What do you get when you combine color, words, and images? Art journaling. Unlike many other art forms, art journaling is not about the outcome. It’s about the creative process of pulling together your elements on a page. It is a playground for self-expression that can document daily life details, engage in active meaning-making, exploring, and more. Let’s look at why this form of therapy and self-care has grown in popularity over the years.
Document details of daily life
Art journalism provides a unique way of preserving special moments by incorporating ephemera. Art journalists can record the souvenirs of past experiences, such as ticket stubs, postcards, photographs, and letters, and reflect upon them while keeping them alive in the present. Even though they originally intended these items to be savored briefly and replaced over time, art journaling allows people to give them greater longevity. Moreover, it helps art journalists appreciate the people and experiences that have shaped their lives by making their marks visible for many years.
Form of therapy and self-care
During hectic times like these, when we often feel overwhelmed by our responsibilities and the state of the world, art journaling can be an incredibly useful outlet for managing stress. Think of it as a calming space where you can express yourself without judgement or repercussion. It’s almost like a companion who understands one’s feelings even if no one else does. It allows people to participate in activities that make them feel good about themselves, bringing out their best qualities and reminding them of what life should be about – joy and appreciation for all we have around us.
Engage in active meaning-making
Journal pages do not need to have any specific theme or make sense to anyone. Art journaling is simply about creating something out of nothing for some people, playing with colors and textures just because they are fun. For others, though, it provides an opportunity to work through important issues such as relationships with family members or friends or traumatic experiences they may have gone through recently. Through this sort of meaning-making exercise, art journalists can take time out for themselves amidst their chaotic lives. It gives permission to slow down and exist within the moment without pressure to produce anything significant afterwards.
Appreciation for all kinds of art
Art journaling is an excellent way to make anyone appreciate art in unique, meaningful ways. It combines creative writing with artmaking and offers an inclusive way for all people from any artistic level to experience self-expression. Participants can learn to experiment with new techniques while exploring their thoughts and feelings with words or images. Through this practice, they can better understand their relationship to art and build a self-portrait of sorts driven by exploration and growth.
Conclusion
The transformative power of art journaling cannot be understated. It’s an incredibly therapeutic practice that helps individuals find peace within themselves and provides an outlet for creative expression. Ultimately, art journaling helps bring clarity into life by helping individuals reflect on who they are today and who they want to be tomorrow. It is an incredibly powerful tool for helping people live more fulfilled lives.
Photo Attribution:
1st and featured image from https://artfulhaven.com/themed-art-journals/
2nd image from https://discover.hubpages.com/art/art-journaling-tips-and-tricks
