Art Journal Page - Girl with Throw

I have resumed my regular art journal page each week on my YouTube channel, if I am able to do more to share some of my processes depending on the supplies used.  In this video I am using Inktense pencils which are one of my favorites.  

Girl with a Throw

Once complete I mount the page on board and then cover with bees wax.

Supplies are available on my Amazon Page

Inktense Pencils

Bees Wax

Pallet knife

Brush

Art Board

If you have any questions leave a comment here or on my YouTube channel, hope you find some time to be creative - stay blessed and be a blessing.

The Art Journal Experience - Word for the Day Raw

Today's episode of Creating in Faith the Faith to be Creative has been posted today.  Alongside an art journal page video.

Listen to the podcast

I have been monitoring the whole process and have decided to scale back on the podcast and spend time focusing on creating The Art Journal Experience.

This means that you will be getting two episodes on the podcast each week - the Arts in Wellness Episode - talking about what is going on art wise, speaking to guests and looking at events in the arts and health field.  The inspirational shorts is where I look at a tool, book or supply and share how I use it and what I think about them, and you will get to hear about them on the podcast and see them in action on the YouTube channel.

The Art Journal Experience - allow it to sour!

The Creating in Faith episodes will continue slightly changed to the Art Journal Experience and an encouraging word on my YouTube channel on Mondays.  Essentially it is to encourage you to be more creative and find way to explore it.

Check out the video below

I look forward to having you on this part of the journey.  Stay blessed and be a blessing.

Arts and Wellness Wednesdays - Episode 124 Podcast

Welcome to the Episode 124 of the Podcast and the Arts and Wellness Wednesdays, and the show notes.

Today I am giving you tips on working with your art journal. and ways in which you can get over the initial fear of working in a book with loads of blank spaces, and get over it you will. Art Journals can also be used where words are hard to find or you want to express yourself in texture, colour, or what ever else you decide to create with in your art journal. If you give it a try you will soon be making your own designs, or even using those ones that you brought that seem so precious on yourself.

31 Art Journal Series

Check out some of the videos that I have created to help you with backgrounds HERE and also looking at a series of art journals I created HERE

On Wednesdays we focus on the Arts and how it can impact our health and well-being. I will be talking with artists, looking at activities that you can do to be more creative across the board and for those who are carers tips and strategies that you can use. I will also be sharing reviews, resources and other insights. I will be looking at the nuggets that the artists share and see how we can apply it in some way to our own lives, what ever your interests.

Check out the Arts and Health NHS Network for information on activities and organisations working in the field. 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 interact with other organisations and individuals working in and around the NHS.

For information on arts events in Barbados check out the Barbados Visual Arts event online Magazine Published by Corrie Scott, and also check out the artists, pop up exhibitions and events listed on Bajan Art - https://bajanart.com - also has Exhibition details for Season of Emancipation at St George Parish Church. 9am - 5pm.

You can also find me in other places on social media:

YouTube Instagram Pinterest Website Blog Twitter Facebook

Also take a look at my page on Amazon where I recommend some Art Journal Books for Beginners for you to take a look


I look forward to having you join me, stay blessed and be a blessing.

Art Journal Page - Dream, Create, Enjoy!

Mixed Media Art Journal Page - Amanda Trought

I created this Art Journal page in my Gratitude's and Celebration Journal, a journal that I spent time in weekly creating a page and writing out the things I was grateful for that week. It is so important to spend time in reflection, thinking about where you are going, where you are and where you have come from. 

Check out the Video below:

It is important to focus on the things you are grateful for and appreciate, the very things we sometimes take for granted helps lift our spirits and encourage us to move forward in many different ways.

The page was created from that 'dreaded blank page' and we can often get hung up about not knowing what to create, and then allow the 'blank page syndrome, to take hold of us. How do you approach your blank pages? With Fear? or with delight in a new adventure?

Playing with the page meant that applying colour and washi tape and not over think it, the only thing you need to focus on is applying something to the page.

I then added additional layers including stencils, stamps, again just playing on the page with supplies - you will never look at the blank page again in the same way!

I approach each and every surface as an adventure! It is alright to walk away from the page and you don't have to do everything in one sitting.  I came back and then added the image and additional stamps.

Go find your blank page and take some time to play.

Stay blessed and be a blessing!

Episode 75 Weekly Podcast - Creativity

Welcome to today's Episode and the Show Notes to listen click below

Creativity

What will you create to make the world more Awesome? 

We were all born to be creative in some form or fashion. We were created for a purpose and in turn we have that inner drive to create. However you choose to express it is entirely up to you. When I was younger growing up there seemed to do two types of people. Those who did 'proper jobs' where you could earn a living, like in a bank, office or school and the others who were 'Artists', who we were told didn't seem to make any money and were typically shown as messy, spontaneous, reckless, and disordered. My view of the world was that you became an adult and worked hard doing a job you didn't like and then had children and worked even harder to give them the things that you never had. It's what my mum and dad did and they were my reference.

Deep inside though I knew I wanted to be different. I wanted to be among those artists who did what they loved to do, shared their passion, inspire others and who also made a living. I remember standing on my balcony of our flat as a child, and singing at the top of my lungs a song that I had made up, about the despair of an eleven year old trying to make it in show business.

My singing sessions were tolerated by my parents and the neighbors, though my little brother always made fun of me. As I grew up and went to college I started singing with a group of friends, and later went on to do musical theater, and in my 20's started painting and drawing on a regular basis. It still didn't seem like something that you could do full time and get paid, and I always kept them as hobbies, feeling the push to do more, express more. I now try and immerse myself in creativity and whether or not you want to make a living at it there is something about taking part in a creative activity that impacts on your state of mind and your general health and well being.

By allowing yourself to be creative you are able to go on an adventure of the imagination, soaring to new heights of possibility. We cannot leave it to chance either, there is no way that you could leave your materials on a blank canvas without doing anything come back and find they have created a masterpiece, you have to show up and that's where the miracles happens. Creativity doesn't happen by accident and neither were we made by chance. As you go about your day take time to think of one thing that you find really challenging and try and approach it in a more creative way and see how it turns out. 

I am challenging myself with my art pastels, and doing the 100 Day Project, check out some of the images I have done so far, and think about starting your own challenge, how ever long you want to make it.

Take some time out to be creative and do some work in your art journal or journal

I would love to hear from you and you can connect with me on a number of platforms 

YouTube   Twitter  Instagram  Facebook

Pinterest

If you would like to support the Podcast you can do so HERE

Barbados Sea Island Cotton Birds Nest

Restoration Journal

I have been spending a bit more time in my Restoration Journal which I created a while back, and is made from an old university prospectus that I picked up at an opening.

It is great to be able to recycle and make something creative, and find ways to use the supplies that you have alongside the things that you may have in your home and bring new life to it.

Each morning one of my routines is to work in my journals both written and art and spend time reflecting on the things that I need to do for the day.  I am blessed to have quite a large window that I can gaze out of as I contemplate.

I noticed a while back a couple of birds landing on the branches of the mahogany tree in front of me and they kept coming back as if they were checking me out, I later realised they were looking for prime real-estate to set up home.

 

Bird Checking out the Branches for a new home

And that is what they did! Over time they began to collect cotton from the cotton plant and build a nest for themselves.  They strengthened it with a few twigs in some strategic places and then it was done.

Barbados Sea Island Cotton Birds Nest

I imagine it to be ultra comfortable and soft, they are using Barbados Sea Island Cotton after all, and it is known all around the world for being the softest, and greatest quality, so they chose wisely.

Other lovely sites that I get to see as I gaze outside my window are rainbows, sounds quite magical doesn't it.  I appreciate the time I get to spend in the studio and the  insights that come from being in a creative space.

Before the rainbow comes the rain, but nature is in sync

As the birds build their nest and make the most from their surroundings I too look around my space and am grateful for what I have at my disposal, and how I have made it feel homely to me.  

Think about where you are and the things that you have in your space that you can sometimes take for granted, and look at them with new eyes.  What wildlife can you see around you adapting to their environment and utilizing what nature has available.

Rainbows adding the magical touch to the studio

Spend time in your art journal and create a page that expresses how you feel about your space, those things that you can sometimes take for granted, or those things you need to see with a fresh pair of eyes.

Stay blessed and be a blessing

Mixed Media Play Date - Registration is OPEN!!

Click HERE For More Info

The Mixed Media Play Date Registration is NOW OPEN and I am very excited to be among the AMAZING artist instructors who will bring you awesome lessons and inspiration throughout 2019!

This is a new mixed media collaboration intended to bring you endless inspiration, amazing fun, freedom in creativity and community like no other.  Hosted by Tiare Smith, you’ll be immersed in happiness, gratitude and fun from day one. 

And if you think you don’t have enough time to create, if you don’t know where to begin, if your inner critic keeps talking and you need someone to lift you up and shut her up, if you need inspiration or you simply want to find your own inner voice the Mixed Media Play Date is for you! Designed to teach, be a guide, inspiration and a friendly place for you to be yourself and thrive! Oh and AMAZING FUN and LIVE STREAMED MIXED MEDIA PLAY DATES!!!!

I know some of your are excited! GRAB YOUR SPOT NOW!

 

EARLY BIRD PRICING, be sure to enter code: PLAYDATE at checkout to save 20% good till December 25, 2018.  

 

Wait.... there is MORE!

BONUS GIFTS

For those of you who sign up for the course using my link I have several bonuses (worth over $40) to give away as a special Thank You!!

25 Ways to fit Art & Creativity into Your Life

Art Journal Bundle - Series 1

I Speak Life - Encouraging Words

You can check out the Bonuses and sign up HERE

Stay blessed and be a blessing.

Mixed Media Play Date - Winner Announced!

The Winner for the competition is:

Welcome to today's post, if you missed all the excitement we were talking about the Mixed Media Play Date course and I had a place on the course to giveaway. 
You can check it out HERE


Congratulations Tommy Jo for winning the place on the course, we look forward to having you join us.

Don't worry if you didn't win the place on the course, I got you covered!!!

Check back on Saturday 1st December when registration opens for details of all amazing things you will be getting from the course, Bonuses and details of the Early Bird Discount!!!   

For those of you who sign up for the course using my link I have several bonuses to give away as a Thank You so make sure you come back on Saturday as we 
GET This Party STARTED!!

I will also be sharing examples of my art videos on my YouTube channel  like the one below which show some of my art journal insights and practices all to get you warmed up and ready to go, lots of work on backgrounds and art journal pages and free for you to access regardless - I post 2 - 3 times each week, and I would love to have you join me.

Amanda Trought on YouTube - Subscribe HERE

Click HERE For More Info

See you back here on Saturday for the Opening of Registration for the Course.

Stay blessed and be a blessing

BADASS Art Journal and FREE Art Journal Bundle Series 1

We are days away from the start of the BADASS Art Journal course on the 5th February, and I am so please to be among the line-up of artists!

I am also please to be Giving Away my Art Journal Bundle Series 1 when you Sign Up for the BADASS Art Journal Course using my link 

Art Journal Bundle - Series 1

You will get lots of additional yumminess from me to help you on your Art Journal journey.  I have put together a range of things to help you get started on backgrounds - free downloadable and videos to guide you, prompts and tips to encourage you and I have also included 4 Recycled Art Journals for you to make

5 Backgrounds for your Art Journal

A series of 5 Art Journal Backgrounds for you to download and use in your own Art Journals.  I have also included additional pages of quotes and encouraging words.

4 Handmade Recycled Journala

4 Handmade Recycled Art Journals for you to make.  These are 4 very different Art Journals with the key being using recycled materials.  You get to make a Handbag Art Journal, a Cereal Bag Art Journal, Recycled Card Journal and a Toilet Roll Tube Art Journal.

31 Art Journal Prompts

5 Weeks worth of prompts and tips for working in your Art Journal.  You can download and print these off as mini posters for your creative space.

5 Art Journal Background Videos

Do you find it hard to think about what to do with your backgrounds or how to start.  I include 5 different ways in which you can approach your background.  Creative play is an important part of your approach. These videos are yours to download and keep forever!

I am also going to add a FREE Surprise gift as a way of saying Thank You!!

So what are you waiting for!  I would love you to come and join us.

Sign Up HERE and get your Free Art Bundle Series 1

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STOP PRESS -- STOP PRESS -- STOP PRESS
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You can also purchase the Art Journal Series 1 Bundle Separately at below a low cost of $30  I will still add the Free Surprise Gift!

Earlybird Sign up - BADASS Art Journal 2018 - STOP PRESS!!!

Just a reminder that if you wanted to get the early bird price for the course you have until end of play tomorrow Saturday 13th January 2018.  The course starts 5th February 2018.

You can get $10 off the course

sign up HERE

I am really looking forward to welcoming you on the course and I will be sharing tomorrow about the bonuses I will be giving away when you sign up using my link.

My 31 Art Studio Essentials - Acrylic Paints

Acrylic Paints

I have a range of acrylic paints that I use for different types of work.  With the Folk Art paints I usually use this in my journals, although some of the better quality paints will give your art journal a great finish, so it is worth having a play around.

I would mostly use my main acrylic paints when I am creating paintings or art where the quality is important.

If you don't feel like painting, playing with your paints is another option.  You could spend time creating color swatches, or order your stash

Check out the Video

Art Resources to check out (click on the images)

Daler Rowney System 3

Winsor and Newton Galeria

Winsor and Newton Artisan mixable Oil Colour

31 Studio Essentials - Art Journals

Art Journals

Art Journals are one of my studio essentials, and over the years I have made quite a few.  I recently did a mini tour of 31 Art Journals which you can check out HERE

The great thing about art journals when your stuck is that you can always revisit them and finish off pages that may have been left.  I usually don't finish an art journal in one go, preferring to dip in when the desire takes me.

In those moments of feeling stuck you can choose to do some work on a page, or you can create a background, there is no hard and fast rule, you make your own!

Or you might just want to look over an art journals page to see what you were doing at the time of creating it.  The main thing is that you use your tools to suit your needs, and if you just want to make marks on a page then do that.

Check out the video to see what I get up to on 3 pages and how you can use the supplies you have to take yourself on a mini adventure.  

Until tomorrow, stay blessed and be a blessing.

Resources

You might find some of these resources useful click on the image to find out more

Have fun, stay blessed and be a blessing!