Art journaling is an easy and fun way to make sense of life. Many luminaries—from Leonardo da Vinci to John Lennon—have coupled writing and drawing for self-discovery. Even the neophyte can benefit because creating is its own reward. Hamilton's manual follows a fear-free philosophy and teaches the novice how to create a dual perspective with pictures and words in a brief yet comprehensive fashion.

As a trained illustrator, a graphic designer with thirty years in advertising, and a coach for memoir writers, the author is uniquely qualified. Hamilton begins with physical exercises to induce a creative, childlike state, followed by prompts to get one's pen or pencil on paper to record travel, dreams, childhood memories, hobbies, or daily life. Pages from her journals deliver inspiration. Getting started is easy via the book's succinct purchasing advice on tools of the trade, such as blank journals, pencils (plain and colored), erasers, pens (fine-tipped, calligraphy, brush, and gel), watercolors, glue, and much more. Best of all, she simplifies the language of color, perspective, composition, shading, light, shadow, and texture and explains how to "see" like an artist.

Many experts neither can nor want to teach a novice. However, this is not the case with the author, who delightedly demystifies capturing a panoramic view, drawing a face, putting "the catch" in an eye, creating borders and centered lettering, and the art of white space. She even tells one how to "do" a major museum in under two hours. Hamilton's fully illustrated inspirational primer on how and why to begin an art journal makes one want to stop reading and start drawing. She summons the muse and transmits it admirably.

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