Showing posts with label Passion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Passion. Show all posts

Saturday 6 August 2016

Art and Health in Barbados - Magazine Article



A few months ago I was given the opportunity to talk about the impact that Art can have on our health and well-being in a monthly magazine called Better Health. Each month they cover a variety of topics that highlight a wide range of health issues and gives the readership in-depth information and sign posts them to resources to enable them to be proactive in taking steps to improve their own health and that of their family.


I shared my story about my journey and it is funny when you look back over your life and see the many different roads you could have gone down.  I could never have foreseen my current move that brought me to Barbados and I know that every step of the way has brought its highs and lows but in each situation we have to see what the gift is in the lessons we are being shown. If you’ve followed my blog and read some of my posts you will know that I’ve worked in a few diverse fields before becoming an artist.


I think that the common theme that runs through each of the areas of work is wanting to help others  I worked for many years as an Executive Secretary in education, design and then in the NHS before doing my degree in Complementary Therapies.  I focused on Nutritional and Massage therapy because I could see the link between the food that we ate and how we treated our bodies.  I had also lost my father and brother to cancer and my mother was diagnosed with dementia, so looking for a holistic approach to health has been vitally important for me.  I further saw the impact of massage therapy and later art and creative activities including music, dance, theatre and even horticulture, and started to do more research.


I found that art and creativity consistently had a big impact on individuals who either viewed activities in the 'arts, say by going to a gallery as well as those who took part in creative activities, and it really enabled people to express themselves in ways they were unable to verbally, and people were able to say how they felt using a range of different tools and be involved with a creative practice that brought about the feeling of well-being.  This was also the case for those who took part in my 3 year project with the elderly who had varying degrees of dementia.


If you have taken any of the classes I have run as part of either The Journey Within, One BadAss Journal or My Color is Beautiful Art, I try and create lessons that not only get us learning a new technique or creating a lovely piece of art, but also to get us to ask ourselves the questions that we often try to avoid.

Art for me is an integral part of my life and it was such a pleasure to share a part of it in the magazine.  I see art and creative activity as a vehicle for sharing the stories and acting as a bridge between what is told and what is left unsaid and brings out the richness and the passion that is handed down and that captures the imagination of generations.


My journey here in Barbados has only just begun and I hope to share more of our journey, insights, highs and lows of taking that step of faith.  If you want to read the article in the magazine, send your email address to amanda(at)realityarts(dot)co(dot)uk and I will send you a copy.

I would love to hear how art and creativity has impacted on your life and the way in which you use it to tell your story.

Wednesday 24 September 2014

Quote Wednesday - Ninon De L'Enclos

Quote Wednesday
Today a new sun rises for me; everything lives everything is animated, everything seems to speak to me of my passion, everything invites me to cherish it... Ninon d l'Enclos

Grab hold of the opportunities that are coming your way.  It is a new day, a fresh start, a do over.  See the beauty in the simplicity, take hold of your passions, and cherish every moment!


Each Quote Wednesday I share a quote with a photograph that I have taken. Quotes can be so inspiring and uplifting it is a good idea to meditate on the words and make a point of saying something encouraging about your life!  Do something great!  Join me next week for the next inspiring quote and image. Blessings

Wednesday 17 April 2013

P is for Passionate

I am passionate about my creativity, spending time experimenting, creating new things from old and new, capturing the essence of something with paints, pencils anything that can make a mark.  I am passionate about spending time on my blogs, it has become a way of life talking about what I am getting up to, sharing with an on line community my experiences.
I am also passionate about my family, spending time with them, caring and sharing the ups and downs, our relationships and the memories that we create together, my faith, relationship with God and my spiritual walk and taking the time to understand what my specific purpose in life is and that I get the time and the space to think on those things and leave a positive mark on the world.  I came across a great website called It Starts With Us. and they encourage you to make one small difference (15 minutes or less)  each week to the life of someone else,

Take a look at this video and their site for further information. What are you passionate about?

Painting for the day
Each day I will show a completed piece of art or journal page hope you enjoy today's

 Art Journal Page

 Blog Love

I am sharing some love with those who are also taking part in the challenge, it's not everyone whose blog starts with the letter P, but a few of them for you to start with....



Sunday 5 August 2012

52 Weeks of Colour - Passion


Reflection
Passion - Look out for the miracles today

Quote
Work of sight is done. Now do heart work on the pictures within you. ....R.M. Rilke

Scripture
For He will give his angels charge concerning you to guard you in all your ways...Psalm 91:11

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...