Safety, Trust and Relaxation

Synchronicity is in my life big time! I'm taking three courses: The Artist's Way course, Building a Relationship with A Creative Client, and a Vision Journaling workshop with Kathryn Antyr. Week 1 topics were: Recovering a sense of safety, of relaxation, and building trust. Pretty connected, wouldn't you say?

My Creative Affirmations are
I am willing to create.
There is a divine plan of goodness for me.
I am willing to be of service through my creativity.
I am willing to experience my creative energy.
I am willing to share my creative talent.
I am open to whatever creative voice emerges.

As I set out on this journey, I am excited to be engaging with Julia Cameron's work again. I am also interested in doing this in community. I'm interested in what emerges and I'm willing to keep an open mind.

I love the morning pages, and have no problem doing them. I've already had an aha, which I'll share at another time.

My first artist date was at our Central Park. I took my notebook and pens down to a park bench intending to journal. Instead, I took full notice of colors and sounds and smells. It was interesting because I described the grass as the color of wheat ... this is not a color I have in my vocabulary. Cars traveling along the nearby street competed with the slight rustle of the trees. I was very much at peace. At this point, the connection to relaxation and trust was made. I was truly relaxed, and I trusted the process of staying at the park even though I had tons of work waiting for me.

These are two vision cards I made this week.

Artist's Way Workshop

I've decided to take the Artist's Way Workshop with Odile Nicolette. While this is a huge time commitment, I went into this academic year with the intention of seeking balance. Thursday mornings are now dedicated to me pursuing my creative expression.

I did the Artist's Way book several years ago; well I should say I did most of it. I've taught a graduate course using The Artist's Way at Work. So I'm familiar with the themes. I feel this is a great time for me to work through the book again. I have several goals:

1. Balance. A half-day workshop, plus morning pages, a weekly artist date, plus the exercises will keep me busy. But this busy is a balance to my school busy. It's all about me :-).
2. I'm taking this workshop at the same time as I take my third class through towards a creativity coaching certificate. I'd like to see where this leads me ... I'm seeking my coaching voice.
3. Being in community. I know my coaching work will be in community, with groups. So immersion in this group for 12 weeks, working through the creative process, will provide a "laboratory" of sorts ... I can be the participant/observer (my academic training is showing here.)
4. Being in Odile's space always leaves me energized, motivated, and inspired. Her home studio is as warm and inviting as she. I always learn from her.

My intention is to blog my experience with the Artist's Way, but I'll have to see if that feels right or not.

Book #3

"Arting is the cure for grumpiness."
~ Jan Jackson

Yesterday was proof of this. I've felt listless and grumpy for days. Yesterday, I pulled out the papers I'd painted in Jill's class and decided to make another book. I painted the reverse sides, using some symbols and watercolor paint. I used a mixed media piece on heavy watercolor paper for the cover, which I also painted on the reverse side. Cut it all to size, put the papers into signatures, sewed them into the spine of the cover and voila! a new book.
So, what is so energizing about this? 1. I love the use of a different "language" - symbols from a different time and culture. Even though I tend to create my own symbols, I use them as a guide and inspiration. The symbols/text become part of the art. Because I don't know the meaning of the text, I am free to create my own story.
2. I'm enjoying working with watercolor paint, experimenting with bleeding and running. On a couple of sheets, I made crayon markings which created a resist - I like that effect. While I don't get the same intensity as acrylic paint, I like the contrast this creates when mixed together in the book.
3. The painting and doodling process is quite meditative. Because I've limited myself to using only half of the watercolor box, I don't need to think much, I can simply paint. Doing this outdoors adds to the meditative quality - the sun, an occasional bird.
4. I love making books - at least simple structure books. I've made several journals but these art books are new to me. I can choose to use it as a journal but think I'll fill it with something else as I did the others. The cover has the word "Happen" on it ... will that guide the story?
5. Speaking of story ... I tend to focus my art on technique and materials. I tend not to work from a place of story. Sometimes a story might evolve, but more often the piece is "just a piece of art" - the story is for the viewer to create. I used poems in the other two books, and I may do that again here. But I think I'll see if a story emerges that wants to be told. I can't wait too long for this story, however, or else it will "just another structure" until text is added and it becomes a book.
So, I felt a 1000% better when I wrapped up my arting session than I did at the beginning of the day. I felt energized, satisfied, fulfilled.

"Make time for art."
~ Doctor's orders

Another book

I used a “scrap” from the Music Maker book to create an accordion book. Using watercolors on the painted paste paper, I drew symbols and figures to create the visual for a story.

I then added this poem by Langston Hughes.

Hold fast to dreams
for if dreams die,
Life is a broken-winged bird
that cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams
for if dreams go,
Life is a barren field
frozen with snow.

I love this poem and it seemed right for the book.

Jill Berry's Workshop

Last weekend my friends Phyllis and Jody went to San Diego to take a workshop with Jill Berry. This is the second time I’ve taken a class with Jill. She is a delightful teacher and very interesting woman.

In one workshop, we painted papers with a mixture of paste/acrylic paints. I love the way the paint is absorbed into the paper, leaving it velvety and pliable, not sticky and stiff, like with acrylic paints alone.

In the other workshop, called “All the Elements Book”, we created an illustrated page using symbols from a variety of cultures. My symbols are based on the Bamum Script – ideograms invented by King Ibrahim Njoya, the ruler of the Bamum people in Cameroon in 1896. I added some of my own personal symbols as well.

This page was used to create folios for a book made with a wood spine embellished with charms and beads. I added the text today and cover today to finish the book. The text is an excerpt from “Ode” by Arthur O’Shaughnessy.
We are the music makers,
And we are the dreamers of dreams,
Wandering by lone sea-breakers,
And sitting by desolate streams;
World-losers and world-forsakers,
On whom the pale moon gleams:
Yet we are the movers and shakers
Of the world for ever, it seems.



These words speak to me and remind me that for centuries, humans have communicated through symbols and written word, to try and make sense of the world we live in.

Creativity Weekend

I'm off to San Diego with my good friends Jody and Phyllis to take a weekend course sponsored by San Diego Book Arts. The teacher is Jill Berry. She gives a lecture tonight on artist's books, and then a class called "The Painted Page" and on Sunday we make a book. I took a class with Jill last year and really enjoyed it. I missed the painted page element then and am thrilled to learn how she makes paste papers. How fun this weekend will be!

graffiti

I'm always fascinated with graffiti in European cities. It seems to be more accepted and integrated. I forgot to ask our tour guide about it. I wonder if it's gang-related as so much of the local graffiti is.

Goodbye to Summer

Yesterday I worked in my art journals all day.

The poem inspired the art

I was feeling the need for solitude after a day of being in community. I don't know why I'm like that ... but I was fortunate that G. went shopping with my daughter and granddaughter, leaving me alone for a while. I stayed in my pj's until we went out to dinner :-).

I'll probably do some journaling on these pages

I'm feeling a little "down" because summer is over for me. And now I regret all I didn't do. Like the three unfinished art quilts on the design wall. Or the set of digital photo books I'd planned. Or the creativity e-book that my friends is waiting to put on her website.

Of course I had a wonderful trip and a great art retreat. And the days I "wandered aimlessly" were restful and restorative and fun.

I'm finding it harder to return to school this year. Partially because it's another year of "administration" (final one!) and also because I'm so close to ending my full-time working status. While I'm grateful to have a job, a mostly wonderful job, it is tough facing a calendar already filled with meetings and appointments.

I've carved out course development days (a creative activity) and I'm hoping to keep Creativity Fridays. I'm making a list of playdates - ones I'll take by myself in the true sense of the Artist's Dates (Julia Cameron). And my group of Creativity Playdate friends will continue - our next date is "Intuitive Art: Exploring Creative Problem Solving" with Odile Nicolette.

My vision page - making the time for balance

I'll continue my courses through Creativity Coaching Association. I believe the next course is developing a creative practice, which is quite timely as I think about developing a visual/creative journaling course. The idea is really pulling me in, combining my love of journaling with imagery and creative elements and bringing that to others. It's an idea I had years ago, when I was simply using words to journal. I know, a gazillion others are doing this but there just may be room for one more. Who knows, I may begin with bringing the creative elements to my students leadership journals.

I do intend to blog on the creativity and the creative process and hopefully inspire someone to create something ... anything. The world needs us creatives!

Encaustic Painting

I took a basic encaustic class with Josie Rodriguez - it was fantastic! I enjoyed working with the wax and pigments. I particularly liked how the heat gun became like a paint brush. There isn't a lot of control (at least for me as a beginner) but that is part of the fun and interest. I love the "what happens if ..." art experience.

These three have transfers from photos of Italy.

Josie is a neat woman with great talent. She and her husband conduct art lessons in their very artsy home. They actually have a place for a retreat (something I hope to do one day.) She's an excellent teacher, patient and 'gentle'. I'd love to travel to Cortona Italy with them next summer but doubt I'll be able to afford it after this years trip.

I enjoyed the course and will take it again (basic encaustic). I like to do that ... take the basics until I feel I've got them "down" and then move on. I would like to practice more to get the "see-through" layering effect.

Because of the wax and pigments and equipment and working outside ... this isn't something I'll pursue right now. I may try a wax medium that comes in a jar, like Dorlands Wax Medium. I like the translucent effect and the idea of embedding things.

I'd also like to take Josie's mixed media class and her husband teaches paste papers. Oh, so many classes ... so little time.

My newest journal

I've started two new journals as I prepare to return to work. One is my everyday journal. I simply paint pages and gesso every 10th page or so (for collages).

The one I'm showing here is going to be a visual journal. Visual journals have a different purpose than my everyday journal. There I do mostly morning page-type writing along with making lists and jotting down ideas and stuff. A visual journal is more of an illustrated journal entry. Each page tells a story, some loud and clear, others a mystery.

I'll be holding my first visual journaling workshop in September. This journal will be a sort of practice place. (Notice the "envelope" on inner cover where I can put ideas as they occur.)

I've prepared several pages for a couple of reasons. 1. When I return to work, I have very little time for art of any type. If I have journal pages waiting for stuff (photos, images, text) I'm more likely to work in it. By adding prompts to many of the pages, I can open to one that is appealing to me at that time. Like the one below is "Love notes" where I can put notes from people and to people in the sewn in pocket.

Another reason to prepare pages is to avoid the blank page syndrome. Because I put color (paint) on most blank pages, I no longer suffer from this syndrome. However, I have found that a blank book still is unwelcoming. I'm hoping that having lots of pages prepared and waiting for what's to come next, the book will remain "user-friendly."

And finally, I still have a goal to use my art supplies. I've given up the idea of using them all up -- I think it would take many books to do that. But I'm on a mission to not buy anything more until I have reduced my stash. I'm only allowed to buy glue at Michaels :-).

I'd love to hear your experiences with keeping a visual journal!