Art Journaling Pages

I've been doing some art journaling lately- all downstairs away from my studio because I'm tired and need to keep my feet up often to avoid water balloon feet.  It's a lot of doodling on pre-painted backgrounds, but I did get some new backgrounds made using Angelo's watercolors (they're actually high quality paints you have to mix), some water color pencils from his Faber Castell Modern Masterpieces kit and his Crayola marker air brush.  Not that you can see any of these right now because I've not put most of the pics on my computer.  There is this one that I got going before the swelling got too bad... and this one too.  Since I can't really show you more right now, I thought I'd share this interesting slide show of Orly Avineri's work.  Enjoy!

You're Reading the Blog of a Published Artist!

Really!  For real!  This morning, I walked out the door to take Dana on her walk and there it was- a large envelope from Stampington and Company.  Of course, that delayed the walk for a few minutes while I looked for my artwork.  Seeing Edgar Allen Poe on the front of Somerset Studio Magazine, I knew which piece it was, but seeing it there on the actual magazine page was something I just had to do!

It's very interesting to me that this is the first official art magazine I'm in when Halloween mania is in full swing 'round here (and never officially goes away).  How could I not enter this challenge, though?  Edgar Allen Poe!!  I'm a fan. :)

This issue isn't available on newsstands yet, but when the September/October Somerset Studio magazine is out, be sure to pick up a copy!

The cover of Somerset Studio Magazine

The middle image to the far right is mine!  Yep, right there on a magazine page!

And because it's hard to read my name (My Name!) and the description due to the spine, here's a close up.

This is my original scan of the art before I sent it off.  If you know Poe, then you'll understand the words.  :)  BTW, I would be flattered if someone shared this, but please credit the original source and note that others should do the same.  Thanks!

I do realize I'm being a bit of a geek about this, and I am perfectly ok with that. ;)

So, the news about the magazine was this morning and then this afternoon I found out that we have enough people registered for my Art Journaling workshop to hold it!!  There are still spaces left, so if you'd like to take a workshop with a published artist, be sure to sign up!! :D

I am overwhelmedly grateful. :) 

Vintage Halloween Goodness

Halloween, my favorite holiday hands down, is only 84 days away!!

House of Hawthornes: I Love Vintage Halloween: Since this post contains so many photos from the Country Living Magazine that sent me into vintage Halloween overdrive, I thought it would be great to link it here.  When I saw that article, I cannot even describe the excitement I felt!  Since Angelo has been old enough to express that he doesn't like super creepy Halloween stuff, my decor is leaning way more in this direction, which is just fine by me.  It's a great excuse to make more stuff!

A book that I absolutely love, and have mentioned here before, is Bethany Lowe's Folk Art Halloween.  It is only about $7 on Amazon right now- I just can't believe that!

This witch on the front is just spectacular and it's been on my list of projects for years.  Last year, I actually had (most of) the pattern templates enlarged and got the styrofoam ball for the head.  Hopefully my paper clay is still good and I can actually get it made this year.  Angelo has asked to be Winnie the Pooh this year, and I already bought a pattern off of Ebay, so that means only one costume to sew.  We were Tigger, Kanga and Roo when Angelo was 2.  So less sewing means I'm more likely to actually finish this.  *fingers crossed*

As part of my Birthday present to myself, I'm planning a trip to the Ghoultide Gathering this year- finally!!!  Previously, something else had already been planned or the drive was too far from Morgantown.  Hopefully, I have a driving companion, but if not I may just go solo or even take the family with me...  

This Halloween inspiration is really keeping me going.  No Pennsic for us this year, which is really disappointing and "just as well" considering I have the Art Journaling workshop coming up.  

You'll get the full low-down on the no Pennsic situation later.  Until then, enjoy the rest of your week! 

HEALth and HEALing

In my last post, I showed you my Sanctuary... my Studio.  Since I went on my mini art retreat, I've really prioritized yoga with meditation, doggie walks and art time.  This post I wrote in a local Pittsburgh Facebook group (for local folks with thyroid disorders) sums up my experience since then:

"In the spirit of encouragement, I thought I'd share some great things that have been going on with me. Over the last week, I've been doing chakra balancing yoga including meditation in the morning and another meditation (sometimes chakra focused, sometimes not) in the evening before bed and my body, mind and spirit have shown wonderful healing signs- like my nails are in better shape than I saw them after the cleansing fast [I did this fall], which I thought was amazing and I'm more patient and joyful. I'm better able to center myself. I know it's really difficult with kids to get the time and space to do these sorts of things, which is why I haven't been as consistent in the past. But, the more I do yoga and meditate, the more results I see, and the better able I am to adjust to all the things that get in the way or break my concentration, like Angelo running his cars over me or throwing a fit in the middle of my practice or sitting in my lap while I [do pranayama] [or the doggie sings her "omg you're in the floor song in my face and/or licks my face]. I'm better able to accept that this is what a Mother's yoga practice looks/feels/acts like. I've also made sure to do art journaling almost every day, whether I can get some "just me" time or not. (Anti-perfectionism!!!) Surprisingly, all this has led me to do a little more cooking and managing the laundry better. Or maybe that shouldn't be so surprising. :) I often think as our energy system as a bank that you have to make deposits in to have anything to withdraw. :) Hope this helps!"

Then, in response to someone asking me how I stayed active and whether it was easy or just a great habit I said, 

"I've been active most of my life, but definitely been through periods of time where I'm sluggish and tired and just not motivated to move. Moving to Pittsburgh where there's a huge variety of classes to take really helped. I LOVE to dance, and have taken belly dance, hip hop, and stiletto fit classes. Also some yoga classes since I always practice longer and do a bigger variety of poses in a class than at home because someone is making me. Even though the cost and the hassle getting there are concerns, I made the commitment to keep going to classes and if I didn't go to class then I was more active at home. No, it wasn't easy at any point when I had to force myself to go to class when I was/am tired. Repeating "remember how good you feel afterwards" helps get me there. Since going on my mini art retreat, I remind myself of all the benefits I've reaped so far and that helps me to keep walking the dog and fitting in at least some yoga before/after even if I have to do only standing poses and plank in the kitchen while the eggs boil (did that this week some time). I really think meditation and art help give me the peace of mind and therefore extra energy to keep going. Also, I can _really_ feel it when I go too long without yoga. My body hurts [when I go too long without yoga]. I used belly dance and yoga to heal after several car accidents years ago, so experience tells me that it's going to "put me back together". A friend of mine talked about her method to motivate herself to keep walking: she said "just don't think about it. Just put on your shoes and go." It's a way to keep from talking yourself out of it... which I've done on plenty of occasions. Also, walking the dog is easier to motivate for because I know she needs it to be healthy too. She also lets me talk out any issues I have or problems I need to solve. I've had many "Aha!" moments on our walks; guess they are like meditation too. So, I guess to sum up (ha ha), I just keep remembering all the benefits and focus on that."

Currently, I'm not taking many classes, but I do consider them the boost I needed to motivate myself on my own.  The past few years have been relatively unhealthy ones for me (among my "periods of time where I'm sluggish and tired and just not motivated to move").  After having Angelo, many things (not always  directly related to him) "went haywire" among the people I love and am close to.  My Dad having strokes and being in and out of the hospital was part of that.  Because I had a small child, I really shut down parts of myself so I could keep going.  But that method really caught up to me. A little over a year ago, I was really not healthy despite eating pretty healthy foods and not being a _total_ couch potato.  I tried, but I needed to try harder.  I felt pretty beaten down.

Now that I'm on the other side of that, I can share what has helped me and hope that it helps someone else.  Along with the commitment to eat healthier and moderate portions, exercise, meditate and do more art- generally honor and nurture my Whole Self- I recruited help.  There were people who helped me push along the path to better health.  

First I saw a massage therapist 2 weeks after I miscarried last June.  She urged me to do a detoxification program, which lead me to see the naturopath.  He encouraged me to journal and that renewed habit lead me to call the really amazing psychic I saw at the beach when Angelo was 3.  She confirmed something that was in the back of my mind- that I should talk to a life coach- someone who listens to what you are going through/pondering/trying to figure out and helps you find solutions and clarify your goals.  Michelle Ward, the When I Grow Up Coach, helped me to sort out many things I needed to let go of and stop doing just because I felt obligated to.  (If you sign up with Michelle, which I highly recommend, tell her Kimberly Minardi sent you, please!) This freed up energy to start looking into my heart and forgiving (myself and others) and letting go of a lot of Pain I was holding onto.  An excellent book that I read to help this process is "Unconditional Forgiveness- a Simple and Proven Method to Forgive Everyone and Everything" by Mary Hayes Grieco.  

My vision board had goals on it that only my heart understood at the time (my mind kept saying "I'm not sure why I'm choosing this), but because it was too closed I couldn't see or feel what they were.  Now when I look at it, I'm amazed!  It really helps support the idea that if you trust even the quietest whispers of your intuition and collect and collage images that speak to you, you can push your life forward in the direction of your choosing.  Truly, truly amazing!  

Speaking of collaging images that speak to me and health and healing, here are some sneak peaks into some of the art journaling I've been doing:

When I scheduled the Art Journaling Workshop with Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, I knew it would make me focus much more on art journaling than other creative efforts and I am so so glad that I did.  I am really excited to share this process at the workshop, so if you can make it, it will be so worth your while, I promise!  :)  If you live too far away to come to the workshop, I am working on getting some materials together to be able to offer an ecourse or perhaps an ebook.  No idea when it will be ready, but just wanted to get people thinking about it.  Feels scary letting people know my plans, but it really feels like something that just has to go out into the world.  :)  

Thanks for hanging in on this long post.  I hope it is useful for you. :)

Zen and the Art of Coloring

Totally asleep with the crayon still in his hand.  :)

There's nothing like coloring for relaxing, color-filled fun.  And for me, it's a great no pressure way to play with color combinations.  It's been interesting to watch DS progress into his coloring interest.  It used to take a few marks and then he was ready to move on to something new.  Now, he's willing to work on the same couple of pages over the course of a few days.

He's inclined to build things pretty often and his imagination is so fun to watch in action.

 

This book is really fun.  It's not for Angelo, though. It gives me something fun to do while he is coloring or happily running around the yard.  Originally I got it because the doodles are really cool and I wanted to use it as inspiration for art journaling.  There are coloring pages and blank butterflies so you can doodle/draw your own.  So far, it's stayed downstairs, but I'm sure at least a few designs have lodged in my brain and come out in the studio- which is the way I'd rather it happen anyway.

There's also a mandalas book in this line and I definitely plan on getting that one soon.  Birdie- didn't you say you made mandalas?  Would love to hear about your process!  :)  I have been interested in focusing more on them, especially since meeting and sculpting next to the Tibetan monks at the Children's Museum.  Inner Peace- isn't that the real reason we make art?  

 

Self Care/Self Love

My temporary workspace for the last 2 days.  I really like the desk and may change my worktable for a desk with drawers.

Though I remarkably restrained myself, I felt in the spirit of full disclosure that I should tell you I requested a room with 2 double beds so I could have the surface area to spread out. ;) 

Two days in a hotel by myself with some art supplies and "no obligations".  Sounds like heaven, right?   Well, for me, it was kind of difficult to jump right in due to missing my guys and my pup... even though the whole thing was my idea (and the hotel was about 10 or so minutes from home).  I chanted to myself on the way, "this is an act of great self-love", "how else am I going to get in the meditation time I crave so much right now?", "Do not go home".  After checking in and setting up, I glued one thing.  Then I ate and watched TV.  It wasn't even good TV.  Then I glued another thing and checked Facebook.  Really, I needed some time to decompress before inspiration hit. About 9:00 I finally got the paint out and really got going.  About 10:30, I called home and almost cried talking to Angelo.  He picked up on it and was sad. :(  *Insert best guilt releasing I could muster* More art making. A little "Soul of Healing" meditation with Deepak Chopra before bed and I slept peacefully.

The next morning, I meditated again and did some chakra balancing sun salutations.  By then, I was feeling so peaceful, I wasn't bothered by the fact that I had to eat, shower, etc. and wasn't using my art time to maximum efficiency.  Yes, I managed to work some guilt in about not doing what I loved enough in there the first day. Started art journal entries in the afternoon and by about midnight, I was still going strong. Then, an abrupt awareness that I needed to pack up if I wanted to do morning yoga before checkout made me sad.  Nothing is ever an experience with just one emotion, though, is it?  Even though it was only 2 days, and in some ways "not enough time", I was excited to get back to my family and eat in my own house.  But, it was so good and I'm so glad I did it.  Maybe there's a state park near that rents cabins??

Then, at home, I answered an email where I backed out of something I committed to because "it wasn't an absolute yes" (so it was a no... forget where I heard that, but it's good to remember.)  After sending that email, I was greeted by a newsletter from SARK that started by asking me "Do you ever feel guilty or worried about taking time and energy just for you? Most people do. Do you happily and easily change or cancel plans that no longer feel good? Most people don't.
Many people are motivated unknowingly by what i call *FOG or *PUS- or both! 

Fear

Obligation

Guilt

Pressure

Urgency

Scarcity


Copyright 2012 SARK. All rights reserved. Even though we are not.;-)"

That hit home on both accounts! 

Then, I found this post by Michelle Ward, the "When I Grow Up Coach" on self-care.  Seems there is a Universal theme going on!  

Also something I found recently that you may find inspiring and related: How to love yourself in 17 Ways  a post by Evelyn Lim.

Wishing you much Self Love and Self Care!!

Walks, Flowers and Art Journaling

Dana-bo-Baynah will be 8 on Friday!!! Just love this special pup and am looking forward to toasting her with a special bottle of wine we've been saving for a great occasion like this.  My SIL bought us a bottle from Real Dogs Wine.

My furry child and I have really been enjoying our walks (and long talks) around the neighborhood.  When we first moved here, I walked her in the cemetery up the road and took a lot of interesting pictures.  In recent months, we have found a great route using the sidewalks in the blocks immediately around our house and since the first buds of Spring, I've been taking pictures of the neighbor's flowers.  So nice of them to plant right next to the sidewalk so I don't have to feel like a stalker and climb into their yards.

Some of these are printed and ready to go into art journal entries.  Although I've been art journaling in one form or another for several years, I have been on a role lately as I am thinking a lot about my upcoming Art Journaling Workshop at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts.  Lots of art love going on here!

If you art journal, what are your favorite prompts?