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Journal Bliss: Creative Prompts to Unleash Your Inner Eccentric
Follow Your Bliss Whether you're looking to express yourself creatively for the first time or have found yourself in a creative rut, you'll soon be following your inspired voice with the help of Journal Bliss . With the guidance of author, Violette , you'll learn to express your thoughts and feelings like never before in your own art journal. Not only will Violette inspire you with her own journal pages, she'll teach you techniques for creating your own unique pages. You'll learn Create freely, express yourself and enjoy the journey with Journal Bliss !
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
12 people are currently reading
376 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 17, 2010
Violette's book has been in my to read stack for awhile. I was finally able to read this book when I took it with me on a trip. I found that it was a quick read. It might have been a quick read, but it was a powerful read as well. Violette, in this book, is a cheerleader, life coach, therapist and art teacher. She mixes in the right amount of words with pictures, the right amount of encouragement and support.
She dives in with a discussion about the reader's inner critic. I was a little surprised that she would start out with this, but it was the right way to organize the book and she didn't go on and on in that chapter.
She clearly describes a lot of techniques and a lot of different ways to do small but effective bits of embellishment. Her writing style makes the reader think that s/he can create borders, backgrounds and any of the techniques described. The one part that really intrigued me was the part about faces. Reading this section and looking at the pictures gave me confidence She makes drawing faces seem simple. I don't mean simple as in stupid looking, but simple as in with a little practice everyone can do faces as well as she can.
Violette provides lots of examples of her artwork. The book is mostly drawings and examples of her written creativity. The majority of the book is not typeset, but embellished, drawn and colored. This style provides lots of examples of her. She shows it is simple. The drawings are not simple, but if the reader breaks them down and looks carefully at the lines, there is nothing tricky going on and the style is quite do-able.
One great suggestion Violette gives is to do a Gratitude journal page using a list rather than prose. I think that is a great idea for any kind of journal page, not only a gratitude page.
I really liked this book and think that it is one that will be a great reference book. I would like to try the various drawing techniques to spice up my journal pages, especially the border ideas. I also want to try making the faces.
She dives in with a discussion about the reader's inner critic. I was a little surprised that she would start out with this, but it was the right way to organize the book and she didn't go on and on in that chapter.
She clearly describes a lot of techniques and a lot of different ways to do small but effective bits of embellishment. Her writing style makes the reader think that s/he can create borders, backgrounds and any of the techniques described. The one part that really intrigued me was the part about faces. Reading this section and looking at the pictures gave me confidence She makes drawing faces seem simple. I don't mean simple as in stupid looking, but simple as in with a little practice everyone can do faces as well as she can.
Violette provides lots of examples of her artwork. The book is mostly drawings and examples of her written creativity. The majority of the book is not typeset, but embellished, drawn and colored. This style provides lots of examples of her. She shows it is simple. The drawings are not simple, but if the reader breaks them down and looks carefully at the lines, there is nothing tricky going on and the style is quite do-able.
One great suggestion Violette gives is to do a Gratitude journal page using a list rather than prose. I think that is a great idea for any kind of journal page, not only a gratitude page.
I really liked this book and think that it is one that will be a great reference book. I would like to try the various drawing techniques to spice up my journal pages, especially the border ideas. I also want to try making the faces.
February 10, 2011
Sorry for the late review. I just love this book. It's my reference book whenever I'm stuck looking at a piece I'm trying to create. This book has made my artwork a bit unique and quirky. You can use this book to create journals, scrapbooks, any art pieces and so on. There's no end to how to use the info in this book. Every artist needs to own a copy of this.
December 10, 2015
Ok art journaling how-to book. A bit light on content and a bit too new agey for me.
November 10, 2010
I great book to find inspiration for your own art journal. She discusses what uses her inspiration for her art journals and give several prompts to help you make your own.
March 23, 2017
This book really got me CREATING art and trying some things I never would have. I felt creative!
February 28, 2019
I love this book! It is so bright and colorful and pretty... and I'm honored to have these samples of Violette's artwork in my home. I noticed this is the only book Violette has listed at Amazon - and kind of wish there were more Violette books as this one is a feast for the eyes and I'd be likely to buy another if one existed. Maybe just a book full of journal art, instead of a how-to book?
This is a beginner's how-to for mixed media journaling. I'll bet this has been a sourcebook for many other mixed media artists over the ten years since publication. This year I decided to read one art book each month, but this month (February) I finished the first book and then found this one, and finished it too, reading it cover to cover. I probably won't copy any of Violette's art but will try some of her techniques and journaling suggestions, and let it seep slowly in as an artistic influence for my own artwork.
There are six chapters teaching basic mixed media skills, for lettering, borders, doodling, backgrounds, envelope art and image transfers. At the back there's a section of journaling ideas, like "The Last Day on Earth" prompt which she suggests we do every year.
I noticed one reviewer here on Goodreads said the book was "too new agey" and I have to say, as a born again Christian former new agey kind of person, there's not too much new agey stuff here for me, though I do tend to shy away from new agey stuff these days. There's a page about meditation, and yes, Violette has a few new agey ideas to share, but they didn't make me feel uncomfortable in any way. Besides, I wasn't reading to evaluate her spiritual-religious beliefs. I was reading because I admire her artwork!
Yes, the book is a quick read and light on written content, but not as light as the other art book I read this month, Folk Art Fusion, by Heather Galler. But let's face it, I don't read art books to get an in-depth written discussion of art making techniques. I read them to be inspired to create, to see what art supplies other artists find valuable, and to learn new techniques and get ideas for my own artwork. The pages full of art are just as valuable, if not more so, because they show me what Violette was creating. Without words, they teach me so much.
Anyhow, wonderful book, and truly a forerunner to so many others in the mixed media art field. Violette's life looks like a fairy tale come true with all her pretty paints, and the purple cottage, and her audacious Glitter Girl van. Well done, Violette!!
This is a beginner's how-to for mixed media journaling. I'll bet this has been a sourcebook for many other mixed media artists over the ten years since publication. This year I decided to read one art book each month, but this month (February) I finished the first book and then found this one, and finished it too, reading it cover to cover. I probably won't copy any of Violette's art but will try some of her techniques and journaling suggestions, and let it seep slowly in as an artistic influence for my own artwork.
There are six chapters teaching basic mixed media skills, for lettering, borders, doodling, backgrounds, envelope art and image transfers. At the back there's a section of journaling ideas, like "The Last Day on Earth" prompt which she suggests we do every year.
I noticed one reviewer here on Goodreads said the book was "too new agey" and I have to say, as a born again Christian former new agey kind of person, there's not too much new agey stuff here for me, though I do tend to shy away from new agey stuff these days. There's a page about meditation, and yes, Violette has a few new agey ideas to share, but they didn't make me feel uncomfortable in any way. Besides, I wasn't reading to evaluate her spiritual-religious beliefs. I was reading because I admire her artwork!
Yes, the book is a quick read and light on written content, but not as light as the other art book I read this month, Folk Art Fusion, by Heather Galler. But let's face it, I don't read art books to get an in-depth written discussion of art making techniques. I read them to be inspired to create, to see what art supplies other artists find valuable, and to learn new techniques and get ideas for my own artwork. The pages full of art are just as valuable, if not more so, because they show me what Violette was creating. Without words, they teach me so much.
Anyhow, wonderful book, and truly a forerunner to so many others in the mixed media art field. Violette's life looks like a fairy tale come true with all her pretty paints, and the purple cottage, and her audacious Glitter Girl van. Well done, Violette!!
September 30, 2019
A short book on using visual journal techniques to enhance more traditional written journal entries, Violette's book is a pretty and inspiring bit of art in its own right. While many of the techniques felt a bit beyond my very beginning art level and didn't always feel well explained, I still found some good suggestions for trying new methods of playing and freeing up my daily journaling. This is predominantly art focused, not word focused even when using words as art. There are tips on picture transfers, doodling, acrylics and collage among other arts. The tone is light and playful throughout.
January 20, 2025
Journal Bliss: creative Prompts to Unleash Your Inner Ecentric by Violette is a fun and engaging book about adding art, interest, and flair to your journaling practice. Violette illustrates and hand letters much of this practical handbook. She offers readers suggestions for adding such things as, lettering, borders, backgrounds, doodles, and much more to your journal pages. She also suggests journaling prompts. This is a quirky, creative, and practical handbook for those who are looking to take their journaling practice to the next level.
September 23, 2017
Fun art journaling book.
Every page an example.
Some technique, more about prompts and ideas to journal about.
(I really finished this last week some time, but only wrote down notes about it today, so now it can return to the library.)
Every page an example.
Some technique, more about prompts and ideas to journal about.
(I really finished this last week some time, but only wrote down notes about it today, so now it can return to the library.)
December 24, 2019
Ok
It's an ok book but I didn't see anything different here than in others of it's type. My favorite partsy be the Little Prince quote.
It's an ok book but I didn't see anything different here than in others of it's type. My favorite partsy be the Little Prince quote.
January 1, 2021
I love this book. Violette has such a great sense of color, creativity, and imagination. If you like color and art, it's worth checking out.
August 4, 2021
More of a crafty type book than for writing journal prompts. The ideas for making your thoughts come alive on page were good.
February 20, 2026
Don't think, just follow and let your imagination play. This journal will support your whimsical self.
April 29, 2014
I absolutely love this book. It's so easy to read in one sitting. I am new to a lot of the techniques within this book so will have to refer back to it and I hope not to get paint on it in the process.
July 6, 2010
I found this book wonderfully inspiring. It makes you want to get busy and journal! A great book!
March 30, 2011
This had a few good quotes in it but overall was light-weight and fluffy. Only took about an hour to read.
September 5, 2011
Great for beginners...
April 19, 2012
I like the energy of this book. It's definitely for beginners, with lots of cheer leading and examples. As good a 101 as any other, especially if you like bright color and cartoony drawings.
June 19, 2013
Wonderful writer and artist - creative ways to inspire and let your imagination free!
April 23, 2012
Many creative ideas to keep you art journaling.
July 29, 2016
Great ideas for the beginner journaler
December 5, 2016
My favorite art journaling book so far!
March 22, 2014
Not my style
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews