How to Use Lists in Art Journals

Lists are fun. In "To Do List," Lisa of Pretty Little Messes uses imagery, ephemera and journaling. It's a fun, refreshing and colorful way to incorporate a list in your art journal. It would motivate me to get into action.

{reprinted from 2009}

Lists are a great way to get thoughts out of your head, and there are fun ways to get those lists into your art journal. Let's get started with a list, of course.

Types of Lists

1. Consider personal writings, book excerpts, poetry, quotes, class notes, handwritten letters and post card messages as fodder for lists
2. Type a list in a standard list format, numbered or bulleted (try a font that looks like a typewriter)
3. Make a "100 Things" List
4. Instead of words, use symbols or icons to represent a list
5. Write your list in a code that only you would understand
6. Write your list in another language
7. Make a mind map

How to Incorporate Lists in Your Journal

1. Put a list on one of the earlier layers of your page, and let only certain portions peek through; gesso parts of the list to add curiosity or mystery
2. Write a list in a font you are trying to learn, ideas at Line Practice
3. Write your list in pitt pen or sharpie as the top layer of a collaged or gessoed page as in Destination.
4. Tear a printed or handwritten list into random pieces and use as ephemera
5. Build a page around your list, with the list as the focus, as in Inspiration List from Flickr artist tisdagsregn.
6. Use symbols or icons to embellish a list, as in Wish List from Flickr artist Maria-Therese
7. Doodle around your list
8. Put the list in a pocket on your page

More list love:

1. A quick interview with a bunch of artists about using lists
2. From Listography, a list of lists to make, including bands you've seen live, the packing list for your next trip, a list of favorite smells.
3. Lists: Journal Triggers
4. At Larushka, two art journal pages based on lists at Listing
5. Flickr artist paulateachstm designed a journal page in her moleskine full of listy goodness
6. In her art journal, Flickr artist crazyquilter listed things she'd like to sew
7. Flickr artist purrplekatt creates a list of songs from her ipod
8. From Litemind, a mind map of How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci

Comments

[Shell]

I like the idea of using lists in a journal. I'm going to do this.

[Michelle]

I just wanted to thank you for your beautiful journaling blog. I am so inspired when I read every day and I love your "list" entry. The colors are so wonderful here and my heart just smiles. Thank you for all your wonderful ideas!

[Sandra L.]

I just found your site today--I love it and have added it to my Bloglines list!