Tammy Gilley Tammy Gilley

Layers & Textures

Torn, Stitched, and Layered

Vintage art journaling is a sensory experience—one that invites you to build layers of history, emotion, and artistry onto each page. By incorporating texture through torn papers, stitched fabrics, and layered elements, you create depth and dimension that make your pages feel alive.

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Tammy Gilley Tammy Gilley

Storytelling & Composition

Art journaling is more than just an exercise in creativity; it is a visual form of storytelling. Every torn page, every brushstroke, every carefully placed piece of ephemera whispers a fragment of your personal narrative. In vintage art journaling, storytelling is deeply intertwined with composition—how you arrange elements on a page determines the mood, meaning, and magic of your piece.

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Tammy Gilley Tammy Gilley

Marks & Meaning

In the world of art journaling, there’s a quiet kind of magic in the marks we make—those personal gestures that dance across a page, whispering fragments of our stories without ever needing words. Whether it's a splatter of ink, a scratch of pencil, or the gentle press of a handmade stamp, these marks are more than decoration. They’re the beginnings of a visual language—one as unique as your fingerprint.

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Tammy Gilley Tammy Gilley

Perfectly Imperfect

Embracing Wabi-Sabi in Art Journaling

In a world that often celebrates perfection, symmetry, and polish, there’s a quiet philosophy that whispers something far more liberating: wabi-sabi.

Rooted in Japanese aesthetics, wabi-sabi is the art of finding beauty in imperfection, impermanence, and the natural flow of things. It honors the weathered, the worn, the cracked edges, and the quiet grace of things as they are. A chipped teacup, a faded photograph, a torn page—each tells a story not in spite of its flaws, but because of them.

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Tammy Gilley Tammy Gilley

Using What You Already Have

Unlocking the Magic of Everyday Art Journal Supplies - in a world filled with endless art supplies, it’s easy to get caught up in the idea that we need the latest tools, fancy paints, or specialized papers to create something beautiful.

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Tammy Gilley Tammy Gilley

Rekindling The Creative Spark

Sometimes the flame just goes out. My creative fire just dies, nothing left but embers. I go to my art toolbox, and there’s nothing in it but wet matches.

Maybe you’ve experienced this, too. No. Creative. Mojo. Period.

Now what?

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Tammy Gilley Tammy Gilley

How Creativity and Art Enhance Mindfulness

In our fast-paced world, finding moments of calm can feel like a luxury. Mindfulness, the practice of being fully present in the moment, offers a way to navigate the chaos with clarity and peace. While meditation and yoga are often associated with mindfulness, art can also be a powerful and accessible avenue for cultivating this state of presence. Whether you’re painting, drawing, or simply observing, engaging with art invites you to slow down and connect with the here and now.

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Art Retreats Tammy Gilley Art Retreats Tammy Gilley

Create, Explore, Transform – Your Retreat Awaits

Through art journaling, guided self-reflection, and meaningful connections with like-minded women, you’ll explore themes of wisdom, joy, self-care, and legacy. Each retreat is an invitation to rekindle your creative spark, nurture your inner sage, and design your next chapter with intention. Come as you are and leave with renewed clarity, purpose, and a beautiful keepsake of your journey. 

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Tammy Gilley Tammy Gilley

Unleash Your Creative Bliss

Are you ready to release the grip of your inner critic and let your creative spirit shine? Grab your favorite art journal or sketchbook, a splash of color, and open your heart—let’s explore the perfectly imperfect world of art journaling.

I’m delighted to introduce you to my new 30-page guide, Creative Bliss Unleashed: Your Guide to Artful Journaling with Heart & Soul.  I designed this guide to help you discover, or rediscover, the joy of creativity without the burden of needing to “get it right.” It’s about embracing the messiness, finding the magic within, and nurturing your spirit as you create.

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Art Retreats Tammy Gilley Art Retreats Tammy Gilley

paris is always a good idea

Immerse yourself in the beauty, culture, and history of Paris, while creating your own one-of-a-kind vintage travel journal. In this hands-on workshop, we’ll journey through picturesque Paris arrondissements, open air markets, and historic sites and museums, gathering inspiration and unique vintage materials along the way. Using vintage books, antique papers, ephemera, and found objects, you’ll craft a bespoke journal that captures the essence of your travels.

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Tammy Gilley Tammy Gilley

i’m in my elder sage era

As I reflect on my journey, I’ve come to realize how deeply I feel called to support women stepping into what I lovingly call the “elder sage era.”

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Tammy Gilley Tammy Gilley

Discover the Charm of Vintage Art Journaling

Vintage art journaling is more than just creating a beautiful book; it’s a journey into the past, where forgotten materials are transformed into meaningful and unique pieces of art.

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Tammy Gilley Tammy Gilley

30-Minute Art Journal

No experience required to make this art journal. Truly. My free guide, Art Journal in Half an Hour, will walk you step-by-step through making an art journal using just a few supplies. You do not need to be an accomplished artist to make an art journal. Small effort, big reward. Yay!

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Tammy Gilley Tammy Gilley

The Page as Sanctuary: Finding Calm Through Creative Play

Feeling a little frazzled? Yeah, same. But guess what? You don’t need a fancy spa day (though I certainly wouldn’t turn down a massage). Nope, all you need is a blank page, some colors, and permission to make a glorious, messy, unfiltered masterpiece—just for you. Permission granted - welcome to the world of creative self-care, where art journaling takes center stage.

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