Keeping Secrets Secret

Thank you to Connie at Dirty Footprints Studio who is hosting a giveaway, including lots of juicy goodness.  She’s asking us to share an art secret.  I like to use my art journals to spill my secrets.

“But,” you say, “what if what I write in my journals is a secret I don’t want to share?”

That’s a completely valid question. While my husband has sworn on his word to never read my journals, other people who might come across them have not given me such assurances. Yes, I do have secrets. Everyone does. It’s OK to have secrets. Not everyone is ready or willing to share them with the world. That doesn’t mean we can’t entrust them to an art journal.   Here are just a few ways you can get your secrets out but keep them secret.

1. Cover Them – Before you put anything on your page, journal it out. Spill everything in writing. Now is your chance to really let it out.  Then, cover the page with a layer or two of gesso, then continue with your paint, drawing, collage, etc. Only you will know what is underneath.

2. Hide Them In Plain Sight – Tear the written secrets up and use the tiny pieces in a collage. You can even keep several different secrets ripped up, mixed together, and stored in a container to use for collage fodder. When it comes time to collage, make sure that no single piece of paper has enough of your secret written on it to clue anyone in.

3. Disguise Them – Instead of writing your secrets down, draw and/or paint them as a metaphor. Use a tree to symbolize yourself. Or a bird. Or the sun. Whatever appeals to you. Tell your story in living color (or even black and white). Nobody has to know what the true meaning is. It’s YOUR journal. You never have to explain yourself in your journal.

Journaling is supposed to be personal. It’s supposed to be meaningful, but only for you. You are not required to share it with anyone, but if you do, feel comfortable doing so by keeping your secrets secret.