For quite some time I've been hearing a lot of people talking, (and blogging) about a book called "Wreck This Journal" by Keri Smith.
Wreck This Journal is an illustrated book featuring a subversive collection of prompts, guiding the reader through a series of steps to fill the pages of the book, as well as destroy them! Some of the 'destructive' prompts instruct readers to poke holes in the pages, spill coffee on a page, drop the book from a high place and more. The theory behind beating up your journal is for the reader to experience the true creative process. The book description states "Readers discover a new way of art and journal making-and new ways to escape the fear of the blank page and fully engage in the creative process." When it comes to journaling, one of the hardest obstacles for a lot of us to overcome is the dreaded 'fear of the blank page', so my ears perked up when I heard about this book!
My curiosity finally got the best of me and I ordered the book. I was fully prepared to jump right in and beat the heck out of this book, until it came in the mail. There it was, nice and new, with crisp white pages and that 'new book' smell. I began to have second thoughts. I decided to just do some of the other pages first, the ones that were less destructive, and come back to the 'abusive' prompts later after I loosened up a bit. Once I got started, I began to really think about the concept of this book and that's when the fun started! I had forgotten what it was like to just play without the fear of "messing it up". I didn't have to worry about that because in this book it doesn't really matter, in fact messing it up is a good thing!
I've only completed a few pages. but so far I really like this book and I'm looking forward to all of the creative fun it has to offer!
This one isn't finished yet, but you get the idea. I decided to take this page a bit further than just tracing my hand, so I did Zentangles inside the hand shapes. So fun!
Anyone else out there have this book? I'd love to hear your thoughts as well as those of you who don't own the book. What are your thoughts?
Click here to learn more about "Wreck This Journal".
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8 comments:
I have heard of these and have thought about getting one. It seems freeing.
Hi Sonja, This sounds pretty cool. Kind of a "Make It Your Own" book type thing. I always have some kind of notebook, pens, pencils, and colored highlighters with me. I'm always taking notes. And you know what? When you get a book filled up you dont want to just toss it becuase it's YOUR book. It's YOUR notes. So, I can see how this "Wreck this book" would be pretty cool. I just thought about something...you know, kids have a book kinda like that. It's called "Diary of a Wimpy Kid".
definately intrigued. thinking about ordering one myself
we have wish it to easter ... :-)
nice greeting Jolyn
This is going straight on my wishlist!
I had an art journal a while back, It was filled with collages mostly. I Pulled most of the pages to pieces and put them on my wall in the end. I think I will start another one. :)
thanks for the inspiration.
Ok, old post, I know, but I've never heard of this book and now I want it, so "Thanks"!
I am inspired by your posts! I love your journal pages..and have wanted to get the "wreck this journal" book for quite some time!
The title sounds good. That is all I know
kim
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