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 :)