Have you ever been scrolling through Pinterest and come upon many posts (or PINS!) that invite you to learn art journaling techniques and you ask yourself, what is an art journal, anyway?
Today I want to share with you what an art journal is and why you should give it a try.
According to Wikipedia…
“An art diary, art journal or visual journal is a daily journal kept by artists, often containing both words and sketches and occasionally including mixed media elements such as collages.”
Well said; however, I want to add, in preventing any newcomers from hastening away upon the words “daily” and “artist”, that there are NO RULES as to how often you work on your journal, NO RULES as to who is worthy of being an “artist“, in fact, the best part about an art journal is there are NO RULES AT ALL!!!!
That being said, there are oodles of colorful examples of art journal pages to look at online. Just go to Pinterest, type in “art journal” in the search box, and you’ll find amazing examples of delicious artwork by all kinds of artists, amateurs, and just normal folks who love to doodle and express themselves!
But don’t let their expertise scare you away! While it’s fun to look at the “masters” for inspiration, what’s really important is developing a consistent habit of journaling: Pulling yourself away from your busy schedule to just PLAY! Practicing mindfulness, discovering who you are through the intuitive process of creating something. Learning a new technique or two, and realizing that, hey! I might really be a creative person after all!
So I am here to share my perspectives on art journaling, to share the techniques that I humbly learn from others much greater than I, and to open up a conversation that invites the sharing of ideas and building a community of kindred creative spirits.
Why should I keep an art journal?
There are many reasons to keep an art journal. You might want to: record daily or occasional events through a combination of words and random doodles or collage imagery. Perhaps you want to work out your emotions through freehand, intuitive painting, or just playing with colors in a private book. Or maybe you want to practice your drawing skills in combination with collage, stamping, and stenciling to create a complete composition. But most importantly, art journaling is a great way to relax and spend some quality self-care time, practicing mindfulness and a creative retreat from your daily responsibilities.
I’d like to start by sharing a sneak peek of a video class I recently published on Skillshare! This first video is just the introduction, so you can get a feel for how art journaling can open up a whole new world of expression and creativity for you!
Watch here, and then get 2 free months if you choose Skillshare Premium!
As I mentioned in the video, art journaling is a great way to try out different art techniques, to spend quality time being present and mindful, to express yourself through words and images, and even work through difficult emotions. Whatever your intention is, I hope to offer you some encouragement here on your journey.
My next post will be about getting started, what materials you need, and how to start a journal without blowing your budget at the craft store! Read it here!
See you soon!!
Jennifer
