Fun Friday! "Journal Zen" by artist Nancy Laliberte

"Journal Zen"

© Nancy Laliberte

mixed media

Welcome to "Fun Friday!" My new weekly feature loosely based on my kids talking about "Fun Friday" at school--where they are rewarded with something fun and different on Friday afternoon for a job well done during that week. While my two older kids are in college, I still have one in elementary school and he looks forward to it every week. Today they erupted home-made volcanoes with vinegar and baking soda. Ahhhh, to be a third-grader again.

This week is about creative journaling. I can't sing its praises enough. I have soooo much fun with it. I set the timer for 15 minutes (because otherwise I would do it all day if I wasn't mindful of the time) and work on a page or two. If I have leftover acrylic paint on my palette, I will smear it around on a page; sometimes I collage on a piece of junk mail or other ephemera I find interesting, and sometimes I just write. Time stands still for those 15 minutes. I call it "Journal Zen." This weekend, I encourage you to set the timer for 15 minutes, grab a sketchbook, notebook or scrap paper and just play. Don't think about it. Just let whatever marks you make, whatever colors you choose, whatever you write or scribble be whatever it happens to be. And enjoy the Journal Zen.

Art & Soul Creative Journaling classes

Speaking of creative journaling, this Tuesday evening is another session of my "Art & Soul Creative Journaling" class located at Wausau's Hobby Lobby classroom. This session will focus on watercolor techniques in journaling, and keeping a travel journal. All you need to bring is a journal or notebook, and I provide everything else--including "bling" watercolors and chocolate. Sweet! I always have a door prize drawing, too. It is great fun, and the time flies! Details and registration are on my website. You don't want to miss it!

Carrie Waller Fine Art Friday Feature

A HUGE thank you to artist Carrie Waller for featuring me in her weekly Friday Feature artist interview on her blog, Carrie's Creations. Carrie and I met through blogging and facebook. We share a love of motherhood and art, and the creativity neccessary to balance it all. Carrie's watercolor paintings are EXQUISITE! She paints glass and reflections like nobody's business. I love getting lost in the abstract shapes found in her work. Hop on over to her blog and website and see for yourself what I am talking about.  

Yoga + Art Workshop

Last Saturday I teamed up with my yoga teacher, Heather Van Dalfsen of  River Flow Yoga, for a Yoga + Art Workshop at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wausau, WI. It was AMAZING. I was on a Yoga+Art high for two days. We are already planning another one for this summer. Let me know if you would like to get on our list. Below are a couple of images from the day, and more are posted on my studio facebook page. (While you are there, I would love it if you would hit that Like button and follow along, too.)

Every one of these paintings has a powerful story to it. 

Have a great weekend! And be sure you play in your journal or sketchbook!
Blessings, 
Nancy

"O Tannenbaum" and Creative Journaling classes

"O Tannenbaum" 

© Nancy Laliberte

mixed media creative journal page

Another creative outlet for me – combining my love of drawing, painting, stamping, collaging and whatever else just happens to seem like a good idea at the moment – creative journaling! I LOVE it! There are no rules, any "oops" become a part of the process and page. I ended up collaging some painted music sheets on this page because I was working on this AND watching the Green Bay Packers whoop the Vikings and ended up misspelling a word. OOPs! Oh well, "happy accidents" are all a part of the fun! And yes, we still have our Christmas tree up. : )

How about some Creative Time Out?
Creative Journaling Classes
I am  very, very excited to announce that I will be teaching creative journaling starting this Tuesday evening, January 8th, from 6 pm - 8 pm at the Wausau Hobby Lobby. I have more information on my website including paypal buttons to make it super easy to register. Creative Journaling is a great outlet for simply being creative and playing with art supplies. You don't have to be an artist to have fun with journaling, and it's a great way for people who enjoy scrap booking and crafts to take their skills to another level. Come join me and see for yourself how fun it is! And bring your friends, too!

Playing with Paint Classes

In addition to creative journaling I will be teaching acrylic painting on the second Saturday of each month starting this Saturday, January 12th, from 10 am until 12:30 pm. This class is geared for people who have always wanted to try painting, haven't painted in a long time or just want to do something fun and creative and different. It's a great activity for a group of friends or family members. Click here for more information.

30 Paintings in 30 Days

Yes, I am still participating in Leslie Saeta's 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge. And yes, it would be ideal to paint and post a painting every day, however...that keeps the challenge challenging (for me). So I will be catching up on days I have longer studio hours and featuring multiple paintings on my blog posts. Most of my UFO's are larger pieces (not sure what I was thinking there other than wanting to finish them and thinking they wouldn't take long, kind of like a home improvement project but more fun!) 

Also, thanks everyone for the great email, Facebook and blog comments. Your support is greatly appreciated and keeps me motivated to do my best.