Visual journaling that is.
I'm sure some of you will be asking what is visual or art journaling. An art journal is something we create just for ourselves. Art journals are illustrated diaries and journals on any theme. An art journal can be a record of your daily thoughts, a travel diary, a diary about kids, a dream journal, a place where you can jot down your goals or to-do lists... basically, any record you'd like to keep in a book or notebook. They diary becomes an art journal when you add any kind of illustration or embellishment to the pages.
Here's some of mine.
The one thing I get asked frequently by students and customers is "where do you get your inspiration?". Well, my biggest inspiration is my art journals, of which I have many.
I jot down things in mine almost daily. It's very therapeutic and relaxing to have a place to doodle, write down my thoughts and ideas. And believe me, the pages aren't all perfect either - it is after all my unique private place.
This journal is a kaleidoscope of colour - rendered with watercolour pencil.
My art journals inspire my creativity and honestly, if people knew how liberating it is to keep a journal, we'd all be doing it.
If you've never kept a diary or art journal then the prospect probably seems intimidating. I bet you are saying I don't have the skills or time - right!
Well you'd be wrong.... a couple of minutes a day is all you need. No particular art skills required. Some days I simply doodle with a biro pen. This is your 'private place' to log your thoughts, ideas, observations on life, dreams.... and if you are anything like me, it's full of lists. Another extension of creativity for me is spending time developing artwork in my journal. No pressure - no one is going to see it anyway. I just play, explore, experiment and RELAX.
Doodled pages ready for colouring.
I believe everyone is creative; just some people are more open to exploring their creativity than others. We all have days when we feel uninspired; this is when it is great to look back through our visual dairy. A simple idea or thought process might be all we need to spark the imagination.
For me, art journaling is another way of living the creative life.
Until next time, I'll just be doodling.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
Labels: art journal, doodles
This journal is a kaleidoscope of colour - rendered with watercolour pencil.