30 Journals 30 Days: KARIN BARTIMOLE

I began art journaling in my pre or early teens, though I wouldn’t have known to call it that at the time. I was drawing and writing in notebooks, getting feelings out and processing my thoughts pretty early on.

How has Art Journaling impacted, changed, or enhanced your life?

I truly believe that art journaling has pretty much saved my life, several times over.
As a child growing up with a violent, alcoholic mother there was very little predictability in life, but my art was always a sure thing. When I felt there was no where else to turn, I had a way to express the hurt, anger, and confusion that was going on inside of me. Through my art I was able to release the feelings that would otherwise have built up inside, with no where else to go.

My art journals have continued to be the way I process the challenges in my life. As an adult I’ve had to deal with a number of health issues – I’ve used my journal for exploring and releasing the emotions that have risen and aren’t constructive. It’s helped me find acceptance in the seemingly unacceptable, understanding in the baffling, and a sense of peace in the midst of chaos. Having a daily record to look back upon allows me to see when patterns develop in my imagery or use of words – I can catch myself in negative patterns and make changes, or reinforce positive evolutions that or occurring. Having this concrete record helps make real the goals and dreams of life!

What are a few of your favorite Art Journaling materials to use?

I tend to keep two kinds of journals going at once – one is purely collage, so for that my favorite items are a glue stick and anything collage-able! Old calendars, magazines, and newspapers headed for recycling.

My other journal is more mixed media – for that gesso is my favorite thing. A base of gesso gives my pages body, strength and texture to build on, with acrylic paints, pastels, stitching, stamping – what ever I want to add.

Who are some of your favorite Art Journalers?

I actually have an ever changing list of “favorites”, and they all get listed in my blog’s side bar, but here are a few of some recent finds that have inspired me:

Laura Lein-Svencner
Katie Kendrick
Judy WIse
Rachel Whetzel

What kind words of encouragement would you say to an Art Journal newbie?

Trust yourself, allow for spontaneity, play, freedom and exploration. Don’t judge – if your first instinct is to grab a red crayon and then a voice chimes in, “what? get the cadmium red acrylic paint and fine point brush out” ignore the second voice and always go with your first instinct – it speaks Truth.

Be sure to cater to your inner voice, not some imagined audience that may see your journal in the future, or on your blog. If you are imagining how someone else is going to see what you are doing, then the Censor will undoubtedly make an appearance! I always center myself and connect deeply within myself before I start. During my process, no one is ever going to see what I’ve done. Sometimes it’s hard to share the results, but when I do I know they are pure truth, and all me. I can be assured that what I’ve uncovered, discovered, recovered and learned is exactly what my process has guided me to, and nothing I forced into being.

Where can we contact you…give us some link LOVE!!

~ My blog is Beyond Words
~ My video book binding tutorials and art sharing can be found on my YouTube channel
~ and to get to know me a little better, and my feelings about creativity, I’ve replied to an in depth interview at WhoHub which might interest you both as a reader, to get to know other artists, and for answering yourself, to share who you are with others!

Videos starring Karin:

Short Bio: