International Fake Journal Month 2010 starts 5 weeks today on April 1st 2010. IFJM is run by Roz Stendhal, a fabulous artist and art journal keeper, who was interviewed by Ricë not too long ago. I love Roz’s work and her attitude – that it’s not always about ‘just being creative’, sometimes you have to (quote) “learn your sh*t first”.

Anyway, back to IFJM. I started it last year, but I was so busy with getting the business set up I couldn’t commit. I think I did about 4 pages. I had thought maybe I would finish that journal this year, but it feels stale and I have an idea for another one. I’m going to try and do it this year. My plan is to get a book set up and over the next 5 weeks lay down some backgrounds and gather some collage elements so that all I have to do in ‘real time’ is put it together and add the writing. I like the idea of journaling a mile in someone else’s shoes. Of writing about a life I don’t have, or from a place I don’t live, about things I don’t do. Or being exactly who I am and just keeping a journal in a totally different way than I usually do. Or keeping a journal that’s about cats.

Roz describes IFJM as “a free pass to put anything in a journal that you might not otherwise put in” and you can interpret that any way you want to. It’s total freedom to do anything. If you’re one of a whole horde of journal keepers who struggle sometimes with letting go, with just doing instead of thinking too much, this might be what you need.

You can find out more about IFJM on Roz’s dedicated blog where she has a post explaining more about it and some criteria for submissions.

I did hear a rumour that Less (Comfortable Shoes Studio) was going to set up a group on artjournaling.ning.com for anyone taking part. Not sure if that’s happening but if you’re into art journaling you really ought to be a member there anyway, so go sign up