Rory has always enjoyed creative hobbies like crochet, dance, and zine-making as part of her busy life, but only discovered art journaling in 2020. She fell in love with the supportive and inspiring community and the freedom and versatility of this art form. It’s now her favorite tool for creative expression, processing (and escaping) day-to-day life, self-exploration, and finding a meditative flow.

What is art journaling to you?

Art journaling started as my excuse to practice fine art skills I’d always thought were out of reach, to use supplies I’d collected over time, and to spend some creative quiet time alone.

I quickly learned that it was also the visual version equivalent of free writing — a chance to get thoughts and feelings out of my mind and body and onto a page. Over time it’s evolved into even more.

Art journals are a safe space to practice improvising and trusting our intuition, and to cultivate the open beginner’s mindset that’s essential in all forms of creativity. My journals have led me to new ideas and brought me back to old ideas, and connected me to some amazing friends.

It’s an escape, even if some days that escape comes five minutes at a time. It’s incorporated into my spiritual and meditation practices. It’s also the root of all my other creative efforts now, because the free spirit and ideas I’ve nurtured in my journals come out in all of my other art, writing, even things like baking and dance.

What does community do for your art?

Community keeps me showing up and reminds me what I care about. Knowing that I might share something I’m creating with my art community helps me make sure what I’m putting on the page is true for me, in the moment. That way I connect with others on a raw, honest level — which might be heavy and deep, or might just mean sharing a laugh, or creeping someone out when you like to make spooky things.

Being part of a community also motivates me to act fast when I have an idea. Do you ever have a great idea, and suddenly you see a dozen other people who apparently had the exact same idea? I love that we’re all on the same wavelength but regret it when I put off the work and feel left behind! My current motto is to dig deep and work fast. I can always expand on an idea later, but it’s so helpful to get it on the page when it’s fresh and exciting.

What does your creative space look like? Where do you journal?

My creative space is a small desk in the corner of my bedroom. It’s surrounded by little shelves full of art and inspiring objects, and rolling carts full of supplies. It’s also my altar and my writing desk and just my happy space. I dream of having a big art studio one day… with much better lighting… but my current space is magical in its own way, and it has gotten me this far!

What is your biggest barrier to creating? And how do you overcome that hurdle?

Like so many other artists, my biggest barrier is limited time. I work full time as an audit manager and am a mom (and that just scratches the surface). Falling in love with art journaling helped me realize that I really can seize little bits of time that add up, and can I consciously create bigger blocks of time by prioritizing my art practice. Meeting up with friends online can be a great motivator, and keeping a few projects and supplies out on my desk helps, too.

Have you ever made something you don’t like? What did you do?

First I slather on some gesso, and if that doesn’t work, I usually just turn the page. Sometimes I go ahead post work I don’t like online, because it’s so important to normalize the messy middle and I so appreciate it when other artists share the challenging parts of the process.

How has Get Messy impacted your creativity?

Get Messy has been the ultimate community for getting me to show up and connecting me with other artists who I come to care about and cheer for. It is full of infinite inspir-action (I will never get through every season and class and I love that) and the kindest artists. I have beloved friends all over the world and a thriving art practice that I would absolutely not have without Get Messy. The community inspires me and also makes me feel like my contributions are worthwhile, which keeps me creating and grateful to be part of the whole art journaling conversation.

What journal do you use?

I love to bind my own journals with a variety of papers. I keep them on the small side so I feel like I’m making progress. I also alter vintage books and have some store-bought journals in the mix. I like to have multiple journals at hand for different types of work — and just to have somewhere else I can play while a spread is drying.

What is your one *must have* supply?

One smooth & shiny palette knife.

What do you make when you don’t know what to make?

When I don’t know what else to make, I make art out of a song. I built a daily practice out of it and highly recommend it. I might be inspired by lyrics or the melody, get a certain visual to go along with the music, or make marks along with the beat. There’s no right way to do it, so it’s a great reminder to trust yourself and create intuitively.

What is the most important (non-tool) thing to your creative practice?

Time to myself. Physical tools are a lot easier to come by!

What’s the best art advice you’ve ever received?

The best advice definitely came from Get Messy and bears repeating daily: More than zero is enough!

Advice to new art journalers:

Make it your own. It’s common advice, but it’s so important to hear and take to heart. If you’re following a tutorial, it’s okay to change up what the teacher is doing — no one is coming to scold you! And it’s okay to use the supplies you have on hand.

It’s okay to create from scratch and from the heart, with no outside guidance or provocation. And it’s okay to keep some pages just for you and not share them with anyone else.