I distinctly remember this summer. One of my last true hurrahs while in my 20s. Way too much drinking, smoking and dancing my ass off. I had a great summer with a man I am still in touch with online. Every weekend (and let's be honest...sometimes we bailed on work, too) we would travel to wherever the music was to take it all in. I lived right outside of Asheville, NC at the time, so music and art were easily accessible and we took advantage of it often. We traveled to San Fran to check out a 3 day WSP show, went to Charleston, SC to see Rusted Root and Atlanta, GA to check out Spoonfed Tribe. The music was endless and so were the nights!

In my first art journals, I would burn the edges of my paper prior to gluing them. I did not want the straight edge of cutting but I had not learned to appreciate the wabi sabi of torn edges.

I had not developed my own style yet and was looking in books to copy other artists. At the time, I lived in the middle of nowhere and the internet was not something people had in their homes yet. I do remember this hand drawn guy. I had said, "Gravy, Baby" to a friend of mine who thought I said, "Groovy, Doobie." We thought this was hilarious.

Even back then, I was drawn to weird and freaky images. I have embraced them more as I grow more confident with my style. I think getting older has helped me too. I make art that I like and am not so worried about what others think (or what will sell).

My love of stamps is obvious in my earlier work. The only stamps I use now are handmade and I never use letter stamps. I have grown more confident with my handlettering.

The one and only time I ever used feathers in an art journal spread...

Don't really use the ribbon or fibers techniques either...although I think children would love to use them in their art journals they make with me at camp this summer!

And finally, my life long love, Keller Williams! Have not seen him live in years. I grow more introverted the older that I get and going to large music events with lots of people is not as appealing as it was when I was younger. But the summer of 2005 was a good one.

Does the simplicity of this art journal inspire you? It's small, portable and easy to fill. I am taking a trip to CA this summer to visit family and I think it might be time to try this again...this time with my lovely 6 year old in tow...