Do you have an art journal? A notebook or a fancy hard cover book filled with your drawings and paintings. I love starting a new project, loving the color I mixed, then using the leftover paint to add a pop of color to a painting on another page.

In this post, I’ll share a few of my art journal pages. Then I’ll share why it is important to give yourself time to explore ideas and wander around in your art journal.

My white and pink wildflowers

I had leftover paint and wanted to simply make marks on the page. This is a simple painting, but I love the colors. Maybe I’ll add a border on the top of the page with a stencil. Maybe!

Here is another painting that I have been back and forth with.

I repainted the vase two or three times. Then it was various strokes and various colors for the flowers. Oh, and we must not forget about the leaves. Each layer, each mark made my flower painting unique. I like the white textured lines on the vase.

Layering can sometimes give you a whole new world of possibilities. I love flipping through my art journal to make marks here and there. You learn. You work. You grow.

I’ll be painting on large paper too. I wonder what that will be like. I am used to painting on 9 x 12 watercolor paper. My current journal is 7 x 10. I want a new journal and fluorescent paint. I still haven’t forgot about this empty watercolor palette that I want. I am not liking the metal one I have.

That is another benefit of having a journal. You learn what works and what doesn’t.

Here’s to all of our painting adventures. Our work is not good or bad. I once read that the purpose of art is to make others appreciate life more. Oh, and that reminds me of an Austin Kleon assignment. Stay alive, get weird. That is from his weekly newsletter.

Thanks for reading. Comment if you like. It is always fun to chat about art and learn new ideas. I’d love to see your work!

Interested in more painting ideas and talk? Subscribe to my blog and be part of a garden where wildflowers grow. I do like the sound of that!

With Love, Mireya