Journals and My Creative Process
In 2003 I was asked to write an article for Surface Design Journal; Journaling and My Creative Process that made me pause and realize just how important journaling is to my creative process. A visual journal is an amazing creative tool, one that is indispensable to my creative process. My journal entries record in free verse and/or image the vast array of life experiences, feelings, and emotions of my inner and outer worlds. I journal to make sense, to organize, to express these inner and outer worlds, sometimes in words, other times in visual images, or a combination of both. My life is filtered, sorted and processed through these many volumes that serve as creative companions. This personal library of journals serve as an anchor that steadies and grounds me, not necessarily a mooring but more a drogue or sea anchor that steadies me but also allows me to drift and flow with the river, the sea of creativity.
I have spent decades journaling as a tool to explore the inner workings of my creative self. Years ago I remember hearing this statement "this is a not a career choice, this is a lifestyle." Keeping creative journals is an active and integral part of my life and the origins of my artwork can often be found somewhere in their pages.
Here is a video taken while teaching Creative Practice: The Artist Journal as Studio Companion at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in 2016.
Contact: heatherhietala@gmail.com
Collection of journals spanning many years,
Journals and the salt-fired porcelain vessels that were a result of the creative cross pollination.
A journal and the resulting textiles studies, again an example of creative cross pollination.
The original visual journal with stitching that inspired so much. Daily stitch journals on rayon.
Visual journals and the inspired kakishibu explorations.
Journals pages inspired while at a conference.
Mark a day journals that inspired so much in my work and my teaching.
Journals and their offspring.
A journal with her offspring, often created years later.