Get Messy Art

This was an intriguing and inspiring selection of ideas for an art journal. The accompanying text didn't really do anything for me -- it was too vague, repetitive and "motivational" in the specific way that I find annoying. However the ideas for art spreads were inspiring and made me itch to try some of them for myself. I've never tried art journaling but I think I may have to give it a try to see if it gets me back into the creative flow.

I also really appreciated the materials list at the beginning of each spread. I now have a nice list of things to get at my art store and experiment with.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Quarry Books for providing an e-arc for review.

Get Messy Art is an invitation to get arty and set your creativity free. There are all sorts of projects using different techniques to try. The book is full of step by step instructions and illustrations, and there really is something for everyone. It is very messy, let rip art which may not appeal to everyone. But it looks so much fun. Find yourself some art media that appeals to you and get going. There are lots of case studies of different artists, each sending encouraging messages and giving examples of their work. Overall a book full of fun for beginners, and those who like to creatively journal. Would make a great gift. Buy it in hard form though, it is difficult to see the detail on the pictures in digital format.

This is a very creative art journaling how to book. It starts with the basics of the necessary tools, and how to use them. Then, it begins with binding, and works through various techniques. It's astounding how many unique art techniques the author demonstrates. Everything is clearly illustrated with color pictures, and it's very inspiring! I can't wait to try some of the techniques myself! I'm going to try using an existing book, and turning it into an art journal. If you're a scrapbooker, you will likely have most of the products on hand. This is an excellent reference book.

This is a lovely, enthusiastic guide to journaling. The difference here is that the author promotes the enjoyment and regularity of your journaling as opposed to perfection, hence the title. The idea is to just keep building on your skills. It is full of suggestions and has several ideas from guest artists. This would be a super gift for any keen to try journaling but not sure where to start. Thank you to Cayley Grey, Net Galley and Quarto for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Free Netgalley book for review ~

I enjoyed reading this! To anyone who thinks they can’t draw a straight line… but they do like to write arms are visual persons—this book is for you. This book embraces making fast art and sitting down and making marks on a page. They don’t have to be beautiful; they don’t even always have to be meaningful. Just draw or paint something, be there to write and draw. and it’ll already be truer to yourself than copying perfectly some Pinterest image. :-).

This book is definitely geared more to art journalists but I could also see it appealing to the same set of folks who liked Keri Smith’s “Wreck this Journal.”

I've been interested in starting an art journal for the last few months. I have watched some videos, looked at art journals on Instagram and Reddit, and when I saw Get Messy by Caylee Grey on Netgalley I knew I had to request it.

Luckily I was picked for a free copy. I started reading it almost immediately. Although I haven't officially started an art journal, I have per Grey unofficially started as I have been doing something daily to inspire creativity and working on ideas on scraps of paper.

Get Messy doesn't present anything new but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Often I need to be reminded of the what, why, and how of art and creativity.

After going over supplies, she gets into the trails, spark, grow, and cultivate. Kinda like choose your own adventure but with art and creativity! Each trail offers several activities to help spark ideas and spreads in your art journal.

Her writing style is easy to read and feels like I'm talking with a friend. I also liked that there were several color photos to go along with each project. It really helps to have images to go along with the written instructions. Sometimes you read something and go huh? But having a photo to reference is extremely helpful

This would be a great book for those looking to start or very early in their art journal. Even though I'm a beginner, I don't know that this would provide much help for those that are more advanced art journalers. I may reference it as I start my art journal but I don’t see using it much once I get further into the hobby.

I have been a long time fan of Caylee Grey and so that my color my opinions...
However, this book is both inspirational and motivational and I really look forward to using several of the ideas in the new year (I'm gonna try to focus on pumping out art, I've been in a slump toooooo long)
The pictures are beautiful and plentiful and the writing is clear and concise. What more can you really ask for?

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is an interesting guide.

The book really focuses on the Messy Art movement and incorporating making art into your daily routine. There's information on choosing supplies, setting up your art journal, and getting out of an art rut. The book is broken down into three parts to introduce you to an art routine, find your voice, and build on that experience.

It's fairly high level in some places, but focuses on helping you create more art and be creative regularly.

I've been journaling for awhile and was interested in adding to artistry to my journals. Something to really express how I was feeling in that moment. Problem is that I'm a perfectionist. Errors are usually what has made me stop exploring my artistic exploits. But the book is more about making messy art. I enjoyed reading it and will use some of it's suggestion.


I received this book for free from netgalley.

I didn't realize until sitting down to read this that it was specifically about art journaling. The most useful part to me was information about the different tools and paints to use, and creative ideas about materials I hadn't thought of using before. The pictures throughout the book are beautiful but they actually might be a little too beautiful if you are really trying to follow along with each step of the projects. Sometimes the number of pictures and the amount of object / paints / tools in each picture can be a little overwhelming, but that's just my personal style. My favorite project was the one about minimalist art! Thank you to Carlee Grey, Quarto, and NetGalley for this free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Art without rules, judgment, and pressure
Caylee Grey is a South African artist, facilitator of the online Get Messy art journaling community, without any formal training, living in Germany, and likes action steps. She presents her book "Get Messy Art. The No-Rules, No-Judgment, No-Pressure Approach to Making Art - Create with Watercolor, Acrylics, Markers, Inks, and More" which was published by Quarto Publishing Group – Quarry. Grey sees her book as the catalyst, but it is up to the readers to turn that spark into a blazing flame (p. 8). She states: "I, along with the incredible artists in this book, have done a massive chunk of the work. Almost all of it. We’ve learned the lessons, we’ve put in the time, we’ve articulated it all. There’s just a tiny bit of work left to do, and it is yours. It may feel big and insurmountable, but you can do big things" (p. 8).
In the chapter "The Messy Movement" Grey talks about "The Messy Manifesto" and "How to be a messy Artist." The chapters that follow treat topics such as "The Power of the Journal," "The Magic of Habit," "The Anti-Supply List," and "Creating Your Messy Journal." The second part of the book is entitled "The Trail" and includes four parts: 1) Sparks, ") Grow, 3) Cultivate, and $) Connect. The book also includes some additional information (e.g., "Tips for swatching," "Have fun with pen and brush lettering," or "Dyeing paper with coffee"). Furthermore, Grey present s guest artist from various parts of the world with some of their take on art as well as one project from them. The index and the list of resources at the end of the book are helpful. I highly recommend this book to beginning and advanced artists who are open to creative ideas which are outside of "the normal". The book might be nothing for artists who see their art well organized or it could be a challenge to them to "go beyond their borders."
The complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley free of charge. I was under no obligation to offer a positive review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#GetMessyArt #NetGalley

Quite an interesting concept in art journalism, one that gives you permission to let oneself go and just experiment with feelings and art..
It certainly is messy and all over the shop, but I can see that the more one the does more one develops ones style and creativity.
Nice idea