Art Journaling and Journals
What is an Art Journal?
People who visit my studio, or craft show booth often ask as they are flipping through my previous journals, What is an art journal?
When it started. Many years ago, I was learning to sculpt 18” polymer clay art dolls. As the learning process, I wanted to journal my steps so I could review and repeat later. It immediately snowballed. What kind of journal would be best to track my doll-making process? I couldn’t just use ‘any’ journal.
As a creative person, a whole new project developed. I quickly learned how to make a large journal with heavy paper that would take gluing of photos, and recording my process. Then I made another one. Just for art journaling—and I was off and running. That lasted until I was fortunate to take my first European trip to Italy.
Of course I would pack my journal. But it was too large for my handbag. So, I got to work. I resized my original one so it would perfectly fit my bag. Along with several journaling supplies, and my passport. As I sat in the grass in front of the coliseum in Rome I knew it was perfection.
People who visit my studio, or craft show booth often ask as they are flipping through my previous journals, What is an art journal?
When it started. Many years ago, I was learning to sculpt 18” polymer clay art dolls. As the learning process, I wanted to journal my steps so I could review and repeat later. It immediately snowballed. What kind of journal would be best to track my doll-making process? I couldn’t just use ‘any’ journal.
As a creative person, a whole new project developed. I quickly learned how to make a large journal with heavy paper that would take gluing of photos, and recording my process. Then I made another one. Just for art journaling—and I was off and running. That lasted until I was fortunate to take my first European trip to Italy.
Of course I would pack my journal. But it was too large for my handbag. So, I got to work. I resized my original one so it would perfectly fit my bag. Along with several journaling supplies, and my passport. As I sat in the grass in front of the coliseum in Rome I knew it was perfection.

I use my art journals to record ideas, sketches, lists, quotes, test color/supplies, techniques, design, and write.
The cover is from one of my original paintings or journal page; and the bead closure is one-of-a-kind handcrafted polymer.
Click here to see my Favorite supplies
Bill Gates talks about the Da Vinci Journals
BLANK JOURNALS