Journaling for Yourself
 |
| 17 March 2013 Journal Pages |
I make my journals FOR ME.
I work in my journals to explore, express, document, process, play, meditate and to simply BE. Why is that not enough? Exercise, meditation, socializing, etc... are all socially accepted norms of different ways of spending your time but why isn't art journaling or even just art making? Why is it looked down upon as frivolous and a complete waste of time.
"Are you going to sell it?"
"What are you going to do with it?"
Why does everything have to come down to money and purpose? Why is it not socially acceptable to simply create something because you want to? Why is not deemed to have value?
I make my journals FOR ME. Yes, I want my son to have them when I die. I don't want them destroyed. Yes, I would be devastated if something happened to them. Yet, I make them for ME to process and experience my life in the moment NOW. Why is something so simple so hard for so many to understand?
Some food for thought for today.
Comments
blest be ;D
Kelly, you're so right, it is FOR ME. There doesn't have to be a reason, other than just because I want to do it.
When I went to my first art retreat earlier this year, the biggest surprise I had was how good it felt to be with other people who didn't ask those questions - they got it. They were just as excited to talk about washi tape and online classes and finding cool ephemera as I was.
So, Kelly, I "get" you. :-)
--Kimberly
How about: "Oh you play golf every weekend? How come? Are you gonna go pro?" ;)
I recently decided to cut down my working hours at my office job so I could have more time for my art and of course the first responses were along that samen line. I think most people are just trying to be kind, they would love it if I got to make money doing what I love the most. But making money with it, turning it into a job, is exactly what would take the joy away from me. Then it would become this stressfull thing with which I would have to pay the bills. There would be way too much compromise towards potential clients. No thank you. For me art is a practice, maybe indeed not unlike meditation or other personal practices. It's simply good for my soul and peace of mind. I just LOVE it, okay? ;-)
But yes, "I" do it for myself and because after all this time, I have to.