Looking forward to a wonderful and blessed New Year with no limits. I hope each and every one of you feels equally as optimistic about your New Year! Please enjoy the picture above that I created in my journal, and my Christmas gift to myself below is my new Inkoos :)
#inkoos #artjournal #artjournaling
Happy New Year!!!
With art journaling (or visual journaling) it's about the process, not the end result. I've read that statement, in one form or another, so very much these last 2 years, both in books and here on line. And I still have an issue with it, lol, but that's a story for another day.
Tonight I had a lot on my mind. There's a big decision that I need to start addressing more seriously, and in so doing, I need to accept that it is a decision to begin with. In other words, I need to stop avoiding it and acknowledge it. This quickly done journal page is a step in the right direction... right?
I don't know much about depression. I do know that so many people these days have a diagnosis with this or that, but that is a post for another day.
I know that depression is a real problem, and many people are truly affected by it. I am curious if it a steady, consistent situation, or if there are highs and lows. In other words, are there people who are depressed, but can feel happy sometimes? Or are they always down?
The art above is a journal page I've begun based on Tammy Garcia's 
I'm utilizing the colors of orange and yellow, and creating patterns and doodles with them. Art is theraputic, and it's nice to take a little time each day, if possible, to do something creative.
Do you know someone who may be suffering from depression? Pray for them. But do something nice for them, as well. Maybe create a little art for them. Or, better yet? Take some time out, grab a journal and some materials (markers, pencils, etc.) and go create a little art WITH them. Take the time to let them know you care, that you're praying for them, and that God loves them. Let the Lord use you :)
There are many ways to interpret a single word. Inevitably, a word will mean many different things to each person. Illustration Friday is a great, creative site that encourages artists from all over, regardless of talent, to take a word that is provided each Friday and interpret it as they will= through art.
This week's word is Pattern, and my illustration is indicative of a young girl who, despite her best intentions, keeps winding up in the same proverbial pattern of behavior. We've all been there, and can each relate on some level or another. The design in the background of the illustration is one of Tim Holt'z Blueprint stamps, which I stamped repeatedly in several different directions. My brother ordered me these stamps for Christmas and I am already loving the ideas of what I can create with them.
Where are you today in your emotional lives? Do you feel that you keep "falling into" the same patterns? Is that a good thing, or not? What can you create today to portray how YOU feel?
Time is a luxury. I'm a full-time Mom who lives in a very small space with my family. I have a laptop which only comes out of my closet maybe 1 or 2 times a week. I'm with the kids all day and at night, I work. I usually don't have a lot of "me" time. But I'm not complaining... my kids mean the world to me :)
That being said, there is a lot of technology out there that I'm completely ignorant to. A friend was telling me that there is a new phone that comes with software where you can literally do your drawing/sketching directly ON the phone, and even has the capability to color and adjust it at will. A PHONE. Only a few years ago, people were clamoring to get into colleges to learn the latest Photoshop and Corel... now you can do that stuff on a phone. It is incredible.
I still don't have a definitive way of storing my files. God forbid something should happen to this laptop, and a lot of my pictures (of my children AND artwork) would be gone. One of these days I'll get around to doing what is necessary to putting everything where it belongs. It's funny how people take space and equipment for granted. I share one bedroom with my 2 children (lol)... I have to cut back on art supplies and what not because I've simply no room to keep them. And as far as what I've on my computer, I would need a lot of computer time to go through everything and try and categorize/organize what I've got on there, and then decide what to keep, and finally, HOW to keep them. I don't have a scanner, nor a printer. I don't even have a PC. These days, most of the previously mentioned items are standard in a household.
And don't even get me started on apps... there is an app for everything. And the popularity of things like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. is astounding. I was online last month at a Dunkin Donuts and EVERYONE was on their phone... even me. Talking to someone? Oh, no... typing or whatever on it. It's as if all the latest gadgets have become greater extensions of ourselves... an extra appendage, if you will.
Christmas time is vast approaching, and a commercial I just saw featured a young boy talking about presents. He basically showed two items: a scooter, and a computer tablet. Then, he pretty much said NOT to get the scooter for your kids this Christmas, because it won't be used. He told the parents to get the kids the electronic device because that is something that WILL be used. I'm not exaggerating... this commercial was LITERALLY promoting getting your growing child an electronic device rather than something that they can use outside, to keep healthy, and have fun playing in the fresh air and sunshine like we used to when we ourselves were kids... oh, the times, how they have changed. The more technology advances, they say the better it is for us. I'm not so sure.
I'm reminded of that popular saying, "Let go and let God." But I'm not looking at God. I'm looking at others. I'm looking at women who have little children, full houses to run, and still have flourishing craft businesses, plus time to write blogs, Tweet, Pin, etc. And here I am, sitting on the couch (also my Mom's bed), watching tv with my 2 little ones. I nap when they nap. I draw (sometimes) at work (I work 3 hours a night) taking care of an old woman who generally sleeps. I rarely have time to ever bring out my computer at home.
Where am I going with this ramble? I have no idea. I just know that so much is missing. I need to increase my relationship with God. I need to learn how to begin working with Kyle (4) on reading. I need to clean rather than tidy up. I need to make dinners rather than chicken nuggets or hot dogs (how did people exist before microwaves?) I need to learn how to play with my children... they won't be little forever. I just always feel so tired and am putting one step in front of the other, plodding on, in my own steps...
It's time for a change. I want to be a better mother. I want to be a better Child of God.
Today, after I got off of work, I finally visited the Barntique Village, a place just up the road from my home where they sell all things, you guessed it, vintage! I only wish I'd had more time to peruse at my leisure... it really was a lot of fun, being that I'm not an aficionado of vintage items. I really went because I'd been meaning to get over there and grab some pics for my friend, AnnMarie.
This whole little village is comprised of about 20 shops selling various antique items, everything from pottery, collectible statues, bedding, clothes, toys, even James Taylor albums! (OK, so James Taylor is NOT technically "vintage", but I was thrilled to see it, lol). Here are the pictures I was able to grab, being that they were closing up... I mean to definitely go back!
URBAN
Jennifer Morrison
Kim Eyeberg
Rita Mascaro
Jennifer Morrison
Kim Eyeberg
Rita Mascaro
Yolanda K Degraff
SALVATION
Jennifer Morrison
Kim Eyeberg
LOVE
Kim Eyeberg
Rita Mascaro
Fred Baumbach
NEW
Kim Eyeberg
Rita Mascaro
Yolanda K Degraff
Pam Hardy
INSECURITY
Kim Eyeberg
Rita Mascaro
Yolanda K Degraff
1970
Jennifer Morrison
Kim Eyeberg
Rita Mascaro
Yolanda K Degraff
Art
Jennifer Morrison
Kim Eyeberg
Rita Mascaro
Yolanda K Degraff
So, which ones do YOU like the best? It took so long for me to go through the emails, divide up the pictures into their respective desktop folders, then upload them into the html code where I write my blogs... altogether, took me an hour and a half. LOL! No wonder I don't write on my blog all the time...
For example, if one of the words is "AWAKE", you could interpret that with a picture of whatever you think of... an alarm clock, a sunrise, a cup of coffee... the sky is virtually the limit! This exercise is creatively invigorating and mentally stimulating. I kept the list of words short to not burden you all with too many choices... you can pick one word, or do each one. Either way, all you have to do is take the picture and send it to my email jenniferbaysoaps@yahoo.com and I'll post them all here in 2 weeks. Comment below or email me if you've any questions :)
Sound exciting? I think so :) It's great to see what people come up with! Let's get started!
Word List
URBAN
AWAKE
SALVATION
LOVE
NEW
INSECURITY
1970
Art
I also wanted to show a video clip of an upcoming movie that my Pastor shared on youtube... just click on the picture below to view it. I really can't wait to see this. How about you?
The surgery wasn't scary. I honestly didn't really think much about it before hand. I basically went in, knowing Mom and Dad would see me later in the afternoon, and that they'd bring my backpack so I could do art while I rested in my hospital bed, one night, and then I'd go home. I didn't anticipate the pain medicine they'd have me on, which basically kept me barely awake until I stopped asking for it. I knew I'd be on a catheter, but I didn't know that I had to be off of it and "successful" on my own before they'd let me go home. That took a little while. I also had no idea that I wouldn't be able to eat. Anything. And I had to eat, in order to go home. So I forced myself to do so, because I could not, would not spend one more night in that place. It was horrible. The strangest thing? You go home, you heal, you go on with life, as if nothing happened. But it did. I had an anxiety attack while I was in there. Nothing too serious, thank God, and I was able to get through it WITH God, but still... I promised myself I wouldn't eat any more junk food, because it's bad for you. And if I eat junk food, knowingly doing harm to my body, then it stands to reason that I could end up in the hospital as I grow older for whatever I've done to my body while I was younger. That, and add to the fact that my Dad has breathing issues... what they call COPD. I also tend to have breathing issues... they finally diagnosed me with asthma, even though I only need the inhaler every so often. I don't want that to get worse. I don't want anything to ever put me in the hospital again. It's been a little over 3 weeks since I came home, and last night I ate a little ice cream. I had forgotten, for a moment, what the hospital was like. I was more focused on losing weight, and I figured a little ice cream wouldn't be so bad, especially after eating no junk for more than 3 weeks. But I forgot that the reason I wasn't eating "bad" stuff wasn't to lose weight... it was to try everything possible to be healthier. Because, every moment each of has is a moment to make right decisions. To take care of ourselves. To make sure that we don't end up in the hospital. Sure, there ARE things that happen regardless. But we don't have to add to it. God gives us common sense... I know I'm going to use mine.
His and Hers Jewelry Holder and Rack
Lavender, Silver & Magnetic Hematite Beaded Bracelet
Holly Hobbie Cookie Cutters 70's Vintage
Beautiful Photo Note Cards... Scotland and Wales!
Enjoy!!! Have a wonderful weekend!
