First and foremost, Caylee Grey is a journaler and artist. She’s also a wife, mom, and the Fairy Artmother of Get Messy.
South African by birth, German by heart, her own art journaling adventure began as a way for her to get messy, ditch perfectionism, stay accountable, and consistently create art. It ended up transforming into something much more than that. Caylee has spent the last decade facilitating Get Messy, a community where she helps other recovering perfectionists embrace the mess and magic of a fulfilling creative life.
Caylee is a recovering perfectionist who believes that more than zero is enough, and that the messy middle is right where the good stuff is.
Mark-making is the interaction between the artist and the materials they are using. It provides the viewer of the work with an image of what the artist had done to create the mark, reliving what the artist had done at the time. Materiality is the choice of materials...
Value refers to the degree of perceivable lightness of tones within an image. The element of value is compatible with the term luminosity, and can be "measured in various units designating electromagnetic radiation". The difference in values is often called contrast,...
Texture is used to describe the surface quality of the work, referencing the types of lines the artist created. The surface quality can either be tactile (real) or strictly visual (implied). Tactile surface quality is mainly seen through three-dimensional works, like...
Space refers to the perspective (distance between and around) and proportion (size) between shapes and objects and how their relationship with the foreground or background is perceived. There are different types of spaces an artist can achieve for different effect....
Form is a three-dimensional object with volume of height, width and depth. These objects include cubes, spheres and cylinders. Form is often used when referring to physical works of art, like sculptures, as form is connected most closely with those three-dimensional...
This is a replay of the Body of Art: Class Workshop.
Color is an element consisting of hues, of which there are three properties: hue, chroma or intensity, and value. Color is present when light strikes an object and it is reflected back into the eye, a reaction to a hue arising in the optic nerve. The...
A shape is a two-dimensional design encased by lines to signify its height and width structure, and can have different values of color used within it to make it appear three-dimensional. In animation, shapes are used to give a character a distinct...
Lines are marks moving in a space between two points whereby a viewer can visualize the stroke movement, direction, and intention based on how the line is oriented. Lines describe an outline, capable of producing texture according to their length and...
Welcome An invitation into being vulnerable with yourselfWelcome I’m beginning this class with no makeup, no elaborate hair, and no pants. Just kidding. It’s a small gesture of vulnerability in the hopes that you’ll meet me with your own gesture of...
This is a replay of the Body of Art: Class Peek Workshop.
Pleasure + Liberation#gmseasonofpleasure #gmseasonofliberationThis season, the suggested artist date is a cafe date. Go to your favorite cafe in town or a new one in a...
Pleasure + Liberation#gmseasonofpleasure #gmseasonofliberationThis season, the suggested journal is an Altered Book Journal. Need some inspiration? Here ya go! (I've...
Ephemera is my number one supply ever, and if I only had one supply I could take on an island, it'd be paper. I am an exceptionally organised human, but I am also a creative and ephemera organisation lends itself to somewhere in the middle of those two things. The...
ResourceArt BooksThe Best Books for Art JournalersBooks are awesome I am a massive book nerd. My interior design style is “books and plants”. My love for books is part of the reason I love art journaling - I get to create my own library of art. I get to fill my...
ResourceJournaling Books21 books on written journalingJackee Holder The Science and Wisdom of Writing and journalingIra Progoff The basic text and guide for using the Intensive Journal processStephanie Dowrick The Art and Heart of ReflectionLucia Capacchione The Art...
Workshop Replay Messy Recipes: The Overthinker's Guide to Making ArtThe workshop is for the perfectionist who chooses mess instead. It’s the perfect, practical antidote to overthinking. I’m a recovering perfectionist myself. Embracing the mess is a...
Remember: Bring your messy self, take what you need (no such thing as being behind), and remember that more than zero is enough. Here's the prompt for today's Messy May:Celebrate your creative month! Write a list of small achievements, add confetti,...
Remember: Bring your messy self, take what you need (no such thing as being behind), and remember that more than zero is enough. Here's the prompt for today's Messy May:Make your practice today meditative. Some ideas: light a candle, drink some fruit...
Remember: Bring your messy self, take what you need (no such thing as being behind), and remember that more than zero is enough. Here's the prompt for today's Messy May:Show up in your journal today, in the easiest way possible. Use a bullet point...
Remember: Bring your messy self, take what you need (no such thing as being behind), and remember that more than zero is enough. Here's the prompt for today's Messy May: Start. Either by opening your journal to a new page or by binding a journal just...
Invitation to go on an artist date
Transcript So, my own personal rule for artist dates, and for taking along a little travel log, even if it's an everyday travel log, is that I only use found materials. So, I'm going to show you a whole beautiful bunch of examples. Now, I have a lot...
Transcript I'm currently at a park. It's one of my favorite parks because it comes with a castle. Hello, I'm in Germany, so castles are pretty average around here. And I'm going to take you along with me, and show you kind of the way I take myself on...
Transcript Hey there. My name is Caylee Grey, and I'm here to chat to you all about these magical things called artist dates. If you don't know about them yet, get ready for your mind to be blown. Absolutely blown. If you already know about...
Travel journals are one of my favorite ways to create, but there’s no need to wait for a Parisian or Thai overseas escapade. You can have a small adventure in the now—like, tomorrow-kind-of *now*. All you need are a few of your favorite supplies (that—guess what—you...
This class has given you tools for your arsenal in the journey that is your Unfolding. Now, it is up to you to continue exploring, connecting, and deepening.Resources to continue meditating and support your practice: Meditation Apps Calm Headspace Insight Timer 10%...
Your handwriting. The way you walk. Which china pattern you choose. It’s all giving you away. Everything you do shows your hand. Everything is a self-portrait. A diary. Your whole drug history’s in a strand of your hair. Your fingernails. The forensic details. The...
Set yourself up for heart-led creating. Smell the flowers. Pick a few. Close your eyes in the sun. Take the murdered flowers to your workspace. Feel the earth at your feet. Notice the details. Breathe in. Make a cup of tea. You're ready. What does my mind...
At the core of who you are is your truth. We often need to remind ourselves of this truth. The world likes to try to get us to forget. Journaling.Meditating.Heartstorming.Creating. All of these are great ways to remind us of our truth. For MIND, meditate on the...
To prepare for the creating in the next three lessons, connect with what each of the three areas mean to you. Create a mood board, curate a kit of supplies that soothe you, and bring you back towards yourself. Grab a slice of cake...Download the mood board templates...
This is how we see heartstorming:Read the original text by Father Paul Keenan.Transcript Oh, yes. Heartstorming. Through this experience, Caylee and I, rely on Father Paul Keenan and his definition and view of heartstorming, which you can also read in his book,...
The term meditation means in Latin, “to ponder.” Simply, meditation is a mindful practice of becoming aware, deepening, expanding, and contemplating or pondering our awareness. Meditation is personal. It’s uniquely individual and we invite you to make it your own. A...
Welcome to Unfold. This course is all about the art of meditative journaling and the self-nurturing practice of using meditation combined with art journaling as a path to a deeper understanding and connection with yourself. The course is intentionally designed with...
New#gmseasonofnewYour challenge, should you choose to accept it: Go back to your roots.I went back to my roots by going back to old journals. Here are some more ideas: copy one of...
My dear beautiful, beautiful Messy Artist It’s time for us to go back to our roots. Get Messy has always been a place that evolves and adapts and fits around your life rather than the other way around. It’s never been a place where you have to change to be a part of...
Worthiness#gmseasonofworthinessThis season's artwork is created by @valloves2create Dear Messy Artist You are worthy. Not because you have done anything, but simply because...
Self#gmseasonofselfWe as human beings are complex. By focusing on the details of ourselves, we are able to fully appreciate and celebrate them. Process Step One: Digitise your...
Self#gmseasonofselfDownload the Season of Self: Soul Sidekick Save this file to your computer, print it out, and keep it inside your journal to spark journal ideas.For each lesson...
Self#gmseasonofselfDownload the Season of Self: Body Sidekick Save this file to your computer, print it out, and keep it inside your journal to spark journal ideas.For each lesson...
Self #gmseasonofself Download the Season of Self: Mind Sidekick Save this file to your computer, print it out, and keep it inside your journal to spark journal ideas. For each...
Self#gmseasonofselfAre you a zine non-believer? It's okay. The zine won't take it personally. I'm sharing a few alternatives to creating a zine for the season. Because you are such...
A zine is a handmade magazine or mini-comic about anything you can imagine: favorite bands, personal stories, subcultures, or collections. They contain diary entries, rants, interviews, and stories. They can be by one person or many, found in stores, traded at comic conventions, exchanged with friends, or given away for free.
This video originally appeared in Misty Olsen's Inspired Artist's series. In this series, Misty interviews artists to instill confidence and clarity in your creative practice.
In this video, Caylee and the CJS21 host, Nathalie Kalbach, chat about stories and art.
Steven#gmseasonofstevenHere's a page through of what Steven looks like for me at the end of the season. What does yours look like? Share it in the Gallery. ...
Steven#gmseasonofstevenI've put a bunch of extra ideas for making your journal writing a bit more interesting... Split cursive and print and your different...
Steven#gmseasonofstevenI know a lot of us are going to be using Austin Kleon for our muse this season. We're going to be taking further instruction from him and...
Steven#gmseasonofstevenI love scissors and I love words and I love bringing them together. Here is another collection of inspir-action for your Season of Steven,...
Steven#gmseasonofstevenOne thing that I brought with me from my scrapbooking days are the gorgeous alpha stickers that I had accumulated. After using one too...
Steven#gmseasonofstevenThe inspir-action for this lesson is a bit shorter. As much as I love using my alphabet stamp set, I don't use it as much. But stamping is...
Steven#gmseasonofstevenThere's no denying that I love my vintage typewriter. I put it for €30 on eBay, it jams all the time, and I keep pushing the "z" instead...
Steven#gmseasonofstevenHere is another technique for your Season of Steven journal (or really, any journal that you'd like to put text in). You know those old...
Steven#gmseasonofstevenA selection of brush lettering from my journal archives...Action Steps be inspired to actionImperfect brush letteringStencils + Script
Steven#gmseasonofstevenGetting an entire book into a journal I am not going to teach you exactly how to script letters and how to combine them. Please use my own...
Steven#gmseasonofstevenGetting an entire book into a journal Before we get into the techniques, let's talk a bit about how to process your book.Steps for...
Steven#gmseasonofstevenIn this lesson I'm sharing a Steven Pressfield journal that I created for The Minimalist Art Journal 2. MAJ2 is a premium class here at...
Steven#gmseasonofstevenPrep Your Journal In the video I'll go through the initial prep for an altered book journal. Remember that your journal is a work in...
Steven#gmseasonofstevenThat's Steven. Still have no idea? I'm so excited to tell you... Action Steps get excited!head on over to the next lesson to choose your...
Steven#gmseasonofstevenA Season of Literal Steven If you'd like to join me in digging into Steven's words for the season, here are my three favourite books of...
Sometimes, your creativity needs a catalyst, and Messy Recipes includes a bunch of catalysts for creating an endless amount of art journal pages. Get Messy Fairy Artmother Caylee Grey has designed 12 recipes that include a list of “ingredients” (or supplies), a method with step-by-step directions, and pictures for guidance and inspiration. Guests artists have shared their favourite recipes too. Following the recipes exactly or using them as a guide, you can create endless variations. Perfect for beginners and experienced artists alike, Messy Recipes provides the catalysts for creativity that you can return to again and again.
Bind your own journal using an old book… as old as you’d like. With a lot less perfection than you think you need.
Applications Links are to the Chrome store or iStore where applicable. This list is constantly being updated Reference : Notion, Evernote, OneNote Task Management : Todoist (alternatively: Wunderlist, Teux Deux, Any.Do) Project Management : ClickUp, Asana, Trello...
I made these for you. Lofi to Concentrate Level Up To Pump You Up White Noise To Help You REALLY Concentrate
Download the Workbook for Level One Save this file to your computer, print it out, and scribble all over it.
Reflection Life Mind Maps are a fantastic way to reduce anxiety. They give a bird’s eye view of your life and helps you be objective. When you know exactly...
Habit Caylee Grey Get Messy is led by Caylee Grey, your fairy artmother, who with a swish and flick of her magic paintbrush empowers humans to live a creative life. She knows a...
Habit It's the first week of the season and this week will really set you up for success. Habit is going to change your art life. Just take a look at the comments on Instagram,...
This season, a host of incredible artists take you on a creative journey focused on what Get Messy believes is the most important part of being an artist: habit. These artists show you how they fit an art habit into their full, rich lives. Learn creative warm-up exercises to get you started, how to build a 20 minute art break into your schedule, how to keep a digital art idea notebook, and how to utilize the Get Messy hangouts and community towards your art habit. This season shows you exactly how, in very actionable steps, to make a creative habit as second nature as brushing your teeth.
Documenting This Season was so FULL don’t you think? There is something about having two long months to really explore a subject and to get our creative juices flowing. Here is a look at...
Documenting For the season intentions, I'd love you to trust me. We're going to do things a bit differently. Dig Deeper Let's start this season in the deep end. Let's jump...
Starting Beautiful artist! Welcome to the Season of Starting. No matter what kind of starting you are doing, I'm excited for you. The first week of a season is dedicated to...
Let’s officially kick off the podcast with my story and the reason I’m here.
#getmessyrecipes acrylic paint in a bright or fluorescent colour black and white image or Xeroxed image (if you don't have one, you can download one of flowers...
#getmessyrecipes black and white image or pattern (e.g. music sheet, old book, handdrawn pattern, if you don't have this, print the ephemera below) tissue...
#getmessyrecipes a poem on paper - written by you, from a magazine, or you can use one scanned in from an old e e cummings book (just click below) image from a...
#getmessyrecipes /your gorgeous self pencil modeling paste acrylic paint stencil (if you'd prefer, you can download and print the background) brush pen (if...
#getmessyrecipes magazine image to use as the focal point pattern from a magazine to use as a background text from a magazine ledger paper (if you don't have,...
#getmessyrecipes dried tea bag typewriter or computer printer collage fodder - 2 pieces that mean something to you, 1 piece that you simply love, and 1 piece...
#getmessyrecipes paint your favourite paper old ledger paper or book paper (click here to print if you don't have your own - make sure to print on both sides)...
#getmessyrecipes two colours of paint in the same colour family pencil a dark or light colour paint paint in an opposing colour old credit card, gift card, or...
#getmessyrecipes four colours of paint - acrylic, gouache, watercolour, whatever acrylic ink or fluid acrylic paint marker stencil One Add small smears of...
#getmessyrecipes scraps of artwork, preferably matching scissors and glue brush pen or actual paint brush dipped into paint thread - either on a sewing machine...
#getmessyrecipes old book or book pages (if you don't have any, click here to download and print with a laser printer) gesso or white acrylic your favourite...
#getmessyrecipes collage papers tape - washi or masking tape glue acrylic paint watercolour, ink, or watered down acrylic a typewriter, computer, or magazine a...
Failure Art is the perfect imperfection. - Alvaro Castagnet If you joined this season hoping for ways to get over failure, or to learn how to prevent failure and...
Failure It's not about perfection. It's about the joy of striving. - Thomas Keller We're jumping head first into the Season of Failure with two extremes - a...
Failure To do better is better than to be perfect. - Toba Beta This lesson is all about the new. By directing our aim, by focusing on just one thing at a time, we dance naked in...
Failure We must understand that the drive for perfectionism is a corrosive waste of time. Because nothing is ever beyond criticism. ... At some point, you really...
Failure Comparing ourselves to others is one of the most debilitating ways we stop ourselves from creating. We create our own idea of perfectionism from others....
Failure Action Steps go through the five steps again, and again Feeling like you're not good enough
We all love to read about creativity, fill our homes with beautiful giant books with art photos, patterns, and photography in them. These books are as beautiful as they are educational. But living a creative life as an artist begs for more depth and inner exploration,...
So far, we’ve talked a lot about the process of becoming a mother, and what that was like for you. But that’s actually the shortest part of the story. What comes next, is the rest of your life. No matter what happens to you from now on, you are a mother. It's...
We’ve talked about how motherhood can change the parts of you that existed before, and how you can reconnect with those in your current life. Now it’s time to identify the things that were born in you when your child became yours. The new, awesome, scary, surprising...
So we’ve looked at who you were and who you’re becoming, and now it’s time to think about practical ways of taking care of you moving forward. Now that your life is busier and fuller than ever, it’s important that you’re cared for and supported as much as humanly...
Here's a look at our completed journals...
Workbook + Digital KitDownload these files and save them to your computer. Print them out and use them in your journal for this class or for other projects. Copyright © Caylee Greyvenstein and Esther Smith. All files are for personal use only. You may not distribute...
Welcome to the class!