Trusting the Process: A Shared Art Journal Update

A few weeks ago, I wrote about my first shared journal experience with Maryland artist, Cait Sherwood. Art journaling is an important part of my creative self-care practice, and collaborating on a journal seemed a wonderful style to keep me going. We each started with a Moleskine accordion periodical* and made some foundational marks, images, and colors for the other person to work with. Yous tin can find that kickoff post here.

Since then, I've received Cait's journal. I've been trying to figure out how to meld my art with hers, while staying true to my multi-layered style. I've  worried that I wasn't leaving enough of Cait's art on certain pages. How could I "trust the process" or the image when I was working with some imagery that wasn't mine?

When I spoke with Cait recently, nosotros re-confirmed our goals for the shared journals. We both accept that our journal might come back completely different. I also sense that there'due south a give and take to this procedure. Some of Cait's pages will remain untouched, some will meld elements of both our art, and some will modify completely.

When I sent my journal to Cait, in that location were images to which I felt attached, simply I made a conscious determination to welcome their transformation, because the beauty of the shared journal is creating with and in reaction to, another artist'due south art.  You can see a sneak peek of what Cait'due south doing in my journal here.

It'south amazing to see the transformation of this journal so far, and in that location's so much left to go. The very first prototype at the elevation of this post shows Cait'south journal as it was when it arrived to me, with the exception of a few details and the "flags." Every bit you look through the images, go along in mind that some pages line up exactly while others just overlap in sections.

These pages took their time in revealing themselves to me, and inverse the nigh.

Roofing over everything in white gesso took a big leap of organized religion, but once I did it, and allowed the ink and paint to run, I knew the piece was moving in the right management. I detect these black and white lines both creepy and intriguing. Those circuitous reactions are e'er a sign that I've striking on something of import, and am getting the inner critic out of the manner. I think we can't be besides afraid of our dark parts emerging in our fine art, and the critic will edit them out if you lot let her, so don't! If the dark parts actually scare yous, yous can always cover them, tear them, bury them, burn them, or write all over them until they no longer affright you.

[bctt tweet="Make art that scares you. Then y'all'll know you're on the correct rail."]

Here's a different section where Cait started with collage, paint, gesso, aureate leaf, pencil, and gouache, I believe.

Practise you lot encounter the mitt and the toes in the right side page higher up that Cait fabricated? I saw those in pencil and decided to outline them with Micron pen. Information technology'due south a little hopeful and a little creepy, like someone reaching out of the abyss. I similar information technology. I'chiliad also really into that doggie peeking out from on top of the trees. Do y'all see him? Wily little bugger! I tin't wait to see what Cait does with all of this when she gets it back!

[bctt tweet="Trusting the process ways letting become and letting the fine art direct you, not the other fashion around."]

I also started some new pages on the back side of the journal. Who knows where these will go once I mail service the journal back to Cait in a few weeks…

To see a little video tour of my periodical, click here.

As always, I'd honey to hear your thoughts on the process, the piece, and how you might kickoff a shared journal with someone in your life.

If you are looking for more than guidance in your art journaling work, cheque out my online art classes page here. 21 Secrets Leap 2022 releases on Apr 1st, you don't want to miss this edition!

If you are obsessed with this moleskin periodical the way I am, you can find it here*.

*This is an affiliate link. It ways that if yous follow it and cull to brand a purchase, you'll back up the creative person empowerment piece of work I'1000 doing at Mindful Art Studio at no extra cost to you. Happy Creating!

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