Sometimes, mixed media artists just need a swift kick in the inspirational rear when it comes to working in their art journals. That's the point of these prompts.
This art journal prompt focuses on words defined. What that means taking a word definition and using it as the theme, or focus, of the art journal page or pages.
Step one: go to dictionary.com or your own dictionary and define words that are inspiring and meaningful. Here are some examples:
ar·tis·tic [ahr-tis-tik] adjective
- Conforming to the standards of art; satisfying aesthetic requirements: artistic productions.
- Showing skill or excellence in execution: artistic workmanship.
- Exhibiting taste, discriminating judgment, or sensitivity: an artistic arrangement of flowers; artistic handling of a delicate diplomatic situation.
- Exhibiting an involvement in or appreciation of art, esp. the fine arts: He had wide-ranging artistic interests.
- Involving only aesthetic considerations, usually taken as excluding moral, practical, religious, political, or similar concerns: artistic principles.
- Of art or artists: artistic works.
- Of, like, or thought of as characteristic of an artist: an artistic temperament.
cre·ate [kree-eyt] verb (used with object)
- To cause to come into being, as something unique that would not naturally evolve or that is not made by ordinary processes.
- To evolve from one's own thought or imagination, as a work of art or an invention.
- Theater. to perform (a role) for the first time or in the first production of a play.
cre·a·tive [kree-ey-tiv] adjective
- Having the quality or power of creating.
- Resulting from originality of thought, expression, etc.; imaginative: creative writing.
- Originative; productive (usually fol. by of).
in·spire [in-spahyuhr] verb (used with object)
- To fill with an animating, quickening, or exalting influence: His courage inspired his followers.
- To produce or arouse (a feeling, thought, etc.): to inspire confidence in others.
- To fill or affect with a specified feeling, thought, etc.: to inspire a person with distrust.
in·spi·ra·tion [in-spuh-rey-shuhn] noun
- An inspiring or animating action or influence: I cannot write poetry without inspiration.
- Something inspired, as an idea.
- A result of inspired activity.
- A thing or person that inspires.
Challenges to embrace:
- Copy these (or others) definitions into a word processor. Change the fonts and colors of the words. Print them out onto labels. Alter the labels with chalks, inks and other stickers. Add them to the page, then add pictures, collages and embellishments on the rest of the page based on the word featured.
- Write out the definition in the center of the page using calligraphy or another form of interesting handwriting. Use pen and ink to draw around the definition, and then add metal embellishments throughout the page. (These embellishments can include brads, eyelets, plates, and so on.)
- Tea-stain the pages or use a brown watercolor (or acrylic paint) wash. Allow the pages to dry completely. Using a black gel pen or a black fine-tipped sharpie, trim the entire page with a continuous set of definitions so a border is created. On the pages themselves, add collage elements, envelopes, old book pages and stickers pertaining to the definitions used on the border.
The copyright of the article Art Words Defined in Mixed Media Arts is owned by Jennifer Hollowell. Permission to republish Art Words Defined must be granted by the author in writing.
