Filed under: catalyst
As always, thank you to all of our visitors and all the encouraging comments you left for us. For those of you who did, thank you for playing along with us.
Ok! Here’s catalyst number eighty-nine:
Tell us about a time when you realized you had the answer to something you were struggling with where you least expected.
We’re thrilled to have Denise Lynnette Andrade as this week’s Guest Artist.
Denise is another photographer whose work speaks to my soul and I am so delighted to have her here. Here’s a short bio for Denise:
Denise is a photographer and writer living in Southern California with her husband, son and two kitties. Her fine art photography style is very vintage and ethereal, capturing artists as their most alluring selves. Her writing is straight from the deepest parts of her soul. She is a bohemian, a tree hugger, an inspirer of authenticity and a gentle warrior in all the spaces she communes with in life.
If you haven’t seen Denise’s photography, make sure to visit her photography site, her website and blog and you too will see that Denise is one of those rare artists whose photos and words speak to your soul.
Here is Denise’s art with this week’s catalyst. You can click on them to see larger versions. Denise’s words this week are about her son and a specific period of time in her life and about looking within. So this week, she has three photographs for you. One of her taken during that time, one of her son’s and one recent photo of Elizabeth MacCrellish (creator of Squam Art Workshops) whom she believes is a wonderful emulation of someone feeling connected to their own voice and hushing out other voices that don’t resonate with them. Photos are presented in that order.
Denise Says:
Perhaps because it is still so fresh in my mind and heart, I would say it was during my fertility journey where I discovered I had the answers within. I think we all have the answers deep within the workings of our hearts if we are able to clear out the clutter, the muck, the gremlins, the voices that are not ours. It is a matter of distinguishing which voices are ours and which are not.
I believe my inner voice became more clear during my fertility journey mainly because of the tremendous amount of advice or opinions that came into my path (or our path…as it was my husband’s too) and I had no choice at one point but to find my center in the midst of chaos. My husband and I had gone through both Western and Eastern treatments and what we learned to do after each appointment (a few years into it) was to check in with our hearts…”does this feel peaceful? do we believe we’re not fertile? why am i feeling anxious about this? what is so unsettling? do i really believe my eggs are not healthy?”
We learned that it was okay to not agree with the “experts” that fell into our path if it didn’t feel right to us. It was okay to say no and move forward with something that resonated with our values and gentle way of walking in our worlds.
We went into this journey with very different expectations and after almost five years, our expectations melted away and we learned to not give away our power so easily and we also learned that our child was so near, as soon as we opened our hearts to the concept that what was most important was parenting a child, not so much getting pregnant and birthing one. This is when adoption came into our path.
The answers were there and once we truly listened without judgment, it all flowed so beautifully.
Thank you so much Denise; we’re so very very honored.
Here are some interpretations of the catalyst from members of our team. This week, we’re delighted to welcome back Alexis to our team!
Alexis:
Journaling Reads:
For each ecstatic instant
We must an anguish pay
In keen and quivering ratio
To the ecstasy.
For each beloved hour
Sharp pittances of years,
Bitter contested farthings
And coffers heaped with tears.
-Emily Dickinson
Alexis Says:
Lately, I’ve been evaluating the choices I’ve made in my life and the reasons guiding those choices. I’ve wondered why certain things have happened the way they have. As I came to grips with the fact that there really are no absolute answers to my questions, I came across this poem by Emily Dickinson. I’ve always loved her poetry, but never had the connection I experienced after reading this particular one again. Although it doesn’t provide a definitive answer to my ponderings, it really helped me to make more sense of the events in my life.
Amy:
Amy Says:
Our struggles are not always life-sized in scope. Something I have wanted to do for about a year is learn to free-form quilt. When I first tried it, however, I found that it wasn’t something that was instinctive for me. Disheartened by my early attempts and frustrated by what felt like a lack of fluidity to my movements (and to the resulting quilted line), I haven’t practiced much or often. Determined, I started trying again recently. I have heard a friend tell me often that I have to think of the needle as my pen, but my line continued to be more angular and stilted than I wanted. But then it clicked. Suddenly I felt the difference when my arms worked together and took control, when I stopped trying to have the pen do the work… and realized I had to do the work with the paper. It was in explaining the process to my son, a young artist, that I really “understood” the difference… and why the arms mattered. The whole picture came into shape. I’m still practicing, but I’m on the right track now. The answer was there… I just had to look at the problem differently.
Katie:
Katie Says:
I have always struggled with what I wanted to do for a career. When I was 15 I worked for a lady that had a home crafting business. I worked in her garage and painted, glued, tied bows and packaged. I did that for 2 years. I used to design patterns for my Mom’s wood working business and also did craft shows with her.
I became a parent at age 19 so I didn’t get a lot of “finding me” time. I just had to jump into a job to make ends meet. I worked at a department store in the fashion jewelry department. I loved to do the display cases and used to bring in props from home and I would spend hours making beautiful displays. Then I got hired by one of the manufacturers that made the jewelry. They had seem my cases on a store walk through and were impressed with my work. I did that for 7 years and loved it. I traveled around to all the malls in San Diego and merchandised their product.
Fast forward. I met my husband, got married, had 2 little girls and have became a stay at home Mom for the last 11 years (dabbling in all kinds of arts and crafts that I sold on ebay and at shows). All the while the career question has haunted me. What will I do, who will I become? I try to think of jobs that have flexibility so I can be there for my family, I try to think of jobs that aren’t too physically strenuous as I have some medical conditions and I try to think of jobs that won’t squash my creativity. I’m almost 40 and I cannot figure out what to do. Many sleepless nights, many hours researching potential jobs, many doubts….and then one day as I sat in my studio looking around at all my stuff I realized something.
Where else could I have a flexible schedule? A job where if the school nurse calls and says my daughter is sick that I can say, “I’ll be there in 5 minutes”. Where else can I have a job that is not too physically hard, I can sit and stand at will and if I need to take a break, I can? Where else can I find a job that will allow me to be as creative as I want to be? Right here, that’s where.
The answer has been in front of me the whole time. All these years. l have it right here. I am sitting in it right now as I type this. This is where I need to work. Right here at home. Luckily, I don’t require a lot of money. I am willing to dye my own hair and trim my own bangs. So, for right now I just need to get it started. Figure it out. Take step one. I am just glad that I have figured out that my career is in my own hands. Pun intended.
My piece of work signifies this realization. It’s “Homemade with Love” which is exactly what everything I make is. I put my whole heart into it. I want to work at home, creating with my heart and my hands. I don’t know where this will take me but I have drive and spirit and Thank God a husband whose job comes along with medical insurance! 
Karen:
Karen Says:
As I’ve written about several times before, in 2002, I quit my job on Wall St. to become a teacher for Teach for America. Relatively soon after I began teaching, I started having serious doubts about my ability to do this job justice. It was a very turbulent time in my life and I still struggle with it from time to time.
One of the things I did at the time was to take a course in the hopes that it would help me decide whether I was ready to quit the job or not. At the end of this intensive three day course, I had many answers to many other issues in my life but I still didn’t know if I should walk away.
A few weeks later, I was telling someone why I had originally chosen to go into the computer field (so I could work from home one day when I had kids) and then why I had quit the wall street career for a more altruistic one (so that what I did with my time away from my kids would be for a worthwhile cause). In talking to this person, I realized that I had made many significant decisions in my life on behalf of children I didn’t yet have. I also recognized that I had managed to setup my life such that I was working way too many hours to actually make room to have any kids.
As soon as I realized this, I quit my job, encouraged my unhappy husband to do the same (and pursue his dreams) and we moved across the country to setup a new life and within a year of moving we were expecting our first baby. I know that if it weren’t for the course, and for the struggles with my teaching job, I might have never stepped back enough to observe my life and notice how misaligned it was with my priorities.
Sometimes an unfortunate circumstance can be the catalyst to something wonderful and amazing.
Severine:
Severine Says:
Usually I find the answers to questions I can ask from me in a walk in nature and thinking of nothing. I’ve been thinking about this catalyst for over a week and I did not really have an answer or idea to put it on paper and also ran on Friday and I came upon these mushrooms alone beside the road with beautiful reds and oranges and I thought well here is my idea … I can say that it is in the nature that I find solutions or answers to my questions when I can walk alone in thinking of nothing.
In French:
Généralement je trouve les réponses aux questions que je peux me poser en allant me balader dans la nature et en ne pensant à rien. Ca fait plus d’une semaine que je réfléchis à ce Catalyst auquel je ne trouvais pas vraiment de réponse ni d’idée pour la mettre sur papier d’ailleurs et vendredi en allant courir je tombe sur ces champignons tout seul au bord de la route avec de belles couleurs rouges orangés et là je me suis dit bien là voilà mon idée … Je peux donc dire que c’est dans la nature que me viennent les solutions ou réponses à mes interrogations, quand je peux me balader tranquille en ne pensant à rien.
Rachel:
Rachel Says:
I created this canvas for this prompt because in looking back, the times I had the answers from where I least expected them has been when I was too busy looking outward to everyone and everything else to see that I had them all along, in myself, my heart. I just had to look there to find them. And find the courage and strength to act on the answers that I had all along.
Larissa:
Larissa Says:
I struggle a lot while working with my deadlines to make a scrapbooking task. Sometimes, an artistic work is so hard to be elaborated that I think it would be better to give it up. When that happens I realize there’s always an alternative, something in which I haven’t thought of before. I add an extra layer, leave it for the next day or just relax. When I do so, I find the answer I was looking for. Not so surprisingly, the answer is actually simple and it was already in my arsenal of possibilities.
For this catalyst, I wanted to let my emotions flow, without questioning much. I decided to work the circus theme. My page layout is called “Welcome to my life!” Take a sit, choose a role…
It shows the image of a pierrot. And it is weitten: “Pierrot was supposed to be very intelligent, very emotional and usually a very unhappy clown who hid his true feelings under a comic mask”.
Lori:
Lori Says:
The most difficult decision I have ever made was whether or not to send my 5 year-old to Kindergarten. We have two amazing schools in my town and are able to chose where we send our children, so I went to both orientations. The first one made me feel more conflicted and I expected the same from the second. Amazingly, it was at the second orientation that the light went on and I realized I needed to wait to send him. I never expected to feel such peace after leaving that orientation, but I knew it was the right thing to do. I’m so grateful I held him back one year. He is flourishing in school and is loving every second of it.
Journaling Reads:
Deciding to get married, buy a house and have a baby were nothing to deciding whether or not to send you to Kindergarten. This was the hardest decision I have ever made. I held you back one year and I am so grateful I did.
Now it’s your turn: show us your therapeutic art around “Tell us about a time when you realized you had the answer to something you were struggling with where you least expected.” I urge you to give it a try. It can be any form of art as long as it speaks to you.
Leave us comments with your work so we can share in your creative therapy, too. If you don’t have a community or blog where you upload photos, you can upload them on our flickr group.
Remember, this is not a competition. If your art makes you feel even a bit better at the end, you’ve won.
Until next week, enjoy each and every moment.
Filed under: catalyst
As always, thank you to all of our visitors and all the encouraging comments you left for us. For those of you who did, thank you for playing along with us.
Ok! Here’s catalyst number eighty-eight:
What’s the best relationship you’ve had so far? It can be a romantic one, a family member, or a friendship. Why is it so special?
We’re thrilled to have Tracey Clark as this week’s Guest Artist.
When I started creative therapy, almost two years ago, my goal had always been to represent all mediums of art. While we have been lucky enough to have a lot of scrapbookers and mixed media artists both on our team and as guests, there are many mediums of art that have been under represented. Photography is one of them.
I’ve asked several photographers to join our team and was delighted when Michelle finally agreed. I’ve also asked several photographers to guest for us and am really happy to finally have a few lined up. It’s only appropriate that we start with Tracey who not only takes incredibly touching photographs that speak both to your soul and heart, but she also founded shutter sisters which is a collaborative photo blog that celebrates women with a passion for photography. Shutter sisters marries images and words beautifully and gives you food for thought and food for your soul daily.
If you haven’t seen Tracey’s photography, make sure to visit her blog where you can get a sneak at the amazing person she is.
Here is Tracey’s art with this week’s catalyst. You can click on it to see a larger version.
Tracey Says:
When I was asked to do this post — months ago — I was delighted by my own potential. Excited for the possibilities. What was the most important relationship of my life? My first thought was my children. To have a platform to celebrate them individually as well as us together in our complicated yet beautiful web of mother and daughters made me reels with possibilities. And to speak of this relationship with art? Oh, it seemed too good to be true. Deep, rich, lovely.
My mind pulsed with the visceral artist’s blood that runs through me. Photography, collage, paint, paper. Messy, thick, colorful, sticky, tangible. The art and my love for my daughters built up on canvas as an ode to who they are, of what they mean to me. Layers of medium would symbolize our history together, layers of emotion deep and intense. I gained even more momentum when I was inspired by some sister friends (Kelly Rae Roberts as our fearless leader) on a retreat where we got our hands dirty in the celebration of art and friendship and love. Yes, I knew what I wanted to create long before I had it on the canvas.
And then life got in the way. I got busy. I got nervous. I tried to chicken out until I was reminded that my photography is enough. Exhale. Oh yes. Of course it is. Portraits of my daughters through my lens, as seen by my eyes, and captured at a particular moment in time; of a gesture, an expression, a moment…that is indeed enough. Every time I pick up my camera I choose to express my profound love and connection to my amazing daughters. And that is enough. Thank you Karen.
Technique Highlight:
I chose to use my beloved Lensbaby SuperWide for these shots. I knew I wanted these images to feel celebratory and offer some texture and movement. The Lensbaby can be magic that way. Bio shot of me taken by my oldest daughter especially for this post.
Thank you so much Tracey; we’re so very very honored.
Here are some interpretations of the catalyst from members of our team.
Iris:
Iris Says:
I can say that one of my best relationships was with my music. As a teenager it paved the way for me to travel and join music festivals. As a college student, it allowed me to earn and afford luxuries I may not have been able to afford otherwise. As a runner, it motivates me to keep going. As a scrapbooker, it calms me and is a constant companion whenever I create. I made this box to hold pictures that was taken during my years as a pianist. I doubt I will ever get to scrapbook those, so I thought this would at least make a nice home for those pictures.
Amy:
Amy Says:
This was a challenging catalyst. Distilling things that speak to a meaningful relationship, one that accepts and sees beyond, in graphic novel style was really wonderful to work on and to think about. The quote is from the lyrics of a song by Sara Groves called “Loving a Person.”
Dedra:
Journaling Reads:
The best and most important relationship I have ever had are with the three of you. Jon: I have never felt SO deeply for anyone. You complete me and make me whole. We have laughed, cried and everything in between. Raising the best daughters and going through our life together holding hands. Shelby and Ellie: You both have taught me to be a self-less person. The relationship I share with each of you is unique and will continue to change as you both get older. I have the honor of watching you blossom into the glorious women you will become. Relationships and life do not get any better than that. All my love to the three of you always!
Karen:
Journaling Reads:
These three men in my life have taught me what it means to love and to be loved. They are the reason I wake up in the morning and the reason I go to bed at night and feel happy and blessed every moment in between. Until I met Jake I didn’t know what it meant to be with someone who can love me just the way I am and who can make me feel whole. Until I had my boys, I didn’t know what it meant to love so much that it pysically hurt my heart. These men make me feel whole. They make me feel thankful and blessed and lucky. So so lucky.
I don’t know what I did to deserve this but I am not taking it for granted for one single moment. I hold them and kiss them and hug them as many times a day I can. Thank you, my boys.
Anita:
Anita Says:
June 22, 2009 I discovered the love of a grandparent. I never understood it until it happened. I have to say it is the most wonderful feeling and relationship one could have. I LOVE my children so much and never thought my heart could except anymore but once Marlee was born, God proved me wrong. I love this little girl so much!
Rachel:
Journaling Reads:
It’s the most important relationship, the most important thing in the whole world to me. Because of her I am better person, someone completely new… a mama. I look at her and even though it is me who is supposed to help guide and shape her, I find myself wanting to be like her. Pure, innocent, full of wonder and amazement… it’s the most important and awe-inspiring relationship of my life, the relationship we have as mother and daughter.
Lia:
Lia Says:
We were young when he and I began. Or at least I was. Through the years we’ve been together, he’s taught me so much. His belief in me and my capabilities has given me strength and confidence. His faith leads me to believe that there is a reason for everything, some we might see now and others will be revealed in time – we just need to be patient. His love assures me that no matter what, there will be someone who will not hurt me and who will be there for me no matter what.
We’ve had rough times, for sure. But when I look in his eyes or see his smile, all I see are the good ones, and how good he is for me and to me.
Wendela:
Wendela Says:
My kids, my 3 boys and daughter!! Journaling says “A child fills a place in your heart you never knew was empty.”
Kimmi:
Journaling Reads:
The best relationship that I’ve been in is being with you. You make me laugh on a daily basis. We can’t fight or argue without you crackign a joke and making me forget what we were bickering about to begin with. You support everything that I do and the decisions that I make. Having you in my life means everything to me.
Now it’s your turn: show us your therapeutic art around “What’s the best relationship you’ve had so far? It can be a romantic one, a family member, or a friendship. Why is it so special?” I urge you to give it a try. It can be any form of art as long as it speaks to you.
Leave us comments with your work so we can share in your creative therapy, too. If you don’t have a community or blog where you upload photos, you can upload them on our flickr group.
Remember, this is not a competition. If your art makes you feel even a bit better at the end, you’ve won.
Until next week, enjoy each and every moment.
Filed under: catalyst
As always, thank you to all of our visitors and all the encouraging comments you left for us. For those of you who did, thank you for playing along with us.
Ok! Here’s catalyst number eighty-seven:
If money weren’t an issue what would you do with your time? (career or otherwise.)
We’re thrilled to have Christine Middlecamp as this week’s Guest Artist.
Here’s a short bio for Christine: Christine lives in South Saint Paul, Minnesota with her young son Ethan. She’s been scrapbooking for over three years and has played multiple roles in the srapbook industry both as a designer and teacher. Christine designs for Crate Paper & Sassafras. In the Past, she’s designed for Prima Marketing, October Afternoon, and Studio Calico. She’s also guest designed for various online venues.
Christine’s art never ceases to amaze me. She pays attention to the smallest details and the more you look into her layouts, the more you discover. She has a unique way of using common embellishments and her art is always layered and full of texture. A pure delight to see.
If you haven’t seen Christine’s art, make sure to visit her blog where she regularly has tutorials.
Here is Christine’s art with this week’s catalyst. You can click on it to see a larger version.
Christine Says:
Stay home. I’d raise Ethan in the house that my husband and I built eight years ago before his passing away from cancer in January of 2008. I still love the house. In the eight years we’ve been here, I never pictured myself living anywhere else. So after my husband passed away and clearly knowing that my financial picture was about to change, I had to prepare myself for the reality that the house was going to have to go away at some point in the near future. After postponing the sale of our home these last few months, I finally made the decision to place it on the market next year. Our home sweet home will soon be looking for a new owner. It’s time to let go…
Technique Highlight:
The combination of transparency and pattern paper doesn’t always happen in the traditional sense, at least not on this layout. Consider alternate ways for combining these two materials. Both have dramatically different surface qualities and technique driven abilities. Take advantage of these contrasting differences when using them together on a layout/project.
I ran into this glittering technique upon reading Martha Stewart’s latest book, “Encyclopedia of Crafts”. Apply a strip of double‐sided sticky tape to paper and add glitter. It’s a simple technique and looks amazing after application.
Flowers are available in abundance for adding to a project/layout, though leaves are a little harder to find. Turn to pattern papers for creating leaves when needed. I hand‐cut the leaves used on my layout from digital pattern paper. I folded them slightly inward and adhered them beneath the flower’s edge using a smidge of wet adhesive.
Even the smallest details can make a difference. Don’t forget to add smaller sized items to your layout/project. Variety is a good thing.
Thank you so much Christine; we’re so very very honored.
Here are some interpretations of the catalyst from members of our team.
Larissa:
Larissa Says:
I found out later in my life that I wanted to be a full time artist, maybe a theater set designer. So, if I didn´t have a great job, that pays very well, I would probably try this career.
Journaling Reads:
I dream of being just myself, A person without any obligation, A woman free to be just who she is
Dedra:
Dedra Says:
I really would to travel to Paris, London, all over Europe in general. This photo to me makes me think of places like that. The filagree around the windows. These windows in real life are massive. I would also love to own a studio/scrapbook boutique. The funny thing is I already have the name, Jon and I have already constructed the floor plan and what the studio would consist of….It’s always fun to dream, right? So, for me – owning the studio and traveling with Jon and the girls as often as possible.
Journaling Reads:
If time and money were not an object and I could do anything…. I would travel with my family overseas and I would also love to own a studio…
Karen:
Karen says:
If I had all the extra time in the world and my kids and husband were sleeping, I would spend most of it reading. The joy I get from getting lost in a novel is unparalleled. And Dickens is one of my favorites.
Anita:
Anita Says:
I looked at this weeks catalyst and was racking my brain trying to figure out what I wanted to do. I keep thinking, what is it I really want? Is there a career path I would have taken had I had the money to do it? It dawned on me that no amount of money, not changes to my life were desired. I love being a mom! Its the most rewarding job I could ask for. And you definitely couldn’t put a price on it. I am where I am and where I want to be! I am living “my dream job”!
Rachel:
Journaling Reads:
Egypt, Italy, France, Greece, England, Ireland, Germany, South Africa, the Congo, Brazil, Jamaica, Canada, the Bahamas, Peru, Argentina, Poland, Japan, China, Thailand, India, Australia, New Zealand… and so much more. If money were of no issue I would spend my time traveling the world…one adventure after another.
Technique Highlight:
I used embroidery floss leading from my photos to the different areas on the map that I would like to visit to add interest and a visual to all of the places that I hope to someday go.
Opal:
Opal Says:
If money were not an issue, I would transform my house into a retreat center for fiber arts. Women could come for week long sessions with as much or as little time at the sewing machine as they needed or wanted. There would be lots of time for sharing ideas, experimenting with new methods and materials, visits to fabric stores, and inspirational guest artists. There would be time to walk on the beach and collect beach stones and sea glass, watch the nesting eagles, or just sit outside on the deck and watch the day slip by. Hired gardeners would transform my yard into a paradise of color and smells. Meals would be prepared with the freshest local bounty of the Pacific Northwest. Those invited would be women who would not have the opportunity nor the means to be away from their homes for a week.
Severine:
Severine Says:
If money weren’t an issue, i would like to be an artist all time and create all day!
Now it’s your turn: show us your therapeutic art around “If money weren’t an issue what would you do with your time? (career or otherwise.)” I urge you to give it a try. It can be any form of art as long as it speaks to you.
Leave us comments with your work and you will qualify for the RAK we offer to a random participant. If you don’t have a community or blog where you upload photos, you can upload them on our flickr group.
Remember, this is not a competition. If your art makes you feel even a bit better at the end, you’ve won.
Until next week, enjoy each and every moment.
Filed under: catalyst
As always, thank you to all of our visitors and all the encouraging comments you left for us. For those of you who did, thank you for playing along with us.
Ok! Here’s catalyst number eighty-six:
Write a letter to your younger self.
We’re so excited to have Christine Mason Miller as this week’s Guest Artist.
To make this week’s art even more fun. Christine made a page of word art for you to use in your art. These are all different prompts she created and you can use the actual print out in your art like some of us did or you can use the sentences/ideas she listed. If you click on the image below, you can download a PDF version.
Christine’s artwork has wings. It has soul. It’s soft and beautiful and touching. You can easily get lost in her amazing art. I am so honored to have her here. She is also the author of the stunning Ordinary Sparkling Moments. And she teaches beautiful workshops including ones at Squam.
If you haven’t seen Christine’s art, make sure to visit her site and her blog.
Here is Christine’s art with this week’s catalyst. You can click on it to see a larger version.
Christine Says:
I intentionally wanted to keep this collage simple. Since I do so much collage work in general, it was nice to give myself the freedom to work with just a few layers and elements. When I think of being a little girl and what the word “beautiful” meant to me then, it was about being a ballerina, so when I came across this image it was perfect.
Technique Highlight:
No special techniques with this piece aside from using a few Photoshop filters on the original scanned image. What is so fun about Photoshop is trying different filters and adjustments to see what happens. Because the original piece was so simple, I liked being able to add a little more texture and grain to the image in Photoshop.
Thank you so much Christine; we’re so very very honored.
Here are some interpretations of the catalyst from members of our team.
Kimmi:
Kimmi Says:
no matter how un-important you may feel or think you are… you aren’t. no matter what goes on in life… you will always have someone that cares about you… someone that loves you… someone that needs you… someone that you will always be important to.
Technique Highlight:
I machine stitched my rainbow patterned paper on using coordinating threads. I also used Diamond Glaze on top of the raindrops that I cut from patterned paper to give them a watery look.
Larissa:
Larissa Says:
For this catalyst, I wrote a letter to myself, to the girl I once was containing a series of reflexions. The deepest one refers to the time this girl lost trying to get social approval, pleasing the others. I told my younger self that she would only get her value when she decides that what matters is pleasing herself. I told her she is like no other…
Wendela:
Wendela Says:
I love to write sooooo much to myself as a little girl…!! All the things, good things and bad things, that I know today….I’m glad that I didn’t know how my life turns out, when I was three. It’s a photo of me. I stamped the prompts on the photo with black Stazon ink.
Karen:
Karen says:
Well this is the book. The one that started the whole thing. The one that led me to start this site. I had put it away a long time ago, not sure what I wanted to do with the cover. I took it out and took a piece of fabric and stitched some interlocked hearts. Some beads and a heart and a note to remember: loved. This book is a reminder that I was loved. I am loved.
Anita:
Journaling Reads:
Dear Anita, If there were one thing I could go back and tell you, that would have to be that you should SLOW DOWN and ENJOY LIFE. Put that laundry down and play with your kids. Forget about all those things that you think you HAVE to get done right this minute and snuggle with the one you love. Life will pass you by way to quickly. You must not have no regrets! Enjoy your kids and family while you are still young. Squeeze them all just a little tighter. Love, Me
Rachel:
Journaling Reads:
Dear Rachel, I want you to know above all else, that you are important. I know that you often times feel like everyone and everything around you is more important and worthwhile than you are, but that is not true. You don’t always have to figure things out for yourself and it is okay for your voice to be heard. So let it be heard sometimes. You don’t always have to be okay and you don’t always have to be in the background, unnoticed. There is a degree of comfort in being unnoticed but it will also make you feel lonely and unimportant at times, the times when you need to know your value the most. It’s okay to cry, it’s okay to break down and it’s okay to ask for help. Because you are important. Important to your family and your friends and not just because you are unnoticed and easy going, but because you are you. And that is Important. Never think that you are unimportant, because you are important. So important that if you knew how much you are loved it would blow your mind. Never forget how important you are. Love always, yourself
Lia:
Journaling Reads:
Friends have always been important to me, and I’m the type who loves and gives her whole heart to her friends. In the past couple of years, sadly I fell out with a couple of people who were very close to me. It broke my heart, and angered me a little when friends who I treated as my family could disappoint me and treat me in ways I never could treat them. I then realized that this happened to me a few more times before when I was younger. I never seemed to learn my lesson – that I should watch my own heart and its well-being instead of giving it away to people I called ‘friends’. Each time I was betrayed by a friend, I felt unimportant and all that I had done for the friendship worthless. As if it was never enough.
I now remind myself to keep a distance, to not sacrifice all for a friend, to be fond of but not love them. But I am still a dreamer. Only because I still have a close circle of people who love and support me, we share the same level of EQ, who are understanding and who don’t judge, who want me to be the best person and yet won’t hurt my feelings, and who appreciate me.
They instill the faith in me that our friendships are important in their lives. I want to tell my younger me that it’s okay to love all that you know and that it’s okay to have lost friendships, because someone will always value her and feel that she is important to them.
Amy:
Amy Says:
Working on this piece was a challenge in many ways. There were things I wanted to say to my younger self, but what was strongest in me was the need to tell her three things in particular, one of which was… you need to find the art and line within you. Many other things ended up in my preliminary sketches as I tried to find the right storyline and flow for such a letter rendered in this format. In the end, I realized such a letter could be a book in and of itself, much more involved than a single page could contain. [The final line has been obscured here on purpose.]
Now it’s your turn: show us your therapeutic art around “Write a letter to your younger self.” I urge you to give it a try. It can be any form of art as long as it speaks to you.
Leave us comments with your work and you will qualify for the RAK we offer to a random participant. If you don’t have a community or blog where you upload photos, you can upload them on our flickr group.
Remember, this is not a competition. If your art makes you feel even a bit better at the end, you’ve won.
Until next week, enjoy each and every moment.
Filed under: catalyst
As always, thank you to all of our visitors and all the encouraging comments you left for us. For those of you who did, thank you for playing along with us.
Ok! Here’s catalyst number eighty-five:
What’s the most daring or scariest thing you’ve ever done?
We’re so excited to have Julie Prichard as this week’s Guest Artist.
Here’s a short little bio for Julie: Julie Prichard lives in San Diego with her husband and three year old daughter. She can be found painting in her studio or on the streets of San Diego with her camera.
If you haven’t seen Julie’s art, make sure to visit her blog here she also has information about the online workshops she teaches.
Here is Julie’s art with this week’s catalyst. You can click on it to see a larger version.
Julie Says:
I am the type of person where fears frequently take hold of my thinking. There are several fears that can ground me at any given moment and I have carved them into wood for this week¹s catalyst. Always in deliberation, it is tough for me to address one, single, scary moment. It didn’t take long to fill up this panel.
Technique Highlight:
I use only a few colors of paint for most of my artwork. This piece was created using two reds, black and titan buff paint. Once painted, I added beeswax to the piece and then used a wood-burning tool to carve the lettering. To darken up the wood when I was finished, I used a black glaze buffed into the piece.
Thank you so much Julie; we’re so very very honored.
Here are some interpretations of the catalyst from members of our team.
Opal:
Opal Says:
I am not one who takes dares…or ventures beyond her comfort level. Thinking about this prompt took me back to my college days. From my first look through the class schedule handbook, I knew that public speaking was something that I would have to face…sooner or later. Being painfully shy in those days, the thought of getting up in front of a class and speaking just about sent me running for the hills…I put it off…and pushed it back…and overlooked it….until 20 years later when i finally finished my undergraduate degree. I will never forget the meeting with my counselor…and the realization that I had this one class..a freshman level class…to take before I could graduate. I went to that first class of Speech 101 with clammy palms and a pounding heart. The day came when I stood up in front of that class….again with clammy palms and a pounding heart. I remember taking a deep breath…and praying that I wouldn’t forget what I had practiced…and I started talking…tentatively at first…and then, 8 minutes later. I had found the magic. I love the moment when the audience quiets, the hushing and settling is tangible as a breath is taken…and the words become.
This piece is done in layers of fabric. The circles within the squares shows the essence of an audience…one you see with no defined details…the stage in front showcases the bigger than life microphone. hand and machine quilted.
Larissa:
Larissa Says:
When I was about 12 years old, I took the blame for something I hadn’t done without knowing the consequences. I remember being in the classroom at school when one of my classmates threw a piece of chalk at the teacher. She got furious, immediately interrupted the class, and said she wouldn’t continue the class unless the guilty one admitted or someone picked the chalk up from the floor. After a long period of silence without anyone declaring themselves guilty, I stood up and picked the piece of chalk up from the floor. I can still feel the terror I felt back then when I executed such gesture. I don´t know why I did this, I just couldn´t stand being there on that situation… I just´couldn´t stand such lack of respect for our theacher.. she was so upset, however, she didn’t punish me; she actually mentioned knowing it wasn’t me who threw the piece of chalk and lectured once again about the cowardice committed. The class, however, moved on…
My work for this catalyst plays with the idea of feeling fear, foolishness and horror… I worked with an amazing photo by R. Cadloff.
Wendela:
Wendela Says:
The most daring and scariest thing I ever did is ….. FLY like a bird….in an airplaine….!!!
Technique Highlight:
The beautiful bird is form a piece of Websters Pages patterned paper, The ribbons and laces, found this stuff on a fleamarke, and the wood, found it in the forest during a walk with my kids.
Karen:
Journaling Reads:
“Let’s just do it!” I said. We were sitting in Bar 89. Facing each other. Talking about how much we hated our jobs how sick we were of New York. How we wanted something different. “Let’s just quit and move!” I encouraged him. (and myself) I wanted to know that we still had the guts. That we owned our life, not them.
It took us another year but we finally did it. Quit the jobs. Packed the apartment. Bought a car. And moved 3,000 miles. To a city we’ve never seen before.
A city where we knew no one. Had no jobs.
We did it. We got jobs. Found a home. Started a life.
And, most importantly, proved we can do it.
We just did it.
Rachel:
Journaling Reads:
I fell in love with the boy… and he change my life and mended my broken heart. I had lost my faith in love, in men, in hope at the age of 14. I saw how fragile and frail that “love” could be and vowed to never, ever open myself to that. I was cold and I was cynical and I was afraid. I carried my fear and anger around me like armor to keep me safe. And then I met Drew, the boy from the music store and my fear and coldness melted away. It was scary. It was daring and bold, but it was my miracle. The cure to my broken heart… and I lept… closed my eyes, smiled and hoped that I would not fail and he caught me and has never let go.
Technique Highlight:
I created the flap that lifts up to house my journaling by tracing a portion of a shaped piece of paper onto a patterned paper and cutting it out. I used trim and brads to create hinges for it.
I also created a handmade flower out of sewing patterns by cutting a strip approximately 10″x3″ and folding it in half creating a piece that is 10″x1.5″. Using a needle and thread I used a running stitch and stitched the open edges and gathered, forming the strip into a circle. Tie off the loose thread and you have a custom flower. I used an inchie for the center, but you could use any embellishments that you may have lying around.
Dedra:
Dedra Says:
My ex-husband was very emotionally abusive. Shelby was just an infant and he would tell me on a daily basis how horrible I was as a mother and if I left I would not be able to survive.
I was 22 years old after hearing this everyday along with other things he said for some reason I started to believe him.
Shelby was 2 and I had decided that I COULD and WOULD make it without him. I wanted Shelby to see and experience a healthy, happy life.
I moved Shelby and I out into our own apartment while he was at work. It was the most nerve racking, nail biting experience. Knowing that he could show up at anytime.
I received a phone call later that evening, it was not nice to say the least. Hey! I left him the couch, TV and some pans I think. It was the most daring/scariest thing I had ever done, but it was THE BEST thing for Shelby and I. Where we are now seems light years away from that situation.
Journaling Reads:
Me and you, together on our own for awhile. being confident as a single mother. Believing in myself and not what I had been told. Spreading my wings and moving on.
Now it’s your turn: show us your therapeutic art around “What’s the most daring or scariest thing you’ve ever done?” I urge you to give it a try. It can be any form of art as long as it speaks to you.
Leave us comments with your work and you will qualify for the RAK we offer to a random participant. If you don’t have a community or blog where you upload photos, you can upload them on our flickr group.
Remember, this is not a competition. If your art makes you feel even a bit better at the end, you’ve won.
Until next week, enjoy each and every moment.
Filed under: catalyst
As always, thank you to all of our visitors and all the encouraging comments you left for us. For those of you who did, thank you for playing along with us.
Ok! Here’s catalyst number eighty-four:
What’s the best gift you ever gave?
We’re so excited to have Lydie Manche as this week’s Guest Artist.
Here’s a short little bio for Lydie: 29 years old, I am a wife and a mother of two little and terrible girls . We are living in a small village in the north east of France. I like this village very much because because it is edged with meadows and because houses full of flowers are made of old stones. Houses have soul, nature is present everywhere and all that contributes to my inspiration… I’ve scrapped since the birth of my first daughter and my scrap evolved little by little towards what they call in France the “plant scrap”.
If you haven’t seen Lydie’s art, make sure to visit her blog.
Here is Lydie’s art with this week’s catalyst. You can click on it to see a larger version.
Lydie Says:
In our world, everything pushes us to consumption, to purchase… A PSP here, an i-pod thereabouts… a jewel, a computer, a television with flat screen… The society constructs its stocks on the idea of “having “.To illustrate this subject, I wanted to emphasize a simple but invaluable present: a present which everybody has but that can be sometimes forgotten: love. And what better to express love than a kiss? The kiss of two beings who like each other, the kiss of a parent on the forehead of her child, a kiss on the cheek of one friend… I don’t believe I have ever given anything more precious than this mark of deep affection… And to contrast the oppression the flapping of the metronome which regulates our lives, I wanted to show purity and lightness… That’s why I picked the white for the background of the page.
In French:
A notre époque, tout nous pousse à la consommation, à l’achat… Une console de jeu par ici, un i-pod par là…. un bijou, un ordinateur, une télévision à écran plat… La société construit ses valeurs sur l’idée de “posséder”.Pour illustrer ce sujet, j’avais envie de mettre en valeur un cadeau simple mais inestimable… un cadeau que tout le monde possède mais qui peut parfois être oublié : l’amour. Et quoi de mieux pour exprimer l’amour que le baiser. Le baiser de deux êtres qui s’aiment, le baiser d’un parent sur le front de son enfant, le baiser sur la joue d’un(e) ami(e)… Je crois n’avoir jamais rien offert de plus précieux que cette marque de profonde affection… Et pour contrecarrer l’effet oppressant que peut avoir le battement du métronome qui rythme nos vies, j’avais envie de pureté, de légèreté…C’est la raison pour laquelle mon choix s’est porté sur le blanc pour ce fond de page.
Technique Highlight:
Having taken a photo of my kiss and thanks to my software of modification, I played with the contrast to whiten my skin to such an extent that it can, once the photograph stacked on white paper, become transparent. I then used two rub-ons flowers on the corners of the photograph and paper to reinforce this idea that there is not photograph but direct impression on paper. I like to create a layout with elements which are not very typical in scrapbooking but that, especially, bring me back to simple things: nature. I like the plant foam, the natural and artificial foilages, the flowers.. I also like the small ends of wire netting, pebbles, the small bricks, wood when they are used with time. I enjoy putting them on my layouts. Here, as I chose to illustrate simplicity, I used only two leaves of bracken, picked some time ago and that I had dried between two big books. After the leaf dries, I pasted it on the back with some glue with bookbinding. Then I put it directly on the page before glue is dry. The leaf isn’t damaged with time. I glued together small artificial leaves over these natural leaves of all to create an effect of dimension. My achievements would not be complete if I did not use a thread of aluminum which characterize them. Just take a small segment of this thread, twist it to give it a form which I like then fix it on the layout in the required place. For this page, I used a brad but some hooks can also be used.
In French:
Après avoir pris mon baiser en photo, et grâce à mon logiciel de retouche, j’ai joué sur les constrastes pour blanchir ma peau à tel point qu’elle puisse, une fois la photo superposée sur le papier blanc, se confondre avec celui-ci. J’ai ensuite disposé deux rub-ons fleurs à cheval sur la photo et le papier pour renforcer cette idée qu’il n’y a pas de photo mais une impression directe sur le papier. J’aime créer des pages avec des éléments qui sont peu habituels dans le monde du scrap mais qui, surtout, me ramènent à des valeurs simples : la nature. J’aime la mousse végétale, les feuillages naturels et artificiels, les fleurs.. J’aime aussi les petits bouts de grillage, les cailloux, les petites briques, le bois lorsqu’ils sont usés par le temps. Je prends un plaisir immense à les intégrer sur mes pages. Ici, comme j’ai choisi d’illustrer le sujet avec un maximum de simplicité, je n’ai utilisé que deux feuilles de fougère, ceuillies il y a quelques temps et que j’avais séchées entre deux gros livres. Une fois la feuille sèche, je l’ai encollée sur l’envers avec de la colle à reliure puis je l’ai placée directement sur la page avant que la colle ne soit sèche. La feuille ne rique ainsi pas d’être abîmée avec le temps. J’ai collé par-dessus ces feuilles naturelles de toutes petites feuilles artificielles pour créer un effet de relief. Mes réalisations ne seraient pas complètes si je n’employais pas ce fil
d’aluminium qui les caractérisent. Il suffit de prendre un petit segment de ce fil, de le tordre pour lui donner une forme qui nous convienne puis de le fixer sur la page à l’endroit voulu. Pour cette page, j’ai utilisé un brad mais des agrafes peuvent aussi être employées.
Thank you so much Lydie; we’re so very very honored.
Here are some interpretations of the catalyst from members of our team.
Amy:
Amy Says:
Many special gifts came to mind for this catalyst. I chose to document visually the way I have come to think about pillows I made my boys last holiday season. Their lists were filled with many things, and many of those they received. The “making” of something each year for them has never been a necessity. Instead, the “making” of something beyond what may appear on any list they create fulfills my own need for tradition. Last year, I made pillows, and I involved them in picking colors and fabrics. I wanted these pillows to be with them for many years and to be special – to be symbolic. I wanted each pillow to mirror and reflect something about each boy as he was in that space of time, at that age. As I worked on their pillows, each took on a life of its own in my head. Once they were finished, someone referred to them as “Mama’s Gifts.” It is a concept I talked about after that in an episode of the Creative Mom Podcast. In working on the art for this piece, I had to look anew at what the pillows contain, what I put into them, and what they stand for. As gifts, these were important to me and, thankfully, to them.
Iris:
Iris Says:
The best gift I ever gave was something I did for myself. I used pay so much attention to my family that I often neglect myself. I have given up on so many dreams and have let go of so many opportunities in the past in favor of my family. I realized that I won’t love my family any less if I start loving myself too. I have then decided to allow myself to dare to dream. I may not have as much chances of succeeding as compared to my youth, but at least I won’t go forever asking myself … “what if?”
Wendela:
Wendela Says:
That’s absolutely without doubt…our cat!! The best gift for my kids! They love him sooooo much, and pampering him the whole day..He can do tricks, walking like a doll…sitting as an doll…sometimes ha has to wear clothes…but he’s never getting angry, and crabs never! He’s so sweet!!
Technique Highlight:
I printed the image on a piece of fabric, and sewed the papers, and the laces together with my sewing machine. After that I added some rub ons, crackle paint, and some flowers..
Michelle:
Michelle Says:
As an aspiring photogrpaher, I would love to think that the photographs I take for people are the best give I have given. To be able to be behind the camera and capture the relationships between families, especially mother and child brings me more joy than I ever thought possible. To be able to give a mom photographs of her and her children the way that I see them is such a gift that I am happy to give over and over again.
Karen:
Journaling Reads:
A few years ago I finally became an American citizen. I think this is the best gift I could have ever given to my kids.
Lori:
Lori Says:
I think the best gift I have ever given was to my husband when we were dating. I surprised him with tickets to see his favorite hockey team. He was thrilled, to say the least.
Wilna:
Wilna Says:
The best gift I have ever given was birth to my 3 girls. This page is just a celebration of that!
Now it’s your turn: show us your therapeutic art around “What’s the best gift you ever gave?” I urge you to give it a try. It can be any form of art as long as it speaks to you.
Leave us comments with your work and you will qualify for the RAK we offer to a random participant. If you don’t have a community or blog where you upload photos, you can upload them on our flickr group.
Remember, this is not a competition. If your art makes you feel even a bit better at the end, you’ve won.
Until next week, enjoy each and every moment.
Filed under: catalyst
As always, thank you to all of our visitors and all the encouraging comments you left for us. For those of you who did, thank you for playing along with us.
Ok! Here’s catalyst number eighty-three:
What’s the one thing you never thought you could do?
We’re so excited to have Linda Warlyn as this week’s Guest Artist.
The wonderful Larissa on our team recommended Linda to me and I asked her if she’s be a guest for us immediately. Linda’s art has so much emotion and so much detail that I couldn’t wait to see what she would create for us.
I asked Linda for a short bio, here’s what she sent: Linda was born and raised in Chicago and has loved to make stuff all her life. She and her wonderful husband Wally have 4 grown children and 2 cute-as-can-be grandchildren. She is self-taught and enjoys just about anything that involves the creative process and getting messy.
Linda doesn’t have a website but she told me that you can contact her at ldyintmoon AT aol DOT com if you’d like. And you can find her work in some wonderful magazines like Somerset Life and Artist’s Cafe. I also wanted to share this relatively new interview with you.
Here is Linda’s art with this week’s catalyst. You can click on it to see a larger version.
Linda Says:
Although I have created art based on a specific theme like a color or holiday, I’ve never made anything prompted by a particular experience or feeling…I loved it! Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity. The catalyst asking for something I never thought I could do immediately brought to mind the struggle I have thinking of myself as an artist thanks to my inner critic, otherwise known as Raging Bull. I grew up in the 1950’s and mid-century images have a comfort and nostalgic appeal for me. The little girl represents me in my studio. The bottom of this assemblage contains my interpretation of what happens to us if we let the sharp claws and long teeth of the nasty inner critic sink into us. It blinds us to our own unique gifts and binds our ability to create with true abandon and limitless imagination. I like that those feelings are relegated to the bottom and squelched under my desk as I really try to keep my negativity in check. The large image of me is holding a piece of art I made with an “open heart” and a feeling of pride at one of my favorite places on earth, Valley Ridge Art Studio and Retreat in WI. I used vintage gardening images behind me to show that I am growing more comfortable with these feelings of truly thinking of myself as an artist. And I know that as I allow that to happen, my artwork and creativity will be nurtured and flourish as well. Lastly, I wanted this piece to be colorful and have a playful nature to remind all of us that we need to call on our inner child and not that debilitating inner critic when engaged in art making of any kind. It should be a joyous, carefree experience and above all–fun!
Technique Highlight:
One technique I love using is adding dimension to my art whenever and wherever I can. I made several copies of the girl and layered them with foam squares in several places to make her more interesting. Small embellishments to her clothing or adding flowers to her hair also add detail and realism.
Thank you so much Linda; we’re so very very honored.
Here are some interpretations of the catalyst from members of our team.
Larissa:
Larissa Says:
There are several things I never thought I could do like being face to face with a criminal, speak in public; being questioned in public and staying calm; impose myself; and travel on my own. When I think I´ve already done these things, I feel myself like a hero, even if it´s a hero full of flaws, guilt and doubts. I often feel proud of myself just because I have the guts to face all of this. So, I decided to portray this catalyst as a comic story, while pointing the things I never thought I could do.
Lia:
Lia Says:
My dad insisted that I begin driving lessons right after I began working at my first (and current) real job. I suppose he knew that if he had left it to me, I would probably never get behind the wheel. While I amazingly passed both the basic and advanced theory tests on the first tries – amazing because I barely studied for them – I still did not have the confidence to handle a car. My driving instructor had me driving on an actual road on our 3rd lesson, and I responded with huge eyes, cold hands, dry throat and a ‘WHAT??’ lol. After many months of lessons, I got some confidence on the road and I took the practical driving test … and failed! I finally got my driving license after two more tries, and when I did I knew it was the right time. I knew what I was doing behind the wheel, I was aware of my responsibilities as a driver and my skills were so much better than when I took the first test. 5 years on and I sometimes still can’t believe that the timid girl I was before had the courage to give driving a go and succeeded! I hardly go anywhere without a car now, and I don’t know what I would have done if I didn’t know how to drive!
Wendela:
Wendela Says:
When I look in the mirror, I see myself, a girl who’s waiting to meet her daddy after many years. This big day is coming soon, never thought this could happen…
Technique Highlight:
I used a toilet rol to make this tag holder…I painted It brown, a mixture of paint and crackle medium, when it’s dry, I painted it again with golden paint, and after that with the crackle paint activator…and let dry…after one night, when I came out my bed..I saw these wonderful crackles!!
Severine:
Severine Says:
I think I could never skydive or ride in a balloon, I’d be too scared once in the air to fall powerless to do anything.
En Français:
Je pense que je ne pourrais jamais sauter en parachute ou monter dans une montgolfière, j’aurais trop peur une fois dans les airs de tomber sans pouvoir rien faire.
Karen:
Journaling Reads:
“Come work for me,” he said. I had worked for him before and I loved it. I knew he was a great manager
and possibly the answer to the slump I was having at work. But to go live in Japan for six months?
Was he crazy?
I had to leave my life. My boyfriend. My home. And move somewhere where I knew no one. Didn’t speak a word of the language. And hated the food.
Was he crazy?
Was I crazy to be considering it? It scared the crap out of me. And, in the end, that was exactly why I decided to do it. I packed my bags, and moved miles and miles away. Six months in a faraway land.
As it turned out, it was some of the best moments of my life. I made friends. I learned Japanese. I worked hard. I proved to myself that I could do it. Leave it all behind and still be ok. Go despite my fears. I still hate the food. But now I know I can do anything I want.
I am brave.
Lori:
Lori Says:
For me it was to stay at home when I had children. I was afraid I’d be a terrible Mom. I had a great career and just assumed I’d keep climbing that ladder. I really could not imagine not making an income. Staying home is the best decision I’ve ever made that went against everything I was feeling at the time.
Journaling Reads:
I never thought I could be a stay-at-home Mom. I grew up believing that I would have a big corporate career. That I would contribute equally to my family if I was to have one. I have always struggled with a lack of patience. I just knew that I would not want to stay home with my kids. I had always, and still do, associated being a good Mom with patience. Once I was pregnant, I was filled with all sorts of fears, but started having a strong desire to leave work. I realized that I wanted to be the one who was home with my new baby. I wanted to be there for everything. I never thought I could. I thought I would be terrible. I’m so grateful I did.
Technique Highlight:
I traced and cut a heart out of patterned paper. Then cut it into thin strips horizontally. I removed every other strip after placing it on my page. I then sewed in between each strip and around the heart.
Rachel:
Journaling Reads:
I always thought that it was a bit of a cliché… wishful or hopeful thinking. You couldn’t possibly see or define or be part of a miracle. It was something that you could not see, touch or prove It was based on opinion and belief. So I dismissed the idea and categorized it away where fairy tales and day dreams live, a thing that would be lovely but would never really happen to me. Until it did. March 2004, I found out that a life was living and growing within me and I knew. Miracles do exist. They happen all the time and all around you. I never thought it would happen to me, but it did. I got to be a part of a miracle. And her name is Roslyn Mae Hall.
Technique Highlight:
I wanted to use this particular font of thickers for this layout, but did not want them in white which was all that I had available to me when I created this layout. I wanted to be sure to maintain the glitter effect of the letters so instead of simply painting them as I have done before, I used alcohol ink to die them. This allowed me to change the color and keep the glitter. To do this I used a Q-tip to dab the ink directly onto the letters. A simple and versatile way to make your letters work with every layout.
Now it’s your turn: show us your therapeutic art around “What’s the one thing you never thought you could do?” I urge you to give it a try. It can be any form of art as long as it speaks to you.
Leave us comments with your work and you will qualify for the RAK we offer to a random participant. If you don’t have a community or blog where you upload photos, you can upload them on our flickr group.
Remember, this is not a competition. If your art makes you feel even a bit better at the end, you’ve won.
Until next week, enjoy each and every moment.
Filed under: catalyst
As always, thank you to all of our visitors and all the encouraging comments you left for us. For those of you who did, thank you for playing along with us.
Ok! Here’s catalyst number eighty-two:
What’s your superpower?
We’re so excited to have Susan Tuttle as this week’s Guest Artist.
If there’s one thing I can say about Susan’s art, it’s that each piece is full of emotion. It might be haunting, sorrow, joy, confusion, curiosity, wonder or millions of others. But each piece is dripping with emotion and it makes it impossible for me to look away when I am staring at one of her pieces.
Susan’s first book, Exhibition 36: Mixed-Media Demonstrations + Explorations, was released by North Light Books in December 2008, and her second book, Digital Expressions: Creating Digital Art with PS Elements, a technique-based publication on digital art, will be published by North Light Books in April 2010. Susan is also a frequent contributor to Stampington & Company publications and other mixed-media books. She also teaches digital art workshops on the subjects of photomanipulation, digital montage, and a variety of Photoshop techniques online.
If you haven’t seen her amazing art, make sure to visit her site and her blog.
Here is Susan’s art with this week’s catalyst. You can click on it to see a larger version and more detail.
Susan Says:
My superpower is inner strength — it is both something that I feel glowing strong inside of me, and something I will cultivate my whole life through. I have had many instances for practicing the “art of inner strength” in my life thus far, and am sure to encounter more. Instead of telling you my personal stories, I wish to share with you what I have learned from the experiences. For every human being, there are inevitably times of darkness in life — trials to go through, hard lessons to learn. We always have a choice, even if we hit rock bottom. We can choose to embrace hope and trust in both ourselves and in a loving Universe that has our best interests at heart, or we can choose fear, anger and bitterness. We can call up that inner strength that resides in our core and it will rise to the occasion as soon as we summon it. We can let go and let our inner strength buoy us along as we learn those hard lessons, moving us toward the light, picking up even more strength as we step forward, one foot in front of the other, one step at a time, with the pinhole of light in the distance growing larger and larger still, until we arrive, standing in a room full of perfect light and joy.
This particular digital piece which I have named “Inner Light” personifies inner strength. Instead of describing what this piece means to me, I want you to discover what it means to you.
Technique Highlight:
The imagery used in this piece is of my dear friend Jessica. When I create digital art, or any type of art for that matter, I must feel a strong emotional connection to at least one of the imagery elements in the composition. Doing so is a powerful experience that allows me to infuse the work with personal meaning, feeling, and even love. For me, using personal imagery immediately sparks an authentic, creative process.
Thank you so much Susan; we’re so very very honored.
Here are some interpretations of the catalyst from members of our team.
Amy:
Amy Says:
My concept for this piece, and my “superpower,” is that I “juggle” many things, many aspects of my life, many roles, many interests, and many threads that make up the day to day. I don’t think of it as a superpower. It is just “me” and how I respond to the forces around and within me. It isn’t even something that’s obvious or visible always in the world of surfaces in which we live. As I worked, I began to question if maybe I should have termed my superpower the ability to multitask. But, in the end, juggling and multitasking occupy a similar space. It took a while to settle on an approach to this set of panels. I started out seeing many dialogue strips surrounding a central panel, spelling out all the things that vie for my time and attention, all the things I keep in the air. But as I sketched out the panels, I moved away from the text. I stripped the piece down to a visual essence, letting the balls speak for themselves. When I inked the large panel, I decided at the last minute to leave a space for a caption, and for several days the piece sat, finished, but the caption blank. With only one space for text, finding the right words to explain this piece was difficult. Many words would have worked. Many words would have stated the obvious.
Wilna:
Wilna Says:
If I can have a superpower, i would love to be a heart reader. It’s just something I made up and someone who can: Discern heart motives. I think it would be totally awesome to know how someone feels in their heart. Even to be able to know + understand my own heart. But even though I cant do it, i have a heart reader with me all the time: He is called my Comforter, Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener and my Standby. And for that I thank you my wonderful God.
Opal:
Opal Says:
I see my superpower as not one thing, or word, or concept, but a blending and melding of my life’s experiences and faith. The people I have known and admired, my family and friends..those select few who I considered “my people”.. are in my balcony cheering me on, giving advice and nudges, suggestions, strength, and encouragement when I need it. My superpower comes from within. This piece is done in fabric with strips of vibrant color and line filling and weaving into the O (for Opal) that represent all those experiences….the circles represent my balcony…hand appliqued, hand and machine quilted.
Severine:
Severine Says:
My superpower was in number, i love numbers, I have some ease with numbers. “40″ is the departement i was born, and i don’t have any superpower without my “origins”.
En Français:
On va dire que mon superpouvoir réside dans les chiffres, j’ai toujours aimer les chiffres et le calcul, j’ai quelques facilités avec. Le “40″ est pour le département où je suis née, parce qu’il n’y aurait pas de pouvoir sans mes origines.
Karen:
Journaling Reads:
i’m not sure if it’s a superpower if it’s also something that ends up hurting me the most. can it be both? it must be.
because my ability to love wholly, fully, with all my self and all my heart is my super power. the one thing that makes me, me.
and it’s my magic, my genuine-ness, my ability to give you all i have and ask for nothing in return because once i love you, once i trust you, i am here for you, forever, all of me. forever.
Lori:
Lori Says:
I don’t like the notion of super powers. I don’t like society saying women need to be “SUPER”. Women are beautiful just as they are with all their weaknesses and strengths. I’ve spent a great deal of time trying to find my balance and live in the now. I want to be at peace with who I am and what I have. This is a difficult goal, but very worthwhile to me.
Journaling Reads:
I have no super powers. I just try to do the best I can each and every day. I’m finally learning that life is about being joyful with all I have and being at peace in the present day.
Anita:
Anita Says:
I guess I never thought of it as a Super Power but I believe I have the ability to “read” people upon first meeting. I usually am a good judge of character and can tell upon first meeting whether I am gonna like that person or not. Whether they are happy or sad. Have a good life or a troubled one. I can usually sense these things about people.
Rachel:
Journaling Reads:
“Please.” “Thank you.” “You’re welcome.”
Phases that are heard all too seldom now a days. Common niceties tossed aside for a me first, gimme attitude that is so prevalent in this day and age. I often find myself wondering what happened to good manners, common courtesies and respect. I refuse to fall into the lazy and bad habits of not being polite and manner-ful. So my super power? You can call me Ms. Manners,
Thank you.
Now it’s your turn: show us your therapeutic art around “What’s your superpower?” I urge you to give it a try. It can be any form of art as long as it speaks to you.
Leave us comments with your work and you will qualify for the RAK we offer to a random participant. If you don’t have a community or blog where you upload photos, you can upload them on our flickr group.
Remember, this is not a competition. If your art makes you feel even a bit better at the end, you’ve won.
Until next week, enjoy each and every moment.
Filed under: catalyst
As always, thank you to all of our visitors and all the encouraging comments you left for us. For those of you who did, thank you for playing along with us.
Ok! Here’s catalyst number eighty:
Who’s the person who supports you the most in your life (emotionally and intellectually)?
We’re so excited to have Stephanie Howell as this week’s Guest Artist.
Anyone who’s seen Staphanie’s art shouldn’t be too surprised that we asked her to be a guest here. Stephanie’s layouts are simple, elegant, and always beautifully designed. But what I love the most about her layouts is that they are always meaningful. You can tell she puts a piece of her soul into each one.
I’m not alone in being a fan of Stephanie. Stephanie has been published in Creating Keepsakes, Simple Scrapbooks, Memory Makers, Scrapbooks Etc., Scrapbook and Cards Today, and Scrapbook Trends magazines. She designs for Lily Bee and Studio Calico and has guest designed for a multitude of wonderful companies.
If you haven’t seen Stephanie’s art, make sure to visit her her blog or her gallery at twopeas.
Here is Stephanie’s art with this week’s catalyst. You can click on it to see a larger version and more detail.
Stephanie Says:
For me, the sentiment behind this layout was a no brainer. when i saw the prompt, i knew immediately who i wanted to write about. my husband, jimmy. he is my world and i wanted to get a bit of how i felt down on paper. these pictures of him were taken at a ranch, and i love that he has let down his guard at the moment i took the photo. he looks truly relaxed. looking at these photos caused a flood of emotion and the words came pouring out. there is more journaling tucked behind the photo mat.
Thank you so much Stephanie; we’re so very very honored.
Here are some interpretations of the catalyst from members of our team. I think this is the first time in eighty weeks every single one of us has chosen the exact same response to a catalyst.
Kimmi:
Kimmi Says:
When I started thinking about this challenge, I knew that Travis would be my main subject, but then I realized that I don’t have many…if any.. good recent pictures of us, so I decided to use this snapshot of he and Brayden that I immediately fell in love with when uploading pictures the other night. (I included the orginal photo since you can’t see it all that well in my journal page). Travis is definitely the most supportive person in my life. I feel like I’ve opened up a lot more as a person by being around him all the time. We are complete opposites when it comes to personalities. I am quiet shy and he is-by far-the most outgoing and talkative person I’ve ever met, but I feel more comfortable with him than I ever thought I could be with anyone. He was extremely supportive and patient in the beginning of our relationship and took up the role as Brayden’s stepfather when Bray was just four months old. He supports every major and minor ordeal in my life. Whether it be about Brayden or something as simple as scrapbooking, he is always there and understanding.
Wilna:
Wilna Says:
Without a doubt this person is my biggest source of inspiration and comfort. I think we have been together for so long, that we have shaped each others lives in such a way that no one else can take the credit for who we are. Never in my live has one person so consistently be my support. Not only in my physical necessities, but emotional and especially spiritual. I draw on him everyday. He draws on me everyday. It’s a wonderful beautiful thing. I would take more of him everyday. every month and every year.
Dedra:
Dedra Says:
Well, I know there’s a reason and I know there’s a rhyme.
We were meant to be together.
That’s why….
We can roll with the punches and we can stroll hand in hand.
And when I say it’s forever you understand.
That’s why you’re always in my heart, you’re always on my mind.
but when it all becomes to much you’re never far behind and there’s
no one that comes close to you or could ever take your place.
Cause only you can love me this way. love you always!
9.2009
Severine:
Severine Says:
This person is my Husband. It’s THE person who supports me in every situation.
Karen:
Journaling Reads:
i thought about this one for a long time. i wanted to make it about someone different. I’d already made so many of these about him. it was getting rather ridiculous but anyone else would just be lie compared to him. he’s the one who’s with me night and day. crazy and sane. success and failure. the wonderfully amazing thing is, i managed to find someone who understands what i do and can support me intellectually. can push me. but also he gets me. he’s there for me when i go dark and become the worst part of me. he’s there when i win and i want to celebrate. he’s not jealous, he’s not scared, he’s not angry. he’s always there. with those arms that wrap around me and envelop me tightly make me feel secure and loved. so loved. how can i choose someone else when he’s the one? there’s no going around the truth. he’s the one.
Technique Highlight:
I got this wonderful idea of scattering the sequins from the amazing Gigi Kennedy. I just love its whimsicalness.
Iris:
Iris Says:
I’m genuinely thankful for how my husband Bryan has supported me in so many ways. From the time we were sweethearts until know, he has never lost his faith in me. Journaling: Because you never said “you could not”, because you always believed in me, because you knew me better than I knew myself… my genuine thanks to you… for always believing, always having faith, and for always dreaming with me.
Lia:
Lia Says:
He’s a blessing to me. He gives me strength, he gives me confidence, always believes in me and my capabilities, he laughs with me, he makes me happy …. he completes me.
Anita:
Anita Says:
When I seen this catalyst I knew RIGHT AWAY my answer to the question, “Who’s the person who supports you the most in your life (emotionally and intellectually)?” My hubby is my best friend! I think that’s why we work together so well. He supports me with everything in my life. He understands me and stands by me no matter what! Journaling says: You have always stood by me, believed in me, even when I didn’t, and stood by me even when others didn’t. I am so glad you have total faith in me.
Michelle:
Michelle Says:
That’s an easy question..Todd, my husband. I am not always an easy person to support, but he stands by me no matter what.
Rachel:
Rachel Says:
He is my rock and my foundation. From the moment we met, he took my breath away and I knew that he was someone truly special. And while I swooned with my giddy school-girl crush day dreams of him being mine, I found my best friend. I found my shoulder to lean on. I found my greatest support and ultimately, my soul mate. He is my number one fan and he inspires me on a daily basis to follow my heart and fulfill my dreams. He never wavers or compromises in his love for me. Like our song says, “You’ll always be my sweet addiction… in this life my saving grace… you’re all that really matters, you know its true… there ain’t no me without you.”
Now it’s your turn: show us your therapeutic art around “Who’s the person who supports you the most in your life (emotionally and intellectually)?” I urge you to give it a try. It can be any form of art as long as it speaks to you.
Leave us comments with your work and you will qualify for the RAK we offer to a random participant. If you don’t have a community or blog where you upload photos, you can upload them on our flickr group.
Remember, this is not a competition. If your art makes you feel even a bit better at the end, you’ve won.
Until next week, enjoy each and every moment.
Filed under: catalyst
As always, thank you to all of our visitors and all the encouraging comments you left for us. For those of you who did, thank you for playing along with us.
Ok! Here’s catalyst number eighty:
Tell us about something you cherished as a child. It can be a toy or anything else.
We’re so excited to have Pam Carriker as this week’s Guest Artist.
Pam is one of those artists whose art touches my soul. When I look at her paintings I get completely lost in them and just want to look at them forever. Her portraits are so soft, so meaningful, and so very elegant.
I’m not alone in my awe of Pam as she’s been published widely in magazines like Somerset Studios, The Stampers’ Sampler, Art Journaling, Somerset Apprentice, and Cloth Paper Scissors. She also teaches workshops in real life and online.
If you haven’t seen Pam’s art, make sure to visit her her blog or her shop.
Here is Pam’s art with this week’s catalyst. You can click on it to see a larger version and more detail.
Pam Says:
As a child I cherished the times spent with my grandmother all by myself. I suppose it had a little bit to do with the ‘middle child syndrome’ but those times made me feel so special, and in a family with three children, the ’squeaky wheels’ often got oiled first and I just wasn’t very ’squeaky’.
Grandmas are a very special type of person to a child. You can really do no wrong in their eyes. Things that would have sent Mom over the edge, do not appear to have any affect on Grandma. They have a seemingly limitless supply of patience, teaching everything from how to make a perfect Pineapple Upside down Cake, to tedious French Knots or how to save lots of money by clipping coupons.
My mom had ’special’ dishes and things that we never used to my knowledge. She wouldn’t dream of letting one of us eat off the good china! But grandma, would on occasion, take out her very special dishes. I was especially enamored of her lovely teacup collection. Each one different, delicate, and beautiful. Sometimes on a visit she would let me pick which one I wanted to use and she would fill it with tea, sugar and a little milk. We would sip our tea and have important discussions just like two grown up ladies. She even let me sit at her dressing table and try on lipstick and perfume. She nurtured the girl in me right from the start.
Today I work in my studio, surrounded by some of the beautiful things from grandma’s house. I sit writing this from her lovely secretary desk, filled with lovely pieces from her home. I cherish my grandma for helping me to appreciate the beauty in the things around me and for making the little girl inside me still, feel very special.
Technique Highlight:
I created this journal page on 110lb hot press watercolor paper. Sketch the cups, first in pencil, then in XS Black Pitt Artist Pen. Shade with Shades of Grey Pitt Brush Tipped Pens. Journal some thoughts with XS Pitt Pen. Add some more design elements (scrolls) with the Pitt Pens. ‘Paint’ in the teacups with PanPastel and colored pencil. Fill in the background with Caran d’Ache water soluble crayons. Shade with charcoal. Transfer images and text using ink jet transparencies and hand sanitizer.
Thank you so much Pam; we’re so very very honored.
Here are some interpretations of the catalyst from members of our team.
Kimmi:
Kimmi Says:
Stuffed animals were my favorite toys as a child. I can remember my most favorites that I had and every single one had a well thought out name… One being Chubbles in the far left of this picture. I never was really sure what exactly he was but I just called him Chubbles by the name on his little robe. Now I’m thinking he’s some sort of ewok (?) Either way, he was one of my favorites. I hunted and hunted for a picture that I have from when I was about three of me holding Chubbles, but couldn’t locate it, so I snapped a quick picture of Chubbles in his new home… a shelf in Brayden’s room with a few of Brayden’s first stuff animals, an Elmo that was his first gift from Travis, and a squirrel that we eventually realized was a squeaky dog toy…(ha)…among others. It’s strange to think that this little stuffed toy actually still works… even after twenty years… with a little wiggling of his wires. He chuckles and his eyes light up when you run your hand over his face, or hide under the covers with him, just as I used to as a kid.
Wendela:
Wendela Says:
What I cherished when I’m a child…going to the beach near our home, to make sandcastles and go for a swim, and especially seeking treasures…like a message in a bottle!
Technique Highlight:
I painted the bottle with alcohol ink, with a pearly alcohol ink too. It looks like ancient glass.
Larissa:
Larissa Says:
I cherish the time I used to spend with my brother… I kindly remember the time when we used to share the same room, listened from mommy the same child story before bedtime, had pillow fights, argued with each other…all these moments and everything related to the 80´s are special.
Wilna:
Wilna Says:
I loved this teddy-bear. As far as my memory goes, it was always with me and provided comfort and joy. It’s name is simply Teddie and sometime and somehow along the road it lost an eye. But never the less, i loved it wit all my heart. To this day I love teddy bears.
Lia:
Lia Says:
I loved being the youngest in the family. I was Daddy’s little girl, Mummy’s favorite and my siblings especially my sis always did whatever they could to make me happy. I always felt loved … and while others might get spoilt by all the attention the youngest child gets, I’m thankful that my family taught me to be respectful and affectionate to others through them loving me.
Karen:
Journaling Reads:
i remember asking my parents for this computer for my tenth birthday. “you just want to play games,” they said. “no” i insisted, “i will learn how to program, I will use it all the time, I swear.” they were reluctant, I could tell. everyone else just used theirs as a fancy toy but i wanted one. I knew I wasn’t going to use mine as a toy, mine was a keeper. I don’t know what finally convinced them but I still remember the day my commodore 64 arrived. i fulfilled my promises, I took lessons, I worked, I played, I tinkered with that thing all the time. As it turned out, that was the beginning of a lifelong love of computers a career in programming and the internet. now i help build browsers. and it all started with one little machine. a present that changed my whole life.
Karen Says:
The Commodore 64 my parents bought me when I was a little girl was the very first computer I ever loved. Today, I have eight computers and I love them all. I made a career out of working with computers. I cannot thank them enough for believing in me, supporting me, and of course giving me my first computer.
Lori:
Lori Says:
I know I cherished my parents and brother and spending time with our extended family. I certainly remember wanting things. The only toy I had that made me feel special was a green bear. He was my best friend for many years, but I don’t even have a photo with him. This catalyst just reinforces why I scrapbook for my family.
Journaling Reads:
I remember having a little green stuffed bear with me all the time. I named him “greenie” and he was my constant companion. I loved this little green bear so much, he never left my side. Soon he had no fur left and was really nubby instead. I wish I still had him. This is one of the few toys I would love to have kept.
Iris:
Iris Says:
I have always been fascinated with water fountains as a child. Be it am architectural wonder, or a table top decor, I would stare at it in amazement. It was such a pleasant surprise when I noticed that my daughter Nicole also has that same fascination with fountains.
Technique Highlight:
Use a favorite felt shape or die-cut as a mask for misting and get to use it in several more projects.
Now it’s your turn: show us your therapeutic art around “Tell us about something you cherished as a child. It can be a toy or anything else.” I urge you to give it a try. It can be any form of art as long as it speaks to you.
Leave us comments with your work and you will qualify for the RAK we offer to a random participant. If you don’t have a community or blog where you upload photos, you can upload them on our flickr group.
Remember, this is not a competition. If your art makes you feel even a bit better at the end, you’ve won.
Until next week, enjoy each and every moment.
