Friday, March 21, 2014

Completed Art Journal Page: Spring!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Give It Time To Unfold
I finished the page today!  I am writing this on Thursday evening - the first day of Spring.  And I guess it is no coincidence that as I kept working on this page I was inspired to add the word "spring!"  The page feels very alive to me - vibrant, growing, promising.  This page was definitely a lesson in giving my art time to unfold.  Not forcing.  Not pushing.  Being willing to walk away and come back to take a fresh look.  This was the first page I created in a new Moleskine sketchbook that has pages that are 11 1/4"x16 1/2"!  It felt a bit intimidating - looking at that large blank page...but the intimidation didn't last long :)  I began by painting off of the page - just painting a piece of dry waxed paper (deli paper).  The paper eventually got adhered to the page and then paint (and stitching) was added around and on top of the dry waxed paper.  Here are a few close ups...I am looking forward to my next unfolding :)


Thursday, March 20, 2014

A Little More Progress On The Page

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Notice
I am slowly making more progress on the art journal page that I shared yesterday.  I found myself wanting to add some hand-stitching to the piece (not an easy task since hand-stitching is not something I have done a lot of).  Of course I then decided I wanted to include French knots :)  So, off to YouTube I went to find a video on how to make them.  I'm not consistent yet, but it has been fun learning.  I've also begun to take more notice at the thoughts that bubble up as I am working on this page.  Yes, the usual critic is rearing his ugly head again - asking me why I am spending time on this page - asking me "What's the point?"  And then I also notice what was on the radio when I was driving home from swimming this morning.  Two stories - one right after the other.  One was about a 17-year old girl who had become addicted to marijuana and how it had impacted her life.  She was in a program at school that was built to help teens through this addiction and one of the things she felt was helping her a lot was art.  She talked about how making art provided a distraction for her - distraction from negative thoughts and cravings.  She mentioned how fascinated she was right now with roses and drawing them - how the petals fold in so many different ways.  Next was a story about teens in Lyons, Colorado who had experienced the devastation of flooding last year.  With the assistance of a few adults, they put together a book of photos about their experience.  Using art to express and to heal.  So yes, I notice what the Universe is saying in response to my inner critic.  Why do I create art?  Why do I spend time stitching French knots to a page?  Because it allows my mind to focus on something positive and distracts me (if I can allow the inner critic's thoughts to just pass by) from negative thinking.  It also provides me an opportunity to express myself and to heal myself.  And ultimately, I hope that maybe it will inspire you to do the same.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Art Journal Page In Progress

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  You Can't Force What Needs To Happen In Its Own Time
I have been pretty immersed in this art journal page.  What I thought might take me a day is taking time over several days to complete.  I keep adding, waiting, listening for my gut to tell me what to do next.  It's been a wonderful process...and has led to my not posting something for you yesterday :)  I finally decided I could just take a picture of one piece of the page and post that - just to share something with you.  This page is teaching me that you can't force what needs to happen in its own time.  This piece will be done when it is ready to be done.  In the meantime, I will keep showing up and allow it to unfold.

Monday, March 17, 2014

Taking Time On My Travels




Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Take Time During Your Work Travels To Appreciate What Is Around You
When I travel for work I often spend most, of not all, of my time in cars, buildings and planes.  I was very fortunate to discover that my trip last week had me staying at a location that actually had beautiful scenery and a 2-mile walking/biking path.  I took full advantage of it and wanted to share a few of the amazing scenes I encountered.  I have a feeling a piece of artwork focusing on trees is in my future :)  Enjoy!