Arts and Wellness Cafe - Tending to Your Dreams

Welcome to the Arts and Wellness Cafe!

In this episode we look at the importance of tending to your dreams and how the arts and your creative activities can have a positive effect on your health and wellbeing.

Creative Vision Summit - Coming Soon!! 20th - 22nd January 2026

 

Excited to share that I will be one of the speakers at the Creative Vision Summit

January can sometimes arrive with a lot of pressure - with new habits to form, unfinished goals from the previous year and lots of hastily made promises of tomorrow and the next day - I have done it many a time!

For some people, they enjoy the fast-paced energy. As a creative it can create pressure and cause you to stumble before you have even caught your breath or warmed your muscles up.

But calm isn't "falling behind."  It's often a great place to start, because it is where you can actually think clearly, and at a reasonable pace. 

FREE Creative Vision Summit

Join us and take part in The Creative Vision Summit which coming in January 2026 for 3 days 20th - 22nd January 2026 and is FREE, so you can sign up and enjoy a fresh perspective for 2026. I will be one of the presenters

That's what the HobbyScool Creative Vision Retreat Summit offers - a free, online fresh start that feels steady, grounded, and spacious.

Instead of rushing you into decisions, the summit invites you to:

• Ease into reflection without pressure
• Reconnect with what you want this season to feel like
• Create a vision that unfolds gently, one intentional step at a time

​Choose the kind of year that you want to have and start putting things in place🤩

I'll be teaching Art Journal for Vision and Goals - it is about providing yourself with spaces where you can combine creativity and goal setting and make it more meaningful and I'd love for you to join us.

Creative spaces for our Goals

There are a range of other wonderful sessions for you to check out as well and it is all FREE for the duration of the summit

If your schedule is full, the VIP All-Access Pass is worth a look! There will be lifetime replays + $688+ in bonuses. Use code CREATIVE30 for 30% off. Check it out HERE​

​

Learn More about the Summit

---

Free Monthly Digital Art Downloads January 2026

The digital downloads are now available for January - available until the end of the month. You can now join us on Patreon as a FREE member with early release and member exclusive posts, behind-the-scenes videos, hints and tips and more, this is a great way to spend some time on yourself and do something creative. You can join us HERE   

Download January’s digital papers for FREE today and the rest of the month on my FREE Patron Tier and use them in your creative projects and art journals. January 2026 papers will be available until the 31st January.

We also have papers released on the paid tiers each month you can check out as well and also see all the benefits that they receive on the different tiers.:

​

Creatively Treasured Tier Papers 

Creative Gifts Tier

Creative Talent Tier

I am look forward to creating and connecting with you. Take time to explore what you like doing in your creative journey and begin to make room for yourself. Whatever stage you are at there's always something new to discover and create.

​

Wishing you lots of peace, grace, and endless inspiration

​

Amanda xxx

​

Follow Your Dreams - Do What You Love!

 What are you dreaming of?

When I was growing up - even with the qualifications,  if you wanted to show your art work you needed a gallery to represent you, to publish a book you needed an agent/publisher, if you had a name you might get an advance.  Similarly if you wanted to be on TV or in the movies the agent would come into play and there was a very small window of opportunity if that - with certain roles going to the select few and you might be lucky to get a few walk on parts in a crowd scene.  'Its who you know not what you know'  were words I heard my father say a few times.  There were no guarantees, if it was thought that 'your face didn't fit' chances were slim to none.

But would you allow that to stop you?

Many have stopped short on their dreams, maybe having thought of what they want to do with the lists bouncing around their heads, having resigned themselves to not even getting close, maybe meeting a celebrity is the icing on the cake or reciting to who ever will listen how they 'nearly got to' 'always wanted to' came close to' pursuing their dream.  The graveyard is full of unfulfilled dreams and visions.

For every problem that exists there are thousands looking for the solution or alternative solution, the answer comes in many shapes and forms.  What if you held the keys to the very thing that others were looking for?  What if you didn't do it in the traditional sense but from a different point of view?  Becoming the publisher for the field that you want to enter!

The use of technology now a days means that you can be at one part of the world providing a solution for someone on the other side of the world while pursuing the dreams of your heart - what you have been dreaming about, wanted to pursue, someone else wants that product, solution, and it is sitting in your head, in your heart, and on your note pad.

So in the scenarios that I gave earlier and being of the artistic kind (the writer, actor and artist) -  the tables have turned on your ability as a creative to get your work in front of those who need and want to see it, sell your work, show in a gallery, publish that book and more.

It is time to create your own story - see the vision and make it plain...., it starts with a thought, you have to write it down and then look from every perspective to see how you can make that baby become a reality.

Don't over complicate it for instance agonizing where you are going to sell your book before you have written a sentence.  If you want to publish a book it first starts with you writing, forming a habit, and putting down on paper that which you want to achieve.  Why not join a challenge or two like 'the Ultimate Blog Challenge - posting every day for 30 days) and not only be committed to yourself but to sharing and being among others who are pursuing their dreams.  When you know what you want to do and the steps that you need to take, when those discouraging times come and you don't feel like showing up, you show up anyway.

All things are possible, do you believe?  It starts with believing that you can achieve your dreams and goals. If you are in the arts as mentioned, you can self publish, start a YouTube channel, or Podcast, have your own Website, and sell your art online all over the world in different formats.  You don't need to wait for permission, you just have to press publish or send!

So with that said, I believe in you!!, I know that you can do all that you set out to do, change your perspective, speak encouraging words to yourself and get around others who are encouraging, reaching for their own dreams. Like you I am working towards the dreams and goals that I have - I am not an expert, just someone who thought you needed to hear these words of encouragement today.

Now, go be the amazing soul I know you can be - I believe in you!

Stay blessed and be a blessing!  

100 Days of Handmade Foam Stamps

If you would like to see the stamps daily you can check out my Instagram HERE

********************************************

I am also taking part in the Ultimate Blog Challenge and you can check out the posts HERE

********************************************

Mixed Media Art Courses to Check out

SALE - Enjoy $10 OFF all courses until 30th April Click on the image to see the course.

Use the Code at the checkout - create2

Creating in Faith - The Faith to Create - Spirited - Episode 180

Welcome to Episode 180 of the Podcast, the Episode today is titled Spirited





The video for this month with the Art Journal will be ready this week and if you want to play along in an Art Journal that you either are making from scratch, finishing off or from a shop brought one.  There is no pressure, just want to get you to take the time for yourself to be creative.

You can also think about how the words for this month speak to you and how they impact on the goals you are setting for yourself.

Creating In Faith Encouraging Recordings are to bless and inspire you to be the best of yourself. It can be really great to pull out your art journal/Journal and express what comes up for you either with images and colour, with words or with both. 

If you would like to see some behind the scenes, images and additional tips HERE

You will find the 2 art journal videos available to consume at your leisure - the Making of the art journal for the month and an art journal page process - Check these out HERE

_____________________

YouTube www.youtube.com/amandatrought

Blog - http://realityarts-creativity.blogspot.com

Patreon Blog - http://www.patreon.com/realityarts

Twitter - www.twitter.com/Realityarts

Instagram www.instagram.com/realityarts/

Facebook www.facebook.com/realityartss/

Check out some encouraging boards on Pinterest

Artwork available from the title image HERE

I also have an Arts and Health NHS Network for information on activities and organisations working in the field. 

Art and Creativity in Healthcare

You are welcome to join, it is a FREE resource and if you have any activities or want to talk about your work you are welcome to send me the information and I will see that it gets uploaded. You can create your own profile on the network and connect with others who are passionate about the arts in health too.

Creative Encourager

Creative Encourager - If you want to talk about creativity and the direction you are going and need a listening ear, sign up for a FREE 30 minute call http://bit.ly/Encoura


Join me on Patreon

Moments to Ponder - Just Start - You have everything you need!!

You have everything you need to start!!!

Listen on Podcast 

You have everything that you need to start, so what are you waiting for?  Do you need some special permission, letter from your parents, critic or some other person that you have been seeking approval from?

What you haven't always realized and I talk to myself as well as you, I hope you know that!! But you have everything you need to make a start.  You might not have all the pieces to complete the job, but you don't have to wait until everything all lines up.  You take a step, each and every day, break things down and before you know it you have moved on!.

Think back over your life the many things that you have done, and realized they were not as bad as you thought it was going to be.  The fear was in the unknown, but once you knew it was alright.  Well, there are many other things that you are holding back on, some things are to do with health, that pain or twinge you felt but have been ignoring, that quiet 'me time' you should be taking on a regular basis to find balance in your life, or that creative space you are suppose to be giving yourself.

Don't hold out or back on yourself anymore, it doesn't have to be perfect, improvements come over time, you just got to work hard at it.  Start something today, take 5 minutes and just go for it, if you still 'feel' you need permission to get started, see the slip below - all access pass, no waiting

There you have it, it might feel scary to start, but you have loads us creatives in your corner as your cheerleaders, and family and friends.  Let me know how you get on, leave a comment, check out some of my other platforms and share what you are doing.  It is never too late to start - I believe in your dreams!

Stay blessed and Be a blessing, as you are blessed pass it on.

One BADASS Art Journal Course - Week 5 - Late Night Conversations

Welcome to my interpretation of the class led by Cristin Stephenson in the BADASS Art Journal Class.  For this class as with the others I did 3 pages, one double spread and then two that came after that could either follow the same theme that I had worked with in the main page or be totally different.

Magic at midnight

For my main page below I started out with random shapes on the page, then as I thought about the late night conversations the song 'Dancing in the Moonlight' by Thin Lizzy came to mind

That connection with the moon, the music, and the sea also came in as well.  My characters that came out on the page seem to want to go on an adventure, perhaps a Thelma and Louise type of adventure in a car on a raft on the ocean with the music blazing...and free.... who knows

Adventure awaits

Some times you have to take that leap of faith, not knowing how everything is going to work out.  Some times we prevent ourselves from doing things because of fear. It is either we fear failing or we fear changing and things working out so we don't fit in our neat little boxes.  Fear to laugh and be yourself, fear to say yes to something or no.

Follow your dreams

Listening to a speaker called Lisa Nicols she was talking about her life and saying that fear can paralyze you and that you should use it instead as your fuel to get you to where you want to go.  We can sometimes fear using a particular art material, or fear that creative play because of what might reveal about you.  You can put anything in there that you might be feeling fearful about, and think about what the worse that could happen.

It is time to let go, step out, step into but make that change!  This page then came out of all of that, she chose to step out and be who she knew she could be, she stepped out and is 'Dancing' as well, not worried who might be looking or that 'its always been done this way' or about anything else that could get in the way.

Come join me next Friday and see how I interpreted the next lesson

One BADASS Art Journal Workshop Week 4 - Creating and Using Painted Papers

In week 4 of the course we looked at creating and using your own painted pages which was led by Effy Wild.  I love creating pages and find that they don't normally last long in my studio, as I always find faces emerging out of them and end up painting them.  I decided to do my own thing for this lesson.  You can see last weeks session HERE

I treated the page as if I were creating a background page with different elements, shapes and colors.  I then kept adding different layers which sometimes covered up the layer below or allowed them to show through.  This is a technique that you can get using tissue paper on a page, the underlying image will come through.

The more layers added the more it began to mimic my feeling of being surrounded by things that needed to find a home. I had to force myself to stop as I kept adding doodling and crowding it out, then covering it with paint and then going again.

Sometimes my mind be like.....and then I need to tidy up

On the first side of the main page I then drew a group of 4 simple figures.  It was almost as a way of  clearing up, and expressing aspects of my creative process, purposely not going into any detail but keeping it as plain as possible.

The many sides - keeping it simple

It then became more about an expression of the me I wanted to see.  How is it that you see yourself within your journal, do you express yourself freely or are you hiding something even from yourself.  The art journal for me can hold answers, but you got to let go of your perception of what you think others will want to see.

I see You Me

All of the pages for me are all linked and are about expression and the different forms it can take.  The way I create using many different mediums and styles seems to feed my desire to create.  I find working with different mediums suits me and the impatience I sometimes feel, there doesn't have to be the one thing there is always something I want to create, or try, and Mixed media art enables me to explore as many as I choose.

Again the style is kept very simple, but the textures and the colors ones that I find interesting.  If you are following along with the lessons, perhaps you can try putting changing something and seeing where it takes you.  You don't have to do each lesson just once, you can do it as many times as you wish and with different mediums.  Come back next week Friday to see how I worked with the next lesson.

One BADASS Art Journal Workshop - Journal Pages - Week 1 and 2

Well for those of you who signed up for the workshop you know that it is in full flow, and we have had some great lessons so far.  You can still sign up as you get lifetime access.  Why not check out some of the other class bundles that she is offering.  You can check them out HERE

I have been taking my time and really savoring the lessons and I decided to slightly change the way that I create my pages this time round.  

Badass Art Journal

Kiala Givehand lead the journal construction in week 1.  I used an old canvas that I felt wasn't working for me as a painting.  As soon as I used it for the cover of the journal it felt right.  I made a loop attachment so that the journal could expand especially if I collaged some of the pages.

Everything was stitched together and I have left the inside cover so that it can be an activity at a later date, possibly with some doodling or ephemera addition.

The other thing that I decided was to do the lessons on a double page spread, but I didn't want to leave blank pages on either side of the double spread, so I have kept these pages all about the main page.  Tiare Smith led week 2's journal page entitled Dream Girls.

For me this page expresses the dreams that I have when I sleep and the ones that I have when I wake.  I may add additional journaling on some pages or use just one word to express what I want the journal page to say.

I really love the finish I used textured card and acrylic paints alongside some Inktense pencils which give you a very vibrant look

On the front and back of the double page spread I wanted to pick up elements of the main page.  On this one I focused on the lips.  Again, some dreams we can speak into existence.  Many dreams started out with a declaration of what is to come.

An then the back of the two pages, I focused on the word dream and the eyes that can express so much - are they seeing the dream pass by or come to reality?

Amanda Trought, Mixed media Art

I really enjoyed getting back into the journal again.  I will be posting another couple of pages on Friday, so do come back and see what I do.  

I Love you today because - Day 18 and 19

I Love you today because....

You have a thirst for wisdom and knowledge and you are following your dreams!

Our brains are more complex than any computer that has been created.  There is never a time that you will ever know enough, there is so much in this world to learn about, so much to experience and insights to gain.  There is something new every day that you can learn that will take you that step closer to your dreams - you are never too old.  It takes courage to step out and make a decision. When your feeling off course you will find ways to get yourself back.  Nurture and spend time on walking towards your dreams, you’ll get there – what are you waiting for, make a list and get to it! 

Show some love

Thing about 1 thing that you've always wanted to learn and take steps to realize that dream

Share some love

Become a mentor, pass on a skill and share your experience with others.

Holidays - Memories of Home

Welcome to Memories of Home, if you would like to find out more information about the series, Click here.

Being in a supportive environment is important to our growth as individuals, not everyone has had that opportunity and as adults we try and create an environment that will nurture and bless our children and indeed ourselves.

 

Holidays

I guess it is too early to start to talk about holidays, daydreaming about fun times in the sun, the sand beneath my feet and the waves lashing around bringing with it the cool breeze of a Caribbean afternoon.  We begin the year and already 2 weeks into January, a fresh beginning, new start, and a chance to do all the things that you dreamed of and a few that you didn’t.  I often take a glace back at where I have come from as a reminder of not only what I have left to do but also of where I want to go.  Our dreams do not drive themselves and while the ‘good things come to those who wait’ – reminds us about patience, no one will be knocking on your door with the man/woman/career/house/car of your dreams anytime soon.

Dreams

This year one of the things I would like to see materialize in 2014 is the ability of being able to work from anywhere in the world on one of the many creative pursuits that I currently have in motion and be able to impact the lives of thousands, tens of thousands (ok lets think big) Millions! All this to be done through art and creative expression!  

I want to get up with the sun shining, hearing the tropical birds outside my window, with the trees swaying, and start my work after having a morning swim at the beach that is a stroll away from my house.  After my fruit smoothie with a combination of pawpaw, sweet & sour sop, mango, golden apple, pear, and banana the fruit from the trees in my garden I go into my art studio and start work on a selection of the large canvases series for an upcoming exhibition.  There is a distant sound of steel pans that sound as if they are coming towards the house, strange to hear them so early in the morning, but a great accompaniment to my creative flow.  I make a mental note to order some more paints, the steel pans getting closer, as if they are now outside my window.  

I reach for the latch on the window, but instead find myself turning over in bed and reaching for the mobile phone, now at its top volume after having the snooze button pressed for the final time.  My throat dry as I call out to my son to get up and get himself sorted for school, and wonder how many 6 or 8 legged fiends I consumed while sleeping!

Working for yourself

Being self employed at the moment means that every day is a work day, the dreams keep me motivated, and the mild weather we have been getting gives me the necessary ‘breeze across my face coming from the Caribbean’ feeling.  Looking back in my teenage years I never dreamed I would be calling myself an artist and have worked and connected with a range of inspirational and encouraging individuals, if you asked me after my degree as I launched myself back into the ‘corporate world’ that I would be sharing my journey and encouraging others I would have signed and said ‘in an ideal world’.  

Caribbean inspired

As I look forward I see that I have come a long way, yet the journey has not completed – far from it, there is still so many adventures waiting to be experienced and it begins with today and what I decide to do or not do, but choice there has to be made.

What have you done with your today, and what will you do with your tomorrow.  Have you already found yourself defeated from those promises you made on the 1^st January or are you taking a slow and steady pace with your eyes on the prize.  Do leave a comment.  I would love to hear what big and little things you have planned I hope you continue to join me on my journey over the weeks, as I share my mixed media houses and look back to the memories of home. I look forward to hearing about some of your own memories. Blessings and peace to you!

Stepping out of the Boat - Creating in Faith

Time to step out of the boat

Anything that is worth having you not only have to work hardfor it, but you also have to step out of your comfort zone'.  I know that the times where I have made a bigger effort the results are more rewarding because you can appreciate the hard work that went into it. As you look back you really see your achievements and the steps you took to get where you were to where you wanted to be.  

We can sometimes get complacent, too comfortable or even lazy when it comes to making those changes, but with perseverance you will see the results of your hard work.

You need to get out of the boat and walk!

It is easy to decide to do nothing and not make changes, cause change happens whether you decide to act or not. You can do nothing and not make any decisions and decide to leave things the way that they have always been, but do you think the way it has always been done is working for you?  Take some time to think about it for a moment.  Think about what your purpose in this world, if that is too scary, think about what your purpose is for the next week and how different you want it to be, what do you want to achieve this week that you never thought possible last week, what will it look like?, who will it effect, how will it really change your life?  If you want things to be different you have to move cause change is caused by motion, whether it is on a grand scale or if it is a little bit at a time, one day, one thought, one action at a time.

Stepping out of the boat, out of our comfort zone  requires us to have faith - which is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen....  The bible also tells us that 'I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength' Philippians 4:13.  What things have you been sitting on that you really want to try, you've been giving yourself that excuse time and time again and keep telling yourself 'soon' or 'I'll do it the next time', next month or next year, and time passes and before you know it next year has come and another 3 went along with it.  I want to encourage you for 2014 where ever you are on your journey not to be fearful of what is to come, not to be afraid of what you can see, or what other people are saying.  Take a step out of the boat that you are in and have faith that with each step you can make that difference, that change.

Get a different perspective

I started this series of creating in faith posts last year July after been asked by my fellow artist and friend Mika Diaz on Motley Soul to contribute to one of the groups on her site, and now a year and then some has passed you can see my first post HERE. It has been a real journey, and I have come out after a year having grown.  I have gained new insight, which I am looking forward to be able to see just how far I have come.  I have created a series of creative bookmark holders, and pieces of art, capturing prayers, thoughts, desires and dreams, of which I know some have been answered, often as a result of changing perspective.  I will be sharing my reflections next week and share what I will be doing next as a project on my blog. Have a blessed week, leave a comment, let me know what steps you will be taking for change this week.

The Lord is my shepherd;  I shall not want.  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul... Psalm 23:1-3

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me..Psalm 23:4

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9