Intro to Art Journaling
4/24/20269:00 AM - 1:00 PM EST
Location: Art Place Studios, 2015 Asheville Hwy, Hendersonville, NC 28739-7821
Event Description
Instructor: Kara Ashley Gilmore
Date: 4/24/2026
Time: 9 am - 1 pm
Member: $85 Non-Member: $95
Art journaling isn’t about making a masterpiece to hang in a gallery; it’s about creating a "No-Judgment Zone" where you can breathe, play, and get your thoughts out of your head and onto the page. Whether you call it a visual diary, a messy sketchbook, or a bullet journal, this is your space to gain clarity and record the wild, wonderful bits of your life.
The Art Journal as Relationship:
I’ve been playing in art journals for over 20 years. My art journal is more than just a book; it is a safe container. It is a space designed to hold the weight of our stress, the chaos of our thoughts, and the brightness of our joy. Even more, it becomes a safe relationship. Unlike the world outside, the page never judges you, never asks you to be productive, and never tells you you're doing it wrong. It is a consistent, quiet witness that allows you to be exactly who you are, exactly where you are. In this workshop, I’ll show you how to build that relationship with your own pages.
Art Journals can be used to:
-Process big emotions when words fail
-Visualise goals that feel too big for a to-do list
-Connect with your inner child, and play with messy materials just for the fun of it
-Document the "now" so you don't forget the small, beautiful details of your days
Our Workshop Outline:
To begin, I’ll guide you through creating your very own custom journal by cutting and folding a single 18x24 sheet of paper. I’ll also share my favorite techniques for creating quick colorful backgrounds to eliminate the “fear of the blank page,” and for adding layered images, texture, text, and embellishments to your art journal pages. We’ll spend our remaining hours together filling our hand-made art journal pages with our own unique marks.
Everything is provided. All the paint, paper, glue, and tools you need to complete your art journals are waiting for you. Just bring your curiosity and a willingness to get a little bit of paint on your hands.
Artist Bio:
Kara Ashley-Gilmore believes in the use of our innate creativity for our wellness and healing. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Board-Certified Art Therapist, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and owner of Mountain Creative Arts Counseling; a mixed-media artist at the Art Place Studios, in Hendersonville; and Board Member of the Arts Council of Henderson County. Ultimately, all of her work is about helping people be more creative, use their creativity for personal growth, and incorporate creativity into their daily lives. Her art therapy workshops are tailored to those who appreciate opportunities for creative exploration–with gentle guidance–in a non-judgemental, quiet atmosphere.
Date: 4/24/2026
Time: 9 am - 1 pm
Member: $85 Non-Member: $95
Art journaling isn’t about making a masterpiece to hang in a gallery; it’s about creating a "No-Judgment Zone" where you can breathe, play, and get your thoughts out of your head and onto the page. Whether you call it a visual diary, a messy sketchbook, or a bullet journal, this is your space to gain clarity and record the wild, wonderful bits of your life.
The Art Journal as Relationship:
I’ve been playing in art journals for over 20 years. My art journal is more than just a book; it is a safe container. It is a space designed to hold the weight of our stress, the chaos of our thoughts, and the brightness of our joy. Even more, it becomes a safe relationship. Unlike the world outside, the page never judges you, never asks you to be productive, and never tells you you're doing it wrong. It is a consistent, quiet witness that allows you to be exactly who you are, exactly where you are. In this workshop, I’ll show you how to build that relationship with your own pages.
Art Journals can be used to:
-Process big emotions when words fail
-Visualise goals that feel too big for a to-do list
-Connect with your inner child, and play with messy materials just for the fun of it
-Document the "now" so you don't forget the small, beautiful details of your days
Our Workshop Outline:
To begin, I’ll guide you through creating your very own custom journal by cutting and folding a single 18x24 sheet of paper. I’ll also share my favorite techniques for creating quick colorful backgrounds to eliminate the “fear of the blank page,” and for adding layered images, texture, text, and embellishments to your art journal pages. We’ll spend our remaining hours together filling our hand-made art journal pages with our own unique marks.
Everything is provided. All the paint, paper, glue, and tools you need to complete your art journals are waiting for you. Just bring your curiosity and a willingness to get a little bit of paint on your hands.
Artist Bio:
Kara Ashley-Gilmore believes in the use of our innate creativity for our wellness and healing. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Board-Certified Art Therapist, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and owner of Mountain Creative Arts Counseling; a mixed-media artist at the Art Place Studios, in Hendersonville; and Board Member of the Arts Council of Henderson County. Ultimately, all of her work is about helping people be more creative, use their creativity for personal growth, and incorporate creativity into their daily lives. Her art therapy workshops are tailored to those who appreciate opportunities for creative exploration–with gentle guidance–in a non-judgemental, quiet atmosphere.