The Joy of Journaling
The Joy of Journaling was unknown to me until about 6 months ago. Before then, the only type of art journal I used was a sketchbook full of my latest on location drawings. But these were not for evolving, testing and solving. So what made me start keeping a different type of journal; what changed?
The short answer is several things: First, I took a number of courses on line and in person, which encouraged the process as part of painting development. Secondly, I started to develop series of paintings about a particular subject. Both of these things, nudged me to keep quite a different type of art Journal.
In order to develop my paintings, which, so far, are about place and my feelings of place, I need to talk and write about those feelings. I also need to consider a range of other things associated with creating the work. I need a place for that 'stuff'; somewhere to go with it. The Journal was that place!
The Joy of Journaling-The contents
I used to keep books and journals for previous creative endeavours, including for my design work (I was previously a landscape designer). The Art Journal I am describing provides me with a focus for my early painting work in series. Whereas previously, I may have been tempted to scribble things on bits of paper (that eventually got lost) or think things but not write them (eventually they got forgotten); this way, they are captured. Moments in time; ideas to discard or develop. But the journal is more than this, its also a place for evolving some of the painting process; some of the workings out. Here are the things I've included in the ongoing journal for my current painting series about cotton mills.
Quotes
Exploration of Why I wanted to paint this particular subject; digging into the reasons through constant exploration.
Drawings and small collage pieces that explore aspects of my work
Evaluation of painting preference, related to aspects of painting including tone, colour, mark making etc.
Versions of my paintings with analysis
Exploration of colour palette and notes of colour mixing
Exploration about the feelings and mood I want to create in the paintings and why
Here is a video I created about the journal.
The Joy of Journaling-A way forward
For now, it seems that this journal approach will serve as the 'thinking' part of my more intuitive painting in series approach. A place for the structure and thinking, so that my paintings can be developed more spontaneously and intuitively. I will of course still keep sketchbooks for drawings and collage experimentation. It is also likely that I will start to keep a more general type of creative journal. Getting emotions and feelings related to art practice and daily thoughts out on paper may be a useful antidote for feeling stuck-such is the life of an artist!
Do you keep a journal? If so, how do you use it? Is it a key part of your daily life/creative process? Whatever 'your way' is, happy journaling and I welcome your thoughts!