Poet of the Month - Gwendolyn Brooks - Sadie and Maud - Inspirational Shorts Podcast

Gwendolyn Brooks - Sadie and Maud, Inspirational Shorts

This week on the podcast I am sharing another poem by poet Gwendolyn Brooks.  In Episode 217 of my podcast you will here the poem Sadie and Maud.  

Listen to the podcast

Joyful

Art Journal Page - Amanda Trought

The word for the day is Joyful.  

Think about how the word can be incorporated into the things that you do and create an art journal page linking the word.

Let's look at the definition of the word joyful - 

• joyful feeling or causing great pleasure and happiness
•  with joy great pleasure and happiness,
•  a cause of great pleasure and happiness success or satisfaction.

Now how is it you feel about your creativity? 

Can you find those pockets of feeling joyful or joy and think about how you can find those little moments in your creativity because sometimes you just don't feel like creating.  

Sometimes you know you want to do something else but if you think about the creativity as a blanket so whether you going to your studio sear your table or wherever your space is and create something or write something or take a photograph it's all part creativity so it's all feeding you, feeding that 'well' that you can dip in-and-out of and grow.

Poet - Gwendolyn Brooks

“Poetry is life distilled.” ― Gwendolyn Brooks

Gwendolyn Brooks - Sadie and Maud

This week is the 2nd week of looking at the work of poet Gwendolyn Brooks, so today the poem that we are going to read is called Sadie and Maud. 

Sadie and Maud 

Maud went to college 

Sadie stayed at home 

Sadie scraped life 

with a fine-tooth-comb 

she didn't leave a tangle 

in her comb found every strand 

Sadie was one of the Livingest 

chit in all the land

Sadie bore two babies 

under her maiden name 

Maud and ma and papa 

nearly died of shame 

When Sadie said her last so long 

her girls struck out from home 

Sadie had left her heritage 

in her fine-tooth-comb 

Maud who went to college 

is a thin Brown mouse 

she is living all alone 

in this old house 

Gwendolyn Brooks - Sadie and Maud

You can find some of her book on Amazon

Find her books on Amazon

You can check out more about Gwendolyn Brooks, her life and other poetry on the Poetry Foundation Website - HERE

Join me each week on the podcast - HERE

Thank you for joining me, stay blessed and be a blessing!

Thanks for joining me - Amanda!!

Creating in Faith - Word for the Week - Known

Welcome to Creating in Faith episode 215 for the Podcast, where I discuss a word and how it can be related to a creative practice.  The word for this week is Known.

Listen to the Podcast 

What do you want to be known for, by?  What do you know about yourself and your creativity?  Do you know why you create and what gets you going each and every day in your studio or creative space.  

Spend some time exploring the idea in your art journal and you never know where it will eventually lead to - maybe a new body of work, new art supply or tool, and a deeper understanding of your creative practice.

Thank you for listening, stay blessed and be a blessing!

Art Prints

The art in this piece is available as a framed print HERE and also as a variety of products.

Amanda Trought - Framed Pastel Painting

The framed prints come in a variety of sizes and styles.  The image is also available on cushion covers as seen below.  I would love you to check out some of the other designs available for purchase.

Amanda Trought Designs - Cushions covers -  40x40cm

Amanda Trought Cushion Cover detail - 40x40cm

Join me on Patreon

Click HERE

Inspirational Shorts - Poet - Gwendolyn Brooks, Product Review - Neocolors Pastels

Welcome to the post today.  You are in for a double TREAT!  Inspirational shorts will be changing slightly, I will be sharing on the podcast a poet.  This month the poet I have chosen is Gwendolyn Brooks.  Each and every month I will either feature one poet or more and on the blog give you a bit of information about them.  On the YouTube channel Inspirational Shorts will be a short product/art supply or book review.  I hope that you are staying blessed and inspired.  Let me know who your favorite poet is.

Gwendolyn Brooks

Gwendolyn Elizabeth Brooks (June 7, 1917 – December 3, 2000) was an American poet, author, and teacher. Her work often dealt with the personal celebrations and struggles of ordinary people in her community. She won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry on May 1, 1950, for Annie Allen, making her the first African American to receive a Pulitzer Prize. Throughout her prolific writing career, Brooks received many more honors. A lifelong resident of Chicago, she was appointed Poet Laureate of Illinois in 1968, a position she held until her death 32 years later. She was also named the Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress for the 1985–86 term. In 1976, she became the first African-American woman inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters. (Wikapedia page)  More Information HERE

The poem that I will read today is called a Song in the Front Yard and you can find the words HERE while you are there check out the Poetry Foundation, they have information about a wide range of poets.

Inspirational Shorts - Review

Weekly reviews on art supplies, tools and books to inspire and encourage.

Neocolor Water soluble Wax Pastels

In this video I share a review of the water soluble wax pastels known as Neocolor.  They are lovely to use and can work well on a variety of surfaces.

You can check out the variety of sizes that they come in HERE

Creative Reflections Podcast

Creative Reflections 

Listen to the podcast

Creating in Faith - Word for the Day - Serene - listen to the podcast

Focused Attention - Podcast Episode

Welcome to today' Creating in Faith podcast episode  210.  In today's episode I talk about being Focused.  What does it mean to you, how are you focusing on things that you would like to do, need to do in the midst of everything that is going on.

Are you creative, do you have a regular routine, are there things that you are working on at the moment.  I would love to hear from you, how you blend a creative activity into your day to day living.

Art Journal - Spirited

Also today you will find an art journal that I made, working spontaneously creating a mini journal to put additional thoughts within.

Art Journals can be made from a variety of supplies, in the video I make a small one from a variety of card and patterned papers.  Check what type of supplies that you may have around and utilize these 

You can also use a variety of hand painted papers as well that you may have in your stash

Let me how you get on with the art journal, join me on the YouTube Art Channel and subscribed to hear about more videos.  Stay blessed and be a blessing.  

Join me on Patreon

Check it out HERE

Arts and Wellness Wednesday - World Wide Disaster Movie! Podcast

What do you do when you feel like you are one of the characters in a Disaster Movie, and you are waiting for the director to call 'Cut' but there is no director and this is real life.  You have to find ways in which to manage the emotions that you may be feeling, and ways to work through the day to day.

Depending on where you are in the world your freedom of movement may differ and you may be experiencing a variety of emotions as you try and make sense of it all, the scale, magnitude and everything in between,

In last weeks Arts and Wellness Wednesday I shared some tips that you might want to think about moving forward.  It included setting a routine/schedule for yourself - the first week that you may have been off it might have seemed like an extended holiday or weekend, but the days seem to be rolling into one so having a routine that differentiates the days will help.

Thinking about learning a new skill or picking up an old one might help with your day to day.  Check out the video below to see some of the other ways in which you can put things in place to help you cope with the emotions that may arise.

In this weeks video we look at some additional tips that you might want to put into place, especially for those who are carers.  Using art and creativity is always a great way to help express what you are feeling and it is important to acknowledge as time goes on.

Listen on the Podcast

If you would like to join me on Creative Encourager you can schedule 2 free half hour sessions to look at where you might want to take your creativity, areas of growth - see the link below

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

Stay blessed and be a blessing

Podcast Weekly Episodes 201 & 202

Welcome and a Happy Friday to you.

In this post I will be sharing two episodes of this weeks podcast.  The Arts and Wellness Wednesday and the Inspirational Shorts where I will be sharing a review.  I hope you are able to listen to them and get some useful takeaway pieces of information.

Arts and Wellness Wednesday 

I share events that are taking place in the UK and you may find useful to your creative practice - 

• Developing Your Creative Practice funding, ACE – rolling deadlines 
• Creative and Credible: An Introduction to Arts and Health Evaluation – 18 & 19 March 2020 
• Cloth and Creativity in African-Atlantic Cultures

We have our Artists Studio Tours on 14th and 15th March - I am location 15 on the map and it would be great to see you &
Caribbean Fine Art Fair on the 11th March to 15th March
both not to be missed

Inspirational Shorts

For today's Inspirational Shorts I will be reviewing a Bees wax product that you can do a range of creative projects with, alongside candle wax and petroleum.  I have been using them for some small batik projects alongside semi-encaustic on pastels.  I will be sharing more with you.  I am using a simple oil burner with tealights, which makes the wax melt fairly quickly.

You can listen to the podcast episode below as well as watch the video and see the products.

Here is the video

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.

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

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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

Creating in Faith - Sentiments - Episode 177

Listen to the Recording

There are certain things that we can hold on to because it reminds us of another time, or brings back memories of when we used to, could do and that warm fuzzy feeling as you go down memory lane recalling the incident.  There are those memories that you also maybe don't want to bring back into the present day.

How often do you think of something you have done and remembered some of the amazing things that you have done to get you to the exact point that you are now.  You are amazing and It brings a smile to my face when I remember those times you used to do those amazing things all those years ago.

You remember, you could and did light up the room with your energy and laughter, your fantastic sense of humor and you would make everyone feel so special, though you didn't realise it.

It is easy to remember the times other people impacted on our lives, now think about the impact you have on other peoples lives, think about your gifts and talents, and how you have made use of them.

As you go about your day be reminded of how special you are and when people think about you they hold you in high regard!  So from time to time, begin to think about yourself in the same way.  

Have a blessed New Year - I hope that you have been working on your focus for 2020.

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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. Check out the weekly and monthly videos to help you spend more time in your art journal.

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

_____________________

There are so many FREE ways in which you can support the podcast and the work that I do on some of the other channels and it is always a blessing when you connect -

• listening each week and leave a comment,
• Subscribe to any or all of my channels, visit the
• YouTube channel (remember to hit the notification bell)
• Let me know how the content impacted you and if you were inspired to make changes/additions to your work or life.

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. 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 - 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

Stay blessed and be a blessing.

Arts and Wellness Wednesday - Nurturing

In Today's Arts and Wellness Podcast I talk about the need to nurture and make sure that you prepare yourself for the Christmas Season - for some it can be a lonely time.  Were possible see if you have anyone who may need that extra support, welcome them to your homes and family gatherings and be part of a wider community that cares for the individuals who may have a hard time at this time of the year

We can often forget to take care of ourselves as we are rushing around caring for others, and so it is important to take stock every now and then to make sure your not running on empty.

Remember to check out the Art Journal page creations in Mondays Creating in faith as a way of you taking stock of how far you have come and the direction in which you are heading.  Taking one step and one day at a time you are able to make sure you are always prepared for the events that may crop up and your perspective is one that is coming from abundance rather than lack.

I look forward to the journey with you, do let me know how you are getting on in your pursuits.

Stay blessed and be a blessing.

Creating in Faith - Compassionate

The word for today is Compassionate, think about what the word means to you in relation to you.  How would you express an example of it to someone else, and what does it look like when you show it to yourself, how does it make you feel?

Listen to the podcast episode below and check out the Art Journal page and examples of how you can work on your page.

Here is the video of my page creation, have a look

I hope it has given you ways in which you can work on your art journal page, but more importantly treat yourself with compassion.

Here are some of the other links that you can connect with on social media.

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. Check out the weekly and monthly videos to help you spend more time in your art journal.

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

You will find the  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

_____________________

There are so many FREE ways in which you can support the podcast and the work that I do on some of the other channels and it is always a blessing when you connect -

• listening each week and leave a comment,
• Subscribe to any or all of my channels, visit the
• YouTube channel (remember to hit the notification bell)
• Let me know how the content impacted you and if you were inspired to make changes/additions to your work or life.

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

Stay blessed and be a blessing.