inviting peace with a

White Wonderland

One of the things I love best about art, is that we can create what we long for, what we need and desire, right there on the page or the canvas, and it then ripples out in the rest of our lives. Just like meditation, yoga or any other well-being practice, making art (or even just looking at it) allows us to shift our energy and come into alignement with ourselves, our truth, our gifts. In a very real way (neuroscience and all), when you express wishes and intentions through art, you create new pathways in your brain. These might start as faint trails in the wilderness, but with practice they will soon widen into real little paths, then country roads, and eventually wide open freeways.

"Practice" is the key word here, because the more often you flex those creative muscles, the stronger they get. And that's why I love art journaling so much: it can really help you make more art, more often, and be more daring.

In a journal, you make art just for you, so it's easier to let go and be 100% yourself. You can express your dearest wishes on a page, and as you do, you will see them come to life in a way that's already tangible and visible.

It doesn't have to be complicated: creating this page was simply about inviting a sense of peace. It soon became a magical, snow-covered wonderland (which felt even better on a hot summer day!) and as I kept working on it, I could really feel myself slowing down, and serenity settling in.

What I also love is that even if you start with an idea or an intention, pretty soon inspiration will take over and bring plenty more surprises and deeper nuances to the process. For instance, I've noticed that the world Love kept showing up in my art journal lately, and birds too, which to me evoke Freedom and gentle guidance.

An art journal is a faithful companion you can take anywhere. With a minimal set of supplies, you can create on the go. And even when you're not creating, you can open your journal and revisit its pages again and again, just like your own personal story book! I know I can always come back to this soothing “white wonderland” whenever I feel stressed. And it feels sooooo good.

What about you?

Do you keep an art journal too? Or are you feeling called to starting one?

I am sharing all about this magical practice in my online class The Artist & the Journal. This class is all about helping you create a practice that works for you, feels like you and allows you to express the wishes of your heart. It is filled with all my best tips to unlock inspiration, stay in the flow and even use your journal to inspire your other art! And to create plenty more beautiful pages, I’ve also created 3 new lessons about imaginary journeys, including this White Wonderland. I would love to see you there!

I believe that today, more than ever, art and creativity have the power to change the world in magical ways. What would you like more of in your life today? What if you opened a page and started to make it real?…

Let me know in a comment below!

To receive new blog posts and inspiration directly in your inbox, subscribe to my email newsletter, and to follow what’s happening in my studio, join me on Instagram!