Notes about my Creative Process - A Virtual Blog Tour...

Hi friends!  My friend Lee Clements has asked me to participated in a virtual blog tour, which involves answering some questions about my creative process, and I am happy to oblige!  I hope you enjoy this little peek into my world...

1. What am I working on right now?
I am currently working in three different journals, and taking a number of online courses.  (I LOVE online courses!)  Some pages in each journal are prompted by workshop lessons, and some are not.  Here is an overview of each journal, along with workshop links where applicable...

Book of Days:
My book of days is a handbound journal, that is a record of what you might call my "inner world."  It contains a weekly foray into my soul, as well as my daily musings with a visual twist.
(Workshop pages in this book include BOD and Judy Wise Mixed Media Journaling)

My Planner:
I am using a Moleskine XL Planner to create a log of what's happening in my outer world.  Dates, Appointments, weather, etc,  along with weekly challenges from two online groups.
(No Excuses Journaling, The Documented Life Project)

My Creative Practice Notebook:
I am using a  Strathmore Toned Sketchbook for this journal.  This is a new adventure for me - thanks to the Creative Practice workshop taught by Lisa Sonora Beam.  It holds things that inspire me, class notes, ideas, images, etc.  It's not an art journal, but more of a guidebook for my creative journey.

2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?
People tell me they recognize my work by my bright colors and whimsical style.  Emotions and color are the two things that drive my art.  My love for animals, music and the 1970's inspires my creations too.

3. Why do I create what I do?
Creating is my therapy.  It soothes me.  I love the format of mixed media journaling for a number of reasons.  A journal feels like a playground to me.  I love seeing the book fill up and get all fat and chunky.  I love being able to flip through it when I'm done and see the progression of life and learning.  It just plain makes me happy!

4.  How does your creative process work?
After my day job, I usually take a nap.  It provides a division between work and home mode, and a little rest gets me ready to create.  Then I spend the evening in the studio, with the cats, working in my journals.  I don't have a schedule right now as to what I do when.  I just go with my mood.  If I don't have any ideas, or I'm feeling stuck for some reason, I've always got workshop lessons to work on.  If I have an idea I want to try,  or some feelings I want to get out, I will dive in there. 

Next week, the blog tour moves on to these two women who have inspired me for a long time.  Catch up with them on Monday, May 26 at their blogs...

Sharon Fritchman:
Sharon is a nurse by day and an avid scrapbooker by night.  She started scrapbooking about a decade ago when she adopted her second daughter from China and never looked back. She lives with her husband of almost 25 years, 2 daughters, and a pet dog she rescued from the Rottweiler Society.  She loves all kinds of music and worked together with Michelle on the "Scrapping the Music" design team in the past!  Recently, she started getting into some art journaling and mixed media pages after taking some online classes.  And she loves photography, too!

Visit Sharon at her blog:  That Girl Fritchey


Julie Tucker-Wolek:
Julie is a prolific scrapbooker, and very creative at upcyling common items into art. Her blogposts are always filled with beautiful pages and creative ideas!

Visit Julie at her blog:  Life with the Tucker and Wolek Clan 


Thanks so much for visiting me today!  I hope you've enjoyed the tour of my creative process!  Hugs and happy Wednesday!