Art Journaling With Anna

A couple weeks ago I was browsing Instagram and came across an art journaling video on Liz Lamoreux's feed. She was just doing her thing, finding joy in the journey, and I thought to myself that I really wanted to offer this kind of activity to any of the kids around here and do some myself. 

I jumped on Amazon and ordered four watercolor journals (for me, Anna, Audrey, and potentially Isaac and if Simon and Elliot are interested I'll order some more), watercolors, and pen sets. 

Sometimes we really have to act on those impulses.

They've been sitting on our big living room table for a week or so waiting for the "right" time or for someone to ask about them. 

Actually last night started out with Anna wanting to watch a movie while Simon was at Boy Scouts. After being reminded by Aaron, I reminded her that we were trying to stick to our screen time limits (one hour per day on school days) and maybe we could just go take a bath and read (something she still likes to do with me). And then I looked over on the table and saw the supplies and asked her if she wanted to work in an art journal instead and she agreed. 

I wanted this first experience to be really simple and fun. I got out my computer and we looked through Liz's feed so she could get an idea of what I was talking about and I suggested that we just copy some of the techniques that Liz showed. That is so totally the best way to begin. I went upstairs and grabbed some washi tape and a jar of water from the kitchen and we got started. 

I honestly can't tell you the last time I just played like that without any end result in mind. It was so great. 

We looked up art quotes on Pinterest and Anna picked one to add to her first page. You can hear her read it on my "Art Journal" save Instagram story. 

I love that it was something we did together. I love that it was simple. I love that there are so many lessons inherent in this practice - especially embracing imperfection. I will welcome any activity that enables me to easily slip that into the conversation (always a good reminder for myself). 

We talked about colors and how much water to use (or not use) and sticky washi tape and pen sizes and we made stuff just to make it. 

The best way to end the day.

I'm looking forward to this as a regular evening/weekend activity and seeing who else around here might want to participate. Starting with just pens and watercolors is an easy way to begin and we might branch out from there. 

PS // I just looked in my archives and the last time I posted something about art journaling was in 2011. I used to incorporate it a bit more into what I was doing and then I think that life + work got in the way.