Discovering Artist Journaling

I have been thinking about reintroducing creativity into my life.  For the many years I was studying for my masters degree, I felt like I had little free time for projects and artist expression. The left side of my brain was kicked into high gear... and I loved it. Yet, when I finished my studies this summer I felt like something was missing. I have two sides of my brain, and the right side was feeling a bit dormant.  

Last month I was introduced to something that has been fun and life giving. It came about as I was having a conversation with my new French/English/Nevadan artist friend. This is the kind of artist who actually displays her own artwork and has an art studio in her home. I was expressing my interest in starting something creative. I told her I had gone as far as purchasing my drawing journal and collected up my pencils. And I honestly shared with her that I was a bit intimidated to begin.  

It was at that point that she introduced me to the concept of Artist Journaling. She put a visual book in my hands to explore and introduced me to the Facebook community where they share their artwork and tips. What is encouraging is that no one does it exactly the same. Click here to take a look Artist Journal Workshop.

After breakfast the next morning we wandered around her ranch, where I was staying, and selected a spot to sit and draw.  She reminded me to keep the first pages blank so that I could do a title page. I would go back and do that later when I had time.  

At first I was so distracted and overwhelmed with all that was around me. We sat at the edge of their koi pond surrounded by bamboo. As I sat in quiet and beheld what was near me, my eyes started to "see"... to really take in with detail the beauty of the area in which I sat. I looked for a starting point that caught my eye--the lily pads--and began.  

I will admit that I was a bit intimidated when I looked over and saw that my friend had started drawing in black ink. I wasn't at that confidence level yet--I started in pencil and a very light touch at that. As I just let go and continued to relax, the scene took shape in my journal. After the pencil sketch was done, I went back and added darker pencil strokes. I then added details and shading with my colored pencils.

I took a moment and looked over what I had created--I was amazed that I really liked it. Yet, there was a lot of empty space on my page. At that point my friend suggested that I add a frame. I had already put pencil smudges on the top of my page so I could figure out the darkness of each pencil before I used it. I decided to just frame the drawing part. Next came the entry of the date, location and occasion of the drawing--along with some description about the moment. That was when it really clicked for me--what a marvelous way of connecting the left and right sides of my brain. 

I attempted one other drawing that day and it was lackluster... I actually still dislike it. The amazing thing though is that by adding the written journaling part to the drawing, it told more of the whole story.  My friend, who my daughter calls a "Photo Ninja", had quietly captured me in the moment of drawing. It is a beautiful photo that I love and she surprised me with it later. I am fully immersed and enjoying what I am doing while in the midst of a beautiful setting. THAT part is amazing and I added a few snapshots my friend took from that day to my journal to help tell the story and remind me to focus on the bigger picture of the experience...not only the finished product. I have done some other art entries since then and have made sure to included the story and people I was with when capturing my journaling moments. 

I have also included a small section for "Lessons Learned" along the way.  Top three so far:

• Lesson #1:  Make sure the drawing journal you select has paper thick enough so that your drawing, coloring or painting won't bleed through to the other side.  My journal has too thin of paper so I have to skip every other page so I don't mess up the previous art entry. 
• Lesson #2:  The inspiration and memory of the experience may be more of a blessing than the actual art you produce (as I noted above).
• Lesson #3:  The friends you journey with are valuable choices and should appreciate you for who you are and enhance that. I am thankful for reciprocal sharing of other people's creativity, talents and time.  

I have since finished my Title Page.  It was a fun way for me to freely express the intent of what was to be contained within.  It allowed me to stay true to my style and desire of connecting left and right side of my brain--as such it includes words and a message to myself so that I will remember what the ultimate purpose is. 

On the left side of the Title Page, I wrote these words to encourage and remind me:

* Creative * Exploration * Quiet * Slowing * Observing * Experimenting * Being * Making * Learning * Not Perfect * Words * Fun* Slowing * Trying New Things * Thinking 

On the right side of the Title Page, I wrote the following around the word "Journal" and glued a translation of it in the front cover:  Expressing the Journey - Living LIFE fully - Being present in the moment - really seeing - word choices - description - memories - dates - locations - along the way - joy - celebrating all God has done and will yet do - Not letting fear or perfection consume me - creativity - just because it is good to be creative - enjoying God's Creation by valuing it richly - letting go and flowing out - being delighted and surprised by the yet unknown - 

Last week, I added one more entry to my Artist's Journal. I was thinking about the theme of thanks and gratitude after talking with a friend. I took some time to sit down and express this in my own creative way. I was inspired by a decoration on display in my home. Again I started in light pencil, then darkened in black pen, and finally added details with colored pencils.  

               


Next, I added a Bible verse that I had been thinking about. 

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  
                1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Finally, I created a frame and recorded my response to the whole process as a praise to God. 

When I showed my family, they admitted that they could not read my handwriting. I was writing freely out of my heart and for me so I didn't worry about making it neat or readable. But it made me think that adding a translation might not be a bad thing--one day I might not be able to understand what I had written either and perhaps down the road my family may actually want to know what mom was thinking. Here is the translation if you are interested...

Give Thanks

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”                   1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Thank you Lord for your love and grace showered on all.  For all the blessings in my life I give you praise. * For my husband, Brian, and my children, Anna and Joshua—I am so thankful.  What amazing gifts they are in my life and to this world!  I am so excited about our future together and to see what you have planned for all who love you. * For newness and fresh starts—for your mercy and forgiveness—I praise you O Lord.  Amazing * For the simple things we often take for granted—I say thanks—for morning and the sunrises, for the first conscious breaths when we wake—for the sunshine and also for the rains—for shelter—food—clothes—for friends and for people who are challenging as both and all shape us to be more like you—for food that nourishes and the land it grows from and the hands that work to bring it to us—for the animals that give their lives for our sake and needs—for shelter and for safety—for emotions that help us know we are alive and are works in process.  The special pleasures of our senses to process and enjoy the world you have created and put us in.  I praise you O Lord for your continual presence in my life and in all the lives of those you love.  * In the good moments, the bad moments and the UGLY moments may I see your perspective and be patient that there is always more to the story when you are involved in our lives.  * May I be more like you—Jesus—as the Holy Spirit is in me and through me—for the glory of God and your light shining that shows perspective to all the world.  I give thanks.                                                                                    EB     November 7, 2013

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