There are some projects that you finish.
And then there are the ones that quietly wait for you.
These journal pages come from Life Book 2023, an incredible year-long mixed media course by the wonderfully talented Tamara Laporte from Willowing Arts. Like so many creative people, I signed up full of excitement, ready to paint, experiment, and learn alongside artists from around the world.
Life, however, had other plans.
I never completed the course.
Looking back now, these pages capture the last few months before my craft room disappeared beneath boxes, furniture, and everyday responsibilities. My workspace moved upstairs, most of my supplies found their way into the shed, and little by little I stopped making time for creativity.
The paints dried.
The brushes waited.
And so did these pages.
Learning to Let Go
One of the things I loved most about Life Book was that it encouraged freedom rather than perfection.
Some lessons focused on expressive portraits with oversized eyes and whimsical characters.
Others explored loose watercolour, intuitive mark making, abstract backgrounds, and storytelling through colour.
Each lesson gently nudged me outside my comfort zone, reminding me that art doesn't always need a destination. Sometimes it simply needs permission to exist.
Looking back through these pieces now, I can see myself slowly becoming braver.
The elephant taught me restraint, allowing the white space to become just as important as the paint itself.
The colourful owl encouraged me to embrace pattern and playful doodling.
The whale became an exercise in atmosphere rather than detail, while the abstract page gave me permission to simply enjoy making marks without worrying about what they represented.
Even the decorative feathers became little reminders that beauty often lives in the smallest details.
Finding My Own Voice
Although these pages were inspired by individual lessons, I can already recognise little glimpses of the style I naturally gravitate towards.
Soft turquoise.
Gentle pinks and violets.
Touches of lime green.
Loose watercolour layered with black line work.
Tiny white highlights.
Whimsical subjects.
Decorative patterns.
Looking back, I wasn't simply following a course any more.
Without realising it, I was beginning to discover my own artistic voice.
A Creative Pause
For a long time I looked at these pages and thought about everything I didn't finish.
Now I see something completely different.
They remind me that creativity doesn't disappear.
Sometimes it simply becomes quiet while life asks for your attention elsewhere.
These pages patiently waited while I dealt with work, family, back surgery, moving rooms, and everything else life decided to throw my way.
Now, as Bonscraft slowly comes back to life, they feel less like unfinished projects and more like old friends waiting to welcome me home.
Looking Forward
Returning to crafting feels different this time.
I'm no longer creating simply to make another card or fill another journal page.
I'm creating because it brings peace.
Because it helps me slow down.
Because colour has a wonderful way of making even difficult days feel a little lighter.
I don't know whether I'll ever complete Life Book 2023.
Perhaps I don't need to.
The lessons it taught me were never really about finishing a course.
They were about rediscovering joy through paint, paper, and a willingness to play.
And perhaps that was the most valuable lesson of all.
Supplies Used
- Life Book 2023 (Willowing Arts)
- Watercolours
- Acrylic paints
- Black waterproof fineliners
- White Posca pen
- Coloured pencils
- Mixed media paper
- Various stencils and mark-making tools
Final Thoughts
Looking back through these pages reminds me that creativity isn't measured by how many projects we complete.
Sometimes it's measured by the courage to pick up a paintbrush again after putting it down for far too long.
If you've stepped away from a hobby you once loved, perhaps this is your little reminder that it's never too late to come back.
The paint will still dry.
The paper will still wait.
And your creativity will still remember your name.
Bon 🖤
Disclaimer
All products featured on this blog were purchased by me unless otherwise stated. I am not sponsored by any company, brand, or artist mentioned in this post, and all opinions shared are entirely my own.
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