Arts and Wellness Cafe - Words, Creativity and Art Events

Looking forward to having you join us in the Arts and Wellness Cafe.

I take you through the word of the week and look at ways in which we can use the inspiration around us in our work.  Who are your favorite artists and what influence do they have on your growth?  I share some of mine too.

The other things that we look at in this episode is:

• Art journal process -  we look at how we can explore the different effects we can get with the supplies that we have including graphite, and water-soluble graphite tints.
• Fabric Art projects and resist dyeing sneak peak!
• Question and Tip for the week to encourage and motivate you - What would be your dream collaboration?
• Arts and Artists spotlight, lots of things are happening in Barbados with the Artists Studio Tours happening over the weekend - 3rd and 4th of February.

Take a self-guided tour of the many artists' studios scattered throughout Barbados. Meet the talented artists, view their galleries, and bring home a beautiful piece of local art to cherish. In addition, this tour provides the bonus of experiencing the beauty of Barbados itself!  Hope you can join us in this adventure!

Before you go:

Check out my online course - Filling the Creative Well

Art Bundle Sale is now on - 7 Tips for Getting the most out of the Bundle!

Art Bundles for Good #7 Sale is now on and you have until the 7th November to purchase the bundle. There are more classes that have been added and more artists, so it is a great deal to learn from so many different creatives - me being one of them

There are over $5700 worth of art courses and other resources on topics like watercolor painting, art journaling, sketching, mixed media, acrylic painting, stencils, collage, pastel pencils, colored pencils, mandalas, art marketing, calligraphy, and much more all bundled together for one low price. This is an amazing opportunity to get more than 111 art resources at such a low price. When you get a chance to visit the Art Bundle website you will see all the amazing courses included this year. They are all listed on the homepage.

Go to the Art Bundles for Good

If you decide to purchase the course bundle, I thought I would share some tips for getting the most out of it, with so many classes and resources, it can get overwhelming, and you want to make the most out of it.

7 TIPS FOR GETTING THE MOST OUT OF THE COURSE BUNDLE

If you like taking different art courses then you will love this bundle, there are so many great lessons by some of your favorite artists. One thing you do have to remember to do is pace yourself. And this goes for any course that you do. For all of the courses you will have access for about a year, so you could get through all of them if you do approximately 2 courses each week - or sign up and go at your own pace. I would go through as follows:

1. Think about the skills that you want to learn first and foremost and do those sessions
2. Identify which ones that jump out at you immediately - could be what you will be creating.
3. Classes by teachers you have heard
4. Classes that are then left
5. Try to sign up at least so that you get your money's worth, then at least after that at least you can then do the class at your own pace after the year sign up access.
6. If there are any classes that you think ‘no not interested’ at least check it out, you may find that there are techniques that you would be interested in learning.
7. Make notes of what you learnt, what you liked about the class and transferable skills or techniques you can use again.

My Offering to the Art Bundle

You get my Mixed Media Art Bowls Course and downloadable Tips for Creative Self Care.

These are lovely creative bowls you can make - with Christmas coming up make gorgeous gifts, or birthday treats, and can not only be filled with encouraging words but also little treats!

You also get

25% of the Art Bundle profits are going to support Courageous Kitchen, a Bangkok-based charity helping refugees. Get over 111 top art learning resources from more than 90 artists AND do some good at the same time. We’ve raised US$101,782 for charity so far.

Go to the Art Bundles for Good

The Art Bundle is backed by a 30-Day Money Back Guarantee. Try out the courses for a couple of weeks. If you are not happy, John, from BundlesforGood, will refund your money.

Arts and Wellness Café - Inspired living

In the Arts and Wellness Café, this month the word is Inspired and comfort, we will be checking out some great creative ideas and resources.

Check out the video below...

In the café this month I share a textile project, book review, art journal and more!  We also look at the things that can keep us inspired and also provide elements of comfort.

We take a look at this work in progress that will eventually be a wall-hanging.  It is made up of Shibori tie dyed fabric, painted fabric and stitches.   I am hoping to add some embellishments on the piece as well.

You get a flip through of this mini art journal.  I had created a variety of toppers that were looking for a home, I also experimented with glitter and stencils in places.

These smaller art journals are great for all those smaller toppers that you may have that want to be put to good use and you.  You will also hear the 'Tip and Question of the week'  Looking forward to having you join me.

You can also check out resource links below:

https://amazon.com/shop/realityarts

Check out the Free Resources 

Learn more

Other Courses to check out - click on the image

10 Prompts, 10 Days, 10 Minutes - Images - How did you get on?

Thank you for joining me on this journey

What you now have is 10 great ideas for you to kick start your creativity, and not see the blank page as something to fear.  You have loads of ideas within that just need a little bit of nudging to come out.  

As you practice you will learn about what you like and do not like about different activities, (like food try it before you say you don’t like it).  You can take different ideas and interchange them as you go along or you can join them together to see what you get.

Here are my results for taking the 10 mins each day. If you played along I hope you enjoyed it, what was your favorite one?

If you would like to receive a pdf copy of the prompts then sign up for my mailing list and I will send you a copy.  It has full instructions and images for you to go at your own pace, and has some additional suggestions for you to try!

Here is what I came up with over the 10 days (click on the title prompt for the instructions for that activity:

Prompt 1  Drawing what you see - Create a splodge of paint and then draw the image that you see.

I did a few of these, I really enjoy the process, and you can come up with such a variety of images - great for working on later, you can follow up things that you liked or that worked well.

Prompt 2 - Take time outside - Go for a walk and photograph 5 things 

Here is one of the things that I photographed, some flowers that I grew - Mexican Sunflower, brilliant color, they grow over 9 feet!

 Prompt 3  Find anImage - Find the image, inspire yourself - using a magazine select images and make a collage

I chose images and colors that speak to me, and I guess also reflects the journey that I am on.

Prompt 4  Doodle - Getsome wool and create a doodle 

This is a really fun activity, you can use up any scraps that you might have had lying around and create some lovely pieces

After fusing the wool using the Heat n Bond I used the sewing machine to add some more doodling.  I would like to add to this piece and may used it in another challenge.

The stitches do not have to be anything fancy, just keep it simple.

Prompt 5 Unusual Marks - Find different sticks

Great way to find out what kind of marks you can get from the supplies you have.  Who would have thought you could do all this with these simple sticks and old pens!

Prompt 6 Go Further - Take the Collage a bit further 

After creating a collage, adding some doodling and mark making to it.  Utilizing some of the skills you used in previous prompts.

You can even take it further with your doodling.

Check out his glasses!!

Prompt 7 Surround yourself with inspiration - String somebeads or broken jewelry together and attach to fabric

Making the doodles with the fabric and wool for prompt 4 has given us a great jump off point.  I added a backing to the fabric, stitched it creating some more interesting marks and added beads and attached to a stick - remember to keep it simple, and build on it as you have more time.

Prompt 8 What is in a background - Create a background

I love creating backgrounds, and this is a great excuse to use all those different textures into the piece.  I used tissue paper, inktense blocks and gesso. 

I made marks with the sticks and added additional paint, this was a great surface to do the last prompt on.

Prompt 9 Speed drawings 

You can either draw what is in front of you or pull together a few items.  I chose to draw the things directly in front of me, the cream pot and pens.

I did two 1 minute pieces, one 3 and one 5 minute sketches.

The time goes really fast, and this is a great warm up exercise.  As you continue you begin to notice and capture different things as you spend longer and observe more.

Prompt 10  Bring it together 

You could start a new piece or use one of the pieces that you created before.  I decided to use the background that I had created in prompt 8.  As you know I love creating faces, I kept the colors simple trying to retain as much of the background as possible.  I also used stitching and beads to highlight various areas

Remember, the ideas are not set in stone, and you can alter add or substitute other supplies and materials, you can link the ideas together, the main thing to remember is to have fun as you create. As you learn a new technique you grow, don’t limit yourself or put yourself down, don’t compare but enjoy the adventure and grow, and be an inspiration to others.

I hope you enjoyed these ideas.  If you want to have your own copy of the booklet I created then sign up for my Mailing list and I will get it sent out to you.

Stay blessed and be a blessing.

Are you UP for a Challenge a Course or BOTH!

Alright the One BADASS Art Journal course started last week, how did you get on.  if you haven't yet signed up there is still time to jump in to have some fun.  We are only on week two and there is plenty of time for you to get on with the amazing lessons by the great lineup of teachers, and we have had a couple of great lessons so far.

SIGN UP HERE

10 Prompts 10 days, 10 Minutes

This was a great way to kick start your creativity and to show you that it only takes 10 minutes, you deserve that.

We got to the end of the 10 days, time always seems to pass so quickly. I will be posting about the images separately, but how did you get on?  I will also be putting together a PDF booklet so that you can have, and if you are subscribed to my mailing list you will be able to get access to a range of other creative goodies as well.

#1min1take Video Challenge

I am currently taking part in the video challenge which runs for 5 days, so you will be blessed with a range of videos that I will be sharing about the creative process, asking those questions that helps you get unstuck, you can play along in your art journal and write out the answers and create some images that mean something to you.  I will be announcing some giveaways, showing you some quick and easy art techniques that you can try.

Introduction to the #1min1take video challenge

Act of Kindness and Art Giveaway!

I will share with you how this painting came about.  Watch and comment on the videos on my YouTube Channel to see what other giveaways I will be announcing.

Be great if you join in, let me know what you are inspired to do, take the time out for you and make this year your best creative year yet!

Remember to stay blessed and be a blessing!

10 Prompts, 10 Days, 10 Minutes - Day 10 - Bring it Together

Welcome to day 10 of the 10 Ideas to kick start your creativity.  Today's task and additional instructions is below

Prompt 10 - Bring it together

Bring it together - From the background page that you made on day 8 you are going to incorporate some of the techniques that you have been using. 

You are going to create an image that represents where you are now in your creative journey and add at least 3 or more of the techniques that you have been learning over the past 9 days and incorporate this as well, to create one image. You can embellish with beads, jewelry, create a wall hanging with your finished piece, it is up to you so play.

Additional Information

The great thing about these ideas is that anyone can do them, you don’t need to be creative, so if you are looking for ways to unwind or give yourself that much needed time then these are things ideas that you should try.

For each activity you can try it using different mediums or surfaces, colours - do not limit yourself.  I want to give you ways in which you can experiment if you want to.  You can adapt it anyway you like to suit, and there are no right or wrong ways to create, so do not put any boundaries on yourself.

The most important thing is to have fun.  The minimum amount of time you should spend on each activity is 10 minutes, it is great if you can spend longer.  You can do a different activity each day, add the activities together, or work on a piece for longer.  

I will be following along and posting to my Instagram account remember to share and put in the hastags #101010 and #realityarts

Each activity will give you ways in which you can very easily strengthen your creative muscles and also provide you with some of the tools and techniques that I will be sharing in my lesson on the BADASS Art Journal You can still sign up Check out some of the cool bonuses that you can get when you sign up using my link HERE

What you waiting for - enjoy, and let me know how you get on.

Thank you for joining me and check back tomorrow to see all of the art that I created with these prompts.

10 Prompts, 10 Days, 10 Minutes - Day 9 - The need for Speed!

Welcome to day 9 of the 10 Ideas to kick start your creativity.  Today's task and additional instructions is below

Prompt 9 - Speed Drawings

Speed drawings – Do some speed drawings, set a timer and give yourself just 1, 3 then 5 minutes.  You can do as many of these as you like.  Set your timer, split the paper into 4 sections and draw what you see in front of you.  

Don’t over think it, it is just a way of keeping you observant and drawing what you see.  Think about Day 2 when you went out and took photographs, what is it you notice about the items you are drawing in front of you

Additional Information

The great thing about these ideas is that anyone can do them, you don’t need to be creative, so if you are looking for ways to unwind or give yourself that much needed time then these are things ideas that you should try.

For each activity you can try it using different mediums or surfaces, colours - do not limit yourself.  I want to give you ways in which you can experiment if you want to.  You can adapt it anyway you like to suit, and there are no right or wrong ways to create, so do not put any boundaries on yourself.

The most important thing is to have fun.  The minimum amount of time you should spend on each activity is 10 minutes, it is great if you can spend longer.  You can do a different activity each day, add the activities together, or work on a piece for longer.  

I will be following along and posting to my Instagram account remember to share and put in the hastags #101010 and #realityarts

Each activity will give you ways in which you can very easily strengthen your creative muscles and also provide you with some of the tools and techniques that I will be sharing in my lesson on the BADASS Art Journal  Check out some of the cool bonuses that you can get when you sign up using my link HERE

The BADASS Art Journal is going great and these tips will provide you with some great ways in which you can keep yourself going and have ideas that you can dip into.

What you waiting for - enjoy, and let me know how you get on.

10 Prompts, 10 Minutes, 10 Days - Day 8 - What is in a background

Welcome to day 8 of the 10 Ideas to kick start your creativity.  Today's task and additional instructions is below

Prompt 8  - What is in a background?

What is in a background - Create a background on paper, using stamps, stencils and your choice of 3 paints, use them in different ways on each of the backgrounds. 

 Spend time playing with the colours, shapes and the way the brush leaves its mark. You can try some of the sticks from when you made marks earlier during the week, and see which patterns were your favorite.

Additional Information

The great thing about these ideas is that anyone can do them, you don’t need to be creative, so if you are looking for ways to unwind or give yourself that much needed time then these are things ideas that you should try.

For each activity you can try it using different mediums or surfaces, colours - do not limit yourself.  I want to give you ways in which you can experiment if you want to.  You can adapt it anyway you like to suit, and there are no right or wrong ways to create, so do not put any boundaries on yourself.

The most important thing is to have fun.  The minimum amount of time you should spend on each activity is 10 minutes, it is great if you can spend longer.  You can do a different activity each day, add the activities together, or work on a piece for longer.  

I will be following along and posting to my Instagram account remember to share and put in the hastags #101010 and #realityarts

Each activity will give you ways in which you can very easily strengthen your creative muscles and also provide you with some of the tools and techniques that I will be sharing in my lesson on the BADASS Art Journal  Check out some of the cool bonuses that you can get when you sign up using my link HERE

What you waiting for - enjoy, and let me know how you get on.

10 Prompts, 10 Days, 10 Minutes - Day 7 - Inspiration all around

Welcome to day 7 of the 10 Ideas to kick start your creativity.  Today's task and additional instructions is below

Prompt 7  - Surround yourself with Inspiration

Surround yourself with inspiration - String some beads or broken jewelry together and attach to fabric, make a simple wall hanging, and add your favorite inspiring words or quote on it.  I find beading always to be one of those activities that allows you to create and slow down.  Select some random beads, don’t spend a lot of time choosing then the time will go.  

As you practice you get better at selecting, in the beginning it is just a way to be able to get you doing something creative.  You can keep the fabric simple, and use the fabric that you created from Day 4 with the doodle.  Adding the beading to it and any additional embellishments takes it to another level, you could try some bigger pieces.  You could even try creating a wall hanging out of the postcard collages that you created.

Additional Information

The great thing about these ideas is that anyone can do them, you don’t need to be creative, so if you are looking for ways to unwind or give yourself that much needed time then these are things ideas that you should try.

For each activity you can try it using different mediums or surfaces, colours - do not limit yourself.  I want to give you ways in which you can experiment if you want to.  You can adapt it anyway you like to suit, and there are no right or wrong ways to create, so do not put any boundaries on yourself.

The most important thing is to have fun.  The minimum amount of time you should spend on each activity is 10 minutes, it is great if you can spend longer.  You can do a different activity each day, add the activities together, or work on a piece for longer.  

I will be following along and posting to my Instagram account remember to share and put in the hastags #101010 and #realityarts

Each activity will give you ways in which you can very easily strengthen your creative muscles and also provide you with some of the tools and techniques that I will be sharing in my lesson on the BADASS Art Journal  Check out some of the cool bonuses that you can get when you sign up using my link HERE

The BADASS Art Journal course starts today and these tips will provide you with some great ways in which you can keep yourself going and have ideas that you can dip into.  It is great to have you on board!

What you waiting for - enjoy, and let me know how you get on.