{"id":5130,"date":"2016-06-06T15:20:09","date_gmt":"2016-06-06T15:20:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mindfulartstudio.com\/?page_id=5130"},"modified":"2022-06-29T12:31:32","modified_gmt":"2022-06-29T16:31:32","slug":"what-is-an-art-journal","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mindfulartstudio.com\/what-is-an-art-journal\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is an Art Journal?"},"content":{"rendered":"

An art journal is the same as a written journal, except that it incorporates\u00a0colors, images, patterns, and other\u00a0materials. Some art journals have a lot of writing, while others are purely filled with images. It’s a form of creative self-care.<\/p>\n

\"What<\/p>\n

What Kind of Art Goes in an\u00a0Art Journal?<\/h3>\n

The beauty of an art journal is that anything goes<\/strong>. It’s a no holds barred space where I can express and explore my feelings<\/strong> through images, writing, and just playful mark making. It’s a healthy, expressive outlet at the end of the day and one of my best coping skills.<\/p>\n

\"art<\/p>\n

Regardless of whether or not you have any art “talent”<\/strong> or training, all you need to art journal is some simple art materials and a willingness to play with the art materials<\/strong>. It’s the play that’s healing!<\/p>\n

This is what I love about art journaling. My pages frequently go through several stages and layers. Often I will just spill out my feelings on the page in writing, or “scribble” a bit with a paintbrush. I don’t worry at all what it looks like, I just allow myself to “let it all hang out”<\/strong> and that feels good. It often helps me de-stress, get things off my chest, or figure out exactly what is bothering me about a particular situation.<\/p>\n

The next stage (which might happen that day, or a different day) I would layer over the page with a stamp pattern, finger paint, gel pen scribbles, gesso, or collage. I love watching my confused, stressed out, annoyed, worried page turn into something new – and often – something imperfectly beautiful. It’s a great metaphor for life<\/strong> – being willing to stay with my feelings, try some healthy ways of airing them out and understanding them, and watching them transform.<\/p>\n

Here’s some samples of the types of art you might make in an art journal:<\/p>\n

\"What<\/p>\n

So let’s get you started! I’ve got a ton of tutorials and materials to share with you, and you can also scroll to the bottom of the page to join my free art journaling and creativity class: The Guide to Creative Self-Care.<\/p>\n

Art Journaling Tutorials:<\/h3>\n