Daring to Dream in 2012!

from my current art journal, Valerie Sjodin copyright 2012

This year I am choosing to act on my Dreams. Even seeing that in print sounds scary. I've been asking myself, "What if I dare to dream and then take action?"

I have been reading the book Dreaming with God by Bill Johnson. It's my second time through and this time my daughter and I are reading it and talking about it.It is excellent! Last week she said, "Mom, let's write our dreams down and share them with each other." She said it so enthusiastically that I didn't say what first came to mind, which was, "I can't do that! They're too outrageous, too big, "out there"…" Instead I responded with, "That sounds like a good idea." So I pray, keep reading, take notes, journal, pray…. Maybe God wants me to trust Him for the impossible through me….

There is something about writing our dreams down that feels like the first commitment to act on them. It actually is an act of faith itself to give an affirmative and visual voice to what God has placed in our hearts to do with Him.

For the past few weeks it feels like I've been in a wrestling match, fighting and pushing through and past the inner critic, the failed attempts, the feelings of inadequacy. But now there is light at the end of the tunnel, a breakthrough and a deeper realization that God really does love me and it has nothing to do with what I do. I am so grateful! And free to explore without judging myself or what I produce. I can let go and dare to dream. What are your dreams?

The podcast below really encouraged me so I'd like to share it with you.
Empowering to Live Our Dreams by Tim Ferris

Valerie Sjodin 2012 copyright

Art Journaling Workshop Winter 2012

The image above is from that very art journal and reflects my hope for the year and the direction of the art journaling workshops that start February 15th in my studio in HIllsboro, Oregon. Currently I am focusing on the process of "play" and have thrown "shoulds" to the wind. It is quite freeing and has let me loosen up and prompted me to make new journaling prompts to share.

In the workshop we will begin by painting papers (some new techniques too) including: shaving cream painting, painting tissue paper for translucent color, starch painting etc. Some are shown below:

In the post just before this one it gives a good idea of one of the processes we will be going through in the class.

Here's some more info:

Plan to play while you learn during this 6-session weekly Art Journaling Workshop. 

Techniques taught include:

•  Painting collage papers & backgrounds 
•  Using acrylic paints and mediums 
•  Making silhouettes & stencils 
•  Combining doodling and text 
•  Applying transfers 
•  Assembling collages
•  How to work on more than on 2-page layout spread at a time  

Information:

•  Written step-by-step instructions, and journaling tips & prompts are included
•  Supply list provided of materials to bring (Email me if you are interested and I will send you the list)
•  Price: $200 + $10 supply fee which includes:  Spiral Watercolor Pad size 7” x 10”, sheet of 9” x 12” film and card stock for cutting stencils, stenciling sponge, paper for painting papers, freezer paper for drying papers, painting paper materials to use in class   
•  Dates & Times for weekly classes: 

        February 15th - March 21st 2012 on Wednesdays: 

        Wednesday Mornings from 9:30 am-12:30 pm 

        Wednesday Evenings from 6:30 pm-9:30 pm

This workshop is designed to renew and refresh the creative spirit of adults and teens in a fun, safe retreat-like setting. Suitable for all levels of artistic ability and experience.

Deadline to sign up is February 1st, 2012

Blessings of hope and peace to you!

Valerie Sjodin

Artist & Workshop Facilitator

www.valeriesjodin.com

A New Year, A New Journal Step-by-Step

I'm starting a new art journal reflecting a new phase in my life. I'm throwing out any rules. I'm not starting at the beginning. I'm going with the flow. Here is a step-by-step process for a two-page spread from the middle of this journal in progress. 

After loosely coating the pages with gesso I added paint with quick broad strokes of 

raw umber and transparent red iron oxide while the gesso was still wet.

After the first layer dried I added a wash of Manganese Blue Hue around the edge

 and blotted it with a paper towel. When it dried I went through my pages and put ideas with post-it notes.

Then I cut strips of painted papers, along with 

map and music pieces and placed them along the bottom edge.

TRUST is my theme for this page so I traced around a stencil and cut the letters out. 

Then glued them on with matte medium.

I outlined the letters with a permanent drawing pen and wrote the text. 

It came together pretty fast after that by adding paint around the letters and some dabs of watery paint making some circles and loosely outlining them with pen. 

Here is the other side of the two page spread. 

I treated it exactly the same way for the background. 

Then I traced around a stencil I had made of myself.

Then I traced and cut the same shape out of some music.

Next I used a torn paper technique using matte medium and masking tape 

that I learned from Claudine Helmuth

This page was finished like the one across from it with pen outline and paint. 

Then I added some stamped words. 

These are some of the techniques I teach in my art journaling workshops.

www.valeriesjodin.com