My art was trying to tell me something, a message I needed to hear. One that has been told to me before but oh do I struggle with this message. It was a bad day. The kind of day where the gremlins were pummeling me with cruel comments and harsh words. I am not a fan of feeling down and defeated so I turned to my art journal to help me connect with my emotions.
I decided to play with a Spark of Art-spiration I had printed out. I saw a figure standing in the paint so I cut her out and glued it all down.
The body language of this girl mirrored how I was feeling. The person had so much to tell me.
*I send downloadable Sparks of Art-spiration out every month in my newsletters. If you’d like to download and play, you can sign up for my free newsletter here.
Now all that white space was not going to last long. I smeared colors of paint around. Just smushing and sliding that color lightened my heart and helped me stand just a little taller.
But I just couldn’t touch that white line between the girl and other part of the Spark paper.
I addd a scrap of the Spark down at the bottom for balance I thought. But that isn’t why the art wanted me to put it there.
It was so I would find the word I needed to hear. The message my heart needed to be reminded of yet again. The word was connect.
Then I used a white Stabilo pencil to write all over the bottom of the page. Fast, furious, scribble journaling to let me get my feelings out. No editing. No grammar rules. No fear of misspelling a word. Just my raw feelings.
Letting it out brought me the message. I needed to connect with my friends so they could help get me through a dark day. When I feel alone I have such a hard time reaching out and asking for help. Every time I have ever asked for help from a friend, that friend has gladly given. I am so thankful to my art journal for reminding me of just what I needed to hear.
Sharing with my friends at Paint Party Friday, Creative Every Day, SimonSaysStamp (anything goes), and Art Journal Every Day.
Do you hear me singing….you’ve got a friend in me…..from Toy Story 🙂 Art heals so much–that girl is telling a story, I’m glad you let her out 🙂
I am joining you in chorus!!! :))
Connect – Great word. I know what you are saying. Good blog post!
Cool! You have such an eye for color and composition. Blessings, my friend!
This is a really meaningful post. It goes to show that we can work out troubles by letting out that which is bothering us inside. Sometimes it’s interesting to see what word or words resonate through our art telling us what we need to hear. Beautiful, Carolyn
looks amazing Carolyn! WOW!
Great word when you needed it! I love how you listened and heard what you needed! If it’s any consolation we all have those dark days….. forge on dear lady in your bright sparkly way!
Hugs Giggles
amazing colours! Valerie
I love this post. You taught me a lot with these words. So glad you found peace in your art journal because you my friend are terrific. I consider you one of my art gurus.
Beautiful colours Carolyn, art is such a great healer. Hope you are feeling a lot better now. Happy PPF, Annette x
http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/
It goes without saying…all you got to do is call…love that you were able to let it out and the image came to you…xox
pleased the page helped you, feeling down is not good
Gill x
Glad you were able to work through your feelings with such grace. Beautiful colors, page and message, and I hope you’re feeling better.
Oh, Carolyn, those wild colors are so gorgeous together. I love the person you found in the paint and can see her perfectly. Thanks for the name of the white pen you used. I find some don’t work so good so it is great to see one that does.
Really a great message. I am singing with Maria! xo
I love how playing with art can heal our souls. You did exactly as you should, you found a visual that spoke to your mood, you let it awaken within, giving you the master over it, casting out the “down” with stunningly brightness in color, working thru that connection, letting your beautiful art speak to you … truly a gorgeous piece!!!
Dark days are sometimes hard to come out of. Glad you saw the light or should I say the color through your art. Thank you for sharing such a time and the art you created. It will inspire and help others. I have signed up for your newsletter.
BTW your art is beautful and I love the process of how you connected it all together.
Wishing you bright days
Nicole/Beadwright
Love the page!
lovely piece and the colours are spectacular!!!!
love how you turned around your dark day with such a simple yet powerful word and a glorious color palette!
What a powerful, vulnerable post! You sure got me! Love your piece and the writing. Connect – we all need to do this.
i love the bold colors in this painting. wow!
happy PPF
I love how you saw the girl standing there in your spark of art. I love how you listened to what the art was saying to you. Really beautiful, meaningful page.
Oh Carolyn.. this makes me feel so comforted to know this has helped you. I, too, hate dealing with any conflict or hurt feelings. I’m just not used to having that in my life. but, this week, was different… just a sucky week. Now, let’s talk about your colors..wow.. you packed a punch, my friend. I need to let go more often like this and thank you for this and so happy you pushed through. Great lessons learned and we continue to learn.. FOREVAH… love ya, Judy
You are the best, I am inspired and uplifted every time I see you on line. I have some of your StencilGirl stencils and smile every time I use them! Great page and post!
That little white space just does it for me – it highlights the woman so perfectly, accentuating the mood. Isn’t it great how art can bring out what is inside and make it easily seen? And once we can see it, we can deal with it. Beautiful piece, thanks for sharing it 🙂
Great spread Carolyn! And you’re so right, art helps always…
The energy that comes through this piece is empowering, Carolyn! Some of it, granted, is pure color, but there are still vibes of strength, forgiveness, and satisfaction! Good on you for letting this all out in your art. Even better that you have shared it! Mwah!
I love how art can heal our souls and enlighten our spirits…beautiful post ♥
I love her…. just love her. 🙂 Your art always makes me smile! 🙂
((Hugs))
You are using the colors I love, bright and beautiful!!!
I thought it was spelled “kinect”? j/k, this is great
Beautiful! I really love how you connect with your work. love the bold colours and the freedom that exists! truly lovely!
This is such a beautiful art journal page. Love the wonderful color combo and the steps of how you created this fabulous page. Thank you for joining us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. 🙂
Very pretty journal pages! I love the explosions of colors.
Carolyn, what a wonderful piece. I know what you mean sometimes we feel so isolated and don’t want to reach out. But in your work you have shown in your bright colors and fluid shapes that there is always hope. Happy PPF
((Carolyn)) I know how you feel. My art helps me to see how I feel too. You have way more people who care about you than you know. Thanks for sharing this part of you with us. You are brave and a great artist.
Great colors!!!
Boy…your post really resonated for me today. Love the piece.
I couldn’t agree more! Art journaling always helps me work things out.
Art is so awesome that way.
Rinda
I find I isolate myself too, otherwise the world gets too loud for me.. but sometimes I have trouble reconnecting. .. this really spoke to me, Thank you for sharing it.
Thank you for sharing. I just love your bubbly nature and enthusiasm. I also hate feeling down and currently am battling a debilitating injury which makes me call on all my positive energy to stay focused on healing. Your videos inspire me.
Hugs Babs x
This is so helpful. I just started my journal through The Documented Life. It is fun, interesting and I appreciate your blog for helping with the art supply part. Thank you. Blessings, Janet PPF