UPDATE: Paperbag Studios stamps and Art Pops™ are no longer available, but many things can be substituted to make this project!
Get creative and have fun!

Cindy Gilstrap

I am so excited to be here for my first Design Team project for Roben-Marie. I hope you enjoy the project and can play along.

I love working in art journals. It’s such a wonderful way to play creatively without feeling like you are going to mess up an expensive canvas. Tweet That! I have multiple art journals going but one of my favorite ones to work in is a small vintage ledger. When I start a journal page I don’t usually have a plan. I may pick out a few supplies and then I just start playing. Sometimes I am just inspired by an image, a color, or maybe a quote.

Check out this video tutorial as Design Team member Cindy Gilstrap guides you through her process for art journaling in vintage ledgers. She uses Art Pops™ and Paperbag Studios Stamps to create this gorgeous layout! @robenmarie @junqueart #robenmari…

When I saw the cute images on the stamp sheet, Shine, they just made me smile. I knew I had to use them somehow on an art journal page. As I started playing with the stamp sheet the word “wish” stood out and I got to thinking how I wished everyone would make the time to create. I think playing creatively is so important and I try to make it part of my weekly and sometimes even daily routine. Even if I just play in my art journal for 10 minutes it just makes me happy. I can definitely get lost in the process of playing.

I knew I wanted to use the cute girl’s face along with the word “wish”. As I started to pull paint colors, I used the In The Garden Art Pops™ collection to jump start my color choices. The Art Pops™ are such a great jumping off point for an art journal page or any creative project. I love how versatile the cards and stickers are and that they can be used as is or altered to make them part of the layers your create.

I ended up with the cute girl journal spread and a wish for you to make time in your day or week to play creatively. I think the best way to do this is to put it on your calendar and stick to it. So grab your planner right now and make an art date with your art supplies and go play! I just bet it will put a smile on your face.

Thanks so much for spending time with me!

Video Tutorial with Artist Cindy Gilstrap

Going Deeper...

What's your top tip for dealing with blank page paralysis?

The blank page can definitely be paralyzing at times. I find just adding gesso to my page or canvas gets me past it for some reason. Even though it’s just white paint the act of just getting something on the page helps get me started and makes me want to go to the next step of adding color.

What do you do with your art once you've finished it?

A lot of my art is in my art journals that I store in my studio on a shelf. I have turned some my pages into art prints for my Etsy shop. Some of my paintings on canvas have gradually found their way to my studio and office walls.