30 Journals 30 Days: LESS HERGER

How long have you been Art Journaling?

I’ve been art journaling for over 12 years, though I always journaled and kept a sketchbook since I was 10 years old.

How has Art Journaling impacted, changed, or enhanced your life?
Art journaling lets me think through ideas for written pieces, art works and stimulates my mind for other projects. A couple of years ago I built my own moped. I got the idea I wanted a moped that looked like a Harley. (Yeah yeah I know) I did research online about motorized bikes, found a frame and built it. It’s something I never would have tried if it weren’t for my Art Journal.

I got the idea for the twitter hand experiment while working in my art journal. I was drawing hands in a horrible manner, and tried drawing my own and then thought, “Heck, I’ll ask twitter.” It was awesome.

Sometimes I create art in my art journal, I draw, paint or just write. My art journal is a place to work out ideas, think and give my mind a work out.

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

Watercolors, Watercolor crayons, acrylic paint, white glue, gesso, ink and gel pens

Who are some of your favorite Art Journalers? (Please include links)

Teesha Moore http://www.teeshamoore.com/
Traci Moore http://www.zettiology.com/
Kate Johnson http://www.flickr.com/photos/cathy-johnson/
Danny Gregory http://www.dannygregory.com/
The Hobo Artist http://www.moonlightchronicles.com/ (Seriously everyone should order 5 copies of his zine and devour them)
Marizateria http://www.youtube.com/user/marizateria

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

Keep at it. If you are feeling uninspired, slop some paint on a page. Scribble in a background with watercolor crayons, slop some water on that. Get in the practice of adding process to get you out of your rut and you’ll find something to wake up your senses. Also head to ArtJournaling.ning.com and poke around you are bound to stumble upon some art, some ideas or something to wake up your mind! I’m a big believer in practice making art better, the more you do it the better you get. Hand eye coordination is something you can exercise, like a muscle and all you need are a few metaphoric dumbell curls to tone it up.

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

You can go to my blog ComfortableShoesStudio.com,

see me on twitter @lessherger,

follow my studio on facebook:http://www.facebook.com/ComfortableShoesStudio

And you can join the ArtJournaling.ning.com for inspiration, workshops and chit chat about art and journaling.

Short Bio:

I have been making art ever since I could hold a crayon. When I was young I drew on walls, refrigerators and paper. Now that I’m older I still work on paper but I love to paint and draw on board. I also love to work in the book format. Much of my art is in the page format.

In 1999 I started to bind my own books. My handmade books have been featured in Rebound and many blogs. The books I’ve made have been to parts of the world I’ll never see and I love that.

I live with my wonderful and supportive partner Christie, 2 dogs and a bunch of dust bunnies in an artsy little city in the NOrth

I’m constantly striving to make my own art better while hold down a 40 hour a week DayJob. I don’t know what is harder work!?! I take commissions just contact me via twitter/facebook/ning or my blog and we’ll talk details.

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