"There is something magical about the blank, cream-colored pages of a new art journal, isn't there? It always feels like a fresh start, filled with the promise of slower, more intentional creation.

This layout is my very first in my new journal, and I’m thrilled to share it as my July submission for the Gecko Galz Design Team theme 'Sun, Moon, Stars.' I wanted this piece to feel ancient and celestial, like an page from an astrologer’s dusty notebook.

To get this effect, I moved away from passive creation and had a wonderful time experimenting with physical tools: rich, deep ink markets (the pink is my favorite, naturally!), vintage-style stamps, intricate stencils, and—the real star—texture paste.

If you have never used texture paste in your journal, you must try it. I love how the dimensional paste catches the light when I am journaling with a cup of tea by the window. It makes the paper feel substantial and layered, which is exactly the aesthetic we crave."