Barb spent from 1983 to 2019 owning her own company working long days in a very stressful environment in the commercial construction industry. In 2019 retirement was getting closer and she needed to find some creative outlets to reduce the stress and carry it into retirement. She first started with doodling finding what she could online. Then she found Jane Davenport doing faces and bodies but what really drew her in was the mixed media with bright paint colors and doodling with markers and pens. This made Barb very happy but felt very alone in her new venture - that is when she found Get Messy!

What is art journaling to you?

It is a way to express my feelings as I am not able to express my words.

What does community do for your art?

If it wasn’t for the Get Messy community, I probably would not have continued with my art journey. I often felt alone and just knowing that I have a group I belong to that has the same goals and struggles that I have is so reassuring.

How do you live a creative life? How do you incorporate journaling into that?

I don’t know what a creative life really looks like – all I know is that I appreciate all the colors around me – I am grateful for everything I have and can do and try to incorporate it into my art journal.

What does your creative space look like? Where do you journal?

I am fortunate that I have a large room to work in with plenty of light. I have a large desk and most of my supplies are easily accessed. I journal in the same space because I love being there.

Do you have creative routines?

I work best in the morning and now that I am retired, I spend most of my mornings doing something creative.

What is your favourite art journal page that you’ve ever made and why?

I love the colors, stencils and words

What is your biggest barrier to creating? And how do you overcome that hurdle?

Fear that it won’t look like I picture it in my mind. I just keep trying even if it doesn’t come out the way I want it to.

Have you ever made something you don’t like? What did you do?

I have made a lot of art I didn’t like. I do not do anything to it – just put it into my journal so I can learn from it and someday look back and see how far I have come.

How has Get Messy impacted your creativity?

Get Messy has pushed me way past what I thought were my limitations in creating and the fact that “more than zero is enough” has given me the desire to continue to improve and learn new skills.

What journal do you use?

Currently, I am working in an Ohuhu 6×6 marker journal.

What is your one *must have* supply?

Black Brush Pen

What do you make when you don’t know what to make?

Start with color and let intuition take me from there.

What is the most important (non-tool) thing to your creative practice?

Showing up and more than zero is enough!

Who are your favourite Messy artists?

Caylee Grey, Jane Davenport, Dina Wakley.

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

Showing Up and More than Zero is enough!

Advice to new art journalers:

Keep trying and never give up. Don’t buy too many supplies. Join Get Messy.