art journal

Adding little things to my art journal on quiet nights is one of my favorite things. 

art journal pages

Just a few recent pages, for fun.

Art Journaling: Materials

Last week I shared a little about my art journaling process, more of the why than the how. Today is all about the how. Let me start by saying that I am not an experienced art journaler. Think of this as an amateur's way of trying to help out other amateurs. And, of course, there is no right or wrong way to do this. But I thought that showing you how I do it might help you discover your own process.

So. Let's talk about the actual book. Since I first began about a year ago, I've tried three different types of books. For my very first journal I purchased a small, cheap binder from Target and filled it with pages I made as I went.

This felt, in my opinion, more aesthetically pleasing and "artsy." I liked having control of how many pages I put in, being able to switch them around, etc. The problem was that it became a pain to cut up the cardstock every time I wanted to make a page, and I quickly lost interest.

I saw a lot of art journals online that were made out of Mead composition books. This seemed like a cheap and easy alternative, so I bought one. I loved the idea of it, but a) I had to paint every single page to make it sturdy/not see through, which took forever, and b) the pages were a little too big for my taste. I realized that I prefer a smaller book that feels less like a junky notebook.

Which led to my current journal, this teensy little sketch book I picked up at a craft store for about $1.50 (hello, coupons.) It's the perfect size and it has thick pages, which means that they're not see-through and are perfect for splashing some watercolor on. It's a little more neat and structured than my first journal, but I love that I don't have to worry about adding pages. It's ready to go.

So once you've picked out your journal it's time to gather supplies to fill it with. This is not something you need to spend any money on; ideally you'll be able to use things already hanging around your desk drawers and kitchen counter. Here are some materials that, for me, are the "essentials":

Must-Have Materials

- magazines (note: my favorites are Madewell and Anthropologie catalogs, which are free in the mail. I also like to use old wedding magazines, which are full of pretty floral images.)
- Sharpie
- Double sided tape/glue stick
- watercolor set
- alphabet stamps

Extras

- scrapbooking stickers/paper/embellishments
- washi tape
- sequins
- random tags, ads, tea packets, etc.
- vintage paper goods (book pages, postcards, magazine clippings. Old yearbooks are my personal favorites!)
- paint chips
- doilies


The best thing about art journaling is that it can be as complex or as simple as you like. It may take a few pages to discover you own personal style, but even the "mess-up" pages are fun to create. It's the perfect way to try new techniques, express yourself, and use up those random scraps and supplies you've been holding onto for years. I'd love to see your own pages if you create any! Have fun :)

Art Journaling: Process

My take on art journaling, scrapbooking's slightly rebellious younger sister.

I suppose I could go into a lengthy discussion on the therapeutic process of art journaling, how it allows one to express oneself creatively, etc. In reality, it's mostly just a way for me to kill time while my husband is at meetings at night. But it's true, cutting and pasting can be therapeutic and soothing. (I try to steer away from using the word "soothing" too often; it almost always brings up images of stool softener ads... Is it obvious I'm writing this at midnight?)

I'm a big fan of documenting my life via scrapbooking and Project Life, but that's a more structured creative outlet - I have a set method, it's very simple and clean. It's for me, but it's also for other people to flip through. But my art journal is where I can let it all out; anything goes.

I've made a few different journals throughout the years but it wasn't until recently that I found my "sweet spot" in art journaling. It took a lot of unfinished albums and trial and error to decide what the purpose of art journaling is, for me. I'm the kind of person who needs some sort of purpose behind what I'm doing, even in art. Since I do so much writing and scrapbooking and picture taking already, I have ultimately decided that I don't want my art journal to be an extention of that.

I've tried more random pages, that included everything from short fiction to stream of conscious thoughts to (very melodramatic) poetry. It was fun, but was almost so loosey goosey that I never stuck with it. I'm the type of person who needs a purpose, however simple, behind something in order for me to keep at it. So now my art journaling is a little more focused. The theme for my current journal is Things I'm Learning. It includes quotes from books I'm reading, the random vocab word (English major repercussions), Bible verses, etc.

It's fun to make, but it's also kind of helpful when I'm trying to remember something specific, like a quote from that book I was reading last summer and it moved me in a deep and meaningful way except maybe not since I can't remember it, etc. I can easily flip through my journal to find it. These little tidbits are scattered through my scrapbooks and writing journals as well, but it's nice to have it all in one place and use my art journal as a sort of reference point. If that makes any sense at all. If you are thinking I have too much time on my hands, you are correct.

Thanks for letting me share some of my pages. I'll be posting soon on my favorite materials and products to use in my books.

Have you tried art journaling? Do share!

for your viewing pleasure

So, I'm a bit of a paper crafter. I love scrapbooks, putting together little albums, art journaling. And I've really only hinted at that here on the blog, but I'd like to start sharing more projects, just for fun. Here's a random little post of one of my favorite projects - a mini album of my favorite memories of T's and my first year of marriage. Enjoy.

P.S. Sorry about the poor quality of the photos. Womp, womp.