I played today in my handmade art journal and believe it or not I didn’t use any papers…. what! I did use some washing tape, but other than that it was all acrylics and soft pastels with stencils to create some fun and joy.

I’ve been reading a lot of Mary Oliver’s books lately and have just fallen in love with her writing. She is truly and artist painting beautiful pictures with words. What I found throughout her work is how present she is in her day. How she finds joy in the smallest things. How she is completely present in the moment and seeks to find small snippets of beauty. Her journeys most often are seen through joyful eyes and a grateful heart.

I want, no, I yearn to be more like this in my daily life. Some seasons are easy to find the joy in the journey and then there are seasons where it seems almost impossible to find the joy. My prayer is that I can be consistent in all seasons. I’m not seeking perfection, but grace in the journey. To expect that joy will show up when I slow down and focus on being present.

“Don’t hesitate if you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy, don’t’ hesitate. give in to it” – Mary Oliver

My love, find YOUR journey today…. Enjoy the video

Supplies used: Handmade journal, a variety of medium body acrylic paint (cerulean blue, olive green light, quinicridone magenta, carbon black) Deco art media chalky gesso in white, soft pastels, washi tape by scotch and Tim Holtz, charcoal pencil, Stabilo woody, china marker, gel pen in black and white,

Stencils used: sketched flower, geo duo, Mediterranean duo, scribble marks 4, script fave font 1 and 2

Be inspired, create and know that you are loved!

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