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Book review and giveaway: Raw Art Journaling


Quinn McDonald defines Raw Art Journaling as  a journal of nothing but your work, full of meaning to you, but not necessarily perfect.  If you've tried to keep an art journal before and failed, this book might be a good stepping stone for you.  It really is aimed mostly at people who don't already journal, or who have not had success with it.

Do you want to give it another try?  Quinn talks to you about clearing out the critic, which holds so many of us back from enjoying our journals.  She also spends some time on how to get past the blank page.  One chapter is all about journaling with words instead of art, allowing that to be your springboard.  Quinn covers found poetry, single word journaling, and one sentence journaling, all of which I think could be especially helpful if you've never journaled successfully before.

Another chapter looks at turning words into artwork.  This is probably my favorite chapter, even though the "artwork" is very basic and doodlish...it's still fun and it can get you going.  I liked the suggestions she calls free-floating bubbles and a word oasis the best.  Then the next chapter gets into journaling through actual imagery, even if you can't draw.  Finally, Quinn shows six different easy styles of journals that you can make to suit your own needs.

A section that I skipped, but is actually pretty important, is Quinn's chapter on how to hide your secret thoughts.  Not everyone is comfortable with putting it down in writing and leaving it there for others to find.  She shows several helpful ways to obscure, either temporarily or permanently, the secrets of your heart.  So if that's what has been holding you back, get over it and let's start a journal!

GIVEAWAY ALERT!!!

If you'd like to win a copy of Raw Art Journaling, here's what you need to do...please read this carefully.  Leave me a comment here and include your email address.  If I don't see your email address, I won't be able to contact you.  No contact, no win, and I simply have to go on to the next person.  You are welcome to spell it out if you'd prefer, for example, cyndi at mazeltovjewelry dot com.  If you tweet or post on Facebook or other social spots about the contest, you can leave a second comment and be entered twice!  Deadline: April 24, 2013








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Comments

This is something I really need. I've not had much luck at all up to this point. Rtownsend7@roadrunner.com
VivJM said…
This sounds interesting & I would love to win a copy.
Email is@ viv[dot]manning[at]gmail[dot]com
pupton said…
I have not been able to journal any way but infrequently. Maybe this book can help! Your review indicates it can. We shall see...
Cat said…
Looks like a great book! Thanks for the chance to win a copy. cathrynanne1952@aol.com.

Cat
Gill said…
This sounds a great book - it could be just what I'm looking for!
gillwatson(at)mailbox(dot)co(dot)uk
ginigin said…
Looks like a great book to shake up my journaling. Thanks for the great giveaway! cooper@swva.net
Rosie said…
I have been wanting this book for a very long time. Thank you for hosting the giveaway! :) rosie[at]atomicwhale[dot]com
Sofie Kelly said…
This looks like a lot of fun! Thanks for the chance to win!