We are what we repeatedly do.
Excellence, then, is not an act,
but a habit.

Will Durant

Art journaling has been my “habit” now for 20+ years. I’ve also had paper journals for writing, which my mother encouraged me to start when I was 13 years old. I’ve kept a written journal on and off since then, at times favoring writing over art making. 

I guess you could say, in one way or another, I’ve been expressing myself on paper most of my life. My art journals are my dearest friends – always there when I need them. I can’t always depend on people, but I know my journals are here to get me through each day. No matter what mood I’m in, no matter if the sun is shining brightly or if it’s pouring rain on my head. 

oil pastels over acrylic paint

Some pages hold my deepest secrets beneath the layers, things I could never say out loud. When I look back through an old art journal from 10 or 15 years ago, I might not remember the words I wrote under the paint, but I do (sometimes) remember the mood I was in, what I was thinking about at the time, and what was going on in my life.

Painting is just another way of keeping a diary.
Pablo Picasso

I’m pretty sure the only reason I have boxes & shelves full of finished art & handwritten journals is because of my mother’s encouragement. I still have my first paper handwritten journal in my possession. It’s written in pencil so faint, I can barely read now, but it is hilarious to read. I think I had to be the most naive 13 year old kid on the planet. haha!

I’d like to pass on my Mom’s wisdom, and encourage you to start your art and/or written journal. 🙂 It doesn’t matter if you’re 13 or 113, I recommend starting today. It doesn’t have to be fancy. You can start where you are, and use what you have. You don’t have to buy expensive books, pens or art supplies. I often art journal in Mead notebooks that cost .50 at Walmart. I buy them in bulk, so I always have one on hand. They’re so cheap, and affordable. It’s hard to think of them as precious, but I do..because they’re mine, and each one holds a chapter of my life story. 

Write, play, scribble, draw, paint, and start creating your life story today.  

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See my artwork in a new movie – The Whale starring Brendan Fraser, which will be released December 9th, 2022. 

If you haven’t checked out my eBay store in a while, you should. Some artwork I have marked down to only $10 or $15. I add new stuff every single day. Same goes for Etsy.  

I’m also accepting orders for custom paintings, and drawings. Because commissions take a great deal of time, Christmas delivery isn’t possible at this point in time. 

As always, if you want to say hello or have any questions you can write me here. I love getting email, and hearing from you. 

Other places to find me online.

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