Art journaling is a ‘thing’. Have you tried it yet? I first heard about it a few years ago and was intrigued. There are many ways to do it but pretty much only one reason; therapy. Specifically to mentally unwind, go wild, let go and unlock your creative juices and your emotions.
Creative juice. We kind of get it beaten out of us. As a child we create all kinds of things and feel proud of our creations that is until an insensitive adult tells us what’s wrong with our masterpiece. So, why not get that back through creating a very personal art journal. You can call it your divorce art journal…
Get your creative juices back by art journaling #therapy #art Click To TweetArt journaling can be as abstract or realistic as you like. As colorful or grey as you choose (or should I say as you ‘feel’ on any particular day). The first few times I tried the ‘word’ method. These two images from my journal are examples;
This one is an exercise where you randomly choose a word from a book. You can see I chose Giving Back and worked around that.
I was feeling a little grey this day.
Cull old books or magazines you’ll never read again and open to a random page. Scan the page quickly and find a word that draws your eye. Cut that ONE word or phrase out. Paste it on the page and build around it. In my first image above, ‘giving back’ was the phrase I chose and in the second image it was ‘paint’. The idea with this kind of art journaling is that you choose your word within seconds. Don’t give it much thought.
The point is to enjoy the process and while you’re doing it—surprise! You are creating an inspirational message only for you. The happy side effects are that you’re releasing anger, sadness, doubt, love, frustration…
Layer your pages with various combinations of images, words, shapes and doodles. For example, use decoupage to lay your cut out words over top of abstract shapes. Add color using paint, or any media of your choice. Here is an inspirational video featuring Joanne Sharpe’s work. I like this example because it shows the use of vivid color mixed with stories, phrases and paragraphs. That said, she’s an accomplished artist so please don’t compare your own journal to hers and certainly don’t begin by setting expectations on your art journal. That would defeat the purpose.
Remember though, this is all you. Your story, your words and your handwriting. Your images and sketches. It is solely for you so fear not if a page doesn’t look like Joanne’s or anything like what your vision was initially. It. Doesn’t. Matter.
Start by buying a spiral bound sketch book of any size, some mixed media such as watercolor pencils, pencil crayons, permanent markers (I like fine point), paint, old books, magazines, and crayons. Yes I said crayons. They aren’t just for kids, ya know. Watercolor over wax can be quite interesting. Other supplies may be paint tape, glue sticks to paste into the work, any clippings that you’re drawn to. Note: you can also buy watercolor paper in a pad, which can be better than a regular sketch pad if you plan to use watercolors.
Looking at a blank page can be somewhat intimidating. Here’s where the challenge comes in. Knowing where to start. My advice is this, don’t ever think about the end result because it doesn’t matter. You don’t have to send a message or have a purpose. For once in your life, this is purely an exercise in process.
Sometimes I use my art journal to paste an image of someone’s work that has piqued my curiosity. Here is an example of a photographer’s work that inspires, or strikes a chord with me.
I’m an artist myself and drawing and painting (in both oil and acrylics) has been my choice of expression. I have focused on portraits and figure studies for many years. So, I know the pain of trying to make something look like someone or REAL. Not easy.
In the last few years due to limited space, I’ve worked in small pieces mainly in abstract. I have to say I love the freedom of abstract work. There is no right or wrong but there is a successful piece vs. one that isn’t working. So, abstract painting is an animal all its own. Regardless, taking up art journaling allows me to let go of any expectation of my art. It allows me to get more creative and experiment. Most of all, it allows me to channel emotions and ultimately relax and destress.
De-stressing is something I thought my Escapees would be interested in. Art therapy, if you will, is much more fun than real therapy.
Bottom line is de-stressing is something we all need to do. Why not do it by channeling our emotions through creative expression? Art therapy, if you will, is much more fun than real therapy.
Here are two of my favorite sites with tons of art journaling ideas and inspiration at createmixedmedia.com & clothpaperscissors.com
Have you tried art journaling?
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Louise Gallagher
May 3, 2017 at 5:38 amLike you Lisa, I love to art journal — it is both therapy and relaxation for me. It is also part magic! 🙂
I love the idea of the words. Thanks!
lisa
May 3, 2017 at 2:12 pmThanks, Louise. Well, I love your bright and bold images and paintings taken from your journal. Very inspiring 🙂
Christine Carter
April 30, 2017 at 5:42 amLisa, this is AMAZING. You are such a gifted woman, with incredible creative talents! I am sharing this everywhere. It’s a really great outlet for any woman to have- and I can only imagine the stress release from this type of journaling. It IS therapy for sure.
lisa
April 30, 2017 at 4:02 pmAw, thank you, Chris! Thanks for sharing this around with your followers. It really is a great way to explore and set our creativity free.
Chrys Fey
April 29, 2017 at 5:40 pmI find writing in a journal tough. Surprising, huh? But I love art and this is right up my alley. I need to buy a sketch book for fashion designs (my other passion), so I’ll get two to start art journaling. 🙂
lisa
April 29, 2017 at 11:21 pmHi Chrys, you could definitely incorporate your fashion sketches into your art journal. You’ll love it but the key is to let loose so not to make it look exactly like your typical sketches. journal writing is something they made us do in school, maybe that’s why you got turned off by it?
Roland Yeomans
April 26, 2017 at 7:06 pmWhat a great idea Art Journaling seems! I did doodles and sketches in my daily journal for a time but none of the pages were as artistic as the ones you showed. Thanks for visiting my blog!
lisa
April 27, 2017 at 8:19 amHi Roland, keep on doodling 😀 I think it unlocks creative thoughts and helps with writing, too. thanks for stopping by!
My Inner Chick
April 26, 2017 at 11:47 amI know somebody who is doing this.
I love different ways to create, imagine, dream…
Fabulous way to release and use your voice in unique way, Lisa.
xxx From MN
lisa
April 27, 2017 at 8:18 amIt really is fun and I think we have to learn to enjoy it without feeling as though its childish or a waste of time…because the benefits really are worth it. Plus, after many pages are done, your journal does tell a story. Thanks, Kim!
Charlotte
April 26, 2017 at 10:12 amOh, this is just lovely, and I love your finished products! I’ve never tried art journaling before, though I certainly have colored quite a few times in my adult life and have found this practice to be immensely stress relieving, so I imagine you’d feel the same kind of feelings after something like this. Thanks so much for sharing, and being a constant source of inspiration, Lisa <3 XOXO
lisa
April 27, 2017 at 8:17 amThank you, Charlotte! Yes, coloring has really taken off as a grown up hobby. Kind of similar effects as art journaling. 🙂
Jeri
April 25, 2017 at 7:50 pmI did something similar with a third-year creative writing student one year when I customized an advanced curriculum for her. We worked through the book Discovering the Writer Within and exchanged entries and commented back and forth. To make it more interesting, we started doing things like pasting in pics and using stickers. It was a lot of fun and definitely a creative boost.
lisa
April 26, 2017 at 8:12 amHi Jeri, so it was a journal you both made entries in? That does sound fun and a good way to unlock writing ideas!
Jeri
April 26, 2017 at 9:20 amWe each kept our own journal and then exchanged 2-3 times a week to respond to each other’s entries. It was a great way for the student to get better at giving and receiving reader response feedback as well.
lisa
April 26, 2017 at 9:37 amGreat idea!
Lianne
April 25, 2017 at 10:48 amI’ve never tried art journaling. I am a creative person though and love to get stuck into projects like this! I love that you use it to de stress, a great idea!
Lianne | Makes, Bakes and Decor
lisa
April 25, 2017 at 6:00 pmHi Lianne, I think you would enjoy it since you’re a creative soul. You can get as messy as you have the space for. Or if you want to do some quiet doodling, ink pens and pencil crayons work just as well without the commitment to paints.
Marie Kléber
April 25, 2017 at 8:25 amHeard of Art Journaling before but never get the point. Thanks for clarifying Lisa. It looks like a great hobby and a good way to release whatever we might hold inside.
Love your photo on the side – You’re shining!
lisa
April 25, 2017 at 5:59 pmHi Marie, it can be extremely therapeutic once you let go and let the process happen. No judgment. Aw, thank you for the compliment on the pic. 🙂
Loni Townsend
April 24, 2017 at 3:17 pmI’ve never tried art journaling, though I’ve never been good at keeping a journal of any sort. Oddly, I think journaling itself stresses me out, because I set expectations for myself to make it routine and then I don’t and then I spiral into despair and self-loathing because of my inability to stick with it… Hmm, probably the opposite of what it’s intended to accomplish. 🙂
That aside, I do draw and take photographs. My drawings are based on the characters from my books, but it’s therapeutic. I’m glad you’ve found a method that works well for you!
lisa
April 25, 2017 at 8:22 amHi Loni, your comment made me smile. A written journal is something that can be, as you said, a stress producer because we feel we have to write in it everyday. I guess we got that habit from school. Art journal is completely different. No rules. No schedule. I also draw my characters in a scene from my work in progress. Either to motivate me or as therapeutic. More scribbling, actually. You’re the first writer to say they do the same! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Tamara
April 24, 2017 at 1:21 pmEvery summer in Cape Cod, Cassidy’s aunt likes to art journal with my kids and her grandkids. I love to watch them. For some reason, it’s never drawn me in. Usually when I’m already at a beach vacation, I either swim or read. But I LOVE that this is a thing. Perhaps it will call out to me next time.
lisa
April 24, 2017 at 4:22 pmHi Tamara, oh that would be so much fun to do with kids. They’re so free already, they would probably come up with some bold pages. Give it a try next time 🙂 You can also photocopy your photos and add a layer with your photography.
Harleena Singh
April 24, 2017 at 1:55 amHi Lisa,
Happy Monday 🙂
Never heard of art journaling therapy, and good to know more about it from you here! Yes, de-stressing is surely something I can use, and I love the fact that we can get our creativity flowing this way as well.
Love the new look of your blog! Thanks for sharing. Have a nice week ahead 🙂
lisa
April 24, 2017 at 4:13 pmHappy Monday, Harleena 🙂 I feel any creative activity can do wonders for reducing stress. Thanks for stopping over!
Liv
April 23, 2017 at 3:44 pmI keep thinking I should get back into painting…but with everything else it would be just one more thing I need to clean up. Maybe when the kids get older.
lisa
April 24, 2017 at 4:12 pmIt’s a messy hobby, no doubt. You have to accept that and not let it bother you. 😀
Balroop Singh
April 23, 2017 at 3:14 pmThis post reveals a new aspect of your personality Lisa! What a creative suggestion to de-stress! Thanks for sharing.
Your blog is looking awesome, I love the new look and your post complements it perfectly. Have a wonderful Sunday 🙂
lisa
April 24, 2017 at 4:11 pmThis is my fun side– 🙂 De-stressing is always a good thing. Thanks for the compliments on the new look here.