The Art of Journaling
Rachael Mattison
What is the importance of documenting outside of a digital landscape? What is the importance of physical expression? I started making hand-bound journals in Spring 2020, which was the start of my journaling sketchbook series. Through journaling, I created a system of self-expression that taught me how to be more observant, compassionate and understanding of my external and internal experiences.
Psychological research has shown that journaling stimulates cognitive benefits by better understanding our thoughts and emotions, especially avoidant or negative thoughts. By expressing our innermost ideas, thoughts and feelings, we accept whatever may be and grow from it. Although methods of journaling vary across digital and physical forms, my most effective mechanism of journaling is drawing and writing in a personal, hand-made book.
How can I use the anatomy and physical experience of a book to share not only the artistry of journaling but also the additional benefits of wellbeing? A book is the most intimate way to intake information because the process of turning each page takes time and physical effort.
The Art of Journaling aims to investigate the intimacy and prosperity of experiencing digitally rendered content from a physical personal archive through abstracting, zooming in and segmenting my illustrated, written and collaged journaled content from Spring 2020 until Spring 2022. The Art of Journaling serves as a prelude to a life-long series of self-expression through writing and drawing and all the love, pain and beauty that comes along with it.