I love starting my journal with my word for the year. At the end of the year it’s always a reminder of what I’ve set out to do and work on.
This year feels a little different for so many reasons and I struggle with my word but knew that this was my work for myself.
Most often when I choose a word it’s for all areas of my life (business, family etc.) This year though, this word is just for me.
A very personal journey for myself this time. As I did my last page in my journal a couple of weeks ago I knew what the word would be, I did a little research (cause that’s how I’am) and realized just how much “Softness” I need in my life.
I share all about it and this journal page in the video, I hope you enjoy it!
You are loved!
Supplies used:
- My handmade journal – I have a free tutorial here to show you how
- Liquitex fluid matte medium
- Utrecht gesso
- Winsor & Newton acrylic burnt sienna
- Grumbacher acrylic alizarin crimson and pale pink
- Liquitex acrylic ivory black
- Arteza acrylic gray
- Liquitex acrylic ink transparent raw umber, titanium white
- Gallery oil pastels in olive green and teal
- black soft pastel
- Gernerals charcoal pencil ex. soft
- Collage papers from the stash
Stencils used: THESE WILL BE ON SALE THIS WEEK
This will be free for you to download in the subscriber resource library – If your not a subscriber you can sign up HERE
Great Art journal page and great conversation !! Thank you so much Shawn.
Thanks Evelyne… Hugs and love!
Love this piece. We must take time for ourselves. Sending light and love to you and your family at this time of crisis. Remember, you are loved.
My word is Grateful
Have a safe and wonderful week.
Sue thank you so much!
My Sunday morning ritual: get up early, a big cup of coffee and Shawn Petite. Loved watching you create a beautiful page which was very soft, but also grungy layers. I especially like watching you mix colors on your palette since I find that difficult. Wishing you much SOFTNESS in 2022. *I’ve started doing my journal work on flat sheets of paper 16″ X 16″. In a regular folded journal, if a piece turned out great, it had a fold down the center and couldn’t become a painting. I hold my larger sheets together with clips and can always fold them into an 8″ X 8″ journal at the end of the year. Thanks always for your membership workshops and Sunday Inspiration. “Always know that you are loved”.
Libby that’s a great idea for you to do your journal work on flat paper! Thanks Libby, so glad you are here and have share so much of the journey with me!!
Shawn, are you working wet on wet or drying the pages off camera? I’ve watched the video re: printing on tissue paper and still don’t get the hang of it. My printer jams up. I’ve started using your “words stencils” and stamping my words on tissue that way. Thanks for all your expertise.
Libby, A lot of times I dry off camera and did do that for this piece as I was putting the first layers of paper and tissue down. When I mixing paint a lot of times I work wet on wet unless I don’t want the paints to mix and then I will dry.
Great piece! Love the colors you used. So … well …. soft!! Softness is a great word. and something I’ve been contemplating and practicing for a number of years now — with varying degrees of success. My struggle with it is that there’s an internal association — for me — with exposure and that feels frightening. If I’m soft then that puts me in a position of being open to something harmful. Said another way: if I’m the opposite of soft then I feel protected. It’s been quite a journey for me and so incredibly insightful (meeting subconscious parts of myself). This year what’s up for me is “safety”. It relates to my exploration into softness and faith. May your journey this year into the world of softness be meaningful and insightful to you. Happy New Year and thank you, Shawn.
Debbie, I completely understand what your talking about because I too feel that. If I’m soft I’m not safe. If I’m vulnerable someone could hurt me. But it is definitely a journey and a practice to get there and I’m not there yet. But that is my work this year. To take off my mask, allow myself space to be soft. So glad you are here and I pray for your continued journey into the soft and genuine parts of you.
Shawn…. I agree with Libby in that I get excited on Sunday morning (while drinking my coffee) to see what video you will share with us. I love all of them and just love to see your process. I, too, am confused about printing on tracing paper. I ordered 8 1/2 x 11 paper and when it arrived, it is NOT exactly that size. Could you share the brand of tissue paper you use and where we can get it? Again…. thank you for your videos, your inspirational words, and sharing all of you with us. Have a wonderful day and I look forward to hearing where I can get the proper tissue paper.
Hi Holy,
I get my tissue paper from the dollar store. It’s the tissue that you use to put in gift bags. I then cut it into 8×10 pieces so that I can then tape it onto my copy paper. If your paper is not printing, make sure that you are printing on the dull side of the tissue and you can use a stiffer paper (40lb card stock) or more whatever your printer can handle. I hope this helps. Thanks so much for being here!
Thanks, Shawn. I too look forward to Sundays when I can view your beautiful work and hear your beautiful words. You make my day! Thanks for your generous teaching style. You are loved!
Thanks Sue! I’m so glad you’re here!
Thanks for being so real and beautiful in your messages and in your art…
You make a difference for Good…
May the LORD bless it all back to you…He hears your hearts cry…and will answer you…
Hugs and Prayers
Thankfully yours…Bev
Oh Bev what a sweet heart you are! Thank you so much for your encouraging words. I know that HE will answer my call and my hearts desires. Hugs and love!
Another lovely piece Shawn – I think my word for this year will be Home. I’ve waited over 10 years to get back home to my beloved country of Wales and we managed it in October 2021. Already I can see my journals changing from the desperation of not loving where I lived to the optimism and hope and grounding I now feel. And Oh I hear you about the getting older bit – I’m at the stage where I’m letting the grey take over – I’ll be 60 this year – eek when did that happen. But thankfully in this day and age 60 is the new 40. We will all keep reminding you that your word for the year is softness and to go easy on yourself. Have a good week.
Fiona, Oh how happy I am for you to be HOME. I love what you are receiving from home too! Yes, I’m right there with you I’ll be 57 this year… I just don’t feel 57, most days :). I’m easing my way into softness… Hugs and I’m so glad you’re here! Thank you for always bringing light to my world!