As a mixed-media artist I often hear other artists tell stories about how they worked so hard on a piece only to have their spouse/friend/gift recipient/total stranger gaze upong their efforts and say, "But what's it for?" And, I have to admit, I have always kind of felt that way about art journaling.
Okay, okay, don't throw rocks at me. I'm being honest here. Don't get me wrong, I've been a journal keeper for more years than I can count. But I don't go back and read what I've written. I don't typically share the stuff with anyone else. The process of writing alone is the benefit for me. Besides, I tend to create personal artwork on canvases (and am not always sure what the purpose of that is either outside of the creation for my own fulfillment).
But, art journaling intrigues me. I love the idea of books upon books filled with paint and marks and thoughts that are companions to your every day story. I don't know that I would ever want to look back at them. That sounds a little itchy to me. It would be the process of making them that would (hopefully) turn me on.
So as the new year is quickly skidding up against the door, I've bought a big 9" x 12" journal and am ready to get to work.
It opens flat and has great, thick paper just waiting to be attacked. This morning I am turning up the music, lighting the candles, and setting about prepping the pages, because this weekend I'm going to gather with this gorgeous girl and some fabulous artists to spend a day at the beach painting, writing, eating, laughing (hopefully dancing), and journaling 2011 in with a love-fest journal jam. My BFF Pilar is car trekking up the coast with me. We have new music all ready for the ride. We're bringing food, paints, and our wild, exhuberant selves. It is so utterly invigorating to be so excited to begin again.
devour the white!
I know a lot of you create art journals. I'd love to hear why you do it and what the process is for you. Fill me in on "what it's for." I look forward to hearing from you and sharing more about this new to me process. xoxo!
