I decided that for the next seven days I wanted to do an art journal challenge that was started by the artist Jenniebellie on her blog http://jennibelliestudio.blogspot.com/2014/11/ready-set-go.html . She has accompanying videos to show you how she completed the challenge each day for herself. It is a 7-day challenge where you work on any number of art journal pages you choose each day for 7 days (I chose 7 pages each day). You decide in advance of starting the pages which six products/techniques you want to use on your pages. I selected the following, which I often use:
You fold the six pieces of paper up, put them in a bag or a box and pull one out each day. You work on that technique/product for that day on all of your journal pages. The next day, you pull a different paper out and work on that technique only for all of your pages. You continue until all six techniques have been completed on all of your pages. The seventh day is used to do whatever you have to do to complete your journal pages.
I put all six of my folded papers into a small box on my desk top and shook it to rearrange them. This is the technique that I pulled out of the box to use today.
Aaargh! I would normally do the focal image last (or next to last) after the background has been completed and I have an idea for the overall page. The focal image usually completes a page, creates a place for the eye to rest, and conveys the message you intended for the page. This is a real challenge for me since I have no idea what I want for these seven pages! A focal image can be drawn or painted or collaged or stenciled or stamped . . . whatever works . . . so I felt free to use different techniques to create my focal image.
Here are the seven pages I did today with a focal image on each. They are all on white 7″x10″ 90 lb. mixed media paper. Since the pages are white, it will be hard to see where one page ends and another begins. But, believe me, there are photos of seven pages of the same dimensions.
On two of them I used collaged images, four were drawn free-hand with a Micron 05 pen, and one (the seated lady) was outlined using a Donna Downey stencil and embellished with the Micron pen.
Today’s technique took over an hour to complete but the others should take less than that since they will be embellishing the focal images and created a background for them. I am looking forward to the next six days and finding out where this challenge takes my journal pages.
I hope you found some time today to be creative also!
Ain't No Ninny 
November 18, 2014 at 7:46 pm
That sounds like a fun exercise. I look forward to seeing where you take these pages. I’m actually the opposite from you. I suppose because I’m used to sketching out and developing my ideas first, I do tend to think in terms of a focal image first. I might not always tackle it first but I know what it’s going to be. It’s one of the things I’m having to learn through this exploration of art journaling and mixed media, not having a visual goal in mind each time.