In keeping with the post I shared a while back about celebrating your achievements, I thought I would share some of my artwork that got published in a book some time ago, but we can still celebrate! In fact I have a journal dedicated for things that I have achieved, so that I can look back as a reminder and see how far I have come. It is important that you write down all your achievements, not matter how small.
The Book that my work was published in was published in 2014 and is called 1000 Dog portraits, curated by Robynne Raye. I created 2 playful paintings which were selected. It was a reminder to me to 'go for it' and not hold back and allow the critic to voice their untruths.
On the Run - Amanda Trought, 1000 Dog Portraits
My main focus was to have fun and bring out the colors in each of the paintings, and I like the cartoon like feel of my dogs, and they may one day feature in a children's book of their own.
Amanda Trought Art - Dog Portraits
It was great to see the diversity of work from both artists and designers from around the world, and to have my work published alongside them.
I think I might spend some more time playing about with colors and shapes, and see what other playful characters that I can come up with. Why not try it out yourself.
Cole my dog is wondering when I am going to do a painting of him, he loves posing for the camera, and makes sure we only get his best side!
Cole, Such a majestic looking dog
Hanging out with Cole
Stay blessed and be a blessing and keep your eyes out for many other creative goodies that will be coming your way.
The 100-day project has come to an end, and it's an exhilarating feeling to look back and admire the collection of 100 unique collage art pieces I have created.
Each artwork, crafted on a book page or card, incorporates a selection of collage ephemera and uplifting words or phrases. Throughout this creative journey, I have not only discovered the joy of creating collages but also explored various other ways in which collage can be used in my creative practice.
It was a real joy creating the pieces, I selected all the ephemera that I had, all the handmade paper, painted paper, paint, stencils, doodling and much more and had fun putting them together.
Collage is fun and spoke to the multipotentialite in me that loves working in on different pieces of art, 100 to be exact. I was able to explore all the different combinations of materials such as paper, photographs, fabrics, and found objects. The tactile experience of gathering and arranging these elements added an extra layer of excitement and creativity to the artistic process.
Creative Expression
Collage art provides an opportunity to express one's personal narrative. I love providing encouragement in my work and telling a story. By incorporating meaningful imagery, symbols, and words, each piece can tell a story or evoke specific emotions, allowing for a deeper connection between the artwork and the viewer.
Experimenting and Play
Collage art encourages experimenting with your supplies and spending time playing. By staying flexible and not limiting yourself it enables you to explore different compositions, textures, and color combinations. This can lead to some powerful pieces.
Therapeutic Collage
Engaging in the process of creating collages can be meditative and therapeutic. The act of cutting, arranging, and gluing materials can be a form of mindfulness, providing a sense of relaxation and focus.
I hope seeing some of my collage art from my 100 day challenge has inspired you to maybe try a challenge yourself, it is so much fun, and great to see what you have produced when you look back.
My art pieces will be made available on my Red Bubble site should you want to buy a print or have an image on a journal.
Enjoy a 7 Day FREE Trial on Patreon
Check out my Patreon, you will find over 90 different projects, videos, digital downloads and more for your to have fun with. Let me know how you get on.
Welcome to Material Mondays, In this video I share some of the projects that I am working on and how I would take some of them forward.
I always find getting started on a new piece is an exciting, and I am inspired by the fabric, threads and embellishments. I take a stitched piece to a particular point, then are drawn to other pieces. As artists, we often find ourselves surrounded by numerous incomplete projects at different stages. I find that there are quite a few benefits of having several projects on the go and will share some of them below.
Variety is the spice of life: Having a range of incomplete projects allows us to explore different techniques, themes, and ideas. Each project represents a unique creative journey, providing us with opportunities to experiment, learn, and grow as creatives. With multiple projects in progress, we can switch between them based on our mood, inspiration, or specific skills we wish to enhance.
Inspiration from Different Stages: Projects at various stages offer inspiration and new perspectives. When we review our incomplete projects, we gain new insights and ideas for their completion. The early stages of a project may spark our creativity, while those nearing completion motivate us to add the finishing touches - some of mine include extra slow stitching or beading. We are then able to discover unexpected connections between ideas.
Stitched projects at their final stages
The Therapeutic Power of Slow Stitching: I love slow stitching on projects, it provides a tranquil and meditative experience. Engaging in slow stitching allows us to immerse ourselves in the process, savoring each stitch, and enjoying the journey. This mindful activity promotes relaxation, reduces stress, and enhances overall mental wellbeing. What better way to look after yourself!
Health Benefits of Creative Activities: Participating in creative activities has been shown to have numerous health benefits. These activities promoting feelings of joy and accomplishment, and boosts self-esteem. Art also serves as a powerful tool for self-expression, enabling us to express our emotions and thoughts.
Check out the work that I share in the video, I eventually choose to work on a dragon fly design that has been wax resisted on cotton, and I will be adding stitching.
If you find you have multiple projects to complete, go easy on yourself and don't become overwhelmed. Allow your intuition and creative spark to guide you and know that as you are mindful about your activities you are impacting your mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing.
So, whether you're exploring new projects, revisiting incomplete ones, or immersing yourself in slow stitching, embrace the joy of textile art.
You can check out some of the other Material Monday posts on my YouTube playlist - HERE You can also check out some of the videos below.
Enjoy a 7 Day FREE Trial on Patreon
Check out my Patreon, you will find over 90 different projects, videos, digital downloads and more for your to have fun with. Let me know how you get on.
I was selected to be part of an exhibition called We Came on Merchant Ships, at the Queen's Park Gallery as part of the Central Bank of Barbados Crop Over Visual Arts Exhibition. It is Open throughout the Season of Emancipation, this exhibition explores the rich history and cultural contributions of the African diaspora.
This is the first of the 3-part series, We Came on Merchant Ships – Movement and examines movement with the works of 29 artists showcased through paintings, sculptures, mixed media pieces, installations and more. It captures the reasons why people move, modalities for movement and the various cultural manifestations of migration – forced and free – with a special emphasis placed on the transatlantic slave trade.
The Exhibition was curated Oneka Small, and runs to the 22nd June 2023
Here you can see a gallery of the opening event and the art work on display. I will share in another post the work that I have on display and let you know a bit about their story.
You can also see some of my work on my website HERE
Realityarts - Creativity Book Shop - Some really great titles for you to dive in
Creative Resources
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