DIY Art Journaling for Healing

Almost forgot that I was planning to make a self-help DIY art journal that's also therapeutic! I sketched up a rough draft when I was at the last American Academy of Environmental Medicine meeting last October in San Diego, CA. Here's a sneak peak.

First a little art from my planner! Did this out at the butterfly haven at Wildlife Prairie Park that was done for a patient of mine that passed from ovarian cancer. She was a very special lady. So it's very humbling to work as a master gardener volunteer there and remember her. 

My thoughts on a name so far...

Some more fun pages

Just a glimpse I have about a 100 page ideas. 

 So if I can put together a prototype anybody out there willing to try it out for me? Let me know and I'll make a you a "draft copy" if you will give me constructive feedback. THANKS!!!

Art Journaling and the name Jeanna, Gina, Eugenia

So it's Jeanna Fearon's fault that she got me thinking about doing an art journal of sorts. And then I saw this book called No Excuses Journaling which I bought but then OCD kicked in and I started this obsessed search for the perfect journal to draw on last night on the internet and was up until 2:30 am. Shoot!

So I'm curious to what Jeanna will think about this. I don't want to get caught up in the regimen so much so that it becomes perfectionistic, I just want a way to do art daily without always having to make a mess BUT I also need some structure to get me started or I stare at blank pages. And since the No Excuses artist is also named Gina I could name my project Jumping Gina's.... haha  Which lead me to what does that name mean (obviously OCD worn off, ADHD kicked in)

From http://www.babynamespedia.com/meaning/Gina

Gina is a widely used name; it has 31 variant transcriptions. Variation transcriptions of Gina includeGeana, Geanndra, Geenah, Geina, Genae, Genah, Genai,Genalyn, Genea, Geneene, Geneja, Genelle, Genette,Genia, Gin, Ginai, Ginamaria, Gineen, Ginelle, Ginette,Ginna, Gyna, Jeana, Jeanna, Jeena, and Jena. Other English forms include the spelling variants Geanna,Geena, Gena (used in French as well), Ginah, and Jina. Variant forms inherit both the origin and meaning of Gina.

Which then lead to me reading the Gina is also a derivative of Eugenia, then I thought oh like my dad Eugene... sigh. I miss him everyday. Thus 5 minute peek into my brain. Disturbing I know. 

So back to my art journal quest. Perhaps if time and because I forgot to bring my white paint, I will run to Dick Blick or Michael's today and get some paint and a journal. I'd prefer one I could use my Copic markers in as I love them so much. But that requires some fancy paper. I can always use marker paper and get a fancy punch and put it in if I go with one of these ARC or Circa journals.

Oh and look at this cool diagram:

Oh and I really have Gina on the brain because everyone also needs to pray for a patient of mine named Gina that's in the hospital in critical care. Her husband said ask everyone to pray so put her on your list. I've known her since 2000 and she needs all the help she can get right now.

Jeanna, Gina, Eugene....