The Art Journal Challenge

by Rachael McCampbell

This article was published in the January 2018 issue of Nashville Arts Magazine

It’s January—time to take a moment to reflect on the past year and create intentions for the next one. For freelance artists (painters, writers, musicians, etc.), New Year’s resolutions often merge with business ones as our personal well-being is intrinsically related to our work life. Since we don’t get employee “sick days,” self- care is paramount for an artist’s survival. So, at the top of the list are resolutions such as exercising more, giving up fast foods, and getting more sleep. After that, time structure is a top concern.

Artists need a great deal of time to make art, promote it, and sell it, which is very time-consuming and often creatively draining. When my artistic side suffers, I seek balance. To help release stress and keep my creative juices flowing—I have committed myself to the practice of Art Journaling. Each morning, before anything else happens (phone and laptop turned off), I devote thirty minutes to my sketchbook. This is an unedited time of play, exploration, and subconscious dumping of my feelings and thoughts (and their visual interpretations) onto a page. My purpose? To release through words and images what I’m processing in my mind, unclutter it, let go of pent-up worries, and clarify what is truly important. This unedited art play allows me to experiment and try new things (perfectionism has no place here), which can lead to unexpected new ideas and creative techniques that I can apply later to my studio work.

Many famous artists, such as Leonardo da Vinci, Gauguin, and Picasso, kept art journals. Frida Kahlo kept an intriguing visual diary that documented what seems to be subconscious musings expressed without definitions or explanations. Not everyone is as fearless as Frida—it can be intimidating to stare at a blank page—where do I start? I suggest setting out a mixture of tools: watercolors, acrylics, colored pencils, pen and inks, charcoal pencils, acrylic pens, glue, and old magazines. Then take a breath, let go of your to-do list and start writing. Don’t edit—just write about the first thing that comes to mind. It might be a dream you had, a joyful thought, or a worry. If you are stuck, find a line from a favorite song or poem, write that down and see what imagery follows. Tear out images or words from magazines and glue them down—how do they speak to you? Maybe draw a self-portrait, a secret wish or something you are afraid of. What about a childhood memory? Just start making marks, cover them over, write again, paint again. Let the process guide you instead of the other way around.Art Journaling can be combined with Travel Journaling where you sketch what you see combined with your internal feelings about that place. I’m leading a trip to the Cotswolds this summer where I’m encouraging both subconscious and conscious journaling—sketching what we see or don’t see. Our impressions and feelings of an experience are often much more impactful than a literal record of it.

I invite you to join me in an art journaling practice in 2018. Please send me pictures of your outcome. Give yourself the gift of a few minutes a day to write and sketch about your internal life or simply paint your coffee mug . . . I promise, somehow your whole life will appear in that, too.

One tip: Keep a table with all your supplies set out and don’t move them. If you put them away, you are less likely to journal.

Join Artistic Adventures Abroad to the Cotswolds, July 23–August 3, with Rachael McCampbell.www.rachaelmccampbell.com.

: “Oarless Boats” diary entry, mixed media on paper, by Rachael McCampbell © 2018

: 30 min. journal entry, “Honey Bee” diary entry, mixed media on paper, 11 x 14″, by Rachael McCampbell © 2018

Posted in Column for Nashville Arts Magazine

Rachael McCampbell

180 Comments

Wimsourn on April 15, 2020 at 5:36 PM

plaquenil
Kimsourn on April 16, 2020 at 3:03 AM

hydroxychloroquine 200 mg tab
Amysourn on April 16, 2020 at 5:04 AM
Lisasourn on April 16, 2020 at 7:17 AM

clonidine hcl 0.1
Jimsourn on April 16, 2020 at 12:58 PM

hydroxychloroquine
Janesourn on April 16, 2020 at 6:07 PM
Janesourn on April 17, 2020 at 11:21 AM

cost of cymbalta rx
Kiasourn on April 18, 2020 at 6:30 AM

plaquenil buy
Ugosourn on April 18, 2020 at 10:22 AM

hydroxychloroquine 200mg
Jimsourn on April 18, 2020 at 12:09 PM

hydroxychloroquine
Ugosourn on April 18, 2020 at 10:19 PM

hydroxychloroquine online
Boosourn on April 19, 2020 at 4:35 PM

plaquenil
Wimsourn on April 20, 2020 at 1:17 AM

hydroxychloroquine over the counter
Kiasourn on April 20, 2020 at 3:07 PM

strattera pill
Kiasourn on May 7, 2020 at 6:15 PM
Kimsourn on May 7, 2020 at 6:29 PM

valtrex online prescription
Wimsourn on May 8, 2020 at 1:13 AM
web site on May 8, 2020 at 2:39 AM

web site indexletme işi.
Janesourn on May 8, 2020 at 4:07 AM
Kiasourn on May 8, 2020 at 10:52 AM

lipitor 40mg
Lisasourn on May 9, 2020 at 7:59 AM
Amysourn on May 9, 2020 at 11:30 AM
Janesourn on May 9, 2020 at 3:32 PM
Wimsourn on May 10, 2020 at 10:35 AM
buy hacklink on May 10, 2020 at 1:04 PM

google buy hacklink..
Lisasourn on May 11, 2020 at 12:11 AM
canlı sikiş on May 11, 2020 at 7:27 AM

google buy hacklink..
Kimsourn on May 11, 2020 at 7:37 AM
child porn on May 11, 2020 at 9:18 AM

google buy hacklink..
Kimsourn on May 11, 2020 at 9:23 AM

50mg seroquel
Wimsourn on May 11, 2020 at 6:09 PM
Amysourn on May 12, 2020 at 7:05 AM

buy synthroid without a prescription
Janesourn on May 12, 2020 at 2:37 PM
Kiasourn on May 12, 2020 at 5:00 PM
Lisasourn on May 13, 2020 at 2:06 AM
Kimsourn on May 13, 2020 at 10:20 AM

acyclovir 800 mg
Janesourn on May 14, 2020 at 7:41 AM

cialis 5 mg daily
Amysourn on May 14, 2020 at 4:32 PM

propecia hair loss
insurance quotes on May 14, 2020 at 6:19 PM

car insurance quotes comparison online
Emeryannox on May 14, 2020 at 9:44 PM

webcam girls free nude cam girls hot cam girls.
Speedy Cash on May 14, 2020 at 10:25 PM

unsecured personal loan
Arthurjough on May 14, 2020 at 11:50 PM

webcam girl best cam girl sites naked cam girls.
Lisasourn on May 15, 2020 at 2:07 AM

5mg cialis
Janesourn on May 15, 2020 at 3:37 AM

buy prednisolone tablets
google hacklink on May 15, 2020 at 6:13 AM

hacklink buy google..
Amysourn on May 15, 2020 at 2:52 PM

allopurinol 100 mg generic
porno izle on May 16, 2020 at 12:52 AM

hacklink buy google..
Cash Advance on May 16, 2020 at 2:44 AM

online loan applications
Payday Loans on May 16, 2020 at 1:04 PM

no faxing payday loan
Evasourn on May 16, 2020 at 1:29 PM

prednisolone 15
Online Loan on May 17, 2020 at 12:00 AM

https://loansonlinenb.com/
accurate automotive on May 17, 2020 at 1:41 AM

https://carinsurancequotes.us.org/
Amysourn on May 17, 2020 at 9:00 AM

cost of advair
Kiasourn on May 17, 2020 at 10:28 AM

buy wellbutrin
Evasourn on May 17, 2020 at 7:33 PM

misoprostol online
cheap insurance on May 17, 2020 at 8:29 PM

car insurance quotes
Pay Day Loan on May 18, 2020 at 8:32 AM

pay advance
Lisasourn on May 18, 2020 at 10:43 AM

buy propecia
Payday Loan Online on May 18, 2020 at 5:18 PM

cash payday loans online
Online Payday Loan on May 19, 2020 at 7:22 AM

online loan
Loans on May 19, 2020 at 11:19 AM

online loans no credit check
Kiasourn on May 19, 2020 at 3:39 PM

kamagra 100 tablets
porno izle on May 19, 2020 at 6:22 PM

haclink google buy child porn.
insurance quote on May 19, 2020 at 6:27 PM

nationwide auto insurance quote
Wimsourn on May 19, 2020 at 8:08 PM
Evasourn on May 19, 2020 at 10:46 PM

atarax uk prescription
Kimsourn on May 20, 2020 at 6:29 AM

cost of plaquenil in mexico
child porn on May 20, 2020 at 10:42 AM

haclink google buy child porn.
google buy hacklink on May 20, 2020 at 12:31 PM

haclink google buy child porn.
Wimsourn on May 21, 2020 at 12:05 AM

plaquenil 800 mg
Cash Advance on May 21, 2020 at 3:01 AM

https://loansonlinenb.com/
Instant Online Loans on May 21, 2020 at 3:46 AM

loan online
Janesourn on May 22, 2020 at 6:31 AM

buy allopurinol
Getting A Loan on May 22, 2020 at 7:21 AM

online loan
Payday Loans Online on May 22, 2020 at 8:07 AM

online payday loans instant approval
Quick Loans on May 22, 2020 at 12:22 PM

bad credit debt consolidation loans
Kimsourn on May 22, 2020 at 1:34 PM

anafranil 50 mg capsule
Pay Day Loan on May 22, 2020 at 2:13 PM

https://personaliloans.com/
Mocominguilleli on May 22, 2020 at 2:41 PM

cbd oil store http://cbdoilrx.us.com/ – cdb oils cbd cbd capsules
ins on May 22, 2020 at 3:06 PM

cheap car insurance quotes online
Payday Loans Online on May 22, 2020 at 3:43 PM

payday 2 xbox one
Kiasourn on May 22, 2020 at 4:26 PM
ins on May 22, 2020 at 8:30 PM

car insurance quote online
Lisasourn on May 23, 2020 at 6:01 AM
peaspDizePype on May 23, 2020 at 6:08 AM

hemp oil http://buycbdoilonline.us.com/ – cbd oil for sale cbd gummies walmart cbd vape
Royal CBD on May 23, 2020 at 1:43 PM

I relish, cause I found just what I used to be having a look for.
You have ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day.
Bye

P.S. If you have a minute, would love your feedback on my new website
re-design. You can find it by searching for «royal cbd» — no sweat if you can’t.

Keep up the good work!
SpoicSpectSoype on May 23, 2020 at 1:48 PM

hemp cbd cbd near me cbd store buy cbd oil online
peaspDizePype on May 23, 2020 at 3:05 PM

pure cbd oil http://buycbdoilonline.us.com/ – cbd oil at walmart cbd pills cbd pills
titygrarrably on May 23, 2020 at 5:42 PM

cbd products http://cbd-online.us.com/ – buy cbd oil cbd oil for dogs buy cbd oil online
Boaniaroyanda on May 23, 2020 at 6:03 PM

cbd products cbd medic cbd oil store
Payday on May 23, 2020 at 6:57 PM

personal loans low interest
SpoicSpectSoype on May 23, 2020 at 8:37 PM

cbd products cbd oil store cbd medic cbd for sale
Boaniaroyanda on May 24, 2020 at 12:05 AM

cbd for dogs cbd oil for sale cbd oil
SpoicSpectSoype on May 24, 2020 at 2:38 AM

pure cbd oil cbd store cbd oil online cbd near me
titygrarrably on May 24, 2020 at 5:43 AM

hemp cbd http://cbd-online.us.com/ – cbd pills best cbd oil buy cbd oil cdb oils
Boaniaroyanda on May 24, 2020 at 6:17 AM

cbd cream cbd oil cbd oil store buy hemp oil
Amysourn on May 24, 2020 at 9:03 AM
peaspDizePype on May 24, 2020 at 9:44 AM

cbd oil cbd tinctures medterra cbd
Evasourn on May 24, 2020 at 11:27 AM

buy albuterol pills online
Mocominguilleli on May 24, 2020 at 11:45 AM

hemp oil for pain cbd oil store cbd online
Boaniaroyanda on May 24, 2020 at 12:28 PM

cbd pure cbd oil for dogs cbd oil store cbd oil
esurance on May 24, 2020 at 12:52 PM

car insurance quotes comparison
lucilebohr639 on May 24, 2020 at 1:30 PM

cialis 5mg buy real cialis without a doctor’s prescription generic cialis from india
peaspDizePype on May 24, 2020 at 7:02 PM

cbd oil online cbd hemp cdb oils cbd vape
Pay Day Loan on May 24, 2020 at 10:33 PM

online loan application
Mocominguilleli on May 24, 2020 at 11:41 PM

cbd pure http://cbdoilrx.us.com/ – cannabis oil cbd oil for pain cannabis oil
BinysydayGync on May 25, 2020 at 12:19 AM

cbd medic http://cbd-oils.us.com/ – cbd capsules cbd capsules cbd tinctures
Boaniaroyanda on May 25, 2020 at 12:20 AM

cdb oils cbd pure cbd oil for sale
Cash Loan on May 25, 2020 at 5:12 AM

online loan
titygrarrably on May 25, 2020 at 5:35 AM

cbd vape cbd for sale cbd for dogs buy cbd oil
BinysydayGync on May 25, 2020 at 5:53 AM

buy cbd oil http://hempcbdoil.us.com/ – cbd oil at walmart cbd gummies cbd oil for dogs
meapTomeunsast on May 25, 2020 at 8:21 AM

cbd oil benefits best cbd oil cbd oil for pain
Mocominguilleli on May 25, 2020 at 8:29 AM

cbd for sale pure cbd oil cbd oil for pain buy cbd
peaspDizePype on May 25, 2020 at 9:19 AM

cbd oil for sale cbd hemp cbd oil store
SpoicSpectSoype on May 25, 2020 at 9:41 AM

hemp oil http://cbd-hemp.us.com/ – cbd oil cbd oil store cbd oils
Liladayidiobby on May 25, 2020 at 9:42 AM

cbd near me http://cbdoilinn.com/ – cbd oil online cbd gummies walmart cbd for sale
BinysydayGync on May 25, 2020 at 10:23 AM

cbd pure http://hempcbdoil.us.com/ – cbd oils cbd tinctures cdb oils
titygrarrably on May 25, 2020 at 11:40 AM

cbd capsules cbd gummies walmart cbd oil for pain cbd oil for pain
meapTomeunsast on May 25, 2020 at 12:09 PM

cbd gummies cbd vape best cbd oil buy cbd oil
Boaniaroyanda on May 25, 2020 at 12:30 PM

best cbd oil http://cbdoilstore.us.com/ – hemp oil for pain cbd gummies cbd near me
BinysydayGync on May 25, 2020 at 12:34 PM

medterra cbd buy cbd oil online best cbd oil
Loans Online on May 25, 2020 at 1:38 PM

personal loan bad credit
Liladayidiobby on May 25, 2020 at 1:58 PM

cannabis oil http://cbdoilinn.com/ – cbd oil for dogs cbd cbd pure
Lisasourn on May 25, 2020 at 3:38 PM
Janesourn on May 25, 2020 at 4:13 PM

buy albuterol no prescription
Liladayidiobby on May 25, 2020 at 6:13 PM

cbd oil for dogs cbd gummies cbd online cbd oil benefits
meapTomeunsast on May 25, 2020 at 7:01 PM

cbd products cbd oil for dogs cbd oils cbd capsules
peaspDizePype on May 25, 2020 at 9:46 PM

cbd oil for pain http://buycbdoilonline.us.com/ – cbd hemp oil cbd oil online
Amysourn on May 26, 2020 at 3:02 AM
peaspDizePype on May 26, 2020 at 3:39 AM

hemp oil for pain pure cbd oil hemp cbd cbd oil for sale
Bad Credit on May 26, 2020 at 4:50 AM

online loan
titygrarrably on May 26, 2020 at 5:43 AM

cbd near me http://cbd-online.us.com/ – cdb oils cbd tinctures hemp cbd
meapTomeunsast on May 26, 2020 at 6:09 AM

cbd oil at walmart http://cbd-hemp.us.com/ – cbd oil store cbd gummies cbd oil online
Cash Advance on May 26, 2020 at 7:44 AM

monthly loan
Janesourn on May 26, 2020 at 8:10 AM

cipro safe
meapTomeunsast on May 26, 2020 at 9:00 AM

cdb oils hemp cbd oil hemp oil for pain
nationwide insurance on May 26, 2020 at 9:37 AM

car insurance
Liladayidiobby on May 26, 2020 at 11:13 AM

buy cbd http://cbdoilinn.com/ – cbd gummies cbd pills cbd near me
peaspDizePype on May 26, 2020 at 11:23 AM

cbd oil for pain cannabis oil cdb oils cbd drops
meapTomeunsast on May 26, 2020 at 1:25 PM

cbd oil at walmart http://cbd-online.us.com/ – cbd cream cbd cbd store
meapTomeunsast on May 26, 2020 at 5:34 PM

cbd store cbd oils cbd oil for pain
meapTomeunsast on May 26, 2020 at 5:50 PM

medterra cbd http://cbd-hemp.us.com/ – cbd vape cbd gummies cbd tinctures
Liladayidiobby on May 26, 2020 at 5:55 PM

cbd gummies cbd oil at walmart cbd oil store buy cbd
Boaniaroyanda on May 26, 2020 at 6:37 PM

cbd pure hemp cbd oil cbd products cbd store
BinysydayGync on May 26, 2020 at 7:42 PM

cbd http://cbd-oils.us.com/ – cbd store hemp cbd cbd online
meapTomeunsast on May 26, 2020 at 7:52 PM

cbd hemp http://cbd-store.us.com/ – cbd store cbd products cbd tinctures
meapTomeunsast on May 26, 2020 at 8:11 PM

best cbd oil cbd gummies walmart cbd oil benefits cbd
Liladayidiobby on May 26, 2020 at 8:13 PM

cbd tinctures cbd products cbd gummies
meapTomeunsast on May 26, 2020 at 8:56 PM

cbd pure http://cbd-online.us.com/ – cbd gummies cbd oil benefits cannabis oil
Kimsourn on May 26, 2020 at 9:34 PM

atarax cost
meapTomeunsast on May 26, 2020 at 10:19 PM

cbd store cbd vape hemp oil cbd medic
peaspDizePype on May 26, 2020 at 11:59 PM

cbd near me http://buycbdoilonline.us.com/ – cannabis oil cbd hemp cbd oil at walmart
Boaniaroyanda on May 27, 2020 at 12:49 AM

cbd tinctures http://cbdoilstore.us.com/ – cbd oil for dogs cbd oil for pain cbd cream
Amysourn on May 27, 2020 at 12:52 AM
meapTomeunsast on May 27, 2020 at 1:26 AM

cbd gummies cbd oil for sale cbd medic
web site on May 27, 2020 at 1:42 AM

web site index google.
Liladayidiobby on May 27, 2020 at 2:39 AM

buy cbd oil online http://cbdoilinn.com/ – cbd oil online cbd near me hemp oil
Direct Lenders on May 27, 2020 at 3:24 AM

https://personaliloans.com/
Evasourn on May 27, 2020 at 7:10 AM

elimite over the counter medicine
meapTomeunsast on May 27, 2020 at 7:55 AM

pure cbd oil cbd oil store cbd products hemp cbd oil
peaspDizePype on May 27, 2020 at 7:56 AM

pure cbd oil cbd oil store buy cbd oil cbd tinctures
peaspDizePype on May 27, 2020 at 10:29 AM

cbd oil benefits cbd pills cbd tinctures
Liladayidiobby on May 27, 2020 at 11:16 AM

cbd near me http://cbdoilinn.com/ – hemp oil for pain hemp oil cbd hemp
Boaniaroyanda on May 27, 2020 at 1:21 PM

cbd pills hemp cbd oil cbd pure cbd pure
meapTomeunsast on May 27, 2020 at 1:22 PM

cbd gummies hemp oil for pain cbd oils best cbd oil
best insurance on May 27, 2020 at 2:06 PM

car insurance for young drivers under 21
BinysydayGync on May 27, 2020 at 2:21 PM

cannabis oil http://cbd-oils.us.com/ – cbd medic cdb oils best cbd oil buy cbd oil
meapTomeunsast on May 27, 2020 at 3:29 PM

cbd oil online http://cbd-hemp.us.com/ – hemp cbd oil cbd oil online cbd oils
meapTomeunsast on May 27, 2020 at 5:41 PM

cbd products http://cbd-hemp.us.com/ – cbd oil for sale cbd oil store cbd oil for dogs
Online Loans on May 27, 2020 at 7:22 PM

multi payment payday loans
Boaniaroyanda on May 27, 2020 at 7:23 PM

cbd gummies cbd online best cbd oil buy cbd oil
meapTomeunsast on May 27, 2020 at 10:12 PM

best cbd oil http://cbd-hemp.us.com/ – cbd buy cbd hemp oil for pain
SpoicSpectSoype on May 27, 2020 at 10:46 PM

cbd oil at walmart cbd products hemp cbd cbd oil for pain
Liladayidiobby on May 28, 2020 at 12:27 AM

cbd medic cbd oils cbd for sale
BinysydayGync on May 28, 2020 at 2:29 AM

cbd hemp hemp oil for pain cbd cream
Boaniaroyanda on May 28, 2020 at 2:35 AM

cbd oil at walmart hemp oil for pain cbd drops cbd drops
meapTomeunsast on May 28, 2020 at 2:57 AM

buy cbd oil cbd cream cbd oil store
meapTomeunsast on May 28, 2020 at 2:58 AM

cbd pure http://cbd-online.us.com/ – cdb oils best cbd oil cbd oil for dogs
meapTomeunsast on May 28, 2020 at 3:19 AM

buy cbd oil online http://cbd-store.us.com/ – cbd medic cbd oil at walmart cbd pure
SpoicSpectSoype on May 28, 2020 at 5:00 AM

cbd oil store http://cbd-hemp.us.com/ – cbd near me cbd oil for dogs medterra cbd