Art Journal Layers
Hello sweet creative!
I'm proud to say that after weeks of ignoring and neglecting my art journal (poor thing), I've finally opened a new page listening to my inner artist that hasn't let me down.
She's been patiently waiting, softly whispering... "Just start", she said. "Just do one little thing".
So yesterday morning, as soon as I got out of bed, I went straight to my "scrap basket". I rummaged through those random bits of paper and found a photo from a magazine, of a little girl on a swing. It sparked something. Right away, it connected with my soul.
So I dove right into one of my favorite ways to start a page: making a small bundle of collage that will help me keep going, take the next step, and then the next one...
And because I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who needs that gentle little push (you?), I'm sharing the whole process in a brand new free lesson that you can enjoy right away:
The first step matter so much
A few weeks ago, I shared a blog about creative starting points and making friends with the blank page—tiny creative gestures that help us begin again, softly and intuitively.
You might remember the water-soluble crayons, the leftover paint pressed into a page, and those little scraps that whisper, “Let’s play.”
Today's free gift, "Art Journal Layers", is here to help you do just that:
a gentle, intuitive process that I love to use in my own creative practice, and now I’m so happy to share it with you as a freebie to inspire your next page, or even a painting...
Start with a bundle
It all begins with a moment of curiosity.
What usually happens, as I start rummaging through my basket, is that a first piece of paper will catch my eye. Then I’ll start adding more: another texture, a pop of color, a snippet of old handwriting—until I hold a small handful of papers, which I gently clip together.
And then, the next thing I like to do, is to quickly and intuitively spread all those papers on the page, just to get a feel of the atmosphere, maybe a story that begins to unfold. At this stage, no gluing, no painting, no pressure.
Make it a practice
Very often, as I gather one bundle, something else catches my eye. Maybe something that doesn’t quite fit. So I start another pile. And before I know it, I’ve created three or more little bundles, each with their own unique energy.
Sometimes, I like to put on some music, a podcast, or even a video in the background. It helps me loosen up and be more intuitive. When I’m too focused on getting it “right,” the bundles feel a bit stiff. But when my attention is soft, my hands seem to find surprising combinations, like color palettes I wouldn’t have planned, or images that suddenly tell a story or evoke a memory.
And when I spread out the elements of a bundle in front of me, I’m always amazed by the little world they create. Each one has its own atmosphere, like a mood or a dream waiting to be explored.
From Bundle to Page
Once you’ve created your bundles, there’s no need to rush into making a page right away.
In fact, I often create them at quiet moments—when I don’t have the time or energy for a full art session. It’s a soft, nurturing way to stay connected to your creative spirit, even when life feels full.
Then, when you do feel ready to create, something magical happens. You’ll open your little collection of bundles, and one of them will gently call to you. Maybe it's a color. A texture. A tiny scrap with a memory tucked inside.
You don’t need to know why. Just trust it.
As you begin your page, you might start with one focal image. Or let the layers speak to each other—maybe something becomes a backdrop, and something else takes center stage.
Sometimes what emerges is more than just a composition—it’s a reflection of your inner world, your emotions, your memories, or even the beginning of a new chapter.
What’s most important is to follow the feeling. Let your process be intuitive and slow. Let the elements reveal meaning as you work with them. And if a particular piece sparks a memory, or brings you back to an earlier version of yourself—that’s a gift. Let it guide you.
There’s no pressure to finish, and no need for a plan.
All you need is a willingness to begin. The rest will unfold, layer by layer.
Before
After
A quiet invitation
There’s something deeply meaningful about returning to what you’ve always loved: old images, early inspirations, forgotten techniques—they hold stories, energy, and soul.
When you create a page using the bundle technique I share in "Art Journal Layers", you may find that something unexpected emerges. A symbol. A memory. A feeling you didn’t know needed to be expressed.
Sometimes it’s subtle. Sometimes it’s powerful.
Either way, it’s real. And it’s yours.
So you see how a small bundle of paper scraps can become the starting point for a whole creative journey—a doorway into a rich and soulful art journal page.
Making these bundles is such a fun and relaxing practice. I like to keep a few at the ready, so I can dip into inspiration and flow whenever I need it.
Let’s keep inspiring each other, one tiny bundle at a time:
Light, Love & Fairy Dust,
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After weeks away from my art journal, I found my way back with a simple, soulful practice: creating small bundles of collage scraps. In this post—and in my free “Art Journal Layers” lesson—I share how this intuitive technique can spark inspiration and help you begin your next page with ease.