I Love you today because......Day 15

I Love you today because....

Your not afraid to cry

We cry for a number of reasons, we are happy, sad, frustrated, unhappy, tired, relieved, unsure, lost, proud, thankful, grateful, and inspired.  There can be so many other reasons why we cry and your not afraid to share that emotion.

Your not afraid to cry - Pen and Ink and Promarker pens

Share some love

The next time you feel the to shed a tear, let it flow.  It is a strength and a natural release.

Show some love

Show some care to others today, be extra receptive to their emotional state.

To find out why 'I love you today' February Series click on the image below

I Love you today because....You have an Individual Style

I Love you today because.....

You have an Individual Style!

I have already told you  that you are unique, there is not another like you.  Has you delve deeper into what you really like and what in your life you will understand and listen to your true voice.  Don't compare yourself to anyone else, be yourself and celebrate your own individuality.

Show some love

That thing you want to try perhaps it's been weighing on your mind for a while, go ahead and try it with confidence - you never know how it will turn out.

Share some love

Become a mentor, sharing your experience with someone else and pass on the love!

In The News.....Art Exchange - Creative Reminiscence

Age Exchange - The Cente for Reminiscence Arts

For those of you who are keen to look at how you can use creative reminiscence in your work the course run by Age Exchange is a good one to do, facilitated by Linsay Royan we were given a great overview of the use of reminiscence within care environment and came away with lots of ideas and links to resources that could enhance any session, or as a carer ways in which you can engage the person you care for. 

It was surprising how effective the workshop was, and how many memories that can come flooding back when you see objects from your childhood - standard things that you either played with like the skipping rope which all generations can relate to and other items which pass down the generations. Funnily enough I still have a game called Jacks also known as (Knucklebones) from when I was younger, which you only seem to see now in memory boxes.

My Jacks from teenage years

I have also shared in my Material Mondays the crochet hooks that my mother used to use when I was a child and which I now use in my own projects.

Material Mondays - Crochet Hooks and Wool

Those who attended the course also got to pool resources and share ideas that they have found effective.  The Age Exchange venue is a great place to visit, founded in 1983 works with older people to improve their quality of life, which impacts on their health and well being.  They provide a range of opportunities that related to reminiscence using art projects, exhibitions and more.  They have an inter-generation program that has been doing a lot of work with schools, colleges and universities sharing their expertise in reminiscence, which is important for the younger generation to stay connected to older generation and see the wisdom, knowledge and understanding they have as valued members of society.

The 2 day course was well organised and informative and gave me a wealth of ideas to take forward with my own work as an artist and as a carer for my mother with dementia.  I do encourage you to check them out and see where memory lane takes you!  

Do let me know if you are working within Arts and Health, and perhaps you want to join my free Arts in Healthcare network which is updated with events, news and you could even highlight some of your own work

I love you today because - You carried on

I Love you today because

You carried on!

There have been times in your life that really knocked you for six, you could have crumbled in dispair, you could have given up, but you faced these times with bravery and now you can look back at those times as you reflect and see the gives that have come out of the ashes.

Pen and Ink 

Show some Love

Recognise that things will happen that are not within your control, but there is always something no matter how small that you can do.

Share some Love

When we focus on helping others who are having a bad time

our problems take on a new perspective.

Books - Memories of Home

Welcome to Memories of Home, if you would like to find out more information about the series, Click here

Being in a supportive environment is important to our growth as individuals, not everyone has had that opportunity and as adults we try and create an environment that will nurture and bless our children and indeed ourselves.

I have always loved books, which was fostered as a child at primary school, with one of my favourites being 'The Lion, the witch and the wardrobe and Secret garden'.  We were encourage to bring a new book home every week and there would be new adventures for me just waiting to be explored and it allowed me to escape the school bullies if only for a little while.

My dad also had a love of westerns and thrillers and we had books in stacks dotted around the home as a normal part of the course.  I went on to encourage my son to read from an early age, telling him stories and allowing him to look at the pictures and make up stories of his own.  There was the occasional time when I would fall asleep mid-flow while reading him a story and he would lay there looking at me with amusement until he succumbed to the sleep and took pleasure in telling me in the morning. 

I keep offering to make it up to him now, but he says he’s too old for stories and we try and take time talking about the day.   I’ve have now turned my joy to writing and illustrating short stories and maybe one day someone will take my story off the shelf and read it to their child.

Mixed Media House collage on Wood

What was your favourite book growing up as a child, what are you reading now and how will you take time to encourage yourself to take time out if only for 10 minutes. I hope you continue to join me on my journey over the weeks, as I share my mixed media houses and look back to the memories of home. I look forward to hearing about some some of your own memories. Blessings and peace to you!

I love you today because....You are amazing

I Love you today because  

You are amazing

You are amazing, fearfully and wonderfully made.  You have an abundance of gifts, talents and abilities each waiting to be unveiled each waiting to be a blessing....go for it!

You are Amazing - Pen and Ink, Promarker, and watercolour

Show some love

Today is the day to appreciate your life, do something creative.

Share some love

Use one of your gifts today to be a blessing to someone else

To find out why 'I love you today' February Series click on the image below

I Love you today because ...You made two ends meet

I love you today because

You made two ends meet!

You have a way of looking at things and not immediately see the problems but you look for the solutions you take a breath and give yourself time to think.  You know the saying well 'When life gives you lemons', you make lemonade with a hint of spice!

Show some love

Make a list of 10 things you have achieved, including big and small

Share some love

Look around for something you have 2 of and give one away!

To find out why 'I love you today' February Series click on the image below

29 Faces Challenge - End of the first week....

I have been taking part in the 29 faces challenge on my mixed media art blog and thought I would share with you the faces so far:

They are a combination of collage and painting and pen and ink, along with the other art that I have been doing I am trying to push myself to try different things.  It has been great visiting other blogs and seeing what other creatives have been doing.  Hope you enjoy and visit my mixed media art blog to see what I am getting up to there!

Day 9

Day 8

Day 7

Day 6

Day 5

Day 4

Day 3

Day 2

Day 1

I love you today because - You worked things out

I Love you today because....

You worked things out

Things are not always easy or even straight forward at that, but when it comes down to it, you do what you can. Knowing what your strengths are as well as your weaknesses enables you to move forward and make wise choices... you don't have to know everything to work things out.

You worked things out - pen and ink sketch

Show some love

Take the time to identify your strengths and take some regular time out to work on your weaknesses.

Share some love

Be the solution to a problem in someone else's life

To find out why 'I love you today' February Series click on the image below

I love you today because....You took a brave step

I love you today because

You took a brave step

Making changes isn't always easy.  I am sure if we could see what lay ahead of time there are many things that we just wouldn't have attempted, but we took one step at a time and the outcome more than made up for it.  

You might be amazed at the things you could achieve if you took that brave step and went for it!

Show some love

Think of one thing that you have always wanted to do an write down 5 reasons why you should go for it.

Share some love

You can't tell a persons story by looking at them, what they have been through an the steps that they have made.  Be that person who encourages someone else today.

To find out why 'I love you today' February Series click on the image below

Gratitude's and Celebrations - Week 31 - This was meant to be

Gratitude's and Celebration

The saying, 'if you fail to plan, you plan to fail' reminds us that what ever we choose to do today will have an outcome whether we like it or not.  In seeking to make changes we can sometimes forget that it takes time that step by step each and every day.

If you did nothing you would still get change - days pass, you age, the kids get older, but your input in all this requires that you make a choices.  You had a choice yesterday, you have a choice today and you have a choice tomorrow.  

Sometimes change requires us to be in the moment, to deal with where we are and let things be - requiring no action from us but patience. What will you decide to do?

I celebrate where I am at the moment, that I am able to make choices for my future, grateful for the journey that I have been on and insights gained.

What have you done so far with the day that you have, How can you just 'be' in the moment today? I would love to hear from you and share what you will be doing. As this week draws to a close have a blessed weekend! If you want to see how I made the journal (click here) Blessings!

I love you today because....You didn't give up

I Love you today because...

You didn't give up!

We ALL have at least one thing that took us close to the edge and we thought we couldn't go any further, but didn't give up, we pulled ourselves up, took another step and we kept on stepping, and when we looked back we were surprised that we not only got through we were able to breath again.

Pen and Ink portrait

Show some love

Take a look back and stop for a moment to remind yourself how far you have come today.

Share some love

We could all do with some encouragement.  Find a way to encourage someone today

To find out why 'I love you today' February Series click on the image below

I Love you today because...Authenticity

I Love you today because.....

You are Authentic!

If you can't be real to yourself then who can you be real to?  Be the real deal, letting your yes be yes and your no be no.

You know what you really want and what it takes to get there, you are supportive and will help others while you strive to succeed in your own pursuits.  There is nothing fake or insincere, you are authentic.

Pen and Ink portrait

Show some love

Think about what one area of your life that could do with some clarity.

Share some love

The next person you see, whether you know them or not, give them a compliment and light up their day

To find out why 'I love you today' February Series click on the image below

I love you today because - Your Smile

I Love you today because......

You have a lovely smile

Your smile is infectious, warm and caring, you bring the sun out and make people feel at ease.  Your smile is a giving one and despite what you might go through you always have a smile for someone else making them feel at ease.

Self portrait image for the day:

I love you today because - you have a lovely smile - Pen and Ink

Show some love

The next time you look in the mirror, take some time to really look at yourself and smile!

Share some love

Make a point today to smile at the next person you meet, and brighten up their day!

To find out why 'I love you today' February Series click on the image below

I love you today because....Unique

I love you today because.......

You are Unique

Yes, you are unique, there is only one of you, perfectly fashioned and formed. You are created for a purpose, you are not a copy and there will not be another like you.  Be aware of your gifts, talents and abilities and step up and out.

Self portrait Image for the day...

I love you today because you are unique!

Show some love....

What one thing do you think sets you apart that you could make more of?

Share some love....

Think about one thing that a close friend or relative has that sets them apart and makes them special and let them know about it.

To find out why 'I love you today' February Series click on the image below

I am also taking part in the 29 Faces Challenge for February, check out my mixed media site to see the additional images that will be posted.

I love you today because.....

I thought I would start February off with a challenge a way to make some small changes on a daily basis and one that you are welcome to join in with.   Valentines day is a couple of weeks away, and traditionally this is the month to show those that you love how much you love them. 

As we grow and share I thought we could also do with a reminder to care for ourselves and to treat ourselves with kindness remembering that before you can love someone else you need to be able to love yourself.  For me I will be just making simple statements that can sit and encourage me in those tough times as a reminder that I am still a work in progress. 

It is very easy to take ourselves for granted, and we have to have a back pack full of encouraging words and statements that you can draw upon every now and then.  What words of encouragement can you give yourself as a reminder?

Another thing that I will be doing during the week is a daily sketch using marker pens, I wanted to experiment a bit more with the following style, and do some self portraits - I have only ever done 2 self portraits in all my time as an artist.  

Image done in Gwenn Seemel Style - Soul Food

Doing quick self portraits allows us the time to really see ourselves, looking at the imperfections that we all have and being alright with them.  While doing Soul Food  course we had a session from Gwenn Seemel, and I really like the style of using marker pens, to make the marks and not worry about rubbing out and being committed to the marks you make.  

Each day I will be spending between 15 - 20 minutes doing a sketch and will post it later during the day, it will be an exercise in observation, each one might not be complete, but I want to be consistent and show up and spend the time. You can see the images that I did as part of the Soul Food class on my Mixed Media Art site.

So if you are up for it join me Monday through to Friday during the month of February and remind yourself why 'you love you' today and every other day, and maybe even try creating a few self portraits as well! Stay Blessed!