Susan Hensley’s Art For Your Sanity is not a long book, and it doesn’t need to be. It’s much more of an invitation, someone walking with you for a short while to potentially open a heavy gate. The ideas are easy to grasp and simple to modify, to play with and explore in their own way. The low barrier to entry in keeping such a freely messy journal of lived experiences makes the idea approachable and encourages an open sort of curiosity about the self and the world around us - something which is often lost in the chaos of day-to-day living. It’s a solid choice for a short, easy-to-read (and often much-needed) perspective shift.

Happy release day to this book!

Art for Your Sanity is a self-help book about art journaling. Throughout the book, the author details what art journaling did for her mental health and why she encourages more people to start doing it, too.
Personally, I'm not a big self-help book fan, and while I am an aspiring artist and designer, I'm not planning on starting an art journal. However, I still found this to be an interesting, inspiring, and quick read despite being in the self-help genre. I especially found the parts about what being creative does for you to be particularly fascinating. I also liked that the author didn't force the subject into a 200 page book but kept it short, enjoyable, and to the point. It was so short that I easily read it in one sitting.
I would say this book is perfect for people who want to discover a new relaxing hobby and become more creative. My personal rating is three and a half stars (rounded up to four).

***thank you NetGalley for this free arc in exchange for an honest review.

4.5*

I really enjoyed this book on art journaling. I particularly liked how this was part how-to, part memoir - the author's anecdotes made it more personal and interesting. Though art journaling is pretty straightforward, it can still seem intimidating and this book made it very approachable. A great read for creatives and "non-creatives" alike.

I have a feeling that the writing of this book was incredibly cathartic for the author but I'm not sure it is a book that can offer much support to people looking to get in to art journalling. There were a lot of motivational quotes but it would have been inspiring and creative to have seen these quotes reflected within the author's art journal and for more illustrations to have been used throughout the book of the actual journal process itself rather than finished pages. For such a creative topic, it feels incredibly lacking in creative layout and presentation.

‘Art for your Sanity’ is a little book full of doable inspiration backed up with prompts and examples from the author.
A lovely starter guide to art journaling.

This is a good book for beginners to art journaling so it’s very short. Also, I wish there had been more illustrations.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is a beautiful resource! I loved the quotes and examples provided. Very inspiring! I recommend this to anyone interested in art journaling.

This short book has a specific audience: people who for whatever reason were never exposed to or even thought much about art in relation to how they feel. It's for people convinced they are not creative. In short, it's for beginners. Nothing wrong with that, and the author is thorough in getting people started. I think anyone else may find it superficial. Recommended for its intended audience.

This was not what I was expecting and just felt like someone who wanted to publish a book but didn't actually have anything new or interesting to add. It was just ok. She quotes a lot of other people and doesn't really give any direction for journaling.

What a wonderful resource for learning how to do art journaling, filled with helpful tips, colorful examples from the author's own art journal, plus anecdotes from her own experiences. Loved it!

This was a helpful and encouraging guide to help people get started with art journaling, even if they feel like they’re not “creative enough!”

Great list of supplies that anyone can find easily. Easy steps to follow in order to have an art journal. Definitely a soothing hobby to try.

Art for Your Sanity is a super short guide to beginning art journaling. I really liked how much the author emphasized play in her art journaling. I appreciated that she worked hard to take away the stress and judgements of it not being "good" enough.

This book is only 109 pages, but I don't see that as a bad thing. It gave you plenty to get started & since I was able to read it in one night, I am also able to start art journaling sooner.

Thanks to NetGalley, Susan Hensley, and SH&H Publishing for the chance to read and review!

The author's own journalling examples are 5/5.
The intention/objective behind the writing of this book and the overall theme is 5/5.
The execution is 3-4 stars.
It is a little short for my tastes, but for those who are new to journalling, art practices and the benefits of both, this may easily be a 4-5 star read.

It is engaging - 4 stars for that as well.

The last year of my life with four kids journaling has been a HUGE help for me. And I've recently encouraged my daughter to journal as well. Such a well done book!