On Art and Writing (and how I know to re-write my artist statement)
I’ve never been able to carry small bags. I’ve always looked longingly at small clutches and petite crossbody bags, but the reality is I just can’t ever use them - I carry too many books.
I’ve mentioned that I always have multiple sketchbooks on my person (here’s a list of other posts with some of them) but in addition to those, I also always carry a dedicated notebook/journal.
Which is why those cute little bags will never be a possibility for me; my bag destiny lies in big totes and backpacks.
I’ve always kept a journal of some sorts. When I was younger these journals focused on the day to day, when I traveled I would document where we would go and what we would do, and when I painted - I’d write about painting.
When it started;
I began the writing about my art part a long time ago when I was frustrated with everything that I was making. I couldn’t describe to anyone else why I wasn’t happy with my work, so I tried taking a few pages to tell myself why I wasn’t happy with my work. It ended up taking a few more pages than that, but I was able to see where I was going wrong and where I wanted my work to go - and why it wasn’t there yet.
It was a bit of a ‘eureka’ moment for me, and I’ve continued to make this a layer in my art process ever since.
Why I Still do it;
If I’m starting a painting with a nebulous idea, before I start sketching I’ll take a few minutes to write about that idea. It doesn’t have to be complete sentences or make sense to anyone other than me. Sometimes it’s just words, or jumbled thoughts, but I always find myself going back and underlining certain words, maybe crossing others out, and through that process I end up distilling the idea into something a little bit more concrete. Then I move to my sketchbook.
It’s also helpful for me if I don’t have any ideas but am itching to paint. Rather than just start throwing paint around and potentially wasting materials (though, I do this sometimes too…) I’ll sit and record some streams of consciousness. I may not think I have any ideas to paint from, but usually through a bit of writing to myself something will bubble up to the surface and I’ve got a place to start.
Another reason I keep up this practice is for my customers. Buying an original piece of artwork usually stems from a connection to the piece. Be it the color, movement, title sometimes - there is something that wiggles it’s way into the heart of the buyer and stays. When someone is interested in a piece and is looking to know more I can flip back through the pages of my book and provide additional indepth details about the painting’s inception.
Titles! This is often how I narrow down the title of a painting. Words will pop up as I work and I write them down here, giving me a list to choose from.
However, the most important reason for me to write about what I paint is my Artist Statement. Re-reading what I’ve written can greatly inform the status of my statement and in the past has even written it for me. I use these pages to check in and make sure my statement is correct and that it is the place I’m actively working from, as well as a marker for noting if my work is moving away from that. If there are words that come up regularly, that I feel like speak to the nature of my work I’ll factor those in and build the statement around these tidbits. As an artist who formerly hated the whole statement writing/revising process, this has made that process painless and definitely more truthful.
What I write with: *Note; some of these links are affiliate links
My current notebook is a Shinola book. I’ve used Pentalic books, random blanks, anything and everything.
My pens; I love the Pilot Plumix collection. I use all three of the nib sizes and I adore the lines and letters I can make.
Currently I use only blue ink. I think it’s ingrained from childhood - I loved looking through my dad’s notebooks and and he also tends to use blue.
What about you? Does writing factor into your art process at all?
My Studio Bullet Journal
Well, it's not really a REAL bullet journal. I don't have the patience to make sure everything is lined up and perfectly straight (though I WISH I did, when executed with exactness bullet journals are so, so beautiful!)
It's taken a decade or two for me to understand that if I commit to a habit, I need to have wiggle room - and while a perfectly designed and measured bullet journal might work for a few days, it's not something I'll keep up. So, messy, unmeasured journal it is.
My main focus is to break the day down into blocks for scheduling, but also keep a running tab of non time-specific to-dos. Between these two and all the extra space for notes, sketches and other blurbs I have found my holy grail for keeping the studio organized.
The physicality of the journal is super important to me. This journal isn't something that leaves my studio, and I absolutely have enough filled books already -- so the bigger the better.
This the Art Alternatives Giant Sketchbook (currently out of stock on Amazon, but I have few others listed in my shop here) and it feels like a wizard's tome. It's really heavy, but when I pull it out to plan the day and hits my table, it feels like this sacred moment before finding some ancient bit of knowledge... it engages me completely.
If you've never kept a bullet journal before, there are a bunch of great tutorials on Skillshare. To sign up follow this link and get access to their videos for 2 months for just 99 cents! I think the most important part is to find a system that clicks with the way you work and the habit will naturally take root. I couldn't commit to a perfectly measured out grid book, and I imagine in some one else may not be able to keep a book that was as scrawly and uneven as mine. Find what works for you!
If you do keep a studio journal of sorts, I'd love to see it! Comment below with an image or link of your journal, or share your organizational practices - maybe I can learn something new :)
Journaling and Art
For as long as I've been making art, I've also kept journals.
These written snapshots have evolved from the gilded pages of my 4th grade diary; filled with scrawly notes on lunchroom drama, to the wirebound journals from college; mostly schedules, lists and to dos, to my current books; noting ideas for new paintings and chronicling our adventures around the globe.
I never regarded the practice of keeping a journal as anything terribly important, it was just something I did. However, as I have found myself looking back through my substantial collection (seriously, I use these babies as a night stand now... there's too many to fit in the bookshelf!) I noticed some really interesting trends that never occurred to me as I wrote.
My journals generally predicted the course of my art.
And that was pretty cool, also more than a little weird. I'd write bits of interesting research, scribble bits from books or games that inspired me, and then weeks later these would turn up in my work. I never made the connection.
My journals served as better artists statements than my actual statement.
Granted, they were much longer - but every time I explained (essentially to myself) what I was making and why, those few paragraphs distilled my thoughts and intent far better than the vetted statement I was using at the time. Looking through my previous entries has given me the vocabulary I was searching for when it comes to writing the statement.
Being able to harness that connection with the written self and having a text record from which to glean some truly personal inspiration has been an indispensable resource for my work.
Why should YOU keep a journal?
If you are anything like me, it puts you in a different mindset when it comes to creating. Words take the place of paint, and it becomes an exercise for an entirely different part of my consciousness.
As I wrote above, patterns and inspiration can be uncovered from previous passages... it can be a treasure trove when an artist is in a rut.
Artist. Statement. (see above)
When it comes to travel journalling, I love that I can go back to my books from those trips and re-read the scents, the smells, the adventure. It is like a portal through time.
It's fun. Also reading into years prior can be a very humbling experience... certain passages are just so cringe-y. (I'm looking at you 6th grade Ellen....) It's great.
Tips on Keeping a Journal
I know, I know, its so easy to talk about journalling - but committing to keeping one is an entirely different monster. I go through periods where I just don't want to write - and I think that's fine. It only works for me if it's not forced, when I've got something I want to say. But will make use of a few jump starts if I feel like I'm getting too far behind. Maybe some of these might help if you feel you want to start, but don't know how.
Set a time to write. 10 mins in the morning, 10 mins at night. I'll write about the day ahead, or funny dreams in the morning, and then sum everything up at night, or write about the day to come.
Carry your journal with you. Here in Miami, traffic will occasionally come to a dead stop on the highways. I've sat with my car off for 2 hours (once for 3!) just waiting for an accident to clear. No better time to whip out my little book and scribble away.
Use prompts. The internet is a gold-mine for all sorts of writing prompts, ranging from the thought-provoking and introspective to the absurd and silly, and everywhere in between.
Write out the lyrics to your favorite songs. I use this a lot if I feel particularly drawn to a song, and I generally include notes about what has hooked me so. (Lyrics, the singer's voice, the drums...etc)
Tape in things. If I want to just use up a few pages, or I've got some bits of paper I want to keep (ticket stubs, paint chips, palettes I want to play with) I'll devote a few pages just to my trusty glossy tape and create a sort of 'in-journal mood board'. These are great when traveling too. (Just don't accidentally tape your immigration papers in when you get past a checkpoint. I thought it was just a receipt!!!!)
What about you? Have any journalling tips to share? Leave a comment below!