Last week’s Art Journal Adventure prompt was “trees”. The obvious subject would have been a Christmas tree but I really was not in the mood to draw or paint one. I, therefore, chose to depict a frosty tree but in a slightly abstracted way. I worked on this page gradually over the week before Christmas and got it finished thanks to having two days off work while my kids were still in school. It is a bit sloppy and imperfect thanks to being worked on inconsistently and in a bit of a rush each time but it’s only an art journal page so that’s quite OK.
Next year, I am not signed up for any courses and I have no art based commitments or obligations. I am just going to do my own thing and will try to be disciplined about eking out some art time each week without having a prompt to do so.
A Pict in PA 
I really like your tree, Laura, and find the leaves to be particularly cool–they remind me of intricate paper cutouts.
Thanks, Mike. Once I’d added a couple of leaves, I kind of regretted it. I thought maybe it was making the piece too busy. However, I was committed at that point so I just kept going. I’m glad you think it works.
Cool art Laura, have fun on your new art adventure!
Thank you. I have lots of ideas of things to draw and paint.
I agree about the leaves – they are a nice open counterpoint to the tree. I’m looking forward to seeing your art set free from prompts and courses!
Thanks, Ellie. I will probably keep going with art journal prompts – while doing my own thing with them – because I find that weekly nudge to sit down and play in my art journal useful. But I am definitely looking forward to spending my art time developing my illustration skills without feeling like I need to use it for a lesson.
This is beautiful. And I like your idea for next year. You will fly. I look forward to seeing what evolves.
Thanks. I want to devote more of my available time to developing my ink and watercolour illustration skills but I’ll still play around with mixed media in my art journal to stop myself getting locked into one mode of creativity.
I love the abstract look of your tree, Laura. It reminds me of the art work of Matisse. He was famous for cut outs and fun shapes. I’m looking forward to seeing more of your art work in the new year.
Thank you for that wonderful compliment, Christina. One of my kids commented that it looked a bit like a design for a quilt.
I really love this one 🙂
Thank you!