What’s an Art Journal Anyway? - from benefits to prompts + beyond

Imagine a place, just for you, where you get to express yourself without judgement and where being creative is an act of self-care. Enter the art journal.

When I was a teenager I used to pepper my journals with collage, illustration and comic-strip style stories pondering what seemed like hugely consequential incidents and emotions mostly concerning: boys, clothes, what-she-said, my place in a baffling world, and the like.

So, a few years ago when I [re]discovered art journalling it turned out my teenage self knew something thirty-something me had forgotten - that art you create just for you is a powerful way to express and explore your thoughts and feelings, and gain new insights.

That’s why art journalling has me hooked. But like any good book, there’s much more to this art journalling story. I believe anyone, whether you consider yourself ‘creative’ or not, will find art journalling an immensely pleasurable way to reconnect with yourself and rediscover hidden depths.

And, fortunately getting started with art journalling is pretty darned easy.

What’s an art journal?

Let’s make sure we’re on the same page and start off with a definition from moi.

“Put simply, an art journal is a book where you explore your thoughts, feelings and ideas visually.”

There tend to be two key types of art journal:

• The artist’s journal - Creative types will often keep art journals, or sketchbooks, to record inspirations, delve deeper into ideas, and try out new techniques without the pressure of having to create a finished piece.
  

• The personal journal - But the kind of art journals we’re talking about here are more akin to the written journal. Think Adrian Mole, but instead of a biro-brandishing spidery scrawl the art journalist primarily uses images, doodles, colour and patterns, and more.

But I’m not creative...

“Drawing prowess is often equated with being creative, but this is nonsense.”

Creativity is in our nature. As children most of us revelled in playing with paint, felt tips and crayons. Now, keeping an art journal will provide you with the perfect space to play.

Because art journalling is about the process. Often, the daunting thing about art is the thought of producing a finished product. You know, a painting or song or play, you then share with the big scary, critical world. But, in contrast, art journalling is focused on the journey and sharing is optional. Phew!

What do I do in my art journal?

The beauty of art journalling is that anything goes! Yes, that means all that stuff you enjoyed as a kid can be put to good use, think:

• Scribbling

• Doodling

• Collaging

• Painting

• Splodging

• Delicate drawing

• Destructive messes

• And, everything in between…

There are oodles of prompts and ideas out there on places like Pinterest and other art journalling communities - examples include Get Messy Art and Art Witch Academy. Prompts help you overcome blank page block and just get started:

• Get inspired by nature like Kristal Norton

• Create a collage by tearing and layering found images like Monique Vettraino

• Pick a photo or magazine page and alter it with pens and stickers like Naomi Vona

• Or play with pattern and colour like Sangita Chandrashekher

What are the benefits of art journalling?

I’ve mentioned some of the benefits you might experience by keeping an art journal, but in case you need a bit more convincing art journalling can help you:

• Record memories

• Work through emotions

• Get into your creative flow

• Get stuff off your chest and relax

• Get to the crux of a problem

• Rediscover what you want or need

• Reconnect you with your sense of self

• Be more present

• Have fun

And much more...

What do I need to art journal?

“Art journalling doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated.”

• The book - It goes without saying that you need a book. A5 is a good size to start with. Ideally choose a book with paper which can deal with mixed media, otherwise your pages are liable to crinkle - which doesn’t matter in the least, of course, it’s all down to personal preference!

• Art materials - Start collecting a range of art materials. At first you might want to explore the discount stores or charity shops. Felt tips, permanent markers, indian ink, acrylic paint and glue will all be put to good use. And, remember, when it comes to art journals anything can be an art material, think: stickers, wrappers, vintage or found paper, feathers, nail varnish, fabric, etc.

Your art journal is for you

Your art journal is a space where you can relax and explore with colour, pattern, lines, and words. All you need is curiosity and an open mind. You can produce ‘ugly’ art or Instagrammable spreads. Share the results or keep them to yourself. In short, your art journal is your oyster.

• Check out my Instagram feed for more details of current art journal events in or near the Leigh-on-Sea and Southend areas in Essex.

Stuck On Your Ideal Customer Profile? - maybe it’s time to get creative...

When my ideal client avatar was alluding me I realised I was thinking about her all the wrong way. So I got out the scissors...

Why a special someone?

Writing for your business 101: If you’re speaking to everyone you’re speaking to no-one. The solution? Write like you’re speaking to one person. Your ideal client, in fact. But just who is she? And how do you find her? I say: Collage her.

Playing with ideas

Yep, that’s right, create your ideal client with cut out paper pieces and glue, like a more mindful Frankenstein. Mmmm, maybe not. For me, collaging my ideal client avatar is what my artist self would call an idea catalyst - a starting point on which to build.

Stuck in your head

Having completed numerous ideal client avatar questionnaires - namely with Marie Forleo’s B-School - I realised my ideal client avatar was stuck in my head. As the girl who gave up art school to go hide behind writing essays at uni, it’s dawned on me that I’m a frustrated artist who writes. So, there was nothing for it - time to get artistic.

Creating your ideal client

I got out some A3 card and some old magazines, and began filling the page with words which resonated, brands my ideal client might buy into, items they might own, thoughts they might have. I tried to let these things flow.

You can get really specific with this ideal client avatar thing - which is what I think trips some of us up. But viewing my ideal client avatar as more of a guide than a blueprint helped free up the creation process. It’s all too easy to get perfection procrastination - I know I do.

Refining your ideal client

I like Danielle La Porte’s take on goals, which she calls ‘core desired feelings’. Feeling your way into an idea and seeing it as a work in progress means you’ll be more flexible and responsive. After all it might turn out your ideal client avatar isn’t quite who you thought she was…

Speaking of which, PR and marketing maven Janet Murray reckons, that while you do indeed need to be talking to that certain someone, you shouldn’t be too wedded to your ideal client avatar.

Remember, we’re talking about connecting with real people here. Get too hooked on the idea of your ideal client and you could be ignoring loyal client needs or creating products aimed at a fantasy following.

Check out Janet Murray’s podcast for some useful tips on what to consider when creating your ideal client avatar.

Where will your ideal client avatar take you?

For now, I’m looking at my ideal client avatar as a kind of communications compass - not a map. I’m playing around with more collages as questions or ideas come up and I’ve been sketching out ideas in my bullet journal.

Where my current clients are mostly established brands, who aren’t likely to be reading this post, I’m now looking to reach a new audience and make meaningful connections with them. And, at the end of the day that means finding out what real people want.

Over to you

Have you had trouble envisioning your ideal client avatar? What got you stuck? Or did the one you create lead you up the garden path? If creating your ideal client avatar in a more creative way resonates with you I’d love to know.