Bible Journaling – Part 2 – getting started

At first I wasn’t sure what I thought about drawing in the margins of my Bible. I had no problem writing in my Bible because I’ve done that for decades. I have prayers, dates and comments written the margins of my Bible as I interact with God’s words. But to paint and draw? Now that was quite different. Yet I loved the idea.

I thought. I prayed. I researched and I talked to my husband about it. And then I knew this was for me.

Here’s how I started.

1. I ordered a hardback black ESV journaling Bible. A journaling Bible will have a 1-2″ margin on the sides. You can get single or double column.  I wanted single column with a 2″ margin. I paid $20. 00 for my Bible through Christian Book Distributors on sale before Christmas. (FYI: Lifeway Christian Book Store will price match. Pull up CBD on phone and show them an ISB # with price. Awesome!)
2. Then I stared at my new Bible for a few weeks not wanting to leave my old Bible. Also afraid to draw or paint in my new Bible.
3. Then I searched online and found some helpful websites to get me started.
4. Then I ordered these supplies from Amazon.

5. And then stared some more at my Bible.

6. Finally I decided to just get started.

This was my first attempt:

Impressive, huh? At least I picked the “measures and units” page of the Bible. Very last page of the index. Yeah, so I figured out what NOT to do with the stamps. I was using the entire stamp pad upside down without using the intended tool designed to go with it. Did I mention I’m so not an artist?

Once I figured out that I needed to order a few more supplies to make some of my initial supplies work I was set but I really messed that first page up. You know what though – I’m okay with it somehow. I’m learning as I go.

For me, remembering the purpose of Bible Journaling Art will be important. My purpose is to help God’s words get inside me and stay there. It’s not a creative and therapeutic outlet of  “decorating” the scriptures and using my Bible as an art medium. I’m uncomfortable with that although I do find some truth in it. ?? And I don’t know what to do with that. My prayer is that this process will take the words of God and flesh them out inside my heart, soul and mind so that I can live them out in my daily life. If drawing pictures in the margins help me do that then bring it on Mrs. Picasso!

I looked at these sites for a few weeks before ordering anything.

Bible Art Journaling

Illustrated Faith

Living an ART filled life

And my new blogging friend Erika also suggested the following supplies as a cheap start up.

Colored pencils ($7/30 Twistables at Wal-Mart), chalks ($5/36@michaels), watercolor gel crayons/gelatos (8/$4, target brand) and so on. Tip-ins will also be your good friends. This just refers to anything you tape into your bible. Washi tapes make these extra fun. You can order them dirt cheap from China on eBay. Dollar tree often caries them too. I rarely pay more than $1/roll.

So clearly I’m not an expert on this stuff. I’m just sharing with you early in my learning process so you can come along if you’d like.