The Next Action

These pages began with my favorite background technique, acrylics applied with bubble wrap and a brayer. Layer upon layer of color and dots! I did some journaling about to-do's and getting things done, procrastination, etc., just to get some thoughts on paper... Then I added images, stamped in silver stamping ink, edged with neocolors and used found stamps, handmade eraser stamps, a list and a piece of fabric stamped with a handmade FIMO stamp. Whenever I can, I embellish my art journal pages with my own photographs, handmade art or stamps, or found stamps. It's a challenge to use things I have and the look is unique.

I've been reading about procrastination, to-do lists, and project management:

• GTD aficionados (like me) are always asking "What is the next action?" to clarify what needs to be done next in order to achieve a goal. Getting Things Done is a classic for those wanting to get their paper, to-do lists, unfinished and future projects organized and start making concrete progress
• SARK's micromovements bring you to your goals as well with infinitely smaller steps. You can learn about micromovements in SARK's book Make Your Creative Dreams Real; there's an interview at Life Challenges
• I have been using todoist to manage my GTD-ish to-do lists for over a year and it is just flawless. It's free, with an elegantly simple design, and the right number of bells & whistles
• Lists are great muses for art journaling... see Lists: Journal Triggers
• Thursday-13 is a group of bloggers who do lists of 13 Things every Thursday
• Finished one of the books on my list of Books I Might Actually Read in 2009. It's perfect for a perpetual to-do list junkie like me.  To-Do List: From Buying Milk to Finding a Soul Mate, What Our Lists Reveal About Us by Sasha Cagen

Comments

[iHanna]

I tried a todolist online that was called something else (can't recall) but it was so difficult to do stuff from it that was not imidiate, like the big ones with many steps, so I skipped it and went back to doing stuff on paper in a notebook, maybe I should try it again...

/another pro procrastinator

[Shell]

I love Sark's micromovement idea. I am reading Life is a verb right now. Good and inspiring. I always do love your bright and multi layered journal pages.

[CassandraMarie]

I am itching to try your bubble wrap technique! I have some stashed for that purpose, and I STILL haven't gotten to it! Your page turned out great, both with the bubble-wrap painting and the collage elements. My mind can't wrap itself around how you get all those crazy colors to come together so nicely.