Class 1: What is an Art Journal?

First of all, let's talk about what Vision Journalling is (and isn't)
~ here are some considerations:

Working in one of my journals ... 

Vision Journaling: What it is:

• Your personal journey on paper
• A place to document successes and challenges
• A place to collect inspiration
• A place to honestly and safely process your challenges
• An audience-free zone. Even from yourself.
• A judgement-free zone. Even from yourself.
• A place of self-expression, in any way that works for you.
• A resource you create for yourself going forward.
• A way to learn about yourself by writing your heart.
• A meditative practice. A quiet way of being with yourself.

 What it isn’t:

• A “competition” or art show, a place to worry about “pretty”.
• Scrapbooking ~ although you can use family photographs if they help you get what you need on paper
• Limited by gender. Gender is part of who you are, but we’re all “persons” first.

Penelope’s Encouragement for Beginners:

• Be gentle. Nurture your beginnings as you would a child’s.
• Be Honest. What you get out of the experience will match whatever you put into it. If you’re not honest, the only person you’re denying is yourself.
• Start simply. Use whatever resources you already have around you. Use a journal with non-precious paper like a standard composition book or similar from a dollar store. Collage with junk mail. Write with whatever pens you have. The important things are inside YOU, not in the art supply store.
• Don’t worry about getting it “wrong”. There is no wrong. There is only you and the page. If the blank page is too scary, cover it with magazine images and write on top of them.
• Don’t wait for the “good stuff” to come. Start creating, write whatever’s on your mind. Trust me, the good stuff will come.
• Still got nothing? Collect images you think are beautiful. Write in quotes that inspire you. Write a list of things you are grateful for. Generate some positive energy and be patient.

• Have an open mind. And ears. Listen to people around you. What are they saying? How is your life experience different? How is it the same? Write down anything you think is “true”.

Below I've posted all the above info on a single printable page, plus a few extras. I created the page to fit the journals we're using in the class, which are 7" wide x 8.5" tall. Since most printers print 8.5 x11, you can cut off the bottom of the page (along the dotted line where the scissors are) and save the stuff below the line for other pages in your journal. The vertical section along the right side of the page can be folded in before you glue the page into your journal.