Art Journaling

My first experience with art journal was in my ARTX class which stands for: Integrated Studio in Contemporary Art Practices. Before I go on with my art journaling post, I would like to let you know that this class was the most fun and challenging course I have taken to date.

When we were told that we had to keep an art journal during the semester I got scared, and doubted that I could find enough material to fill up this many blank pages. I had no idea what an art journal was all about, I've kept a personal diary all my life but not very diligently, and I never drew or collaged in them. This art journal was a new adventure.


The beauty of it is that you can use anything you have at hand, be pictures, magazines, newspapers, thread, pencils, paint, really almost everything can be used.

An art journal can be about anything, it could be about projects you want to elaborate on, or notes, or it can even be personal, or about doodling, or anything else you can think of. The beauty of an art journal is there are no limits, it is your own little work of art that you can keep to yourself or share with the world. It is a place where all your fantasies are permitted and there are no boundaries to your imagination. There is no right or wrong way to make an art journal.


For instance, we had to finish the semester with a project that had to do with recycling. I had several ideas and I picked one from my journal, it was to make a Christmas tree out of shredded paper. (I will have to write a blog on that one it was a lot of work). I drew several sketches of different possibilities, one had to do with shoes, an other with meat packaging but the shredded paper won, and it all started from an idea I had put down in my art journal.

Fortunately for me my boss allowed me to use our office for the making of the Christmas tree. I know it is a bit of an odd tree, but we had none so that made due, plus my co-workers started adding stuff to it and it became a conversation topic. It challenged our work environement and how we can be more efficient recyclers. However, needless to say that the christmas tree went straight to the recycling bin after the Holidays were over.

An art journal can also be a way to evacuate some of your stuff, it is a bit like art therapy. The other side of art journaling is that you can always revisit your old journals to jolt your brain and revitalize some old ideas or find something you had forgotten and use in a new project. Also, it is a glimpse at your evolution as a person and an artist.

Journaling can open the gate to creativity and your subconscious mind and unleash some amazing ideas. You can view my first art jounal in the slideshow on the top right of this page.

Well in writing this post, I got myself convinced that I should keep up the practice and see where it leads.

Your comments and suggestions are welcome.

I have done some research on the matter and found some interesting sites and videos on the subject:

hhttp://rawartjournaling.com/
hhttp://www.aisling.net/journaling/journalingarts.htm
http://painting.about.com/od/keepinganartjournal/Keeping_an_Art_Journal_and_Art_Journaling.htmhttp://www.artcampforwomen.com/art-journaling-1/
http://www.self-help-healing-arts-journal.com/healing-art-journaling-flickr.html
http://hubpages.com/hub/Art_Journaling__Getting_Started

You tube has some really neat video on art journaling:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQkfuM_0Quw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ic_Lz6_aMW4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hi00J44Ogn8&feature=related
Suzi Blu has a whole series of art journaling tips and stories, if you search google or just click on the links below you will get to her stuff
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fi2gcjP88VM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1U_DB4UFmk
Here is a different kind of art journal, with fabric and stitches
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ra29fYmHJ5A

Well I hope that you are getting inspired, now go to it and have fun with your art journal!