Art journalling is a current trend over the last couple of years, turning into big business in some aspects. Its not fine art, but it explores creativity, colour exploration and drawing skills and encourages non-artists to dip a toe into the world of art. I've never been a big one for journalling, but always enjoyed sketching. On impulse I bought a new Moleskine notebook last weekend. I had used these quite a lot a few years ago and loved the creamy, wax-like paper surface. Perhaps I should have bought the sketchbook instead of the notebook, as the paper in the notebook is flimsier than the sketchbook and pen marks do show through to the other side, so I will be using one side only unless I decide to coat the pages with gesso if I want a double page.
I'm an abuser of sketchbooks and the Moleskine will be no different. It just may get a bit more abuse in terms of media and additions to pages. I don't view sketchbooks or journals as precious and "mistakes" should be embraced and shown as part of the process. Not everything will be fit for consumption, but some will be catalysts for paintings and further exploration.
Journals are a way to escape, be creative, work out ideas and release inner thoughts. An entry can take as little or as much time as you have available and become a colourful way of recording your view on the world. You don't need to be an artist to keep an art journal, but any time spent creating can only be beneficial if you're heading down that creative road.
I'm going to try to do something in the journal each day until its filled, then see where I go from there. I have several sketch books for general drawing but the journal will be a little different, a little more personal.
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