When I was younger I kept a journal pretty regularly. I would write out my thoughts and draw and sketch in it. Sometimes I would tape in or glue in pictures from my sketchbooks or photographs I took. It was where I wrote my poetry and daily thoughts. If I knew it was a really personal entry, I would tape in photos from magazine so that it would flip up to reveal my writing. I don’t think I have any of those old journals any more, but I still journal the same way.

Instead of working with a store bought journal and lined paper, I now make my own journal once a year for my birthday. It’s become a ritual of mine. I take all of my old sketchbooks and bind them together an art journal. I get a variety of paper types to work with and gesso over some of the pages so they hold paint better. I always try to make the journal big enough so that I can scan in paintings I really like and make prints available.

My art journal is a challenge for myself. I try to make sure I fill up the pages before it’s time to make a new one, and if I run out of room (I usually do) I sew in more pages. Usually by the end of the year the journal barely closes because it gets so full.

Journaling has always been such an important part of my life. I fill it up with art, poetry, illustrations of my dreams, thoughts and daily happenings. About half of the journal ends up being dedicated to writing. I journal in there at least 3 times a week which has come in very handy when it comes to remembering key events in my life. If I ever can’t seem to bring myself to making art, journaling out my thoughts is helpful.

I usually do an end of the year flip through on instagram and post all the art pages on my website in March when I go to make a new one, but I wanted to show you some of my favorite pages so far.

I use this journal for the art classes I take that require a journal, like Book of Days. A lot of people in that class make a journal especially for that class, but I use my own journal and just kind of cram it all in there.

My art journal definitely keeps me creative and helps me use up all the paper I buy for paintings and other projects. I have about 2 and a half months to finish this current journal before I begin my next one!And I’m already looking around for what to use for the cover. I am not sure how I will beat this current one. The lock and key closure mechanism sure has come in handy this year.

I’m spending the rest of the weekend painting and photographing some paintings for a shop update at the end of this month!

Happy Weekend!