Strawberry Moon Magazine

Issue 8 is now open for submissions! 🎉

When we are young, our imaginations know no limits. As we get older, though, some of us lose track of that part of ourselves. I have found that getting older and making art has reawakened my inner 8-year-old artist and she wants to play. She loves rainbows and strawberries and all sorts of characters created by others and by her own imagination.

In this issue, I want to encourage all of us to let our imaginations soar. What are the creatures and characters that you dream of and want to play with? When you are creating art inspired by your favorite music, movies, books, games, comics, toys, or theme parks—how does that make you feel?

How do you go about paying homage to the characters and imagined places that you love?

What about your own characters? Do you create people and creatures from your own imagination?

We are celebrating all of the ways that we love pop culture. This is the time to show off your vintage sticker collections and your favorite Little Golden Book journals. Your love of superheroes and vinyl figurines or stuffed animals. Nothing is too silly or outrageous for this issue.

Your artwork might be precise and representational or wild and abstract. If *you* consider it to be inspired by your imagination in some way, so do we.

All of the deadlines and details are on the website!

https://www.strawberrymoon.art/participate/

Magazine Submissions - Strawberry Moon Magazine Submissions for Issue 8: The Power of Imagination When we are young, our imaginations know no limits. As we get older, though, some of us lose track of that part of ourselves. I have found that getting older and making art has reawakened my inner 8-year-old artist and she wants to play. She loves ra...

Monday, June 17, is Take Your Cat to Work Day. My trio consider my studio to be theirs, so it’s not really a thing here. But I did need to include them in the challenge’s cat prompt. I opted for baby photos. Can you tell who’s who? 😂😂😂 i used the DaVinci Eye app to trace the basic shapes and then used paint and pencils to fill them in. Sally was a little older when we adopted her, so her eyes had already changed. The orange dingdongs, though, were both barn rescues that I bottle fed—they were both about 3.5-4 weeks old.

One of my goals for Strawberry Moon Magazine is to make sure you know that your art journal pages don’t all have to be perfect finished pieces. They can be whatever you want. Even if that’s messy and half-finished. For my first cat page, what I really wanted to do was an exercise from an class — each cat started with a number. They are all a little ridiculous and it took me awhile to realize some looked wrong because their noses are upside down. It’s scribbly. In pencil. Messy. I smeared the pen ink because I can’t keep my hands off the page. It’s a good warm up though and has given me some direction for how to actually draw a cat I’d be happy with on a future page.

My plan to make rainbow pages for overtaken by a workshop with over the weekend. I haven’t drawn girls or faces much (at all?) lately so I got brave and look at this girl that showed up! I think this is proof that sometimes you do need to let things rest and when you come back to them….magic might happen! Part of my success today is knowing that this was sketchbook paper and that it “didn’t matter” — I was able to let go of being precious. She’s all ready to head out for a Pride event!

If youve been around awhile you know that I love rainbows. Rainbow is my default color palette and I’ve put lots of them in my journals. But I’ve been at a loss for an idea, plus I’ve been busy with an online workshop! I needed to get some stickers out for the workshop and boom. I knew I needed to do a sticker smashing page. I was going to do just a single page, but it wasn’t going to fit! I started with the bigger stickers and then filled in with some smaller ones. You’ll not be surprised that this made no appreciable dent in my sticker collection.

This is my third page of strawberries for . The base layer was a scraping of clear gesso that mixed a tiny bit of fluorescent red in to. The strawberries are different media, mostly water soluble, but I grabbed a few permanent markers there at the end. I put a layer of blue watercolor in the background and then decided it was too blah so I let it drip from the top. Clear sticker paper for the lettering, which is a white paint marker. Today is the last strawberry day, we switch to rainbows tomorrow!

More strawberries for — I got out my acrylic paints yesterday. I had to throw a few jars of dried up craft paint away, yikes. Swipe to the end to see what this looked like before the green! The second photo is when I thought I was done, but yesterday I watched a class by who said she always likes to add a pop of turquoise at the end and I thought…I think my strawberries need that…..the other photo is the opposite page. It’s not done yet, but I thought I’d share anyway. I just started putting the excess paint on it as I went along!

Happy June!

The Strawberry Moon Magazine June Art Challenge is a daily-ish kind of thing. No pressure, no rules. You can scroll back to find the prompts -- June 1-5 is Strawberries! I'll admit, I almost forgot about it yesterday, but I made a page and was able to get some photos outside this morning.

I'm working on sketchbook paper, which is totally unsuited for watercolors, but I used watercolors anyway. And made a rainbow, because why not.

If you create something this month for the challenge, be sure to tag me, so I can see your work!

It's almost June! June is OUR month, the month of the Strawberry Moon! (Also, it's my birthday month....)

I wasn't sure I was going to do an art challenge this month, especially because Meta changed the way hashtags worked last year (in the middle of the challenge, for cripes sake), and it's harder to connect. Also....you know....gestures at everything...

But I decided to go with an ultra-simplified version. It's always been intended as a daily-ish, low pressure kind of a thing. This year, instead of daily prompts, I have a new prompt every 5 days, encompassing some of my favorite things.

You can make some art inspired by the prompt any time during the 5 day window (or frankly, during the entire month!). If you post your work, please TAG in order to make sure I see it!!!

There's no prizes or anything, just the satisfaction of making art together and having some fun!

June 1-5: Strawberries
June 6-10: Rainbow Pride
June 11-15: Cats
June 16-20: Pink
June 21-25: Strawberry Moon
June 26-30: Birthday Cakes

Issue 7: The Magic of the Natural World is our biggest issue yet, with 180 pages of inspiration based on nature.

Anne Butera helped me guest edit this issue, and as part of it, we put together a list of artists that we wanted to invite as our featured artists. We were so thrilled that these four amazing artists said yes—if you'd like to learn more about how they use nature's magic to influence their art, you can get a copy of the magazine at www.strawberrymoon.art/shop -- look for the "Current Issue" section. (And while you are there, you can check out the back issues, too, which are all on sale!)

Thank you to Alisa Burke, Joy Ting Charde, Lori Roberts, and Helen Hallows for taking part in this issue!!

Nine. Pounds.
1048 Pages of pure art journaling joy and love.

Can you believe there are now SEVEN issues of Strawberry Moon Magazine in the world???

Issue 7 is now shipping—it's the longest one yet, with 180 pages of inspiration from the magical natural world.

Print copies of issues 2, 3, 4, and 6 are available at a discount (help me clear out the back issues and make room in my garage and basement!!!)

Issues 1 and 5 are digital only—and if you sign up for my newsletter, you'll get a coupon code that you can use for a free copy of either of them when you purchase a print back issue. (If you already subscribe, look for the email I sent today (5/22/24) for the details!).

www.strawberrymoon.art/contact: for the newsletter
www.strawberrymoon.art/shop: to go shopping

Look what arrived today!!! Check my stories for a quick flip! I won’t be shipping and releasing the digital version until Monday, but Issue 7 is nearly ready for the world!!!

Issue 7 is in production at the printer and available for preorder! www.strawberrymoon.art/shop

Back issues are also available—issues 1 and 5 are digital only, but you can still get print copies of everything else!

Strawberry Moon Magazine: Juicy Reflections on Art Journaling

Issue 7 of Strawberry Moon Magazine is available for preorder now! It's planned to ship the last week of April. (Be sure to swipe -> for a preview of this issue's images!!!)

We are celebrating The Magic of the Natural World and you are going to be overwhelmed by how much has been gathered up in one place. I love telling stories and I love SHARING stories, and I can't wait to share all of these with you.

For all of the details and to place your preorder (or start a 4 issue subscription), head to www.strawberrymoon.art/shop and click on Current Issue. Available in digital and print!

(While you're there, you can pick up some back issues, too, if you don't have some of them yet!)

Podcast starting soon!!! I'll be online with Joleen Emery for today's Happy Time CraftCast! We'll be streaming live starting at 12 NOON Central time. We're streaming across multiple platforms:

Here are the Live Stream Links:
Joleen Emery Facebook Account - https://fb.me/e/58Pe5Cc6N
Big Raven Farm Facebook Account - https://fb.me/e/6LIEEqJqW
Joleen Emery's Craft Club - https://fb.me/e/8lbCAD5n3
LinkedIn Event - https://www.linkedin.com/events/thetransformativemagicofartjour7183142046424002561/theater/
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/live/xHmc6O-mnxc?feature=shared
Twitch - https://www.twitch.tv/joleenemery

The Issue 7 Cover is here! Look at that gorgeous artwork from !!!

Preorders will be open on Wednesday, April 10 and I am hoping you'll join me for my livestream conversation with Joleen Emery () on Wednesday at noon (central time). I am this week's guest on her Happy Time CraftCast!!! For all of the details, check out her page: https://bigravenyoga.com/pages/happy-time-craftcast

I've been quiet on social media because I have been busy! Busy putting all of the words and images together for issue 7 -- here's a sneak peek at the pages in InDesign. I see these boxes in my sleep.....

I'm helped every day by the 3 cats (Sally, Hobbes, and Sammy, in case you haven't met them yet), and that adorable young man is my 6 month old grandson. He's usually here on Thursdays and hanging out with him is my main priority those days!!

We're not too far away from a cover reveal and then preorders. I'll be back soon with all of that info!!

It's deadline day for Issue 7: The magic of the Natural World!

Gallery submissions need to be submitted TODAY, February, 19 in order to be considered for this issue. All of the details can be found at www.strawberrymoon.art/participate -- this page has the general details about the issue and if you scroll down you'll find the button that takes you to the Gallery submissions form.

Tomorrow, Anne and I will begin reviewing the entries and choosing what will end up in this issue. Everyone will hear from me later this week or next with results.

You can also still join in on the Ask the Art Journaler section of the magazine, in fact, I am extending that deadline to next Monday. Details at the same link as above!

Sammy, the Intern is eagerly waiting for your submission to Issue 7: The Magic of the Natural World

He seems to think that one of his duties will be reviewing submissions. I think it's because he heard me say some of them were about birds….

Even if you aren't sharing something about birds, I hope you are thinking about the art journal pieces you are going to submit! There's still plenty of time--you have through the 19th (which is next Monday!) to submit to the galleries.

The themes are Earth, Air, Water, and Fire. (Sammy would like me to mention that he has thought of ways that art about birds could fit in to any of those four categories).

We're also still looking for artists to take part in the Ask the Art Journaler section. That includes a single photo as well as answering a list of fun questions.

Everything you need to know is linked below!

www.strawberrymoon.art/participate

p.s. from Sammy: don't forget birds

Strawberry Moon Magazine, an independent publication celebrating all things art journaling, is accepting submissions for the galleries for Issue 7: The Magic of the Natural World. Gallery themes are EARTH, AIR, FIRE, and WATER.

We're accepting your submissions of artwork through February 19, 2024. All of the details can be found at:

Magazine Submissions - Strawberry Moon Magazine Submissions for Issue 7: The Magic of the Natural World For Issue 7 of Strawberry Moon Magazine you are invited to consider the Magic of the Natural World and how it impacts you and your artwork (specifically your art journaling, but we have a pretty wide definition of art journaling). I am thrilled...

First: if you submitted an article proposal, you should have gotten an email from me Friday.

Second: if you are thinking about submitting artwork to the galleries or joining the Ask the Art Journalers section: you have lots of time! But time moves fast!!

Third: Last week's newsletter included a prompt to find a sunny spot and sit in it. And write.

I tried to sit with Sally in this spot, but she ran away from me. Whoops. I was grateful that there actually WAS a sunny spot (and it's in my BASEMENT!)

I haven't done anything further with the journaling I did that day last week and what I wrote isn't necessarily profound, but I'm finding that this act of finding different places to sit and write has shifted my perspective on my journaling habit. To be honest, everything I'm doing right now is a shift--I'm in my new studio in a new home, so nothing is truly a routine or habit. Yet. And it's been really good for me to evaluate the habits and rituals I'm creating as I settle in here. Trying to create healthy habits, for whatever value of healthy I can manage on a specific day.

Tell me: have you made a blanket fort yet? Or sat in a sunny spot? How are your new habits and intentions for the new year going?

Today is the deadline for article proposals for Issue 7: The Magic of the Natural World.

Anne and I will review them and respond to everyone by the end of the week!

All of the details can be found on the website:
www.strawberrymoon.art/participate

This is the view from my shipping area this afternoon, here in Iowa. No post office trip today!

Submissions are still open for Issue 7 -- The Magic of The Natural World -- details at www.strawberrymoon.art/participate

Are you on my email newsletter list? I try to keep them short and news focused, but I am starting to include a journaling prompt in each email. Today's email goes out in a few hours--there are blanket forts involved.

Sign up at www.strawberrymoon.art/contact

Stock Update!

There's only a few print copies of Issue 5 left!

Issue 1 is completely sold out, but there are still lots of issues 2,3,4, and 6 on hand.

And of course, the digital editions are always available!

www.strawberrymoon.art/shop

What are you doing New Year’s Eve? You could be joining the Artsy Marathon Meetup!! Twenty-four hours of art and connection. Signups are open, go to bit.ly/artsymarathon for all of the details!!!

Issue 7 submissions are now open! I am excited to announce that I'm joined by Anne Butera as guest editor for this issue, where we'll be talking all about The Magic of the Natural World.

You can visit my website for all of the details, including an introduction from Anne!

Article Submissions: we're looking for proposals at this time, we want to know all about your connection and interaction with nature. Short or long, narrative or tutorial: we have room for lots of your ideas! Deadline to submit an idea is January 15, 2024.

Gallery Submissions: for this issue, our themed galleries are taking their inspiration from the elements: Earth, Wind, Air, and Fire. We have lots of ideas on the website for you about what might belong in each gallery, but we're also wide open to hear what you think! Deadline for submissions is February 19, 2024.

Ask the Art Journaler: this issue's questions are all nature-based and we hope a bunch of you will join in! We're asking you to share a favorite nature related photo, whatever that means to you! Deadline to participate is February 19, 2024.

All of the details:
www.strawberrymoon.art/participate

Stock update: Issue 6 is back in stock and shipping now! I also have lots of copies of 2,3, and 4. Issue 5 is down to the last few print copies and Issue 1 is out of stock again. And of course, digital versions are always immediately available!

Holiday Art Journaling: Do you do anything special in your journaling or memory keeping this month? I have kept a holiday art journal for several years now (this is actually year 6!) and each one is a mishmash of different resources. There are a ton of prompt lists floating around, as there seem to be every month, but I thought I'd share what I'm using to help me make something (almost) every day in my journal.

A Very Merry Holly-Day workshop from
Merry Mixed Media from
Care December from and
Art Journal Advent
December Daily

You can see my journal on my personal account () -- it is a hot mess, but that's just the way I like it. A true reflection of what life is like!

Are you following any prompts or doing anything special for your art journaling this month?

This post come to you from the category of "good problem to have" but also "whoops, how did I not notice."

Issue 6 is currently sold out. You can still order a print copy (or get the digital edition immediately), but you'll have to wait a bit for a print copy. And I did not notice how close we were to selling out because....well....everything is in boxes and my stock is currently in the garage. Moving is rough, y'all.

I placed a reprint order this afternoon and the estimated ship date is December 6. Those of you that witnessed the saga of the first print order will understand that I am taking that ship date with the entire shaker of salt.

Thank you so much to all of you that contributed, that have purchased a copy, and that have shared about it. The only way this is going to become a sustainable business is for it to keep growing and the best way for that to happen is for YOU to talk about it wherever you find kindred spirits.

You are truly magic.

I shared this photo with my family, saying that my supervisor was on the job. One of my guys commented, "how can he supervise if his eyes are closed."

I never said he was a *good* supervisor...

We've been in our new house for a week and things are starting to shape up. I still have way too much stuff for the space that I have to occupy, but I'm working on it. My husband is a rockstar and a saint.

How are you liking issue 6?? Well, I hope you love it...and have started making lots of new handmade books. Or at least dreaming about the books you'll make! If you do make something, be sure to post and tag me (and the artist that inspired you!).

If you don't have your copy of Issue 6 yet--what are you waiting for? Links you-know-where!!