THE ART OF JOURNALLING

Journal artist Jane Lee shares her non-conventional methods of journalling that don't start with 'Dear diary'

- STUART DANKER

JOURNALLING IS A PRACTICE that dates back millennia, with some of the greatest minds in history such as Marcus Aurelius and Anaïs Nin having kept detailed accounts of their lives.

Sometimes, these personal accounts like Anne Frank's diary or Leonardo da Vinci's notes have educated generations way beyond their time, showcasing how influential journals can be beyond a personal exploration tool.

Mention the word 'journal' and the images that comes to mind are the boring entries starting with 'Dear diary'. But journalling is much more than that. It can be a powerful tool for self-growth, daily reflection, and creative inspiration.

Plus, it's a great way to document your life for future generations in other words, a way to embarrass yourself posthumously.

And as part of our analogue theme for this month, Augustman invited Jane Lee, a journal artist, to share the many other ways that one can approach the craft. She regularly hosts workshops on all things journalling, and will be demystifying the process, hopefully to rope you into this wonderful practice.

A QUICK PRIMER 

Journalling means different things to everyone. And for Lee, it is a means of art, allowing her to express herself. "What journalling means to me is an art form that allows me to express myself. Taking pictures is also art," she says. "During my assignments as a wedding photographer, I'd take extra pictures for my own journal, captioning each of them to record those little moments along the way.

"So don't think of it as something set in stone. A lot of people see my journals online and they're scared to try because they can't be like me. But this is a personal practice. Not a comparing game. If you prefer writing. do that. If you express yourself best through drawing, you can too. As long as you have a book and a pen, you're good to go."