This month, we will be focusing on altered books as our medium, and we will be sharing some inspirational ways to alter books and materials to make art journals.
We'll also be posting one prompt each week, usually on a Friday, but you know how life goes sometimes. For this reason, we're sharing them all at the bottom of this post so you can refer to them whenever you feel like it.
The first example comes from our beloved Misty. In the video below, she talks us through how she altered the book titled King Arthur and His Knights. It's worth a watch to see how the spreads came together.
You can pick up old books from thrift stores, yard sales, or anywhere that sells books. And as with all art journaling, there are no rules about how you work in an altered book.
Some people choose to tear out all of the pages and make new signatures, but others work with the book's original pages and turn them into beautiful art.
The second style of altered book we suggest is reworking your old art journals. You heard right: pick a journal from your collection, start re-working the pages, and see what new magical art you can create.
Misty has been busy and has shared with us a few more videos on the theme of altered books. She's used junk mail, she's crocheted the spine of a book, and she's shared her My Stay at Home book which is a chronicle of her art life during the pandemic which she made by using an old book cover and bound her own signatures into it.
All amazing examples of how you can alter books for art journals.
@tanyaleekahler has also shared with us a flip through of a journal made a while ago using a travel guide from a city she visited on holiday.
Prompts for the month
1. Use it up:
Gather Your Stash: Start by selecting items from your art supply collection that you’ve been holding onto—scraps of paper, leftover paint, cherished materials, or any special supplies you’ve been saving. Choose a variety that excites you.
Reflect and Release: Take a moment to reflect on why you’ve been saving these items. What makes them special or precious to you? Write down a few thoughts about your attachment to these materials and give yourself permission to use them fully in your art.
Create a Collage: Use the items you’ve chosen to create a vibrant, eclectic collage in your journal. Allow yourself to experiment with different combinations and arrangements, celebrating the beauty of your saved materials.
Incorporate Layers: Think about how you can layer your materials to create depth and texture. For example, paint over scraps of paper, use fabric swatches as background elements, or integrate old sketches into new artwork.
Embrace Imperfection: As you work, embrace any imperfections or unexpected results. The focus is on liberating your precious supplies and letting go of perfectionism. Allow your creativity to flow freely, guided by the materials you’ve cherished.
Document the Process: Write about your experience of using these treasured items. How did it feel to finally use them? Did it change the way you approach your art? Reflect on this process and how it impacts your creative practice.
This prompt is all about honoring your art supplies and embracing the joy of using what you’ve been saving. Let go of hesitation and create with abandon, celebrating the freedom of transforming your precious materials into something new and meaningful.
2. Change
Find a quiet moment to reflect on the transition between seasons. Think about how the change from one season to another affects you—what emotions, colors, or sensations come to mind?
Visual Representation: Create a piece of art that symbolizes the shift from one season to the next. Use colors, textures, and symbols to convey the essence of the change. For example, if transitioning from summer to fall, you might use warm oranges and browns, and incorporate imagery like falling leaves or ripe fruit.
Sensory Exploration: Write a short paragraph or a few lines about what you experience with each season. What do you see, hear, smell, and feel? Use this sensory description as inspiration for your artwork.
Personal Connection: Reflect on how the season change impacts your mood or daily life. Does it bring new energy or a sense of calm? Include elements in your art that represent your personal experience with this transition.
Seasonal Elements: Incorporate physical elements into your art, such as pressed leaves, fabric swatches, or snippets from magazines, to give a tactile dimension to your journaling.
Combine these elements to create a page in your art journal that captures the magic and transformation of the changing seasons, celebrating both the natural world and your own unique journey through it.
3. Community
Define Community: Start by reflecting on what community means to you. Is it your family, friends, a local group, an online network, or something else entirely? Write down your thoughts on what makes this group special and how it supports or influences your life.
Visual Expression: Create a collage or mixed-media piece that represents your community. Incorporate symbols, colors, and images that reflect the essence of this group. This could be a representation of gatherings, shared experiences, or even abstract elements that evoke the feelings of connection and support.
Personal Impact: Think about how your community helps you in your art journaling practice. Does it provide inspiration, feedback, or encouragement? Illustrate how these aspects of community have impacted your creative journey. This might be depicted through quotes, drawings of people who inspire you, or representations of shared projects.
Interaction and Exchange: Reflect on a specific moment or interaction within your community that had a positive effect on your art or your creative process. Include this memory in your journal, using both words and imagery to capture the significance of that experience.
Gratitude and Connection: Create a section in your journal dedicated to expressing gratitude for your community. This could be a visual “thank you” card, a list of names and their contributions, or a heartfelt note about the role they play in your life and art.
Use this prompt to deepen your appreciation of your community and explore how it nurtures your creativity and personal growth.
4. Quotes
Select a Quote: Choose an inspiring quote that resonates with you. It can be from a famous figure, a literary work, or even a personal saying. You could use the quote by Maya Angelou: “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated.”
Visual Interpretation: Illustrate the essence of the quote in your art journal. Use colors, shapes, and textures to convey the emotions or messages it evokes. For instance, with Angelou’s quote, you might depict a phoenix rising from the ashes, symbolizing resilience and strength.
Personal Reflection: Write a brief reflection on why this quote speaks to you. How does it relate to your own experiences or challenges? Incorporate this reflection into your artwork, perhaps through handwritten text or a symbolic image.
Creative Expansion: Explore how this quote might inspire different aspects of your creative practice. Create a visual representation of what overcoming defeats looks like to you, or use the quote as a starting point for a series of small sketches or doodles.
Incorporate the Quote: Find a way to integrate the quote into your art. This could be through a calligraphic design, a collage element, or simply by writing it into your page as a focal point.
By having a go at this prompt, you’ll not only deepen your connection to the quote but also explore how its wisdom can inspire and enhance your art journaling journey.
As always, we love to see your beautiful artwork, so don't forget to share it with us on Instagram - @united_artists_collective.
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