driftwood journaling
Driftwood Journaling-
By definition: using found objects (ie. pieces of paper, ticket stubs, menus, receipts etc.) especially when traveling, to enhance the visual quality of a journal.
This summer was full of daily driftwood journaling. In the absence of fabric or a sewing machine on this summers trip I found I myself itching to make something. I wanted to keep a journal of the trip, but make it un-boring unlike so many of my previous journaling attempts.
I have never before been a serious journal keeper, I always try for awhile then stop for no good reason. No good reason other then time constraints, lack of personal motivation, and perhaps the thought that what I have to say is dumb and no one will ever want to read it.
My lovely spouse is a fabulous journal keeper. He has stacks of journals, all filled up with words, drawings, pictures and “driftwood”.
The term driftwood goes back to a Saturday Night Live reference from the 80’s. Does anyone remember John Malkovich’s driftwood artist sketch? Very funny… look it up.
Anyway… “driftwood” refers to found objects- put into one’s journal. It became the catch phrase of the summer. It made me laugh when one of my kids would nonchalantly rip off a corner of some poster we passed, hand it to me and say, “Here you go Mom, some driftwood.”
I decided that this European adventure needed to be documented for the family. Just words are visually a bit boring. I took a lesson from the master- Steve O and started adding driftwood, drawings, some watercolors, and glitter. What I discovered was a surprisingly pleasant and interesting way to keep a journal. It satisfied all of my creative urges and documented the trip. I didn’t get much reading done this summer, but I wrote everyday, went through about 20 glue sticks, and had lots of fun picking up driftwood (a.k.a. trash) all over Europe.
I think I’m hooked on paper now. I have continued the driftwood tradition since I have been home, not everyday- but close. I think it’s a habit that is worth acquiring, so- I am going to try and keep at it for good….you know- for posterity.
Check out my obsessive Journal Pinterest board for artsy journal keeping inspo.
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cassandra
August 23, 2007 at 2:37 pmPretty cool Noelle. For me if it is called ia ‘journal’ it reminds me of something I had to do as a kid, working toward getting my young woman’s medallion or something. If it’d called a ‘sketchbook’…it’s way more fun.
H
August 23, 2007 at 4:31 pmGlitter! Mmmm. Several years ago Gabby helped me design & print some paper that I could tolerate writing and gluing on. It is half binder size, 3-ring. I had a hard time keeping a journal too — or just one, sometimes a book for words, sometimes for art, sometimes for my calendar. I wanted one that would do it all (still doesn’t.) When I am out and about there are moments when I can write and I’m always glad to have a few pieces of journal paper, pens, glue and ticket stubs. In theory it winds up in a neat and tidy binder in my studio.
I have a binder for each of the children. Love notes/lunch notes wind up there. They don’t realize I’ve been writing to them for years…small things along the way.
I love the term “driftwood.” On the Everyville side of the SF Bay people used to build huge sculptures w/ driftwood… Great things come out of driftwood.