When I create I only want my most favorite mediums and tools with me. Too many supply options can become distracting and a bit overwhelming at times to me (can we say decision fatigue?). I have really been enjoying putting together this monthly series highlighting a favorite go-to medium or tool each month. I hope this series is inspiring to you and your own creative journey. If you missed the first five supplies, you can find them here: 1) Graphite, 2) High Flow Acrylics, 3) Pastels, 4) Color Shapers, 5) Mark Making Tools

Perhaps this should have been my very first "favorite post" because I think it is the cultivating space within which creative work emerges from. The safe place to explore, make bad art, work out ideas, push through creative blocks, and practice into your own style. Today is all about art journals. Arguably this isn’t exactly a supply, but I certainly consider it one of the most necessary tools for my creative practice.

So what exactly do I mean when I say art journal? For me, I have a collection of art journals, some handmade through coptic stitching, some just a collection of scrap papers bound together, an old antique book, or a purchased pre-made journal with watercolor paper. The actual journal is less important, rather I would say how we use it is what changes our practice. I have both large and small sizes for different times, different purposes, and even sometimes different moods. I like to carry small ones in my purse or diaper bag so that if I am out and idea strikes, I can get it down.

There are countless ways to use an art journal and I just want to share how I approach art journaling and share a few of the ways I like to use them.

My art journals are these beautiful safe spaces where I can create with no need to produce which may sound like a contradiction but they are very different. It’s the places where ideas are jotted down, tested, work out through all the ugly messy stuck stages. It is also the place that I collect palettes I like and try them out, where I grab a new tool and play with it. Its the place that when I have 5 minutes to create, I grab a journal and do a quick sketch or grab a limited palette and create a background to come back to next time. Sometimes I finish a page and other times I create for a short time and it stays a loose idea or a background for future creating.

The biggest thing for me is to let my journals be a no pressure place to get ideas down, make a mess, explore mediums, and spend time practicing at least a few minutes a day. I spent a long time not honoring this part of the process, not realizing that practicing is so important. I was in total production mode and let me tell you, it doesn’t help us grow as artists to always be producing. I think I knew that deep down, but its one thing to know and another to walk that out. Getting into an art journal daily (even if just 5 minutes) has transformed my art practice and enjoyment of the process and messy middle… all those moments where growing and stretching are taking place and honing my style. I think it helps us to create from a place of true experience and working things out, not just trying to get to the outcome.

So, I would love to show you a little glimpse into some of my art journals, so you can see the wide range of what I put in there, from unfinished ideas, more developed paintings, to color palette play.

I hope you are encouraged to grab a journal and just spend some time exploring and embracing the process.