1Arthouse
Living an ART filled life…“Creativity is a God-given ability to take something ordinary and make it into something special. It is an openness to doing old things new ways…The creative spirit is part of our heritage as children of the One who created all things. And nurturing our creativity is part of our responsibility as stewards of God’s good gifts.” – Emilie Barnes, The Spirit of Loveline
1Arthouse 
awesome. I envy you in so many ways. shame on me.
Thanks for taking the time to comment Carol:) Often, people are too busy or don’t realize that we all need encouragement! I’m sure the gifts God has blessed you with are just as “enviable!” Xo
You too sweet. Do you prep your pages? My Bible is just like yours.
I often DO NOT prep pages Carol. Using water color is a benefit in this way! No bleed through:) if I’m going to do a lot of color over text I will use clear gesso to prep page. Hope this helps!
Thank you. Going to work on a page tomorrow without prepping. I have some new Japanese watercolors… can’t remember their name.
Carol Harlan Sent from my iPhone
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Carol, one more tip…work with a little less water than you would on watercolor paper. I would also suggest you start with a page using only the margin until you get used to the water / paint ratio on your unprepped page:)
Ok thank you.
Carol Harlan Sent from my iPhone
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Hi Carol! Thank you for taking the time to comment:) so sweet! And I’m sure God blessed you with many gifts that I do not have!! Xo
Very nice, thank you for sharing. I have just started bible journaling and although I like it, I have a few pages that look pretty bad. I guess I may get another bible and use this one as a practice one. Thank you again:-)
Sandra…thank you for sharing your heart with me:) Please believe that our Father makes beauty out of our mess every day. There is something He will teach you through the process as you “give this time” to Him in worship and study:) xo
your work is extraordinary !!! I look @ others but always come back to you….but did not see all of the book of John…
You’re such a sweetie Salllie! Thanks for mentioning the study in John…I definitely need to work on making my blog more user friendly so others can more easily find things! Xo
youre awesome. u make drawing surreal. Praise God for the wonderful talent hes given u and more so cause u share it with all of us.
Christina, how kind of you to take the time to encourage me! God has saved me and I can’t help but want to share everything I have with others out of gratitude! Bless you sweet Sister!
Wow ! thank you…..all are great…..
Beautiful work! Where did you get your journaling Bible?
Thank you so much Chandra! I ordered mine through Christianbook.com. It is a Crossway ESV single column Journaling Bible. They actually have some in stock now. My Bible has a hard cover because I wanted to apply mixed media to the front. Many prefer a soft cover and Christianbook.com states they will have them available 6/30. Hope that helps! Thank you for reading my blog!
How is your washi affixed? Folded over edge of page or single strip on one side of page?
Hi Mary:) It’s folded over the edge of the page. Half on each side.
Thanks!
Hi Mary! Glad you “stopped by!” 🙂
I am in awe of your work – inspired by our awesome God! I desire to get started in Bible journalling. Do you have any tutorials about your process or do you list the supplies that you use anywhere?.
Thank you Sheree!! Such kind words….and yes, God is so good. If you have any questions about anything I would be very happy to share! I don’t have any Bible art tutorials, but will try and provide some in the future! Nice to “meet” you!!!
Do you gesso your pages first? If yes, what gesso do you use?
Sheree, when I am using watercolors I often do not prepare my pages with anything. That is why I love working with them! Vibrant color- no bleed through. When using dark inks or stamps that migrate over some of the text, I will prepare pages with a few coats of clear gesso (tri art clear gesso can be found on amazon) If you don’t mind a textured gesso, liquitex can be readily found at most craft stores. If you use a gesso that has more “tooth” /texture, it will be a bit harder on your fine tip ink pens. (Like Pitt or micron pens) Hope that helps!!!
Sheree, I’m having trouble posting in the rural area I am staying. I wrote you a long reply this morning and it would not send:( not sure this will
I’ll try again Sheree! I often do not prep my pages when using watercolor…no bleed through! When using dark inks and stamps I prep my pages with either Trip Art clear (smooth) gesso or Liquitex clear gesso. Liquitex can be found in local craft stores, while Tri Art can purchased online through Amazon. Liquitex clear gesso has more “tooth” / texture and over time can be hard on your fine tipped art pens. (Micron, Pitt, etc) I also use white gesso when covering up a bleed through on the other side of a page. This only works in the journaling are where you won’t cover up the Bible’s text. Hope this helps!!!
Thanks for the great info about gesso. I cannot wait to get started
Your art is so beautiful. I find that Scripture soaks in deeper when I journal it as art. Your art is inspirational to me. Thank you!
Thank you so much!! I agree with you about soaking in deeper too! Have you seen Journibles? Rewriting scripture word by word also helps me tremendously! Thank you for taking the time to read and leave such encouraging words! Hope to hear from you again!
Thank you so much!! I agree with you too! Have you seen Journibles? Rewriting scripture word by word also helps me tremendously! Thank you for taking the time to read and leave such encouraging words! Hope to hear from you again!
I am so inspired by your creativity! God’s word is beautiful! I truly believe I stumbled upon this post on pinterest to thirst for His word. I too went to your suggested website and ordered my first Journaling Bible, can’t wait! Thank you for sharing 😀
I’m glad you stumbled “into me!” Like many others, I have found art journaling to be a process that draws me even closer to God’s word. I’m excited for you Tina! Keep in touch! Thank you for your kind encouragement!!
I just bought my journaling bible today!!! Your work is inspiring and exciting!!! Thanks for sharing!!
Rebecca, I am excited for you!! Using your creative “wiring” to study and worship God is so fulfilling. Keep in touch! Let me know how it goes!!
I finished my first journaling and am inspired by your pages. I may not be as artistic, but I am cleverly creative 🙂 So I may be using some of your pages as inspiration. Is that alright? Thanks for sharing …and I love the doodling too!!
Congratulations on finishing your first journaling pages! I love that you are cleverly creative:) I totally get that…and I am humbled to be an inspiration to you! Would LOVE to see your pages!
Stumbled here as well…so glad I did! Beautiful work – a wonderful combination of creative and exuberant, while still illustrating a very clear, well thought out message. I want to pin everything! Thanks for sharing your worship 🙂
Nina
Thank you so much Nina! It truly humbles me when lovely women like yourself take the time to share their thoughts and encouragement with me! Pin away:) How amazing is our creative God, who wired us to enjoy this joyful characteristic and miracle! Having a desire to create links us eternally to the Ultimate Creator:) I am so thankful for this expression of worship! Bless you!!
I love your Bible artwork! Thank you so much for sharing. I hope to be able to recreate some of them in my own Bible if that’s ok. How do you keep your pages so smooth?
Thank you so much! …and my hope is that you will recreate them and in doing so, I’m sure you will make them “your own!” I often do not prep my pages & use watercolor, which does not bleed through. If you are wanting more protection on your pages TriArt clear gesso has a nice smooth finish:) The more you “wet” your page with products and water, the more wrinkling will occur. The good news, is that over time, the pages will smooth out due to the weight of your Bible being closed. Hope that helps!!! Thanks for reading and taking the time to connect with me!! Blessings:) Sue
What wonderful art, and so helpful to remember certain scriptures. I just started mine and I am getting better.Love this.
Thank you Susan! So nice to “meet” you:) Love to see so many journalers out there!! Bless you:)
Love all the doodles and drawings…can you please tell me where you purchased your journaling bible? I would love to get one for my daughter to use for her community group. thanks so much
Hi Kathy! Thanks so much for taking the time to write such kind words:) You can find the Crossway ESV Journaling Bible at Amazon and at Christian Books- both online. There are several covers to choose from. I have the single column. Hope that helps! What a sweet gift to give your daughter! Bless You;)
you inspire me! tfs
Susan, thank you for taking the time to connect with me! What a sweet thing to say:) xo
Thank you for sharing your talents with the world via this blog. Just scrolling through the photos blessed me this morning.
Thanks so much Beth! How sweet of you to take the time to comment:) Thank you for your encouragement today!!! xo
Wow! Lovely. Your words are encouraging and your 101 doodling is beautiful. Thank you. God Bless.
Tracy, thanks for taking the time to connect with me! Love that you are encouraged! God is so GOOD to provide what we need:) xo
enjoyed looking at your site.
Thanks so much Michelle! So glad:) Nice to “meet” you!!
I do believe you need to get these tutorials bound and sell them as a book on “bible journaling” they are awesome and so filled with God given talent. I adore each of your posts!! Feeling so blessed to have found your blog.
I echo your post, Robin! Wouldn’t that be awesome if Sue was able to do that in the future? Her art, and what she shares, is always such a blessing and inspiration to me.
You make me smile all over my face Laurie:)
Thank you Robin! I honestly count it all as a privilege God has gifted me with! I LOVE to see others grow in their personal relationship with the Lord. The creating part is icing on the cake!! Thanks for taking the time to encourage me!!! xo
This is the first time I have ever seen this Bible art!!!! Wow!!!! It is incredible! Art like this is worship!
Jerrine, WELCOME to worship through study and journaling! There are so many ways to express God’s truth…to create a memorial that will be a reminder always. So glad you “stopped by!” I’m always available for questions, should you have any:) God bless you!
Absolutely gorgeous! What an awesome gift God has blessed you with! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Dawn! So nice to “meet” you! God bless you:)
I am just getting started and I think that this helped a lot.
So glad to know that Jessica! May you continue to grow closer to the Lord as you seek Him with your whole heart:) God bless you!
Love your art work. What medium did you use to get the vibrant red on the vellum for your cheerful giver?
Thanks Michelle! I just love connecting with others who are seeking the Lord:) I used a combination of concentrated watercolor and neocolorII “watercolor crayons” I actually pull the color right off the tip of the crayon with a wet brush. Hope that helps!! Thanks for the encouragement! God bless you:)
How did you adhere the vellum to your bible?
Michelle, I used a product called ZIPS. It comes in a box like “glue dots” and you can find it at your local craft store. Hope that helps!
Hi there, I love your work. I haven’t started bible journaling yet but I am very interested in doing so! I was wondering how many pages do you read/create art at a time? I’m a very busy person; a young and single mom and a full time student. Do you have any advice?
Hi Andrea! So nice to “meet” you! Wow, do you have your hands full!! God bless you! With such limited time, I would definitely focus on spending time everyday with the Lord…praying, listening, and then maybe writing in a journal. You can use anything for that, even a spiral notebook. I sometimes simply re-write scripture. It helps me focus and remember. Most often, i don’t do drawings in my Bible until after I’ve journaled it. Even if you can find 15 min, try to get into the habit of praying, then opening your Bible to read. Try using a devotional if you don’t know where to start. You asked me about how many pages I do at a time…l work as I have time. always from a Bible study I’m in, sermon notes, or even a worship song that spoke to my heart. I may not have time to finish a page in one sitting. Connecting to the Lord through the Holy Spirit is how God reveals Himself to us. That simply takes a willing heart with open ears! Hope this helps you! Much love!
So much more to this than meets the eye!im new to bible journaling but can’t wait to get started! What a beautiful illustration of how God speaks to each one of us.😊❤️
Thank you Joanne:) It is such a blessing to connect with others who are seeking the Lord! Hope I can be a help to you as you begin this journey! Bless you:)
Which bible did you use for this? It’s gorgeous and very inspiring. Your bible seems to have more room on the edges (around the scriptures) than mine. Curious about what bible you used. XO
Hi Shawna! I use a Crossway ESV single column Bible. Hope that helps! Thanks so much for taking the time to connect with me! I LOVE to hear from new friends:) Bless you!
Your art is lovely, especially that it draws my heart deeper into the Word. Thank you for sharing such a personal expression of faith. It has inspired me to be bold in my own expression through art.
Kelley, thanks so much for taking the time to connect with me…God is so faithful and it amazes me every time when He allows us to minister to each other! Isn’t it such a sweet thing to spend time doing something you enjoy while you are “steeping” in His word and sitting in His presence? May He bless you in your obedience:) xo
These are so beautiful. How can I do this, when I can barely make stick people??
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product_slideshow?sku=780751&actual_sku=780751 Keep in touch!! God bless you
I’m not sure why the first part of my reply didn’t copy. Just wanted to encourage you to try some of my doodle 101’s. I have many women in my Journaling classes that say the same thing, and find that they can more than they thought with a little instruction!! Keep in touch! God bless you
Thank you for sharing! I desire to spend more time in the Word, and your work is so inspiring! I am fairly new to bible journaling and almost gave it up because I feel I lack the creativity I see in others pages. Seeing your doodles has given me a renewed desire to try it again.
Candice, don’t give up! Journaling is so personal, and will look different for each one of us! I am so glad that my doodles have helped. It brings me great joy to come alongside others and see growth in the Lord! Keep in touch! Xo
Your art work is really pretty. But how do you use your bible when the words are blocked by the doodles?
Hi Samantha! Thanks for commenting:) I do not use color that blocks God’s Holy Word. I use transparent watercolor in order to always see the text:)
You are great. Was always writing in my Bible, but now I want to illustrate what I feel. Yours are beautiful. Hope I do as well.
They will be beautiful in His sight Charmayne! Xo
Sue: I came across your work through pinterest! Amazing pages and such beautiful work. Thank you for allowing others (like me) to see what you do and be inspired. I have recently just started working with watercolors in my bible. Still nervous about it but at least giving it shot. My question is do you do all your black ink work first then watercolor around it/through it? Or do you watercolor first?
Any tips would be very much appreciated!
Hi Gail❤️ My process is typically to start with pencil, go over pencil in pen, erase pencil, then add color….although, I often add more fine line detail after the color. Occasionally, I start with large blocks of color for an abstract background, or loose shapes of color and then define those shapes with pen. As you practice, you’ll feel drawn to a process that feels comfortable to you😀 Experiment on water color paper. Keep a separate art journal to practice❤️ Feel free to ask questions any time! Xo
I love the journaling and as a elementary teacher know how little ones can benefit from it. Is there anywhere can I get patterns to go by for my 11 and 12 year olds to go by?
Amy, have you looked at my Doodle 101 pages? They are perfect to print off and follow and include mini lessons:)
Thank you so much for sharing and inspiring us. You are truly blessed with such creativity and you are such a good steward of it by sharing your lessons with us. Thank you❤
I was wondering what pen and makers do you use? Do they bleed thru the page? Also, why do you washi tape the edges of the page?
You are so welcome Becca! To answer your questions…I use (Pigma) Micron pens in black and they do not bleed through the page as long as you don’t use too “heavy” of a hand. I stick to smaller tip sizes for lettering (005, 01, & 02) and fill in larger spaces with Tombow water based markers or watercolor. Both of these do not bleed through, although the Tombow’s will bleed through if you go over the same line twice….so, just to be safe, you can prep your pages with clear gesso. I never have bleed through with my KOI watercolors. I like the look of the washi tape on my page edges, and it also helps keep page edges sturdy and is helpful for finding the beginning of a Book in the Bible. I have all the first pages of each Book edged with washi. HOpe that helps! Xo
Hi Sue, I absolutley adore your creativity! You are very gracious and kind to share your fabulous doodles, ideas, fonts and enthusiasm with others. Just like Jesus! Your art and journaling pages are winsome, encouraging, and reflective as well as honoring and glorifying to the Lord. May the Lord bless you abundantly for your sweet sharing. Thank you! Your Sister in Christ, Dawn
Dawn, what a kind and compassionate heart you have to take the time to reach out to me with such lovely and encouraging words! Thank you so much! It is an honor and a privilege to connect with so many beautiful Sisters in Christ! Keep in touch sweet friend!! Xo
I came across your beautiful pin on pinterest and I am so encouraged by your ART!! I absolutely love it! Thank you for sharing your passion for Jesus & art!!
Awwww…so nice to “meet” you Carli!!! Xo
Sue, Your Bible journaling is so beautiful and inspirational. Thanks you so much for your generous sharing. I learn sooooo much looking at your pages.
Thank you so much Jan! It is a joy to share:) It’s also a blessing to know they are helpful to others! Thank you for taking the time to reach out! Xo
Any chance you will have your Bible replicated and sold? 😊😊
Michelle, that is such a SWEET thing to ask! Have you seen all the new Journaling Bibles that are available? Check out the Inspire Bible …I think you might like it!! Xo
Oh my gosh! I just took the time this morning to look at this beautiful Bible. God has certainly blessed you with some major talent, girl! Whoa, what an inspiration you are. I am still at the stages of just doing the margins with text and some doodles, but wow, this whole page thing is awesome. A little too timid that I might ruin my bible. I really want to try a page now! Thank you for your amazing art, the doodles you so freely share with us, your heart and inspiration. I love your work, I love your heart, and I love that you share with us! Thank you so much!
Thank you for your kind and thoughtful words Sharon! How sweet of you to take the time to write! Such an encouragement to me! If you ever need to help or have questions about the process, please ask away! I’m here to help!!!! Xo
I have been following you for a while now. I am completing your Virtue of Contentment study. I find such wonderful inspiration from your drawings and have gained so much from your tutorials. Thank you for the lessons and for being so willing to share your talent. I am so grateful and blessed to have found this site. I am loving journaling in my bible and find that I gain and remember so much more when I do journal. Thank you again for your ministry.
Sharon, so very nice to hear from you! It is such a blessing to hear of your investment of study and that journaling has been so rewarding for you! I couldn’t agree more! Thank you for your kind words…I am grateful for your encouragement! Keep in touch! I would love to hear more about what God has been teaching you:) xoxoxo
Your work is absolutely beautiful. I have just began Bible journaling and have experimented with page prep using gesso and don’t care for it. I read in one of your responses that you don’t page prep often. Just curious if you use pens/markers and if so what type/brand do you use that don’t bleed through?
I absolutely love looking at and creating where art and God’s Word come together…it brings joy to my soul. What more joyful thing is there than to try and imitate the master of all beauty?
Hi Kim! Thank you for taking the time to reach out! So nice to “meet you!” Have you tried a “smooth” gesso? (Tri Art Vs. Liquitex?) The products I use (without prepping) are typically watercolor and black micron pens. Tombow markers work well for vibrant color too…they are water based and can be blended like watercolor. You do have to be careful with these if you have a “heavy hand” and apply to much color to one spot. I also like to use Derwent Inktense watercolor pencils. Any of these products don’t bleed. WELCOME to the creative use of art in your studies!! I am a visual learner, and “seeing truth” helps me to retain it! Creating a memorial of the place where God met you is a beautiful way to express your faith! Feel free to stop back anytime and ask any questions you might have! We all start at the beginning:) xo
I have just found your blog and subscribed. You are a blessing to others (especially me). I have just been scrolling thru these first pages and had to tell you how inspiring and blessing your journaling is to me. Thank you for sharing your love and passion for God. LisaC
So nice to meet you Lisa! I am so GLAD you are enjoying my blog! My heart longs to come alongside others to encourage! Thanks so much for taking the time to connect with me! Bless you!!! ❤️
Hi Sue!
I want to thank you for the wonderful art you create and for sharing it with everyone. God has blessed me through your work and I look forward to being a blessing to others as I practice your doodles and create my own work to praise God with and through. You may not be using this blog or site much any longer (or maybe I haven’t found the recent comments lol) I simply want to say you are still a blessing to others with your work! Praise God and I thank Him for you!
Bless you Sue!
Hi Denise! How kind and thoughtful of you to take the time to write ❤️ You are correct…I have not been utilizing my blog as much! I post regularly on Instagram and find that I can’t always do both:) I will be posting more here now in my response to our current pandemic! I would love to be a help to others, and hope to use what I have to do that! I am thrilled that the Lord has blessed you through your obedience and creative worship! He is so gracious to meet our humble hearts whenever we come to Him❤️ Much love to you sweet Sister!!!! Love to connect❤️