365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 60

Reflection

Make a decision to do 3 things to get you closer to your goals...

Quote

I believe the lasting revolution comes from deep changes in ourselves which influence our collective life. ... Anais Nin

Scripture

You shall remember the lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth...Deuteronomy 8:18

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Reflection

Take time to be with you today

Quote

Build Yourself Wings. Fly straight ahead. Walk a straight line. Visit. Leave a special sign on the door. Make a gift of words. Mark your path with books. With clothes. With food. Join two distant places. Two rocks. Two people. Bridge a river. Build a city of sand. Raise up a mound. ... Milan Knizak

Scripture

...he who trusts in the Lord, loving kindness shall surround him. ..Psalm 32:10

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 58

Reflection

What one thing can you do differently today?

Quote

The position of the artist is humble. He is essentially a channel. ... Piet Mondrian

Scripture

Salvation is from the Lord ....Jonah 2:9

Inktense Blocks

I just recently received a sample pack of Inktense blocks, it's a 6 pack but it was most welcomed. I am a big fan of the pencils and when I heard about these I desperately wanted to try them out. I was jumping up and down when I got the packet - my son giving me his amused look, he regularly sees me get excited about art materials and books. Wasting no time to try them I started with a quick drawing treasuring each block.

You can used them in a variety of ways, directly as the block, there are special applicators you can use so your hands don’t get dirty, you can improvise as see fit or whatever goes on your hands you incorporate in your shading. The colours are rich and vibrant, just like the pencils.

You can use them as a paint and either apply the brush directly on to the block or you can use a knife to shave some off into your palette. Derwent have devised a mini grater that you can use, and this is a great way of just using what you need. When you use a palette, if the paint dries you just add water and you can use it again, nothing goes to waste!

I also tried the blocks on fabric. I’ve been looking at how we recycle fabric and found my son’s old school trousers then covered it in Gesso, it was a really great surface to work on - I will show you the process in another post.

This piece was painted with the ink blocks after being primed with Gesso and then ironed, the ink is permanent. I can then decide what I am going to use the piece for.

All in all Inktense blocks are gorgeous to use. They are creamy, vibrant, permanent and have a multitude of uses and they maintain their vibrancy. If you are able to get yourself a set I definitely encourage you to try them out.

 

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Reflection

Your body is a temple – look after it

Quote

Enthusiasm is a kind of faith that has been set afire. ... George Matthew Adams

Scripture

In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight...Proverbs 3:6

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Reflection

What’s the plan for today

Quote

One of the first things to do is learn to accept, and to expect this Power to flow through everything we do. ... Ernest Holmes

Scripture

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty... Psalm 91:1

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Reflection

What is your true purpose

Quote

You can’t erase a dream, you can only wake me up. ... Peter Frampton

Scripture

Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yes, our God is compassionate...Psalm 116:5

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Reflection

What goals and dreams do you see cropping up year after year unfulfilled, what are you going to do about them?

Quote

Why should we all use our creative power? Because there is nothing that makes people so generous, joyful, lively, bold and compassionate, so indifferent to fighting and the accumulation of objects and money. ... Brenda Ueland

Scripture

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness... 2 Peter 1:3

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Reflection

Tend to your dreams

Quote

This we know: all things are connected, like the blood which unites one family. All things are connected. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth. Man did not weave the web of life. He is merely a strand of it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself. ... Chief Seattle

Scripture

Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden...Psalm 68:19

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Reflection

Do not fear your inner truths they are part of the puzzle that make up your beautiful life

Quote

Each one of us has a fire in our heart for something. It’s our goal in life to find it and to keep it lit. ... Mary Lou Retton

Scripture

.....'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.... Mark 12:31

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Reflection

He will never leave you or forsake you.  You will never be alone, accept that you are loved more than you could ever imagine.

Quote

Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while...Steve Jobs

Scripture

..the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation... 11 Peter 2:9

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Reflection

Let love in

Quote

People say that you're going the wrong way when it's simply a way of your own... Angelina Jolie

Scripture

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made...Psalm 139:13-14

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Reflection

You are unique in this world; there will never be anyone exactly like you

Quote

The object isn’t to make art; it’s to be in that wonderful state which makes art inevitable.... Robert Henri

Scripture

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life...Proverbs 11:30

Patience....and being unreasonable

How many times have you started something - raring to go and found you self set back by your over zealous efforts?  Last week I tried to restart my training in earnest.  I was going to do 5 laps round the park, each lap .79 miles.. 

  

It worked out exactly 3.95 miles and I was going to do it 4 times a week with breaks in between.  Its been part of my ongoing health challenge, and its a lovely park to walk in first thing in the morning, also spending time talking to God is always a blessing.  I started last Monday, it was perfect, I was exhausted for the rest of the day but I was glad I had made the start, and with that excitement I thought it best to invest in a proper pair of trainers that very evening.

 

  

On Tuesday I jumped into them like an excited child.  I was amazed  the difference it made.  The last pair of trainers was brought 10 years ago!   I felt like I was floating, couldn't believe my other shoes had been so heavy.  It felt so good walking I convinced myself I should do more than planned....this is where the problem started.   By the time I hit 5 laps I convinced myself that one or two more laps extra were in order,  with my shins and knees hurting...I pressed on.  I did too much too quickly and strained my muscles.  I have been unable to train for 5 days, what this taught me was that I needed a big portion of patience, and should have taken it more slower but was caught up in the excitement of new trainers.  The funny thing is, I had made a plan, knew it wasn't going to be a quick fix but a change in lifestyle, and I jepodised it by not giving myself the time to get used to it. 

How often do we approach things  in our lives wanting quick easy results, just like fast food, or the microwave, it can be prepared and done in minutes.  But we know its not sustaining and you don't feel satisfied or fulfilled.

Whilst limping round the park I noticed the bark of particular trees, some of which seemed like the journeys that I had been on....some were very smooth, some unusual looking...

 

 

  

others bumpy,

  

....again almost confirming that our journey in life is not always how we expect it, and sometimes they will be much different than we expect or want, but we should still maintain our course and again with patience will get to our destination..  

 The rest of the week was spent celebrating my nephews birthday...

    

...watching my son training, he's started getting into American football, he's really enjoying himself and I sometimes have to carefully watch his growing football collection....  

  

He's attending London Blitz and they are based in Findsbury Park, which is a really lovely park.    

   

I must remember to bring the trainers next time.  Took my mum and she enjoysed the morning, we even got to taste the delights of a handsome young man called Christopher from Martinique who showed us his handmade churned on the spot delicioius coconut spice handmade ice cream (forgot to take a picture! - I was taken back by the spices!  It's worth going back even for that, he's based in the park if your ever down that way.

 

This week has been spent catching up, tending to admin, and trying some sketches with pen, still doing something every day.  Graphite has always been my favourite, but it's always great to try something different, will post some additional sketches I've done on my other Art blog

  

I got a blog award from  author Michelle Gregory  do check out her blogs she is a very talented writer and I am supposed to pass it on and list 5 books, movies, or tv shows I've experienced in the last year, which I'll do in the blog awards section.  

....and a lovely mention about my 365 days of colour - Flower of the day by Rasz on her blog she has a great piece on upcycling.

As for the weekend and next week I've decided to be unreasonable......I'm not taking NO for an answer, I'm going to be unreasonable with myself, with any limiting belief I hold about why I can't do something or take up an opportunity.....So here is the first three things I'll become unreasonable about.. 

• I will stop sabotaging my walking efforts by being patient and building up my strength, I will achieve the health I want.
• I will get my art together and submit to one of my favourite magazines and do whatever is necessary to complete on time...
• I will de-clutter on a regular basis and have the creative space I desire....

....there is  a whole lot more on the list but this is a start, what can you be unreasonable about this week? 

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 45

Reflection

You have everything you need to go where you want to go – just believe!

Quote

Creativity often consists of merely turning up what is already there. Did you know that right and left shoes were thought up only a little more than a century ago? ...Bernice FitzGibbon

Scripture

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness...11 Timothy 3:16

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Reflection

Everyone needs someone to lean on even you.

Quote

It is wisdom to believe the heart....George Santayana

Scripture

I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken..Psalm 16:8

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Reflection

You have an important job in this world to do that only you can do...

Quote

Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal....Ralph Vaull Starr

Scripture

Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you...Matthew 7:7

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 42

Reflection

Abundance will flow, go where the peace

Quote

Growth itself has the germ of happiness .....Pearl S. Buck

Scripture

Those who love Thy law have great peace, and nothing causes them to stumble..Psalm 119:165

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 41

Reflection

Learn the lessons your roadblocks will teach you then move past them.

Quote

When we are enthusiastic we are intoxicated with passion rooted in our true selves and it flows into all we do. ---Linda Saccoccio

Scripture

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last...Revelation 22:13

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Reflection

Love is key..forgiveness and love.

Quote

The world speaks to me in colours, my soul answers in music. ---Rabindranath Tagore

Scripture

He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart... Isaiah 40:11

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Reflection

You have an important story to tell.

Quote

To be at peace with ourselves, we need to know ourselves.... Caitlin Matthews

Scripture

Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth... Matthew 5:5

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Reflection

Feel the fear, acknowledge it, name it, understand where it’s coming from,

then move on

Quote

How do you expect to arrive at the end of your own journey if you take the road to another man’s city? .....Thomas Merton

Scripture

 Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory...Ephesians 3:20-21

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 37

Reflection

You are loved much more than you realise

Quote

It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that they are difficult. ---Seneca

Scripture

The Lord watches over you - the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night... Psalm 121:5-6

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 33

Reflection

Out with the old and in with the new, when it’s time to let go, just let go...

Quote

Conditions for creativity are to be puzzled, to concentrate, to accept conflict and tension, to be born every day, to feel a sense of self..... Erich Fromm

Scripture

....He who began a good work in you will perfect it...Philippians 1:6

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Reflection

Miracles happen when you least expect them

Quote

Creative minds have always been known to survive any

kind of bad training... Anna Freud

Scripture

You shall recieve power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you... Acts 1:8

Friday Feeling - Opportunity

The first of the month, what are you hoping for this month? Looking back on the week to see how things can be improved is important for me. There have been a few things that have made me stop and think and the one that has resounded with me is 'opportunity'.

We can talk about all the things we want to do, should have done, goals and dreams that we have/had, but if the opportunity came up would we be ready. What are we doing with our time in order to prepare for those moments? Sometimes the opportunity is not packaged as we want or expect, but being ready means that you are able to step into it, or even consider it and your options.  As an artist, if I don’t paint or do something creative or get on with doing the work I know needs to be done on the business, even some of the boring stuff  -  I won’t be ready when the time comes....I am still expecting the unexpected!  There is the saying 'opportunity knocks once, but failure and doubt lean on the doorbell!' 

In regards to some of the things I did this week, I managed to complete 4 pieces of mixed media work that were at varying stages ..

I was determined to get them done and had to focus on one piece at a time rather than working at all at once - both methods have their benefits for me and my space.  I'll be uploading them on my website and you will be able to buy prints and cards.

My friend Laura had given me an oval frame in one of our weekly creative sessions I started laying down collage material, then the pink paint then the image started to form and this is where I’ve got so far...

I am really enjoying painting this one, and I am using water soluable oils, waiting for it to dry to move onto the next stage.

I’ve also been making my own stamps, out of foam.

I will share how and what I made them from, I’m quite pleased with the results, what's good is that you can make any design you want, and this method was really cheap to do.  I look forward to making some more.

I have also been experimenting with painting on fabrics, got some cheap t-shirts these have still got some designs to be sewed on the front, but here they are so far!

Journalling is something I've always done but stopped for a while, picking it back up and decided to try out the two pages spread 7 day journal so will let you see an example at the beginning of next week. If you want to see some examples by other artists check out Karenika and Judy Wise

Finally I have been reviewing some of the courses I’ve done over the past year and how I’ve applied the learning from them in my work. The last course I did was Soul Restoration 1, back in January. There is another course running on on 26th July so check it out. You go on an amazing journey of discovery. I can’t recommend it enough, there are so many insights and ‘ah ha' moments, you will definitely be blessed. The journey you go on is a love one, you are always dipping in and learning new things about yourself and equipping yourself with the tools you need to unravel and understand those layers we all have. Soul Restoration 2 is also in progress, check out this video about it.

The weeks to come for me are about striving forward, breaking down the barriers, and most importantly doing lots of creative work!....imagine the possibilities!  What are your plans going to look like?