By giving these voices a place to interact with a more positive counterpart, I can quiet or even hush them! These voices can transform when approached with respect, curiosity, and a choice to learn from them.

I have used this technique many times when I was at my wit’s end. It works when I give in to my intuition and allow things to play out on my journal page.

Listen deeply and be open to what comes up for you.

Of course, there are many places in between. For example, you might start with an intention or by selecting a few supplies before you begin. This is what I love about visual journaling, there are no rules and you can easily make it up as you go or plan every detail before you begin.

In today’s video, I take a mixed approach. I selected most of my supplies ahead of time with the exception of a magazine image. I had no plan other than to use the supplies I had gathered and just have some fun.

Why "Borrow" From Art Magazines?

• Instant Artist Boost: Art magazines are full of stunning visuals– gorgeous colors, interesting compositions, and inspiring techniques already created by amazing artists.

• Jumpstart Your Imagination: A magazine image can be a springboard. You don't have to copy it exactly! It might inspire a color scheme, a new way to use a material, or simply spark a new creative direction.

• Permission to Play: "Borrowing" reminds you that art should be fun and playful. It takes the pressure off having to produce a "perfect" piece.

How to Creatively "Borrow" Art

1. Gather Your Treasure: Grab some art magazines – old or new, niche or general. Flip through, looking for images that grab your attention due to color, pattern, texture, or overall mood.

2. Ways to "Borrow":

   • Collage It! Cut out your chosen image and incorporate it into a page. Build a collage with additional elements inspired by the image.

   • Color Inspiration: Create a color palette based on the image and use it for your own painting, drawing, or mixed media piece.

   • Composition Copycat: Deconstruct the image's composition - how is balance achieved? Try recreating that format with your own subjects.

3. Make it Yours: The key is to transform the "borrowed" element! Change the medium, alter the scale, and exaggerate the colors. There are no rules!

Tips:

• Respect the Source: Remember this is for personal art journaling, not to be reproduced or sold.

• Focus on Learning: What did you learn about color, composition, or technique from the image?

• Let it Flow: Don't get stuck trying to be perfect, let one piece inspire another!

Share Your Creations!

I want to see how you turn "borrowed" art into your own unique masterpieces! Share your explorations in the Chat!

I got started in art journaling by teaching in-person classes. I would bring all the supplies to these classes, and I found myself buying way too many supplies to keep up with all my class ideas. I got to a breaking point, something had to give. My body and my bank account couldn’t keep up with this.

That all changed when I started focusing exclusively on art journaling. Keeping up with the supplies became much simpler and my spending habits (boarding on addiction) got a break. It was so much easier and I could still bring tons of variety to my classes.

When the pandemic shut down my classes in 2020, I started taking them online. I did live Zoom classes and recorded videos, too. I really enjoyed the recording part, but the online classes posed a lot of problems for me, so I dropped live classes and stuck with video recording.

In 2023, I made a big push to be a success on YouTube. Before that, I was publishing on Skillshare and my Creative Soul Club. But when Skillshare doubled their subscription rates (reducing the number of people I could reach) and they started removing my older classes I went looking for better options.

YouTube seemed like the perfect solution. And I love posting on YouTube but to appease the YouTube algorithm I had to narrow my focus to one particular type of art journaling and keep up with a publishing schedule. But that’s not who I am! So I stopped posting videos in the summer of 2024.

Since then, I’ve had so much fun doing all sorts of projects. Some of them included finishing old craft projects others are new ones.

One project that I started back in 1995 was a model ship. With the hull complete all I needed to do was finish the sails (no small feat), but up until now, I was too afraid to try. It’s funny how getting older can change your perspective.

I love it when wonderful things show up when I least expect them. Shortly after I stopped recording and just before I started working on my ship, an antique Japanese tansu magically appeared. It was in pretty bad shape (but it was free) and a few months later I had restored this little beauty, turning it into a sewing chest.

With the New Year upon us, I want to return to sharing my creative spirit with all of you. I thought I would get back to art journaling after I took a short break, but with all my projects keeping my creative soul happy I have not. This weighs heavily on me now as 2025 spreads out before me.

Speaking of projects keeping me distracted, I got a vintage dollhouse kit for Christmas. This is something I’ve dreamed about building since I was a little girl. This is one of those things I get to take my time on. Beyond the building of the house, I get to decorate and furnish it too! I plan on taking photos and videos in case I decide to share this adventure with you, but I’m not sure at this point.

I want to do it all. I want my life to be filled with creative magic. I don’t want to be limited! Let’s face it, life by nature is limited. We only have so long to live and there’s only so much time we have to do the things we want to do.

It’s all too easy to waste away our precious time on meaningless things, like shopping and watching Netflix, not to mention all the drama of life that keeps us in spirals.

I crave a deeper meaning in my life too. I need to know who I am and what truly matters to me. I believe I’m here for a reason, and that reason is my purpose. This purpose may change as the years roll forward, but for me, things have a way of fitting together. It all matters, every piece of the puzzle is needed.

I’ve also had a couple of health scares in the past year. I like to think of these as the universe kicking me in the butt, reminding me that life is precious. And I’m not one to ignore these valuable hints. So I don’t want to waste any more time.

I would love to hear your thoughts. What does this bring up for you? What dreams have you let slip away? What do you REALLY want to do with your time? What are you wasting it away on? What might change for you in the next year?

Journaling has always been a source of comfort and reflection for me. Starting at the tender age of ten, I've poured my heart and soul onto countless pages. However, over time, my writing became a repetitive cycle, devoid of the transformative power it once held.

Seeking a new approach, I turned to visual journaling in 2015. This powerful tool has unlocked hidden depths within my subconscious, revealing insights that words alone couldn't express. It's like a magical portal, inviting my inner thoughts and feelings to manifest on the page.

While I've stepped away from traditional written journals, I still find immense value in writing after completing a visual page in my journal. This reflective process allows me to delve deeper into the symbolism and emotions embedded within my artwork, gaining a profound understanding of my own psyche.

I invite you to embark on your own visual journaling journey. Let go of expectations, embrace spontaneity, and allow your intuition to guide your hand. As you explore this creative process, you'll uncover hidden layers of yourself, gain valuable insights, and foster a deeper connection with your inner world.

Remember, visual journaling is about personal exploration, not art. It's about self-discovery, not perfection. So, grab your journal, and let your intuition guide you, while you embark on a transformative adventure.

The Power of Intuitive Art

At the heart of visual journaling lies intuitive art, a practice that encourages you to relinquish control and let your subconscious take the lead. By silencing the inner critic and embracing the flow of creativity, you open yourself up to a world of possibilities.

Key benefits of intuitive art journaling:

• Emotional Release: Expressing your emotions through art can be cathartic, helping you process difficult feelings and find emotional balance.

• Self-Discovery: By delving into your subconscious, you can uncover hidden patterns, beliefs, and desires that shape your thoughts and behaviors.

• Increased Creativity: Regular practice can spark your imagination, leading to innovative ideas and fresh perspectives.

• Stress Reduction: Engaging in creative activities can lower stress levels and promote relaxation.

• Mindfulness: Focusing on the present moment and the physical act of creating can cultivate mindfulness and reduce anxiety.

Tips for Effective Visual Journaling:

• Create a Dedicated Space: Find a quiet, comfortable place where you can focus without interruption.

• Gather Your Materials: Experiment with different mediums, such as paints, markers, colored pencils, and collage materials.

• Set an Intention: Before you start, take a moment to set an intention for your journaling session.

• Let Go of Control: Embrace mistakes and imperfections as part of the creative process.

• Reflect and Journal: After creating, take some time to reflect on your artwork and write down your thoughts and feelings.

By incorporating these practices into your daily routine, you can unlock the transformative power of visual journaling and embark on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth.

I like to think of contrast as two distinct forces, yin and yang, if you will; a play between light and shadow, fire and water, calm and excitement. As they come together on my journal page and weave a tapestry of inner healing and personal transformation, I feel that challenge rise within me.

Materials List

• Art Journal: Choose a journal or sketchbook that inspires you.

• Assorted Papers: Gather an array of papers, such as old book pages, magazine cutouts, handmade paper, and tissue paper.

• Scissors or Craft Knife: Use these tools for cutting out shapes and images.

• Glue or Matte Medium: To adhere your collage elements.

• Paints or Inks: For adding color or texture.

• Brushes or Sponges: If you decide to paint or ink your collage.

• Markers or Pens: Add details or writing.

• Imagination and Intuition: The most essential materials!

Possible Steps to Take

Step 1: Choose Your Dynamic Duo

1. Reflect on contrasting pairs, such as day and night, chaos and order, growth and decay. Go beyond what you might normally think of as contrast in art, feel into it, and explore the edges.

2. Select two, four, or even six elements that resonate with you. You might limit yourself to just 2 or go crazy with more.

Step 2: Create Your Base

1. Start a new page in your art journal, this can be a single page or a page spread. Alternatively, work on a separate sheet and glue it or bind it into a journal later.

2. Cut or tear out shapes, symbols, or images representing your chosen duet. I love to pick out my images very loosely, not worrying if they meet my original idea. You might find that things shift in a new direction and that's okay, go with it.

3. Arrange your elements on the page, exploring different compositions - I call this step Auditioning. Let yourself be playful, be intuitive, and try not to overthink this. Nothing is set in stone at this point, you can always change your mind just before you glue things down.

Step 3: Assemble Your Collage

1. When your arrangement feels complete, start gluing your elements in place. Let the edges overlap or blend and don't be afraid to cover things up if that's what wants to happen. 

2. You can keep layering more images, colors, or textures too. Consider how they interact; torn edges may reveal glimpses of what lies beneath.

3. Use markers or pens to add words, phrases, or doodles. Explore the thoughts and emotions arising from this dynamic duo.

Going Deeper

• Symbolism: Delve into the symbolism of what shows up on your journal page. What might they represent in your life or inner world? Are there personal associations or memories attached to them?

• Texture Play: Pay attention to the tactile sensations as you handle different textures. How do they evoke feelings or memories? Is there comfort or tension in their touch? - This is one of the reasons I never got into digital collage, you can't touch it!

• Color Magic: Explore the emotional impact of colors. Notice how warm hues (like fire) and cool tones (like water) resonate within you. Allow color choices to express your inner landscape.

• Intuitive Writing: Let your thoughts flow freely. Write about the dance between these contrasting forces. What insights emerge? Is there a dialogue between them?

Final Thoughts

Celebrate the magic of dynamic duets in your collage. Trust that the juxtaposition of opposites brings forth new insights, healing, and transformation. Your art journal is a sacred space where yin and yang dance together, inviting you to explore the depths of your creativity.

I’ve been working on my family tree, finding photos from my past, and making connections with how I came to be in this world. I’m a creative at heart so naturally I thought, “What if I could create an art journal page where the past and present overlap? What messages might I receive by exploring these crossroads?”

Creating this collage allowed me to get lost in the past but also to discover hope for where I am heading. It’s easy to forget who I am at times, but when I find reminders of my past I also reveal the hidden pathways I have taken - the pathways that lead to the many possibilities of what the future may hold for me.

Let your collage, become a curator of time, while you stitch together fragments, bridging decades and emotions. As you remix nostalgia, remember that you’re not creating art, you’re honoring the past, celebrating the present, and inviting the future to dance alongside you.

Ideas for Creating Your Own Collage

Step 1: Gather Imagery

1. Vintage Images:

   • Dive into old magazines, family photo albums, or online archives. Look for vintage images that resonate with you. Perhaps a faded photograph of a diner, a retro car advertisement, or a snapshot of a bustling street corner.

   • Find images that carry stories, of people, places, and moments frozen in time.

2. Patterns and Textures:

   • Seek out retro patterns: paisleys, polka dots, geometric shapes. These patterns evoke specific eras.

   • Consider textures like worn paper, faded denim, or cracked leather. They add depth and tactile nostalgia.

3. Color Palette:

   • Retro colors are bold and unapologetic. Think mustard yellows, avocado greens, burnt oranges, and electric blues.

   • Mix these with contemporary hues to create a harmonious blend.

Step 2: Remix and Arrange

1. Cut and Paste:

   • Snip out your chosen images and patterns. Arrange them on a blank canvas or thick paper.

   • Don’t worry about perfection; let imperfections add character.

2. Layering:

   • Overlay images. Place a retro typewriter over a modern skyline. Let a vintage record player peek through a contemporary window.

   • Layering creates visual depth and invites viewers to explore.

3. Typography:

   • Add retro-inspired text. Use fonts reminiscent of old movie posters or diner menus.

   • Write snippets of memories, quotes, or song lyrics.

Step 3: Reflect and Revise

1. Meaning-Making:

   • As you arrange elements, notice the connections. What stories emerge? How do the past and present intersect?

   • Your collage becomes a visual diary, an ode to nostalgia and reinvention.

2. Embrace Serendipity:

   • Sometimes accidental placements yield magic. A vintage bicycle wheel aligns perfectly with a modern clock face.

   • Trust these moments, they carry hidden messages.

3. Add Layers Over Time:

   • Collages evolve. Revisit yours periodically. Add new fragments, scribble notes, or glue on dried leaves.

   • Each layer tells a chapter of your creative journey.

Introduction

Step into the realm of abstract expressionism with our art journaling prompt, "Abstract Ambiance." This creative endeavor invites you to explore the depths of emotion, energy, and atmosphere through the captivating medium of collage. Immerse yourself in the dynamic process of crafting vibrant narratives, where every cut, every layer, and every composition contributes to the creation of a unique and evocative abstract ambiance.

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Materials You'll Need:

1. Abstract Imagery: Gather a diverse collection of abstract images, patterns, and textures that resonate with your artistic vision.

2. Glue, Scissors, and Art Journal or Paper: Essential tools for arranging and adhering your chosen abstract elements onto your canvas.

3. Optional Materials:

   • Acrylic Paints or Watercolors: Amplify the ambiance with bold or subtle color choices.

   • Palette Knife or Texture Tools: Introduce tactile elements to enhance the abstract texture.

   • Fine-tipped Markers or Pens: Add intricate details or lines for emphasis.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Curate Abstract Imagery:

• Explore a variety of abstract images, embracing patterns, shapes, and textures that resonate with the ambiance you aim to create.

2. Cut and Arrange:

• Utilize scissors to cut your chosen elements into various shapes. Experiment with arrangements on your art journal or chosen surface.

3. Play with Color:

• Dive into the world of color, using acrylic paints or watercolors to enhance the abstract ambiance. Choose a palette that reflects the emotions or atmosphere you wish to convey.

4. Introduce Texture:

• Elevate your collage by introducing texture with a palette knife or texture tools. This step adds depth and tactile interest to the abstract composition.

5. Layer for Complexity:

• Embrace the concept of layering to create complexity within your abstract ambiance. Overlapping elements adds visual interest and depth.

6. Fine-Tune with Details:

• Fine-tune your composition by adding details with fine-tipped markers or pens. Consider this step as a way to emphasize certain elements or lines within your abstract narrative.

7. Reflect on Emotional Resonance:

• Take a moment to reflect on the emotional resonance and ambiance created within your abstract collage. Consider the interplay of elements and their impact on the overall atmosphere.

Conclusion 

"Abstract Ambiance" is not just an art prompt; it's an invitation to communicate emotions, energy, and atmosphere through the unique language of abstract collage. Join the journey of crafting vibrant narratives and let your artistic expression resonate in the abstract ambiance you create. Happy crafting!

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I love making collage papers. They are a wonderful way to free your creativity and you really can’t get it wrong. But as I’ve gained more experience with my collages, I’ve learned a lot of things along the way that help make these little gems pleasing to the eye.

Please share what you create in my new Subscriber Chat where you can post photos and videos of what you create. I can’t wait to see what you make!

In today's video, I finish a page in my journal that I didn’t like and had given up on. This was originally a live stream on YouTube back in December of 2023. Enjoy!

The Power of Imperfection

If you don't initially love your page, keep working or come back later when you’ve had time to distance yourself from those feelings. Art journaling is about the process, not the final product. It’s about the journey you experience along the way. Tap into your own whimsical, less-judgmental creative flow by giving this activity a go.

Visual Morning Pages vs. Written

While traditional written morning pages clear your mind, visual equivalents offer additional benefits:

• Freeing Intuition: Images, colors, and textures engage a different, more intuitive part of your brain.

• No Language Barrier: Even if you struggle to express emotions with words, art journaling provides a direct outlet.

• Playful Exploration: You're less likely to get stuck in self-criticism as a visual form encourages exploration.

Simple Techniques to Get Started:

1. Blind Contour Drawing: Focus on looking at an object and continuously draw its outline without looking at your page. Embrace the wonky results!

2. Scribble & Paint: Make energetic scribbles across your page then fill in the spaces with watercolor. Notice how the shapes evolve.

3. Intuitive Collage: This is my favorite way to get my creative juices flowing. All you need is a magazine and a glue stick - yes, it can be as simple as that.

Tips:

• Let Go of Expectations: The goal is a creative exercise, not a gallery-worthy piece.

• Date Your Pages: It's so rewarding to see how you progress when you look back over your art journal.

• It's a Practice: Like any skill, consistency is key to feeling more comfortable and confident.

Share Your Journey!

I'd love to see how embracing simple techniques builds your skills and creative joy. You can share your experience in the comments below or better yet, share your whimsical art journal pages in the Chat!

Welcome to Creative Soul Journeys where I’ll share what I’m passionate about. My content is ever-changing, always feeds the creative soul, and personal empowerment.

• Fun Creative Videos

• Exciting Mixed-Media Projects

• Adventures and Travel Logs

• Personal Growth

I’m so happy you are here, and I look forward to sharing this adventure with you!

Till Next Time,
Karen Dawn
Creative Soul Journeys

PS: There’s nothing more you need to do, so sit back and enjoy the show!