1. Day 1. Write notes on a blank page.
2. Paint over it.
3. Go to the next page.
4. Dry brush the next page.
5. Go to sleep.
6. Open up book again. Draw some lines. or circles. or squares.
7. Take some random scraps and glue them down.
8. Doodle over that.
9. Take a fine marker and write in little spaces.
10. Date the page.
Any questions?
LK
Dear Friends,
I've had a few general questions about my moleskine journal as of late so I thought I'd answer them here for you all. Thank you for writing and asking. Remember though, my number one tip is that you take that plastic wrapper off before you head home. The plastic wrapper is there to protect it during shipping, etc. You aren't suppossed to keep that on for days after you buy it. I know it looks pretty and new, but really, you must take it off to get started. (I'm writing this for those of you who have written to me and admitted buying one, but that's as far as you've gotten). So, today is the day! It's only a wrapper, you can do it. I assure you that once you get started, you will want to work in it every day!
AJG Moleskine FAQ:
Q: What the heck is this "moleskine" thing you are talking about?
A: A Moleskine is simply a brand of a notebook/journal. The Moleskine website has a great description of it's "history" here, everything you would want to know about it and more!
Q: Which Moleskine do you use?
A: I prefer the small Moleskine sketchbook with the purple label and blank pages.
You can buy it through amazon or your local bookstore chain. I buy mine at my local barnes and noble. I am a book club member so I get a small discount and they send me "coups". I usually will use one of these (you can sign up to get the coupons in your email). Sheesh, I can never give a short answer!!
This is the one that I use for everything you see here on my blog and flickr.
Q: What kind of paint do you use in your moleskine?
A: The cheapo acrylic one's from the craft store. Of course, I have my "cheap" favorites. They are FolkArt and I believe the "apple barrell" brand. I'm sure you can find these easily. These are what I prefer...you may like something else completely. Experiment and see what you like. Acrylic paint dries super fast so they are easy to use and the moleskine pages are nice and durable and will take the paint well without wrinkling! I love that about Moleskines!!!
I think those are the main questions. If you have more, just leave a comment and I will try to answer here in this comment thread.
Have a great week! xoxo lia
Have I mentioned that I love, love, love my moleskine journal? Ok, so if you are just tuning in, I have been art journalling for about 3 years or so. I totally pride myself on using what I have available, recycling old books and journals, etc. I never, ever thought it could happen to me...But it did. I have become (cough), a journal snob. Yes, I have. I am ruined for the ordinary. The moleskine journal was the first journal book I completed cover to cover...the first I did not get bored with. The first journal I didn't scream at for buckling after painting in it. The first one I could travel with out of the house. Yes, indeed, I am finishing up journal #4 and daydreaming about waltzing into barnes and noble (with my coupon of course) to adopt my next one. Yesterday, I decided to paint one of my doodle spreads after a faithful artunk reader, DJ, suggested it would look good as a painting. Thank you so much DJ for your encouragement to keep on my painting path. So, I got out mr. moleskine and painted this spread...then I painted another....then another....because, after all, y'all know I can get a little obsessed...So, that being said, here are the pages from my fun painting fest. Hope you enjoy. xo Lia
Dear Friends:
I'm back! I'm tired and dizzy, but happy that we had a great trip together. I will write about my trip soon! Here is a spread I did during the fourth train delay on our way home....(long story)... I also did some spreads about our trip which I will share here soon (also). I surely missed my blog friends while I was gone!! Talk soon, xo lia
I've gotten a little nutty with collaging in my moleskine journal as of late, so the painting has been brushed aside a bit. I've been doing my "lesson" on paint mixing in between journal collaging. I've been workin' in my journal every night....it's a great way for me to relax and express myself. I'm always amazed at how the pages somehow come together and "say" what I want them to...what I'm feeling at the time, without the need of my own handwritten words. It's hard to "splain", but it's very therapeutic for me. I try to pull images and scraps that appeal to me, whilst working fast and not thinking too much about it. I've found some trends over time. I feel that these pages have helped me learn more about myself and what dwells in my heart. So, that being said, I will be back with more painting soon...I'm just enjoying the ride in my visual journal right now!! Hope you all are following your bliss and doing what makes you happy. After all, you are the only one that can tell "your story", whether it be by gluing scraps, crafting quilts, or whatever creative pursuit you enjoy...it's capturing a piece of you, and that is a worthy and joyful pursuit. Take care friends. xo Lia
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