Why Do I Art Journal?

For those of you that know me, I am an incredibly goal oriented person – to a fault at times. I have shied away from art journaling for years, even though it often includes WORDS. I love WORDS. Why? I don’t know. Put a word on something and I am drawn in. But art journaling? It seems so non-goal oriented, self-focused. naval gazing. And I already journal daily. I have for almost 20 years. So I didn’t need art journaling in my life.

But I was intrigued. I watched. I contemplated. And I continued writing in my journal and painting on my canvases. Then one day I decided to try it. I was curious. I wanted to understand what it was all about. Plus I teach creativity classes. It seemed like a natural connection. 

Now I am hooked. And I realize I can attach plenty of goals to it, if needed. Learn about yourself. Give yourself a jumpstart in creating. Practice something new in your art journal before using the technique on canvas. Have fun. Breathe. Deal with your gremlins.

What is art journaling from my viewpoint? I think of it as “raw art.” You create from inside yourself, using whatever medium you want, and then turn the page. Don’t fuss. Don’t worry. Don’t belabor. And, man-oh-man, am I good at belaboring. So just turn the page. Do a new prompt. And don’t show it to anyone if you don’t want. It is yours, all yours.

In my latest announcement for my upcoming art journaling class, I wrote “there is no right or wrong way” to art journal. A prospective student asked: But what if I fail?  (Now there’s a gremlin just waiting to be explored!) My response, “I am not even sure what failure would mean. If you don't finish - well, be it. If you decide you don't like it, then stop. You’ve learned something about yourself.  It is all up to you and all about you. “  Create imperfectly. Maybe that's the goal. And it is certainly not failure. That’s art. Color outside the lines. Don’t even have lines. Don’t use color. Just create because you love to create. Breathe. Relax. Play. And turn the page. What a gift. Yes, I'm hooked. 

Want to learn more about my upcoming class? Read my blog article or email me.

From the pages of my art journal.