I’ve been art journaling/collaging for several years now, and I’m starting to realize what works for me and what doesn’t. Nevertheless, I like to try different things and shake things up from time to time. I’m sure there are products on the market that I’ll like even more than the ones I normally use, and it’s worth it to step outside of my comfort zone in an attempt to discover them. (For instance, I recently switched from using Mod Podge to using Gel Medium after seeing Samantha Kira’s supply list.)

For that reason, I decided to try using a new style of journal this year. The Moleskine gets so much attention that I decided to give it a shot. I’ve used them before as writing journals, but never as an art journal.

Long story short: it doesn’t work for me, and last night I realized that it was really raining on my art journaling parade. I love writing in it, but I don’t like making my messes in it. This morning I ran out and got the kind of art journal that I’ve now been using for over three years — the above spiral scrapbook, which I buy at Walmart (of all places!) for $6.88. It’s what I’m comfortable with. It’s the right amount of space, and it lays flat, and the pages are strong enough to handle everything I throw at them.

I think it’s important to experiment and figure out what really works for each of us, and I’m excited to start working in this book, even though it isn’t as cool as the moleskine.

So while we’re on the subject, let me tell you about another thing that I really love that I’ve never seen any other art journalers mention:

These brushes are intended to be stencil brushes. I use them for that, but what I really love them for is the way they work with water soluble oil pastels. These brushes are very firm, so instead of just smearing the colour around the page, they pull it in a way that is less messy and offers a little more control over where it ends up.

On another note, I am still sort of figuring out what I’m doing with this blog. I don’t think I’ll always talk exclusively about art-related things, but I’m sure you don’t want to know what I had for lunch, either. (If you do, it was a Kashi entree — Mayan Harvest Bake — and it was delicious.) So, bear with me while I get into the groove.