Isn’t this graphic the cutest?!  I am part of an Art Ed Blogger’s Network which is a collective of writers who blog about a certain topic each month.  At the bottom of the post is a link to all the participating bloggers.  The theme this month is about Summer Art.

What is an Art Journal?

An art journal is a visual diary… it is place for artists to express themselves using imagery, words, colors, patterns and designs.  An art journal can include deep and emotional thoughts; it can be a record of your day; it can be a place to work through ideas and plans;  or it can be just a place to experiment and have fun!  Words can be used in your art journal, but it’s not a requirement.  The practice and process of making art in your journal is the important part.  It is creative art therapy.

A stack of my art journals

Create a Summer Art Journal

Art journaling is the perfect summer art activity.  It is portable, fun, personal and can be as complex or simple as you’d like it.  You can use any art materials you have at home already to create your journal.  You only need a book with some nice, thick pages.  I like to use a lot of paints and collage materials in my journals, so I use good quality paper, like the Moleskine watercolor art journal.

The following gallery pictures are pages from my art journals over the years.  Click on the thumbnail image to see it larger.  (If you are reading from a blog reader or email, you may need to click on over to the actual blog post to see the gallery.)

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Ideas for Your Art Journal

1. Sketch what you see or what inspires you: 

This page started with a ladybug painting.  I used watercolor paints and stickers in the background and then glued the ladybug picture on top.

2. Play around with drawing some cute illustrations.

Use your imagination and draw some simple, cute people and animals.

3.  Use a grid format for journaling and doodling.

Divide your page into sections.  Doodle, paint or write in each section.

4.  Create a summer bucket list.

5. Use up paper from your scrap box.

Cut out shapes and paper strips to use as paper mosaic pieces in your journal.

6.  Use a quote in your journaling.

7.  Give a journal to your child and see what they make alongside you.

This page below is by my 8 year old daughter.

8.  Create a page of doodles.

9. Create interactive pages by taping in papers to fold out.

10.  Cut out words and phrases from magazines to use in your journals.

(Or buy a pack of pre-cut words to print out!)

More about Art Journaling

Using Leaves and Natural Items
What to Write in Your Art Journal
Art Supplies for Journaling with Children
Organizing my Art Journal Supplies
Anatomy of an Art Journal Page
Step by Step of an Art Journal Page– Use up those scraps
Another Art Journal Page in Steps
Art Journaling with my daughter and niece when they were younger
Art Journaling Pinterest Board
Art Journaling E-Zine/  Tutorials
Check out this book, A World of Artist Journal Pages… I am in it!!

Participating Art Teacher Blogs:

• Art Class Curator
• Art Ed Guru
• Art is Basic
• Art Room Blog
• Art Teacher Tales
• Art with Mr. E
• Arte a Scuola
• Brava Art Press
• Artful Artsy Amy
• Capitol of Creativity
• Create Art with ME
• MiniMatisse
• Mona Lisa Lives Here
• Mr. Calvert’s Art Room Happenings
• Mrs. Boudreaux’s Amazing Art Room
• Mrs. T’s Art Room
• Ms. Nasser’s Art Studio
• Party in the Art Room
• shine brite zamorano
• Tales from the Traveling Art Teacher
• There’s a Dragon in my Art Room
• 2 Art Rooms