Why Journaling: one artist's journey

Always wanting more, needing to be heard, and be the first.

Why do daily art? I got back into artsy stuff in 2013, guided by a wonderful artist and gallery owner who held classes. It was the AHA moment I needed. On January 1, 2017 I promised myself I would put pencil to paper everyday. It didn't need to be great, just something, anything. I needed mindfulness and be present doing something that did not include all the angst from daily life, work, ill parent, pressures in most cases I couldn't control. The journals began in small 4x6 sketchbooks, not to be overwhelmed by the "blank canvas" syndrome. I tried different mediums, ink and watercolor, gouache, collages, etc. No set agenda and if I couldn't think of something then I had to draw what was in front of me.....usually paint brushes or nick knacks near me. I also drew my creation FUZZIT who is copyrighted and quite the little character. The purple fuzz ball deals with everyday situations and mostly brings smiles to people.

The sketchbooks are a size 6x9 now and the perfect size for carrying and storage. Testing art mediums is a good way to try out composition or color schemes for perhaps larger paintings. I'm closing in on 1,000 daily drawings, missing only one day, and that will always be a blank page in my sketchbook--it was the day my father passed away.

Try it, start small as not to be overwhelmed, think small only a 15 - 30 minute drawing. Buy the sketchbook on sale, A.C. Moore has them for $5 or under. Lose yourself in the art, be present and enjoy the here and now.

Be Artful,

Alice

#journal #artdaily