≡ Menu

Next post:

Previous post:

The Secret to Art Journaling without Fear

One little word that takes the fear out of art journaling
So how do you get rid of fear when art journaling?  Just say Oops!  What does Oops stand for? Outstanding Opportunities Presenting Suddenly!  Here’s how I use Oops when I art journal to keep fear from limiting my creativity…

Art Journaling without Fear with Carolyn Dube

 

The white was supposed to be pure white and not have streaks of orange in it…a mistake? a terrible turn?  Nope. Just an Oops.

I find it funny that I thought I wanted pure white anywhere on here.  Perfect white would not have looked right at all!

 

Art Journaling without Fear with Carolyn Dube

I am impatient.  I didn’t let everything completely dry before I started stenciling with Unconnected Stencil from StencilGirl Products. Part of  the orange paint in the corner was pulled up.  Oops.  I didn’t know how it was going to work out but I knew it would work out because it was just an Oops, an Outstanding Opportunity Presenting Suddenly.

I went to my next stencil with a clear plan in my head.  The Fishscale Brick stencil from StencilGirl Products was a great way to get a nice light green over the dark blue/green I had.  The color I mixed turned out to not make me happy.  Oops.  Not ruined.  Not a mistake.  Just an Oops.

Art Journaling without Fear with Carolyn Dube

 

Now I wanted some images…the leftover stamped mailman on tissue paper  and another image I had printed on tissue paper went on well and turned out as I hoped.  So I grabbed a printed tissue paper I bought.  Oops.  It was very opaque after I glued it down.  Not what I expected.  A failure? Nope.  An outstanding opportunity that had presented itself suddenly.

 

Art Journaling without Fear with Carolyn Dube

So that Oops that ripped up the orange paint?  A quick wash of a half cleaned out brush and it became a cool pop of color!

That tissue paper that was very white? That same watery brush took the white and made it pink!

That green paint Oops with the Fishscale stencil? Black lines with the Stabilo brought it to a place I loved and that led me to put the lines around the Unconnected Circle stencil.

 

Now when I art journal it is without the fear.  What I used to see as a mistake that often left me feeling defeated, I now see as an Oops, an outstanding opportunity presented suddenly!

 

Join me for a Colorful Gelli Print Party!The July Colorful Gelli Print Party is going strong!  You can check it out here!  Have you Gelli printing?  I’d love to see what you’re printing- link up and join the party!  Here are just a few of the great Gelli happenings in July’s link party.

 

 

http://unterm-sofa.blogspot.com/2013/07/rescued-by-gelli-plate.html

 

Suzanne needed gift wrap so she wrapped the gift, THEN Gelli Printed it!  Genius!

 

 

 

 

http://terrimorse.typepad.com/comfortcottage/2013/07/a-recurring-theme.html

 

Terri shows you step-by-step how she built this colorful and fun page!

 

 

 

There’s still time to enter the giveaway here!  I’ll be drawing on Wed. at noon Eastern time and posting the winner on Thursday!

Linking up with Make It Monday, Mandarin Orange Monday, Creative Every Day, Inspire Me Monday, Glue It Tuesday, Be Inspired, and Create Daily.

{ 37 comments… add one }

Leave a Comment

  • Laura Spano July 7, 2013, 11:04 pm

    This was one of the most inspiring blog posts I have ever read- fun, concise and inspiring. Hope to be as fearless as you in creating. After all, that’s what an art journal is supposed to be- not a finished piece necessarily, but a place to PLAY and find plenty of OOPS moments!

  • froebelsternchen July 8, 2013, 5:07 am

    AMAZING Carolyn!

  • Corrine July 8, 2013, 6:17 am

    That’s what I did at 4 this morning….thanks for this NOW reminder….we all need it and of course I see that unconnected stencil and want it I want it NOW….xox

  • Marcia July 8, 2013, 8:37 am

    This page is gorgeous! Very stunning colors!

  • Marjie Kemper July 8, 2013, 11:12 am

    Fabulous pages! Love that acronym you came up with for your famed Ooops moments. Your pages are so fun and I love your -roll with it- style!

  • Sarah July 8, 2013, 11:41 am

    Lovely art work and I love your definition of Oops! Fantastic!

    Thanks for linking up!

    Sarah @ A Cat-Like Curiosity

  • Sylvia Tabor July 8, 2013, 12:31 pm

    I shall forever view OOPS in a new light!!! Thank you!!!

  • Judy Shea July 8, 2013, 1:17 pm

    Oopsilicous!!! Perfect oops.

  • Rinda July 8, 2013, 1:23 pm

    Great post today – a terrific reminder. I think I’ve heard the term “flopportunities used as well. I think working quickly and not over-planning also helps.
    Rinda

  • Rene July 8, 2013, 2:38 pm

    Fantastic journal! Thank you so much for sharing it with us at MIM!
    Rene ;D

  • valerie-Jael July 8, 2013, 3:15 pm

    Lovely page! I have never been afraid of my art journal, my secret is to just do my own thing without letting myself be over duly influenced by others! Valerie

  • Boo Martin July 8, 2013, 3:20 pm

    Love your definition of Oops and your page.

  • Sandra L. July 8, 2013, 3:39 pm

    Great page! I really love all the bright colors. And I had not seen either of those stencils. Fish scales!!!

    Is the image of the children at upper right something you printed on tissue paper? If so, how do you do it w/o jamming your printer?

    Thanks!

    • Carolyn July 8, 2013, 10:16 pm

      I print with my ink jet printer on tissue paper. I tape the tissue paper down to paper then run it through the printer.

  • monique July 8, 2013, 5:07 pm

    Actualy I love oopses, they teach me to go with the flow of things. I Love how you translated OOPS and it all makes sence now =)
    Love how your page turned out.
    xx

  • Chandra July 8, 2013, 5:18 pm

    Great page! I like how your using Oops as a guide to just work with what you’ve got. This journal page turned out beautiful!
    <3,
    Chandra

  • Kay Wallace July 8, 2013, 5:46 pm

    Perfect acronym for those OOPS moments in our artful pursuits, Carolyn! You have taken a spark and made it truly sparkle! Bravo!

  • Diana Trout July 8, 2013, 7:28 pm

    This post makes me SO happy, Carolyn. OOPS! I’m gonna link it up!

  • Carly Rogers July 8, 2013, 9:18 pm

    I really, really love this post! This is something I’ve come to learn and it has been so valuable. Thanks for sharing!

  • Cynthia Lee July 8, 2013, 10:10 pm

    You should check out the children’s board book, Beautiful Oops. I think it would fit well with your fearless art journaling.

    • Carolyn July 8, 2013, 10:14 pm

      Will do!

  • Cynthia July 8, 2013, 10:20 pm

    Sooooo cool!! I love that each of your Oops-es contributed in a beautiful way to the gorgeous end product! Very inspiring and encouraging–thanks!!

  • Lori July 9, 2013, 3:46 am

    All those oops led to an interesting series of artwork:) And of course, all part of the fun of making art! Thanks for sharing with Mandarin Orange Monday:)

  • Jana July 9, 2013, 5:50 am

    simply awesome 🙂
    Perfect definition of Oops!

    Cheers, Jana

  • Gabriele July 9, 2013, 8:30 am

    Gorgeous colours! And thanks for the tutorial!
    Cheers
    Gabriele 13

  • Amy Putkonen July 9, 2013, 8:50 am

    I just love your colors. A Colorful Journey, no doubt! 😉 How fun!

  • sharon July 9, 2013, 9:08 am

    Loving it NOW Carolyn! What a great colorful piece and explanation, thanks so much, I shall try this without fear approach!

  • Susie LaFond July 9, 2013, 12:43 pm

    LOVE this. Great colors and wonderful composition.

  • Loz July 9, 2013, 1:50 pm

    Fabulous art and colors.. Visited from MIM for a look..Loz

  • storybeader July 10, 2013, 8:31 am

    I love being faced with Oops! Great green fishscale – ohh, the possibilities! {:-Deb

  • Mary Beth Shaw July 10, 2013, 8:59 am

    Excellent post!

  • janice July 10, 2013, 11:22 am

    I love this post, Carolyn. Wonderful perspective…there really are no mistakes! Your page is gorgeous. Enjoy your creative day! -janice (visiting from Creative Every Day)

  • Lizzie Mayne July 10, 2013, 1:19 pm

    Ooooh! Carolyn I am excited to see that you used my fishscale brick stencil from Stencil Girl. I love happy accidents I find that I create a lot of patterns that way. x

  • Patricia July 10, 2013, 8:26 pm

    Beautiful, beautiful page & incredibly inspiring post!

  • marit July 11, 2013, 8:35 am

    I do love your ‘OOPS’ definition and your funky page – awesome! Happy Glue it Tuesday – on Thursday 😉

  • Billie A July 13, 2013, 12:44 am

    I love your journaling. I saw you on MIM. I love this kind of work and I wish I could do it. Im just too tight. It is so hard for me to be free, I know it’s in me to want to do this but when I try I am not free. I love your colors, the subtle design peeking out. I love this. You inspire me.

  • mariegamrber July 14, 2013, 11:56 am

    Beautiful journal cover. I love how you put so much thought into it and it tells your story!

    Hugs, Marie
    http::thejoyofcards.blogspot.com