2019 was a strange year in general, I feel like I didn’t create very much. In January I tried to make a page a day, first with a moleskine journal and then by moving to a postcard diary style – neither lasted long! The rest of the year I made journal pages and art when I felt like it. I created art for Well Inked Box, drew an unusual amount of wrestlers, practiced portraits with inspiration from the Sktchy app, failed to complete the Artist’s Way but kept up with morning pages for a while, failed the Index Card a Day challenge, and documented everyday life such as concerts, current affairs, travel, dreams, and feelings. I also created one portrait as a commissioned piece and three birthday cards for friends/co-workers. Scroll through to view select journal pages and art from 2019, from newest to oldest:
Project Tag: weird art
2018
At the start of 2018, I decided I needed another “small” project to keep up my art practice. I attempted to combine the Awesome Ladies Project Book of Me and “My Day Arted” (which was started by Get Messians). However, instead of using a Moleskine diary for My Day Arted, I created small pieces of art and inserted them into pocket pages as a scrapbook/project life/art journal hybrid. Sadly, the project only lasted for a few months.
For the rest of the year I worked in various journals – I received an Alex Foster notebook and a Pentalic black paper journal through Well Inked Box, a mixed paper journal gifted by Vanessa, and an ALP Story Journal to contribute to the Awesome Ladies Project blog series. I also used a mini Moleskine, a large sketchbook for my “making peace with the past” project, a Field Notes journal, and a junk journal I made out of scrap paper.
I created a couple of pet portrait commissions and some standalone coaster art. I also completed Inktober 2018, creating mini portraits on post-its of my Instagram followers and friends as spooky beings (or in their Halloween costumes)! Scroll through to view select journal pages and art from 2018, from newest to oldest:
2017
I made a LOT of art in 2017. I made art every day as part of Crystal Moody‘s Year of Creative Habits; was a member of Get Messy and took part in 4 seasons (Art 101, Contrast, Color, and Fairytales); I was a Creative Team member for the Awesome Ladies Project, creating journals for the themes for each month, blog posts using the ALP Story Journal and other ALP products to write “letters” to my 18 year old self, and attempted 100 Days of All About Me; I collaborated with Vanessa Oliver-Lloyd and Beatriz Helton; I created and appeared in a number of zines; I had a piece of art appear in an art show; and I was commissioned for pet portraits. Scroll through to view select journal pages and art from 2017, from newest to oldest:
2016
In 2016, I continued using junk journals and experimenting with my style. I started a collaboration with Beatriz Helton, worked in a Moleskine for the first time (and loved it!), continued my Warrior Woman Portrait Project, took part in a fill a journal in a month Tumblr challenge and Art Every Day Month, and joined Get Messy at the end of the year. I also created some art for friends and family, participated in the Sketchbook Project’s portrait exchange, and create ATCs and canvas paintings for myself. Scroll through to view select journal pages and art from 2016, from newest to oldest:
2015
In 2015, my art journal style shifted again. I finished the journal I used to document my move from Wales to California, and then started working exclusively in handmade junk journals. I documented some big moments in 2015 – I traveled around the East Coast of the United States by myself for work, my brother got engaged when visiting me in Los Angeles, and I got married! During the year, I decided I wanted to focus on portraits and I started my Warrior Woman Portrait Project. I also made art for a podcast, created some canvas paintings, and a creepy clown foam head! Scroll through to view select journal pages and art from 2015, from newest to oldest:
2013
In 2013 I was still experimenting with my art journal style. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to focus on drawing or collage, usually settling somewhere in the middle. At this time I was also trying out torn paper collages as morning pages, inspired by Aisling. My pages documented some big changes in my life. In March I decided to take a lone trip across the world to Los Angeles to meet my now-husband – it is still one of the best weeks I’ve ever had! I also moved to mid-Wales for work and documented living alone in a small town and the trials of a long-distance relationship. Scroll through to view select journal pages and art from 2013, from newest to oldest:
2012
In 2012 I moved away from journal prompts and tried to focus on my own voice and style. Most of the pages relate to my time living in Liverpool and studying for my master’s degree. I also started a journal to deal with heavier topics and experimented with mixed media canvas paintings. Scroll through to view select journal pages and art from 2012, from newest to oldest:
2011
In 2011 I continued experimenting with art journaling using prompts from books and Soul Journaling, Connie Solera‘s 21 Secrets and Total Alignment, and being inspired by Teesha Moore. I made journals out of cardboard and scrap paper and tried to find my style. Art journaling helped me through a move to Liverpool and my master’s degree. Scroll through to view select journal pages and art from 2011, from newest to oldest:
