Art Journaling Workshop: Personal Journeys
Here is one of the journals I demonstrated in for the workshop using techniques we did in class
The spirit in the studio was celebratory as women spanning 60 years in age, and a wide range of art-making experience, worked and played with paint, color, doodling and collage. Just like the last summer weekend workshop, each journal was as different as each person. I love that people feel free to express and explore. Every class has its own dynamic and it seemed like the collective theme of this one was each person expressing a season of their life, such as paring down and focusing with "less is more", exploring colors that express "me" right now, unfolding of a new phase, retiring and planning dreams, going through cancer and healing, praise, and putting into visual expression a personal spiritual journey. Words like: restore, reflect, relax, renew were celebrated on paper. Colors of hope and joy! Laughter….
I didn't get a good group picture including everyone, and to be honest, most of my photos ended up looking like drive-by blurry pictures, but here are a few snapshots I took with my phone. We had a lovely time and lovely happy results in spirit and in our journals!
Here's what participants said about the summer workshops:
“This workshop far exceeded my expectations of having fun and exploring new areas of creativity…”
“I think the best part of the workshop was the ideas from the demos. I received new tools and inspiration.”
“I got a restart in my creativity. I loved painting papers and begin able to compile a whole journal.”
“The workshop was wonderful: very creative, beautiful, inspiring and encouraging environment.”
“I received inspiration. For me the best part was learning to love the process, seeing that “step one” is not the last step. I loved all of it!”
“I hoped to spend time playing and being with other creative friends. I did! And a new door opened to doodling.”
“I think the best part of the workshop was mixing the painted papers techniques with doing small scale collages on each page; incorporating a bunch of practical journaling techniques and elements in my art. EYE OPENING IDEA!!”
“I appreciated the openness to create with an overall structure.”
“I would definitely do another workshop with Valerie. This was a very memorable class that fulfilled my ideas.”
I just updated my website with current and upcoming events. If you are interested in taking an Art Journaling Workshop and would like to be added to my emailing list for upcoming classes and/or events, please visit my website and email me at