Staying Creative

Have you set up your art journaling space yet? Here's a look at mine as I neared completion of this page. A few things, first it's a page and not a spread because sometimes that's what I'm called to paint. The open book above my journal is what my favorite teacher, Orly Avineri lovingly refers to as your "sidekick" (a companion journal, small in size to act as a palette, paintbrush cleaner, holder of messages and gentle reminder to work loosely without regard to the outcome.) I also use a deli sheet for small mixes of paint. I limit my palette of paint colors so I have to mix to get some variety (works well!). A water jar and some paintbrushes. A pen and pencil. A candle to remind me of so many things, mostly that life is energy and movement and staying in one place too long is never good for your mind, body or soul.

Open your journal and open your heart. Play with some paint, make some marks. Make a mess. Close it, open it again, what do you see? What do you hear? What do you feel? Learn to follow your heart all the way from beginning to end. It doesn't matter where you go but you'll never get there if you don't start.

My journal has been filling with portraits and they all seem to have different messages for me. I love painting them and then listening to them.

I'll be putting together another journaling workshop this year, maybe more than one. I hope you'll join me.

Susie

A Few More...

Keep creating! I'll keep posting while looking forward to a healthier world in 2021.

Susie

December, 2020

Rejoice! and Let it Happen

Here are two pages from my journal this month. I've begun to separate the time I take to journal and the time I take to reflect, honor and connect my journal page to what's happening in my life. It could be a silver lining to this pandemic/stay at home/stay healthy year. I feel myself shifting into a slower pace in my life and while that sounds enticing and wonderful, it's still a challenge for me. I'm kind of a "jump in head-first, learn to swim later" kind of gal so the thought of slowing down makes me a bit nervous.

When I look at these pages though, and take the time to connect them to my life I can see from the left hand spread that connections with others and celebrating things together is what I want and will continue to work toward. On the right hand spread, I can see that letting go and letting things happen is something I want to continue. Specifically, I know I was trying to sketch a scallop shell on the top. The scale was wrong, my tool was too big and it didn't really look like a shell. Once I let go of trying to control how the outcome I ended up with a very unique pattern I really like.

Soon, we'll be in a new year and hopefully many lessons will have been learned about our lives and how we live them. I'll keep showing up in my studio and learning my lessons. Art has been and continues to be a very thoughtful and impactful journey.

Susie