Exploring Art Journaling for Self-Expression and Inspiration
Hello again after an amazing summer break! I'm bursting with energy and enthusiasm, are you too? I’m ready to dive into writing, sharing, and sparking inspiration for all of you. Today, I've got a delightful topic to discuss — a creative passion of mine that fills my heart with joy, and I'm certain it'll do the same for you.
I wrapped up the Clarity Course about 6 weeks ago — my online class where I spilled all the secrets about the techniques and mindsets I tap into when I need a mental boost and a clear path ahead. One of the methods that I want to talk about today from that class combines two of my absolute favorite things: the world of art and the magic of writing.
Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce... Art Journaling!
Journaling is with pen and paper, you pour out your heart on paper, or maybe you practice bullet journaling, or something else - perhaps you write poems or thoughts that spring to mind, nothing long form.
Art is of course a multifaceted concept that encompasses a wide range of creative expressions and practices but here, I’m defining it within this context of the visual arts, namely painting, sculpture, drawing, photography, printmaking, and other forms of visual representation. To break it down further, mostly painting, draing and photography if you choose to incorporate your own or tears from magazines.
When you combine ART with a JOURNAL, well, magic happens!
Life's all about discovering those fantastic outlets that let us express ourselves, take a breather, and actually finish something—because, let's be real, these days it feels like you can't finish a single online task... Constant scrolling, endless tapping from one page to another—social media leaves us feeling like we're stuck in a loop, right? Unlike reading a book, where you savor that satisfying last page, or creating art—another lovely start-to-finish triumph.
Guess what? Art journaling makes you feel good because you actually accomplish so much in 20 minutes or less (longer, if you like).
This form of journaling is quite an introspective journey that offers a myriad of benefits, nurturing both mental well-being and artistic growth. I sometimes don’t feel like writing in my journal because my brain feels dead from parenting all day or I simply lack anything interesting to even commit to paper. Who cares to write in a journal about the lunch I made or that I went to the gym or wore my new shirt. That’s nothing worth recording in my opinion. This is when having a blank page before me to fill with words can feel like a mountain to climb, so I just don’t.
BUT when I approach journaling with a more creative, artistic approaches, my brain synapses fire and I start to make so many connections - I feel alive and motivated. Approaching a blank page with pretty stickers and doodles and cut-outs from magazines, watercolor paints, washi tape, etc. is pure pleasure.
This is my table below, covered with my materials - doesn’t this look a fun starting point to you?
Photo by Holly Becker
I also love that it provides me with an unfiltered outlet for my thoughts, emotions, and ideas. It's a safe space for me to unleash my creativity - to get into the flow - without judgment or constraints from the outside world. When you’re online as often as I am (mainly for work), not having public opinion about something I’ve done can be totally awesome. I love translating my inner world onto paper through color, shape, texture… This is incredibly liberating and helps me to gain clarity and insight into my thoughts and emotions. Often I approach a blank page with nothing more than a few magazine tears and some markers and 15 minutes later, I created a page that I’m so proud of and in the process, I realized that creative break really helped me to feel better the entire day.
The rhythmic motion of sketching, painting, or collaging can help shift your focus away from worries and stress, it definitely does that for me. As you immerse yourself in the process of making, you’re in the present moment, which eases anxiety and promotes relaxation. The tactile experience of using art supplies and seeing your creativity come to life adds a tactile dimension to the practice, enhancing the therapeutic effects.
This form of journaling also opens you up to experimentation. You're free to try new techniques, combine unexpected elements, and explore a variety of artistic styles. You can practice hand-lettering, watercolor flowers, or sketching faces or objects. This experimentation fosters a spirit of curiosity and innovation, leading to enhanced creative problem-solving skills that can extend beyond your pages. As you see your skills evolve and your artistic voice develop, your confidence as a creator naturally grows, influencing how you approach challenges in other areas of your life.
Creating interesting art pages encourages you to think outside the box. As you experiment, you're honing your problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. These cognitive benefits extend beyond your pages, influencing your approach to everyday obstacles and fostering a more adaptable mindset.
I also like how my journals give me a visual timeline to follow which show my growth throughout the years. Flipping through the pages of your art journal is like revisiting chapters of your life and personal growth journey. Each page captures a snapshot of your thoughts, feelings, and experiences at a particular moment in time so make sure to date your pages. Over the weeks, months, and years, you'll witness your evolution as an artist and as an individual. This visual chronicle serves as a powerful reminder of your resilience, progress, and the obstacles you've overcome.
Once you get started, you won’t want to stop. It’s a gateway to a world of self-discovery, mindfulness, and creative fulfillment. Whether you're an experienced artist or you can barely draw a stick figure, it doesn’t matter, the benefits of art journaling are accessible to all. You can make mini mood boards with collected images, and use colored pencils to doodle simple shapes, adding colorful patterned washi tape to your arrangement for further interest. You don’t have to know how to draw or paint at all but maybe you’ll become better at these things if you practice privately in your journals over time.
Go ahead, grab a journal without lines or grid (blank white pages only), lay out your favorite art supplies, and get started. Try to find a journal that can lay somewhat flat so it’s easier to create pretty pages. Have fun - don’t judge your creations, go with the flow…