For this art journal spread, I decided to try something that I don’t normally do with my art.. reuse my own art! The flower at the top left corner is actually a scanned and printed copy of part of one of my originals. It turned out pretty well, but I was missing the usual texture of a painting, so I took some white and re-outlined the flower. This is a very simple way to get the creative juices flowing in a project: have a look at some old work and see what inspires you, maybe you can incorporate the theme or colour palette into a new work.

On this spread I first did a whole lot of streaky green paint in the background. I like it, but it was a bit much, so I toned it down with the apricot around the edges. I think that colour combination actually works really well together.

The pansy at the top of the page was giving me trouble. It was a printable from Everything Art, but I was trying to make it my own. I added some paint, which didn’t look great, and then I drew in the center with a black Posca pen, which I also don’t love, but sometimes you just need to move on. Maybe inspiration will strike down the road, and maybe it won’t, but for the most part I really enjoy everything else on these two pages.

At the top right I incorporated a picture of a crocheted doily with a pink background. This was a printable that I believe I purchased as a digital file from Etsy. There were lots of great doilies in that pack, but another cool find that I was reminded of is a book a doilies and lace by Memories of a Lifetime called Lace Images, which also comes with a cd full of printables, and it chock full of lovely vintage images and lace patterns to cut out and use for art journalling. This was something I found at the thrift store, so remember, you don’t have to spend a lot to find cool stuff for your journal! I am always on the hunt for vintage flower guides, doilies, and decorating magazines when I pop into a thrift store. Inspiration springs up everywhere!