I feel out of touch but not alone. Thank you all for all the 'heart'felt comments left on my tribute post for my friend and friend's family. I really appreciate it and I know that Sandra will be touched when I print up the post and comments and give them all to her. The sincerity of your comments and the sense of community I've experienced is beyond words, thank you, thank you!
As you can imagine, I've been up to pretty much nothing this week other than work. Motivation is at a low point but I know that's only a temporary feeling. With time, I will be back in my groove. Work (professionally and artistically) helps to heal the wounds.
Have you used art as a healing tool? I know I have on many occasions, often times for months at a time. It's helped me sooth my pain, heal the wounds, and come to some sort of peace with whatever it is going on. If you are one that just wishes you could paint or do something artistically, stop wishing and start doing! ESPECIALLY if you are going through a trying time in your life. There's something extremely therapeutic with the peaceful repetition and escape that you find while immersed in a creative project.
My March giveaway is going to help you jumpstart your creativity, I'm going to give away a painting and art supply goody pack. You'll have a few canvases, paints, paintbrushes, stamps, tags and more to play with to get you going or to add to your artistic collection. I'll also add one of my mini heart canvases that are similar to my blog header 'green apple' Sweet Heart Canvas (but in a different color).
How to enter? Simple tell me how creativity has helped you in your life? It doesn't necessarily have to be about healing, maybe it's given you a new sense of purpose in life. Perhaps finding your artsy mojo has increased your self esteem. Whatever it is, leave a comment and you will be entered to win my Art supply Giveaway.
Contest ends March 31st!
Please visit my Etsy shop for more Sweet Repeats goodness!
32 comments :
Jodi ~ I am loving your new piece over to the right! WoWie! O'K.. I would have to say that I have been saved over and over by creativity. Sometimes I think I would have went over (or under) to the dark side if I did not have art in my life. But thank goodness that I can be dark in my art and get it out of my system through my creativity so I don't have to act on it (like jump off a roof top or something). I just thank God there are artist like you out there who inspire us to try! Thanks! Blessings, Katie
I have always enjoyed art in spurts throughout my life. We had to take the requisite classes in elementary and high school. I did paper cutting, quilling, cross-stitched and hand quilted during the first years of my marriage but it was just a 'thing to do' I guess. Until January 2004. I was pregnant with a much desired baby. We had just found out before Christmas. In January however, I lost the baby. My parents moved half way across the country that month too. I went into a big depression. I went shopping one day to Michaels just to look. My dd probably wanted coloring books. Instead, I discovered scrapbooking papers and supplies that didn't suck (I'd been to all the scrapbooking type parties that bored me.) It started a purpose and desire in me. Something to do to take my mind off losing the baby and my parents moving in the same month. I don't scrapbook anymore, I've moved on to other arts but art did help me get through it all. Or learn to cope. I always say it saved me from myself.
Sorry, didn't mean to write a book but your post made me think of all this I do/like to do and why I started in the first place. Sorrow is a hard thing to get past. Art helped me.
I saw your rocking article in CPS today. Way to go!
Making art is my happy pill. It can be mindless play or purposeful. But in the end, something happens to lift my mood.
A couple weeks after Dad passed away I was feeling very sad and was tempted to just wallow in the grief. But I was reminded to just paint. I had been wanting to start a new painting. So that's what I did. Here's the finished work. I took a long break between the start and the completion.
http://rgrdesigns.blogspot.com/2009/02/wip-bird-of-paradise.html
My prayers are with you and with your friend's family as you all work at moving through...
I think your giveaway is so very generous and I would love to receive your juicy creative goodies. Art has always been my escape - I always say that picking up a paint brish is the best therapy (and the cheapest !) that there is ! In recent years, I have become an art journaler. My journal and the time I spend creating in it have become my soul's playground and its healing retreat. It is the safe place, where there are no rules and no judges, where I can let little bits out from deep inside and gain insight and understanding about the person I am. I now can't imagine my life without that process as a part of it !
I hope you find healing and solace in your creativity as well as in the circle of friends and loved ones around you as you go through this difficult time.
Take good care !
I enjoy your blog and your artwork....I would l love to win your generous give-away.
From the first time I held a crayon, I wanted to be an artist, but just never seemed to have time to pursue my artistic endeavors
At the age of 61 I lost my job and was very upset. But now I had plenty of time, so I dove head-first into art and now it is part of my life and always will be.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to win some great gifts.
Joyce
Art and Creativity has helped me tremendously throughout my life. There were many problems and difficult times facing me growing up. At a young age I turned to reading and music to ease my mind, sooth the soul and escape that around me. As I got older I began to write. Creative writing became a favorite and I found myself indulging in writing stories, poems, essays and so much more. Writing gave me an avenue to express not only the turmoil I was going through, but my imagination as well. The art of music and language saved my life. Once out of high school and away from home my life took a dramatic turn for the better for many years until I turned 28. Suddenly I was faced with a blinding eye disease which rendered me legally blind and on the edge of complete blindness. Today, I travel 1400 miles every six weeks for treatment of the eye disease. Once again I find myself turning to my love for the arts. Writing is still an "out" for me, but in the past year I have turned to altered art, collages and mosaics as a way to bring me the peace I so desperately need with the challenges I face. Art enriches my life and keeps me from crossing over to the dark side my mind often trys to take me. I've gained tremendous inner strength and a deeper appreciation for color, texture and detail in the world around me, thankfully, to the field of Art. Two years of treatment still lie in front of me, and this to I will survive-- through the field of art. (I do have a blogger blog, but I am choosing to post this anonymously. My email address is in this comment for you. Thank You).
JD
visionquest2020 at msn dot com
My most recent experience with art as a tool for healing was in January when my kitty cat disappeared. She was like my first child...I'd picked her out at the rescue center the moment I moved out on my own. Though life has changed a great deal since then (I got married and had lovely daughters), she was still my constant companion.
The first few days she was gone, I had no motivation to do anything...all I could do was cry. About a week after she disappeared, I got this intese urge that I had to create something...I had to release all the sadness, fear and frustration that I had been feeling. So, I turned to art and did a self-portrait that really illustrated the raw emotion I felt at the time. After I did that piece, I felt like such a load was lifted off my shoulders.
My cat turned up at my doorstep nine days after she went missing, but to this day my self-portrait hangs in my studio. I use it as a reminder to embrace my emotions instead of trying to hide or stiffle them.
Glad things are starting to smooth out for you - seems like a lot has been happening lately! Loved your piece in CPS - when I finally got it (last week:) You go girl!
Creativity has been a part of my life as long as I can remembr, in the form of poetry. Writing out things when I was young helped me to find ways to survive in an abusive home. As I grew older the poems became more like letting go of things. Giving the confusion or the hurt to the paper. I took up needle and thread in my twenties and found keeping my hands busy helped me with over eating. (I need to remember that again). I found I had made an entire quilt once during a trying time, not even meaning to.
I am pleased to hear you've felt love from this community. Losing someone in the way you and your friend did is so awful. Create, paint, pound, cry, it's ok! Ryan is watching and he is telling you things will become easier as time goes by. Blessings to you all....
Jodi,
Creativity has driven me to ecstasy and also to frustration. It is not always easy and fun, sometimes it makes me want to kick the whole art thing to the curb, lol.
But more often the creativity muse has brought me joy.
I believe being an artist has made me a whole person and I pray that the creativity never stops!
blessings,
starrydeborah
I absolutely have found healing through my art. That's basically what my blog, doorno2@blogspot.com is about. I've restarted my life so many times I've lost cost. To many health issues in my life that I have to have somewhere mentally to escape or I wouldn't be able to get out of bed in the morning.
It's wonderful that we are fortunate enough to have the luxury of being creative. Not everyone can, especially in these hard times.
Mamapainter a/k/a Linda
Jodi~ I like the heart piece at the top of this post!
I've always loved to create things. I've always dreamed of being an artist, but I was always told it wasn't practical. I still have trouble calling myself an artist, but my creative side had to come out and now that it has watch out! I love being covered with paint and glue! I loose myself in my studio and the troubles of the outside world disappear even if only for a little while! Thank-you for yet another give away! I would love a chance for some more supplies. You can never have too many.
Been thinking about you, Jodi. Hope you're feeling ok. Wonderful heart piece you've posted. Regarding role of art in my life:
Quite simply, art keeps me sane
Jodi, I am always touched by your posts and this one is no exceptions. Art is an amazing thing, it releases our innermost being, it brings us joy, it binds us together.
First of all, I love your blog. i visit ALOT.
Secondly, art has helped me recover from the grief of the loss of the majority of my family in the last four years. I first discovered altered books after the death of my mother and have progressed thru many different forms of art.
I think the creative process helps me feel connected to my family as they were all creative in different ways...mom was a sewer and crafter, daddy was great at putting used thigns together (an altered artist in a way) and my sister was a needlework genius.
Thanks for your generosity.
found you on etsy - followed you here - love your places and spaces -- fabulously sweet it is
katey
blueyeduckstudios
Creativity brings me out of my shell and keeps me in touch with the world around me.
I really love your artwork!
Working with my hands gives me time to think. So whether I am crocheting or painting I love the solitude I find! thanks so much.
bsyb100 at gmail dot com
I have a couple of conditions that causes me a lot of pain. If I can focus on making something, then I can forget the pain for awhile. It relaxes me, too. I love making little toys the most. It makes me feel good when different friends and family members ask if I can make them something.
Oh that's the easiest question I've been asked in a long time. My art has helped me build a bond with my daughter that is very, very special. Not only do we spend an incredible amount of time together in the studio, we also have learned to value eachother's opinions and intuition. Nothing makes me happier than when she'll ask me a question on something that she's stuck on and after I give her an answer she'll say - "mom, you are so smart." Believe me, I don't hear that very often!! lol to the contrary I usually hear, "oh mom, you have no clue!" But in the art room, we are not just mother and daughter - we are friends, buddies and eachother's inspiration.
it keeps me sane. well, as sane as possible, i guess. without art in my life, i crumple into a worthless ball of nothing under the covers. it's sometimes the only thing that gives me purpose.
I'm a musician, so the arts are my life! I also do needlework and paint when I get any spare time... my soul needs it!!
My life is my art. I make my living as a musician, so creativity has given me all that I have. I don't go one day without having something artsy go on. It runs in my family. My father is also a musician and my mother is an artist.
jennylovesjeff (at) hotmail (dot) com
Hey Jodi, trying to catch up after being gone. Art has been the one constant in my life, I don't ever remember a time that I wasn't creating is some form. It has seen me through joyous times and very rough times. It is always there, a pencil and paper, paint and brush, scissors and glue. It is part of me, always has been always will be.
Thank you for the giveaway. Keeping your family in my thoughts.
When I find a craft to work on, it gives me a sense of peace and calm. I also love viewing art and trying to use my imagination of what the artist was thinking when creating the piece. Art comes in so many forms.
I want to learn to paint one day, I think it would help my stress levels tremendously.
I love when I have time to work on my crafts. I love all kinds of things. I just finished painting the side of my shed with pretty flowers. It sure makes me happy to see it (whether the neighbors agree is questionable).
Art is my link to my fantasy world as my dad called it. When I am doing art I can be anything, do anything. Art is also my way of being close to my kids. In my craft room they have a table set up and honestly, lately they do more art than I do. It is wonderful to see their imagination fly out of control. It is nice to see them in their "fantasy world". All I want is to be happy and have my kids happy - art does that for us.
Hi...your work is simply gorgy! I read the magazine cloth, paper scissors religously...I am not that talented, but as my kids got older I needed something to do! Arts n crafts are it for me to say the least. I have done so many types of things that I cannot pick a favorite...but I clearly do not do what you do so winning would make my year! TY for sharing you, your work and your great heart...our pleasure to read your blog. TYVM for the chance to win. Cher
I have always felt sad I wasn't more artistic or creative, like my mother and sister, but I keep trying to paint, and create, and it has led me to reading blog after blog to reap ideas and keep making efforts until I can successfully improve my house with my own crafting skills!
I have been doing art for as long as I can remember- it is a huge part of my life. It seems that lately art has been healing in the sense that when I am creating all the worries disappear. While painting, the worries are quieted and I can just zone into what I am doing at let everything else fade.
Jodi, I hope you and your friend are doing well, it was a beautiful tribute you wrote about Ryan.
See you soon at Michaels. :)
Trisha
THIS IS MY FIRST VISIT TO YOUR BLOG... I LOVE MIXED MEDIA ART....
I use my creativity to benefit local charities. I have made raffle baskets, designed and printed note pads, last week I bought a bowling pin and made the cutest snowman out of it. This went to the bowling for scholars association which helps college students pay for their books. I've got some new molds and I'm going to make zipper pulls out of sculpty clay and use these for our local rescue group. Thank you for the giveaway. I'm sure if I won I could put everything to good use.
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