Rae - Art Journal Art Journey Collage and Storytelling for Honoring Your Creative Process

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When beginning on a journey there are moments of excitement and then there are the moments when you start to write your to-do list, filling it with what you need to do before you go, what you need to pack and all the things you want to do on your trip. The beauty of a creative journey is that the preparation and the adventure are all part of the journey. Through art journaling, your to-do list becomes the documentation of your path, and what you need to do becomes the story you are creating. What you want to do on your trip unfolds into your ideas and vision. Along this adventure we will explore together how you can document your journey using art journaling.

It is important to know that I am learning just like you are: learning how to navigate my path, learning how to create what I need and learning how to trust the process. Over the last ten years I have been exploring the process of art journaling and mixed-media collage. As I write this book, I have discovered that I am still beginning my journey and that my process is unfolding as I go. I have found that a beginning holds possibility and the excitement of the journey, as well as the beautiful discovery of who we are, what we need and what we want to create along our path.

The pages in this book can be used as a guide along your journey. They are filled with the favorite bits I have collected along the way that have helped me explore who I am, the path I have been on and where I want to go. It is filled with inspirational quotes, words and images to spark the excitement we all love to feel before an adventure. It provides direction about where to start, what you will need with you to get started and creative project ideas. I share styles of art journaling, mixed-media collage techniques, favorite supplies and how to set up a work space. As you go through this book you will learn how you can create your own journal using photos, ephemera and journal entries to document your journey. You will also find other ways to be creative through mini projects such as affirmation books, mini inspirational cards and an altered book.

My truest and deepest intention for this book is to connect with you on your path. These pages are written to guide you, inspire you, offer ideas, provide direction and prepare you as you begin this journey. I am excited for you as I write this. I honor your bravery, your creative spirit, your bold leap as you embark on a beautiful path of self-discovery filled with learning, discovering and unfolding. I am honored that we can take this journey together. Along the way, know that I am with you.

Artist Nichole Rae

{from my studio to yours, coffee mug to coffee mug, cheers !}

I sit

in my

studio

music playing

a cup of coffee

my favorite artist mug

beginning

to write

this introduction

I carry

the

word

journey

I carry

book

pages

I

carry

boxes

of

papers

buttons

photographs

I carry

the

excitement

of

connecting

with you

along

this

journey

page

by

page

lets

create

together

My Note for You:

Dear Creative Mess Maker,

create

what

you

most

need

to

find

visualize

your

journey

document

your

ideas

your

dreams

your

vision

share

your

story

you

are

enough

Live Your Life.

Create Your Journey.

CHAPTER 1

The Journaling Process

The art of journaling can be a new and exciting process. Over the course of my creative journey I found it difficult to write my thoughts and feelings on paper. I allowed fear to hold me back, finding excuses to keep me from actually setting those thoughts free. I dont like my handwriting. I need the perfect journal that feels right. If I write in ink I wont be able to erase. During this time the voice inside me kept whispering, Set your thoughts free. Write them down on paper to grow and evolve. They need to be heard.

One morning while having coffee I was working in a document on my computer for a project and I realized how much I like typing, choosing fonts and having the ability to use the delete button. I found freedom in the options a computer document offers. I felt the anxiety begin to fade away when I started to type my thoughts and feelings. I was able to type, delete and type again, as well as choose my fonts and layout. I could keep this document in a folder on my desktop and come back to it when I felt like it. I had a place to write and collect my thoughts, finally journaling the voice that needed to be set free.

In this chapter I will share with you how I journal, going deeper into the writing process. I will help answer the questions that you may have and provide helpful tips that can make this process fun. We will explore the how and the what of the journaling process. These questions will provide an artistic direction for you to travel in and give you the confidence you need to take this journey. You will learn how to create compelling text, the importance of taking your time and my favorite list-style journal format. Advice about how often to journal, the best way to keep your text organized, as well as inspiring prompts that can guide you in your writing process can be found in this chapter.