the journals of john copeland. some amazing work here. makes me want to start a visual journal of my own. of course it'd end up looking nothing like these.

everyday matters(where i found the above link) has some encouraging words to say about visual journals:

I don't think that illustrated journaling is really about doing great drawings. You're not out to make something that you could frame or give as an Xmas present. I'm not really into doing the sort of exercises on perspective and tone that you see in most drawing books, exercises that will move your skills to another level artistically. Not that you shouldn't do them if they are fun or if you have some other goal in mind but I don't think they are essential for the true purpose of illustrated journaling.

That purpose? To celebrate your life. No matter how small or mundane or redundant, each drawing and little essay you write to commemorate an event or an object or a place makes it all the more special.

when i think of visual journals - i simply think of collage. but if i do end up doing one, maybe i should actually try to draw something for a change...