Art Journals & Some Creative Inspiration (or Admiration….)
By random chance I have found myself looking at people’s journals this weekend. It turns out that there are some very creative people who have turned keeping a journal into an art form. I was dazzled by people using colorful paints or pencils, using collage of photos, ticket stubs, magazine cut-outs, & the like.
I thought I would share these images because they each have something to offer. Many of these are eye-candy, but I have also thrown in some nuggets that might inspire YOU and ME to either keep a journal. It can be a simple calendar with colored writing, a sketch book, or creative writing/ idea journal. Or maybe we’ll just enjoy these and say “WOW”.
I have never kept a journal like these, though I once made a nice photo album scrapbook from my honeymoon photos & collected papers from the European vacation. When I was in the Peace Corps, I did keep a calendar journal. It was not aesthetically pleasing, but kept track of my adventure. Mostly these make be say “wow”. Since I get to work creatively for a living, I’m usually tapped out by the end of the day. I love that there are people out there who are this passionate.
If you would like to see a stunning (larger) collection of journal photos and ideas, you can follow this live link to my “pin page”. If you follow the link, each of the images, when clicked twice, will take you back to their original source. (I had better mention that I have NOT read most of these texts all the way through. I hope there is nothing R rated in any of these photos~!)
St Francis Quote in Art Journal – I like when people put text on their pages. There are so many inspirational quotes to choose from~! Loving the sideways drips and use of simple shapes here.
Artistic Scripture Journaling: Koi Watercolors – I love how this notebook uses boxes with text and simple images. To me, this has an “I could do that, I should do that~!” feel to it.
A Bad Attack of Wounded Vanity – This one it very pretty to me. Love the use of color. But, this isn’t just art. This is actually the person’s journal. She’s telling a story about something that happened to her. The collage pieces make it more interesting.
Mendocino – Neat Mixture of Collage & Text – I didn’t finish reading this one. I do like it as art. I should let this inspire me to do something creative.
Inge Kolstee: Art Journal – Great colors, simple shapes go a long way.
Four Letter Words Journal Page – Words cut out of magazines. A collage.
Creative Colored Writing – I’m guessing that the border was already printed on the page, and the person wrote their thoughts in varied colors, and different angles. This is within reach for all of us, even if we feel creatively challenged.
A Sketchbook with writing, sketches, and some watercolor. Charming and not overstated.
Doodles and photos in a sketchbook – this is also within reach for most of us, a little creativity goes a long way here.
A Picture Illustration of James Chapter 1
Creativity in small sections – Another one that could inspire us all. You don’t have to worry about messing it up. Cute sketch? Glue it in, Bad sketch? Recycle the paper~!
Katie’s smash book pages 7 and 8. Inspirational Quotes. – I might have just learned what a “smash book” is. 
Beautiful journal page (by Pam Garrison) – Love the colors~! Love the numbers~! Love the use of different fonts. Nice piece of artwork.
“To thine own self be true”. A page from an art journal. – I like the use of color, and the shape of the writing layout on this one. (PS – “To thine own self be true” is not from the Bible.)
Blog Fodder, Quoting the artist: “Everything i put in my journal..plus bible verses and recipes” – You have to follow this link for more inspiration. There is more to be found. Notice how the back ground color is not pure orange~! Love it~! The collage is a pleasing bonus.
10 ways to improve your sketchbook – Just for more inspiration….
A site with various journal articles (art, watercolor, 365 words, etc.)….. one-word-art-journal-prompt – Follow the link to get the words~! Remember to CLICK TWICE.
Journalling Prompts – more ideas. I also like the way they are presented.
Art Journal Progression – Love this as a work of art~! I can’t belive people keep journals like this. Look, this one is from Friday, Nov. 11. Jeepers~! This one makes me jealous~!
This is just so pleasing to look at…lovely writing, graceful lines. Beautiful! – <<- This is the comment that came with the photo. I agree~! Plus, note the simple use of color, and what it brings to the black and white page. Oh, I also admire that the writing is “sideways”.
Holiday Journal Page – This is charming in every way. Jealous again~!
Bliss Journal Page by Roben-Marie Smith – While there seems to be a lot going on here, I’d like you to notice how simple the shapes are. I think a person who thinks they have limited talent could learn a lot from copying this page. The color is lovely, and could be duplicated to some degree. Don’t expect to nail it exactly, but use it for inspiration if you are running low on your own.
JEALOUS AGAIN……. 
Neat web site with interesting ideas for journals – (Follow the link, I didn’t). This is a lot of collage with writing on it. Makes it look very rich and complex. It makes me want to page through the whole book.
Moleskine, #041 – This is where my inspiration began, a moleskine sketch. I have never written on, or even felt moleskine, but google it…. look for images. There is a whole movement out there dedicated to these notebooks.
Be Who You Are: Karenika inspiring collage {art} journal – The text says it all, right~! But, look at the edges of the pages. I like how this person colors outside of the lines~! I’d like to see more of these pages, too~!
Fortify My Life 
JUST STARTED A NEW JOURNAL AND IT’S SUPPOSED TO BE MOSTLY JOURNALING, BUT … I LOVE ARTWORK IN MY JOURNALS – OF WHICH I HAVE 4 ONGOING RIGHT NOW. I LOVED THE POST AND WILL INCORPORATE SOME OF THE IDEAS. I STARTED WITH THE DIAGONAL ONE WITH THE JOURNALING ON THE RIGHT AND THE DOODLING ON THE LEFT. THANKS FOR SHARING.
I went nuts looking at all these amazing ideas. It was a bit overwhelming, really. Glad you dove right in~!