Kiala Givehand -- LifeAlchemist
  • Home
  • WRITE
    • Writing Into Winter
    • Wisdom Keepers
  • DISCOVER
    • Human Design Readings
    • Astrology Readings
  • LEARN
    • FREE Artsy Meetups
    • Intro to Runes
    • Living Oracle
    • Tarot Saves the Day
    • Intro to Lenormand
    • Deconstructing The I Ching >
      • I Ching Study
    • Playing Cards Class
    • Magical Playbook
    • Vision Board Cards
  • Pull Pen Paint
  • SoulCollageĀ®
    • Intro to SoulCollage®
    • SoulSeeds™ Info
    • Dream Work & SoulCollage®
    • Lunar Language
    • Mix It Up
  • About
    • 19 Things About Me
    • Contact >
      • Newsletter Signup
  • Home
  • WRITE
    • Writing Into Winter
    • Wisdom Keepers
  • DISCOVER
    • Human Design Readings
    • Astrology Readings
  • LEARN
    • FREE Artsy Meetups
    • Intro to Runes
    • Living Oracle
    • Tarot Saves the Day
    • Intro to Lenormand
    • Deconstructing The I Ching >
      • I Ching Study
    • Playing Cards Class
    • Magical Playbook
    • Vision Board Cards
  • Pull Pen Paint
  • SoulCollageĀ®
    • Intro to SoulCollage®
    • SoulSeeds™ Info
    • Dream Work & SoulCollage®
    • Lunar Language
    • Mix It Up
  • About
    • 19 Things About Me
    • Contact >
      • Newsletter Signup

Blank Canvas Blog Hop Journal

9/20/2014

15 Comments

 
Picture
I love a blank page. A new journal waiting for me to go on an adventure. I don't fear the blank page, I see it as an invitation. 

When I create my own journals I love to start by filling them with pre-made backgrounds so that I can just pick up the journal and create. 

Moving past the blank page is rather simple for me, but it wasn't always. I used to sit and stare at the blank page for hours. I would find myself almost crippled by the thought of starting. 

This was true in my writing and in my art. 

Now, I love the idea of a blank canvas, page, screen. It's an invitation for me to begin. An invitation for me to try something new or rely on something old. It's a place for me to let go, give in, and simply show up as the artist/writer I am. 

Here's a short video of my creative process when I make a blank journal with a few pages. 

Enjoy! And leave a comment below to be entered into a drawing for a seat in my next art journaling course -- Conquering the Blank Page -- starting in November 2014. 
How do you start with a new, blank, journal? 

Want to be entered into a give-a-way for a free seat in my upcoming e-course -- Conquering the Blank Page? Here's how: 

1. Sign up for my newsletter if you haven't already. 

2. Follow me on Twitter AND tweet the link to this blog posting -- make sure you use the hashtag #TheBlankCanvasHop and mention me!!

3. Leave a comment below telling us how you start your new journals. 

**Do all three to increase your chances. Closes on September 23rd. 

When you're done here check out the full list here>>>

Picture
15 Comments
Rita McGregor link
9/20/2014 11:38:47 am

I'm not on Twitter or Facebook.
I have a hard time with those blank pages. I sometimes use prompts to get going or just start with a background kind of like you did. Your deck is great for prompts. :)

Reply
Sherri
9/20/2014 12:37:44 pm

The last journal I started was from a book I made myself. I wrote on the first page noting the date the book was made and noted that it was the first time I had sewed the pages into a book using my sewing machine. Proceeded to draw on the next pages.

Reply
Karen link
9/20/2014 01:55:54 pm

Loved having a whole book of ideas to face the blank page! I like to start by using gesso &/or gloss medium to create texture. It takes paint in a different way from the paper/

Reply
Cynthia Patton link
9/20/2014 01:58:07 pm

Love this! Thanks for sharing. :)

Reply
Nicole link
9/20/2014 04:18:02 pm

Wow, Kiala! What a wealth of techniques and ideas. This looks like so much fun. I do love to do backgrounds first and then come back to that later. I have actually never made an art journal but I think you are enticing me. Thanks for sharing

Reply
Bindu link
9/20/2014 09:21:10 pm

I usually start using my markers to draw few shapes. Then, if I don't fell to continue, just close it, then come back later. Going back and forth is the way for me.

Reply
Fiona link
9/21/2014 12:35:47 am

I really enjoyed your video. I subscribed too (G-G- Gaia). Thanks for sharing your ideas. I already did a page with the other masking tape background effect you showed us the other day.
I'm new to art journalling and my current journals (yes I have two!) are very different. One is a re-purposed text book from when I taught English. In this I always gesso or collage first (often both) as I have to cover up words and pictures. The other is a sketchbook left over from college, which I hadn't used hardly, and in that journal I often begin by randomly painting and making marks, or writing on the blank page (heard about that one on this blog hop!). So I will definitely be using your ideas in both these journals. Thank you!

Reply
KimG
9/21/2014 01:18:18 am

I like to make my own journals too. Thanks for the great tips for getting color and texture on the page.

Reply
Tori Deaux link
9/21/2014 02:35:06 am

This is a brilliant idea! I've got some gorgeous hand made paper journals that have been sitting here for YEARS because of blank page syndrome -- approaching them with the goal of of un-blank-paging it? That'll work! Yay :) Thank you for this, Kiala!

Reply
Teresa Richardson
9/21/2014 10:42:38 am

When I start a new journal, I take several colored pencils and scribble/doodle on the first page

Reply
Darlene Campbell link
9/21/2014 02:48:17 pm

Thank you for the chance to win! I start a new journal by writing/sketching on the inside page...almost like a dedication for how I intend to use the book. I rarely prep backgrounds but after watching your video I want to do that.

Reply
Darlene Campbell link
9/21/2014 02:55:36 pm

Whoo hoo! Did them all!

Reply
jan link
9/22/2014 02:13:38 am

Kaila, these are great ideas for conquering the blank page. You speak of how each page "invites" you to respond to it. I'd love to see some of your finished journal pages.

Reply
Dariela Cruz link
9/23/2014 03:53:35 am

I loved watching your video, it just makes me feel like going and experimenting with paints and all. I think I need that. After this hop I'm loving a blank canvas!!

Reply
Monica link
9/30/2014 06:43:36 am

I'm catching up on the blank canvas hop this week. Kiala, your art and videos always inspire me, I want to get out my art supplies and play!!!

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Follow on Bloglovin
    Picture
    Picture

    hello friend...

    I'm Kiala, a student of life first and foremost. And I'm also a published poet, book binder, fountain pen collector, Life Alchemist & Intuitive Soul Guide. I make things, paint things, and write things. I love teaching & empowering women to  live with intention. Please, grab a cup of your favorite warm drink, a fountain pen, and your favorite journal. Let's connect!


    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    My Articles for the StencilGirl® Blog
    StencilGirl

    i'm teaching here...
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Picture

    journal with me
    Journaling Prompts
    30 Days of Reflection E-Book

    my favorite supplies

    Picture
    Addicted to Gelli

    my favorite classes

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Order Your Copy TODAY!!

    LINKwithlove

    I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    Archives

    March 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    October 2018
    September 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013

QUICK LINKS
About Kiala
Classes & Workshops
Contact
ADDITIONAL INFO
Privacy Statement
Disclaimers
Shipping Policy
FAQs
Picture
Picture
Picture

© Kiala Givehand, 2012-2025. All rights reserved.
Everything on this website, including the written words, photos, and artwork are the creative and intellectual property of Kiala Givehand, unless otherwise noted. I'm a small business owner and I share as much as I can to help others live creatively. This is NOT a hobby for me, this is my art, my work, my life. Please don't copy, reproduce, or download any of my artistic works or writings without contacting me for permission. Please feel free to link to this site and notify me when you do. Thanks, ya'll!!
**Some links on this blog & website are affiliate links and I receive a very small percentage of any sales generated by the link.