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Let’s Play with an Ugly Art Journal Page

Giving this art journal page a do over as part of the Let's Play video series and it didn't turn out the way I expected! Let's Play Video series all about how to rediscover play again!

Is everything always pretty when I play?  Nope! This week’s Let’s Play video is proof of that!  It all started when I gave myself permission to change my mind about this page.  I thought it was finished when I made it long ago, but it didn’t feel that way any more.

So I added to it…and now I really don’t like it.  And that’s okay with me.  You’ll see why at the end.

What is Let’s Play?  It’s all about rediscovering the ability to play. Each month I share a specific strategy that helped me rediscover how to play.    This month I am sharing how I allow myself to change my mind on my art journal pages.

Be sure to get entered in this month’s $50 giveaway to Michaels by leaving a comment and there are ways to get even more chances- check out the end of this post).

Watch A very ugly art journal page on YouTube.

Want to see more Let’s Play videos? You can find all the weekly posts here.

Here’s the page I started with that I just thought was yuck as I flipped through my journal.  I definitely don’t love every art journal page I’ve ever made.Video sharing how to redo an art journal page with Carolyn Dube

It just needed more color so a touch of purple and yellow and green and blue gave it some more pop.  But it still needed something more.

Video sharing how to redo an art journal page with Carolyn Dube

To create the wind howling in the background,  I used Mary Beth Shaw’s stencil. This is the only thing I love about this page right now.

Video sharing how to redo an art journal page with Carolyn Dube

I’ve stopped for now with this page.  I call it one giant O.O.P.S.- an Outstanding Opportunity Presenting Suddenly.  It didn’t turn out as I had hoped but there is no time limit on my art journal page so I’ll come back to it and keep adding layers.  Usually when there is an OOPS it ends up taking me someplace far better than I had imagined.  Just might take a few layers.

So if you’ve ever made an art journal page and you’re just not happy with it give yourself permission to change your mind and do something else to it.  I know I’ll be doing something else to this page!

Now you’ve seen my play- I’d love to see yours!  Share it with us all in the Facebook group here.


This months way to rediscover how to play is all about changing your mindWant to see more Let’s Play videos?
You can find all the weekly posts here.

There’s also a change to how Let’s Play is happening starting this month.  I’ve listened to your feedback about how and where you’d like to share your play.   Instead of the link party as in previous months, we’ll start sharing it in the Facebook group called A Colorful Place to Play.   In fact, lots of you are already sharing it there!

What about the monthly giveaways?  The monthly giveaway is conintuing – just leave comment to be entered and one winner each month will be chosen by random.org.  Want more chances to win the $50 gift certificate?  Pin any of the images from the page or share about it on Facebook- then come back and leave a comment telling me what you did and you can have more chances to win!Giveaway closes the Monday, May 30th at 8am EST and the winner will announced on the blog!

Why did I choose to switch to the FB group?  It allows for more people to comment and encourage and interact which was one of my hopes for Let’s Play.  I looking forward to seeing your play!

Here are the supplies I used. Some of these links are affiliate links which means I get a small percentage. It doesn’t cost you anything extra and you are helping me keep this blog and my videos ad free! Thank you- I don’t like ads any more than you do!

{ 13 comments… add one }

Leave a Comment

  • Suz May 17, 2016, 8:38 am

    Sometimes play leads to more play. Is that a good thing? I think so. Who doesn’t like to play?
    Funny how our expectations just don’t come to fruition sometimes. Fun to watch you play, Carolyn.

  • Kelly Belton May 17, 2016, 9:42 am

    So funny to see this today – I had exactly that kind of oops last night! I left it open on my desk and walked away – maybe next time a different creative spark will inspire a page I like. If not – oh well!

  • Isaya May 17, 2016, 1:50 pm

    We’ll … I like thé colors on this page a lot.. but I agréé that it needs more … Good luck finding what ???

  • D.Ann C May 17, 2016, 2:08 pm

    It’s fun to watch your process and watch something change radically. I look forward to watching it change again.

  • Kathy May 17, 2016, 4:12 pm

    Altho you know it’s true, so nice to see you’re not the only one with oops pages!

  • Caro Lef May 17, 2016, 5:12 pm

    Haha, this is how my first ever canvas is going. It has so many layers and is soooo ugly! I will persevere.

  • Jennifer Crumrine May 17, 2016, 5:41 pm

    I reserve the right to change my mind.
    So much of who I am, factors on did I eat breakfast today. How much coffee is in the veins. I do like to go back to something I hate and see if I can do something else with it. If not. Gesso is our friend.

  • Valerie May 17, 2016, 5:59 pm

    I am slowly embracing the fact that it is OK to play and to change my mind – or to just let imperfections go.

  • Judy Hodges May 18, 2016, 7:52 am

    It makes me feel better to see that your art work is not perfect. I make lots of ugly art journal pages. I guess I’ll gesso over them and see what happens. Thanks.

  • Ann Printup May 18, 2016, 10:22 am

    Play? I just need to read your blog and I get an inspiration to play!! I wish Cincinnati was closer. I’d love to take one of your in-person classes.

  • Susie Bentz May 18, 2016, 5:42 pm

    Thanks for keeping it real – my experiments don’t always work out but I usually learn a lesson from every “oops”. I actually have a couple of mini canvases that I had tucked away because I didn’t like where they were going. I am trying to reinvent them right now. I will share before and after pics on Facebook – if I get to an “after”!! 🙂

  • Kara Beth May 19, 2016, 7:27 pm

    I am late to the party this month! I like the switch to fb and I am so thankful for the inspiration from you Carolyn! 🙂

    • Carolyn Dube May 20, 2016, 11:54 am

      Never a time limit on play Kara! Glad you’re liking the FB group too!