31 Art Studio Essentials - Gesso

Firstly 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope that this year sees you extend from your comfort zone and really see the treasures that you hold within you.

This is the beginning of a 31 day adventure through my art supplies and tools to share with you some of my favorites and how I use them when I am short of time or feeling stuck.

All about Gesso

If you have seen some of my other videos you will see that Gesso has a special place in my heart.  It comes in clear, black and white and you can mix acrylic with it to give you another color.  It provides a tooth for the surface that you might be working on, especially the thinner kind that you get with some altered books.

You might decide as an activity to sort out your supplies, and You can also spend time preparing pages as an activity, especially when you are short of time, adding color to the pages or using stencils to create texture.

Gesso can also be used on fabric, I especially like to create my own painted fabric, creating designs, and using a range of supplies to decorate.

I like the creaminess of the Gesso and I have a black one that is so thick and creamy it looks good enough to eat!! lol

But you have to see it to get what I mean. Take a look at my video so see how creamy it is, and also check out the resources that I mentioned in the video.

Resources

Click on the supplies below to find out more

I find this acrylic gesso slightly runny even though they are made by the same company but it is worth a try depending on how you want to use it

I hope that this has given you some ideas to play with your gesso and see what different effects you will be able to get.  Come back tomorrow for another supply and see where it can take you!

Stay blessed and be a blessing

Encouragement for today - What are you going to do about it?

Welcome to Wednesday!  I just wanted to encourage you on your journey today.  Sometimes the middle of the week can send you either way in your thinking.  You are either in the flow of things and really excited about where you are going on your journey.  The other end of the spectrum is to look at today and wander what on earth you have been doing, with half of the week nearly over and nothing to show for it!

Whatever your state of mind is today we all need encouragement, granted of different sorts.  I encourage those who have not yet recognized their abilities and skills and who may feel that it is just 'too late' to try something new or to step out.

At the end of the day time will pass (and I know I've said this before), but you will age whether you like it or not.  So why not look back and see all the things you accomplished 'at your age', the things you got to enjoy, the miracles that began to unfold in your life just because you said 'YES' to you and your creative journey.

Mixed Media Art - Amanda Trought, Realityarts

I hope whatever you decide or decided to do today utilized all of your abilities and you were able to identify new ways of working and opportunities for growth.

Stay blessed and be a blessing!

Word for the Week - Hebrews 13:6 and Happy Mothers Day!

Welcome to Word for the Week.  Today we not only celebrate that we get to live another day, but that we also have an opportunity to be a blessing.

I want to start out by saying HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

I wish to celebrate the life of a beautiful woman, who gave me life, who showed me what sacrifice and generosity was, who cherished, treasured and loved me unconditionally, who gave, blessed, had courage, and still despite living with dementia shows her determination, grace, her beauty and her love.

Mavis Elizabeth Trought

Love you to bits mum!  

I also want to celebrate the lives of all mothers around the world, my sister, sister-in-law, friends, family.  I celebrate my own life and how far I have come, I treasure and nurture myself and know that God has placed a light within me that has to shine, despite and in-spite of the circumstances

The scripture word for the week says says...'So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?"

We have so many circumstances where we operate in fear rather than in strength.  Coming through the situation, you learn exactly where you buckled in your weakness, but also where you showed strength and courage.  It is that courage that keeps you going so hold tight! 

Stay blessed and be a blessing!

Word for the Week - Happy Monday!

Welcome to word for the week, where the scripture is taken from Proverb 3:24 and reads:

When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet

It reminds us to not allow worry as to disturb our sleep.  What is it that you are mulling over and over in your mind that stops you from getting that rest that you need?

  Maybe we need to go to the core of that which makes us worry, strip it back to the bare bones and take a good look.  There are some things that we have control over and others that we don't.  Let us focus on the things in our control, deal with them and the other things have a way of falling into place

I hope that you are spending your Monday nurturing yourself.  It is a bank holiday for many, although I know of a few that have to work today, but whatever you are doing make sure you spend some time nurturing yourself, taking time out to bless yourself in some way.

Stay blessed and be a blessing!

Quote Wednesday - Sara Teasdale - and news

Welcome to quote Wednesday for today, and I hope that wherever you find yourself you are blessed and able to be a blessing.  The quote today is from Sara Teasdale and reads:

Life will have given  me the truth, and taken in exchange my youth.....

For me this is a reminder to make the most of every opportunity.  We are learning all the time, and we have to value the process that gets us from one point to the next, and hopefully with reflection we grow and learn.

We all age and get old it is a universal occurrence, just make sure you use the truths that come from this journey wisely and continue to step out what ever stage of life you are!

Want to be motivated each and every week, Quote Wednesday will be moving to my inspiration quote blog from next week. 

Realityarts Quotes!

My quote blog will have a wide variety of images and quotes for you to feast your eyes on!  I hope that you will go away each week feeling inspired and encouraged.

Word for the Week - Deuteronomy 31:8

Welcome to the word for the week.  Taken from Deuteronomy 31:8 and reads - 

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

The last few months have been a hard one where we have had to stand with two people who were battling health issues and they past within a few months of each other.  Since we have been in Barbados we have already attended 3 funerals with one just on Saturday.  At each of the funerals, the life of the individual was celebrated and there was a joy for having got to know them in such a short time, obviously tinged with sadness for the family no longer having them around.

One thing that gives me comfort is that the Lord is always with me, I have no doubt, and can testify to many incidents where if not for the Lord I wouldn't be here.  It is that faith that gave me strength when my own brother was ill with multiple myeloma and eventually was take from us.

I want to encourage and lift up those who are going through sickness, longstanding illnesses and friends and family who support you that you are not alone.  Make the most of every opportunity that you have to speak to those around you and tell them how much you love them, share special moments, build the memories, for these are what we can hold on to, and that you can look back on.  Don't leave it to tomorrow, next year or 'when the time is right', for tomorrow for some will never come.

Quote Wednesday - Don't give up

Welcome to Quote Wednesday, and I hope that it finds you in a good place.  Despite where we think we are there is always room for improvement, even if it is just a little tweak here or there.

I have been on a journey (another one!) trying to find where I fit with my work and where I want to take it, it meant that I removed myself from my blog to a certain extent.  I realize that it didn't quite make how I feel any clearer, just left me with so many things I wanted to share.  

Anyway, that I will do, I hope to continue to inspire, encourage and be real.

Mixed Media Art - Amanda Trought

Don't give up on your dreams, just change your perspective a little.  Stay blessed and be a blessing.

Word for the Week - Psalm 23:4

Welcome to the word for the week, this weeks word comes from Psalm 23:4 and reads:

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.  Psalm 23:4

Life can be filled with many bumps in the road, not every thing will go smoothly.  When I look back on my life and see the many changes that have taken place, the losses of those close to me, times when I thought I couldn't take another breath because the pain of loosing those loved ones seemed so great.

Word for the Week

I came through, I lived another day, I breathed again.  I truly believe that the experiences we go through have gems of wisdom within them.  We have to face them head on at some point in time and look at how we can use these times to impact on the lives of others.

Word for the Week

I feel in my situation that sharing my journey has helped others, talking about the days I wanted to run away as I dealt with the dementia my mother lives with speaks to others who are going through it themselves, we are to share our stories and bless someone else, for we are not alone.

Word for the Week - Photograph and scripture

As we share our stories we grow, others grow, others see that they are not alone - that we are all connected.  

Open your heart, for your story is the lifeline to another, just as you are blessed by the quotes, scriptures or writings of others.  Let your voice be heard and shine your light into the hearts and minds of those who need to hear you around the world

Have a blessed week, I have lots to share this coming week, with some of the events and activities that I have been involved with so do come back, stay blessed and be a blessing.

Word for the Week - John 1:14

Welcome to today's scripture which is from John 1:14 and reads;

 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and Truth

You seek answers, explanations and reasons and signs, the proof is there but you ask the wrong questions.  Everything has been illuminated - a light shining in the darkness, do you really want to know, for the answers may not appear as we think they should....then what will you do?

As you meditate on the scripture and enjoy the image ask and think about the many gifts you have been given, the many challenges you face, and the fruit that will come from the work of your hands. 

Words and images for the week, to bless, encourage and inspire you to be all that you have been called to be. 

What will you do with what you have been given today?

Word for the week - Matthew 6:26

Welcome to Word for the Week which has been taken from Matthew 6:26 and reads:

Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; Yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not of more value than they?

Sometimes we choose to worry about the wrong things, we spend our times tearing our hair out at how everything will work, what we should have and where we should be rather than taking note of the value we bring with the gifts we have within.  When we worry we focus our attention on the negative.   When we focus on what we can be thankful for the answers we seek are in the midst.

As you meditate on the scripture and enjoy the image ask and think about the many gifts you have been given, the many challenges you face, and the fruit that will come from the work of your hands. 

Words and images for the week, to bless, encourage and inspire you to be all that you have been called to be. 

What will you do with what you have been given today?

Word for the Week - Ephesians 5:19

Thank you for joining me for the word for the week, taken from Ephesians 5:19 and reads:

I will speak to others in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.  I will sing and make music in my heart to the Lord and always give thanks to God the father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

We know that words have power, power to totally crush another persons self esteem, or build them up.  While we are making an effort to talk and treat others respectfully we also have to check how we are speaking to and about ourselves.  Take some time today to see how much positive or negative chatter you actually speak over your own life.

As you meditate on the scripture and enjoy the image ask and think about the many gifts you have been given, the many challenges you face, and the fruit that will come from the work of your hands. 

Words and images for the week, to bless, encourage and inspire you to be all that you have been called to be. 

What will you do with what you have been given today?

Word for the Week - Isaiah 54:10

Welcome to the Word for today which reads from Isaiah 54:10:

The Mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, but my loving kindness will not be removed from you...

While everything around us can be going 'South' we can often forget to be calm and remember that we are never alone.  We have a hope, and we have to hold onto that hope that never fails, that never fails to surprise, step in at the last moment, show up unexpected or just is.  We are loved more than we can ever imagine.

As you meditate on the scripture and enjoy the image ask and think about the many gifts you have been given, the many challenges you face, and the fruit that will come from the work of your hands. 

Words and images for the week, to bless, encourage and inspire you to be all that you have been called to be. 

What will you do with what you have been given today?

Word for the Week - Ephesians 5:15

Welcome to today's scripture which is taken from Ephesians 5:15 and reads:

I will be very careful how I live, not as the unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity because these days are evil.  I will not be foolish, but understand what the Lords will is....

We are already practically at the end of January and it can seem that time is moving at a faster pace, well, it is!  Each and every day we have that opportunity to live our lives to the best of our abilities, and make each moment count.  If today was your last and you looked back over your accomplishments what would you wish you did more of.  Don't let those moments, those opportunities pass you by, use what you have been given and be a blessing in the life of someone else.

As you meditate on the scripture and enjoy the image ask and think about the many gifts you have been given, the many challenges you face, and the fruit that will come from the work of your hands. 

Words and images for the week, to bless, encourage and inspire you to be all that you have been called to be. 

What will you do with what you have been given today?

Word for the Week - Isaiah 40:31

Welcome to today's Scripture, which is taken from 

Isaiah 40:31 and reads:

No matter what you feel you are going through, or where you feel you have ended up, you are just at the beginning. We can feel sometimes that there is no hope when we look at a situation and we want to move on impulse, but when you take a different view you will see things in an entirely different light, and you will be better placed to take the necessary steps.  Don't rush your decisions, wait!  Don''t beat yourself up, wait! 

Seek clarity, understanding and most of all wisdom.

As you meditate on the scripture and enjoy the image ask and think about the many gifts you have been given, the many challenges you face, and the fruit that will come from the work of your hands. 

Words and images for the week, to bless, encourage and inspire you to be all that you have been called to be. 

What will you do with what you have been given today?

Quote Wednesday - Esther Davis-Thompson

Welcome to Quote Wednesday for 2016, the first of many.  I hope to share inspiring and encouraging quotes that will live and brighten your spirits.  The words that we speak to ourselves and to others can have a dramatic effect on our health and well-being, and impact on the way that we view our lives and our purpose.

I hope the words that you speak to yourself and others this year will be filled with love, peace and grace, and will serve as a reminder of how special, gifted and talented you truly are!

Mothers, teach your children this. 

Teach your children that Wisdom is everywhere. In pieces. 

Some of the Wisdom is in the trees, some of the Wisdom is with the animals. Some of the Wisdom is with the planets and the stars and the moons and the sun. 

Some of the Wisdom flows with the waters. Some of the Wisdom was with our ancestors. Some of the Wisdom is in our minds. All of the Wisdom is from the Spirit of God. 

~Esther Davis-Thompson

Each Quote Wednesday I share a quote with a painting or photograph that I have created. Quotes can be so inspiring and uplifting it is a good idea to meditate on the words and make a point of saying something encouraging about your life!

Do something great and share your favorite quote in the comments below. Join me next week for the next inspiring quote and image. Blessings!

Quote Wednesday - Elizabeth Kubler Ross

Good Morning, afternoon or night, where ever you are in the world.  I hope that this Wednesday finds you in a good place.  This quote really resonated with me today as I reflect on things that have happened over the last few years.  We seem to go speedily into another year, it is really shocking how quickly time is passing, or is it just me?  I race to try and get those things done that I have on my list - some will get pushed into 2016.  

So many people go through, live through, stand through and make it to the other side, I want to encourage you that if you find yourself in a situation that you feel like running from remember you are not alone, there is strength in your weakness, power in your praise, and a hope.  You are a beautiful person still being refined by the fire, and an incredible work in progress.

Each Quote Wednesday I share a quote with a painting or photograph that I have created. Quotes can be so inspiring and uplifting it is a good idea to meditate on the words and make a point of saying something encouraging about your life!

Do something great and share your favorite quote in the comments below. Join me next week for the next inspiring quote and image. Blessings!

Quote Wednesday - Jordan

You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.. Michael Jordan

Each Quote Wednesday I share a quote with a painting or photograph that I have created. Quotes can be so inspiring and uplifting it is a good idea to meditate on the words and make a point of saying something encouraging about your life! 

Do something great and share your favorite quote in the comments below. Join me next week for the next inspiring quote and image. Blessings!

Quote Wednesday - Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

People are like stained glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is light from within... Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Each Quote Wednesday I share a quote with a painting or photograph that I have created. Quotes can be so inspiring and uplifting it is a good idea to meditate on the words and make a point of saying something encouraging about your life! 

Do something great and share your favorite quote in the comments below. Join me next week for the next inspiring quote and image. Blessings!

Word for the Week - Psalm 139:7

Where can I go from your Spirit?  Where can I flee from your presence?  Psalm 139:7

As you meditate on the scripture and enjoy the image think about the many gifts you have been given, the many challenges you face, and the fruit that will come from the work of your hands. 

Words and images for the week, to bless, encourage and inspire you to be all that you have been called to be. 

What will you do with what you have been given today?

Quote Wednesday - Michelangelo

I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free...Michelangelo

Each Quote Wednesday I share a quote with a painting or photograph that I have created. Quotes can be so inspiring and uplifting it is a good idea to meditate on the words and make a point of saying something encouraging about your life! 

Do something great and share your favorite quote in the comments below. Join me next week for the next inspiring quote and image. Blessings!