My Art Journal Journey,

When I was about 9 or 10, I got a diary for a gift. It had a little lock and key, and I thought it was the coolest thing. I slowly started writing stuff inside and soon would write every day. I can't even remember what I wrote about, probably what I did, my current crushes, my arguments with my father, etc. I soon ended up buying my own diaries and filled them up with all my young drama. Yeah, I went through the typical teenager madness, and felt like I was giving my self a good confessional. After all, I'd rather confess to myself, then some crusty priest any day! But hey, I was just a kid! Of course boys came into the picture and I soon dropped my daily diaries. (why do we do dumb stuff for boys?)

In high school, I was required to keep a journal in my English class. We were had to write for 10 minutes as soon as class started. Ugh, at first it felt like torture, but soon, it would become difficult to put my pen down.

I never had any real consistency in my journaling, and soon, I gave up on it entirely when I got married. I always liked to keep my thoughts private and would not be able to fully express myself in fear that the hubby would read my journal and hold stuff against me. Now after being married over 21 years, I am at that point, where I would not care if he read them, and to be perfectly honest, I don't think he would be one bit interested.

Long story short, I am back to journaling at a sporadic rate, with a personal goal to be more consistant. However THIS time, I am incorporating art in my journaling. Why I never thought of combining the two is beyond me! It's like Durrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

I ran across Art Journaling a couple of years ago, and I put it on my "List to do," because for the past couple of years, I had been spending every extra minute crafting, vending, showing and just gathering as many techniques as I can. It wasn't until recently, that I took a deep breath and said, "Lets go" To keep me inspired and motivated, I joined two Art Journal Round Robins. (we all take turns on each others journals and pass them around, the end product is a fabulous Art Journal with very different entries)

The first one is with 8 lovely chica's I met on Swap-bot. A couple of them are Art Journal veterans and the rest are "newbies" just like me. My 2nd Art Journal swap is with 10 wonderful women across the globe that I met through my online art class with Suzi Blu. I believe most of them are Art Journal veterans and most of them are established artists with amazing skills. No pressure!

Both Round Robin's are in their infancy stages, but I thought I would share the few entries that I have created.

Free to Dream

hearts journal page

2nd layout

Cover of Sacred Journal

inside

As you can see, there is no right or wrong, because it is your journal, you can do anything! Something I have trouble doing, but I am giving myself permission to just go for it, and do anything. Write, paint, scribble, draw, finger paint, you name it, I am gonna do it. I also encourage you all to give it a try, even if it is just one page.

For more inspiration, The 1000 Journal Project is currently at San Francisco's MOMA, and will be running through next year. One of my homegirls, and I are already planning a visit! I have been intrigued from the moment I first heard of this project. I even registered and joined a few Journal swaps.

Another great piece of inspiration or "word prompt," if you will, is "Wreck This Journal" by Keri Smith. Talk about breaking rules! I have found this book to be funny, and inspiring, as well as shutting up my ego that tells me, "You can't do that!" Pshhhhhhhhhhhh.

Comments

Hello Yoli! I really enjoyed visiting your blog. Your art is beautiful! I loved your journal pages. I've been wanting to create one for the longest time.

Also, Thanks for your sweet comment! I always get happy when I meet artists from the Bay Area!

Creative Blessings,
Lisa :)
Krissi said…
Have I told you lately that you rock? Well, ya do! Thanks for the inspiration links! Art journaling FINALLY made it off my "stuff to do" list as well, but I'm having a tougher time making it a habit. As usual though, you're an inspiration.

Beautiful stuff! xoxoxoxoxo
GlorV1 said…
Hi Yoli. I think that is such a great idea and one that should be carried out by anyone who keeps a journal. Very nice. Have a great day.
FAQ said…
I have enjoyed journaling, writing in my diary on and off for years. I too also fear writing my true feelings sometimes for fear that my loved ones will disaprove. I wonder if what we see of others journals (from the past) are the true feelings or what they writer thought others might see. I love the combination of art/and journaling. I have so many of my journals in a trunk. But, I have been out of the mood for this for some time.....maybe it will come back to me.
artsygringa said…
These are so beautiful. What a great way to combine two things that you love. The pages really are fantastic. It seems like you are breathing life and color into your words.
3rdEyeMuse said…
how reasurring it is to come across others that suffer the same issues! I, too, am sporadic with my journal(s), have recently started art journaling & have issues of remembering there really is no right and wrong ... but I am trying. :) your pages look gorgeous! I especially adore your version of Our Lady of Guadalupe - beautiful!
Anonymous said…
beautiful pages...writing from our core is SO good for US...Art along with it....PRICELESS!!
Belinda said…
love your journal pages, and your authentic mexican touch! look forward to seeing more. as a kido, i had a journal with a lock and a key myself, fun memories. i used to write pages and pages, but don't want to do that anymore. playing with paint and adding mixed media is more fun.
Sacred Yoli said…
Thanks for stopping by Chicas! Yes, I am so greatful to be adding art to journaling. Multi tasking rocks! :D