The ABC's of Inspiration

"Tell the negativity committee that meets inside your head to sit down and shut up."

I know that not only creating Art heals...

But looking at the Art you have created

can Uplift and Encourage you

to keep on going 

through life's struggles.

Keeping an Art Journal has been one of the 

most rewarding artistic endeavors

I have ever undertook.

If you have no idea of 

what an Art Journal is 

or are thinking about starting one

or just want some ideas...

Go here for lots of  journaling inspiration!

It's time for a Brand New Challenge in our Facebook Group...

Mind.Body.Soul.

I LOVE coming up with ideas for our challenges

and am just so grateful for 

everyone who participates and shares their Art!!

Thank you!!

"The ABC's of Inspiration" Challenge begins

Wednesday March 23rd...

yep, that's tomorrow!

This Challenge is meant to Energize and Refresh your Spirit 

by creating 26 tags, index cards or journal pages with ONE Word

for each letter of the Alphabet.

Here is my "A" example...

ABLE

I chose the Word ABLE for several reasons...

First and foremost I want to remind myself

that no matter what the circumstance I am quite ABLE to 

persevere and do what I set out to do.

Synonyms for my Word include...

capable

apt

competent

smart 

strong

My Word for the letter "B" is

 BEAUTY.

Sometimes I need reminding

that there truly is BEAUTY in all things. 

I chose two of my symbols...

the butterfly 

and

heart

to further get my message across to myself.

Each week I will post TWO letters of the Alphabet long with my 

projects and thoughts on the Words I chose.

As always I would LOVE to see YOUR work...be sure and share in our FB group!!

Mind.Body.Soul.

Step by Step Journal Process

“The flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all.” 
― Walt Disney Company, Mulan

Most times when working in my journal I just start spreading down paint...not really having a direction...just letting my mind wander...waiting to see where it takes me. 

This page started out a bit different.

This is the last week of our Mind.Body.Soul "Take Three Challenge" and Sherry's challenge this week was to use stencils and paint and the Word FRAGILE. 

Stencils and paint are my art journal staples so I was excited!

I began with four stencil and three colors, using a make-up sponge to apply. I did swipe my pages with gesso before starting.

The Word Fragile, however was not a word I felt very inspired by.

I was equating the Word with being weak and scared...topics I don't usually cover in my journals.

Next I added some book pages, pattern paper and neon pink paint around the edges. I also added one more stencil:)

But the more I built my background the more my mind let go. 

I began thinking about my vintage girls...the angels in particular.

I use wings with my "girls" more times than not so I grabbed these and glued them down.

As I cut each image out I thought about my sweet, kind and very talented daughter, Emma.

She had said something to me just a week ago that was beautiful...

"Mom, you know I have two angels that watch over me and one of them 

is Grandma A."

After I laid the girls down I took my black and white gel pens and added a few doodles/outlines.

I then thought about ALL my sweet daughter has been through the past four years and how HARD she has worked to HEAl and then it came to me...

"My fragile heart is given strength by the wings of others."

My thoughts were pouring out of me as I stamped a few images

on the background for depth and shaded each angel-girl.

I have always been inspired by this gorgeous girl...this time around I put wings on her.  She represents Emma.

I first stenciled the wings with gold then used a stabilo pencil and white gel pen to highlight

Here are my finished pages.

I am linking up with Anything But Cute, Mixed Media Monthly and Stamps & Stencils!

Stop by my FB group for MORE fun challenges!! Mind.Body. Soul. 

Start Where You Are

I was overweight most of my childhood, did not participate in 

any kinds of sports, was always picked last for 

gym class and had the self-esteem of Charlie Brown.

I didn't feel like people believed in me so I didn't believe in myself.

In spite of all my insecurities I became quite successful with my high school speech team, was president of FBLA and landed all the leads in my high school play. Heck I even

landed the child lead in a traveling production my Sophomore year. 

Acting gave me confidence like I had never known.

Still...

I wasn't happy with 

ME.

I constantly obsessed about my weight...

my hair...

ME.

I never felt good enough.

When my Dad was dying in June 1996 I made him and ME a promise.

I was going to set a goal and RUN a marathon and dedicate it to HIM.

I had never ran a day in my life.

Not only did I REACH my goal...but I raised $4,000 dollars for the Leukemia Society...the awful disease that took my father from me...and I gained respect for MYSELF. I had a confidence I had 

never known in MYSELF.

It was a beautiful thing.

At the finish line in 1999. I ran the Mayor's Midnight Sun in Anchorage, Alaska.

But somewhere along the line

I have lost my way.

The confidence I once knew has gone.

I find myself self-conscious and fixated on my body flaws.

When I look in the mirror I see an aging, frumpy-looking woman.

I FEEL like an aging, frumpy-looking woman!

But that's changing...

slowly, but surely.

And it feels so good.

This quote is such a wonderful reminder for me...

when I was training for my first marathon (i have ran two)...

I never, ever focused on the finish line. 

I took each day and focused on the run THAT DAY.

It was a powerful thing to see myself grow stronger and stronger each day.

And it can be today.

If you have lost your way...

If you feel bad about yourself...

your body...

where you are in your fitness life I have the book for YOU!

I have followed Tosca for over 10 years. She is AMAZING!!

This book is life-changing in soooo many ways! She shares HER journey and the

way she went about getting back in shape in her 40's is nothing less than motivational and inspirational!

I turn 50 this year.

It is my intention to set a goal, make a plan, get to work, stick to it and

REACH MY GOAL!

If you would like information on Tosca's book you can go here.

Work Hard/Inspire Others

“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” 
― Eleanor Roosevelt

The past few weeks I have been creating in our family computer room. With a few baskets here and there, words and phrase sheets scattered across the floor and minimal supplies I have tried to recreate my studio...without success! I miss my beautiful sun-filled space soooo much but it's all been worth the time away. You see my incredibly talented daughter, Emma has been busy as a bee...working day and night (literally) on her art portfolio for her college application.

Her work is stunning.

Heartfelt.

Thoughtful.

I am so proud of her!

A quick sketch with gel pens

My sweet girl has been creating since she was old enough to hold a crayon in her hand. Always drawing, coloring and having "art shows" for her family.

A sketch using Prism color pencils along with a sweet cup of chocolate chips to keep up her energy!

Her dream is to attend MECA...The Maine College of Art.

A sketch in progress

Last fall we drove to Portland for a campus visit and portfolio review...the college is amazing!

This is the city of Portland!

  All of us fell in love with the charm and beauty of Portland...it's breathtaking!

MECA

One of the unique aspects of MECA is every Junior and Senior gets their OWN small studio!

One of the many large studios at MECA

To watch my girl work so hard for her BIG DREAM has been one of the most inspiring things I've ever witnessed.

One of her many oil paintings

 “Everything you can imagine is real.” 

― Pablo Picasso

This one is my favorite!

So yeah...I haven't been in my studio for the past 20 days...but no complaints here. For instead of spending time in my space, painting, journaling, dreaming....I have been able to rejoice with my daughter each time she yells..."Mom, come here! I want to show you my latest piece!" I get to hear her sweet voice as she sings merrily away, paintbrush in hand, eagerly creating her latest masterpiece. My greatest JOY has come from her happiness. 

My girl. 

The artist. 

Throughout her life Em has always been inspired by one of her favorite artists...Leonardo Da Vinci. This past June we were blessed to travel to Europe and see Da Vinci's home, his tomb and of course his magnificent paintings including his most famous...The Mona Lisa.

Here is my girl...her beautiful light shining...at his home.

Emma has always put 100% into whatever she is doing. And when it comes to her art...well, I think her work speaks for itself. I believe this Da Vinci quote fits her perfectly!

Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art. 

Leonardo da Vinci

What she has taught me these past few weeks is to go after MY Big Dreams! No more excuses! When your heart speaks you can do nothing else but listen...then get to work...and do your VERY best. 

Focus.

Be Diligent.

Be positive.

Take care of your body.

Listen to the Spirit.

I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do. Leonardo da Vinci

Take Three Challenge: Week One

 Creativity is always a leap of faith. You're faced with a blank page, blank easel, or an empty stage.

Julia Cameron

Our Take Three Challenge began on Monday in our Mind.Body.Soul Facebook group.

Each week for the next five weeks join us for weekly inspiration as we take TWO products and ONE word and create something wonderful! This week our products were alphabet stickers...

I don't know about you but I have oodles of them and don't know what to do with them all!!

  And washi tape.

I LOVE washi tape for it's versatility...you can use it for soooo many things!

Our Word this week is BLOOM.

Now to show you my take on the challenge.

I have had these Thickers from American Crafts for YEARS. They have really lost their "stick-a-bility"...but this font is just so COOL I wanted to use them!

They worked perfectly as a mask! Since they don't stick I just laid them on my page in my art journal and sprayed over with my favorite Dylusions spray ink "London Blue".

I wanted to add just a POP of color to my page...
the washi tape was just the thing!

At first I thought I would only add it to the top right corner...but I liked it so much I thought the bottom left needed a burst of brightness, too:)

Before I even began this challenge I knew where I wanted to go with this page...when I think of BLOOM I think of what we are capable of when we finally stop listening to all the negative nonsense in our heads and replace it with positive words and phrases.

I chose one of my favorite vintage girls and made a speech "bubble" with white cardstock.

Doesn't she just look so authentically HAPPY?!

After cutting out the speech bubble I took my letter stickers (along with a few word and phrase stickers) and began filling it up with goodness!! I then used black ink to outline the bubble to add dimension.

I hope you like my take on this week's challenge! If you haven't found our Facebook group yet be sure and join here!!

Embrace Your Creativiy

Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.

Scott Adams

What a great reminder on this Monday!

I encourage you to take this week and CREATE.

Don't worry about making something so extraordinary everyone will love it.

When I began art journaling 6 or 7 years ago I thought EVERYTHING I created had to be perfect.

That mind-set paralyzed me.

Instead of creating...

I only THOUGHT about creating.

I took Soul Restoration from Melody Ross and slowly my mind began to change.

I began to realize that I was unique.

My thoughts are unique.

My ART is unique.

The most important thing we can learn when it comes to creating is to just DO IT.

Your art

my art

is just for 

US.

Why do we feel the need to make sure others like it, too?

Throughout the past few years I have come to 

EMBRACE my messy art.

I used to not use my vintage girls...

even though they are what spoke to me the most.

I was always more creative and happy when I used them in my work.

But one day I read a comment from a woman who said that using vintage women images was overdone. She didn't like them and was sick of seeing them.

So 

I 

quit.

That's when my inspiration just 

dried 

up.

I didn't set foot in my studio for months at a time.

Slowly

over time

I made my way back...

creating backgrounds

and pages with Words.

The more I posted my work again and the more

I created challenges in my Mind.Body.Soul group

the more I began using my vintage girls again.

Now I don't even think about it.

I have EMBRACED my grungy, messy style

using my sweet, old-time girls...

I am 

Happy.

I am in my studio almost daily.

I go wherever my creativity takes me.

Lil Wayne

Be 

YOU.

Never compromise.

 

Weekend Tag Challenge

I think it's imperative to follow your heart and choose
a profession you're passionate about,
and if you haven't found that "spark" yet,
if you're not sure what you want to do with your lives -
be persistent until you do.
- Steve Kerr

I have a weekend Challenge for you girls.

Let's make TAGS! They are soooo easy and soooo fun!

Don't have a tag? Don't worry...no need to buy some.

*Take index cards or cardstock

*Cut the index card in half

*Cut the cardstock to desired size (small-ish)

*Grab 2 or 3 favorite colors (acrylic paint, spray ink, colored pencils, gelatos)

*Color

*Add favorite image (try to choose just one theme like I did here with hearts)

*Add your fave word or saying

Happy Friday!!

Join our Facebook group!

Our Take Three Challenge is on it's Way!!!

For with each dawn, she found new hope that someday, her dreams of happiness would come true.  -Cinderella

I am a big believer in supporting one another. None of this competition stuff for me . It always makes my heart so sad when I hear of women bashing on other women...especially when it comes to each other's art. 

Every ounce of creativity we have should be shared...put out into the world. Whether it's in the form of baking a delicious Birthday cake for loved ones, refurbishing an old chair, painting on a canvas or pouring our hearts into our art journals with paper, paint and glue...we are born to be creative beings. 

It's time we lift one another up...encouraging each other, lightening the load, praising the woman that is Brave enough to GIVE. 

This is my goal in our Facebook Group Mind.Body.Soul. I had been to so many on-line communities that were filled with beautiful art but made ugly by petty jealousy, competition and the "I am better than you" mentality. Or there seemed to be so many rules on posting that it took the fun out of it.

I will ALWAYS support each person in our group.

I support your art.

I support you Truth.

I support you sharing.

I support your creative endeavors...your blogs, your own art challenges you may wish to share. 

We should not be in competition with one another. 

But rather LOVE and cheer on.

Throughout my OWN artful journey I have offered women like you FREE classes and challenges in hope to FILL YOU UP with love and gratitude for yourself. If you haven't taken any of my classes please take time to check them out then choose one. They are all self-paced and always at the top of my blog...

Thirty-One Days

Journey to the Heart

Six Week Word Challenge

Mind.Body.Soul. Challenge

And my most popular one with over 70,000 views and pins...

52 Weeks

I am proud of each class and LOVE it when I hear from girls like you that have gotten something out of them!!

This month we are doing something different in our Facebook and I am super excited to share it!!

It's called the "Take Three Challenge". What makes this one so different from my other ones is I have invited FOUR other artists to help me out...

Here's how it will work...

Starting Monday February 22nd I will posting in the group and on my blog...

ONE Word

TWO products

An example would be...

Word: Charity

Products: washi tape & chipboard

I will show you what I made using at least those two products and one word then you create whatever you are inspired to! As always we LOVE it when you SHARE in our FB group!! 

The following weeks we will hear from other artists from our Mind.Body.Soul. group...

Mary Langley

Kassity Matthison

Cheryl Lavender

Sherry Canino

Girls, this is going to be SOOOOO FUN and inspiring!! Please share in your art groups, blogs, on Pinterest...wherever you are inspired to!!

If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment on message me in our FB group. 

We have built a WONDERFUL, caring and loving enviroment in or Mind.Body.Soul. group. I am so proud of everyone there!!!

Here's to being creative together!!!

Becoming Connected in 2016

Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.

Francis of Assisi

As part of holding myself accountable to my Word of the Year each month I will be checking in...sharing how it's going. What's working and what's not. If there is one thing I have learned in the  years of blogging...writing about it helps me stay on track. 

My Word for 2016 is CONNECT. Here is how dictionary.com defines the word...

to join, link, or fasten together; unite or bind:

2.

to establish communication between; put in communication:

3.

to have as an accompanying or associated feature:

4.

to cause to be associated, as in a personal or business relationship:

5.

to associate mentally or emotionally

The past few years I haven't done so well when it comes to making connections. I mean I do okay on-line...but face to face...not so much. I tend to be shy and I like to stay all safe and cozy in my Home. And when it comes to Connecting to my Father in Heaven...while it's so important to me, my Bible study has been anything but stellar. 

My other connections include my sweet husband, my mom and my kids. Each relationship could use a step up! 

And then there is my Health. Ugh. I have Hashimoto's and honestly I have ignored it for YEARS. My body has been screaming at me that something is just not right but I haven't made that Connection until now.

So here I am...in the last week of January and I must say...things are going pretty darn GOOD! Here is where I am today...

*I have joined a church, making new friends, reaching out and hey, I am now in charge of our Sunday morning breakfast/coffee bar!! It's awesome!

*My sweet husband and I have gone out on  a few dates...just us. We have laughed and acted like twenty year olds...it's just what I need!!

*I am seeking ways to improve my health based on my Hashimoto's Disease. It's gonna be a process but I have begun!

*My Mom and I are communicating better and I am more patient, giving and understanding. We are playing cards weekly and Connecting!!

Life is so good and I can FEEL myself becoming Connected again. It's been a wonderful journey and I look forward to February and welcome new friendships, new memories and new growth!

How is YOUR Word being implemented into your life?

Heartfelt Intentions

Whatever good things we build end up building us.

Jim Rohn

Eight Weeks ago we began our "Journey to the Heart" art journaling challenge. And today it comes to an end. What a WONDERFUL time we have had!! 

Listening, writing, painting, cutting, gluing our way to finding what's in our Hearts. Not only have I grown from my own experiences but seeing YOUR art work and reading YOUR stories in our Facebook group has been so inspiring! Thank so much for sharing!!

Your last assignment is to go back and look at your art...

the colors you chose...

the words and phrases you used.

Does there seem to be repeating shapes and symbols on each piece? For me it's arrows, hearts and circles.

Throughout our journey we have dug deep, made lists and maybe even tried a new technique or two.

Now it's time to create a "Master List"...a reference guide for when you are stumped what to do with your next blank page in your journals...jot down words you use/want to use...

*jot down words you use often/want to use more
*what are your favorite color combos
*what techniques do you LOVE and want to use more
*what seems to be the overall mood of your pages

Now take your journals and answer one more set of questions...be sure and share in our Mind.Body. Soul group!!

What Heartfelt Intentions do I want to fill 2016 with?

My list includes...

-entering DT calls
-participating in monthly mixed-media challenges
-trying new techniques and using up my stash
-exercising daily
-fill up on veggies and fruit

Anyone's life truly lived consists of work, sunshine, exercise, soap, plenty of fresh air, and a happy contented spirit.

Lillie Langtry

Girls you are ALL amazing!! Keep creating and sharing and digging deep in 2016. I can't wait to share another Challenge with you in a few weeks!!

Journey to the Heart