Basic Messy Art Journal Background

I love working in my art journal because it feels free and fun.  Kind of like creating when I was a kid and there were no rules or right or wrong way to do things.  I love to start almost all of my artwork this way--Just picking out a random page in my journal that has been used to test stencils or scrape extra paint onto, or drip excess watercolor and then begin to make more marks with oil pastels.  I add layers of collage with painted paper and tissue paper and then finish it with a quick sketch of a girl or the first words that pop into my head.  (This one is whispering to me, "Shine Bright.") A lot of what I love comes from random, unintentional, happy accidents.  I use the mess and chaos to guide what I add or cover up next.  And in the end, it is always one big, beautiful mess. :)  What is your process? How do you know when a work of art is done?  I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.  I may even answer these questions in an upcoming post.  And if you have any questions, I'd love to hear them.  Happy Mess Making!

xo

Nicole