Seeds of Love

Seeds of Love

Last week I met with my art expression group. I asked the group to consider a gift of peace. In the form of a mandala,  as an antithesis to so much dis-ease and unrest that people are suffering throughout the world, the group created their ideas of peace.

Group members did a fabulous job sharing their images and ideas. Since this is a new group, and a first time for me running an art therapy group at church, I decided not to use any of the participants work in this post and respect their privacy.

This piece of art was the only one I created in our third session. I felt comfortable to engage, and wanted to contribute my desires for peace in the processing discussion.

The yellow heart occupying the center is the love of Spirit rooted and growing strong. The heart sends off shoots into the world for more seeds of love to take root and grow, and so on.

I remember a supervisor always telling me, "You may not see the affects of your therapy on the client, but you are planting seeds that may be the impetus for change in the future." Hopefully, our positive thoughts in that moment will translate into a ripple effect touching more lives than just the few in the room. Here's to peace.

Artist Trading Cards

Collage Unleashed

 I was excited to participate in the Art Therapy Alliance Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) Exchange this August 2010 since I missed out on the the July exchange. An opportunity to make art with a purpose and a deadline. Just the motivation I need! 

As usual, I spend more time thinking about making art than actually working on the various projects I have waiting. I was hoping this little exchange would jump-start me on my goal of a weekly art experiential. 

I can, at least, say that I am looking at art more often with little artist dates to local galleries, or taking out books and videos from the library. I am still greasing my wheels to spend more time on paper with pen or paint, and less time in my head mulling. I'll let you know how my condition of constant pondering changes to action.

Making these mini collages were both stimulating and relaxing. It was exciting getting out my supplies, deciding what to bring to the dining room table or what to leave behind, as well as setting up my work space. All my decisions were made with the gut, what felt right and what produced happiness. Sitting down to finally work was relaxing due to the fact that my mind was not being assaulted by millions of random thoughts. I focused on the task at hand taking pleasure in the quiet, the colors, the feathers, the glitter, the textured papers, the glue, and the water color. Materials that I have carried from home to home, and state to state each time I moved or traveled within the past two years. Yes, I am a closet hoarder of art materials, but who isn't?

No matter, these pieces reflect my joy and the titles reflect the stage of my current transition, getting settled into a new state and the great possibilities for planning a new life. 

Hope you enjoy these little pieces of creative energy.

Click here for more info on ATCs.

Energy

Direction

Generosity

Abundance

How To Create Beautiful, Life Changing Artwork, One Project At A Time

How To Create Beautiful, Life Changing Artwork, One Project At A Time

The Ebb and Flow of Fire and Water

To begin with flaming red, yellow, and wood for fuel. Taking control by changing its form and adding some blue water to cool the flames. Trying to create my own balance or peace from energy so fiery. I do not want to completely snuff out the flame because that energy can be useful to propel me forward. Balance. Respect. Patience to work with the process of change.

Turbulence

I am tossed about on the waves of water and air, fear in my heart, trying to maintain a sense of direction. Struggling against Great Effort to keep from drowning. Look, there is Hope. Hope has come forth to great me and look again, Hope's partner Guidance. Guidance has moved to support my back making sure I do not become disoriented and turn whence I came. I continue moving forward with the help of Hope and Guidance. I will prevail.

Sunny day keepin' the clouds away…

I decided to break out the water colors and experiment. The white lines are oil pastel. It's a little messy, but I had such a good time doodling. I love the intensity of the colors it reminds me of a fair, of childhood, and candy. I leave the picture on my desk so I have something happy to look at first thing. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Speed

A drawing for Illustration Friday. Spooky comes in two speeds, fast and none at all. Here is my attempt at capturing feline beauty.

Illustration Friday: Spring

Welcome to spring. Beautiful color, wonderful scents, warm air. Delicious.

The Faces of Me

Do you ever feel like you don't really know who you are? Do you ever feel like you don't really know who you are? You know who you think you are by the nice things others have said about you, but have you really taken the time to become acquainted yourself. Have you truly looked at yourself through the ages? What have you done with your life? What would you like to do? What are the things that you really don't care for but have pretended to like to please others? Can you learn to be authentically you without regret? Can you accept that you are not perfect, and accept that you do have a shadow self instead of trying to destroy it? When you try to destroy something about you that you do not like, you just create havoc. Accept your faults (weaknesses), learn something about yourself, and create growth.

Illustration Friday: Feet

Hi all. Finally, I am able to upload my file. Here is my contribution for Illustration Friday. We have my foot and Pasha's mittens.

This is great! Putting my work out for the world to see will really motivate me to practice and improve. I appreciate any constructive criticism. Thanks in advance for visiting.

Red Chair in Tissue Paper

One upsetting day I pulled out my sketchbook and tissue paper to copy a beautiful photo of a red chair. This was the result and I felt better. I am also including a small copy of the photo I was working from.

Tattoo

I finished this drawing last week and it reminds me of a tattoo. It is all I have and I've been itching to contribute something to illoFri. I am very excited about this site and this is the first of many contributions I plan to make. Hope you like it.

Hello

This is my first blog and I hope I don't make a fool of myself. My goals is to share some of the creative work that I have done since becoming an art therapy student. Hopefully, I will be able to post my images without too much trouble. Wish me luck. Hope you enjoy what you see.

The images include are of my artist's book. The assignment was to create a piece that reflects a personal issue from the present or our childhood. I'm wonder what kind of impression others get seeing this piece. I may tell you more about it later.