Every time I walk into a store that sells paper goods like handmade cards and art papers, I long to own a paper store. The idea of being surrounded by the colors, patterns, and textures of printed and handmade paper all day simply moves me.

Doodling is hot these days. Whole books are written on the subject. Doodling as mark making can be an end in itself, or, as I wrote about in a post last year, doodling can be a springboard to ideas in art journaling.

To me a sketchbook is where you practice, try out ideas for your next painting or background texture, and make written or drawn notes to yourself. Here are three important reasons why collage and mixed-media artists should keep a sketchbook.

Listen in as our talented art journal panel, Jacqueline Newbold, Dawn Sokol, and Pam Carriker, discuss their favorite ways to work art journaling into their everyday lives.

If you lack an art studio and consequently play with wet media in the kitchen or dining room, you are in luck. You have easy access to culinary you can use in your artwork.  Here are three mark-making ideas that will spice up your watercolor painting. All use supplies from the kitchen.

Roann Mathias is a mixed-media artist who takes paper art to a whole new level. A designer, she specializes in calligraphy which she uses to adorn handmade cards and books, and stationery. To create her handmade paper crafts and card making embellishments, Roann employs acrylics, watercolors, and paper collage.

We have a running joke around here. Assistant Editor Barbara Delaney, a former early education teacher, often looks at a process used by a contributing artist (like marble painting with shaving cream or weaving with torn papers) and says, "We did that in pre-school!"

Can I let you in on a not-so-secret secret? Art journaling does not come naturally to me. I grew up writing in journals and, truth be told, I have only recently acquiesced to using the word "journal" as a verb.