My new nature journal/sketchbook

I'm taking a wonderful online class with the delightful Junelle Jacobson~  Her authentic passion for the playfulness of art is absolutely contagious... and I definitely caught the bug!  I have repurposed a yummy old book, altering it with torn out pages and slathered gesso... I hope not to offend any of my book-loving, purist friends, but it is such fun to give new life to an old book... I just love it~

My sweet pal Kristi and I had a blast plundering through the stacks of old books at our local thrift shop.  Kristi, with her good eye, helped me find four "jewels in the rough"  to transform into new avenues for art play...

One of the books had tiny little flowers on it in yellow and orange... the perfect backdrop for my nature sketchbook. 

My title page inspiration came from a newly fallen oak leaf from my yard... sketched and colored, with touches of "baby jane" colors, of course!

Everything I see on my walks outside with Buttons causes me to stop, look closer and perhaps bring in  tiny specimens from the yard to observe, sketch and watercolor.  That practice, in and of itself, has such a calming effect on my spirit... Being one with nature is such a spiritual experience for me.... helping me always to be grounded.

Before the pounding rains of earlier in the week, I had cut a few roses, placing them in a darling vase given to me by my sweet friend, Ille.

Looking at them in my garden window gave me the inspiration and courage to get out the sketchbook... a bit rusty for sure... and just start sketching and coloring...  what fun it is... imperfect, yet rewarding...  sketched and painted right atop a gessoed lunch sack...

Photos I snapped during the peak of our azalea season gave an unexpected "pop" to my book, too.

My ever-favorite crape myrtles are budding with tiny tinges of red on the ends... so sweet and tender...

New growth... what we all need in every season... in every year... I know I need it, for sure...

Art is a journey that truly helps me find my new path of growth... I'm always looking for it... and when it comes, I am deeply grateful... always grateful... 

That little fern frond is calling my name... I have a penciled sketch, just waiting for the watercolors to dance upon it... ahhhhhhh..... art bliss...