I use discarded or bag sale books to create art journals. The books are inexpensive (as little as 25 to 50 cents), and it saves some books from going into recycle bins or worse - the garbage dump. This particular art book will be relocated to a "free sidewalk library", or a park bench for someone to find so they can add their own artwork and hopefully, set it out for someone else to find. It is sometimes hard to part with your own art, but I think it is a good gesture to release it into the universe. I would be thrilled to have it eventually circle back to me, but it would be wonderful if it just keeps going and inspires other artists. This particular book has 700+ pages so it can hold a lot of art.

I would encourage parents and teachers to try this art journaling project. Parents could set up a space or a box with the "art books", crayons, paints, stickers, collage papers and glue so that a child would learn which books are for art and which books are meant to be READ only. (I think most of us have discovered a child's crayon scribbling in more than a few of our good books.) If teachers would give each of their students a blank book at the beginning of the year, students would have a great journal to take home at the end of the year. The art can be as simple as doodling, but it can also be a creative masterpiece. SAFETY FIRST: If you are encouraging your child or student to send their book into the world, remind them to only use their first name on their art pages and to never put an address or phone number in the book.

Supplies

Discarded or bag sale books. I prefer hardbound books with printed pages. Not picture books. A 200-300 page book works well.

Watercolors, paint brushes

Pencils, colored pencils, crayons,

Stickers, glue sticks, collage papers or old magazines

Step 1: Starting an Art Journal

Keep a stack of "art books". If you like, use a permanent marker to make a title for your book. Write it on the cover or on the side binding. If you are making a journal to leave for someone to find your title might be "Mine and Yours - Art Book". Or "YOU ARE an Artist". Print your title large enough to get someone's attention.

Step 2: Adding Art to Your Book

All you need to do is paint, draw or collage your art onto the pages of the book. In this journal, on some pages, I circled a word or two that inspired my art. You are not trying to fill all the pages. I did about 20 paintings in this book. You can decide when you are done. You can decide if you want to put your book out into the universe. Be brave. Perhaps you will want to keep it for yourself. (You can always take a picture of your art for future reference for a larger piece of art.)

Step 3: Letting Go

Trust that your art will fall into the life of the right people. Trust that your art will make someone smile. Trust that your art will inspire someone to create more art. (If you are a poet or writer, this book concept will work for you too!)