Tribute

It has been almost 1 year since I lost a very special friend to breast cancer.  She had just had her 5 year check-up and was cleared.  Then a month later she started having trouble breathing.  The cancer had metastasized into her lungs, liver, and spine.  She was gone in a manner of weeks.  I think about her all the time and I painted something this summer in her honor.  I felt that this being October and breast cancer awareness month, that it would be a good time to share it.

Dharma was an amazing friend who embraced life and lived it to the fullest.  She did not fear death, but chose to focus her heart on gratitude rather than self pity.  She was a beautiful soul and is greatly missed!

Back in circulation

It has been over a year since I've posted anything.  I can't believe how time just gets away from me.  For awhile, I wasn't even creating.  My art desk sat unused and as much as I wanted to create, I just couldn't push myself to break out the supplies.  Well, last week I took my art supplies apart and did a major cleaning.  With everything organized and neatly back in it's rightful place I realized that organization and a clean space to work in is essential to my creative success.  Since then I've been creating every single day and filling so much more fulfilled!!!

I also noticed that I was being hard on myself for constantly reaching for the "same" colors.  I would try to branch out, but it never seemed to work.  Then I started watching the 15 minute art journaling by Rae Missigman  and I noticed that she too, tends to gravitate towards certain colors, which makes her art undeniably hers!  That's when I realized that the colors I choose are an extension of me and should be embraced.  Color is just part of the story my psyche wants to tell.  Once I let go of my expectations, things just started clicking!

Once again, the inner critic was squashed, which for me will have to be a daily battle.  That is why I think it's important to be a part of an art community.  We learn so much from each other.  We are all in this journey together. 

Journal Love

When we became members of a new church, we went through a new member class.  It was a really neat opportunity to learn more ways to strengthen our faith.  I have never been a regular Bible reader.  It always overwhelms me, but I do have the desire.  Our pastor told me about a way that he does his daily readings.  He uses the S.O.A.P. method.  This involves having a journal to write in.  That got me excited!  I kept thinking about how I could decorate my own journal!

I had several composition notebooks lying around the house, so I painted gesso on the front and back covers and got creating!  I covered the front and back with some cheap tissue paper I bought from Hobby Lobby, then I covered that with cheap craft paint.  I used acrylic inks to add drips and drops and splatters.  For the leaves, I used a handcarved stamp on already inked dictionary pages.  Then I cut those out and glued them to the front.  I used a black neocolor watercolor crayon to trace around the leaves.  Then I wrote random Bible verses around the edge of the front and back covers.  I sealed the entire thing with spray sealant and Ta-Da!  This is the finished product!

I absolutely love it and since it's visually stimulating it motivates me to use it! 

In case your wondering what the S.O.A.P. method is I'll explain.  S stands for scripture.  You choose a verse to read and write it down.  O stands for observations.  You then write your observations about the verse.  It doesn't have to be lengthy.  A stands for application.  At this point, you can write about how you are going to apply the verse to your everday life.  P stands for prayer.  Afterwards, write your response to God and anything else you need to bring to Him. 

It's an organized way to get your daily reading in, which helps me not feel so overwhelmed. 

 

Happy journaling!