Where did February Go?

Who can believe that we are nearly at the end of February!  I keep reminding myself that I need to make the most of what I am doing now, and try not to get side-lined - there are so many techniques I want to try, books to read, courses to do and ideas to develop.  I've been recovering from a bad cold over the past couple of weeks and I think I tried to get back to the swing of things too soon.  I'm still feeling the effects on my throat, its started to get sore again, but the 'family remedy' of garlic, honey, lemon and ginger have always been a fail safe and what my body needs is rest.  It is so easy for us to go into automatic mode and forget to really see all that is around us and what we need to hear.  Hearing the 'hard way' meant I had to cancel quite a few meetings last week as I was just too tired - even to be creative!

The constant things I've been working on is sketching at least once a day in order to develop and refine my style.  I have more examples of my work on my mixed media blog  http://amandatroughtart.blogspot.com and will be showing the daily sketches there.  I'm also trying my hand at assemblage art and a host of other things........

I am currently coming to the end of the 'Soul Restoration' - Brave Girls Club course, it's definitely been an eye opener and I will share in a separate post, but major reconstruction is going on and being ill reminded me that like on a construction site foundations need time to set and plaster and cement needs to harden so that the next team can come in and do their work. 

I realise that I need to give myself time to get back into the swing of things and get back to a healthier way of living as well as working on the creative sides.....so..... more exercise, more healthy food, fresh air and most importantly 'me time' to come!...what about you?

The One Flaw in Women

I think I saw this as a video, and also in email, not sure who the author is but I was blessed by it, thought I'd share it here.  To all the beautiful, inspiring and talented women who sometimes forget how valued and treasured they are. Also, check out the Brave Girls Club for a community of supportive and encouraging women.

One Flaw In Women

Women have strengths that amaze men. They bear hardships and they carry burdens, but they hold happiness, love and joy.  They smile when they want to scream.  They sing when they want to cry. They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous. They fight for what they believe in. They stand up to injustice.

They don't take "no" for an answer when they believe there is a better solution. They go without so their family can have.  They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.

They love unconditionally. They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards.  They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding. Their hearts break when a friend dies. They grieve at the loss of a family member,  yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left.  They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colours.  They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you.  The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning.  They bring joy, hope and love. They have compassion and ideas. They give moral support to their family and friends.

Women have vital things to say and everything to give.

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN.....IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH..

Strathmore Workshops - Recycled Journal Pages

I've just finished my redesigned piece for the Strathmore workshop 1.  Found it really interesting being able to use art and journal pages that I had previously done to make a new page and direction.  Here is my efforts over the 4 weeks. 

Week 1 and 2

Recycle journal pages - reusing artwork, this was taken from 3 different pages

that I had done and brought together

Week 2

Redirect - giving pages a new voice - using oil pastels, pencils etc

Week 3

Reuse - adding drama to pages using things you might throw away - sequin waste,

stamps paint, pastels, other textures

Week 4

Re-purpose - Finalising your pages and using creative lettering

I am going to start another one, and see where it leads...

Lots more to show and tell from the other on-line courses that I have been doing over the next few weeks.  Have a blessed weekend

Creative Every Day Challenge

Decided to take the plung and sign up for the Creative Every Day Challenge  as a way of encouraging myself to keep my focus as an artist, and give my creativity the front seat this year.  The optional theme for this month is Cosmos,  and it can be done in any form, which is good as  I have been taking quite a lot of photographs and writing over the past couple of years and it would be great to share them at some point, I have also been thinking a bit about digital art and combining some of my pieces.....so much to do and time is of the essense!  Hope your day is blessed and if you decide to take the challenge check out the link above.