The Benefits of Creative Art Activities - Art Bundle Giveaway

 Art Bundle for Good #7 is BACK!!

You have a few more days to enter the giveaway

Art Bundles For Good #7 is back, and this time, we are running an exciting giveaway! This bundle offers a fantastic opportunity to boost your creative skills and engage in artistic activities that can have a positive impact on your mental health and overall wellbeing.

For those who missed out on the first sale in November 2022, this is the perfect chance to purchase the bundle and take advantage of the various art courses and resources it offers. But that's not all; three lucky winners will have the chance to win the entire bundle, which includes over $5700 worth of art courses and resources.

Participating in creative activities, such as painting, drawing, and mixed media art, can have numerous benefits for individuals of all ages. Not only does it allow us to express ourselves, but it also provides a form of relaxation and stress relief. When we engage in creative pursuits, we become immersed in the activity and can disconnect from our daily routines, which can be particularly helpful in reducing stress levels.

Moreover, taking art courses can help develop and improve our artistic skills, providing an opportunity to learn new techniques and experiment with different mediums. By learning from experienced artists, we can gain valuable insights into their creative process and develop our unique styles.

The Art Bundles For Good Bundle #7 offers over 111 art resources from more than 90 popular artists, including one of my courses. In my course, "Mixed Media Art Bowls," you will learn to create a series of paper art bowls that can house your encouraging words and inspiration to yourself. This project is not only fun and engaging, but it also provides an opportunity to practice mindfulness and self-reflection.

So, whether you are a seasoned artist or a beginner, taking art courses and engaging in creative activities can have many benefits for your mental health and overall wellbeing, so wishing you good luck for the giveaway

 Click here to enter the Giveaway

Get Creative with Texture: How to Make an Inspiring Art Journal Page

Are you looking for a fun and creative way to spice up your art journal? Look no further! In my video, we'll explore a simple yet effective technique to add texture to your journal pages while also providing a source of inspiration and encouragement.

I am part of a team of artists who collaborate every forth Friday of every month and share their videos, you will see the link to their videos in my description.

To begin, gather any leftover letters or words that you may have from previous projects, I am using the stickable letters to create my words. If you don't have any letters, simply write messages to yourself on your page or use words from magazines, newspapers, or even old books.

Once you have your letters or messages, start placing them onto your page in any arrangement that feels aesthetically pleasing to you. You can overlap the letters, vary the sizes, and even add some paint or other mixed media elements to create depth and interest, take some time to think about what encouraging or inspiring phrases you might want to include. Some examples could be "I am worthy," "Today is a new day," or "I am capable of achieving my dreams."

This technique is a fantastic way to create a visual reminder of your positive affirmations. By including them into your art journal, you can revisit them whenever you need a little pick-me-up.

So why not join me in the studio and give it a try? Take a moment to gather your materials and let your creativity flow. Once you're finished, share your artwork with me and let me know how the process felt. Happy journaling!

Art Bundle for Good is BACK!!

Art Bundles For Good Bundle #7 is back up for sale and we're running a giveaway!

 

This is the same bundle that went on sale in November of 2022, so if you’ve already purchased it, you already have it!

 

Three lucky winners will have a chance to win the entire Art Bundles for Good #7 including $5700 worth of art courses and other great resources. There are over 111 art resources from more than 90 of your favorite artists (including one of my courses) this year creating Mixed Media Art Bowls.  You make a series of paper art bowls which can house your encouraging words and inspiration to yourself.  You can check out the course HERE

 Click here to enter the Giveaway

Good luck in the giveaway, Stay blessed and be a blessing.

Art Journal Joys - Mark Making and doodling

 

Making Marks in your Art Journal

In my video today I share with you how to prepare your art journal page and then go on to create some interesting marks and doodles on the page.

I think that it is important to spend time playing in my art journal and working on a page that was previously prepared. It is great to have a page that you don't have to start from the beginning sometimes and you can just do some mark making.

I also show you how I would start the page from the beginning, using up any spare paint that I might have to add to a page.

The Art journal is made from recycled papers and then stitched together.

Some of the supplies used:

Craft paints - https://amzn.to/3LoHkIb

Ink - https://amzn.to/3L1wFBN

Posca Pens - https://amzn.to/41p9PuV

Gelly roll Pen - https://amzn.to/3Ao73u3

You could also do this idea on card or paper and then use as collage paper to create backgrounds in your art journal.

I hope you have fun trying out the idea.

You can also get access to background papers on my course platform.  Sign up to the Art Resource Hub and other courses and receive a free digital download paper every month.

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Sustainable Art - Combining Dried Leaves and Fabric

Welcome, in today's Video on Material Mondays where I explore a unique way to create art using different materials. Today, we'll be discussing the benefits of using dried leaves and fabric to create your own one-of-a-kind piece of art.

We've previously explored the use of stitched leaves in our projects, and now we want to see what happens when we combine the leaves with fabric. The result is stunning and adds a new dimension to our artwork. We've started by adding an African print cotton fabric to the back of the stitched leaves to create a base.

On a separate piece of fabric I then added an image transfer from a photograph, creating a subtle background that adds depth to our art piece. I've used additional fabric that we had previously painted on and stenciled to add more color and texture. We've also incorporated stitched words that we've created, such as "create," to add an additional touch to the artwork.

The process of bringing these materials together is meditative and allows you to take the bits and pieces you've worked on and see how they fit together. The additional stitching we've added not only secures the leaves and fabric together, but it also creates a beautiful design that is unique to each piece.

When working with dried leaves, it's essential to handle them carefully and protect them from damage and once you have completed your project I recommend framing your art piece behind glass.

The benefits of working with dried leaves and fabric are endless. Not only does it allow you to create unique pieces of art, but it's also a therapeutic and mindful activity that can be enjoyed by anyone.

Check out the video HERE.  I hope you've enjoyed exploring this technique and we can't wait to see what you create.

The Benefits of Being Creative - Art Journals

Art Journal Page - Sing Your Song 

Have you ever taken the time to engage in a creative activity? Maybe you've painted a picture, written a poem, or simply doodled in a journal. Regardless of the activity, there are numerous benefits to spending time being creative, and research has shown that regularly engaging in creative activities can have a positive impact on your overall wellbeing.

One way to incorporate creativity into your daily routine is through art journaling. Art journaling is a form of self-expression that combines words, images, and artistic techniques in a journal. It is a way to explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a visual and creative way. 

In today's Art Journal video, we will be taking a journal page and transforming it using a variety of supplies. The page starts with some collage paper and then using stamps and stickable letters, a message and an image are created to accompany it. The bird is a stamped image that is stuck on to the page, then incorporated into it by using paints, and ink to decorate its body. This process can be easily adapted to your own supplies and preferences, making it a flexible and enjoyable activity.

One of the great things about working in your art journal is that you can work with the supplies you have and substitute as you go along. If you don't have stickable letters, then write your message by hand. If you don't have a stamp of a bird, you can substitute a photo or draw the bird yourself. 

With creativity, it's important to experiment on a regular basis in your art journal and play around with ideas, seeing which ones resonate with you more. It doesn't have to be perfect, and it can be whatever you choose it to be. The act of creating and expressing yourself is what's important, not the end result.

Here are some reasons being creative is beneficial.

• It can help reduce stress and anxiety;
• Engaging in a creative activity can help you shift your focus away from negative thoughts and feelings, allowing you to relax and unwind;
• It can also boost your mood;
• It can increase self-esteem;
• It promotes feelings of accomplishment.
• Creativity has been shown to enhance problem-solving skills and improve memory. 

Spending time being creative can have many benefits for your mental and emotional wellbeing. Whether it's through art journaling or another form of creative expression, taking the time to explore your creativity can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. and you might discover a new passion or uncover a hidden talent!

Check out the Art Resource Hub and other courses such as Mixed Media Art Tags on my platform to help you make the most of being creative.

Weekly Art Journals & Exhibition News

 

In this weeks video I shares how you can add crochet to your art journals and create different effects.  I really enjoyed adding this element to my art journals and you can add different color wool to your piece.  I used a different color wool at the end of the pages, and I will be coming back to add journaling and some embellishments to the page.

I have one of my paintings in the exhibition - A Seat at the Table, and today there is a 'meet the artists' organized so I will be sharing a bit about some of the work that I do, and what inspires my pieces.

I love the vibrancy of colors and the painting was a very therapeutic piece to complete.  The painting is for sale so if you are interested do get in touch.

Join us on Sunday where we share our video collaboration for Artsy Second Sunday.  A group of us meet and share a video based on a prompt for the month.  It is loads of fun and you can join us in the live chat on YouTube and see how my art journal page was created.  It starts at 12pm EST  I am scheduled for 1.48 EST You can schedule a notification HERE

If you can join us it would be great!  Check out all the videos in the hop which will be listed in the description of the video. 

Hope you are having a lovely time this Easter Weekend.

Blessings.

From Seed to Mighty Tree: The Joy and Beauty of Growing Mahogany Trees

The West Indian Sweet Mahogany also known as Swietenia Mahagoni is a tree species that is known for its use in furniture and health benefits. It produces brown fruit and seeds and has small green flowers. The tree can grow up to 34 meters and has a thick trunk. It is an endangered species.

In the video, I will be showing you two West Indian sweet mahogany trees growing in the garden. The first one has been growing for about a year or two and was mistaken for a five-fingered fruit tree. The second one is growing among Mexican sunflowers and was likely a gift from birds dropping seeds.

I am fortunate to have three West Indian sweet mahogany trees growing in the garden.  They are an endangered species, and I hope to keep them at a particular height to avoid crowding out other plants in the area.

Overall, the West Indian sweet mahogany is a unique and valuable tree species that offers many benefits to health as well as the environment. As gardeners, we can appreciate and nurture these trees, ensuring their survival for generations to come.  Check out the video above to be taken on the tour of the garden.

April Art Resource Hub

Check out the Artist Resource Hub for this month.

Every month in the Art Resource Hub you have access to Free Digital Downloads, Offers and Resources that are available for you to use in your creative projects.

I give away a free digital downloads for your art journals and creative projects.

Check out this months offering:

You get a sheet of A4 background paper and 4 tags for you to use in your creative projects.  You can add your own designs to them, add color, whatever inspires you.  I would love to see what you do with the papers, remember to tag me on Instagram @realityarts