Today I share an art journal page process as I do quite a bit of mark making on the page. I had already created the face, which is something I do a lot in my journals, either fill up the pages with background color or faces until I am ready for them.
Material Inspired
One of the other things that I would like to get back to is working with fabric. I like creating different activities that enable you to play with your supplies. These spools have been wrapped in fabric and lace and I have added stitching and a variety of different fabrics together
I also found some beads and buttons that were in my overspill container and was able to use them. The container holds all those elements that I haven't yet put away and so I would see what could be used on a project.
I managed to put together 3 spools that I can use in other projects. It was really fun working on them.
What do you have on hand in your creative space that you can get to work on if you had limited time to create, you have to try and make time for your creative practice?
What would you do if you could see how much better it was going to get, how different would you act now? and what would you do with the time you have?
Limitless
I have always liked the movie that came out called 'Limitless' and the idea of being able to maximize the use of your brain to 100% to learn and do all the things you wanted to do. Though I wouldn't want to have to continually take a drug to do so. Some say we only use 10%, others say it is a myth and we use far more.
I think it depends how we are looking after the bodies that we have been given. How do you look after yourself, nurture and take care of your body? What foods are you putting in, or rather what kind of foods are you putting into that which you want to take you all over the world, perform and interact or not if the last two years have been anything to go on - When was the last time you had a health check-up? Are you drinking enough water, getting enough rest, finding ways to destress in a stressful environment ? and the list goes on.
Are you doing all you can do to keep your body in tip top condition in order to use all your abilities to their maximum potential? It can be a massive challenge when you are bombarded with foods filled with E numbers and preservatives or pesticides (The food industry determines that we can safely ingest a number of harmful chemicals), these are designed to make our foods look the 'right' color, bind them or keep them at a certain consistency - and that is just one part of our lives I will not go into the environmental effects on our bodies and brain health.
With all that and more that we are told by big business that won't harm us but have been found years later to be responsible for cancers and other illnesses you can understand why we might not be performing at 100%
What can we do?
We can have an impact on our brain and overall health by doing several things:
Get enough sleep, take a power nap if needed - don't feel guilty
Eat a balanced diet - A variety of food groups - quality food, not processed, heavily salted or laden with fat or sugar.
Increase your water content - most of us are drinking water but not enough - if you feel thirsty then you are already dehydrated.
Exercise your brain - puzzles, conversation, social interaction, learn something new, teach what you learn to others.
Fresh air - exercise your body, go out into the fresh air, get some sunshine on your body
Take part in a creative activity - great for your mental health and wellbeing
Plan what you want to do, set some goals - make a list, schedule and find time to pursue those things that are important to you, challenge yourself.
Growing your own food
Get rid of the clutter - mental, physical... and more
These are just a few things to get started of the ones currently on my list, let me know what you ones you do. Stay blessed and be a blessing
How are you getting on creatively? Today I shared Week 10 of my 100 Days of Foam Stamps - each week I create a painting out of the stamps for that week.
I am on stamp number 70 and there are 30 left, it is amazing to think when you put your mind to something the results that you come out with. What were you doing 70 days ago?
Similarly I am combining the Blog challenge which combined has really been challenging me to consistently show up. Even thought I was going to plan my posts for the Blog challenge, it didn't quite happen - had a wobbly period, so I have to regularly push myself to show up for the rest of the challenge each day.
Still experimenting and being inspired and creating daily in my Art Journal - it is a place of comfort where you can express yourself with words, imagery or both or just add color to the page. It is important that you try and do something creative on a daily basis.
By continuing to show up, whether it is in my art journal or on my blog, I honor my word to myself about self nurture. When was the last time you kept your promise to take time out, or have a break or treat yourself with kindness. I love the boldness of these pages and as well as creating them just looking at them fills me with peace.
Waiting on a Miracle - there are miracles all around us. This Art Journal Page is a reminder to look at the all the things that we have around us, sometimes perhaps the miracle that you have been waiting on is the very thing you hold in your hand.
I like the science fiction feel to it, and would love to do more work in the style. Are you working on any new styles in your creative practice or found any new tools and supplies to play with?
Lemon grass in the Garden - it loves tropical environments
Growing Lemon Grass
I go out in my garden several times a day, choosing to do the bulk of the work that I need to do first thing in the morning - about 6.30am, it is cooler at that time so if you have any thing that might be strenuous you can get more done.
I have been growing lemongrass (also known as Fever Grass) and it's official name is Cymbopogon citratus and it is used widely around the Caribbean, Asia and South America. I started off with a small shop brought plant, and then it multiplied giving me 3 in total. They don't like to dry out so I need to make sure especially in the dry season that I am providing it with water.
It has many traditional uses, can be used in cooking and a variety of dishes with the leaves and the stem being used and it also makes a delicious tea on its own or added to other teas.
Being in the garden for me is a very therapeutic activity - even when you have tasks to do. It is important to reflect on progress and just enjoy being around the plants taking in the aromas, hearing the birds chattering and feeling the sun and the breeze on your skin.
When you break off a piece of the lemon grass you get a gorgeous scent, and it can also be dried and used later. The oils are also extracted from the lemon grass and used in many cosmetic preparations.
I hope you enjoy taking a look at the state of play with my lemongrass plants and if you have any tips for care please leave your comments on the video. You can also check out some lemon grass products HERE
Blessings, stay blessed and be a blessing.
100 Day Project - 100 Days of Foam Stamps
If you would like to see the stamps daily you can check out my Instagram HERE
Realityarts - Creativity Book Shop - Some really great titles for you to dive in
Creative Resources
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.png "Cut Lemon grass - Creative Gardener")
.png "Scented oils")
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