Isn’t it fun when something unplanned catches your eye? I think there is beauty in the unexpected.
The other week I showed you how I made these messy painted journals. I began by showing you how I made their covers, but I ended up filling them up with color too. The goal was to fill the pages with color and inspiring pops of playful abstract paint strokes. 
What I did not expect was the papers that I used to insert between my journal pages to become their own beautiful canvas. These papers were intended to simply catch the paint that rolled off the current page I was painting. I wanted them to catch paint from oozing below and hurting past pages I had painted.
The papers dried as the pages dried. I then moved them up and inserted them in between new pages, as I kept filling my journal with color. What happened in the process was layers and layers of paint filling up and creating fun abstract mini paintings.
I started to love the pages. All of a sudden I didn’t want them to get ruined, and I contemplated stopping to use them and get new papers, so I didn’t “mess them up.”
I forced myself to keep going and remain free in their creation as well, because ultimately I had no need or plan for them. I should just enjoy the process with them as well.
By the time I finished my journals, I had this stack of papers that I found so beautiful and loved as much as the journals. I cut them up into smaller sections and planned to use them as cards or bookmarks.
I couldn’t leave it there though. I got the idea to add more texture and fun to create some really fun, messy, painted, rainbow greeting cards.
I started following some of the trails of paint by ripping the edge to create a rough textured finish. I loved this look because the white contrasts with all that color so beautifully. 
Once I had a stack of now ripped mini abstract paintings, I picked a blank, colorful greeting card and sewed my painting to it. The result was a fun, textured, colorful, messy (yet finished) greeting card. 
What do you think? Do you love them as much as I do?
I think one of the things I love about them is just that they came out of nothing. There was no idea or plan. They just unfolded as I created and enjoyed the art process.
When is a time you found beauty in an unexpected way? Enjoy the process! We never know what may come out of it!
Leave a Reply