Keeping a Journal

Journal Recipe

1. Get a book with plain paper that you like the look of. (I like a black 9 x 12 sketch book with 110 pages)

2. Get a pen that you enjoy writing and doodling with. (I like a narrow, black felt tip water based marker)

3. Make time each day to sit with yourself and write a bit, (The morning works best for me. I have a comfortable chair in the bedroom overlooking my pond and the bay in the distance.)

4. Just start in with the date and the weather and how you feel. Try not to get too focused on the day's to do list. If necessary, jot it down and get it out of the way so that you can move onto ideas and images. Just write a bit about stuff you might like to paint and doodle at bit and once you get into this habit ideas just seem to pop into the book.


Everyone who is thinking about coming a one of Joy's workshops should consider keeping a journal/sketchbook for at least one month prior to the workshop. This would be invaluable.

First of all, your journal sketch book will be completely private. You never have to show it to anyone. You can be honest about worries and take risks with ideas. Ever since I read a book called the 29 cent Therapist, I've been a fan of journaling. The premise of this book was that with a 29 cent notebook and taking the time to write down problems and concerns- a person can be their own therapist. My journal/sketchbook for an artist contains ramblings and snippets of ideas for future creative work. I find that I see the world differently because I'm open to collecting ideas for paintings. My visual memory is also enhanced because when I look at things as I drive along in the car, I'm also thinking of what approach I might take if I were to do a painting or how I will record this idea in my journal when I next have the chance. Often my journal sketch book is a place to collect ideas with supporting photographs and sketches. A lot of the planning is done in this book.