If you're new to Art Journal Every Day, there is a short introduction here. All of the previous posts can be found archived here. There is a flickr group for sharing right here. Remember, it's just ten minutes of nourishing your creative self every day! No need to finish anything or even like it. If you've done some art journaling this week and you've blogged about it, or put it on flickr, please leave a link in the linky list at the end of this post. Thanks!
If you haven't started art journaling yet…well, what's wrong with you? And if you've started and stopped, perhaps today's post will get you going again!
Mom and I were chatting last night and I started to wax poetic about all the reasons I love art journaling. She told me to make a list and share it. And so, that's what I'm doing today!
NUMBER ONE: You will get better at art.
Seriously.
Back in 2013, I wrote this post all about my art journal journey thus far. It was truly amazing to see how much my journaling had changed, but it's nothing compared to recent evolution. And never mind the art in my journal, how about the art that I make outside of my journal?! I can honestly say that every big advancement in my art making has stemmed from experimentation and exploration in my art journal, plus a commitment to regularly making art in my journal.
NUMBER TWO: Community.
Whether it's online or in person, the art journaling community is strong, supportive, creative, and fun! Join us!
NUMBER THREE: It's cheaper than therapy.
Whether you pour out your heart in lots of handwritten journaling, or simply take ten-minutes a day to yourself to stamp and stencil, art journaling soothes the soul. I can tell you from personal experience that I am more tense, less kind, more fragile, and less patient when I spend days away from my art journal. An art journal is a great place to dump your feelings, work it out, and just breathe.
NUMBER FOUR: You use a lot of stuff, so you can buy a lot of stuff.
This is kind of a joke, but it's kind of true too. I often find myself standing in an art supply store and looking at something I want to buy and justifying it by saying, "Oh, I'll use it in my art journal." The art journal can be so many things and be used in so many ways, that it provides the justification for the purchase of all kinds of art supplies!
NUMBER FIVE: It doesn't take up a lot of time or space.
Listen, you can use a million things in your art journal (see item number four), but you can also use just a small group of supplies to make magical things happen on your pages. It's a great lap craft — for planes, trains, couches, and hotel rooms. Furthermore, for years I've been advocating the ten-minute a day approach to art journaling. It's an approach that works for me and allows me to make a daily commitment. You can do great things with just a few minutes a day!
What are the reasons you art journal? I'd love to know!
Here is this week's linky list:
Thanks for stopping by!
perfectly wonderful reasons to art journal Julie!
perfectly wonderful reasons to art journal Julie!
perfectly wonderful reasons to art journal Julie!
perfectly wonderful reasons to art journal Julie!
perfectly wonderful reasons to art journal Julie!
perfectly wonderful reasons to art journal Julie!
I have to say a huge thank you for getting me started with art journaling, my friend Lora & I took an altered book class with you at Absolutely Everything(2012) and the rest is history. Started reading your luscious, generous, colorful blog and jumped into it ALL. Art journaling has been very therapeutic for me, a great place to unearth stuff I didn’t even know was going on. Beneficial, healing, enlightening, these are just a few words I’d use to describe the power of art journaling…
many thanks to you & peace,
Donna
I have to say a huge thank you for getting me started with art journaling, my friend Lora & I took an altered book class with you at Absolutely Everything(2012) and the rest is history. Started reading your luscious, generous, colorful blog and jumped into it ALL. Art journaling has been very therapeutic for me, a great place to unearth stuff I didn’t even know was going on. Beneficial, healing, enlightening, these are just a few words I’d use to describe the power of art journaling…
many thanks to you & peace,
Donna
I have to say a huge thank you for getting me started with art journaling, my friend Lora & I took an altered book class with you at Absolutely Everything(2012) and the rest is history. Started reading your luscious, generous, colorful blog and jumped into it ALL. Art journaling has been very therapeutic for me, a great place to unearth stuff I didn’t even know was going on. Beneficial, healing, enlightening, these are just a few words I’d use to describe the power of art journaling…
many thanks to you & peace,
Donna
I have to say a huge thank you for getting me started with art journaling, my friend Lora & I took an altered book class with you at Absolutely Everything(2012) and the rest is history. Started reading your luscious, generous, colorful blog and jumped into it ALL. Art journaling has been very therapeutic for me, a great place to unearth stuff I didn’t even know was going on. Beneficial, healing, enlightening, these are just a few words I’d use to describe the power of art journaling…
many thanks to you & peace,
Donna
I have to say a huge thank you for getting me started with art journaling, my friend Lora & I took an altered book class with you at Absolutely Everything(2012) and the rest is history. Started reading your luscious, generous, colorful blog and jumped into it ALL. Art journaling has been very therapeutic for me, a great place to unearth stuff I didn’t even know was going on. Beneficial, healing, enlightening, these are just a few words I’d use to describe the power of art journaling…
many thanks to you & peace,
Donna
I have to say a huge thank you for getting me started with art journaling, my friend Lora & I took an altered book class with you at Absolutely Everything(2012) and the rest is history. Started reading your luscious, generous, colorful blog and jumped into it ALL. Art journaling has been very therapeutic for me, a great place to unearth stuff I didn’t even know was going on. Beneficial, healing, enlightening, these are just a few words I’d use to describe the power of art journaling…
many thanks to you & peace,
Donna
So funny! My blog today was also about “why” art journaling- except I used my readers comments… yours is totally awesome also! xoxo
So funny! My blog today was also about “why” art journaling- except I used my readers comments… yours is totally awesome also! xoxo
So funny! My blog today was also about “why” art journaling- except I used my readers comments… yours is totally awesome also! xoxo
So funny! My blog today was also about “why” art journaling- except I used my readers comments… yours is totally awesome also! xoxo
So funny! My blog today was also about “why” art journaling- except I used my readers comments… yours is totally awesome also! xoxo
So funny! My blog today was also about “why” art journaling- except I used my readers comments… yours is totally awesome also! xoxo
My top reason is that it’s just for me and nobody has to see!
My top reason is that it’s just for me and nobody has to see!
My top reason is that it’s just for me and nobody has to see!
My top reason is that it’s just for me and nobody has to see!
My top reason is that it’s just for me and nobody has to see!
My top reason is that it’s just for me and nobody has to see!
I loved this post so much that I printed it out to keep for inspiration!
Julie, you’ve come so far, and still have far to go!! Your art is glorious. Thanks for sharing.
I loved this post so much that I printed it out to keep for inspiration!
Julie, you’ve come so far, and still have far to go!! Your art is glorious. Thanks for sharing.
I loved this post so much that I printed it out to keep for inspiration!
Julie, you’ve come so far, and still have far to go!! Your art is glorious. Thanks for sharing.
I loved this post so much that I printed it out to keep for inspiration!
Julie, you’ve come so far, and still have far to go!! Your art is glorious. Thanks for sharing.
I loved this post so much that I printed it out to keep for inspiration!
Julie, you’ve come so far, and still have far to go!! Your art is glorious. Thanks for sharing.
I loved this post so much that I printed it out to keep for inspiration!
Julie, you’ve come so far, and still have far to go!! Your art is glorious. Thanks for sharing.
Excellent reasons to journal and make art. For me, it is just fun, especially when I can get my hands into the paint.
Excellent reasons to journal and make art. For me, it is just fun, especially when I can get my hands into the paint.
Excellent reasons to journal and make art. For me, it is just fun, especially when I can get my hands into the paint.
Excellent reasons to journal and make art. For me, it is just fun, especially when I can get my hands into the paint.
Excellent reasons to journal and make art. For me, it is just fun, especially when I can get my hands into the paint.
Excellent reasons to journal and make art. For me, it is just fun, especially when I can get my hands into the paint.
I’ve never committed to art journaling daily, just sporadic moments or for assignments.
I think I may give this an honest try. 10 minutes a day is doable.
Thanks.
I’ve never committed to art journaling daily, just sporadic moments or for assignments.
I think I may give this an honest try. 10 minutes a day is doable.
Thanks.
I’ve never committed to art journaling daily, just sporadic moments or for assignments.
I think I may give this an honest try. 10 minutes a day is doable.
Thanks.
I’ve never committed to art journaling daily, just sporadic moments or for assignments.
I think I may give this an honest try. 10 minutes a day is doable.
Thanks.
I’ve never committed to art journaling daily, just sporadic moments or for assignments.
I think I may give this an honest try. 10 minutes a day is doable.
Thanks.
I’ve never committed to art journaling daily, just sporadic moments or for assignments.
I think I may give this an honest try. 10 minutes a day is doable.
Thanks.
I love your list! Community is a great one for me. Maybe my biggest reason I love art journaling so much is that it can be ANYTHING. There are no rules, I can just pick it up and play around, make a mess and sometimes end up with what I see as a true work of art!
Also – I love books and carrying around my artwork in book form is pretty cool too!
I love your list! Community is a great one for me. Maybe my biggest reason I love art journaling so much is that it can be ANYTHING. There are no rules, I can just pick it up and play around, make a mess and sometimes end up with what I see as a true work of art!
Also – I love books and carrying around my artwork in book form is pretty cool too!
I love your list! Community is a great one for me. Maybe my biggest reason I love art journaling so much is that it can be ANYTHING. There are no rules, I can just pick it up and play around, make a mess and sometimes end up with what I see as a true work of art!
Also – I love books and carrying around my artwork in book form is pretty cool too!
I love your list! Community is a great one for me. Maybe my biggest reason I love art journaling so much is that it can be ANYTHING. There are no rules, I can just pick it up and play around, make a mess and sometimes end up with what I see as a true work of art!
Also – I love books and carrying around my artwork in book form is pretty cool too!
I love your list! Community is a great one for me. Maybe my biggest reason I love art journaling so much is that it can be ANYTHING. There are no rules, I can just pick it up and play around, make a mess and sometimes end up with what I see as a true work of art!
Also – I love books and carrying around my artwork in book form is pretty cool too!
I love your list! Community is a great one for me. Maybe my biggest reason I love art journaling so much is that it can be ANYTHING. There are no rules, I can just pick it up and play around, make a mess and sometimes end up with what I see as a true work of art!
Also – I love books and carrying around my artwork in book form is pretty cool too!
I have so many reasons why I don’t art journal regularly, and every one of your reasons why you DO art journal everyday is far better than my sorry ass reasons not to. The biggest reason, I sew regularly and have fabric everywhere that I don’t want paint on, but I have this table piled with “stuff” that will be a perfect place to keep the paint contained. I am clearing it off right now. Thanks for the pep talk and good reasons to Art Journal EVERYDAY! Your inspiration is appreciated!
Nini~
I have so many reasons why I don’t art journal regularly, and every one of your reasons why you DO art journal everyday is far better than my sorry ass reasons not to. The biggest reason, I sew regularly and have fabric everywhere that I don’t want paint on, but I have this table piled with “stuff” that will be a perfect place to keep the paint contained. I am clearing it off right now. Thanks for the pep talk and good reasons to Art Journal EVERYDAY! Your inspiration is appreciated!
Nini~
I have so many reasons why I don’t art journal regularly, and every one of your reasons why you DO art journal everyday is far better than my sorry ass reasons not to. The biggest reason, I sew regularly and have fabric everywhere that I don’t want paint on, but I have this table piled with “stuff” that will be a perfect place to keep the paint contained. I am clearing it off right now. Thanks for the pep talk and good reasons to Art Journal EVERYDAY! Your inspiration is appreciated!
Nini~
I have so many reasons why I don’t art journal regularly, and every one of your reasons why you DO art journal everyday is far better than my sorry ass reasons not to. The biggest reason, I sew regularly and have fabric everywhere that I don’t want paint on, but I have this table piled with “stuff” that will be a perfect place to keep the paint contained. I am clearing it off right now. Thanks for the pep talk and good reasons to Art Journal EVERYDAY! Your inspiration is appreciated!
Nini~
I have so many reasons why I don’t art journal regularly, and every one of your reasons why you DO art journal everyday is far better than my sorry ass reasons not to. The biggest reason, I sew regularly and have fabric everywhere that I don’t want paint on, but I have this table piled with “stuff” that will be a perfect place to keep the paint contained. I am clearing it off right now. Thanks for the pep talk and good reasons to Art Journal EVERYDAY! Your inspiration is appreciated!
Nini~
I have so many reasons why I don’t art journal regularly, and every one of your reasons why you DO art journal everyday is far better than my sorry ass reasons not to. The biggest reason, I sew regularly and have fabric everywhere that I don’t want paint on, but I have this table piled with “stuff” that will be a perfect place to keep the paint contained. I am clearing it off right now. Thanks for the pep talk and good reasons to Art Journal EVERYDAY! Your inspiration is appreciated!
Nini~
Yes yes yes – art journaling makes me happy and that is reason enough.
Yes yes yes – art journaling makes me happy and that is reason enough.
Yes yes yes – art journaling makes me happy and that is reason enough.
Yes yes yes – art journaling makes me happy and that is reason enough.
Yes yes yes – art journaling makes me happy and that is reason enough.
Yes yes yes – art journaling makes me happy and that is reason enough.
Not just that it’s cheaper than therapy–it’s a great tool to bring to therapy. Working things out in my journal, then bringing the journal with me to therapy gives me a great jumpstart on the session. It takes way less time to get to the “good stuff” in a session, so the time is used much more effectively.
Not just that it’s cheaper than therapy–it’s a great tool to bring to therapy. Working things out in my journal, then bringing the journal with me to therapy gives me a great jumpstart on the session. It takes way less time to get to the “good stuff” in a session, so the time is used much more effectively.
Not just that it’s cheaper than therapy–it’s a great tool to bring to therapy. Working things out in my journal, then bringing the journal with me to therapy gives me a great jumpstart on the session. It takes way less time to get to the “good stuff” in a session, so the time is used much more effectively.
Not just that it’s cheaper than therapy–it’s a great tool to bring to therapy. Working things out in my journal, then bringing the journal with me to therapy gives me a great jumpstart on the session. It takes way less time to get to the “good stuff” in a session, so the time is used much more effectively.
Not just that it’s cheaper than therapy–it’s a great tool to bring to therapy. Working things out in my journal, then bringing the journal with me to therapy gives me a great jumpstart on the session. It takes way less time to get to the “good stuff” in a session, so the time is used much more effectively.
Not just that it’s cheaper than therapy–it’s a great tool to bring to therapy. Working things out in my journal, then bringing the journal with me to therapy gives me a great jumpstart on the session. It takes way less time to get to the “good stuff” in a session, so the time is used much more effectively.
Mostly, I use my art journal for experimentation, or making a record of some technique I want to expand on. Not much on the journaling part–but heavy on the art. And as for buying stuff–that is the reason I have art journals to try the stuff in! Art Requires Inventory!
Mostly, I use my art journal for experimentation, or making a record of some technique I want to expand on. Not much on the journaling part–but heavy on the art. And as for buying stuff–that is the reason I have art journals to try the stuff in! Art Requires Inventory!
Mostly, I use my art journal for experimentation, or making a record of some technique I want to expand on. Not much on the journaling part–but heavy on the art. And as for buying stuff–that is the reason I have art journals to try the stuff in! Art Requires Inventory!
Mostly, I use my art journal for experimentation, or making a record of some technique I want to expand on. Not much on the journaling part–but heavy on the art. And as for buying stuff–that is the reason I have art journals to try the stuff in! Art Requires Inventory!
Mostly, I use my art journal for experimentation, or making a record of some technique I want to expand on. Not much on the journaling part–but heavy on the art. And as for buying stuff–that is the reason I have art journals to try the stuff in! Art Requires Inventory!
Mostly, I use my art journal for experimentation, or making a record of some technique I want to expand on. Not much on the journaling part–but heavy on the art. And as for buying stuff–that is the reason I have art journals to try the stuff in! Art Requires Inventory!
Genius reasons! Your thoughts are logical, inspiring and make me smile as well as grab my journal.
Genius reasons! Your thoughts are logical, inspiring and make me smile as well as grab my journal.
Genius reasons! Your thoughts are logical, inspiring and make me smile as well as grab my journal.
Genius reasons! Your thoughts are logical, inspiring and make me smile as well as grab my journal.
Genius reasons! Your thoughts are logical, inspiring and make me smile as well as grab my journal.
Genius reasons! Your thoughts are logical, inspiring and make me smile as well as grab my journal.
I art journal every day because you showed me the way – you shared the best tools to use and inspired me to JUST DO IT! That was a few years ago and I am thrilled with what I have accomplished. It has helped me become a better artist through experimentation. Now I make my own journals thanks to your Junque Journal Class – thank you for being you and sharing so generously with us.
I art journal every day because you showed me the way – you shared the best tools to use and inspired me to JUST DO IT! That was a few years ago and I am thrilled with what I have accomplished. It has helped me become a better artist through experimentation. Now I make my own journals thanks to your Junque Journal Class – thank you for being you and sharing so generously with us.
I art journal every day because you showed me the way – you shared the best tools to use and inspired me to JUST DO IT! That was a few years ago and I am thrilled with what I have accomplished. It has helped me become a better artist through experimentation. Now I make my own journals thanks to your Junque Journal Class – thank you for being you and sharing so generously with us.
I art journal every day because you showed me the way – you shared the best tools to use and inspired me to JUST DO IT! That was a few years ago and I am thrilled with what I have accomplished. It has helped me become a better artist through experimentation. Now I make my own journals thanks to your Junque Journal Class – thank you for being you and sharing so generously with us.
I art journal every day because you showed me the way – you shared the best tools to use and inspired me to JUST DO IT! That was a few years ago and I am thrilled with what I have accomplished. It has helped me become a better artist through experimentation. Now I make my own journals thanks to your Junque Journal Class – thank you for being you and sharing so generously with us.
I art journal every day because you showed me the way – you shared the best tools to use and inspired me to JUST DO IT! That was a few years ago and I am thrilled with what I have accomplished. It has helped me become a better artist through experimentation. Now I make my own journals thanks to your Junque Journal Class – thank you for being you and sharing so generously with us.
LOVE your reasons to Art Journal! all true! I need to get back to larger formats…and more diverse media. you inspire me! ♥
LOVE your reasons to Art Journal! all true! I need to get back to larger formats…and more diverse media. you inspire me! ♥
LOVE your reasons to Art Journal! all true! I need to get back to larger formats…and more diverse media. you inspire me! ♥
LOVE your reasons to Art Journal! all true! I need to get back to larger formats…and more diverse media. you inspire me! ♥
LOVE your reasons to Art Journal! all true! I need to get back to larger formats…and more diverse media. you inspire me! ♥
LOVE your reasons to Art Journal! all true! I need to get back to larger formats…and more diverse media. you inspire me! ♥