Top five reasons I work in Art Journals

Art journaling is one of my most essential creative practices. It’s more than just a sketchbook, it's a space for exploration, reflection, growth, and play. Whether I’m processing emotions, testing out new techniques, or just giving myself the freedom to create with no expectations, my journal is always there. Here are the top five reasons I keep coming back to it:

1. To scratch the creative itch—no agenda, just play.
Sometimes, I just need to make something—anything—with no pressure to “produce.” My art journal is my “no rules” space. As a professional artist, most of my creative time is spent making cohesive work that fits within a body of work for a show or gallery. But in my journal? I’m free. I can doodle mindlessly, glue paper on paper, add colored pencil to watercolor, or follow whatever impulse strikes. It’s where I remind myself that art can be pure joy: playful, messy, and deeply personal.

Watercolor exercises in my art journal.

2. To dive into creative courses and workshops.
Like many artists, I love learning from others. Whether it’s a watercolor technique, a new way to piece together collage, or a fresh journaling prompt, I often use my art journal as a space to explore what I’m learning. Integrating these lessons directly into my journals helps me retain and personalize the skills; it’s hands-on, immersive learning at its best.

3. To sketch out ideas and compositions.
Sometimes, I know exactly what I want to create, and I can jump right in. But other times, I need to wrestle with a few ideas or test out a composition. That’s when I turn to my journal. My "sketches" aren’t just pencil on paper, they often include layers of media that mirror my finished pieces, just on a smaller scale. It’s a flexible, low-stakes way to develop a concept before committing it to a panel or canvas.

4. To meditate, reflect, and pray.
For me, creativity and spirituality are deeply connected. Art journaling allows me to reflect on what I’ve read in scripture, to pray visually, and to explore spiritual truths in a tangible way. Sometimes the images that arise become full pieces later, and sometimes they remain private moments of reflection. I’ve even taken Bible studies that incorporate creative exercises, and those pages live right alongside everything else in my journal, just as my faith is woven throughout every part of my life.

5. To release emotion and process life.
Journaling can be therapeutic. While talking things through is helpful, I’ve also found that art helps me process what I can’t always put into words. Paint, collage, scribbles, and layers of texture can all express things I’m feeling. My art journal holds grief, joy, confusion, clarity, and everything in between. It’s both a mirror and a release.

Of course, these reasons often overlap. I might open my journal for one purpose and end up somewhere completely different or discover something new altogether. It’s this open-ended richness that keeps me coming back.

Over the years, I’ve had the joy of sharing what I’ve learned about art journaling in workshops. During the pandemic, I taught online as a college professor and gained valuable skills in creating engaging, effective virtual experiences. Now, I’m excited to combine all of that—my passion for journaling, my love of teaching, and my digital know-how—into a new series of online art journaling workshops.

If you're curious or inspired, I’d love for you to join me. Sign up for my email newsletter to be the first to hear when the workshops launch!