Keeping goals, as well as being realistic and positive about them, has been a more achievable system of making progress in comparison to making New Year's Resolutions.
Rather than making New Year’s Resolutions this year, set some goals to be achieved throughout the year. Statistically, only one in ten people keep their New Year’s Resolutions every year. Does this mean people are destined for failure? Not necessarily. Perhaps having a system of goals, set up in a to-do list style, would make accomplishing things a bit more realistic and probable.
Materials:
- Art journal
- Multi-colored gel pens (either glitter or plan, or both!)
- Index cards
- Post-it notes
- Distress ink
- Glue stick or craft glue
- Watercolor or acrylic paint, multi-colors
- Paint or sponge brushes
- Small containers of water
Instructions:
- Open the art journal to the first blank page spread, and then create color washes on both sides. Use waxed paper to protect the pages beneath. Allow these pages to dry completely before moving on to the next step. (Note: you can speed drying time through use of a heat gun or hair dryer.)
- Use the index cards and post-it notes to write out each goal. Use one piece for each goal, as well as different color inks if possible. Be sure to write out concrete goals, rather than wishes that you hope will happen throughout the year. Goals are more realistic than wishes. Give this plenty of thought and, if needed, sort out your ideas in your text-only journal first.
- Rub distress ink along the edges of the index cards and post-it notes, and then attach them to the journal’s page spread in collage style. Layer them on top of each other, but do not cover over any of the text.
- Doodle around the pages using many different colored gel pens, and then write out some thoughts about how these goals could be achieved. Incorporate inspirational quotations and bits of advice that will add to the helpfulness for achieving these goals.
- Rub distress ink along the edges of the finished journal pages to give them more depth and presence.
Variations:
- Add a collage of magazine clippings on top of the painted pages, and then add the index cards and post-it notes. These magazine clippings should reflect the goals, as well as inspire accomplishment in some way.
- Use a black sharpie to write out inspirational quotes and thoughts about how to achieve these goals, rather than the gel pens to create a bolder statement.
- Leave some blank areas on the page spread to write out short journal entries as each goal is achieved.
Consider working on this project with friends and family members. This way, a support system in place and goals will have a better chance of being achieved. In addition to that, it will provide an opportunity for a group art project that could potentially lead to many more.
The copyright of the article Art Journal New Year's Goals in Art Journals is owned by Jenn Greenleaf. Permission to republish Art Journal New Year's Goals in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
