Notes On Process

Artwork by:
WILLIAM GRAHAM

“It’s important for me, in painting and other things too, to work through my challenges externally. As a Studio Art major at Appalachian State in Boone, NC, I often found myself in front of the canvas, after a day or two of absence, feeling overwhelmed by the unfinished painting before me and unsure of where to start making my marks. To ease this tension, I began to pull out my journal and write for a bit before I started painting, to work out the thoughts and ideas I had about the piece.

Now, on days where I can’t make it to my studio space to paint —which these days is often— I try to find time to sit with my journal and create whether with words or images. Now, a daily practice of mine, it has become so much more than just a way to ease creative anxiety.

I look at visual journaling as a safe place to experiment creatively, a way to build up a visual language, and a way to center and touch base with myself. It’s a way of keeping in track with the roots of my inspiration and maintaining that inspiration, not as a thing that I stumble across sometimes, but as a thing that I intentionally engage with.

If you are curious about starting a visual journal, here are a few suggestions:

1. Make No Rules For Yourself

...or if you do change them often. Visual journals are not a space where you have to be “good” at art. Replace your rules with unfiltered and wild gut-impulse. 

2.  Visual Journaling Is A Practice, Not A Performance

...keep it that way. You’ll find some deep rich dirt in practicing often. When I’m performance minded I get burnt out easily. Practice practice practice. Do it for the love of it.

3. Shake Off The Dust

If you have a usual way of doing things try changing it up, getting lost in left field, losing yourself in something new for a while. Know that a visual journal is and should be a place where you can try new things.

4. But Also...

In all of this, use your journal as a way of connecting back to yourself. When you sit down to journal, take a moment to pause and breathe deeply one big breath, pay attention to it, listen to its texture, then begin. As a general and final note, be kind to yourself. Your journals not judging you, so quit that!

Much love to all,

William Graham “

Follow Will:

Instagram: good_will_hugging

Website: williamgraham.us

Bio:

Will is an artist and educator from Boone, NC.