Jane Davenport's Blog, page 2
March 31, 2025
Let’s Sketch and De-Stress Together with “Get Messy”!
Hello, my creative friend!
I’m excited to invite you to join me in the Get Messy Art Journal membership, where I’ll be teaching my brand-new class, SKETCHERCISE® with Jane Davenport. You might be thinking, “Sketchercise? What’s that?” It’s my playful approach to drawing as a way to relax, unwind, and express yourself freely—no perfection required!
In our time together, I’ll share tips for creating loose, flowing sketches and encourage you to embrace the simple joy of putting pencil (and paint!) to paper. We’ll explore techniques for relaxing your hand, loosening up your lines, and capturing the essence of your subject without getting bogged down in too many details. Think of it like going for a garden walk… only with a pen in your hand and a sketchbook by your side!
Why “Get Messy”?
It’s a warm and supportive art journaling community that offers monthly membership for step-by-step tutorials, live sessions, and heaps of creative inspiration.
You’ll find an encouraging atmosphere where everyone’s free to experiment, share ideas, and grow as an artist—whether you’re brand new or experienced.
As a member, you get access to all sorts of classes (including mine!), plus prompts and projects designed to keep you joyfully creating all year long.
I’d love for you to join me for April in this vibrant, art-loving space!Click here to sign up using my affiliate link: c lick
it’s a wonderful way to dive into art journaling, level up your sketching skills, and give yourself permission to play. Let’s get messy, get sketching, and most of all, get happy together!
Looking forward to seeing your loose, expressive lines in the community soon!
Jane Davenport
Creator of SKETCHERCISE®
You can see more and join using my link: https://getmessyart.com/
March 19, 2025
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Melbourne Pop Up Shop!
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Pop Up Shop!Australia’s spectacular equivalent of the Chelsea Flower Show is held
at the Carlton Gardens next week from March 26 to 30.
This map shows where my stand is (D6).
Although it’s not our first ‘Pop-Up Shop’ it will be our first with our art supplies!
I have even exhibited at MIFGS before… many years ago we exhibited alongside my large-scale outdoor art installations (you may not even know this, but photography of bugs, especially ladybirds, was once my specialty!) .
Exhibiting at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show is a natural extension of my “Creative Garden” philosophy, which celebrates the harmony between artistic expression and nature’s vibrant palette. Just as flowers and foliage spark our imagination with their colour, form, and living energy, our high-quality art supplies empower everyone—garden enthusiasts and art lovers alike—to capture that inspiration on paper.
By placing our pop-up stand amidst the blooms and greenery, we invite visitors to see how tending a garden and creating art both nurture growth, beauty, and personal well-being. Through demonstrations and hands-on experiences, we’ll showcase how our brand’s products can help you translate the splendor of the natural world into sketches, paintings, or mixed media creations, ensuring this extraordinary event becomes a blossoming source of creative wonder for all!
It’s a really beautiful, well run MAJOR event and I absolutely cannot wait to see all the display gardens, flowers and do a little shopping myself! You can see more info on the show here: Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show .
I hope to see many of you there or maybe at a future PopUp nearer you in the future, but we will see how this one goes first .
March 11, 2025
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January 23, 2025
Frida-uary creative challenge!
Frida-uary is a chance to whirl into your creativity with 28 creative prompts inspired by the art, life, and spirit of Frida Kahlo. Each prompt offers a starting point for exploring her world—from personal symbolism and cultural pride, to resilience and love of nature. Feel free to interpret them in any medium or style that resonates with you.
Everything’s Rosy: Frida loved wearing bold lipstick—play with shades of pinks and reds in your art. Try incorporating a confident “pop of color” to capture her fearless self-expression.Revolución: Reflect on a cause that fires up your creativity. Create a piece inspired by Frida’s political passion or the idea of art as a vehicle for change.Los Fridos: Frida mentored young artists who called themselves “Los Fridos.” Celebrate a teacher or guide in your life by making a piece that honors how they’ve shaped your creative journey.Bonito: Pay tribute to Frida’s beloved pet parrot by illustrating a cherished animal companion—or imagine a fantastical creature—using vibrant hues and playful details..Coyoacán: This charming neighborhood was Frida’s soul-home. Depict a place that resonates with you deeply, showing off its character with lively colors and textures.Casa Azul: Frida’s famous Blue House is a must-see for art lovers. Incorporate a vivid blue into your work, or plan a virtual/real-life visit to spark new inspiration.HUEnique gems : Frida often wore chunky, eye-catching jewelry. Play being her jeweller and create bold pieces for her!Selfie: Frida was famous for her unflinching self-portraits. Create your own portrait—literal or metaphorical—that reveals something about you.Frida’s Braids: Practice drawing simple braids adorned with ribbons or flowers.The Broken Column: Vulnerability can be transformed into art and help with acceptance. What personal fraility could you honour in your art?Rebozos & Shawls: Frida frequently wrapped herself in colorful rebozos (shawls). Create a figure draped in a richly patterned shawl.Diego & I: Though their relationship was complex, Diego Rivera was central to Frida’s life. Create an homage to partnership: Draw two symbolic objects intertwined (e.g., paintbrushes, hearts, or flowers) to represent enduring connection.The Two Fridas: Frida’s iconic self-portrait explores identity in dual form. Experiment with contrast—light/dark, past/present, two versions of yourself—to reflect on your inner worlds.Viva la Vida: Inspired by her watermelon-themed painting, celebrate the sweetness of life. Use fruit or other everyday objects to express joy and gratitude.Heart & Banner: In homage to Frida’s symbolic art, sketch a heart and add a scroll or banner around it. Label it with a short word or phrase that inspires you.Unibrow Celebration: Frida famously made her unibrow a signature feature. Celebrate something “unconventional” about yourself or about beauty standards.Floral Crown: Draw inspiration from the floral crowns Frida wore and the rich Mexican folk art she loved. Incorporate bold patterns or blossoms that evoke cultural pride.Letter to the Future: Frida wrote heartfelt letters and diary entries. Write or illustrate a message to your future self, weaving in symbols of hope or growth.Birds of a Feather: Frida adored animals. Sketch, paint, or collage a scene full of winged friends, highlighting freedom and the vibrant energy of flight.Still Life with a Twist: Frida created several still-life paintings. Arrange objects that hold personal meaning and render them with bright, symbolic color.Surreal? Not Me!: Frida insisted she wasn’t a Surrealist. Create a work that teeters between dream and reality, leaving the viewer to decide if it’s fantasy or truth.Frida’s Diary: Frida’s art journal was an intimate glimpse into her thoughts. Combine words, sketches, and splashes of color to capture your current mood or a personal reflection.Fruits of Life: Experiment with painting or drawing richly colored fruits. Let their shape, texture, and color tell a story of vitality or indulgence.Vibrant Textiles: Frida adored bright clothing, often featuring traditional Mexican patterns. Design a swatch of colorful fabric .Monkeys in Motion: Frida’s monkeys often appeared in her artwork. Sketch a playful monkey climbing on a branch or interactively reaching out to you!Collage Kahlo-Style: Combine drawings, photos, and found materials to form a collage. Emphasize symbolic objects that speak to your story or experiences, much like Frida’s layered visuals.Vibrant Blooms: Flowers frequently adorned her hair and her artworks. Very often with symbolic meaning…select a flower from it’s meaning..Frida in Paris: Imagine Frida exploring the streets of Paris during her 1939 visit, with the Eiffel Tower blooming in the background!Upload your art to the Jane Davenport facebook Group!
FridaMania Colour Wheel | Palm-sized,Jewel tones Layercake paint!
Cherry Scented ink! | Frida: bright Scarlet red INKredible liquid watercolour
January 1, 2025
November 6, 2024
Your Creative Sanctuary Awaits: 25% Off Drawing Room Art Journals!
CHANNEL EMOTION INTO CREATIVITY
The air is buzzing with change, and emotions are running high after recent elections. Whether you’re over the moon with the results or feeling down, it’s a vibrant opportunity to channel those feelings into something truly rewarding. Why not express your thoughts and emotions by starting a new art journal?
CREATE A BRIGHT FUTURE
When you are experiencing a whirlwind of emotion, harness that energy!
Express Yourself: Capture your feelings through colors, shapes, and textures.Reflect & Grow: Use your journal to contemplate and document your thoughts on the future, love for family and community.Find Balance: Art can be a calming force, helping you navigate both joy and uncertainty.
PAINT YOUR PEACE
An art journal is more than just a book—it’s your personal sanctuary for creativity. Here’s why it’s so beneficial:
Wellness & Mindfulness: Art journaling can be such a therapeutic practice it allows you to process emotions, reduce stress and feel like your artist self.Skill Improvement: Regularly putting pen, paint, or pencil to paper hones your artistic abilities in a fun, pressure-free way.Pure Fun: There’s no right or wrong in your own journal. It’s a playground for your imagination where you can experiment freely.
START THE JOURNEY
Embarking on this creative path is easier than you think, especially with our ‘Drawing Room’ art journals ( and yes, there is a special offer for you coming up!):
Choose Your Journal: Select from our range to find the perfect match for your artistic style ( Some details of the paper types is below).Gather Supplies: Grab your favorite art tools—be it pencils, paints, or pastels – anything goes in an art journal! Use whatever you have with a smile.Create a Routine: if you can, set aside dedicated time to unwind and let your creativity flow. I keep a few supplies in ‘comfort piles’ dotted around my home so I can journal wherever I feel like it while watching television, having a cup of tea or in my bed.Trust The Mess: Remember, your journal is just for you. Don’t just allow imperfection and mistakes, embrace them and enjoy the process!
ENTER THE DRAWING ROOM
You will find many art journals on my website, but the collection I want to focus on is called ‘Drawing Room’. The name is a playful twist on tradition! Historically, a drawing room was a special place in the home where people entertained guests—a hub of creativity and conversation. Derived from the 16th-century ‘withdrawing room,’ it was a private retreat from the world. Similarly, our ‘Drawing Room’ art journals are your personal sanctuary—a perfectly sized space to draw, dream, and delve into your creativity.
A ‘Drawing Room’ Art Journal is a significant place
just for you, where you can take time to express yourself
and let your imagination soar.
Each ‘Drawing Room’ journal is crafted with a hard cover and filled with the highest quality paper, so you can let your art stretch out! The cover colour reflects the different luscious papers inside. Are you ready to meet these extraordinary art journals?
Dive Deep into Creativity with ‘Aqua-Culture’Unleash the depths of your imagination with a premium art journal designed for artists ready to make waves. With its serene light turquoise cover, the name “Aqua-Culture” is a play on words, drawing inspiration from the practice of cultivating aquatic life. Similarly, the heavy-weight mixed media paper nurtures your creativity, providing the perfect environment for your artistic ideas to flourish.
Whether you’re layering thick acrylics, experimenting with watercolor washes, or sketching with fine ink, ‘Aqua-Culture’ is ideal because it’s not just an art journal; it’s an ocean of opportunity waiting for you to explore!
Get ready to journey through the dimensions of art and imagination with our ‘Back to the Fuchsia’ art journal! This name is more than just a nod to its vibrant bright pink cover—it’s a creative time machine propelling your artistry to new dimensions.
Much like an adventure through past and future, ‘Back to the Fuchsia‘ offers two exceptional surfaces:
The Smooth Side—Sketch the Future: Ideal for precise drawings and detailed sketches, the smooth surface allows pencils and pens to glide effortlessly, bringing your most futuristic ideas to life with clarity and finesse.The Textured Side—Paint the Past: Flip the page to discover a delightful texture perfect for watercolors and other wet media. This side adds depth and character to your paintings, connecting you with timeless artistic techniques.
Step into the mystical realm of creativity with smooth black art card pages! The ‘Dark Arts’ Drawing Room journal transforms into your personal stage, where light and colour perform their most dazzling feats.
The name “Dark Arts” isn’t just a title—it’s an invitation to explore the enchanting contrast between darkness and illumination, much like a stage magician conjuring hidden wonders and tricking the eye to wow the audience!
Just as a timeless melody flows with grace, the ‘Smooth Operator’ Drawing Room journal offers a flawless canvas that lets your artistry glide without interruption.
The impeccably smooth surface is perfect for detailed drawing, intricate collaging, and precise stamping. Your pencils and pens will move effortlessly, capturing every nuance of your imagination. Despite its finesse, the paper can handle watercolors and inks. Explore washes and fluid techniques and step into a creative groove where your ideas translate effortlessly onto the page. The ‘Smooth Operator’ isn’t just a journal—it’s your partner in producing art that resonates with style and sophistication.
The size of the Drawing Room journals is right in the Goldilocks Zone. Don’t get me wrong, I love all journal sizes, but the B5 size is big enough to get messy but small enough to not take up my whole workspace.
(B5 is half way between A4 and A5 or 19 x 26.5cm or 7 x 10.7″)
25% Off + Free Journal Jacket!
To celebrate this creative season, enjoy a generous discount
on all our amazing hard-cover Drawing Room Art Journals.
Plus, receive a free B5 ‘Journal Jacket’ which is a clear protective cover to keep your masterpieces safe and stylish.
Use the codeat checkout for your 25% discount on the Drawing Room journals
and one free B5 Journal Jacket per person!
Hurry, this offer expires November 12 2024 or as long as stocks last!
Your art journal is a space where you can craft your own narrative and envision a bright future. It’s time to let your voice be seen and your creativity soar!
October 10, 2024
Pop-Up Pup!
Popcorn just wrote and sent out his own Newsletter email to all my subscribers! What a smart doggo!
You can see it here: click
