From My Art Journal: 3 weeks and Waiting

I thought I'd try something different with my Art Journaling for a bit.  I usually work in sketch books, because I can get one with heavy enough paper to handle all the abuse I do to it, but I came across a really lovely old book at the library sale last weekend, and felt inspired to try some altered book work with my journal pages.  I've never really done altered book and am excited to try something new.  The book is called "Art Stories" (seriously, that is what it is called), written in 1935, and has the sweetest illustrations and children's stories about art.

It was meant to be.  I wasnt really sure when I would start working on it, since I had so much going on in my home life and a million things to list on etsy for the holiday season before I had this baby, and so tucked it away on a shelf, but then I came across this post about self promotion as an artist yesterday and it REALLY hit home for me.  Did any of you see it yet?  I found the message really powerful, and realized that the pressure to keep promoting my art was taking more time and space in my life than actually creating it (which is what I really love).  So this morning I waded my way through my art room (which is currently a storage space for all my bins from the last art show), pulled out my paints, oil pastels, and alcohol inks, and started playing.  The theme ended up being about my official arrival at 37 weeks pregnant today, giving me about 3 more weeks to wait until this lovely little boy arrives.  Here's a quick tummy shot.  Yes, I am wearing a zebra print tank and PJ pants with a sport bra.  I am down to only 2 pairs of pants that fit and maybe 4 shirts, and sport bras are all I can stand to wear underneath right now, so fashion is not exactly a top priority. 

I am still feeling good, doing regular activities and exercise, I just get really tired very fast.  I am also getting a little impatient.  I have never really been very good at transition.  I just want to get the changes in my life over with and start the new chapter.  I hate waiting for a major change that is almost here but not quite yet.  It's like you have no idea what to do.  I want to focus on my last few days of just the 3 of us as a family, but then don't want to be too detached from preparing for the impending birth and labor process about to happen to me.  I also have a TON of work still to get the house ready for baby boy's arrival, but no energy to do it like I want to right now.  So instead I Art Journal and purge out all the nervous energy and unsure feelings.  It really helps.  I dont actually get anything else done, but I feel better.  Here is my first spread completed in the book. 

I had to glue several pages together to give the surface enough sturdiness to work on with paint and inks, but that is kind of standard practice when working in altered books.  Isnt the original illustration on the right adorable?!  I couldnt stand to paint over it.   

Any of you tried this medium before for journaling?  I'd love to hear about what you liked, disliked about it.  What worked well and see any pics if you got them.  In fact, I am currently looking for anyone who wants to do a guest post about art journaling, (share some of your pages and tell the stories about their content or how you created them).  Just send me an email and we'll chat! feedyoursoulart@gmail.com  Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

XO, HARMONY