Journal Bliss: Creative Prompts to Unleash Your Inner Eccentric

While so many art journaling guides are full of directions for cut and paste, Violette has taken a step above in creating a book that encourages participants to explore their own creativity. There is nothing more satisfying than creating one's own backgrounds, textures and designs. When all an artist does is cut and paste onto preprinted paper, there is no invention and very little creativity. This book is whimsical, and colorful. Violette encourages the reader to explore their own patterns and artwork to produce new and exciting journal pages.

Violette's first (and hopeully not last) book, "Journal Bliss", breaks away from the pack and the usual fare of today's overdone, dark, vintage-ridden pablum with this refreshingly delightful collection of user-friendly techniques and engaging text. Like Violette's philosophy on both life and art, her imagery is original, not borrowed or stock, so inspiration awaits on every page. Whereas some books for artists bore the reader with too much or too little amounts of text, her ideas are communicated through page after page of colorful art, which the visually oriented creative will love. I bought two copies of this informative eye candy; one for personal use and one for a gift. And I may be back for more...

I was so inspired after my first time through this, I worked on my art journal non-stop for HOURS (normally my attention span doesn't allow that). The art is beautiful and full of spirit, this will be one that stays on my art table!

Not only is this book absolute eye candy, but it's full of simple art journaling suggestions that anyone can try. One of the most fun books about journaling that I've ever read or purchased. I highly recommend it!

There are a lot of journaling how to books out on the shelves these days but this new book by Violette stands out above them all. Page after page of Violette's wonderful, whimsical and engaging artwork along with prompts, tips and creative techniques to get you started on creating your own art journals. Even if you're a practiced art journaler you'll enjoy this book because it's impossible to flip through it and not be inspired by the imagery. But there's more here to be inspired by than just the artwork. Violette covers a ton of techniques starting with silencing your inner critic and then moves into creating groovy backgrounds, image transfers and fanciful lettering as well as doodling and bodacious borders. I highly recommend this book, it's a must have for anyone interested in art journaling.