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How to Do Morning Pages

How to Do Morning Pages

by | Writing for Artists

Cameron’s Original Idea

I first came across morning pages as a technique in the glorious book by Julia Cameron, “The Artist’s Way” which was published in the nineties.

At the time, I had the tenth anniversary edition.

I was a younger woman then. I did practice her two main strategies of morning pages and artist’s dates for over a year. 

Now

Fast forward many years.

Recently, I once again got into the habit of writing morning pages.

I felt the need to have someone to talk to, and the pages helped get the angst out of my head so it can be seen and not be so scary.

Day Job

I work a day job in retail. At the end of the day, I feel drained after hours grappling with competitive co-workers, demanding bosses, and mean customers.

I sought to have a creative outlet of writing and drawing and I started practicing art and watercolor painting as well.

Once I began creating and publishing idea books for you, I could see the possibilities and it satisfied my drought stricken creative needs.

Benefits of Morning Pages

The benefits of morning pages are:

A Mind Dump

First thing in the morning. All that is buzzing around in your head can get out onto the page.

It clears your mind of the chaos and leaves room for the calm.

Dream Capture

You can capture dreams, or nightmares, from the night onto the page almost like a dream journal.

This practice helps to unpack ideas from your subconscious mind as well.

Challenging Inner Dialogues

You can write out the hard things that happened the day before which are trying to cloud and intrude into this fresh new day.

Difficult conversations that are running around in your head like, “…and then she said…” and, “I should have said…” can get out onto the page and you become free of them.

Build Good Habits

If you are trying to build good habits (or kill off some bad habits), morning pages will help with that too.

You can write down that you had a no-carb day, if you are doing keto, or perhaps that you did not have a cigarette or drink alcohol yesterday.

Then you can and write about how good you feel about yourself this morning. This is important.

How To Do Morning Pages

Notebook

  • Get a notebook. I use an A5 sized notebook.
  • I recently created a special morning pages notebook for use in my morning pages.
  • Note dates from and to on the first page as a record.
  • Lines help but so do doodles
  • Doodles are little drawings like emojis to help you express the words as well.
  • I’ve always only written on the right-hand page and drawn an image on the left-hand page. In my morning pages ritual, I write on both pages however, I start each new day on the right-hand side then flow over to the left-hand page. It is easier as I am right-handed. In total I use a two-page spread for each day’s writing.

Pen or Pencil

  • I like to use a black pen, but you can use any pen that you enjoy writhing with.
  • I embellish the pages as well with Washi tape typically along the bottom or the right-hand edge.
  • I like to add stickers that relate to what I’m talking about in my morning pages.
  • I draw a little artwork, usually with a black pen. Then I highlight it with one or two colours using my TomBow markers or you can use brush pens or crayons. I like to use neutral colors like beige and grey for this as well.
  • It is always a good idea to colour the background of your doodle with a light grey, soft pink or taupe to bring the image forward. You do not have to get too busy coloring the doodle as a few strokes usually suffice.

How Much to Write

Cameron suggests writing three pages. Personally, I write for about 15 minutes then I’m finished. I sometimes set a timer for quarter of an hour.

This time frame usually works out to one and a half page to two pages of writing in my A5 notebook.

Write until you are spent.

On somedays more words flow and on somedays less.

On a few days I don’t do morning pages at all.

Those typically turn into the days that I wish I had written my morning pages.

It comes to me later in the day when I’m still grinding about things in my head that I could have wrestled to the page first thing and so be shut off by now.

Aspiring Artist/Writer/Creative Activity

Creative Preparation

Do this the night before so you are ready in the morning.

  • In your journal open it at a fresh page
  • Lay a pen by its side.

Challenge Yourself

Make a challenge with yourself to write for seven days straight.

Write these words on the first page of your journal or morning-pages book.

“I will write morning pages every day for seven days. I will not judge myself for what I write. I will love the words that come from my head, for they are a part of me. I am a creative person. It is through love for myself that I write these pages.”

Creative Activity

Please do the following:

  • As soon as you wake up write what is on your mind.
  • Draw a little doodle.
  • Close the book.
  • Get on with your day.

Do this for seven days.

Know that you have started a self-care regime which will stand you in good stead for years to come.

Thank you for sharing a part of your day with me.

Love,

Alison

Alison Hazel

Author Bio

Alison Hazel is a mature woman who shares her ongoing journey about becoming an artist later in life. She creates simple art that anyone can make. She hopes to inspire you to reach your creative potential in the area that suits you.

Go here to read more about Alison’s story.

If you want to send Alison a quick message go here.

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7 Morning Rituals for Artists and Creative People

7 Morning Rituals for Artists and Creative People

by | Art as Self-care

Author: Alison Hazel   –   Published: May 2022

Seven Morning Rituals for Creatives

These days everybody seems to be doing morning rituals or maybe its just that now they are called morning rituals, but we used to do these things anyway.

I gave this a lot of thought because preparation for my day is essential to me as well.

To be honest there are many things I do in the mornings, but there were only a few rituals that are important for me.

After giving this topic quite a bit of thought, I distilled it down into the seven main things that I practice, and which support my creative life and my self-care through art as a artist.

I’m going to share these seven things with you now and of course you may have other things that you do to support your creative life, but I just want to give you a glimpse into how I get organized mentally, physically and spiritually for the day.

Note

I wake up at around 5am each day. I do set an alarm for 7am, but I’m usually awake before then. When I wake up there is no immediate rush and I like to keep things calm.

1. Breathe Deeply

The first thing I do when I wake up before I even opened my eyes or got out of bed is breathe. Now of course this is quite a laughing matter because we’re all breathing all the time anyway, but the point here is that you are focusing on your breathing.

Whilst I’m lying there, I take ten specific breaths and when I’m taking these breaths, I’m doing a count. As I am breathing in one, two, three. I count to three breathing in and then when I breathe out, I count at the same pace for five – one, two, three four and five.

It’s actually on the exhale that the breath is longer and I fully empty my lungs. After you’ve done the very first in/out, on your second breath you really breathe in deeply because you must fill your lungs as they are now totally empty.

Fully breathe in one, two, three to fill up your lungs which is then followed by a controlled breathe out for a count of five. I do ten deep breaths this way. It is the very first thing I do.

2. Stretch in Bed

My second morning ritual is to stretch in bed. At this point I have opened my eyes, but I’m still in bed. I haven’t got up yet and I roll onto my back and go for a full body stretch.

I stretch my fingers wide, my arms wide, I stretch my toes wide, and my legs wide. I make like a big starfish lying in the bed which I hold and stretch. This is much like how a cat stretches.

I also pay close attention to stretching my spine so that my head, neck and shoulders are fully aligned. Now the reason I do this in bed is because I’m a little older than most people and I find it easier to get a full stretch when I’m lying down.

When I was younger, I would stretch standing up and put one foot on the counter and touch my toes and all of those kind of stretches. When I’m feeling strong, I might do that, but for my morning ritual stretch, I stretch in bed.

3. Make Your Bed

My third morning ritual is to make my bed. At this point I’ve got up, been to the washroom and come back. Ideally you want to open the covers and let your bed breathe because the moisture from you sleeping in it overnight needs to evaporate.

You never want to make your bed immediately you need to give it 10 to 15 minutes to air, so now I fling open my bedsheets let the bed refresh well. Now I go into the next step and make tea.

Do step 4 here

But when I come back from having the kettle on and making the tea I bring the tea back to my bedside and I will then make my bed. I straighten the bottom sheet I order the top sheet and I shake out the duvet. I plump up the pillows and prop them up against the top of the bed.

Always make sure that the opening of the pillow faces away from the door. Smooth all the sheets. I don’t go round folding hospital corners or anything like that and I do let my top sheet just hang as I don’t like it tucked in at night.

First Win of the Day

The point here is that you have already got a win when the bed is made, and your bedroom looks tidy now. At this point I do not put clothes, books or other junk on my bed. The bed remains almost sacred as this is a “made bed” and let’s celebrate it. Now I move on with my day to set the world on fire

4. Make Tea and Rehydrate

I drink tea first thing in the morning.  I may have a glass of water at my bedside for in the night and often I will finish that first.

The tea I love is Twining’s Earl Grey with 2% milk. This is a tea I’ve been drinking for thirty years and I still enjoy it. In fact, I almost never drink other teas except a green tea with lemon now and then.

Imake my morning tea and slowly drink it. By this time, I’m usually looking out of the windows at the new day. I love to catch the sunrise if I can, but this does depend on what time of the year it is. I take about ten minutes to sip my beverage.

5. Wash and Cleanse Your Body

Next is washing. Typically, I will have a hot shower, wash my hair and brush my teeth. However, if I did have a hot bath the night before I’ll skip the shower.

I’ll do my light makeup and towel dry my hair. I rarely wear perfume. I don’t wash my hair every day but do it about twice a week. Next, I get dressed and add jewelry and select a handbag and shoes to complement my look.

Evening Prep Tip

I usually choose the outfit that I’m going to wear each day the day the night before. This is a step during my evening ritual. Not having to decide what to wear every morning helps delay decision fatigue early in the day.

Hair

Next, I blow dry my hair and fringe which is by now only slightly damp. In this way I don’t overheat stress my fine hair too much. Now I am ready to start some creative work like writing, art or perhaps recording a video.

6. Clean and Tidy for 5 Minutes

I’m not the tidiest person on Earth. I can make a mess. I like to schedule five minutes right at the start of the day for a quick tidy up. For five minutes I do a quick cleanup as follows:

  • Sponge down the bathroom vanity
  • Put laundry in the washing machine
  • Wipe down the kitchen counters
  • Unload the dishwasher
  • Take out the garbage

Sunday Five Minute Clean Up

Once a week, usually on Sunday, I add the following to my cleanup routine:

  • Water my house plants and trim off any dead leaves or blooms
  • Wash and clean my hairbrush
  • Clean my jewelry
  • Polish my shoes

7 Art Journal for 15 Minutes

Now I sit at my desk and work in my journals. I have several journals and it depends on what I am doing later in the day where I will focus.

My current journals are:

I never know until I sit down which journal I will reach for.

To-Do-Today List

I have a jotter made from newsprint paper that is at my right-hand on my desk. This is where I note what has to happen each day. Appointments or shopping will go on here. Other things like emails to respond to and groceries or other things to buy will be written on this jotter. 

I usually prep my jotter the night before especially if there are activities which I have to do that I don’t want to forget. This jotter is also where I test my pens and markers before I write or draw in my journals.

Morning Routine Timeline

From waking up to finishing journaling is about 45 minutes to an hour.

The Workday Begins

Now I note the time on my jotter and begin work. I will plan a tea break around 11am and would typically have some avocado toast then as well. 

This is the first food I consume each day. It is a brunch and covers both breakfast and lunch. If I have a lunch date with family, friends or collaborators I will skip the brunch.

The next time I eat is around 5pm as I like to finish all meals for the day before it gets dark. This is a method from Doctor Mike Hansen which I’ve recently adopted. It supports good sleep and avoids overloading my body overnight resulting in indigestion and broken sleep so it can repair itself properly.

Bonus Tips – What to Avoid in the Morning

I have some firm rules for morning activities, and yes, sometimes I do slip up, but in general I try to stay on track. In the morning until 11am, I avoid all technology.

I do not:

  • Touch my phone
  • Text
  • Check emails
  • Turn on the TV
  • Listen to the (bad) news
  • Turn on the radio

 

I avoid all digital input to my brain and I concentrate on analog input and expressions only. This comes from studying or reading physical books, reading poetry, handwriting, journaling with a pen, sketching, painting, coloring, designing, creating art or other crafts like crochet.

Alison Hazel

Author Bio: Alison Hazel

Alison Hazel is a hobby artist and she shares her ongoing journey about becoming an artist later in life. She creates simple art that anyone can make. She hopes to inspire you to reach your creative potential in the area that suits you.

Read more about Alison’s story.

Send Alison a quick message.

52 Herbs Coloring Book – Self-care for Herb Lovers

52 Herbs Coloring Book – Self-care for Herb Lovers

by | Books by Alison

Coloring Book

Inspiration

I have always been a keen herb grower so it seemed a natural move to draw the herbs I love.

The next step was to put them all together in a coloring book.

This coloring book contains all my original herb drawings.

Your can get your copy from Amazon on this link.

 

Example Coloring Pages

 

PDF Downloads

To improve your experience with my coloring pages I have made some recent changes (September 2022).

I used to have these coloring pages available as PDF downloads, but people struggled with the download process, so I have now changed things.

Now you can only get the coloring pages in the book from Amazon.

Get Your Copy Here
Alison Hazel

Author Bio

Alison Hazel is a mature woman who shares her ongoing journey about becoming an artist later in life. She creates simple art that anyone can make. She hopes to inspire you to reach your creative potential in the area that suits you.

Go here to read more about Alison’s story.

If you want to send Alison a quick message go here.

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Art for Self-care

Art for Self-care

by | Art as Self-care

Author: Alison Hazel   –   Published: December 2024

Art as Self-care

The use of art as self-care is well documented. Art can be therapeutic and many people say this is true. In a busy digital world, there is an urge to disengage from text-based connections with others. Drawing and sketching may help bring balance to the input your brain gets every day.

Healing

Personally, I turned to art at a time in my life when I could not deal with another conversation as I seemed to be going around in circles with the issue at the time. I’d wake up and immediately start ruminating about what happened yesterday and replay conversations and situations in my head. I would think, “I should have said this or that” or “I should have done things differently.” There was no let up. I became weary and tired.

art-for-self-care

Art Journaling

I turned to my art journal and began again. I now write my thoughts on the right-hand page and draw a corresponding picture on the left-hand page. I am right-handed so it’s easier to write on the right-hand page and usually there is more paper underneath to support the pen. We used to do this type of work in grade school way back where it is still used as a learning aid.

Memory

You remember things better if you hear them, write notes about then and draw an image about them. Clearly you can go further and make a model out of cardboard or macaroni, dance it out, pen a poem, write song lyrics, sing about it or do a play.

Write and Draw

Let’s keep to the writing and the drawing. Words and image. Make notes and draw a picture about it. This technique is a basis of art journaling.

Aspiring Artist Activity

Art Journaling – Coffee Shop

Take your art journal, a pen and go to a coffee shop. Get a cup of coffee and settle down at a table.

In your art journal please do the following:

  • Write the time, date and the place where you are enjoying the delicious coffee.
  • Then sketch the cup and maybe the people at the other tables or add the coffee shop name and logo to the sketch.
  • If you have a croissant or other pastry, draw that too.
  • You can add as much or as little to your journal spread as you like.
  • Write the time and the date.

You have now completed your first art journaling sketchbook entry.

coffee-shop-self-care

Doodling

Doodling is the act of drawing squiggles and mini shapes and characters on the corner of a page. It is what you do when they put you on hold on a phone call with your pen in hand. Doodling can be lines, curves, faces or whatever. But it is a outpouring of what’s on your mind and in this way it can be helpful.

Daily Art Practice

If you look carefully, you can eke out a quarter of an hour each day for your daily art practice. Fifteen minutes of drawing daily can soothe your mind.

Draw Your Day

For my daily art practice, I have a special small A5 sketchbook just for my quick daily art drawings. These sketches are unlikely to ever see the light of day, but they can often be the basis for later more complex drawings that I create. I like the idea of letting sketches incubate until they turn into something else. Simple objects around you are great subjects to draw.

Benefits of Daily Art Practice

To establish a daily art practice is of huge benefit for several reasons:

  • You get to improve your art.
  • You express your innermost feelings
  • You can express yourself through words and images
  • You can begin to create a body of work
  • You may realise what your favorite art medium is
  • You initiate the foundation of your art style

Daily Art Practice Examples

Here are some examples I did of daily art practice with pencil sketches of flowers:

  • Nasturtiums
  • Orchid
  • African Violets
  • Almond blossoms

Breath Drawing

Breathing, we all do it, in and out, in and out, in and out… Regular breathing tends to be shallow and has the same count for in and out. You breathe in for a count of three and out for a count of three. Inhale one, two, three and exhale one, two, three. This is natural breathing.

breath-self-care

Controlled Breath Activity

A controlled breath helps to calm the mind and reduces blood pressure.

Breathe

Try this activity and the trick is to control your exhale.

  • Breathe in fully for a count of three, and out fully for a count of five.
  • In one, two, three and out one, two, three, four, five.
  • Fully empty your lungs in a slow controlled exhale.

Draw

On your paper and with a pen.

  • Start at the left-hand edge and draw a line up when you breathe in
  • Draw a line down as you breathe out
  • Continue across the page
  • Turn the page one quarter turn and repeat the line
  • Continue filing up the page with your breath movement lines
  • Your will end up with an artwork that looks like neurographic art and now you can curve the intersections and color in.

Neurographic Art

Neurographic art is an art movement that I recently discovered as I was searching for art and mindfulness. I began with some basics and now enjoy making neurographic art.

Neurographic Art Examples

Some examples of my beginner attempt at neurographic art are here:

  • Neurographic art basics
  • Neurographic Artist Trading Cards

Journaling

Journaling comes in several flavors:

  • Bullet journaling – to do lists and calendars
  • Art journaling
  • Sketch journaling
  • Morning pages journaling – Follow the guide of Julia Cameron and write three pages longhand every morning to dump your cluttered mind
  • Nature Journaling
  • Perpetual Journaling

Art Journaling

Art practice sketches and thoughts.

Some of my examples of art journaling are here:

  • Bookshelf
  • Florist shelf

Sketch Journaling

To my mind, sketch journaling is drawing what you did and where you went.

 

Nature Journaling

Nature journaling is drawing the natural world. You would typically start with plants and insects in your own garden. This is a great activity to do with the kids or grandkids.

Perpetual Nature Journal

A perpetual journal is divided into twelve months and you capturing some images each month.

Example pages:

  • Canada Geese
  • English Bay Beach

Perpetual Anything Journaling

A perpetual journal could be for anything that interests you. The benefit of a perpetual journal is that it is evergreen and grows every month. Perpetual journals can easily become records of your life and can be handed down to the family like an heirloom. Think back to Edwardian women embroidering stitch samplers which show what they could do. These cloths are most desirable today as family records.

Perpetual journals can be your legacy.

Perpetual Legacy Journaling

A legacy journal is one your leave behind for those that follow. Typically, it was a family history book containing the family tree, but it can be focused on what and who you are.

Examples of a perpetual legacy journal that you could make are:

  • Family recipes
  • Our family Christmas book
  • Family tree
  • Family homes
  • Your gardening tips
  • Family anecdotes
  • A home book about the property and renovations you did

 

I’m sure you can think of many more perpetual legacy journals.

Alison Hazel

Author Bio: Alison Hazel

Alison Hazel is a hobby artist and she shares her ongoing journey about becoming an artist later in life. She creates simple art that anyone can make. She hopes to inspire you to reach your creative potential in the area that suits you. Read more about Alison’s story. Get her newsletter.
Artzlife Newsletter

Artzlife Newsletter

Author: Alison Hazel   -   Published: December 2024 Artzlife Newsletter Creative art journal inspiration for hobby artists Welcome to a Place for Passionate Hobby Artists Are you a hobby artist seeking inspiration, connection and gentle guidance on your creative...

Seasons of Art Challenge

Seasons of Art Challenge

by | Art Challenges

Author: Alison Hazel   –   Published: April 2022   –   Revised: February 2024

Seasons of Art Challenge

4 Seasons

Every year brings four seasons spring, summer, autumn and winter. Technically each season starts as the Sun crosses an equinox or solstice point in the year.

In the northern hemisphere spring occurs around March 21st, summer occurs around June 21st, autumn starts around September 21st and winter begins around December 21st.

In the southern hemisphere spring begins around September the 21st, summer begins about December the 21st, autumn begins near March 21st and went to begins near June 21st.

Note: Each year the dates may be slightly different, so for the purposes of this post I’m sticking with the 21st of each month. It just makes things easier.

Winter Solar Quarter

Winter is from December 21st for thirteen weeks until the Sun again crosses the equator at the equinox on March 21st. This means that winter contains just over thirteen weeks or around three months. But the three months period of a solar quarter is different to what we would normally call the fourth quarter or Q4.

Four Quarters

Time quarters refer to the four quarters found by dividing the year directly into four. Each quarter contains three months. The four quarters are:

 

  • Q1 contains January, February and March.
  • Q2 contains April, May and June.
  • Q3 contains June, July and August.
  • Q4 contains October November December.

These are the usual time quarters that are used for business. The seasons are different and start at specific dates in the year. They begin are around the 21st of March, June, September and December.

 

Season Months Alison Hazel Art

Natural Rhythms

I like the idea of aligning myself with the natural rhythms of the Sun much like phenology. I thought it would be a good idea to create the Seasons of Art challenge which will happen four times a year during each season. It’s up to you whether you do the full Four Seasons in any given year.

Season of Art: Winter

The first Season of Art kicked off in winter. Use the hashtag of #seasonsofartchallenge asthis avoids the winter is north and summer is south issue completely. December 21st, will align to the beginning of winter in the northern hemisphere and for those of you living South of the equator, it will be the beginning of summer.

Northern Hemisphere Centric

Because I am writing this from Vancouver, Canada in the northern hemisphere, I will refer to northern hemisphere seasons although I do respect the southern hemisphere folk as I did live in South Africa south of the equator, for most of my life. If this all sounds complicated, then I apologise. The point is to work with the natural seasons created by the Sun.

Wheel of The Year

The Wheel of the Year is a diagram that divides the year up in a natural way.

Solar Quarter Days

The division start with the two solstices and the two equinox divides the wheel of the year into four solar quarters. The four quarters are the Four Seasons. Each season begins as the Sun transits the equinox or solstice points.

Pagan Quarter Days

The pagan quarter days have special names.

 

  • March the 21st is known as Ostara.
  • June the 21st is known as Litha.
  • September the 21st is known as Mabon.
  • December 21st is known as Yule.

Cross Quarter Days

The cross-quarter days are the midpoints of each of the four quarters. Each of the solar quarters can again be divided by the midpoint day which is typically the first of the month’s February, May, August and November. In the Pagan world the cross-quarter days have special names some of which may be more familiar to you than others.

Pagan Cross Quarter Day Names

  • The first of February is Imbolc.
  • The first of May is Beltane.
  • The first of August is Lammas.
  • The first of November is Samhain, and this time is better known and celebrated on October 31st as Halloween.

Seasons of Art – 13 Weeks

Each quarter contains 13 weeks. The idea of Seasons of Art is to draw thirteen artworks in each season. Below are the thirteen prompts for each season upcominging. Even though each quarter may start at a different day in the week, I’m counting the weeks from Sundays.

Weeks

Week one would be from the Sunday to the Saturday and then week two would start on the next Sunday. The reason I choose Sundays is because I believe it’s the first day of the week.

How to Win the Seasons of Art Challenge

What

Every Sunday draw a picture using the Seasons of Art prompt for that week.

 

Seasonal Prompts

You may start by just completing one season’s worth of artworks. Perhaps you will do the Winter or Summer season.

 

How

You can use your favorite medium like markers, pen and ink, colored, pencil watercolor, acrylics or oils etc. It’s up to you.

 

Timeline

You have one week to complete each drawing, so there is no rush. Once you have completed the first season you can continue on and create 52 artworks for the year.

 

Winner

You win when you have completed the whole challenge and you have 52 artworks to be proud of. Good luck.

 

seasons-of-art-winter-prompts

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Winter Prompts Page

Below is the Winter prompts page in my Seasons of Art Journal. I’ve written the prompts in the first quarter (or season) of the book. This will act as a reminder of what I was doing when I look at the journal in years to come.

Seasons of Art Challenge: Week 1: Silver

In this image I imagined the Moon to be silver and to have a silvery glow to the top side of the tree’s branches. I may still have to get out my actual silver inks to bring this one more to life.

Seasons of Art Challenge Winter:  Hibernate

Here I drew a grizzly bear hibernating in a cave through the cold winter months. I noted the proper name of Ursus Arctos as well. Who knew?

 

Seasons of Art Challenge Artworks

Below are some more of the artworks from the Seasons of Art Winter Challenge. Some are not quite finished yet but I though I’d add them anyway so you can see how far I’ve got.

 

seasons-of-art-spring-prompts

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seasons-of-art-summer-prompts

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seasons-of-art-autumn-prompts

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Tip: Southern Hemisphere

If you live south of the equator then switch the seasons so they make more sense. For southern hemisphere people please swop summer with winter and spring with autumn.

Seasons of Art: Full Year Challenge

Because the very first Sunday in the December winter season falls on a different day each year, it makes it that there is usually only one week in the first year. All the rest of the weeks for the winter season will be in the next year. This makes Seasons of Art a great art project to do for the whole of the year if you would like.

A Year of Art Prompts

In theory, you could do a full art journal for 52 weeks which is broken down into four seasons of the year. Alternatively, you may decide to do one season, perhaps the winter season, then skip spring, and go straight onto summer if you enjoyed doing the winter season.

Art Challenges

The big thing about art challenges is that they get you into the habit of doing art regularly. Whilst I like to do art daily, I can’t always manage it, but I know for sure that I can create art on a seven-day cycle, and this is where weekly art challenges come into their own.

Share Your Work #SeasonsOfArtChallenge

Use the hashtag #seasonsofartchallenge. Can you see it could be said as, “seasons o fart challenge?” Well, we can live with that. 🙂

 

Weekly Art Challenges

A weekly art challenges such as Seasons of Art where once a week you make a drawing in your sketchbook is ideal to keep an art practise going. Ideally you can have a dedicated sketchbook for your Seasons of Art for the Year.

If you are going to do the whole year then it makes sense to get a lovely sketchbook beforehand that has at least 52 pages in which you can do your drawings. This type of weekly project can result in you creating a huge memento or even heirloom art book showcasing the type of art you created during this year.

Other Artworks

Now of course you will be doing other artworks on the side. For example, I will be working on my other journals such as my perpetual nature journal. Also, I’ll be doing other work in my grimoire, but the point is that if I have a dedicated Seasons of Art journal it will end up being a delightful reminder of the type of art and the technical skills and media interests that I had during this year.

Looking back, I can reflect upon how revised my approach, developed, or pivoted, my art direction that year. Join us.

seasons-of-art-challenge
Alison Hazel

Author Bio: Alison Hazel

Alison Hazel is a hobby artist and she shares her ongoing journey about becoming an artist later in life. She creates simple art that anyone can make. She hopes to inspire you to reach your creative potential in the area that suits you.

Read more about Alison’s story.

Send Alison a quick message.

AHAtober 2024

AHAtober 2024

Author: Alison Hazel   -   Published: July 2024 AHAtober 2024 Welcome to AHAtober 2024! AHAtober is a special event for meditative artists, inspired by the popular Inktober challenge. This month-long journey is designed to bring calmness and creativity together,...

Freebies

Freebies

Author: Alison Hazel   -   Published:  January 2023   -   Revised:  February 2024 Gifts for You As a strong creative and arty person, for many years, I have generated countless free resources on Alison Hazel Art. These guides, lists and templates are to help you get...

Aspiring Artists

Aspiring Artists

by | Living a Creative Life

Author: Alison Hazel   –   Published: April 2023   –   Revised: January 2024

Artists

To be an artist is frequently to be seen as someone who:

  • Went to art university, college or school.
  • Has a fine arts degree or art diploma.
  • Has been professionally trained.
  • Knows a lot about art history like Byzantine, Greek and Baroque art.
  • Knows about art movements such as impressionism and fauvism.
  • Can tell a Caravaggio from a Cézanne.
  • Other.

This is the standard meaning of when we say “Artist,” but can someone who does not have all, or any of the above, be considered an artist? The answer is yes.

To be an artist is to create either with drawings, paintings, music, weaving, dance, sculpture or in other ways. The activity of creating something that was not there before is artistic. You do not have to be trained to be an artist.

Hobby Artist

A hobby artist is someone who makes art for the joy of it.

Aspiring Artist

An aspiring artist is someone who works on their techniques, practices art most days and who enjoys making art.

Self-belief

I believe that most people can be an artist. I see myself as an aspiring artist. I create every day. I sometimes post my work online and on my social channels not only for you to see, but so that next year I can go back  to this year and see my progress.

You can be a great artist overnight, but you can be a great artist with practice. Believing that you are on the road to becoming and artist, or an aspiring artist, is the first step. Self-belief is critical to your ability to have faith in yourself.

What Aspiring Artists Do

Aspiring artists are those people who enjoy art and may have done art as a hobby and they like how it makes them feel.

Aspiring artists…

  • Aspiring artists are more likely to doodle on occasion and sketch out mini drawings almost days.
  • Aspiring artists draw their feelings rather than talk about them.
  • Aspiring artists express inner emotion through art.
  • Aspiring artists love art and want to make their own art.
  • Aspiring artists may have a plan to run an art business one day.
  • Aspiring artists want to be an artist deep down in their soul.

Perhaps you can think of a few more statemenst about aspiring artists.

Finding Time to do Art

Aspiring Artists may squeeze art practice into lost corners of time in their day.

For instance:

  • Early morning before the family is awake.
  • Sitting on a bench on the park at lunchtime.
  • Waiting for someone in a waiting room.
  • In the evening after dinner.
  • Weekends.

 

Aspiring Artists Secretly Want to Create

Aspiring Artists may take their sketch book with them everywhere they go. 

  • Aspiring artists frequent art galleries
  • Aspiring artists visit art exhibitions.
  • Aspiring artists join art workshops.
  • Aspiring artists go on art retreats.
  • Aspiring artists read about art, artists and art movements.

Artists are Everywhere

I believe that are hundreds of aspiring artists working away in attics and coffee shops and at their kitchen tables around the world. Maybe you are one.

aspiring-artist-diagram

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Alison Hazel

Author Bio

Alison Hazel is a woman who shares her ongoing journey about becoming an artist later in life. She creates simple art that anyone can make. She hopes to inspire you to reach your creative potential in the area that suits you.

Read more about Alison’s story.

Send Alison a quick message.

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Summer Garden Art – Ink and Wash

Summer Garden Art – Ink and Wash

by | Living a Creative Life

Location

This summer I was fortunate to take a week off to visit some good friends of mine who live on the Sunshine Coast in west British Columbia, Canada.

Their delightful home is perched high on a hill with sea views that overlook the local bay.

This is a wonderful spot to observe sailing boats, cargo ships and cruise liners navigating up and down the coast.

We also spotted hawks and eagles.

In early evening, the full Moon rose from the east, climbed high and bathed us in shimmering light that danced across the water and set the scene for a perfect moment.

Garden Layout

Due to the rugged terrain, the front garden has deep lavender and cone flower terraces supported by tons of bedrock underneath.

The house is perched right at the apex of a rocky outcrop.

After a 3m wide terrace, the back garden falls off at a steep incline plunging to the lower garden level below.

Water Restrictions

Due to the incidence of forest fires and a lack of rainfall in the area, there are stringent water restrictions in place during the summer months.

This means that you can only water with handheld hosepipes or buckets for two hours each day.

Therefore, this garden must contain chiefly indigenous plants which can survive these dry hot conditions and those which can make it through the harsh winter snows that may accumulate up to two feet deep.

Because of the natural terrain, the back garden is particularly interesting with a walking path that winds throughout.

Looking with my artist’s eye, I decided to draw a plan view of this garden rather than to select one part to draw.

Garden Plan View

I created the sketch for the plan view from the terrace by lightly drawing the outline shape of the perimeter fence and the outside walls of the house. I later realized that the garden is not actually square, but it’s a bit more of a rhomboid shape and that the house has a few more ins and outs than I had in my sketch, but in general, there are two rectangular shapes, the fence and the house.

Pen

With a 0.1mm black pen I lightly sketched the main features of the garden. First, I drew the terrace round the back, the gates on either side, the pathways and the rough hewn stone steps to the east and west.

Seating Areas

Next came the sitting areas of which there are several. There is the main terrace seating area, the Hummingbird café bench, the lower-level intimate chat section on the path, the main stage forum in an emerald glade of fine grass and finally, a few steps up from there nestled a garden chair in the solitary meditation area. Along the wall I sketched in some of the massive external boulders as this garden was basically hewn out of bedrock.

Large Foliage

Some of the trees and plants are quite spectacular. There is a gigantic wisteria on an espaliered fan just at the top of the terrace which I drew first. A colossal magnolia tree with extra-large blooms dominates the scene right down in the main valley, but still visible from the house. Around the corner to the left, is a delicate rose garden still under development. A hardy white grape vine cascades over an aging trellis arch at the top of the western staircase flight. Against the back boundary grows a towering clump of bamboo which eagerly shot up this summer.

Hard Landscaping

A sun-kissed covered seating area is fondly called the Hummingbird café for obvious reasons. The guys have hung feeders and the birds flock in. Down at a section which I think is called the “globe theatre glade” had been erected several vertical poles all around the circle. This provides a strong statement area. Topping each post are stylish multi-colored garden lights which can fluctuate from white to colored, warm or cool at the flick of a switch. To have a wonderful area in which to gather on warm summer evenings is no doubt a serene place where the imagination can soar.

Raised Beds

The folks had strategically positioned several raised beds and grow a striking selection of herbs and vegetables including some immense tomato plants. Pumpkins cascade out of terracotta pots to seek the warmth and light. This vegetable heaven is over towards the east of the property, so on the plan view it is represented with oblong boxes.

Overview

Once I had laid down on the page the main hard pathways of this drawing, the key seating areas and some specimen plants, I was ready to fill in the rest. I took my time in the core section and found different ways to illustrate distinctive plants. Now this really is me using my artistic license as there are many component bushes and trees thriving in this area.

Perspective

For most of this drawing I used plan perspective which means the viewer is looking down from above. Plan view lays things out very much like a map. For a lot of the unknown shrubs, I use the plan viewpoint where I just plonked the leaves on the page, but in some cases, I employed elevation perspective where I created the side view of the plant in its position. This combination technique adds visual interest to my illustration.

Wildlife

A vast number of birds are attracted into the garden.

The hummingbirds came in their droves.

I saw blue jays for the first time in my life.

Chipmunks popped in and out of the shrubbery busily collecting snacks, peanuts and seeds.

Many chickadee birds fluttered in the trees and around the bench where I was.

As I sat on the terrace with my sketch paraphernalia, a chickadee bird swooped down and landed on the top edge of my sketchbook.

To start with I didn’t realize what it was and I let out a scream that had the household running as I leapt to my feet.

I soon realized it was a cute little two-inch wild bird.

I settled back down to my sketching and five minutes later another chickadee, probably the same cheeky one from before, landed on the toe of my flip-flop as I relaxed, legs crossed, sketching.

This time I kept my cool as by now I was an expert outdoors woman and not just a city slicker.

Evolution of a Garden

I had visited this enchanted garden last year and although the main features were in place and all the hard landscaping had been done, back then the plant life itself was quite a wilderness.

In the year I have been away, the owners have really labored to clear a lot of the vegetation to bring forth specimen plants that were there, but could not be seen.

By the sweat of their brow, they felled dead trees and cut back countless brambles and blackberry bushes to let the light in and which allowed lower growing shrubs to have a fighting chance.

Gardens, obviously, are living things and that they continue to evolve, whether we pay attention on not, is a natural wonder.

I look forward to witnessing how this well-loved outdoor space will develop in the future.

Watercolor

I had my traveling art field sketch equipment with me as I don’t like to take too much art stuff when I go away.

My minimal drawing kit included:

 

 

Side Note 

As I have recently been getting into colored ink work, I really wanted to take my tinted inks with me, but it was totally impractical to lug twelve small glass bottles of quick-stain ink my bag.

The thought did cross my mind and then I let it go…

Paint and Wash

After breakfast I set myself down on the back terrace with my field drawing equipment.

My water pen had some liquid in it which I prefer rather than a jam jar of water.

Mixing olive green and yellow ochre, I put two drops of water into the khaki pan and two drops of water into the mustard-like pan and with my paintbrush slowly stimulated the paints.

Then I mixed the two colors over on the paintbox lid palette.

I thinned the colours down substantially by releasing drops of water into my palette.

I’m really working with microscopic amounts of paint here with only one or two teaspoons of each color.

Painting

I started coloring the stone steps to the east and west and some of the main boulders with very light watercolor wash

Ensuring to let the pigments dry and to not work on adjacent colors that were still wet, I pushed on.

Lightly washing the shrubberies in different greens, I developed the plant life in the garden.

It was a scorching day around 28C and the paint was drying quite fast.

I turned to the large stones with some yellow ochre and a dab of sepia brown.

Once the boulders were dry, I mixed up a slightly deeper carmine red and added light shadows nestled below and to the left of each rock.

Adding shade again breaks from the plan view to the elevation view, but this is a piece of art, so that’s why I did it.

I believe the combination of top and side views created additional interest in this artwork.

Area Names

The owners have some fun and quirky names for the different zones of their garden.

Where I could remember some of the words, I wrote them on my drawing.

Reflection

I did enjoy creating this artwork.

Although it is not correct as an architectural drawing or even perhaps a garden layout drawing, it is a perfect sketch representation of this wonderful and magical garden.

As my friends continue to pour love, warmth and energy into their property, it will no doubt mature, blossom, bear fruit and become a garden of anybody’s dreams.

I feel honored to have shared some time with them in their wonderful uplifting outdoor space.

Thanks to my friends for their exceptional hospitality and openhearted spirit.

I simply loved being an aspiring artist in their welcoming haven.

 

If you have are still with me this far in, then thank you for sharing part of your day with me.

Love,

Alison

 

Pin this image to your Pinterest board.

Aspiring Artist Activity

This activity is to draw an artists impression, or illustration of your backyard.

If you don’t have the luxury of a garden, find another natural space which you like to visit.

Landscaping

  • Sketch the perimeter fence of the property.
  • Add outlines of the big shapes like house walls and any other buildings.
  • Sketch in any paths, streams or ponds.
  • Now bring in greenhouses, raised beds, seating areas and the like.
  • Start to add textures to hard surfaces such as wooden decking, stone paths, gravel walkways, brick paving or boulders.

 

Plants

  • Now draw in all the main greenery such as large trees and specimen plants.
  • Using a variety of styles, fill in all the beds with different plant drawings.

Color

  • Once you are happy with your pen drawing, get out your favorite colored art medium, so perhaps this would be watercolors, markers or inks and lightly wash color over your drawing.
  • Start with the lightest colors and work up to the darker shades.
  • It is okay to leave some parts unpainted.
  • When everything is dry, go over it all again with a black pen to sharpen up the images.

Words

  • Add words to your page to add interest such as terrace, greenhouse, fishpond, glade or potting shed.
  • Let everything dry.
  • Frame your artwork.
  • Hang it proudly in your art studio.
Alison Hazel

Author Bio

Alison Hazel is a mature woman who shares her ongoing journey about becoming an artist later in life. She creates simple art that anyone can make. She hopes to inspire you to reach your creative potential in the area that suits you.

Go here to read more about Alison’s story.

If you want to send Alison a quick message go here.

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Phenomenal Phenology Wheel

Phenomenal Phenology Wheel

by | Nature Journal

Phenology

The science of phenology is the study of the natural world around us and more specifically, it is the study of cyclic and seasonal natural phenomena, especially in relation to climate, plant and animal life.

Phenology is particularly used for environmental studies, nature study and is easy to do with children in your own back garden.

Observations

Phenologists make observations about the natural world, and you can too.

Typical things that would be a good observation would be:

 

  • Temperature
  • Weather
  • Rainfall
  • Snowfall
  • First blossoms on trees
  • Flowers that are blooming
  • Vegetables ripe for picking
  • When the leaves start to fall
  • How high the rivers are
  • Which insects, birds or mammals have been seen

Phenology Wheels

A phenology wheel is a circular diagram portraying all the observations for the time periods chosen.

For example, you could have a phenology wheel with different divisions such as:

 

  • Yearly – 12 monthly divisions
  • Monthly – 31-day divisions
  • Weekly – 7 daily divisions
  • Seasons – four divisions

Time Periods

As can be seen, there are many different time periods which can be used for a phenology wheel.

This year I decided to do a monthly phenology wheel as I have started taking an interest in my Perpetual Nature Journal which has twelve months.

It seemed a logical step to have a monthly phenology wheel as well.

How to Create a Phenology Wheel Diagram

My piece of paper is about 23cm by 30cm (9 by 12 inches).

It doesn’t matter what size page you have.

First with a pencil draw a light diagonal line from corner to corner to find the centre of the page.

Next you will take your compass and put the point in at the middle cross hairs.

Draw a circle as large as you can giving yourself about 1cm (1/2 inch) gap from the edge of the paper.

For my page, my outer circle is 10cm (4 inches) radius that is the first circle.

My second circle is 9cm (3 ½ inches) radius.

My small inner circle has a 2cm (3/4 inch) radius.

Dividing into 12

Line up your ruler with the centre point of the page and draw horizontal line from the outer circle all the way across.

Next take your circular protractor and line it up with the central dot of the protractor where you put in the point of the compass.

Mark out with a pencil and draw a vertical line.

You now have four quarters.

Next divide the four quadrants into three 30-degree segments each and connect each of the angled lines across the circles.

It now looks like a pizza cut into twelve slices.

Months

At this point you have the option of either doing your months clockwise or anticlockwise and consideration needs to be given to where to put January.

In my phenology wheel I placed January on the top left, and I laid out my months anticlockwise all the way around.

The reason I did it this way is because I am aligning it to the Pagan Wheel of the Year where the very top point is December 22nd, the beginning of Yule, which would be mainly be in January.

It doesn’t really matter which way you do it, but have some reason about why you’re doing it the way you are.

You can either have the months going clockwise or anticlockwise.

You can start your year at any point that makes sense to you.

Coloring the Months

As I am a keen follower of new age practices, I wanted to align my months not only with the Wheel of the Year, but also with the zodiac signs.

I used assorted Tombow markers for this part.

In this case April will be red (Aries), August will be yellow (Leo), and December will be blue (Sagittarius).

These are the three primary colours from which you can hang the colour wheel.

The secondary colors will be June as orange, October as green and February as violet.

My full month colours in order are as follows:

 

  • January is purple
  • February is violet
  • March is magenta
  • April is red
  • May is tangerine
  • June is orange
  • July is apricot
  • August is yellow
  • September is chartreuse (lime green)
  • October is green
  • November is turquoise
  • December is blue

Inner Circle

The small inner 2cm radius circle is where I plan to note the high and low temperatures I experienced in my city each month.

Phenomenal Phenology Wheel Monthly Progress

We are more than halfway through August as I start my phenology wheel.

I may or may not be able to get the August diagram in there, but I’m hoping that I shall and when I do, I’ll post the image below here.

My phenology wheel is an ongoing project that I can add to each month.

As I complete the months I will take a photo and post it below so you can see how much I got finished is my phenology wheel.

Phenomenal Phenology

I’m calling it Phenomenal Phenology because I can and I think it’s a great title for my phenology wheel.

I plan to frame my phenology wheel when it is completed and hang it up in my art studio.

As I’ve said often before, I do believe that every artwork you do should be good enough to frame and it ought be hanging on your wall.

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Why I’m Doing Phenology

I want to explain to you why I’ve started looking at phenology.

This year I have really tried to work on art as self-care.

This is sometimes through neurographic art or other pen and ink work that I’ve been doing.

But the main idea is to slow down life a little.

I’m trying to uncouple from such a digital world where social media dominates.

I’m trying to bring daily art practice into my life with small art projects which I can work on and that make me happy.

Activities like working on my Perpetual Nature Journal, sketching nature around me at the beaches and so on here in my city, I am really starting to enjoy.

The reason I wanted to try and do a phenology wheel was to add another facet to the type of art that I’m working on now.

Meditative Art

I’m starting my phenology wheel in August, so it’s not at the beginning of the year.

As was not my Perpetual Nature Journal which I only began in May.

But I believe that by having these other options to my art journaling, sketch journaling and other artwork, it gives me options on a day when I really don’t want to do too much.

Daily Art Practice

If I have enough small creative projects on the go, I will be able to reach out for one of them and do some art in the day.

I’ve spoken before about having different types of creative projects as an artist and how I believe it benefits you as an aspiring artist to have multiple art projects in progress at once.

I’m not the type of artist that starts one great big painting and keeps going for six weeks until it’s finished.

That will never be the type of art I do.

Starting out in art journaling, sketch journaling and working with Artist Trading Cards, which are small art pages that can be done in one day, is what appeals to me.

Therefore, I’m adding the small Phenomenal Phenology wheel to my arsenal of art-on-the-go.

It is a yearly project much like my Perpetual Nature Journal.

Because, honestly, when I wake up in the morning, I never know what I’m going to want to do art wise.

I believe you can’t force creative expression.

If this sounds like something that will resonate with you explore out site further.

Thank you for sharing part of your day with me.

Love,

Alison

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Pin this image to your Pinterest board.

Aspiring Artist Activity

Create your own yearly phenology wheel and bring self-care into your life through meditative art.

On a sheet of paper or in your nature or art journal, please do the following:

Draw the Circles

  • Find the center of the page.
  • Draw 3 circles with 10cm, 9cm and 2cm radii respectively.

Divide the Wheel

  • Draw a horizontal line through the center point to the outer circle.
  • Draw a vertical line through the center point to the outer circle.
  • With a protractor, divide the circle into 12 30 degree segments.

Months

  • Write the month names from January to December around the outer edge as shown.
  • Color in each month.

You are now ready to start making observations and drawing what you see in each month.

Alison Hazel

Author Bio

Alison Hazel is a mature woman who shares her ongoing journey about becoming an artist later in life. She creates simple art that anyone can make. She hopes to inspire you to reach your creative potential in the area that suits you.

Go here to read more about Alison’s story.

If you want to send Alison a quick message go here.

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Third Age Art for Women

Third Age Art for Women

by | Third Age Art

Author: Alison Hazel   –   Published: December 2024

The Third Age

The Third Age is a term used frequently to refer to people over the age of sixty. There are many differing criteria for the start of the Third Age and you can read more on that here.

The Four Ages of Women

I am going to share with you how I see the ages of women. This can be debated back and forth, but I want to be clear what I am saying and defining as the “Third Age.”

  • First age – from birth to age 30
  • Second age – from age 30 to age 60.
  • Third age – from age 60 to 90
  • Fourth age – over 90

The Three Ages of Women

The idea of the three ages of women goes back many years.

Maiden

The first age is the maiden. A maiden is a woman who is not married. Obviously, the criteria are different nowadays but to be a maiden is to be in an intact state. The age covers young girls and young women up to the age of 30.

Mother

The mother age is from age 30 to 60. This is when women spend their time bringing up children, cooking and cleaning and taking care of their families. They are in the the main childbearing years.

Crone

A crone is defined as:

  • A woman past 60 (note this includes the fourth age)
  • A woman who has passed through the menopause
  • A woman who is longer viable to fall pregnant

A crone is not a nice term to be used for women. In the past crones were also considered as witches. Usually, women in this age group have brought up their families. They may be divorced, or they may be widowed as their husbands and partners pass on. There are more older women in the Third Age group than men.

Third Age women can be babysitters from the own children’s children. They are often grandparents and have time on their hands. They usually give up work and need something to do. Having been the glue of a family unit and no longer needed may bring on empty nest syndrome. The kids no longer need or require these women in their lives on a day-to-day basis. Of course, every situation is different.

Celebrate the Third Age

For Third Age women who have time and who may have disposable income, there is an opportunity to turn to creative expression in some form.

Art

We will talk about art in the Third Age. This is how I came to art and you can read more about my story here. I felt truly alive once I began writing and drawing and sharing my creative expression with you.

I want to encourage you to find your inner creative expression and bring it out for yourself and for the world. The practice of art and journaling and painting is a form of self-care.

Saturn’s Cosmic influence

We are happy to see the Moon rules the tides but the planet Saturn rules time. Saturn takes thirty years to orbit the Sun he is known as the timekeeper of the zodiac. 

Every thirty years, or thereabouts, Saturn returns to the place it was on your birthday and recalibrates what you should be doing with your life.

This links into the Three Ages of women, age 30, age 60 and age 90. Maiden, Mother and Crone. These are the three ages of woman.

How this cycle affects men is debatable.

Third Age Art

The Third Age is a delightful way to refer to the years past sixty. If you find yourself with time on your hands, it is a perfect moment to learn something new. Or you can go back to a former interest. If you are not sure with what to fill you days, consider taking up a creative interest.

Some artistic creative expression ideas are:

  • Drawing
  • Urban sketching
  • Painting
  • Pen and ink
  • Writing or journaling
  • Art journaling
  • Sketch journaling
  • Sculpture
  • Pottery
  • Mosaic
  • Dyeing and weaving

 

How to Decide What to Do

If You Don’t Know

If you don’t know what you want as your creative endeavor then think back to what interested you as child.

Was it:

  • Music
  • Singing
  • Art
  • Drama
  • Ballet
  • Dancing
  • Pottery
  • Other

Give yourself some time to ponder what it is you’d like to start doing.

If You Do Know

You may already know exactly into what you want to pour your creative energy. It could be crystal clear that you want to do pottery or watercolors.

Journaling

I am a huge fan of journaling. I started off with one journal and now my collection has multiplied into about five.

If you are not sure where to go, or you are just starting out on your journey, I recommend you get yourself a journal. Personally, I like the Leuchtturm 1719 as it is a superior quality journal and comes in multiple cover colours.

Use a journal to capture your ideas and thoughts about how you want to let your creative expression come through.

What are You Waiting For?

If you are a woman in the Third Age you may still be working full time, you may be working part time and have some time on your hands, or it may be that you have all your days stretching out ahead of you and you’re not quite sure what to do.

Whichever scenario reflects your life, there will be time within your day for creative expression and the benefits of doing something artistic far outweigh not doing so.

Pin this image to your Pinterest board.

Aspiring Artist Activity

Get out your creative endeavors journal and a pencil or pen. Note, I will suggest some art activities here, because that’s what this site is about, but if music or dance is your jam, you can use the principles of this journal activity for that as well.

Inside Front Cover

  • On the inside front cover, write your name add a picture and embellish it as you like.
  • For example, I wrote my name, added a sunflower drawing and some washi tape.

 

Second Page

  • On the second page, draw a five-pointed star.
  • In each of the points, write one or two words that support the creative artwork you want to do.
  • Some examples would be pen and ink, colorwork, collage, nature journaling or urban sketching etc.
  • These keywords may change at any time, but they are going to be the starting points for the creative expression that you are trying to achieve.
  • In this way, rather than just having one focus word you will have five.

 

 Next Five Pages

  • On the next five pages, write one of your focus keywords at the top as a heading.
  • Give some thought about the activities you want to do that are in line with these keywords.
  • Note these activities below on the page.
  • You may wish to use pencil to start with then move onto pen when your keywords gel.

This activity is not about getting some art done, it is to help you sort out your thoughts surrounding what you really want to do, rather than what you think you ought to be doing.

If your sister makes jewelry at her kitchen table and sells it at a craft market, you might feel inclined to do the same thing because it would be easier just to follow in her footsteps.

It is important at this stage that you ponder on the specific art and creative practices that you want to do.

Please do not feel pressured by family and friends instead always listen to your heart.

Alison Hazel

Author Bio: Alison Hazel

Alison Hazel is a hobby artist and she shares her ongoing journey about becoming an artist later in life. She creates simple art that anyone can make. She hopes to inspire you to reach your creative potential in the area that suits you.

Read more about Alison’s story.

Send Alison a quick message.

AHAtober 2024

AHAtober 2024

Author: Alison Hazel   -   Published: July 2024 AHAtober 2024 Welcome to AHAtober 2024! AHAtober is a special event for meditative artists, inspired by the popular Inktober challenge. This month-long journey is designed to bring calmness and creativity together,...

Christian Art and Sacred Places

Christian Art and Sacred Places

by | Christian Art

Author: Alison Hazel   –   Published: December 2021 

Introduction

The Christian Art we practice here at Alison Hazel Art is traditional and straightforward. We want our Christian Art to be peaceful, meditative and reflective. To draw Christian images and symbols adds a richness to life which we enjoy, and we want to share that with you.

We are not here to influence you, or to convert you, but rather to celebrate our beliefs with you. If that resonates with you, then you may enjoy some of our future plans for creating and developing some Christian art.

three-angels

People

We aspire to have more drawings and images of religious people such as:

  

Stories

We will be drawing and illustrating chapters from the bible and particularly from the book of Genesis with stories like:

  

  • Adam and Eve
  • Cain and Abel
  • Noah’s Ark
  • The Nativity and Christmas
  • The Passion and Easter
Jesus-mary-and-joseph

Sacred Places Art

We also have an interest in sacred places. Sacred places generally means churches, cathedrals and related buildings, but it also encompasses other places such as:

  

  • Labyrinths
  • Pyramids
  • Standing stones (like Stonehenge and Inukshuks)
  • Glades of trees

    Our Sacred Places Art So Far

    So far, we have drawn:

      

    saint-chads-church-poulton-le-fylde

    Future Artworks

    We have plans to sketch:

    • Church footprints
    • Church architectural drawings and facades
    • Stained glass windows
    • Rose windows
    • Altars
    • Fonts
    • Steeples and towers

    Christian Symbolism

    We plan to explore Christian symbolism. This can be as:

      

    • Crosses
    • Bibles
    • Icons
    • Candles
    • Mosaics
    • Sculptures
    • Other ancient artworks

    There is a place for all art. We believe that if you follow Jesus then if you draw and create your own Christian themed art it will benefit you.

    Sharing and Merchandise

    Some of our Christian art is already available on Christmas cards and you can see more designs in our Redbubble shop.

    Alison Hazel

    Author Bio: Alison Hazel

    Alison Hazel is a hobby artist and she shares her ongoing journey about becoming an artist later in life. She creates simple art that anyone can make. She hopes to inspire you to reach your creative potential in the area that suits you.

    Read more about Alison’s story.

    Send Alison a quick message.

    AHAtober 2024

    AHAtober 2024

    Author: Alison Hazel   -   Published: July 2024 AHAtober 2024 Welcome to AHAtober 2024! AHAtober is a special event for meditative artists, inspired by the popular Inktober challenge. This month-long journey is designed to bring calmness and creativity together,...

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