An Integrative Art Journaling collection titled Awakening the Dragonfly. A woman’s profile emerges in vibrant layers, her green eyes alive with light, framed by curling vines and a red rose in her hair. Above her, a golden sun radiates beams of glittering warmth. Across the composition, a luminous dragonfly spreads its jeweled wings, encrusted with sequins, glitter, and bursts of confetti-like color. Surrounding patterns swirl in purples, blues, and teals, echoing the energy of transformation. The piece embodies awakening, vision, and the dragonfly as a guide into luminous self-discovery.
Capture of the Vibrant and Dynamic Layers of Melissa Halbert’s Art Journal from Awakening the Dragonfly

This is my quiet movement. A seed of change. It may seem small, but it carries all of me, and it will grow and evolve, just as I hope it will with you.

Welcome to The Abstract Expressionist

Here, we step into the inner realms together, using inquiry as our compass, as we adventure into the creative depths of self-expression. Through abstract expressionism, we weave mixed media, meditation, creative writing, storytelling, and poetry into the living framework of art journaling.

Immerse yourself in art journaling and discover fresh ways to explore abstract expression in everyday life. Together, we will craft an immersive story in color and form, where every page becomes an unspoken chapter longing to be witnessed. With each layer, a new perception emerges. A new story unfolds. In this unique approach, we move beyond what we think we know and enter the boundless realm of abstract expression, where the very pieces you will create form a new beginning.

All skill levels are welcome. What I wish for you is to experience this process with curiosity, playfulness, and a willingness to explore the endless possibilities of creative expression. When you feel ready, take these elements and create a one-of-a-kind piece that honors your journey as you step into a new realm of possibility.

Within The Abstract Expressionist, you will find short stories, poetry, and a fresh approach to art journaling, where your creative process becomes a visual story and you are the one shaping the narrative. Along the way, you will also receive weekly reflections, prompts of inquiry, and journaling ideas designed to spark inspiration and guide your personal journey. This is your opportunity to explore and experience the content before it hits the bookshelves.

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About Melissa

Melissa is a writer, artisan, and poet. A lifelong student of creative arts, personal mythology, and inner transformation, she draws on Jungian theory and intrapersonal wisdom. Her experience in living with a chronic illness has significantly influenced her perspective, prompting an exploration of the underlying factors involved in the process of healing.

Through The Abstract Expressionist on Substack, Melissa brings her personal insights to life. Blending abstract art, poetry, storytelling, and evocative imagery, she explores the intersection of everyday life and creative expression. Her work advocates for the healing potential of art as a tool for both personal and collective transformation. The cultivation of these works is all around you in her art, stories, poetry, and so much more.

At the core of Melissa’s vision is a desire to offer hope and resonance, to remind others that even in life’s darkest seasons, we each hold the power to shift the narrative and awaken to a new story.

Based in the Pacific Northwest, she finds joy in rainy afternoons, quiet time with family, wandering through nature, and traveling across landscapes, both inner and outer.

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