Happy New Year creative souls! Tammy here to inspire you today.

Let’s hope this year is a little kinder and a little gentler.

As it’s a New Year, it’s the perfect time to take some time for you. Press pause – whether it be for a day or two, or even a few minutes. It’s the perfect way to reset and renew and start afresh.

Today I’m sharing an Art Journal page that explores this…..

TCW provided me with some awesome goodies to play with, but the opinions and creations are my own.

Let’s take a look at how this page came together….

Firstly apply TCW9001 White Gesso to your blank Art Journal Page. Once dry add some paint quite randomly to the page in 3 spots with a dry brush – it doesn’t need to be perfect, just slap it down.

Now working quickly, lay stencil TCW827 Spring Medallion over the top and with a wet baby wipe rub off the paint through the stencil. I used ‘Turquoise’ by Dina Wakley.

You will be left with a lovely pattern.

Now repeat this process using another color – I used ‘Lime’ by Dina Wakley. Try to line up the stencil when you place it down again.

Again repeat this using ‘Blushing’ by Dina Wakley.

This is your background done.

I added an image by Michelle Grant. These images are perfect for art journaling and make me look like a skilled artist!! I am still learning to create faces and figures so by using one of these it frees me up to get really creative around it. (alternatively you could also use a stamp to add an image and then cut this out).

I worked out where I wanted the image to sit and then added some ‘Peacock’ paint by Dina Wakley with a dry brush so that it just peeks out around the shape of the image.

Next grab another stencil with a peaceful vibe – leaves are always a winner! I used TCW658 Jungle Vines – I lay this down around the painted area you just created and again with a wet wipe removed the paint.

I repeated this in the top right corner and also one other small section – I like to work in ‘threes’ when adding colors. It just pulls it altogether and harmonizes your page.

Once dry, I lay down the same stencil and attempted to line it up with the stems…..I then sponged paint through the stencil using a small make-up sponge and the ‘Peacock’ Paint again.

This gives a more complete feel to the page and will help blend the image into the background. It will prevent it from looking ‘plonked’ onto the page.

Once dry add your image using TCW9011 Matte Gel Medium. I apply it to both the back of my image and also to the front. I rub over it with my finger and this seals it so that I can keep adding color.

Once dry, I add paint to my image. I use a combination of acrylic paints and paint pens.

Now time to add details and outlines using paint pens. My favorites are the ‘Life of Colour’ Paint Pens.

Now add some flicks of black paint and a black border.

I also decided to add my journaling, using a stencil for part of it. I used TCW921 Word Stems and sponged black paint with a make-up sponge through the word ‘gather’ and the flower.

Once dry add in your journaling.

There you have it. I hope this inspires you to not only get creating but also to take a moment or three to reset and refocus.

Wishing you a year filled with peace and joy, and don’t forget to tag us on social media using #tcwstencillove. We absolutely love knowing if we’ve inspired you and also seeing the arty goodness you create.

Much love Tammy Klingner aka Tambarambaa