Jenny lives on the West Coast of Sweden with her husband. When she isn’t spending time in her very messy studio or at work, she sings in a church choir and loves reading speculative fiction, such as, but not limited to, Sci-Fi and fantasy. She is a lifetime Messian, loves single-drawings, and lots and lots of layers!

How do you live a creative life?

I try to do something creative every day, even if it is just scraping a swipe of paint on a page. At work, I also sometimes get the chance to colour in pages, sketch or paint with my patients. Nothing is so calming as colouring in and laying down paint. My husband and I also sing in a choir and I am daring to be braver with my singing.

Do you put your life into your art journal? Or is it focused on technique?

I’m a process-oriented person, and I need to put myself in the pages. It is not always obvious, but somehow my feelings and what I am going through is in there – sometimes hidden and sometimes obvious. Here in Sweden, (in the art journaling context, I have found at least), I mostly find technique- and product-oriented tutorials and pages. I cannot identify with these approaches, I need to make personal pages.

What is your biggest barrier to creating?

Fatigue and apathy.

How do you get over that hurdle?

Usually, I try to do something small and just push paint around. Maybe use some fluid media to create backgrounds or do some gelli printing. Most importantly, I try to do a little every day, and if that sparks the energy and joy to keep going, I just allow myself to go with the flow.

What has been your biggest lesson when it comes to creating art?

Not focusing so much on the outcome but enjoying the process and having fun. Also that it is better to do a little every day than to wait until you have loads of time. Often I sneak five minutes here and there, adding a little every time.

What is your favourite art journal page you’ve ever made? Why is it your favourite?

It’s hard to choose, I have many pages that are close to my heart. One of them was a page in the Season of Story. I created a page about the Princess and the Pea, it was one of the first pages where I was open about my struggle with fibromyalgia.

Have you ever actively disliked a page you’ve made? What did you do with it?

Oh yes, I have, some of those pages I have painted over with gesso and started over and some I have just left as is.

Have you ever been through artist block? What did you do to overcome it?

Sometimes I have just ignored my studio as long as I have needed and sometimes I know I need to force myself to sit down and just push paint around, glue some stuff down or do some gelli printing without thinking so much.

What’s the best art advice you’ve ever received?

Do a little art every day rather than waiting until you have a big chunk of time.

What does community do for your creating?

It helps me keep art on my mind constantly, gives me a lot of inspiration and encouragement. I love how our lovely community is so great at giving encouragement and support. Joining Get Messy is the biggest cause for me growing as an artist. One example is that I am usually very maximalist in my art, lots of layers and no white space, but Caylee’s art and classes has helped me to edit myself more. I’m still maximalist but I dare to create minimalist pages along side my more busy pages.

Who would you like to celebrate in the Get Messy community?

Currently, I am in awe of Kelli Cresswell‘s art. She uses colour wonderfully and rocks both maximalist and minimalist pages.

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Jenny Sehlstedt

Jenny lives on the West Coast of Sweden with her husband. When she isn’t spending time in her very messy studio or at work, she sings in a church choir and loves reading speculative fiction, such as, but not limited to, Sci-Fi and fantasy. She is a lifetime Messian, loves single-drawings, and lots and lots of layers!