Oscraps

I have been told by some people that art journaling is hard for the first time because you don’t know your “style”. I digital scrapbooking, we all fall into categories of what we like or what we are comfortable with producing. If this is you, I’d like to challenge you to find a style you like and then just practice!!! The only way you are going to enjoy and get good at Art Journaling is to do it. I studied about it, looked at other people’s pages, and just tried to figure out what I wanted to do, but nothing fell into place until I first opened up Photoshop, got a blank page and started throwing elements and ideas on paper.

Here are some ideas for you to think about as you find what style might interest you:

Yes, it is important to look at other people’s work! Go to the Art Journaling gallery at oScraps, or other scrap sites. Use Pinterest, and put Art Journaling in the search box. You will find so many examples of pages and styles to try!

It’s also important to think about what your aims are. Do you want to be journaling your feelings? Do you want to make ATC cards? Do you want to be hybrid and print up some didi-goodies and use real paste and paper? What are your aims? Do you want to be messy? What grabs your heart and attention?

Practice, Practice ,Practice!!! I remember when I first started out, I was both embarrassed and so so thrilled with my page all at the same time. I had to remind myself that I am just learning – and mistakes are how you learn! Get sloppy, try new techniques. So what if you fail? Eventually you will get it! Just keep making pages! Make time for yourself to do challenges, to experiment, and to try new things. You might just find some of your favorite pages come from that! This is one page for me. Ona at oScraps had a challenge to use photo filters and grungy up a photo. March Challenge #1 Creative Technique.

Perfect for AJ pages!! Here is my end result!

Besties by Pachimac Susie

Rachel Jefferies Crafty Button Designs | The Struggle is Real
Crafty Button Designs | Gratitude Mini Kit
Crafty Button Designs | Open a New Door Elements 
Crafty Button Designs |  Textuals Overlays
Laitha Art Studio | But First, Coffee Papers
NLD Designs | Time Captured Alpha

I can’t reiterate this enough: BE PATIENT WITH YOURSELF AND THE PROCESS. You know the phrase “Rome wasn’t built in a day.”. Well, Art Journaling is an ART. – and it takes time, practice, and patience!

On another note, we are on to Week 3 of our Art Journaling Challenges on “Balance”

Welcome to Week 3 of the March Art Journaling Challenge. Our word prompt for March is balance. One of my favorite quotes about balance is “Life is a balance of holding on and letting go.” – Rumi  This quote sure does ring true for my life right now. Every day seems to bring ups and downs, highs and lows. Personally, I’m striving to find just a little bit of balance in my hour by hour, day by day life right now. It’s one day at a time, putting one foot in front the other one, at times.

Here’s another quote that seems to speak to me about my life right now: “You have to find balance. You have to keep your feet planted firmly on the ground and not get swept away by the highs or lows.” – Unknown  There’s that “highs and lows” thing again – that seems to my life right now.

As a journaling prompt, you might want to think about “What does balance mean to you in the context of your life right now?”

One of our members Sylvia entered “Balance”

Won’t you join us and show us your art journaling work? We would LOVE to feature your page on our blog!!