2015 — Art Journal Restart
I won't mince words: the beginning of 2015 was a fucked-up time for me. Without going into too many details, I had several traumatizing experiences, centering on medical treatment, mental health, and relationships. The year got better — oh, did it get better! — but I think I was aware even at the time that I reached for my art journal to cope with the waterfall of egregious bullshit raining down on me.
I think, without the “secret confidence” that 2014's art journal practice had built in me, I might not have taken this step. I may not have realized I deserved better. As it was, “better” was still out of reach, months away.
What I credit 2015's artmaking with giving me was trust.
I had a gray Fabriano EcoQua staple-bound art book, purchased (I believe) from the Utrecht store in Tallahassee, Florida. The paper is thin, and it would probably be better for non-bleed markers or dry media like pencils. But it's high-quality and fun to use, even if heavy applications of glue or paint make it a bit wrinkly.
One thing I did at the outset of this journal was to give myself permission to make very simple spreads. One or two things, maybe some details. I set the bar quite deliberately low. This was a great idea, because it made the barrier to restart feel close to nonexistent.
I did have fun experimenting with how much I could say with how little ingredients. Later pages became more complex, but I think it's smart to set a precedent for yourself that simple is also enough. There will be times you want to make art, and have less energy. What you make is still art.