A Creative Way to Journal

Two pages from Bruce's journal. Note the temperature in the lower right.

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Recently, I began journaling, but not in the traditional way.  I am a visual person.  I tend to learn best with visual cues, and as an artist, I am constantly working and using the visual language of design.  So, when I decided to begin journaling, I did it in a visual way.  I had the idea that I would write a book using watercolor paint as my words.  In short, I adopted a style of using dashes and marks of watercolor to stand in for the words and sentences of a book.  It's a creative and fun way to go about journaling.

To do this, I first mark out time each day to sit down at the table and paint.  This is important to do or it just won't happen.  I find, I must have some set schedule.  However, it need not be a long time.  I tell myself to sit for ten minutes and work.  Often, that ten minutes will become thirty or even an hour, but I demand of myself at least those ten. 

Next, I think back on my day and go over the feeling or mood that I carried from it.  Was it a good day? What were some of the conversations that I had? What did I work on? What was one highlight and what was one lowlight.  Then I begin to paint.  I just let the feeling of the day come out.

If you are creating a visual journal of your own, don't feel that you need to paint abstractly, as I do. Just paint whatever you want and remember a journal is only for your eyes.  No one else is going to judge you on your artwork.. It's a private thing,  so just be creative. 

Here are some examples from my first journal using this technique: 

​Recently, I took this crafty journaling idea further and began to leave space for actual notes, similar to a traditional journal.    

Here is how I did it

1. I have given myself a rule that I must work at my journal for at least ten minutes a day.  I often do more, but I must work for at least ten.
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2. I rule in an area where I want to do a little painting in my journal.  Remember, you can paint or draw whatever you are feeling.  Don't think in terms of the picture being good or bad, just try to capture the spirit of the day.  If it was a sad day, use slow lines and darker colors. If it was an energetic day, use more bright colors and daring lines.  However you want to express the day is up to you. Just be creative and let it rip. 

3. After painting, I rule in a few more lines and write about the day, or maybe about the painting I just made.  I usually put the date in the top left corner and the day's temperature in the bottom right. 
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4. Don't worry about your handwriting or your spelling, etc. Just get your thoughts down.  

5. I try to at least get one affirmation into each journal entry.  No matter how bad the day, there must be something good to be thankful for. 

Close up of Journal page

​In these paintings, I am using a heavy handmade paper journal.  You can find them online at different art stores.  Some handmade papers take the watercolor better than others, so do some experimenting.  Also, you don't need handmade paper, any heavy duty journal paper will do. 

​Well that's it!  It is a lot of fun to journal when you don't have to worry about writing too much and just explore the mood of the day with paint and color.  Send me your own creative journal ideas.  I would love to see them.  
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​Just look for Bruce Black Art.