2010 Guest Host MICHELLE

Michelle took part in last year's art journal prompts here, and I loved her work every time she shared!! I was so happy when she accepted my request to join in as a host!! Here's her introduction, so that you all can get to know her a little better!

1. YOUR NAME
Michelle LaPoint Rydell

2. WHERE YOU ARE FROM
Minneapolis, Minnesota

3. TWO PLACES YOU GET JOURNALING INSPIRATION FROM:
Suziblu has been a huge influence for me. Her videos are what introduced me to the idea of art journaling, and inspired me to try it myself! I’ve also taken classes from Dina Wakely and Kelly Kilmer, which were each SUPER inspiring in different ways. And I must say that participating in this group last year was an amazing experience!!! Oops - that’s more than two - sorry!

4. WHAT YOU FIND TOUGHEST TO JOURNAL ABOUT
The hard or sad stuff. But I do think it’s helpful, so I am working on it and getting better!

5. WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT (journal/techniques, etc.)
I am really excited to learn how different people express themselves through the art journaling process. There isn’t a specific technique I want to know, but I find that I learn so much not just about art, but also about LIFE from other artists! I am really excited to be going on this journey!

6. ARE YOU PUBLISHED? HAVE OTHER BRAGS?
I really enjoy being on the design team for two awesome challenge blogs Scrapping The Music and These are a Few of My Favorite Things. I also formerly designed for the Shop Crop Suey kit club. I’ve never submitted anything for publication, but plan to try it sometime in the future.

7. YOUR WEB SITE OR BLOG
My blog is called Inspiration Everywhere. I’d love it if you come visit me! The address is: http://inspirationeverywhere.blogspot.com/

8. A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF
I have a wonderful husband named Michael, three awesome stepkids and two adorable and funny felines. By day I work for the government as a public guardian, and at nite I spend most of my time hanging out with my cats in my scraproom, making stuff!

9. THREE UNKNOWN THINGS ABOUT YOURSELF
The raven is my animal totem and I have a big one tattoed on my leg.
I’m vegan.
I’m a TOTAL nite owl!

10. WHAT YOU HOPE TO GET FROM A YEAR IN THE LIFE
I am hoping to connect with other artists, do some experimenting and just have fun!

11. WHAT YOU HOPE TO GIVE TO A YEAR IN THE LIFE
I hope to inspire others to express themselves without worrying if they are doing it “right.” To just have fun and know that however it turns out is how it was meant to be and that is BEAUTIFUL!

12. ONE THING YOU WISH YOU HAD LISTENED TO THAT WOULD HAVE GOTTEN YOU STARTED IN JOURNALING SOONER.
The idea that an art journal can be whatever you want it to be. I thought I had to follow some elusive formula and that kept me from starting for a long time

HERE'S WHAT MICHELLE IS USING FOR HER JOURNAL:
I'm going to be using a Donna Downey Canvas Album. I've had it for awhile, just waiting for the perfect reason to use it. I think this is it! It' came with canvas pages and sheet protectors, and I've added a few chipboard pages. I will have numerous options depending on what technique we are doing for each prompt!

The pages are 8" x 10"
~rachel

All images and content on this blog is copyright to Rachel Whetzel unless otherwise specified. Please give credit when sharing your art that is inspired here! Thank you so much!!