I've been in the "too anxious to take action" mind-set lately. I've decided to just take a 8x10 piece of WC paper separately and do something. My separate papers don't seem so precious.
Isn't that such a weird feeling? Journals feel so much more special. But I am fully with "the only wasted supply is the unused." I just need to get over this silly anxiety over this. I can always buy more journals! Haha.
I love your newsletter. I also have one about my journey in art. You might enjoy it. I hope to read more about your issues. They seem like fun. Take care
Yea, sometimes I have a creative idea that I want to get into but I just don't know how. I might sit on it got weeks until I realize it's better to get into it. It's partly because I'm a perfectionist and don't want to mess up my work lol
I totally relate. Once I had 30 journals on the go. I was determined I wanted to only use one at a time so I finished all of them and started just one. Well, 5 years or so later and I have about 10 on the go again. Not sure I'll ever know what's going on here....
30! Wowzers! 10 is even a ton! What are the “genres” of each notebook, and what makes you feel like you have to have separate ones? Don’t get me wrong, I 100% understand feeling like I need separate ones too! Maybe your thought process may help mine!
Thanks for asking, maybe we can help each other by having this "conversation". If I look at just the 10 (a good representative sample of the 30), I have a mixed media/mixed paper journal made from prepared background papers (gelli prints, etc.) all ready for journaling, one with black paper, 2 mixed media paper spiral bound, different sizes, 6 mixed media paper bound journals of different sizes/formats, 1 watercolor paper, and one folded from a single sheet of paper. Oops, that makes 12 not 10 and we haven't included the writing journal, currently housed in a Traveler's Notebook. So, I guess I would say different sizes, different paper types, and different formats (square, portrait, landscape) are the "genres". At the time I consolidated into one, I was really irritated that I didn't have a single chronological way of following my life journey or referring back easily. I then allowed myself to expand to one larger and one smaller (easier to take out of the house). But then, you know what happens, I take a class and the format is "square" and so I start another. And on and on it goes. Your method of doing art on dot paper good for writing on has me oh so tempted to start another as I love the idea of combining writing with art. I've tried it before but I really get afraid of adding text and ruining a page I like. What to do, what to do??
I feel the same. I mean, I have a ton of empty journals and am tempted to start new for a new genre all the time. But I REALLY want things all in one spot too!!
Right now, I have
One archer and olive B5 dot grid journal that I have only 7 entries in from pre move. But it was sort of memorializing the animals and processing my move. I wanted to continue in it but couldn’t make myself.
Then, I started a second one of the same brand and size for nature journaling, but I couldn’t bring myself to write in it... so it’s dubbed my “fancy art” lol.
Then I dove into travelers sized, archer and olive dot grid. 160gsm paper gets heavy! I also have been finding that I spend a lot of time in the details, which can be good, but not if you want to like, not take ALL day on a drawing. So I was hoping a smaller notebook would help me with that. It... has, and hasn’t. 🤣 It’s been something I’ve been having to practice!
Then! I just did Sketchbook Revival (do you know what that is?? So awesome!! Sketchbookrevival.com check it out - sign up! FREE Videos available until the 30th!) , and I worked in an entirely different notebook. One that I didn’t love and didn’t hate but wanted to test it out for art. It did ok. Lol but not the greatest. Not the worst.
THEN. 🤣 I started another travelers size dot grid but a different brand, Buke and it has 180gsm. I’ve only done one thing in it so far. But I really liked it. So, I uh. Right. Haha
I really like doing art journaling. Maybe that will help you combine writing with art. You can do some drawing of your day and journal about your day or thoughts. I used to do this a ton but for some reason my brain has stopped me! Lol. So I hope to use that last travelers dot grid for that sort of thing.
I have so many notebooks. So many. Most of them right now are the Archer and Olive. AND! I really want to start making my own... which is not something I need to take on with 728495 empty notebooks! 🤣🤣
Oh, where to start! I found you via the Facebook Sketchbook Revival group, so yes, I'm familiar with that. I think I started Sketchbook Revival the first year. I started my first Art Journal in 2001 - I've been at it a while! LOL I have been asking myself recently what keeps me inspired, and have decided that it is definitely taking classes. And given that, I guess it makes sense that I keep starting new journals for new classes.
So for you, when I read this, it makes sense that you wouldn't want to do any more entries in the journal you started to memorialize the animals and process the move - that was the purpose of the journal. And this is where bookbinding would help you (I've done a lot of that too) - you can make a much smaller book, a single or double signature for a specific purpose.
As for your "fancy art" book, Roz Stendahl, an avid journaler and prolific artist and bookbinder calls those "artist books" rather than journals or workbooks. You can check this out here: https://rozwoundup.com/2022/01/journal-practice-hiccups.html
So, if you look at the purpose of your journals, they make sense to me, including your recent Sketchbook Revival journal. And what attracted me to it when I watched your video, was looking at the commentary you made along with the art you did. That's a REAL WORKBOOK! You commented on your experience while taking the class, you didn't just do the art lessons as prescribed. With all the classes I've done, I've never done this! And that is what makes your journal unique to look at compared to all the others shown in the group. And this made me want to find out more about you, and landed me on your blog.
I've enjoyed our discussion so far and hope to continue it. I certainly will be thinking more about my journaling practice, which is one of my favourite things to think about. LOL So thank you for this!
Ohhh good. Sorry I’ve added so many things you already knew about! 😅
Oh and I also have a cheapy notebook that is the “studio journal” and basically I’ve done some random idea sketches in there. Or random quick classes. Haha.
Well I’m so glad you’re here and joying! I’m not sure what next to share! Haha. I was thinking of sharing about sketchbook revival.
I've been in the "too anxious to take action" mind-set lately. I've decided to just take a 8x10 piece of WC paper separately and do something. My separate papers don't seem so precious.
Isn't that such a weird feeling? Journals feel so much more special. But I am fully with "the only wasted supply is the unused." I just need to get over this silly anxiety over this. I can always buy more journals! Haha.
I love your newsletter. I also have one about my journey in art. You might enjoy it. I hope to read more about your issues. They seem like fun. Take care
Have you had an issue with what my article talks about before?
Yea, sometimes I have a creative idea that I want to get into but I just don't know how. I might sit on it got weeks until I realize it's better to get into it. It's partly because I'm a perfectionist and don't want to mess up my work lol
Saaaaame! Haha I’m always afraid I’m gonna screw it up! Do I ever actually screw it up? Very rarely! Lol
True! You just have to believe in yourself and get over the initial fear of messing up lol
I totally relate. Once I had 30 journals on the go. I was determined I wanted to only use one at a time so I finished all of them and started just one. Well, 5 years or so later and I have about 10 on the go again. Not sure I'll ever know what's going on here....
30! Wowzers! 10 is even a ton! What are the “genres” of each notebook, and what makes you feel like you have to have separate ones? Don’t get me wrong, I 100% understand feeling like I need separate ones too! Maybe your thought process may help mine!
Thanks for asking, maybe we can help each other by having this "conversation". If I look at just the 10 (a good representative sample of the 30), I have a mixed media/mixed paper journal made from prepared background papers (gelli prints, etc.) all ready for journaling, one with black paper, 2 mixed media paper spiral bound, different sizes, 6 mixed media paper bound journals of different sizes/formats, 1 watercolor paper, and one folded from a single sheet of paper. Oops, that makes 12 not 10 and we haven't included the writing journal, currently housed in a Traveler's Notebook. So, I guess I would say different sizes, different paper types, and different formats (square, portrait, landscape) are the "genres". At the time I consolidated into one, I was really irritated that I didn't have a single chronological way of following my life journey or referring back easily. I then allowed myself to expand to one larger and one smaller (easier to take out of the house). But then, you know what happens, I take a class and the format is "square" and so I start another. And on and on it goes. Your method of doing art on dot paper good for writing on has me oh so tempted to start another as I love the idea of combining writing with art. I've tried it before but I really get afraid of adding text and ruining a page I like. What to do, what to do??
I feel the same. I mean, I have a ton of empty journals and am tempted to start new for a new genre all the time. But I REALLY want things all in one spot too!!
Right now, I have
One archer and olive B5 dot grid journal that I have only 7 entries in from pre move. But it was sort of memorializing the animals and processing my move. I wanted to continue in it but couldn’t make myself.
Then, I started a second one of the same brand and size for nature journaling, but I couldn’t bring myself to write in it... so it’s dubbed my “fancy art” lol.
Then I dove into travelers sized, archer and olive dot grid. 160gsm paper gets heavy! I also have been finding that I spend a lot of time in the details, which can be good, but not if you want to like, not take ALL day on a drawing. So I was hoping a smaller notebook would help me with that. It... has, and hasn’t. 🤣 It’s been something I’ve been having to practice!
Then! I just did Sketchbook Revival (do you know what that is?? So awesome!! Sketchbookrevival.com check it out - sign up! FREE Videos available until the 30th!) , and I worked in an entirely different notebook. One that I didn’t love and didn’t hate but wanted to test it out for art. It did ok. Lol but not the greatest. Not the worst.
THEN. 🤣 I started another travelers size dot grid but a different brand, Buke and it has 180gsm. I’ve only done one thing in it so far. But I really liked it. So, I uh. Right. Haha
I really like doing art journaling. Maybe that will help you combine writing with art. You can do some drawing of your day and journal about your day or thoughts. I used to do this a ton but for some reason my brain has stopped me! Lol. So I hope to use that last travelers dot grid for that sort of thing.
I have so many notebooks. So many. Most of them right now are the Archer and Olive. AND! I really want to start making my own... which is not something I need to take on with 728495 empty notebooks! 🤣🤣
Oh, where to start! I found you via the Facebook Sketchbook Revival group, so yes, I'm familiar with that. I think I started Sketchbook Revival the first year. I started my first Art Journal in 2001 - I've been at it a while! LOL I have been asking myself recently what keeps me inspired, and have decided that it is definitely taking classes. And given that, I guess it makes sense that I keep starting new journals for new classes.
So for you, when I read this, it makes sense that you wouldn't want to do any more entries in the journal you started to memorialize the animals and process the move - that was the purpose of the journal. And this is where bookbinding would help you (I've done a lot of that too) - you can make a much smaller book, a single or double signature for a specific purpose.
As for your "fancy art" book, Roz Stendahl, an avid journaler and prolific artist and bookbinder calls those "artist books" rather than journals or workbooks. You can check this out here: https://rozwoundup.com/2022/01/journal-practice-hiccups.html
Of course I started one of my current 10 journals after reading her blog post and deciding I needed a workbook. HAHA! I wrote about it a bit on my blog here: http://passionforpaper-passionforpaper.blogspot.com/2022/01/learning-from-each-other.html
So, if you look at the purpose of your journals, they make sense to me, including your recent Sketchbook Revival journal. And what attracted me to it when I watched your video, was looking at the commentary you made along with the art you did. That's a REAL WORKBOOK! You commented on your experience while taking the class, you didn't just do the art lessons as prescribed. With all the classes I've done, I've never done this! And that is what makes your journal unique to look at compared to all the others shown in the group. And this made me want to find out more about you, and landed me on your blog.
I've enjoyed our discussion so far and hope to continue it. I certainly will be thinking more about my journaling practice, which is one of my favourite things to think about. LOL So thank you for this!
Ohhh good. Sorry I’ve added so many things you already knew about! 😅
Oh and I also have a cheapy notebook that is the “studio journal” and basically I’ve done some random idea sketches in there. Or random quick classes. Haha.
Well I’m so glad you’re here and joying! I’m not sure what next to share! Haha. I was thinking of sharing about sketchbook revival.
Don't apologize. I love hearing your take on them. A share about sketchbook revival would be great!