I am absolutely passionate about 'Art Journaling'.
Art Journals can take many different forms and have many different purposes. They can be practice and development 'spaces' for artists. They can be memory or scrap books for anyone who likes to document life experiences. They can be junk journals for collectors or craftspeople. They can be travel journals, quotation journals, reading journals - you name it.
Art journaling is an engaging art activity that supports feelings of well being and accomplishment. Art journaling nurtures the imagination, the intellect and the spirit. It's an activity that can be done communally or alone, at a table with inexpensive material whenever you want.
I teach art journaling at The Oakville Art Society, I try to inspire makers with ideas for colourful backgrounds, for enhancing the pages with borders, drawings, lettering, prints and collage; and I teach approaches -thematic and otherwise - through example and through prompts.
There are many collections of art journals in museums, libraries and online, as well as many books. Art journalists are all ages and genders and from all over the world. They are beginners and experts. Art journaling exists, in some sense, on the fringe of the art world - and yet is integral to it. Most artists have a notebook, sketchbook or art journal on the go.
I ike to use my art journals to try out ideas I get from looking at Pinterest and Instagram, from museums or books, or just from dreaming. I don't have to invest a lot in materials or time becasue my journal is always there and nice and small. (Mine are 8" x 10"). My ournal is great for those days when I want to paint, but don't want to commit to making a painting. And as a bonus, I get my journals. They're so fun to leaf through. I can finish the projects, and don't have tons of canvasses to stuff under the bed or in a closet. Journals are easy to share, easy to revisit, portable - for camping or taking to the cotage or on a trip.
I never thought I'd get into journalling to be honest, but the last few years I"ve caught the bug, and I"d love to share my passion for journalling with you.
Follow me here as we explore art journaling. Here are some of my pages
Comments