Art and Wellness - Lisa Mona - Podcast Episode 81

Welcome to the Episode 81 of the Podcast and the Arts and Wellness, where the focus is 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.

Lisa Mona - Artist

In this Episode I spoke to artist Lisa Mona who was exhibiting at the Caribbean Fine Art Fair. Lisa Mona was born in Barbados with a diverse cultural background which has fashioned her artwork in an eclectic way. Her body of work is influenced by the beauty of simplicity itself, natures's colors and its organic shapes. She expresses herself through photography, jewelry, design and abstract paintings.

Listen to her interview below:

Watch the Video on YouTube

So some of the takeaways from Lisa was the connection with nature and looking at the fine detail when she is putting her work together.

When we think about arts and health some of the ways in which we can incorporate some of the things Lisa does in her work is to take time out to notice things in nature.  Step outside, open your windows and get some fresh air, listen to the sounds that you can hear around you, the colours and the shapes, what do they remind you of?

If you are a carer you can think about reminiscence and looking at old photos and getting your loved one to talk about the people and actions in the pictures.  If you don't have access to photos you can get together a selection of well known celebrities that they would recognize and have a conversation about them.

Take some photographs yourself, go for a walk and see what things you can photograph, especially within their local area that they could talk about or could be a starting point to a conversation.

The appeal of nature

Being out in the sunshine, feeling the breeze on your skin is important for us all to experience and with the majority of us being Vitamin D deficient it is important to spend time daily where possible outdoors.  

I hope that this has been useful.  Sign up for my mailing list and YouTube channel for more ideas on being creative.

You an connect with Lisa Mona on: - Facebook - Lisa Mona Art, YouTube, Instagram

If you would like to know more about photo montage, check out a couple of titles from Amazon HERE

For information on arts events in Barbados check out the Barbados Visual Arts event online Magazine Published by Corrie Scott.

The Mixed Media Play Date is in full swing, You can sign up for the course HERE or click on this link - http://bit.ly/MMPAT19 to get the bonuses (email me once you have booked)

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

YouTube   Instagram   Pinterest   Website

Blog   Twitter    Facebook

Art and Wellness Podcast

I have started a new episode of talks on the Podcast, which covers Arts and Wellness.  I will be talking to artists about their work and how it impacts on their wellbeing, reviewing books, materials and supplies that promote using art as a therapeutic tool and more, and also talk about ways in which we can use art more in our daily lives.  Over the next few weeks I will be sharing short interviews that I had with a variety of artist who exhibited at the Caribbean Fine Art Fair which happens in March every year in Barbados. 

I got to talk briefly with Minister John King the Cultural Minister for Arts here in Barbados while he opened the Caribbean Fine Arts Fair a yearly Art Exhibition, bringing in Artists from all around the world.  Minister John King he shared briefly on some of the plans they have for the arts and National Art Gallery in Barbados.  Minister King started his career as a singer/performer and brings his experience as to his role and insight to some of the needs of the arts here in Barbados.

Here is the brief talk with on my Arts and Wellness Episode with Minister King.

Some of the takeaways from the talk is the need to raise awareness of the arts and artists in Barbados, showcasing the work of artists and looking at building that are empty and can be utilized better. 

Artist, Mother, and more - Mavis Trought

Part of my experience is as a carer and an artist with the elderly with dementia and their carers and running art and creativity workshops. Some of the things that he said about the buildings that had been disregarded and left to run down – with so much history that they could tell us about Barbados, struck a similar note in the way that the elderly are treated around the world.  

One of the things that seems to be changing as a community is the lack of value that we place on our elderly within the community, with so many feeling isolated, on their own, families fragmented and they get forgotten.  There is so much wisdom that they have that can often be lost over the generations and we have to find ways to harness their knowledge and find a way where we can create inter-generational projects to pass on their wisdom. 

In the fast paced life our elderly become casualties, like the throwaway containers their knowledge becomes undocumented, distant until no one remembers.  We have to spend more time with them and each other have meaning conversations and experiences, understanding their lives can still be fulfilling and find ways for the generations to interact and learn from each other.

So something for you to think about in your creative interactions is how you can utilize your creative skills to impact on the life of someone who is an elder and living on their own, or in a care home.  How can you be of service and be a blessing touching the life of someone else.

The next Arts and Wellness podcast will feature artist and photographer Lisa Mona.  Sign up to my mailing list and join me each week.  The show scheduling is as follows:

Mondays - Creating in Faith

Wednesdays - Arts and Wellness

Fridays - Inspirational Shorts

100 Day Project - 100 Pastel Sketches 25 - 32

Here are the images for the next 8 Pastel drawings, I totally forgot to share these.  I have been using a selection of pastels to create the images, and beginning to see that some I favor more than others.  I have been using my Rembrant Pastels - check out the selection that I share on Amazon

I would love to see what you decided to do for your challenge, remember to share.

I will also be showing you a weekly process video showing you how I create an image in pastels, you will be able to see how I start the images using the pastels, I am finding the more I create, the more I am able to find ways that suit me.

 If you would like to see the daily images you can come visit me on Instagram.  You will be able to see the first of the weekly videos here when I share videos 41 - 48 or join me on YouTube, I am hoping that they will inspire you to get out your supplies and create.  I will be sharing the full video on my Patreon Site, which you are welcome to join.

To see a selection of pastels and accessories on Amazon click HERE

Stay blessed and be a blessing.

Podcast Episode 65 - Creating in Faith - Loss and Purpose

Come and join me on the podcast.

In today's episode I talk about loss and purpose. What do we do with the feelings of the loss of a loved one. When does the weeping turn to joy and how can we walk through the pain into the blessings of their memories.

There are so many of us who feel that if we don't think about the person then we won't feel the pain of loosing them but the opposite is true, we will try and numb the pain but we will still feel it, coming in waves when something reminds us of them, and it could be the smallest random thing that sparks it off.

I found that the more I thought about all the things that we did together, and laughed at those moments it helped me wade through the pain.  The more I did it I found that when I did think about them I would think back to joyous times, the times we shared and the things that they would have wanted to be remembered for.  One of the saddest things we can do is to decide not to think about the person as if they never existed because we cannot bear the pain, without realizing that when we do journey through instead of covering up we will have some amazing stories of strength, love and compassion, our memories of our loved ones will intensify without the pain, and we will be able to find laughter at those times we shared.

You are not alone

I will always miss the physical presence of the person but the feeling of their spiritual presence as if they were in the room sharing the moments that I am going through fills me with comfort.  

If you are going through the loss of a loved one, take your time, it is a gradual process and I am here if you want to share.  If you are able to journal or do something in your art journal you will also find comfort in creativity.  Don't shut yourself away but reach out and as you are blessed be a blessing to another.

Realityarts - Podcasts Weekly - Episode 24 and 25 - Inspiration

Blessings, to one and all.  In this weeks podcasts I touch on two connected areas.  One of the areas is where we have to make room for growth, in order to see things clearly.  We can be so used to playing small, that when the opportunity arises to do more we are not sure what to do with ourselves and we keep the same 'small mentality', without realising that we have all that we need to do more and be more.  

Points to Ponder

Maybe there are things that you can think about where you should have been playing much bigger but contained yourself?  

How did you feel when you realised that you could actually do a lot more and you never gave yourself the opportunity?

Making room for Growth






Episode 25 - Nurturing Your Environment

In this episode which is a very quick one I look at how we can change our environment to be a more nurturing one which will definitely have an impact on our outlook and how we approach things that happen in our lives.

You can start small, add some plants, tidy up, clear some of the clutter, but do something for 'you' that will have a positive impact.  As you work on you others around you are effected, and the blessings can really spread.  Take time to see what you can do, and let me know how you get on in the comments or one of the other social platforms you can find me on.





Tune in next Monday for another Episode, hope you can join me as we unlock our hidden talents.  Let me know what podcast platform you prefer listening to the podcast on.

Stay blessed and be a blessing

Podcasting - Just Start

So I decided to start a podcast in the last few months on a platform called Anchor, and have been sharing insights and revelations, about art and creativity, my time as a carer for a mother living with Dementia and things that generally inspire me.  It has been great, I am learning so many new skills, and juggling everything is becoming a fine art!

The great thing about creating the podcasts on Anchor is that it is shared on a variety of other podcast platforms and so if you have a favorite one you will be able to listen on that specific platform.

Podcasts have always been a great way of listening to your favorite content, and Anchor have made it easy for you to create and upload and then take the hard work out of it for you by uploading to additional podcast platforms.

Here are a list of the platforms that my podcasts can be found on:

Anchor Podcasts

Apple Podcasts

Google Podcasts

Spotify

Breaker

Castbox

Pocket Casts

Radio Public

Stitcher

Did you see your favorite one, check them out, and while your there check out my current podcast on your platform of choice - It's easy!

Stay blessed and be a blessing!

Podcasting Week - 2018 & Creative Live Free on Air Classes

It is Podcasting Week 2018. 

I had always wanted to get into Podcasting over the years but never followed it through. I got into radio and did a 3 year stint on local community radio. It was great, and I found doing the research for the show interesting and knowing the power of radio in taking the message out to potentially the world! 

I have always recording my thoughts on my phone using the voice recorder or video and found I had a lot of content that I could use. I jumped in feet first this year and signed up onto a platform called Anchor. It is very easy to use and you get a good quality sound just from using your phone. It also shares your recording on a selection of 9 other podcasting platforms.

If you have been considering making your own podcasts I encourage you to take the step. I started out making one recording a week, and now I am better familiar with editing and uploading I have started releasing two episodes a week. You can obviously do as little or as much as you like.

The advances of technology now means that you can create your own radio talk show, you decide the hours, and collaboration, location. Think about the topics that you can talk about, or who you want to talk with. It is a great opportunity to share your voice with the world.

Weekly Podcasts - This weeks - Letting go of negative words

Most of all don't hide your ideas away, take the leap, be bold, make that step, and you will have amazing memories to look back on.

There are some courses that you can do to give you a good start and you can take a look at some of the courses offered by Creative Live. You can start learning for free with the selection of live and on air classes. You will learn creative skills from top experts, and with over 1,500 curated classes in Photography & Video, Money & Life, Craft & Maker, Art & Design, and Music & Audio, and more!  There is something for everyone.

Creative Live is has a selection of on-air broadcasts for free or you can purchase a class and own the content for life.

Additionally, you can get your daily creative fix on the iOS app with 1 free lesson of your choice, each and every day. I have included some upcoming classes below for you to check out.

Check Out CreativeLive's Free On-Air Classes

Free On-Air Classes - Week of 9/23

Class Name: Automate and Outsource Your Work

Text Link: Automate and Outsource Your Work Class at CreativeLive

Start Date: 09/23/2018

End Date: 09/24/2018

RSVP Date: 09/23/2018

Class Name: Podcasting for Crafters and Makers

Text Link: Podcasting for Crafters and Makers Class at CreativeLive

Start Date: 09/24/2018

End Date: 09/25/2018

RSVP Date: 09/24/2018

Class Name: Grow Your Business with YouTube

Text Link: Grow Your Business with YouTube Class at CreativeLive

Start Date: 09/25/2018

End Date: 09/26/2018

RSVP Date: 09/25/2018

Class Name: Foundations in Metalsmithing: Bracelets

Text Link: Foundations in Metalsmithing: Bracelets Class at CreativeLive

Start Date: 09/27/2018

End Date: 09/28/2018

RSVP Date: 09/27/2018

Class Name: Getting Started with Pen, Ink & Markers

Text Link: Getting Started with Pen, Ink & Markers Class at CreativeLive

Start Date: 09/28/2018

End Date: 09/29/2018

RSVP Date: 09/28/2018

Try and check out some of the courses, I will definitely be checking them out and will share at some point on the blog.

Check out my podcast, and let me know if you would like to be join me on one of the episodes.

Why not do something new, you never know where it will lead, or add to the work that you are currently doing. Let me know how you get on, or which ones you might try.  Stay blessed and be a blessing.