Art and Health in Barbados - Magazine Article

A few months ago I was given the opportunity to talk about the impact that Art can have on our health and well-being in a monthly magazine called Better Health. Each month they cover a variety of topics that highlight a wide range of health issues and gives the readership in-depth information and sign posts them to resources to enable them to be proactive in taking steps to improve their own health and that of their family.

I shared my story about my journey and it is funny when you look back over your life and see the many different roads you could have gone down.  I could never have foreseen my current move that brought me to Barbados and I know that every step of the way has brought its highs and lows but in each situation we have to see what the gift is in the lessons we are being shown. If you’ve followed my blog and read some of my posts you will know that I’ve worked in a few diverse fields before becoming an artist.

I think that the common theme that runs through each of the areas of work is wanting to help others  I worked for many years as an Executive Secretary in education, design and then in the NHS before doing my degree in Complementary Therapies.  I focused on Nutritional and Massage therapy because I could see the link between the food that we ate and how we treated our bodies.  I had also lost my father and brother to cancer and my mother was diagnosed with dementia, so looking for a holistic approach to health has been vitally important for me.  I further saw the impact of massage therapy and later art and creative activities including music, dance, theatre and even horticulture, and started to do more research.

I found that art and creativity consistently had a big impact on individuals who either viewed activities in the 'arts, say by going to a gallery as well as those who took part in creative activities, and it really enabled people to express themselves in ways they were unable to verbally, and people were able to say how they felt using a range of different tools and be involved with a creative practice that brought about the feeling of well-being.  This was also the case for those who took part in my 3 year project with the elderly who had varying degrees of dementia.

If you have taken any of the classes I have run as part of either The Journey Within, One BadAss Journal or My Color is Beautiful Art, I try and create lessons that not only get us learning a new technique or creating a lovely piece of art, but also to get us to ask ourselves the questions that we often try to avoid.

Art for me is an integral part of my life and it was such a pleasure to share a part of it in the magazine.  I see art and creative activity as a vehicle for sharing the stories and acting as a bridge between what is told and what is left unsaid and brings out the richness and the passion that is handed down and that captures the imagination of generations.

My journey here in Barbados has only just begun and I hope to share more of our journey, insights, highs and lows of taking that step of faith.  If you want to read the article in the magazine, send your email address to amanda(at)realityarts(dot)co(dot)uk and I will send you a copy.

I would love to hear how art and creativity has impacted on your life and the way in which you use it to tell your story.

Adventure Awaits - Mini Card Transformation Series and Video

Watch the Video below

They say that time will not wait for no man.  Often in my walk as an artist I get the feeling of time running out.  I am always chasing after myself, with so many things that I would like to do, learn and experiment with.  I often find myself becoming overwhelmed with the 'stuff of stuffness'

Stuffness is a word I think I made up, but don't quote me on that.  All this stuff we surround ourselves with, what we really should do is to get rid of them, cut back and focus on the things that really matter.

This little painting is part of my daily practice and what it reminds me to do is stop focusing on the things that perhaps don't look right and focus on that which is to come.

A couple of years ago I wrote on a paper a word for that year and stuck it up in my kitchen, it said 'WHAT IF'.  I feel that the answers to this question are what is on the other end of stuckness!

What if you were able to do all those things that you wanted to do, but convinced yourself that you couldn't.  What if you wanted to change, and to stop the negative voices from rearing their ugly heads?

All you have to really do is let go, take that step, have faith, and you can truly move mountains!

So the question is, what are you stuck in, what do you need to change, to do differently that could potentially change the course of your life - why play small!

Mixed Media Art 'Minis'

Transformation Thursdays - Mixed Media Art Painting

Transformation - what does it mean to you?  Do you think of dramatic change or small change, is there something that you can think about that you can remember showing this transformation that took place.

For me transformation is about change from one thing to the next.  If we consider the flower, starting from a seed, and after a period of time what emerges from the ground is totally different from what was planted, and will change as it matures into what it is supposed to be..  Change can take place in many different ways.

I see the way that creativity transforms a blank canvas to an amazing work of art.  I would like to think that I am part of the big transformation that takes place, adding my 'two pennies' worth and making a difference in the world. 

These paintings over the course of the weeks that I produced them was about simply looking at a card and creating something totally different.

In each painting a character came forth and had their own story to tell about transformation, and what it could now mean for the life of a painting.  It could be sold, kept in a draw, displayed for all to see with special meaning and purpose. 

Anyway, my girl with the flower has her story of transformation that brought her this far, gracing the pages of this blog and into your homes.  What she cannot express through words she shares with her expression.

Knowing that you can create why don't you get out your favorite art supplies and spend some time playing with colour and texture, it could be the very thing that you need right at this moment.

Mixed Media Art - Girl with the flower

Stay blessed and be a blessing

Creating on a Budget - Figure Vase

Well here we are for another week of working with vases.  Here is the video of this weeks vase and what it looks like physically.

 This is the third vase that I had found at a thrift store, and it had a floral pattern on, I wish I had taken a photograph of it before I had altered it.

 I find that once I get a creative idea I get so caught up in it I just have to go all out, until I have no choice but to stop.  These vases have turned out far better than I had hoped, and you can see the other vases that I altered HERE and HERE

The idea behind creating them is to show you how you can create a tight budget, and with a little bit of imagination you can still produce some beautiful pieces, if not for yourself you can give them as gifts or even sell them! 

So armed with my paper clay I covered this vase and then formed a figure around the sides.  Paper clay was great to work with, and it gives you additional texture that for me works well with this piece.

I hope to work on some larger pieces, whether it is my own vase or bowl that I make from start to finish or alter something else.

I painted this one with black paint then buffed it over with Rub 'n Buff which gives you a gold finish (they come in a variety of finishes) and a little goes a long way.  You can also use gold or silver paint, by dry brushing.

I will at some point be doing a tutorial of the process, and keep a look out for my paper clay tutorial.

So this is the finished piece.  I could have also scraped some details into the clay before it dried, and you can do this with a variety of materials that you find around the home, that you can incorporate into your studio supplies.

I really like how they turned out and will definitely be doing some more.  Here is a link to the two posts for you to see how they turned out Here and Here

Stay blessed and be a blessing

Transformation Thursdays - Mixed Media Painting - Bird Friend

Where we currently live we constantly hear the sound of the birds in the morning.  We have two large trees at the front of our house known as 'Bearded Fig Trees' and there are 3 different types of birds that seem to nest quite happily in their branches.  

Obviously while they frolic in the trees they are usually tweeting away at different pitches and tones and it is quite a beautiful way to start the day as I flow into my normal morning routine and start my day.

The other thing they seem to bring here as well as in my old house are seeds of unknown trees.  I just found out today that the thing that I thought was a weed is actually a pomegranate tree!  I couldn't be happier as I had actually just brought one after contemplating growing from seeds but the plant was cheaper than buying just one fruit.

Anyway along with bringing seeds and song they also leave their calling card on the back of chairs and the hand rail, so that part of their morning joy is not appreciated, but I guess I can live with it.

I wanted to share my latest of the series of paintings that I had done on small cards. 

They start out with the scraps of paper collage on card and a loose shape for the body is then outlined.  You can take a look at the video below to see it from start to finish as well.

Because of the background colours I try and keep the paint I use to a minimum and do a lot of blending to get the shades and colours that I like.

The ladys then take on a life of their own and come with their stories to be told.  This young one came with a friend, not sure of the breed of bird it is, but it seems to have a lot of character

Perhaps it is related to one of those birds that come and tell all first thing in the morning.

I encourage you to start a daily practice whether you paint, draw, or take photographs while out on your walk.

Bird Friend

You can also check out some of the courses that I have been teaching on, The Journey Within, One BadAss Journal and Embrace Your Art Jam, for ways in which you can tap into your creativity.

Stay blessed and be a blessing.

Clay Vase - Creating on a Budget

I thought I would share another example of the vases that I altered.  I had found three ceramic vases in a local store but  didn't like the pattern that they had, so I altered them.

I give you a closer look in this video here

By taking home made paper clay and a molded had that was also made from clay I covered the vase with the paper clay.  I would have loved to show you the process, but only thought of it when they had all been covered with their first layer.

 It really does give the vase a different look. Once the clay had dried I painted it and covered with the string

 All in all I think it turned out well, and I would like to experiment with different surfaces. 

Why don't you give it a try and see how it turns out for you

Check out some of your local thrift stores for inexpensive vases and rediscover their beauty.

For now stay blessed and be a blessing.

Bloom - Saying It with Flowers

Saying It With Flowers

I thought I would say it with flowers today, and remind you how precious you are!  We often go about our day to day in a whirl and don't have time to take stock of what is going on around us, the people who have been there for us and have been such a blessing.

I thought I would take the time to say it with flowers and remind you that you are a gift and that you have so many beautiful qualities.

I thought that I would say it with flowers today and remind you what a pleasure it is to know you, to call you a friend and to be able to call on you in times of trouble, but also times of celebration!

I thought I would say it with flowers, we can be so busy sometimes that we forget those things that really matter, and can be here today but gone in a twinkling of an eye.  So I hope you now know just how much your love, treasured and adored!

Mixed media collage art on card.

Stay blessed and be a blessing!

While your at it why not check out some of the

free courses at Craftsy

Creating on a Budget - Fabric Vase

So sorry that I haven't been around here on my blog.  I have lots to share over the coming weeks about things that I have been getting involved with.  It is great to be able to share some of the opportunities that have come about and as they bless me I hope to be able to bless you as well.

I have been playing around with different materials in the studio, looking at ways in which you can create art especially when your on a budget.  I have a range of projects on my blog that where I have used recycled materials that can be transformed into a work of art and so thought I create a series of a few more things that you can make.  I will rearranging my blog to make some of the projects more accessible, and there will be step by step projects, so please do come back.  Also sign up for my newsletter - the first issue will be out in July, and there will be lots of hints and tips to help you on your creative journey

Fabric Coated Vase

I found some mini vases at my local dollar store.  It can be a great place to find things that you can transform and utilize in your studio, and I have loads of cool projects coming up. 

The original surface of the vase was a lightly engraved but nothing to write home about, so I decided to change them.

I created a face from a mold out of clay and attached using paper clay (another thing I will show you how to make), I then tore up strips of fabric and armed with my powertex (one of my favorite supplies at the moment), coated the fabric and then applied to the vase.

 As the fabric dried I also wrapped it with string to give it additional texture.  Once it all dried I highlighted areas with gold and bronze paint.  I have a video of the vase coming up on my YouTube channel so check there to see it up and personal lol!

I love it, and think it looks quite cool.  I have two more that I will be altering and sharing with you over the coming weeks. 

Fabric Coated Vase - Amanda Trought

Stay blessed and be a blessing!

While your at it check out Craftsy online courses, there are some free ones

Transformation Series - Un-break my heart - Mixed Media Paintings

Welcome to the Transformation Thursday series, which has taken a series of cards of different shapes that were collaged with scrap paper materials and turned into something of beauty!

 It is an easy process that you can do yourselves.  I find that when working with paper there are a lot of larger pieces that get unused, and they are too big or too nice to throw away so I keep it in a box for times like these. 

At this point I had added some of the scrap paper to the card and identified the shape of a figure, used paint to section off parts of the figure.  I really liked the paper that I had used on her body, so kept this unchanged.

These cards came in handy as several different activities and they were the starting blocks for a creative paint activity practice. I didn't have to start from scratch and I could just focus on playing with colors and deciding what I wanted to keep from the papers that had been added.

I will be sharing with you how you too can play and create some fun art cards from whatever you have in your supply in a Free Online Course that I will be creating for July!

I created a video of the process so you can see how it changed over time and you can catch it on my Youtube channel, under the Transformation Series playlist

 

Sign up to my mailing list and you will be notified when the FREE course will be available!

For now stay blessed and be a blessing!