Sunday 20 January 2013

Joy in the Post Art Journal Swap

 
I'd never made an art journal before last year, although I'd always been fascinated by those that other people had made. So when I was invited by Lisa (an artist I've always admired and my good friend), to take part in a round robin art journal I had to say yes!

I knew that I'd enjoy the project, as I was lucky enough to be in a group of fabulously creative and inspiring women, but it turned out to be a much more enriching and uplifting an experience than I expected. 

Each journal brought such anticipation and pleasure on it's arrival and it was so rewarding to see each one in fill with such thoughtful and beautiful artwork. Joy in the post is a very apt name!

So to celebrate the completion of our project (because all wonderful things deserve to be celebrated) we're having a blog party! Below are the pages from my journal....and at the end are the details you'll need to enter into our free giveaway. You can win a journal of your own to play in, along with lots of art goodies to inspire you to get started!

First - these are the front covers of all 8 of the journals (mine is the one on the far left in the middle row. ). I love how individual they all are.

First to work in my journal was Kat - 
when I think of Kat's work the first thing that comes to mind is pinks and purples, beautiful intricate mandalas and pretty shimmery things! Her pages are full of life and so feminine, and I could get lost in the detail of the elegant mandalas ...


Then my journal was sent on it's way to Lisa W, who created these soft, dreamy pages. I love the way she's used the image from the collage and re-created it in coloured pencil and paint. I also love the surface detail - if you look closely at the little flowers you'll see they are made from maps!
In contrast, Lisa also did this bright and flowing (yet still kind of dreamy) abstract...

My journal then left the UK and flew across the ocean to Tammy - Tammy and I share a love of old, vintage looking papers, beautiful script and keys. Her work is amazing and I adore everything about this, every detail is perfect and feels like it was chosen just for me!
Tammy sent my journal on to Kim Her pages are a joy, full of riotous colour, pattern and text. I so admire Kim's artistic eye and her ability to mix diverse elements - with her special touch they seem as if they were always meant to be together!

 
Next my journal arrived at Stephanie's door! She gifted me this stunning painting, rich in colour and detail with a wonderful quote. She's managed to skilfully create so many tones using just red and white. I love the colour (red is my favourite!) and the movement of the tree.

Maggie was next to work in my journal. This is her beautiful painting - I love the softness of her work and the combination of pattern and paint, and the little crown cutout for the robin is such a creative and fun touch! Her pages are so sweet and pretty and seem full of soft sunshine - they make me smile whenever I look at them!

Last to work in my journal was Lisa D, who inspired and guided us through our project. Lisa's work is full of soul and her beautiful and thought-provoking pages remind me of an ancient manuscript - rich in meaning and mystery. 

 
  And best of all - she gave me my very own ethereal and lovely angel!
My journal is now back with me. It's kept nestled in tissue paper in it's box, but is taken out often to admire and inspire.

If our project has inspired you to try art journaling, come and enter our free giveaway! All you need to do is visit and leave comments on all of our blogs (just click on the names in the post above to visit each blog).
You can see more of the prizes on Lisa D's blog, but here's a sneak preview for you! Good luck :)



30 comments:

  1. What an amazing journey this art has brought to you and all the others. I have found new blogs to follow and lots of new inspiration. Thank you

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    1. Thanks Marilyn, and I'm really happy if our journals have inspired you!

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  2. I feel so very lucky to be part this group and I LOVE seeing all the pages together and reading your thoughts on them. What a JOY this has been!
    xx
    Stephanie

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  3. This is such a wonderful project, and the results are fabulous. It has inspired me to gather some friends and follow suit.

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    1. Thanks Jo, I hope you do start your own journal swap. I'd definitely recommend it!

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  4. Angie! I'm so glad you are back in the world of cyber space! And just in time for the party :) I hope you are loving your new computer.

    I love this beautiful post. I have had the good fortune to see all but Lisa's pages "in person" ~ I remember turning each page and labeling each one my "favorite". By the time I received your journal, I could identify each artist's work even if they hadn't been signed.

    I'm so happy we'll be doing this again in a few short weeks!

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    1. Thanks Maggie! Fashionably late to the party but very glad I made it!

      I know exactly what you mean, I could tell which pages were done by which artist without looking.

      I love that we've all become so familiar with each others styles and I can't wait for us all to explore colour together! x

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  5. Angie, I agree with Maggie above, computer problems are the pitts, but I am so happy you are back! This was an amazing journey and you did such a beautiful job on your post. I barley got words out, I have been a litte icky lately. I so cherish my book and all of you!!! I can't wait for our new venture and I am already gathering ... colors!
    XO

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    1. Thank you Kim! I'm so looking forward to the colour journals too!

      Sorry to hear you've been feeling poorly - sending get well hugs for you! x

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  6. Oh what a beautifully written post Angie. I felt like you were talking me through our story and it was fabulous to see all the pages because as the first entry I hadn't seen any of them. Your words to each of us were thoughtful and kind, thank you sweetie. What a treasure all of our journals are and even more so is the friendship we've grown and strengthened. As this blog party weekend ends I feel once again all emotional - nostalgic, grateful and happy.

    So glad you made it to the party and you're once again connected to us via the wonder of the world wide web.

    BTW sorry for eating so much cake before you got there. Did you get any of the banoffee I imagined into existence this afternoon. It was very yummy ;-)

    BIG party Hugs
    Kat Xx

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    1. Aw thank you so much for your kind words Kat! I'm really happy to have made the party too (by the skin of my teeth!)and of course very relieved that you saved me some cake! x

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  7. So gorgeous to see it all. I had forgotten I did that second page! It was indeed a magical experience and I can't wait to start again!!

    Banoffee? Where?

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    2. Yes there were pages I'd forgotten about too Lisa, isn't it so nice to have the chance to revisit them! *Passes the banoffee*

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  8. Wonderful journal Angie. Loved seeing all of the journals and the beautiful art.xx

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    1. Thanks Gemma! Looking forward to you joining us net time!

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  9. Thank you for sharing your wonderful journal with us, Angie.

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    1. I'm glad you liked it Angelia, and thanks for taking the time to comment!

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  10. What a special journal yours turned out to be! Gorgeous - and such a treasure to keep.

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  11. It is a blessing to have you back on-line Angie! You have really captured the specialness of our group and that you took the time to write about each page individually shows how loving you are ♥
    ♥♥

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    1. It's wonderful to be back Lisa - I'd missed you all! Thanks again for starting us off on this journey, you've given so much joy :-) x

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  12. Oh I love that these are all AI girls ~ looks like you've forged some mighty strong friendships, bravo! Everything is so beautiful, would expect nothing less from such a talented group!
    ♥Sharon

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    1. Sharon thank you! Yes IA was/is such a great group, definitely instilled a spirit of shared creativity x

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  13. What a fabulous journey this has been...visiting all eight Round Robins. The art is inspirational and beautiful and has inspired me to "go thou and do likewise" or, at least, similar.
    I'm following as well, thank you!

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    1. I'm really happy to hear it's inspired you to start a similar project, that's wonderful! Definitely go for it - it's so rewarding and great fun! And thanks so much for your kind comments :-)

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  14. I'm so glad I am visiting all of your sites! Your book is as lovely as the others. I can see Maggie and Kim, my two friends from this group, in their images. Your group is a very special one. I can't wait to see the others.

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    1. Thank you Lou Anne! I love that each artist's pages are so recognizable as "them"! x

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  15. What a wonderful project you all have shared! I am truly grateful to be the winner of all the great goodies to help get my own Art Journal "Hop" going with my Arty Tea Party gals.

    Keep up the good work!

    Aloha from Vicki

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