Retreat Away from Home

When you think about a retreat what first comes to mind for you.  I know I think of pampering, spa sessions, not having to cook, and if it is a creative retreat then one filled with art workshops and spending time with like minded others.

A couple of Saturdays ago my local church held a retreat day for the women, both young and old, the children were also welcome as well, and it was great to see every one take part and share their insights.  I was asked to bring along some art materials.  I took some collage, and mark making material to add to the other creative material available.

Talking art journals

The session lasted 3 hours and it is amazing just what you can fit into the time.  One of women (Lisa) gave a talk on making new beginnings, making that start, and it was a very inspiring talk, that reminded me that I should spend more time journalling and also something I have been enjoying for a while Art journalling.  The other thing that stood out for me was talking about timelines, and noting significant timelines during the course of your life, this is something that you could combine really well with journalling. 

Making paint pallets out of cardboard

I spent some time sharing how to use some of the materials that I brought, such as the collage material, and the tools that can be used to create texture within your art work.

I shared with some of the women on my table how I used bible and dictionary pages along with other ephemera to create a collage.

For this collage I create flowers out of bible pages and a mixed ephemera loosely adding color to the pages

I then spent some time cutting them out and applying to a decorated background and adding additional colors.  3 hours fly when your having fun and we all got an opportunity to share how we were impacted by the whole session.  We were all spiritually fed as well as creatively.  Once I got home, I was still in the flow of creative experimenting and got to add some finishing touches to my two pieces.

Grounded - Mixed Media Art

Here is another one that I completed, and once home added the white detail to the flowers.  The flowers have been inspired by ones that we were shown on a session with Tiare Smith as part of The Journey Within Year long Art Journal Workshop, which was great!

How does your garden grow?

I really enjoyed creating the flowers, it allows you to be so free with your work, they are easy to create and look so pretty.  I also enjoyed every aspect of the Retreat Day, as it allowed us the time to reflect and refocus and look at how we can give ourselves a fresh start.

For a limited time on Tiare's site through to the end of Valentine’s Day get 10% off workshops and bundles (discount good on Tiare Smith Designs hosted workshop only. Does not apply to The Journey Within). In one of the courses she shows you how to make the imagery with the flowers and more.  Just enter code: IAMLOVE at checkout.  

Why not take yourself on an online retreat and take the time to meet with your creative self and grow.

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?

29 Faces for February 2016 - Week 1 Round up

I thought that I would share some of the faces that I have been doing for the challenge 29 Faces hosted by Ayala Art.  I have found it a great way to get back into creating faces, and I am making the most of supplies that had been neglected for one reason or another.  I am showing them each day on my Art Blog, and then doing a round up here for the week.

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

It is still not too late to take part, you might surprise yourself, by the end of the month it is great to see the progress that you can make, or the fun in just creating, or using your supplies.  I have used it so that I can make the most of some neglected supplies, try new techniques, which enables you to have a rich experience, alongside seeing the amazing work of others who are taking part as well.

You can check back here next week for the roundup or see each day on my Art Blog and hopefully be inspired to start creating and getting out those supplies!

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?

The Journey Within - Online Class In Full swing

The Journey Within - Click to Register and more info

Well the Journey Within 2016 is in full swing and we are coming to the end of the first month.  We are having a lot of fun, insight and much needed time in our journals.  It is great to be able to share with each other in the journey, and the journey has kicked off well with Vivienne McMaster, Kelly Johnson and Tiare Smith, along with some great journal hints and tips from Kiala our host.

You can join us for the year long journey or the class is also split up into quarters and the first quarter is from January to March - so you still have time to sign up if you want to get on board for either the year long or the first quarter.  There is no falling behind as you can take your time to work through the videos and dip your toes in and really make this journey count for you.  

You will be able to view my lesson in February and I can't wait to share some techniques with you, here is a sneak peek:

Sneak peek of my lesson for The Journey Within 2016

It was great hearing the interview with Vivienne and some of the classes that she teaches and the way that we see ourselves and the stories that form - especially through the camera, and I would like to spend more time for a while seeing myself from a different perspective, through the lens and document the journey.  

Kelly Johnson and Tiare Smiths had us working in our Art Journals, exploring and discovering.  Our session with Kelly we were encouraged to explore seeds.  I have moved recently and have been keen to start growing and planting, so this was an ideal exercise.  I am coming across a variety of seeds from unfamiliar fruit and finding out the different conditions that would make the seed grow and it has been a really good experience.  Just taking a closer look at the seeds their colours and shapes got me really thinking about the particular plants and where I would want to place them when they start to grow.

All these seeds I have potted up and waiting for them to grow.  I have had success with the Moringa and the squash which have sprouted up almost immediately.

The Palm seed above also sprouted and I have the makings of a small plant so far.  The others will probably take a few more days to germinate.  I really loved this way of documenting the seeds that I have found and all in all, I am quite pleased with the page and will share more of what I have been growing during the week.

For Tiare's class we were encouraged to play and create what she calls splatter, splotch and splash art. 

It is such a freeing exercise and I plan to do more.  You are playing with the paints, on the page and allowing the colours to take shape, loved it

 

I must say that the Journey Within online course is something that your going to want to take part in.  Already there is so many juicy techniques in the classes and so much more to come. Why not join us on this journey and you can be sure that by the end of the year you will have so many areas of your life impacted by taking part.  

To find out more information, click on the link above and join us for a journey of a lifetime!

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?

Dwelling in the desert and images - I just felt like writing....

I felt like writing a piece, it is called 'Dwelling in the Desert'.  I would like to write more often, and plan to try and make a practice of it. I have included some of my past art work, I hope you like it, leave me a comment let me know what you think, if you resonate with the piece.

Dwelling in the Desert

How is it that thoughts can take hold of you - from just a few words your world can be turned upside down.

Mixed media art - Amanda Trought

The attentiveness wrapped in tender words is what did it in the guise of a stream.  It is now understandable that when you get stuck in the desert for so long, in a parched and dry land where everything seems withered you loose a piece of yourself, ever so slowly until you look in the mirror and don't even recognize your reflection.  Every now and then in what seems like a cycle a stream appears.  You've been parched for so long you wonder if you should drink, laugh, wet your feet or totally ignore it, but the very idea of the stream brings hope.

Mixed media art - Amanda Trought

Every time you look at the stream it reminds you of those unfulfilled dreams, and you are amazed at how you got into the position.  You never thought that you would be surrounded by dry land in the desert for so long and just got used to it, the days rolled weeks, months and then the years and then you looked back and things had changed, you had changed and you were just there.  Your throat aches from crying and calling out "Why".

Mixed media art - Amanda Trought

Now the sound of the stream as it bubbles over the rocks, caressing the tips of the trees that suddenly gather along its path.  It brings new life, fresh eyes, new ways of thinking and as quickly as the stream appears there is a refreshing to your soul and you are lost in your confusion, feeling guilty, wanting to dip in the stream, and lose yourself, scared that it is only a disguise and the thirst will still remain.

Mixed media art - Amanda Trought

You didn't realize that you were thirsty until you noticed the stream.  Some say that if you drink from the stream you will never be able to go back, some say a new life awaits.  As you walked along the stream bed, it looks so inviting, enticing, you long to laugh again and feel at ease.  Flowing over the rocks droplets of water rise up and touches your face, absorbed in your skin your senses are heightened as you are reminded of where and who you are.

Mixed media art - Amanda Trought

Confusion now spills into your mind, your heart beating fast.

Stop talking, let there be silence you say, your thoughts needing to be quiet, banishing them to the barren part of your mind so that you can be still, you want your thoughts to be ordered to stop what seems like madness, or is it just your mind playing tricks of yearning from another dimension.

You wait, confusion tries to come back from the banished regions of your mind to taunt you again and you are tempted to get closer to the stream, perhaps you'll just gaze for a while.  You tell yourself that your perspective has changed, and that you'll be stronger, and if you look through squinted eyes perhaps the desert isn't so bad, the years still passing and you can see that the desert has a different cloud formation going on, perhaps there is change ahead, perhaps it isn't enough!

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!

One Badass Art Journal - Blog Hop and Giveaway!

I HAVE A FREE SPOT TO GIVE AWAY - SEE BELOW

Do you want to learn how to become a badass Art journaler? 

Want to learn new, fun, exciting Art journaling Techniques that will take your Art journaling to a whole new Level? 

Then this one’s for you …

I’m thrilled to share that here is another great collaborative

Project that I will be part of in 2016 … ONE BADASS ARTJOURNAL … and here is a sneak preview of what you will be making in my session:

We will be drawing strength and nurturing ourselves with these exercises, and creating different levels and layers and building (literally!) on our journal page.

There will be more than one message that comes through, messages to encourage, nurture, inspire, and make you feel loved.

I hope you enjoy!

One BADASS Art Journal will empower you to create, to learn, to feel confident and provide you with the tools, techniques and encouragement needed to feel

BADASS every day!

Check out the amazing Teacher-Lineup … you can find more Information about the Artists teaching, and much more information about this fantastic class here.

But WAIT I have a spot to GIVEAWAY

In this workshop you will get so many wonderful videos and techniques - such as:

• get 16 badass art lessons

• learn wonderful mixed media techniques

• be infused with confidence and creativity

• learn great tips and tricks you can use again and again

• make badass art journal pages......and MORE

Here is the Blog Hop line-up, and each teacher has a space to give away, so more chances of winning one!:

12/26 – Andrea Gomoll 

12/27 – Robin Mead

12/28 – PanArt – Cristin Stevenson 

12/29 – Grace Howes

12/30 – Jeanette Montero

12/31 – Keri Sallee

1/1 –  Jennifer Albin

1/2 – Susanne Rose

YOU ARE HERE .1/3 – Amanda Trought .YOU ARE HERE

1/4 – Ayala Art

1/5 – Kiala Givehand

1/6 – Nicci Battilana

1/7 – Tracy Scott

1/8 – Tiare Smith

Be sure to follow along with the rest of the blog hop! Just scroll down to find their site urls and their “hop” date. Be sure to visit on each date so you can learn more about what each artist will be bringing to One BADASS Art Journal and for chances to WIN!!!

I am really looking forward for the class to begin and I know that you will be blown away by some of the things you are going to learn!  I hope you will join us!

Click for more information

For this Blog Hop, 

I have ONE FREE SPOT to giveaway 

for the BadAss Art Journal Class  

To enter the draw:

Leave a comment below letting me know why you would like to win a place in the class AND 

click my Facebook page like button

Closing date for this draw will be 

Friday 8th January 2016, I will announce the winner on Saturday 9th January 2016

Happy New Year - 2016 - What's in Store!

I am late in wishing you all a Happy New Year, but better late than never.  There are so many things that I have planned for this coming year, I feel as if I am a roller coaster ride, and its one of those ones where you say 'I'm ready to come off now' before you go up another steep climb and let out the loudest scream you can muster:)  

I will be reflecting on 2015 this coming week, that seem to go so fast as well as share on the exciting developments that have been taking my attention away from the blog.  I have been painting and creating and exhibiting, but I guess we all go through the moments where we hide ourselves away, and work through things, and get a sense of where you are in it all.

2016 has found us in a very different location than last year and we have been able to enjoy the warmer weather of Barbados.  Many of you know we have been spending more time here and I have yet still to share that transition and the ups and downs, and it's also coming as we continue to go through a process of change!

This year I am teaching in two exciting online courses that you are going to love, there are so many inspiring artists taking part, I feel honored to have also been chosen to teach.

The Journey Within - Click here for more information

The Journey Within starts today and I had two seats to give away, the two lucky winners who have been selected will be announced shortly.  

You can still register for the course HERE

The other course is One BadAss Art Journal which starts on 1st February 2016 - we are currently on a Blog Hop to meet the artists.  It will be my day to share and show a sneak preview of my class on Sunday 3rd January, so please do come back to see what's in store for you!

Click HERE for more information

The other great news about courses for this year is that I will be a guest artist on Embrace Your Art 2016 JAM, and will be sharing some more information about what I will be creating on this.  

I know that creatively 2016 will be a year where the seeds sown in previous years will begin to bear fruit.  I am excited at all the creative possibilities, the revelations, ah-ha moments and more and look forward to connecting with you as you dive into your creative self where ever you are around the world!

I would love for you to join me on the journey, that is going to be bursting at the seams, so strap yourself in for it is going to be an extremely exciting year!

New Course - One Badass Art Journal, Discounts and competition!!

Ok, I have some great news to tell you!  I am teaching in another course, and this one is being hosted by Tiare Smith and is called ONE BADASS ART JOURNAL!

REGISTER TODAY

There is a wonderful group of yet more talented artists taking part in this 12 week workshop.  There is so much being offered, you will be able to make your own BADASS Art Journal and view 24 lessons/classes.  Check out the video below!

INTERESTED?  Why not treat yourself for and explore your own Badass Art Journal and link up with the facebook group there is so much more check out the rest of the course HERE

As a special offer you can get a 15% discount on the price of the course.  You have to enter the code IMBAD15 at the checkout BEFORE Sun 27th Dec to receive the discount.

And as a special bonus, SIGN UP HERE BEFORE DECEMBER 31 and you will be entered to win 1 of 2 spots in the other course that I am teaching in called The Journey Within: A Year of Handmade Journals.

Sign up for one for both courses and make your 2016 a year to remember!

Win a spot on The Journey Within 2016 - GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY - GIVEAWAY - GIVEAWAY

I have 2 spots to giveaway on the course

1st place: One full year registration

2nd place: single quarter registration (Jan-Mar 16)

You will be aware by now that I am teaching in a course called The Journey Within A Year of Handmade Art Journals, and we are in the middle of a blog hop challenge.

You can check out HERE the challenge I set for Kiala on my blog hop day, and also see the blog hop schedule.

The course officially starts on 1st January 2016 and will last for the whole year but you also get a December mini course so you can test the waters, see how you can pace yourself.

Each month, Kiala will teach you how to make your own handmade art journal, give you prompts, tips, and techniques for filling the pages, and there are 17 other guest artists to share their art journaling process.

I will be teaching 4 lessons created just for this course for the year and I am looking forward to sharing with you!

Why not Join us for this amazing adventure and have your most creative year yet.

For a chance to WIN a place in the course, complete some of the tasks below - each one gives you two chances, or Sign Up anyway and if you win a spot you can bless a friend!

The Journey Within E-course 2016: a Year of Handmade Art Journals

Creative Expression - Identity - Mixed Media

I have been experimenting and working steadily in the studio, which I realize I have not shared yet.  I am still settling in creatively, stretching my wings and finding where I feel comfortable but also pushing myself to find the uncomfortable a place to dwell, as that is where some of the growth takes place.

Trying something different enables you to see what can be an inspiration and lead you on a road that you never though you would travel.

I find working with textures, clay, and fabric opening up areas of creativity that I had never thought of and I am enjoying the process.  I am still drawing, sketching, journalling and trying out oh so many different techniques, there isn't enough hours in the day unfortunately, cause I enjoy them all, and why not?

This piece represents for me the idea that we can forget who we are, our dreams, our goals, our desires.  The same people that wore so many labels, called by so many different names, but the very truth to our existence lost under stuff, under activities, responsibilities, untruths, deceptions under-valuing our lives as we fight for a sense of who we are.

I have more work to share, excited as I also have some pieces of art at a couple of galleries here in Barbados, and will also teaching online and would love it if you came and joined me.

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!

The Journey Within - Art Challenge - Using your non dominant Hand

Art Challenge - Use your non-dominant hand

As part of The Journey Within Blog Hop for this month we are issuing Kiala with a variety of challenges that she will be doing in her Art Journal.  My challenge for her is to use her non-dominant hand to create a page, and see what she comes up with.  You can check out HERE what Kiala did for the challenge.  Also check out the other artists pages below to see what challenges they asked her to complete, and try some out yourself!

Not to run from a challenge I have taken part as well, here is my page, and you can see the video of the process as well.

Art Journal Page - The Journey Within - Non Dominant hand

Here is the Blog Hop list - make sure you check out each artist on the blog hop.

December 1 — Mimi Bondi — MimiBondi.com
December 2 — Cindy Gilstrap — Junque Art Studios 
December 4 — Tiare Smith — TiareSmith.com
December 7 — Julie Baker — Creatively Onward
 December 8 — Amanda Trought — Reality Arts  - This is me 
December 9 — Andrea Gomoll — Cre8tive Cre8tions
December 10 — Nicole Piar — GhostKitten.com
December 11 — Lisa DeYoung — Mountain Mermaid Studios
December 15 — Kelly Johnson — Wings, Worms, and Wonder
December 17 — Sadelle Wiltshire — Tangle Vermont
December 18 — Barb Owen — HowToGetCreative.com
December 21 — Hali Karla — HaliKarla.com
December 22 — Yuko Miki — Honeyberry Studios
December 28 — Virginia Simpson-Magruder — Kentucky Girl Designs
December 30 — iHanna — iHanna.nu