30 Journals 30 Days: MARY FREEMAN


How long have you been Art Journaling?
I have kept a written journal for years, but it wasn’t until 2007 I began to incorporate paint and images into them. It was at a time in my life where I felt a huge dissatisfaction with myself and with my life. I believe I had been living on auto pilot for many years. I think as women, well men too, it’s easy to slip into that way of doing life. We go through the motions without really being present and engaged. We forget to keep in touch with our own hearts and the dreams and desires we may have once had.



How has Art Journaling impacted, changed, or enhanced your life?
It has been and continues to be one of the vehicles God uses to help me see and explore my heart and life. It was the spark that awakened and ignited a creative passion in me that had been lying dormant. I began seeing books on and websites on visual journaling everywhere. Like when you are pregnant and you see pregnant women everywhere. Visual journaling has opened a whole new world of amazing possibilities for me.


What are a few of your favorite Art Journaling materials to use?
Some of my favorite materials to use are, acrylic paints, spray paints, stencils, gesso, I love that stuff!! Scrap papers and images. I love masking tape and decorative tape. I use alphabet and number stencils a lot.


Who are some of your favorite Art Journalers?

I love to look at other journalers and their work. I have a rather wide range of the styles I like. From pages that are simple and plain, to ones that are busy and loud. At the moment I am drawn to pages on the intense side and that are a little edgy and messy.

Some of my favorites are:


Randi Feuerhelm-Watts, http://www.randifeuerhelm.com http://randif.blogspot.com she no longer blogs, but her past posts have oodles of great stuff.

Mary Ann Moss http://dispatchfromla.typepad.com


Roben-Marie http://www.robenmarie.com


Kelly Kilmer http://www.kellykilmer.blogspot.com


Judy Wise http://judywise.blogspot.com




What kind words of encouragement would you say to an Art Journal newbie?
I would encourage anyone thinking (even if you aren't thinking about it) about jumping into the world of visual journaling to just begin. You don’t need a lot of supplies (oh but you will want them). The most important thing to remember is to be kind to yourself. Don’t worry about the outcome of your pages. It’s not so much about making a work of art as it is working out what’s inside of you. Some pages will not be pretty, some will. That’s how it should be. You do not have to share your journal with anyone unless you choose to. Don’t be afraid to try new things, if the result is less than what you wanted that’s okay. You will learn in the process what works, what does not work. What you like and what you do not like. I know you have heard it said a thousand times. “It’s the process, not the product”. That’s because it the truth!!!!


Where can we contact you....give us some link LOVE!
My flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sassyfreewoman



Short Bio:

I have been married for 33 years, to a wonderful, caring, warm, funny, exasperating at times, flawed (as we are all) man, who still thinks I look like I did at 19 (he’s blind) and likes my morning face!! I told you he’s blind!!!! We have three grown children, ages 30, 28, and 18. And we have one precious grandson, which also means we have a wonderful daughter-in-law. Life is good, rich, hard, confusing, rewarding, weary at times - and did I mention hard?? We are all such a mixture of our past, our present. We struggle sometimes understanding others, and our own hearts.


I have kept a writing journal for many years. In 2007 I picked up a book on visual journaling and began something new. God has and continues to use this creative outlet to transform me. It has become a tool that God uses to help me see deeper into my heart. To help me get past the masks I wear. I don't quite understand the connection between creating and the heart, and God, but I know it exists. I do know that God, the master artist, has created us all to be creative in some form. That creativity looks different in all of us. I am deep in the middle of exploring, growing, changing, into what God has created me to be. As I come to experience God's unconditional love for me in greater measure, my heart becomes more his, my desires become more his, my life becomes more his. It is not always easy, but it is a splendid adventure.