Journal the Ordinary: Make Illustrated Journal Pages of the Everyday

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO MY KZbin CHANNEL FOR MORE JOURNAL ARTS. Illustrated journal pages don't just come from an exciting holiday. A meaningful visual diary can and should be made from what happens in the day to day, our ordinary lives. Join me for inspiration and ideas from famous artists and from my own pages about ways to make the ordinary a witness to the journey that is your life.
To see my online course on making and keeping an illustrated journal, go here:
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My other online classes are at this link:
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To see printable scans of vintage paper ephemera from my private collection, they are here on Etsy:
www.etsy.com/u...

[@BookandPaperArts]

To see my online course on making and keeping an illustrated journal, go here: kelly-s-school-b1d1.thinkific.com/courses/the-book-of-you-making-and-keeping-a-visual-diary My other online classes are at this link: kelly-s-school-b1d1.thinkific.com/collections To see printable scans of vintage paper ephemera from my private collection, they are here on Etsy: www.etsy.com/uk/shop/BookandPaperArts

[@macarenamerino7731]

I'll do it for sure

[@gabrieljacobs2]

Husband speaking. Fascinating, Kelly. You never showed me! Please bring those two notebooks back from the studio so I can peruse them.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Done and done. Let the perusing begin!

[@gglydie4242]

Great video. Only halfway through I was so inspired, that paused to pick up my little sketchbook that I carry in my purse and sketched a cabinet in my living room where I'm sitting, that has 'stuff' on it. Then I wrote notes about the cabinet - it was my grandmothers, and I still miss her, but she's right here in my living room as I think of her when I see the cabinet. The 'stuff' - baskets from the highlands of PNG where I lived for four years of my childhood, a vase gifted from my very best friend, a basket filled with my beloved dogs toys and chew things. It made me realise this 'mundane' item in my living room holds all kinds of connection, memories and love in every piece! If I hadn't sketched it, I would have continued to just walk past it every day without really reflecting on it. Thank you 🥰

[@monikaazariah9237]

Such a beautiful video....my grandpa introduced me to the world of visual journaling....he taught me at the age of 11 to go straight in with a pen and document mundane things....he taught me the beauty in storytelling 😢😢😢 i miss him and have such beautiful journals of his

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Monika. Thanks for touching base. Your grandfather sounds like an amazing man and you have treasure in the journals of his memories that he left to you. Are you still making pages?

[@lynnehuey3020]

‘It doesn’t have to be the Sistine Chapel’ wow that really spoke to me, I feel that I must crate something great. Your video has made me realize the mundane things in my everyday life can be worthwhile & inspiring to paint/draw. Thank you.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Why thank you for touching base, Lynne. This truly makes me happy to hear. As a teacher one of the most common things I run into with creative people at ALL levels is the intimidation to make it perfect and meaningful every darn time. Well, sometimes fun and for-the-heck-of-it has its place. Keep me posted on your progress. Kelly

[@themadhousediaries]

My dad used to write travel journals. The other day I found a lot of notebooks in his stash and I felt like I stumbled upon a treasure from back in time

[@BookandPaperArts]

Yowza, that sounds amazing. I collect handwritten notebooks and diaries and it sounds as though you have some treasure there.

[@pilarguerrero12874]

I think that when we draw our own ordinary objects in life we are loing our life, and that is life-changing. When I was little someone told me my drawings were ugly and for many years I thought I was bad at art. However, time has taught me that my desire to draw is a call from my soul, it will never die, it will never change. And here, I am a testimony that your courage to draw your life resonates with me deeply, and the little girl who stopped drawing once finds your journal wonderful 💙. Thanks for sharing your journey. Much love to you 💙

[@BookandPaperArts]

Dear Pilar, Thank you for this very thoughtful message. It made me feel a little sting because I was also told that I was not good when I was child (who would do that???). This is one of the reasons that I now teach adults that they can and must be brave enough to draw and make NO MATTER WHAT. They are our pages and it is our life and it is way too short to listen to the haters. Happy making, dear Pilar! Kelly

[@pilarguerrero12874]

@@BookandPaperArts Thanks, Kelly!

[@garitadeldiablo]

Your grandma notebooks touched me deeply!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thank you, Garita. This is very nice to hear today. 🌻🌻🌼🌼🌷🌷

[@katherineelizabethco]

Lately I’ve been using my sketchbook to illustrate memories from the faraway past into my childhood. My memory is not nearly as sharp as it used to be when I was younger. I’m 75 years old now, having accumulated experiences that are crystal clear in my memory. This practice helps me to feel less anxiety about my memory losses. Thanks for an interesting video.

[@summerbreeze1955]

Thank you for sharing Kelly, luved the old Masters' bids and bods, and nana's note book, it gives you a glimpse of the past like a time traveller btw you are an excellent artist blessed be x

[@BookandPaperArts]

Why thank you. It is amazing how little details can capture and bring back so many memories and feelings. Visual journals are a compulsion with me. Thanks for stopping by!

[@lindaskelton4734]

Thank you. You are truly inspiring... I love keeping little books and hope to add more little sketches. I love the way they bring life to the page!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thanks for this message, Linda. It is truly nice to hear. I do like to fill up the page with extra letters or mark making, etc. I hope you make great pages!

[@julieodonnell8433]

omg i was just looking at your video and taking a compression bandage off my foot because its killing me with plantar fasilitis i havent beeen able to go for walks at all and i love it bcause i collect found things for my pocket ,im doing a sketching challenge at the moment so this is very helpful and inspiring hope yours healed up since this is two years ago .its aawful.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Julie. Yikes. It is especially awful when you are a walker. Well, I was a hobbler for months and months. You can find some therapeutic exercises here on KZbin that might make it less bad but it does go off in time and then, remember those insoles and healthy heels and don't give up! You're going to get there. Kelly

[@pirrmoments]

This is so beautifully put together! Thank you so much for sharing.❤ I've been sketching everyday scenes for a while now. It brings me so much joy and it's so inspiring, relaxing and heart-warming seeing everyday moments of others too.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Why thank you. That is truly nice to hear. I am putting together a new video on sketching the every day by using lists of our everyday stuff. Stay tuned! Kelly

[@pirrmoments]

@@BookandPaperArts Sounds fun! Thank you for the teaser. 😊

[@ArtJournalWithElsie]

New subscriber here! You've inspired me to start... I'm 16 weeks pregnant and it feels like a nice time to start recording life! I WILL! I looooove LOVED the little bit at the end with those two notebooks... Really special and inspiring. Thank you so much for sharing your sketchbook and these notebooks with us all! Wonderful that your grandmothers note keeping are now inspiring so many people to record-keep!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hello and welcome, Elsie, and CONGRATULATIONS. You are quite right - I would give a lot if I could go back and make a visual diary of those days when I was expecting and when my son was little (of course, I was too tired and freaked out at the time but if I could go back....😉) I hope you can make some pages of your own - even a doodle and a few words will get you started, I promise. Keep me posted and let me know how it goes. 🌻🌼🌷Kelly

[@bahaven1896]

Loved this. I really need to set time aside everyday and get sketching my life! Thank you

[@BookandPaperArts]

Maybe for the new year? It is time to make resolutions. 😺

[@bahaven1896]

@ haha..nah, just did after your video (smile)

[@AMIR-nm7fo]

...as simple as a pencil and a note book. Just take some time to relax and draw. Remember is NOT a picture, but your drawing, the way YOU see it. THANK YOU for your video.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thank you, Amir. True words. Sometimes just some marks and words can make a happy, meaningful page. I teach journal keeping and so many people are afraid of their books! Kelly

[@ZaraGurganious-h7u]

I still remember my late grandmother’s recipes, I plan to writing her old recipes from my mind, recipes are still in my memories so I plan my sketching book (new) looks old and writing old recipes from my grandma. I never want forgot my grandma’s old recipes. It has been since 1880’s something. She learn from her grandmother and mom.

[@BookandPaperArts]

How precious. Be sure and write yours, as wel, and add a doodle or two. It will be just as precious.

[@alexandraalmeida3661]

Hi, Kelly! Such an awesome motivating video! We tend to want to make art gallery pieces, which is so stupid. So many people make such beautiful art pieces that will never ever get to an art gallery. Our mundane (as you so beautifully said) life has so many interesting aspects if we have our eyes open. A bird that flew by our window, a cat sleeping in the sidewalk, our clothes drying, our house plants, our curtains flying in the wind when the window is open, the meal we’re about to eat... I love that example of Albrecht Dürer! I have a notebook that belonged to my grandfather. From the years of 1985 to 1992, he took note of so many things that make a story. He died when I was 35, in 2006, so I knew him well, we had a very close relationship and this is a treasure for me. As my father also takes note of his expenses, I asked him to give me two of his notebooks too and I have one from 1975, when I was 4 years old, and 1985, when I was 14! How cool is that? I can even illustrate that! Thanks for another wonderful video 💙♥️🧡💜💗💛💚🖤❤️😘🤗

[@BookandPaperArts]

Good morning, Alexandra. What lovely memories you have. Do you keep a notebook, too? I have written ones as well as visual ones; your grandfather's notebook sounds wonderful. I also collect old diaries and mostly they tend to be about the weather or truly mundane things and then there will be one or two sentences that give a window into a life of someone long ago I never met and there is something so poignant about all of it. Have a creative Sunday and thanks for your thoughts here! Kelly

[@alexandraalmeida3661]

@@BookandPaperArts I don’t keep a notebook, I tried but I just felt it wasn’t my thing 😂, but I keep an art journal. In my grandfather’s and father’s notebooks there are blank pages in which I can create art journal pages ❤️❤️

[@garitadeldiablo]

Nice family history, I never knew my grandparents, missed that experience…

[@alexandraalmeida3661]

@@garitadeldiablo I’m so sorry to hear that, grandparents are such special people in our lives. I miss mine a lot 💙💙💙

[@shreevas6160]

I loved what you said and how you said it. I don't know how to draw but I am serious about sketching. I too think that this is our life! we need to be capturing our stories in all its colour!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Shree, I sometimes say that I can't draw but I draw anyway. Ever notice how little kids never say "I can't draw". We can learn from that and just jump in and make pages and have a blast doing it. Hope you are having a creative week! Kelly

[@katsmith8263]

Thank you for this video! I gathered some new info for me! ❤❤👍👍

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Kat. Thanks for touching base. I'm so pleased that you got some ideas here. Hope you make great pages! Kelly

[@kizzyanel]

"And its the only journey we are gonna get." Ive been struggling with the realization of that. Sometimes it has frozen me. Thank yiu for this video, it has given me hope.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Kizzy. Yes, I've reached an age where it is on my mind quite a bit but it also motivates me to get up and live as much as I can every day. I hope you are having a creative weekend! Kelly

[@debrah3681]

Your beautiful video was exactly what I needed to come across at this moment in time. I have been comparing myself to great artists and guess what that does.. who knew I just needed permission to embrace the beauty of the mundane today.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Debra and welcome. Thank you for this lovely message. You are so right about comparing ourselves. I recently had an art date drawing side by side with a friend who started art school at the age of 16. I started a few years ago by drawing stick figure cartoons. At first I was intimidated by funny enough she like my drawing because I wasn't afraid of not being "good". So there. Let's go out and get 'em and have a creative weekend with no pressure. 🌷🌻🌼Kelly

[@lynnboyd33]

Kelly, this was a really delicious video! I loved that book, that you displayed at the beginning about all the found beach stones. All these really cool, little doo dads, that we walk by on a typical day, can be just transformed in a persons journal into something magical! Thanks for all of these simple reminders. And, thanks for sharing your granny's little egg books. Especially, with her own hand writing.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Lynn, I didn't add that I acquired these eggs books only because my mom caught my aunt about to throw them away, saying they were just some garbage. My mom, who is NOT sentimental, was shocked to the core, confiscated them, and gave them to her daughter who cherishes old paper. Whew!

[@lynnboyd33]

@@BookandPaperArts Well thank goodness for your moms intervention!

[@Candace999]

I've been watching a few of your older videos and find them so helpful and encouraging. Thank you for posting. Especially as a person that wants to make, and and is often waylaid by the challenged of starting.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Candace. I truly appreciate this feedback. In my experience as a teacher I have found that beginning, in general, and giving ourselves permission, in particular, are lessons to be shouted out over and over and over. So well done you for not giving up on beginning and getting in there as many times as it takes. Don't forget - it's only paper! Kelly

[@reginaeid1568]

All of this! Make treasures for future people! Your grandmothers small notebooks are proof of that- it gives me goose bumps to see them in your hands- what would she think? Great stuff once again, thank you!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Regina. And you know, I have the little notebooks because my aunt was about to throw them away! Said they were just taking up space. 😮😮 My mom grabbed them and gave them to me.

[@gabrieljacobs2]

Kelly and I went to Pompei and Herculaneum a few years ago. The most fascinating things of all are shopping lists scribbled on walls in 79 AD in the semi-literate everyday Latin of ordinary people: coliclo (cabbage), be (short for betam, beetroot), sina (mustard root), me?t (short for mentam, mint), pan (bread), sale (salt).

[@RozWilloughby]

I have some of my Mum's diaries and notebooks...they are precious. Thanks for the inspiration 😊

[@roksannastephens4375]

Hello Kelly. 👋 what an awesome video filled for helpful hints of master artists creating their art. Would love to frame that shopping list and hang on my wall in my kitchen. Awesome pebble book. Yes, this journey IS all we get,!! Why not journal it, just show up, like you said!! Love that!! Awesome little booklets, such a memoir. Wish I had such notebooks. I hope to leave such treasures for my family or whom ever else would appreciate them. Thank you again Kelly.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Roksana. I have made these books for most of my life, and for me. Now that I am of a certain age (ahem) I realise with every page that these books will outlast me. Whether this means they are for my son, or long-lost relatives unknown, or just as likely, for a stranger in a thrift store who trips over them one day in 40 years from now - and that's okay, too. Goodness knows I have enough diaries from strangers in other worlds and I do cherish those as well. Hope you have a creative week! Kelly

[@roksannastephens4375]

@@BookandPaperArts Beautiful Kelly

[@Ane-kh3yp]

I have just found your wonderful channel whilst browsing looking for inspiration. I love using a variety of arty / crafty media and techniques though am a dabbler and like to be inspired and having fun. I found you a great inspiration and have gone straight across to start one of your courses. I look forward to catching up on your channel and my creative journey with you. :)

[@kristinluvsdogs]

That shopping list from Michelangelo was so interesting!!! I was lucky enough to go to St. Remy once and saw the asylum where Van Gogh stayed. They still used art therapy with the residents. So interesting!! As always, thanks Kelly!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Wow, how amazing to go to St Remy! Maybe I should put it on the list. Thanks for touching base, Kristin. 🌻🌼🌷

[@kristinluvsdogs]

@@BookandPaperArts 🥰

[@Fclwilson]

I needed this. Thank you.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Fritz, thanks for touching base. And pretty sure you have one of the most interesting site names on KZbin! Kelly

[@teresavedovato3897]

C’est magnifique!...Bonne continuation...❤

[@BookandPaperArts]

Merci, Teresa. J'aime bien mes carnets de voyage. Et vous ? Est-ce que vous faite le carnet ?

[@lolly7608]

What a great perspective Kelly… you really provide food for thought. Oh…and those family notebooks… ❤

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thank you, Lorraine. And you know, a relative almost threw the notebooks out! Thought they were just some rubbish to be cleared away. Some people, I swear. 😮😮

[@kaitsarago4108]

Thank you for this video! It was informative and encouraging.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Kait, it is my very real pleasure. Thanks for stopping by! Kelly

[@roseymatilda745]

One of your previous illustrated journal videos convinced me to fill out the notebook that was a gift from my late Grandma that I’ve kept around for a long time. I haven’t been the most consistent with tracking moments (and I’ve largely gotten into the habit of making lists than doodles,) but in the half year I’ve been doing this now, it’s captured so many moments and feelings that prob would’ve been lost to time. I’m very close to finishing it and I can’t wait to start filling out other empty pads.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Rosey, thanks for this. You know, lists are powerful entries to diaries in that they really do sum up our experiences and planning them. I am addicted to pocketing shopping lists left in trolleys at the supermarket. It is like eavesdropping! So I sometimes add lists in my written diary and before I know it there are doodles and marks and vines and flowers and it kind of looks like a page. Thank you for touching base and I hope you have a creative Sunday. Kelly p.s. Well done you on your notebook. Your grandmother would be pleased!

[@vladalukianova]

It’s really amazing! Thank you for sharing!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Why thank you for touching base, Vlada. This is truly lovely to read. Kelly

[@shreevas6160]

my diaries are intensely personal but i feel i am missing out on a lot by not drawing my life. i cantvdraw at all but i will try. i am figuring out how to transition from personal diary to illustrated journal

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Shree. Well done with expanding. If it helps, when I started making visual diaries I couldn't even draw a stick figure cat so I glued everything: paper menus, receipts, ticket stubs, brochures, photos, and just wrote about them. Little by little I added mark making, colour, doodles, and from there I took a chance and made bad - but happy and surprisingly effective - drawings. Don't edit yourself and don't stop just getting stuff down on the page. Keep me posted! Kelly

[@shreevas6160]

@@BookandPaperArts oh that's a wonderful idea 💡 😀 thanks for sharing the tip. Will certainly be trying something!

[@crystaldubson7722]

Thanks for sharing this.

[@BookandPaperArts]

You are very welcome, Crystal. It is my real pleasure. 🌻🌻🌼🌼🌷🌷

[@esmeraldahuber5097]

I loved the examples you had for this video, I never thought about how these great artists used their talents for the everyday things like the grocery list. All of video was very inspiring as your videos tend to be. Thanks Kelly and I hope your foot gets better. I have a friend that has that and she says it’s very painful. Wishes for quick healing.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thanks bunches, Esmeralda. I first came across the idea of artists being real people when I saw an exhibition of Leonardo cartoons and part of it had bits of his stuff including a handwritten bar bill with a coffee (or wine) ring from the cup. THAT made me think of him just sitting and kicking it around in a little Italian joint in-between being all genius-y and stuff. Makes me smile. 😊

[@MummyBrown]

This is an EXCELLENT video. I myself have struggled with the “mundane” entries in my own journals, this offers me a new way of looking at these entries. I love your perspective!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Why thank you, Bee. That is truly nice to read. Now go have a creative Sunday! Kelly

[@macarenamerino7731]

I love this video. Thank you so much. I've been thinking for a while to "put my life on paper" and record all what I see to honour my life and be more aware of its moments . This video has truly encourage me to start. I love your style

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thank you for this message, Macarena. I do hope you grab a piece of paper and any old pen and get started! You are quite right that is a good way to witness our own lives and days and memories. I have early visual diaries that are drawn in such a primitive way with almost no supplies and they make me smile and I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing in a way I would not if I didn't see those childlike attempts at drawing with my handwritten notes. Keep me posted! Kelly

[@dawnthierry9838]

So happy this showed up in my feed this morning. I purchased your classes shortly before retiring in December and have yet to complete them but it is on my list of things I want to do-and will do. Very inspiring-thank you!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Dawn, boy do I know that list. I am taking January to stay off of the screen (social media, tv, etc.) and do all of the art lessons in my unwatched library, even if it is in ten minute segments and it's working. Already getting more done. So here's to making pages! Kelly

[@petergordon4456]

Hiya this is very interesting to me I was just thinking to myself the over day I should write& doodle on a book as thought about the Travel books I used to do now some where in the attic I used to enjoy doing so now going to get one &start one thanks for the inspiration.hope you get better soon with your foot had that very pain-full Thoughts with you Peter Scotland xx

[@dianadee23]

What a lovely idea. Thanks for sharing, Kelly

[@BookandPaperArts]

Diane, it is my real pleasure. I hope you make some fun pages! Kelly

[@lizaldam2157]

Great video!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thank you, Liz!

[@debbieyanta5753]

Loved the video...talking about the little books from your great grandmother..I have 2 record type books of my grandfather .he kept track of everyday and what he purchased and the price..another book is his trips across the US with every expense and mileage etc. If you have any ideas what to do with these pages notebooks..I'd love to hear it Seems a waste to just put them on a shelf 🤔..

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Debbie. How cool. I do so much collage and book altering that - is it weird the only meaningful thing I can think of is to create a scrapbook/art journal of your grandfather and/or family and add some of the pages in pockets so they can be removed and read on both sides rather than glued down. Or even make the notebooks part of a bigger journal book in an oversize pocket or bound in somehow. Let me know if you come up with something else. Kelly

[@Elphie204]

This is so true. Looking back at my illustrated journals from the past years there are random sketches and bits of paper that remind me of what was happening in life at that time from colorful DNA results to my kids' favorite things to new art suppies 🙂

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Laura, you are so right, especially about our kids as that goes so darn fast. My son is grown but I used to make sketches of him doing ordinary stuff. They were not good, not much more than stick figures but when I look at them now I have a powerful sense of that time that isn't coming back and I am so glad I did not wait until I could draw or had the perfect notebook. Kelly

[@dassodia]

Thank you for this video, Kelly. YOU make the world a better place, and I like that you encourage others to do the same. The course is great, and I'm enjoying making my own Book of Me! I'm almost finished with the course, and I hope that it will still be available for me to review because I didn't take notes. 🙃

[@BookandPaperArts]

Why thank you. I am tearing up with your kind words. One of my New Years resolutions (yes, I do that) was to/is to preach, pep talk, and cheerlead about how making makes us bolder and how and why that is needed in this crazy world so thank you for the vote of confidence! And yes, indeed, you can watch the course as much as you like. If you have trouble getting back in, let me know. Also, you can download the lessons to watch offline or to make sure you have them stashed somewhere. I hope you have a creative weekend! Kelly

[@valisha.1111]

thank you💓💗💗💗

[@reginacrotser4080]

I think you’ve convinced me to give it a shot! 😊

[@BookandPaperArts]

Why Regina, that is what I want to hear. You have made my evening. Keep me posted on the progress!

[@ZaraGurganious-h7u]

Wow, old balance book. Lucky you that you keep your grandmother’s balance.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Yes, Zara. And my aunt almost threw them away! I cherish them.

[@emilyinwhite]

Kelly, you just made my day!! ☺️

[@Lucyverre]

I thank you much for this. And yes I totally agree with you. Someone else also wrote this here and I agree: you make the world a little better

[@BookandPaperArts]

Lucy, I am very touched. It makes me happy to hear this. In real life I am a very lucky woman and can do whatever I want with my time and more and more I think - we have enough of so many things and not enough real encouragement and positive hope and hoping so - I decided that I would try to do it. 😁

[@katsmith8263]

5:06 Michelangelo was Illetareate?

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Kat. It was Michelangelo's assistant who was illiterate. 😊

[@Vinterbukser]

You were lucky to get the Denby for £1 : o

[@BookandPaperArts]

No kidding! It was at a car boot here in Swansea and I guess they didn't want to haul it back at the end of the day. Also got two Denby bowls! That was a good day. 😺

[@saraharris2699]

Thxs

[@ladyinblack1964]

Are you familiar with the work of @Cynthia Morris? She is an artist, a creativity coach and a writer. She has some flip-throughs of some terrific travel journals on her channel.

[@londawhitt6841]

😊👍👋

[@barrylytle5118]

You make the ordinary look interesting. Nothing interesting about driving a bus full of screaming, rude, disobedient children....lol