Thank you for sharing your journals, they are inspiring. I like the delusions journals for my art journaling. I do have cheaper ones I use and of course my nighttime journal where I do a short resume of the day. I’m trying to Destash things I’ve not used in a long while or won’t use again. Clothes, yarn and currently 2 electric spinning wheels. Making space to think in and hopefully enjoy creating more.
I looked up the dylusions journals and found one that looks great. I, too, am using up materials and supplies in my studio and/or sharing the excess, although I thinned out A LOT since last spring so I am coming close to what I imagine (hope?) I can use up in my lifetime. Maybe it's because it's Capricorn season but I'm feeling inspired by the limitations of what I already have.
What a wonderful essay! I am embarrassed to admit that I have many supplies but have failed to follow through with any artistic journaling. I have some journal drawings from my early herb learning days but stopped after that. The phenology wheel is gorgeous and I do simplified version using composition books. I record the date, temps, weather conditions, animal sightings and visits, and plant appearances.
There are so many ways to record our time in nature. I barely mentioned using words rather than images. I love composition books as a base. I've only done a little on lined pages over the years but some of my favorite published journals use these, including Lynda Barry's WHAT IT IS. It's nostalgic for me.
One thing Substack has taught me is how much we all benefit when we each authentically share, however imperfectly, whatever we feel most passionately motivated by. Seeing someone else with more mastery in a given area reminds me that I don’t need to reinvent that particular wheel in my own personal life. I can contribute my own unique “wheel” and we can all move forward some. 💚
Leenie, thanks for all of the details of what works for you in your journaling. And thanks for the encouragement of using things as small as palm sized papers. Love that! I see that - yes they can be pasted into either journals or other works! :-) As to transitioning into 2025 I started in November with my continuing annual new years resolution of cleaning out drawers and cupboards. After living in the same 2 story house for 30+ years, it is a big job. But I am making steady progress. I have also begun detaching from my TV. My being a news junkie has not served me well. On the way, I found Comcast/Xfinity about as easy to deal with as a porcupine. But that is a story for another day. Living out in the wilds of the Olympic Peninsula I need Comcast/Xfinity for WiFi and sad to say, they know it. sigh But I have managed to slip my daily intake of MSNBC and am all the better for it. :-) I also will be giving my walls new paint jobs! A room at a time with attention to details. It seems a good use of the forced ignorance we will all be enduring for the next few years. Happily, I have good old Mother Nature in all of her splendor supporting me every day in so many ways! Looking forward to your 2025 posts, Leenie! Blessings to you in the New Year!
Oh, the new walls will be such a refreshing perspective and the work will probably be satisfying in itself. Kudos to you on limiting your news consumption. My mother made a similar move a couple of years ago and it truly had a significant impact on her mental health, ability to sleep more soundly, and peace of mind. Yes, big challenges ahead. Breathe. I know I will need lots of time outdoors and plenty of intentionality when I am working inside. We've been in this home for 30 years, too, so I can totally relate to cleaning out the hidey holes and storage spaces. We've made a lot of progress since last spring but there is still plenty more to do. Blessing and best wishes in the New Year, Sandy!
Leenie, love hearing how your mother has benefited from downsizing her news in-take. Please let her know, that I too am benefitting from doing this. My mind and body are calmer. And guess what? I seem to have more time to do the things I love!!! :-) Must admit I was surprised at the very addiction like angst that I went through for the first week. But, after that it has been so much better to live without the constant so called breaking news. Hah!
Oh, do make the fountain pen leap. There are many used ones out there, too, if you'd rather not buy new. Some have replaceable nibs, so you can choose your tip of choice, and I'm a big fan of the refillable cartridges, too. Then you can become an ink specialist, as well. In working to de-colonize my studio practices (and transition my creative endeavors towards local/wild/sustainability) this has been an intriguing side-path. Enjoy the explorations!
Update: I found a used Lamy Safari Cosy fountain pen and it will be on its way to me soon. Maybe I will look up some care and keeping videos while I wait. 💚
You are such an inspiration, Leenie! Thank you for mentioning the coloring books--wonderful for those of us who are still learning to appreciate color on paper.
Thank you for sharing your journals, they are inspiring. I like the delusions journals for my art journaling. I do have cheaper ones I use and of course my nighttime journal where I do a short resume of the day. I’m trying to Destash things I’ve not used in a long while or won’t use again. Clothes, yarn and currently 2 electric spinning wheels. Making space to think in and hopefully enjoy creating more.
I looked up the dylusions journals and found one that looks great. I, too, am using up materials and supplies in my studio and/or sharing the excess, although I thinned out A LOT since last spring so I am coming close to what I imagine (hope?) I can use up in my lifetime. Maybe it's because it's Capricorn season but I'm feeling inspired by the limitations of what I already have.
What a wonderful essay! I am embarrassed to admit that I have many supplies but have failed to follow through with any artistic journaling. I have some journal drawings from my early herb learning days but stopped after that. The phenology wheel is gorgeous and I do simplified version using composition books. I record the date, temps, weather conditions, animal sightings and visits, and plant appearances.
There are so many ways to record our time in nature. I barely mentioned using words rather than images. I love composition books as a base. I've only done a little on lined pages over the years but some of my favorite published journals use these, including Lynda Barry's WHAT IT IS. It's nostalgic for me.
You are so talented Leenie! Thank you for generously sharing. 💚✍️
One thing Substack has taught me is how much we all benefit when we each authentically share, however imperfectly, whatever we feel most passionately motivated by. Seeing someone else with more mastery in a given area reminds me that I don’t need to reinvent that particular wheel in my own personal life. I can contribute my own unique “wheel” and we can all move forward some. 💚
Beautiful sentiment, beautifully said 💗
Leenie, thanks for all of the details of what works for you in your journaling. And thanks for the encouragement of using things as small as palm sized papers. Love that! I see that - yes they can be pasted into either journals or other works! :-) As to transitioning into 2025 I started in November with my continuing annual new years resolution of cleaning out drawers and cupboards. After living in the same 2 story house for 30+ years, it is a big job. But I am making steady progress. I have also begun detaching from my TV. My being a news junkie has not served me well. On the way, I found Comcast/Xfinity about as easy to deal with as a porcupine. But that is a story for another day. Living out in the wilds of the Olympic Peninsula I need Comcast/Xfinity for WiFi and sad to say, they know it. sigh But I have managed to slip my daily intake of MSNBC and am all the better for it. :-) I also will be giving my walls new paint jobs! A room at a time with attention to details. It seems a good use of the forced ignorance we will all be enduring for the next few years. Happily, I have good old Mother Nature in all of her splendor supporting me every day in so many ways! Looking forward to your 2025 posts, Leenie! Blessings to you in the New Year!
Oh, the new walls will be such a refreshing perspective and the work will probably be satisfying in itself. Kudos to you on limiting your news consumption. My mother made a similar move a couple of years ago and it truly had a significant impact on her mental health, ability to sleep more soundly, and peace of mind. Yes, big challenges ahead. Breathe. I know I will need lots of time outdoors and plenty of intentionality when I am working inside. We've been in this home for 30 years, too, so I can totally relate to cleaning out the hidey holes and storage spaces. We've made a lot of progress since last spring but there is still plenty more to do. Blessing and best wishes in the New Year, Sandy!
Leenie, love hearing how your mother has benefited from downsizing her news in-take. Please let her know, that I too am benefitting from doing this. My mind and body are calmer. And guess what? I seem to have more time to do the things I love!!! :-) Must admit I was surprised at the very addiction like angst that I went through for the first week. But, after that it has been so much better to live without the constant so called breaking news. Hah!
Oh, do make the fountain pen leap. There are many used ones out there, too, if you'd rather not buy new. Some have replaceable nibs, so you can choose your tip of choice, and I'm a big fan of the refillable cartridges, too. Then you can become an ink specialist, as well. In working to de-colonize my studio practices (and transition my creative endeavors towards local/wild/sustainability) this has been an intriguing side-path. Enjoy the explorations!
Update: I found a used Lamy Safari Cosy fountain pen and it will be on its way to me soon. Maybe I will look up some care and keeping videos while I wait. 💚
Any recommendations, Joy? I love the tip to look for used because I would like to try a few different ones. Thanks!
You are such an inspiration, Leenie! Thank you for mentioning the coloring books--wonderful for those of us who are still learning to appreciate color on paper.