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Friday January 27, 2012 Have you started journaling yet? Well, why not? I already told you how valuable it is! ;0) Whether you are new to journaling, or perhaps you’ve fallen out of the habit, maybe these tips will help you get started. - Don’t let the “hunt” for the perfect book stop you from starting your journal today. Just pick a blank book… any type, any style. You could even make your own by stapling or sewing a few pages together with a magazine page or cardstock for the cover. The only thing to keep in mind is that if you plan on painting in it, you may want something with thicker pages.
- Carry it with you everywhere. Yes, EVERYWHERE! Bring it to work and try sketching something you see on your break. Keep it by your bed at night and write your dreams in it. Frustrated at the mall? Open up your book and start scribbling!
- Remember that this journal is just for you. Journaling should be about practice, growth, and exploration. Don’t make it a big deal, don’t stress about it, and don’t try too hard. Use it to record notes, colors, ideas, or dreams. Use it to experiment new techniques, try out new mediums, and to just play. Don’t try to make your pages perfect, and don’t ever compare it to someone else’s journal.
- Make it a habit. Don’t wait for a large chunk of time to do a page. Don’t think, “oh I’ll do a page when I have more time”. Make time. Even if its just 10 minutes. If you wait, it will only seem like a chore and you will be less likely to open it again. If you’re just starting out, make a point to open it everyday, even if its just to make a small doodle. It will be hard to get in the habit of using it at first, but if you keep at it, it will soon become natural to you.
- Don’t give up. Not ever. At first, journaling may seem like a chore. But the more you do it, and the more of a habit it becomes; the more you will come to love it and the more it will come to help you with your creativity. Your first few pages (or maybe even first few hundred) will not be “picture perfect”. You may even feel some frustration that you cannot produce what you are envisioning. But this is normal, and in time you will get better and better, and come to love your journals.
What makes it difficult for you to journal daily? Do you have any tips for overcoming these obstacles? Leave a comment below!
Wednesday January 18, 2012  Journaling is essential to creativity. If you are religious about keeping an art journal, or carry around a notebook… you know exactly what I”m talking about. If you don’t, well… you’re probably thinking about those “Dear Diary” entries you used to write back in middle school, or maybe you’ve seen some beautiful art journals and you’re thinking they’re just for “artists”. But that is totally not the case. I’m sure you’ve heard others talk about journals, probably saw some pics on flickr, and maybe even seen some classes about it too. So what’s all the hype about? Because it works. Journaling works. It keeps your creativity flowing, sets you free, gives you a place to be yourself and create without fear. It energizes you, inspires you. You’re not worrying about ruining a canvas, or disappointing a customer, or loosing sales. You just get to play.
Don’t think that journaling is just for “artists”. It doesn’t have to be all about mixed media or painting if you don’t want it to. Journaling is for everyone… doctors, writers, mothers, painters, bakers, you name it. You can do anything with your journal. Do you have ideas? Do you have dreams? Do you want to be more creative? Why would you want to loose all of those wonderful insights and ideas you get everyday? Write them down! Sketch those stunning views you see. If you hear an inspiring quote, record it and doodle around it… you get the idea. And nevermind all of those magnificent art journal pages you see all over the net. Pay no mind. You know why they’re so good? Because they’ve been doing this for years. It will take quite some time for you to get as good as them (and you will if you keep at it).
It’s not a beauty contest like they make it out to be. Journaling is about practice, growth, exploration. This journal is for YOU and you only. You don’t need to share it with the world. You may not even be proud of the first few hundred pages, but that doesn’t matter. What matters is that you keep doing it. Keep writing, keep sketching, keep painting, keep PLAYING. It’s your free ticket to experiment, record your inspirations, test out new mediums, or learn new techniques. Do it for yourself as the audience. Think of it like your creativity records.
So are you ready to give it a try? If you’re not convinced, do it anyway and in time you will see. ;0) Journaling can free your creativity, and get you into the flow. And what’s more, is that when you get stuck for ideas on a project, all you have to do is flip through one of your journals. It’s like a customized inspiration book just for you.
If you already journal, what tips can you give to those who are just starting out?
If you have yet to start, what’s stopping you? Leave a comment below!
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