I wasn't able to get this book to download when I first was offered it. It suddenly just appeared on my computer, so I read it. It is a really good book, full of great ideas for working on a journal. It is a little too advanced for kids, unless you have an adult to work with them, but is an excellent book for the adult side of the library.

A beautiful book of inspiration and information on different techniques to creating your own art journal!

The Painted Art Journal was great inspiration for my collage and scrapbook projects. Not only does The Painted Art Journal give useful tutorials on how to create visual masterpieces, but it encourages creativity and brainstorming.

As inspiring as it was informative, this book will help you not only learn how to create art, but also how to find inspiration all around you. With wonderful illustrations and structure, it is a highly recommended guide!

I love books anout keeping sketchbooks and art journals and I absolutely loved this one. It draws you in and is just so inspiring and engaging. It got me off my backside and actually doing something creative and artistic. You don't have to be a great artist to just enjoy being creative and this book is great at giving sources of inspiration. I like how it's set out and it's one I will come back to.

This book was a great reference for starting a new art journal. The author gives great advice on materials to start your journal (including what to actually use for your journal). I will definitely wa t to check this book out later to delve into the projects a bit more!

I have read a lot of books about making an art journal, and none of them ever come close the this one. The book isn't "pie in the sky", but a really good down to earth book which includes methods, tools and ideas - not just copy this, or do this - it actually puts you in the drivers seat. From actually making your own journal book to different techniques, get different effects and suggestions on what could be in your journal.
I LOVE LOVE this book

I’ve always loved the look of aged art journals. I can’t quite place my finger on it, but I’ve always found them to be aesthetically pleasing. Naturally when I saw The Painted Art Journal I knew I had to give it a chance and read it cover to cover.
Jeanne Oliver’s artwork is quite frankly, striking. Like any good teacher (which is what she becomes in this book) she’s gifted and knowledgeable in the subject she’s instructing on. Really there’s no argument about her talent, one glimpse at the artwork inside this book will leave little room for doubt.
Jeanne Oliver included an introduction, a basic description of art journaling and her method, as well as dozens of other little tips. Also included is a list of suggested items for us, and how she personally prefers to keep them sorted. I adore these sort of tips, so this was a fantastic touch as far as I’m concerned.
The main chunk of the book is broken into twenty four projects, as the title suggests. Each one thematically matches the rest, and it fits in with her art style as well. Here she explains the goal and purpose of the project, gives hints, tips and ideas, and sometimes basic instructions. She’ll also occasionally include specific explanations for how she created a certain effect in her examples.
I haven’t yet had a chance to start any of the projects in this book, but believe me I fully intend to. There’s no way I could resist following Jeanne Oliver’s guidance here. So I can promise you this will be getting placed on my desk, to ensure I come back to it very soon.

(Received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)

This is a lovely book which would be a perfect pick to flip through on days that you are feeling inspired, but need a little guidance in your writing and art-ing (is that a word? I think it should be). I totally want to try out some of her mark making ideas just because they look like fun! Definitely an inspiring volume.

Really love the idea of an alternative journal. Especially appreciate the instructions on how to transform a book cover into a "new" journal and also how to make one from scratch. Its nice to have clear directions with images so that you have an idea of what the heck you are doing!

The photography in this book is just gorgeous. I think that this really adds to the general feeling of care and deliberate effort that Oliver is trying to get to.

I love art books, whether they show one artist's production or whether they are "how-to" books with lots de demos. They are highly visual and colorful. And they are usually inspiring.
This is certainly the case with Jeanne Oliver's book. She demonstrates her approach to visual journaling with many different tools and mediums and encourages her reader to experiment. There are two very distinctive aspects to this book, and they are in the definition of "journal". On the one hand, a journal is not necessarily a daily account of events and thoughts. On the other hand, a journal is not necessarily what fits into the book format.
The book format is indeed present in her process of journaling. She even suggests building your own book with a variety of paper textures and binding it yourself. But she also uses a wall display to gather pictures, artifacts and other visuals that could be used in the composition of book pages or spreads, or in other ways.
The journal, as she uses it, is more a chronicle or memoirs, representing multiple aspects of one's life, encounters, and events. The topic to be developed or the story that one wishes to tell can be done at any point in time, using all the means at one's disposal.
Although the author uses a great variety of mediums, all this can be done with a minimal amount of spending on art materials.
The Painted Art Journal is a very good resource for anyone wishing to embark on a project of self-discovery and personal chronicle using mixed media. It breaks down the barriers between text and image, and opens up all possibilities for self-expression.

A very interesting book on creative journaling. It is full of beautiful illustrations and inspiring examples. The style is quite unique and personal to the author, Although it is probably not a style I would follow, I loved reading it and following the authors methods.

I am a crafty person bout I don't paint or draw. I was able to get a sneak peak and decided there would be enough to help me with my own crafting. When I got the full book, I was really excited. AS I went through the first two-thirds, I saw wonderfully and artful ways to tell my story! It inspired me to use my own crafting techniques to tell my own story in my own way. I want a hard copy of this book so I can truly gets hands on; that's how much I was inspired to tell my own story.
The last third mainly focused on drawing and painting but I still have many ideas for my own projects.
I would definitely recommend The Painted Art journal to my crafty friends!

This year, I’ve embarked on a journey to explore more of my creative side, a side of me I’m not very familiar with and has been unused most of my life. I’ve found some wonderful books that offered lots of guidance, and I’ve been trying my hand at drawing and using colored pencils along with a gratitude book. I hoped to move more into journaling and maybe even some painting as time goes on.

The author, Jeanne Oliver, took the time to give very detailed information for this book. After starting with tools and basic supplies, she moves into projects: the book contains 24. Jeanne mentions that it helps her to have some rituals that she performs before she starts, and she offers some suggestions to help get ready such as music, deep breaths, prayer or even jumping jacks! Some of the 24 projects work with others: an example of this is that the first project is collecting your story and the second moves into displaying your story.

While I thoroughly appreciate how carefully this was put together and all the easy-to-follow directions, I like a lighter, happier look than the author displays in this book; I’m not a fan of the dripping paint, splotches and mostly drab colors that she uses. I do, however, feel this is a reasonably good springboard for me so I’m giving it 4 stars.

*I received a free advanced copy from the publisher via #netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a beautiful book with a ton of information on how to art journal your story. I’m a beginner in this art form, so I appreciate this book’s informative parts. She introduced me to unique supplies, clever techniques that I never considered before. The author really knows her stuff.

However, as is most common among artists, the author puts too much spirituality in her approach to art. As a Christian, I believe that creating art is an expression of humans’ being made in the image of God, just as Genesis 1:27 says. I also believe the fact that we can appreciate beauty in whatever form (a breathtaking sunset, a gorgeous painting, a heartwarming story, etc) is a testament to our reflection of God, our Creator. So, I agree with the author that there is a spiritual aspect to doing art.

The artist, however, takes it to another level. First of all, the point of the book is using mixed media to tell one’s story (family history, old pictures, etc). But, from the beginning, she emphasizes that truthfulness is not important. She encourages the reader, “Your story can even be imaginary and what you want it to be” and “It is also OK on this creative journey to rewrite any part of your story through your art.”

If what you’re trying to convey is not your true story, then it isn’t YOUR story anymore. If I say that I’m related to Abraham Lincoln, which is not true, and make an art journal that says so, then it isn’t my story anymore. It’s just an art journal about a fictional story.

She encourages rituals (meditations, speaking out loud key words, etc) before doing art, which I found weird. Maybe this is what makes me a hobby artist and not a “real” one. The author seems to take art too seriously when it’s meant to be a fun endeavor.

The section on Mark Making was confusing to me. If the point of the chapter is to find what makes your art yours by the distinct marks you make, then what is the point of the mark making suggestions in this section? By doing her suggestions, then it is no long your own mark.

Overall, the book has many things to teach anyone who is new to mixed media. I like these parts very much. But the author’s too serious approach to art, her messy style and her busy artwork are not things I’m drawn to. After reading this book, I realized mixed media is the art form for our post-modern age. Beauty is treated too subjectively that a messy collection of photos, notes, ephemera are passed as art. As an amateur artist, I am saddened by this reality.

I’m a sucker for a good-looking book and this one’s all muted shades of blue, brown and grey with a dash of mustard – like an artist’s coastal studio.
Oliver clearly knows her topic and takes you through the process: from gathering your materials, creating a storyboard and making a journal from an old book; to a series of step by step art projects such as making a circular timeline and collaging with torn papers.
At first, with a lot of emphasis on ‘telling your story’ and ‘creative rituals’, I was worried that it might be a little too ‘spiritual’ for my liking. But when I got to the projects it was clear that there’s plenty of room for playful fun – creating a page from a vintage class photo, for example – it doesn’t need to be deeply personal if you don’t want it to be.
This book leans more to the arts side than the crafts ( or creative writing ) side of journals. There was no use of rubber stamping or stencilling and the stories were (except for a project using a poem) told in images alone rather than a mix of words and pictures, which some may prefer.
However, the techniques and ideas included could be adopted and adapted by all kinds of journaler – this is an inspiring and instructive book.
Thanks to NetGalley and F+W Media for the electronic review copy.

Nicely photographed and format/layout were well done! Unfortunately, the artist's aesthetic is not one that inspires me personally. I did like her explanation of technique and prompts for exploring more in your art.

This is a good book if you are looking for ideas and some basic drawing instructions not a lot of unique ideas but if you are looking for a good reference book with some great journaling prompt this will work for you.

I'm just gonna tell you what I said on Facebook earlier today:

You guys. Seriously. I have no words for how good this book is. Which is rare.

What Oliver's created here is completely unique. It's not just about making pretty pictures in a book. It's about excavating your soul's stories, collecting all the various threads that make you *you*, and putting them together to make art in a way that only you can.

When I got my copy from Netgalley this morning, I thought I'd flip through it and go on with my day. Most art books, I go in, look at the techniques, see if there's anything new that I want to try in my own practice, and then, generally, they go on the shelf. Even the ones I like and end up keeping are often shelf-dwellers, waiting for me to need that particular technique.

This is not how my morning went, y'all.

By the second chapter or so, I was sitting in my comfy chair with a notebook, following a sidebar (just a sidebar!) of her advice to write down notes about all of your stories. Granted, she said to only take fifteen minutes or so. Two HOURS later, I was still scribbling notes and only made it to my late teens.

Quick fact you may not know about me: I have a head injury. Got creamed by a drunk driver in 2003. There were days I forgot things like words and my own grandmother's name. There are large swaths of my life path that are foggy or I just don't remember.

This morning, when I was making my scribbly list of stories, *I started remembering*, y'all. Things that were lost, stories that were foggy or forgotten.

By the time I stopped for the time being (my hand was cramping), I had a WEALTH of new resources to draw upon. For me, for that one tip alone? I'd buy ten of these books.

Then, though, she gets into her process, and through a whole host of absolutely gorgeous projects and unique techniques, she delves deep into those stories you've uncovered, and gives them the chance to be illuminated and seen. I've taken Jeanne's classes (which she has on her self-named site), and there are some projects that are repeats, just for the record. However, coming into them this time with another round of stories made the projects themselves new, as well.

Oliver has put into the world not just a beautifully photographed and well-organized art resource, but a kind of soul-level tool for self-discovery here.

I can not recommend it highly enough. It comes out in July. I suggest pre-ordering. Worth every penny, and about a million more.

I am currently working on an art journal, and love gathering new ideas for creating interesting pages. Some of the tutorials and ideas are similar to tutorials in other art journaling books I have, but there are enough fresh ideas in here that it is worth reading.

My favorite section was Chapter 3: Creative Rituals. I do not have a creative ritual, but the idea of having one intrigues me. I am thinking about creating one to inspire me the next time I sit down to write.

The author’s style is very monochromatic and gritty, which is much different than my style, but the tutorials are open ended enough to allow me to adapt them to my own journal.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy of this ebook in exchange for an unbiased review.

I'm a mixed media artist and art journaler myself making tutorials on my vlog on YouTube.
I was really excited to see this book on NetGalley and requested it immediately, but I'm a bit disappointed. I think the writer really focused on her own experience, her own tools, and style so much that I didn't find it mainstream book that you could learn the basics or different techniques.
The beginning especially is very vague about finding inspiration, etc and some pictures of the artist.
I wish the book was more solid and open for diversity, showing clearly how to start art journaling together with some solid techniques. Also, it doesn't talk about proper tools, paints, colours, many other tools that are very common to use like stamps, stencils, etc.
It's unfortunately a let down.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for granting a copy in exchange for an honest review.