Catalyst Six

Catalyst Six

April 20, 2008, 7:42 am
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. We will do a drawing for the RAK and announce the name mid-week. And if you didn’t join us before, we hope you do this time.

 

Ok! I can’t believe we’re already on catalyst number six:

 

Someone or something that really frustrates you. Feel free to vent, but in a therapeutic way.

 

We’re incredibly honored to have Vivian Bonder as this week’s Guest Designer.

 

I truly can’t remember how I found Vivian’s blog but I distinctly remember the instant amazement and awe I felt when I first saw her art. Her art literally glows with vivid color and so much texture that I wish I could hold it in my hand and feel it. Her creations beg to be touched. If you haven’t seen Vivian’s art before, make sure you take a look at her blog. I promise you that you won’t be disappointed. You can also see more of her art and even buy a few amazing pieces at her etsy store. 

 

 

Vivian’s art with this catalyst is below and you can click it to see the larger version.

 

 

Journaling reads:

laughing is my only way out of frustration at times. my soul desperately needs the silence… trying to be centered amidst the chaos…

 

Vivian Says:

thank you very much for having me this catalyst, it was definitely good for me to examine this issue. generally speaking i don’t get easily frustrated by people or things and am quite acceptive of different circumstances. however… when my soul does not get fed with enough silence and solitude i explode. and get frustrated and so i laugh and try and learn to build more solitude into my days..

 

Thank you so much Vivian, we’re truly honored.

 

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Here are some interpretations of the catalyst from members of our team. Click on the photos to see the bigger versions.

 

Kris:

 

Kris Says:

I’m sure we all have a list as long as our arms of things that frustrate us, and I’m no different but lately I’m focused on one thing. Time. I feel like I don’t have enough. Or maybe I don’t prioritize well. But with homeschooling my girls, family obligations and trying to set aside time for art…

 

I feel pulled in many directions. It never seems that I cut down on things to do, rather I add. And add and add. I made this little talisman, if you want to call it, to hang nearby so I remember to prioritize my time, to take time for myself as well as one on one time with my kids and hubby. We only get 24 hours a day, all that matters is how we choose to use them.

 

 

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Brenda:

Brenda Says:

This weeks catalyst really made me dig in deep and try to just let go–this is probably one of the ugliest pieces of art that I have created, but I  do feel a bit lighter. 

 

My sister asked me the day after my surgery if I would be able to take care of her children around the end of March, for  four days and three nights. And even though I was full of morphine I knew she was asking a lot . One of her children is a baby that does not even sleep during the night.  And I had a broken ankle.  Three weeks before she was to leave she told me she wasn’t going and this continued until three days before her fiance was leaving, and then she called and asked me if I was ready to watch them. For the first time in nine years I said that I didn’t feel like I was physically able to do this all by myself.  She sent me the most hurtful, hateful email and has not spoken to me about this since.  

 

I am so frustrated, and hurt at her and her words. I did not deserve this, she never should have asked me in the first place. I am not healing as quickly as the Doctor expected and the last thing that I want is to not be able to do something.

 

I printed out her email, burned some of it, added water and scribbled all over it and then closed it  in this tin which I had painted.  I added the “ugly words” and some other words, a lock so I can lock them away and covered it with pieces of burlap that is no longer woven, signifying the unraveling of “family”.  I added a heart for love and thought I was finished–but then I pounded a hole in the top and added the red spear – as her words pierced my soul…..

 

 

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Karen:

Journaling Reads:

fake.

 

yes, i’m talking to you. i thought you were my friend. now i can see that you don’t even know what it means to be a friend.

 

if there’s one thing i hate in the world more than anything else, it’s people being one thing to your face and another behind your back. i wouldn’t take that from anyone and i am surely not taking it from you.

 

i was surprised, at first.

 

then i was sad.

 

and then mad.

 

now i’m finished.

 

done

 

 

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Lori:

 

Lori Says:

I had to really think hard about what or who frustrates me. I kept coming back to myself. I’m full of excuses and I’m so over that!  I decided I am done being frustrated with my lack of motivation to get the last of this baby weight off, so, today I started my 21 day (Rhonna Farrer style) art journal. It takes 21 days to make a habit and I’m going to do my weight loss plan and walk every day for 21 days. I’m going to journal about it each day. I look forward to my journey and can’t wait to see how I feel at the end of the 21 days!  This page represents me and my “before.”

 

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Anita:

 

Anita Says:

This is the point in my life that I am.  I have 2 teenagers.  They can be very trying.  Was I like this?  I just don’t remember being so lazy.  Things sure have changed, that is for sure. Journaling says,”TEENAGERS, it’s what they do!”

 

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Becky:

Journaling Says:

Say no to all that money, say no to sitting idle that long,say no to all that arguing.Say YES to family fun nights, to taking walks and going on hikes. Say YES to your child’s imagination.

 

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Now it’s your turn: show us your therapeutic art around “someone or something that really frustrates you.” Give it a try. Embrace the healing power of art. It can be any form of art as long as it speaks to you. Leave us comments with your work and we will send a RAK to a random participant. You’ll have to link your work by Sunday night, April 27th, midnight PST to qualify for the RAK.

 

For our RAK for catalyst #6, Altered Pages is very generously donating a $25 gift certificate to one participant.

 

 

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.

 

 

 

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