≡ Menu

My Muse Gave My Inner Critic a Kick in the Pants

2-butterfly-art-journal-carolyn-dube-600

My inner critic and my muse had a huge fight.  I am happy to say that my muse gave my inner critic a swift kick in the rear end!  And I got to play in my art journal!

butterfly-art-journal-carolyn-dube-275

 

The muse started out just inspiring me to use up leftover paints with a new stencil.  My muse is very accepting and believes play has no rules.

 

 

 

Then the inner critic arrived asking all sorts of questions.

  • Is it good now?
  • Should I have used another color to make it right?
  • Is that too much blue bad?
  • Are the butterflies evenly spaced so that it looks okay?
  • Did I do it right?  Did I do it right?  Did I do it right?

Wow – is my inner critic needy!  I was having such a nice time until that critic showed up.  So my muse, acting like a protective older sister, send that inner critic away!

2-butterfly-art-journal-carolyn-dube-275

 

Then I played!  Sprays and splatters of Color Bloom spray ink,  acrylic paints, Chalk Edgers, more stenciling, anything I felt like using because there are no rules when playing.

 

 

 

3-butterfly-art-journal-carolyn-dube-275

 

Added a touch of stitched Gelli prints on the top right, a Latin flashcard  (tantus) that was randomly picked from the big box of cards, and more pink.

In case you aren’t fluent in Latin, the word tantus means so great or so much.  Hey, wonder if that is related to tantalize…

So my muse is tantus…now who knows if I am using it correctly but she is so great for chasing that inner critic away!

My next newsletter is heading out Sunday to all those signed up.  Not signed up yet? No problem!  You can sign up here and get a free video and pdf too!

Supplies Used

Sharing with my friends at  Paint Party Friday, Creative Every Day, and Art Journal Every Day.

{ 24 comments… add one }

Leave a Comment

  • Corrine July 17, 2014, 6:31 am

    I’ll fly away with you and your muse any day. xox

  • Mary C. Nasser July 17, 2014, 6:57 am

    Beautiful journal spread, Carolyn!

  • Leslie July 17, 2014, 9:28 am

    As always I enjoy your colorful work!! I enjoy how you show us your process, too. What the page looks like at first then the finished product. Thanks for always sharing:)

  • Cynthia July 17, 2014, 12:42 pm

    Love the colors…so serene and peaceful!! And that flashcard is awesome!

  • Jackie P Neal July 17, 2014, 3:43 pm

    Kudos to your muse and to you for letting your colors fly! Always beautiful Carolyn! xo

  • Heather Ferguson July 17, 2014, 6:21 pm

    Love this and those colors are yummy!

  • Liz July 17, 2014, 8:44 pm

    Fantastic Carolyn! I wish that darn inner critic would just stop it already!

  • Janice Phillips July 17, 2014, 10:39 pm

    Love what you do, no matter what “things” you choose to play with! You did a great job with Traci’s stencils – as usual!

  • Ruth L July 18, 2014, 3:22 am

    Love your butterflies Carolyn, and your blues and pinks as well, great job!

  • Debbie July 18, 2014, 8:41 am

    Great post! Your butterfly page is lovely. I know what you mean about the inner critic. I’ve been working on painting in acrylic lately, and for some reason, this medium brings out my inner critic more than I like.

  • Katie @ASouthernLadysR July 18, 2014, 10:09 am

    very pretty page I love all the layers

  • Susan Carol July 18, 2014, 1:09 pm

    I like your inner muse!!!!! I’m going to sign up for your newsletter. Love how your playing turned out

  • Linda K July 18, 2014, 1:50 pm

    really fabulous page Carolyn- that must have been some mighty kick in the pants:):)

  • Jo July 18, 2014, 6:46 pm

    Love the colors in this, Carolyn.

  • faye July 18, 2014, 7:02 pm

    Love the beautiful butterflies, Carolyn.

  • Beth July 18, 2014, 7:34 pm

    I’m glad your muse gave that critic a kick in the pants. lol The muse was right–and what you did is exquisite.

  • Andrea thompson July 19, 2014, 4:02 pm

    Glad you booted that critic, i hate mine, she’s always so annoying!

  • sandra sherman July 19, 2014, 4:40 pm

    Its always a joy to see the process of your wonderful work Carolyn, Thanks for sharing 🙂

  • Nicole/Beadwright July 19, 2014, 6:10 pm

    ohhh I like this very much. You did good you and your muse

  • Cath Sheard July 19, 2014, 9:56 pm

    So glad the muse won Carolyn.

  • froebelsternchen July 21, 2014, 8:36 am

    awesome Carolyn! Love it!

  • Tommy McDonell July 29, 2014, 2:41 pm

    Cool. And great new blog.

  • Marjie Kemper July 30, 2014, 10:55 am

    As my friend Catherine say, “Ain’t nobody got time for ‘dat!” Push that critic out the door, girlfriend. Your pages are fabulous!

  • Jeannie August 9, 2014, 8:27 am

    I love that you gave your muse a name! I’m naming mine Moria. Thanks!