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. 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, use the hashtag #artjournaleveryday so that we can all take a peek. Even if you're not on social media, you can see everything (from twitter, pinterest, instagram, and facebook) that uses that hashtag here.
While I am not the profound journaler Julie is, I have managed to create art daily in 2017. This, in and of itself, is a feat and a half for me. I’ve read and watched numerous artists say creativity begets creativity. But for me, I never put it in to any real practice. I often said these famous phrases:
- I don’t have enough time.
- I don’t feel like it.
- My art sucks anyway, why bother?
- I don’t know what to make.
- I’ll never be like Julie/Dina/TPK/Claire/Makewells/Alisa/Dede/Nathalie/Mystele (I could name a few dozen more).
- Where do I even start?
- I don’t have the same materials, so I can’t today.
- I don’t want to plagiarize, but love their art, and want to do the same style!
- I tried a few days but missed one, so I failed.
Sound familiar? Let’s just say some of those things, I still think — often. But I knew I wanted to truly try once and for all. I can think of several aspects that culminated in the mini-revelation that led to my daily art making.
I often make bets with myself, and stick to them for the most part. I know, the adage is “tell the world your bet and they will help hold you accountable.” But I guess not for me! And when Tori Weyers (aka @drawriot on Instagram) hosted a giveaway at the end of last year, I made a deal with myself: I win the giveaway, I stick to the daily art as best as possible.
And guess who was one of the lucky winners? ME (@concernedowl on Instagram)! ;)
For a little background, I reached out to Tori and here’s what she said:
“For me committing to a daily creative practice was not only about making time for art and exploration on the page it was also about making time for me. When I create, I go through a process of introspection and become mindful and present in the moment. In a way, it's almost a meditation. I decided on the small page because it was a commitment I wanted to be sure to keep. It’s been an amazing journey!”
The package I won from Tori arrived before the new year and I was super excited. She included some handmade collage, a few paint bottles, glue stick, I few other goodies and of course the mini Moleskine.
I eagerly did some collage and art in the beginning pages because I wanted to get going in it right away. And let’s not skip the prompts! I have seen the prompt-driven challenges all over the internet, and tried a few but never stuck to it for more than a few days. But, getting started with this, I knew using Tori’s prompts would probably benefit me. I haven’t and probably won’t always have associative art, but so far it’s helped me tremendously.
I am almost at the stage where, if there comes a time no prompts were to be published, I might be okay continuing. I thought about making my own, or asking some friends to give me a random list of words. I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it, but feel free to let me know if you’d be willing to help me out.
So, let’s get to the juicy part, the full flip through. See if you can pick out where I held true to the daily prompts.
As you can see, the book is pretty small! It’s only 2.5×4 inches big. Which is good for quick pages, but I find myself wanting to do more art after I finish the mini pages. Here are some of my favorites (obviously had to include at least one owl):
As you can see, I can truly attest, creativity begets creativity! Level habit achieved! So much so, I am also participating in the 100 Day Challenge as well! You can see the results here for my version of it!
Are you participating in either of these challenges? It’s never too late to start, or just try it for a month. Don’t give up if you miss a day or two, life happens. Check out the other fabulous artists participating on Instagram with the #DrawRiotDaily.
Thanks for reading about my version of AJED. Be on the lookout for the next update in a few months.
I wrote this super long comment and poof! Here goes again….
WOW! We have so much in common. I am really bad at completing a challenge. I have tried MANY times. I think because of my background in accounting I have to have a purpose for everything I do, an end goal – like a math equation. I can’t seem to just do something to have fun, I almost feel guilty. I did ONCE finish an ICAD challenge but I made into something I did FOR my friends. I created on the index card (Small!) and then sent out to a friend as a postcard. I EVEN blogged and video taped for YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjGPnnd53pO57AFs0S_3T5oBf1Pd1myfQ) … So I can relate and I applaud you for your efforts. I bet you have really grown as an artist and the ideas are flowing now, right?
Thanks again for sharing, I’m feeling better now knowing there are others out there like me!
PS I had already followed you under my IG profiles before seeing you are Julie’s assistant. Well aren’t you lucky rubbing those creative elbows! LOL
I wrote this super long comment and poof! Here goes again….
WOW! We have so much in common. I am really bad at completing a challenge. I have tried MANY times. I think because of my background in accounting I have to have a purpose for everything I do, an end goal – like a math equation. I can’t seem to just do something to have fun, I almost feel guilty. I did ONCE finish an ICAD challenge but I made into something I did FOR my friends. I created on the index card (Small!) and then sent out to a friend as a postcard. I EVEN blogged and video taped for YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjGPnnd53pO57AFs0S_3T5oBf1Pd1myfQ) … So I can relate and I applaud you for your efforts. I bet you have really grown as an artist and the ideas are flowing now, right?
Thanks again for sharing, I’m feeling better now knowing there are others out there like me!
PS I had already followed you under my IG profiles before seeing you are Julie’s assistant. Well aren’t you lucky rubbing those creative elbows! LOL
I wrote this super long comment and poof! Here goes again….
WOW! We have so much in common. I am really bad at completing a challenge. I have tried MANY times. I think because of my background in accounting I have to have a purpose for everything I do, an end goal – like a math equation. I can’t seem to just do something to have fun, I almost feel guilty. I did ONCE finish an ICAD challenge but I made into something I did FOR my friends. I created on the index card (Small!) and then sent out to a friend as a postcard. I EVEN blogged and video taped for YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjGPnnd53pO57AFs0S_3T5oBf1Pd1myfQ) … So I can relate and I applaud you for your efforts. I bet you have really grown as an artist and the ideas are flowing now, right?
Thanks again for sharing, I’m feeling better now knowing there are others out there like me!
PS I had already followed you under my IG profiles before seeing you are Julie’s assistant. Well aren’t you lucky rubbing those creative elbows! LOL
I wrote this super long comment and poof! Here goes again….
WOW! We have so much in common. I am really bad at completing a challenge. I have tried MANY times. I think because of my background in accounting I have to have a purpose for everything I do, an end goal – like a math equation. I can’t seem to just do something to have fun, I almost feel guilty. I did ONCE finish an ICAD challenge but I made into something I did FOR my friends. I created on the index card (Small!) and then sent out to a friend as a postcard. I EVEN blogged and video taped for YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjGPnnd53pO57AFs0S_3T5oBf1Pd1myfQ) … So I can relate and I applaud you for your efforts. I bet you have really grown as an artist and the ideas are flowing now, right?
Thanks again for sharing, I’m feeling better now knowing there are others out there like me!
PS I had already followed you under my IG profiles before seeing you are Julie’s assistant. Well aren’t you lucky rubbing those creative elbows! LOL
I wrote this super long comment and poof! Here goes again….
WOW! We have so much in common. I am really bad at completing a challenge. I have tried MANY times. I think because of my background in accounting I have to have a purpose for everything I do, an end goal – like a math equation. I can’t seem to just do something to have fun, I almost feel guilty. I did ONCE finish an ICAD challenge but I made into something I did FOR my friends. I created on the index card (Small!) and then sent out to a friend as a postcard. I EVEN blogged and video taped for YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjGPnnd53pO57AFs0S_3T5oBf1Pd1myfQ) … So I can relate and I applaud you for your efforts. I bet you have really grown as an artist and the ideas are flowing now, right?
Thanks again for sharing, I’m feeling better now knowing there are others out there like me!
PS I had already followed you under my IG profiles before seeing you are Julie’s assistant. Well aren’t you lucky rubbing those creative elbows! LOL
I wrote this super long comment and poof! Here goes again….
WOW! We have so much in common. I am really bad at completing a challenge. I have tried MANY times. I think because of my background in accounting I have to have a purpose for everything I do, an end goal – like a math equation. I can’t seem to just do something to have fun, I almost feel guilty. I did ONCE finish an ICAD challenge but I made into something I did FOR my friends. I created on the index card (Small!) and then sent out to a friend as a postcard. I EVEN blogged and video taped for YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjGPnnd53pO57AFs0S_3T5oBf1Pd1myfQ) … So I can relate and I applaud you for your efforts. I bet you have really grown as an artist and the ideas are flowing now, right?
Thanks again for sharing, I’m feeling better now knowing there are others out there like me!
PS I had already followed you under my IG profiles before seeing you are Julie’s assistant. Well aren’t you lucky rubbing those creative elbows! LOL
Wow i am impressed. And I can’t believe you don’t think you are good enough. These pages are gorgeous.
Wow i am impressed. And I can’t believe you don’t think you are good enough. These pages are gorgeous.
Wow i am impressed. And I can’t believe you don’t think you are good enough. These pages are gorgeous.
Wow i am impressed. And I can’t believe you don’t think you are good enough. These pages are gorgeous.
Wow i am impressed. And I can’t believe you don’t think you are good enough. These pages are gorgeous.
Wow i am impressed. And I can’t believe you don’t think you are good enough. These pages are gorgeous.
Good work. You inspire me, thanks for sharing!
Good work. You inspire me, thanks for sharing!
Good work. You inspire me, thanks for sharing!
Good work. You inspire me, thanks for sharing!
Good work. You inspire me, thanks for sharing!
Good work. You inspire me, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for your post Suzanne, I could have written the reasons not to create myself. Nice, colorful creations!
Thanks for your post Suzanne, I could have written the reasons not to create myself. Nice, colorful creations!
Thanks for your post Suzanne, I could have written the reasons not to create myself. Nice, colorful creations!
Thanks for your post Suzanne, I could have written the reasons not to create myself. Nice, colorful creations!
Thanks for your post Suzanne, I could have written the reasons not to create myself. Nice, colorful creations!
Thanks for your post Suzanne, I could have written the reasons not to create myself. Nice, colorful creations!
Your work is beautiful…I almost want to get started! Just kidding, I really do want to make the commitment to make art every day.
Thank you for sharing your work.
Your work is beautiful…I almost want to get started! Just kidding, I really do want to make the commitment to make art every day.
Thank you for sharing your work.
Your work is beautiful…I almost want to get started! Just kidding, I really do want to make the commitment to make art every day.
Thank you for sharing your work.
Your work is beautiful…I almost want to get started! Just kidding, I really do want to make the commitment to make art every day.
Thank you for sharing your work.
Your work is beautiful…I almost want to get started! Just kidding, I really do want to make the commitment to make art every day.
Thank you for sharing your work.
Your work is beautiful…I almost want to get started! Just kidding, I really do want to make the commitment to make art every day.
Thank you for sharing your work.
Wonderful, Suzanne! I always mean todo one of these challenges, but so,ehow never get to it. That’s not to say I don’t so domething arty every day–just not very organized about it.
Wonderful, Suzanne! I always mean todo one of these challenges, but so,ehow never get to it. That’s not to say I don’t so domething arty every day–just not very organized about it.
Wonderful, Suzanne! I always mean todo one of these challenges, but so,ehow never get to it. That’s not to say I don’t so domething arty every day–just not very organized about it.
Wonderful, Suzanne! I always mean todo one of these challenges, but so,ehow never get to it. That’s not to say I don’t so domething arty every day–just not very organized about it.
Wonderful, Suzanne! I always mean todo one of these challenges, but so,ehow never get to it. That’s not to say I don’t so domething arty every day–just not very organized about it.
Wonderful, Suzanne! I always mean todo one of these challenges, but so,ehow never get to it. That’s not to say I don’t so domething arty every day–just not very organized about it.
Very inspirational! I love the tiny Moleskine. I too find it easier to work in small formats. Maybe that’s because I started my arty life with ATCs.
Keep up the good work!
Very inspirational! I love the tiny Moleskine. I too find it easier to work in small formats. Maybe that’s because I started my arty life with ATCs.
Keep up the good work!
Very inspirational! I love the tiny Moleskine. I too find it easier to work in small formats. Maybe that’s because I started my arty life with ATCs.
Keep up the good work!
Very inspirational! I love the tiny Moleskine. I too find it easier to work in small formats. Maybe that’s because I started my arty life with ATCs.
Keep up the good work!
Very inspirational! I love the tiny Moleskine. I too find it easier to work in small formats. Maybe that’s because I started my arty life with ATCs.
Keep up the good work!
Very inspirational! I love the tiny Moleskine. I too find it easier to work in small formats. Maybe that’s because I started my arty life with ATCs.
Keep up the good work!