without art journaling this time would have been harder. My paper art journals and digi work helped me to express my swirling emotions.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mizbizibee/8405626944/in/photostream
p.s. as a creative team member I do not expect to be considered for any prize. just wanted to share.
Wow! Thanks so much for sharing that!!
I saw your page and tears filled my eyes. Simply incredible and what an amazing way to be able to express such a grief. I too have used art journaling to express those “swirling emotions”- and they certainly are swirling. I am inspired by it and grateful for you sharing your page.
Thanks so much!
I love to get inspired by “real” art journal pieces & see if I can get that look digitally. It’s a great way to try new techniques and splash around more digital paint than on my regular LOs as I love the messy, layered look that can be achieved.
On my regular LO’s the photo comes first and leads the creation of the rest of the page. I don’t often do photoless LOs, so art journalling pieces are sometimes tough for me to get started unless something is playing on my mind.
This one started because I wanted to create a look of textured paint thru a triangle stencil after seeing a piece on Dina Wakley’s blog.
http://bowesclan.wordpress.com/2013/01/22/art-journalling-play/
love it, well done
This page really does look what you said “real” and I am intrigued to continue exploring the digital art journaling world to create more pieces that look similar to my paper pieces. Thanks for sharing!
Great layouts & challenges! hoping I’m the Stacey that won!
Yes, you’re “the Stacey!” I just emailed you.