Arts and Wellness Cafe - Stress Free

Welcome to the Arts and Wellness Cafe: Your Destination for Stress-Free Living

It's that time of the week again where we gather in our virtual studio for another session of the Arts and Wellness Cafe. Today, we're diving into the theme of a "Stress Free," creative environment and life.

We can feel frazzled and overwhelmed at the curveballs that can be thrown at us when we least expect them, and we look at different ways we can change our point of view and look at some creative practices that will help you navigate those moments with a bit of ease.  Check out the video above where I will discuss this and share some inspiring activities that you can try out.

I also have 3 additional tips for you to think about:

Tip 1: Art Journaling Joy

Art journaling is a great activity for you to try if you haven't done so yet.  Grab your favorite pens, paints, and take a therapeutic journey of self-expression. Whether you're sketching, doodling, or splashing colors onto the page, let your creativity flow freely as you release your emotions in the journal. You will find an art journal page that I have ready to add doodling and mark making.  Have some pages prepared that you can go back to when you need something quick to get on with.

In my course Filling The Creative Well, we look at ways in which we can develop our creative practice and maintain ways in which we can dip into our creative well and do activities that inspire and encourage us.

More Info HERE

Tip 2: Stitching - Material Musings

I have a number of slow-stitched projects on the go.  I am able to start working on ones depending on how I am feeling,  it is a great mindfulness practice for the busy soul. With each stitch, you are able to let your mind quieten and your worries melt away. I have prepared a Fabric Fragments bag with a selection of hand painted and preprinted fabrics with a series of videos for inspiration.  You also get a mixed media stitched piece as well.  You can check them out HERE or click on the image.

Contents of the kit will vary

Tip 3: Feed Your Soul with Inspiration around you

Find inspiration in the smallest of things.  I share a book called 'Treasured Notions'  which has some really inspiring projects in it.  You can have fun with fabric and paper scraps and use the creative ideas in the books that you have on your shelves.  I made these mini medals with some of my scrap fabric and some cardboard spools for my fabric ribbon and homemade washi tape. 

Learn to make your own stamps and stencils in my FREE course - Creative Habits

I hope you get to watch the video and think about how you can make your creative process stress free, what things do you need to change in your environment or your practice.

Until next time, stay creative, stay mindful, and above all, stay stress-free.

Before You Go

Come and check out over 400 inspiring posts, videos, digital downloads for your creative enjoyment!  Enjoy the 7 day FREE trial.

Leaf Art and Slow Stitching - Material Mondays

Welcome to Material Mondays, I recently tried my hand at embroidery on leaves and it turned out to be quite an addictive activity. 

I saw an artist - Susanna Bauer and her work - which is amazing, and thought I'd give it a go. 

The leaf I used for this particular project is from a sea grape plant. The plant is normally found by the sea and has edible grapes. The plant acts as a good windbreak and when it dries out, it feels quite sturdy and turns a beautiful reddish color. If you would like to know more about sea grapes you can check out my Gardening Channel HERE.

I also experimented with another leaf from a trumpet tree, which has pretty trumpet-like flowers. 

To begin, I harvested the leaves from trees that had been trimmed or had fallen naturally. It's important to handle the leaves delicately as they are quite fragile. After picking them up, I soaked them in some olive oil - You can use whatever oil you have to hand to give them a nice sheen.  While the leaf will eventually degrade over time, you can preserve it by varnishing or using a gel mat or gloss medium.

For the actual stitching, I used embroidery thread and doubled up two strands and then created a spiral effect on the leaf. I'm still experimenting with different designs, but I'd love to try some crochet designs on leaves as well - check back next week on Material Mondays to see the results. 

The finished product can be framed or used as an outdoor hanging mobile. Overall, this has been a fun and creative way to use leaves from my surroundings. I'm excited to keep experimenting and sharing my projects.  Check out the video to see the process, and also the supplies below.

Supplies:

You can collect dried leaves from your garden or park, or you can purchase dried leaves below:

Dried Leaves varied-

Dried Eucalyptus Leaves 

Embroidery Thread - Arteza 

Awl

Needles

Self-healing mat

I hope you get to try them yourself and look forward to seeing what you come up with.

Ready to make some BADASS art? One BADASS Art Journal 2023

 

If you have never taken the One Badass Art Journal workshops here is some background information for you, we hope you join us!  I have the pleasure of joining such a great group of creatives for another year. 

Q: What is the One BADASS Art Journal course?

A: The One BADASS Art Journal course is a workshop that provides 17 mixed media lessons and 16 instructors, designed to inspire and teach individuals to create, learn, feel confident and provide them with the techniques and inspiration to feel BADASS when they make art.  The theme for the One BADASS Art Journal course in 2023 is "CHALLENGE YOUR INNER BADASS."

Q: What kind of lessons will be included in the One BADASS Art Journal course?

A: The One BADASS Art Journal course includes 17 lessons, including a book making lesson, other classes will teach individuals about mixed media techniques, tips and tricks, and techniques that you can take into your creative practice.  

My session looks at challenging ourselves to take time out - think about the things that mean a lot to us - what are your favorite things to do? And try and incorporate this into an art journal and more importantly into our day-to-day lives.

Q: Is there a discount for the One BADASS Art Journal course?

A: Yes, there is a 20% discount available for the One BADASS Art Journal course when you use the code CREATE20 at checkout.

Q: What are the benefits of taking the One BADASS Art Journal course?

A: The benefits of taking the One BADASS Art Journal course include learning mixed media techniques, tips and tricks, and techniques for beautiful color combinations, watercolor, blending and so much more. You will also be infused with confidence, creativity and inspiration, and will have access to a supportive community. Additionally, you will have the chance to play with a variety of tools, adding to your skills and have the opportunity to challenge and step outside your comfort zone.

We hope you join us.  To learn more about the artists - Click HERE

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

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

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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

Loving, Healing, Creating Summit 2022

 

Come and join us on the FREE Loving, Healing, Creating Summit 2022 between the 2nd and 14th March 2022

You can feel so much better when you spend time doing a creative activity and it can have an amazing impact on your health and well-being.

I am one of the presenters in the Loving-Healing-Creating Summit running March 2-14.

You can learn more about Healing with Creativity at the summit and take part in a range of different activities including:

Journaling, Meditation, Art, Mindfulness and much more!

Register Today for FREE access from March 2-14 - You get free access for a limited time

If you want unlimited access you can have that for only $47 with the early bird special,

(until March 1, 2022).

Look forward to seeing you there


Loving Healing CreatingSummit 2022

 

Spill your heART - Episode 6 - Artistic Inspiration

 

I am excited to be on the panel for Episode 6 of Spill Your heART hosted by Nathalie Kalbach on

Friday 30th July 12 Noon EDT

Panelists include Birgit Koopsen, DeeDee Catron and myself and we will be discussing Artistic Inspiration and what to do when it goes.

As professional artists we will share practical tips for finding and energizing your artistic mojo. We will also discuss how to encourage it when it gets sluggish, takes a temporary hiatus or when it goes completely missing

This webinar will focus on tips and tricks for locating, encouraging, and maybe even fabricating artistic inspiration so that you can get on with things and make the magic happen. Looking forward to seeing you there!.

 What do you do when Inspiration leaves the building?

REGISTER HERE

#Artsysecondsunday - Frida Inspired Painting

It was great taking part recently in the #artsysecondsunday.

You can check out my video below as I am doing a Frida Kahlo Inspired painting, I share what has inspired me about her work and create a painting in my art journal. Which you can check out below.

Products Used in this page

Folk Art Paints - https://amzn.to/3xoyrnZ

Watersoluble Neocolors - https://amzn.to/3pPYlPc

White posca pen - https://amzn.to/3zoxiij

Water-soluble Graphite Crayon - https://amzn.to/2U6o4Hl

Gesso - https://amzn.to/2RSDWMK

Stencil - https://amzn.to/3gkAALZ

Artsy Second Sunday is an art video collaboration organized by Martha from ilove2paint (AyalaArt) 

We are a group of Painters and Mess Makers that want to bring you joy and awesome paintings, every Second Sunday of each month. Please follow the links to find ALL sorts of styles and mediums in a fun filled binge. 

You can leave us a comment, a thumbs up, and of course you can subscribe to each channel if you have not done so. Our videos are done for you and feel free to ask any questions. Enjoy! 

Here are the participating artists, click on their names to go to their videos.  On the day you can join us in the LIVE premier or check out the videos after.  I have put them in order of appearance starting with Martha who goes live at 12 noon. (EST)  

Martha from ilove2paint  

Eleni S-artstuff 

Diana Art  

Archu's Art World 

Nina Fickett Designs 

Mural dreams by Laura 

Amanda Trought 

Mixed Creativity by Marie  

Nicky Parr 

Britta Mindartdk 

Mona L Creates 

Mary PittsburghArtistStudio 

Peg Adkins R 

Shel Paper Ocotillo Studio 

Look forward to having you join us in future sessions! 

Creativity Tips - Feeling Creatively Stuck

When you are feeling stuck and not sure what to do creativity, just play with your supplies, check out my latest video of one of the ways in which I get myself back on my creative tract.

Join me on Patreon

Creating in Faith - What are you 'Interested' in?

Word for the Week - Interested

Welcome to Episode 218.  Creating In Faith Encouraging Recordings are to bless and inspire you to be the best of yourself.  

The word for today is 'Interested'  What is it that you are interested in?  What sparks your interest in relation to your creative practice?  Are you surprising yourself and trying something new and stepping out of your comfort zone?  

I always encourage you to do some work in your art journal - see what comes up for you, get down your thoughts in written form or in colour and even shapes.

Pastel Art by Amanda Trought

The art shown in this series is taken from my 100 days of Pastels where I painted 100 paintings and it felt like a big achievement for me.  The pastel paintings are available as prints or you can get the images on other merchandise which you can check out HERE

Art created on merchandise by Amanda Trought

Why not also join me on my blog on Patreon, you can get access to a number of resources, art tutorials and videos not see anywhere else.

Join me on Patreon

Let me know how you get on as you look at some of the questions on the podcast, and remember you can also sign up for two free creative sessions and chat about your creativity.

Want to talk about your creativity?  Click HERE

Stay blessed and be a blessing

Wishing you a Creative Happy Christmas

Wishing you a Fantastic Christmas, as you spend time with family and friends my you be inspired to be your best self, may you achieve those things that you set out to do for 2019 and go on to make courageous steps into 2020.

Spare a thought to those who may be on their own, and check in on them.

As the year comes to a close I have been thinking a lot about the things that I would like to achieve for 2020, lots of creative pursuits ahead - Exhibitions, Studio Tours, Talks Travel, Social Media and I would love to have you come along for the journey so make sure that you have subscribed to the mailing list or my YouTube Channel, pack your creative supplies and prepare for an adventure.  

Think about things that you want to achieve and what is needed for those things to be realize and know that you can create your own reality so step up, value yourself and what you bring and 'lets do this'!

If you would like to know how to created the images check out Paperless Post and see some of the designs that they have available.  I just dropped my art into their template and edited it is a fantastic way of showing your work in different formats.

I am looking forward to seeing what you come up with so remember to share and if you want to talk about things that you want to put in place you can schedule a free 30 minute call to talk about things that you would like to do or are working through.

Creative Encourager Sessions

So are you ready for the adventure?

Stay blessed and be a blessing.

Inspirational Shorts - Authenticity

Welcome to this week's Friday Podcast - Episode 113.

Authenticity 

The doors are opening, are you ready to walk through? The time is coming - you have put in the hard work, you stayed up late and got up early, you made the sacrifices and carried on making your mark despite the circumstances. The time has come for you to look back at where you came from, look at all your achievements, no matter how small, you have come a long way!  Be proud of what you have achieved, be proud of your authenticity.

*  *  *

I thought I would give you an insight for the weekends, and prepare you for Mondays.  These Friday podcasts will be typically under 3 minutes, and just a pit stop.

Each Friday I share with you an insight or revelation and I hope that It will bless you as it blesses me.  Today it is to encourage you to go out and do some exercise, in whatever way you want to do it. have a journal or art journal handy, so that you can either make notes or create something from what inspires you. 

You can check me out on the following platforms,

Amanda Trought on Social Media (Realityarts):

www.youtube.com/amandatrought 

www.twitter.com/Realityarts 

www.instagram.com/realityarts/ 

www.facebook.com/realityartss/ 

Inspirational Shorts Episodes

Welcome to the Blog today where I share with you my latest podcasts.  I thought I would share with you some of the recordings from the most recent Inspirational Shorts.  Of course every episode is note worthy, but I wanted to make sure that you got your inspirational shot for the weekend.  We have such fast pace lives that it seems as if we only have minutes to 'Get the job done'!

Inspirational shorts is a 2 minute inspirational creative snack, that you can have on a weekly basis.  When you have more time, stop by the podcast on Mondays for some 'Creating in Faith, touching on why we do some of the things we do, and the Arts and Wellness Wednesdays, putting creativity in our lives, looking at what we can do/are doing as artists.  Let me know which one speaks to your creative spirit.

Episode 110

We all have something to be grateful for, and often those very small things that go unnoticed can mean the world of good for others.

Episode 109

Within this episode I talk about Forgiveness, the way that we move on, and sometimes the one that we find the hardest to forgive is ourselves.

Episode 106

The topic for this one is something that I am constantly reminding myself about and that is investing in my health.  We ask our bodies to do so much for us and we can treat it rather shabbily.  What have you done today that invested in your health?  I went to the beach, and it was a long time coming.  One of the bathers remarked that it looked as if I was in heaven, and for that moment It felt so good being in the water, it came close to heaven as I gazed out into the blue waters.  Think about what you are doing to invest in your health on a daily basis and let me know.  You can listen to the recording below.

Episode 103

In Episode 103 of the Podcast I shared about courage, and it is a gentle reminder, each week to step out of your comfort zone and just start.  You can listen by clicking on the image

What do you need courage for - where should I begin now?

Let me know how you get on and while you are at it you might choose to listen to some of the other episodes.  Do you have a creative topic that you would like some information about, are you stuck trying to find which creative turn to make.  Connect with me and I may be able to create a video or episode that speaks to an area that you are passionate about.

Take care for now and stay blessed.

Realityarts Podcast - Weekly Episodes 73 and 74

Welcome to the episodes for this week on Realityarts Podcast, It is a pleasure being your host for the show, I am thankful that I am able to share and blessed when you have listened and manage to get a nugget or two to take away.

On Monday's Episode - The Writing is on the Wall we talked about the way that we look at time, and after much is spent, that which is wasted will not be refunded.  Do you have regrets about things you did in your life, and how can you change your perspective about them?

Creating in Faith - The Writing is on the Wall

Inspirational Shorts

Our word for Friday's Inspirational Shorts is Comfort.  Do we settle rather than getting out of the comfort zone and into something that will challenge us?  What does the word 'comfort' conjure up for you?

Thank you to those who listen to the podcast from all over the world we are glad to have you with us.

If you would like to donate to support the work on the podcast and make it accessible to more people you can do so HERE

Thank you in advance and stay blessed and be a blessing.