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Connecting with Emotions Through Art Journaling

Step-by-step art journal page showing how I connect with my feelings by Carolyn Dube

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.

Step-by-step art journal page showing how I connect with my feelings by Carolyn Dube

 

 

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.

Step-by-step art journal page showing how I connect with my feelings by Carolyn Dube

 

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.

 

 

 

Step-by-step art journal page showing how I connect with my feelings by Carolyn Dube

 

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.

 

 

Step-by-step art journal page showing how I connect with my feelings by Carolyn Dube

 

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.

Step-by-step art journal page showing how I connect with my feelings by Carolyn Dube

Sharing with my friends at  Paint Party Friday, Creative Every Day, SimonSaysStamp (anything goes), and Art Journal Every Day.

{ 44 comments… add one }

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  • Maria McGuire January 16, 2014, 11:52 pm

    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 🙂

  • Heather Foust January 17, 2014, 12:18 am

    Connect – Great word. I know what you are saying. Good blog post!

  • Arnoldo L. Romero January 17, 2014, 12:31 am

    Cool! You have such an eye for color and composition. Blessings, my friend!

  • Marji January 17, 2014, 12:32 am

    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

  • froebelsternchen January 17, 2014, 12:36 am

    looks amazing Carolyn! WOW!

  • giggles January 17, 2014, 1:32 am

    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

  • valerie-Jael January 17, 2014, 2:28 am

    amazing colours! Valerie

  • Glenda Hoagland January 17, 2014, 3:30 am

    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.

  • Annette G January 17, 2014, 3:49 am

    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/

  • Corrine January 17, 2014, 4:07 am

    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

  • gill edwards January 17, 2014, 4:48 am

    pleased the page helped you, feeling down is not good
    Gill x

  • Jessica Sporn January 17, 2014, 7:47 am

    Glad you were able to work through your feelings with such grace. Beautiful colors, page and message, and I hope you’re feeling better.

  • Faye January 17, 2014, 8:27 am

    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.

  • Janet January 17, 2014, 8:43 am

    Really a great message. I am singing with Maria! xo

  • Sylvia Tabor January 17, 2014, 9:58 am

    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!!!

  • Nicole/Beadwright January 17, 2014, 10:28 am

    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

  • Ayala Art January 17, 2014, 11:52 am

    Love the page!

  • Diana Evans January 17, 2014, 11:53 am

    lovely piece and the colours are spectacular!!!!

  • Linda K January 17, 2014, 11:59 am

    love how you turned around your dark day with such a simple yet powerful word and a glorious color palette!

  • Bev Baird January 17, 2014, 12:34 pm

    What a powerful, vulnerable post! You sure got me! Love your piece and the writing. Connect – we all need to do this.

  • sue January 17, 2014, 12:59 pm

    i love the bold colors in this painting. wow!

    happy PPF

  • Cynthia January 17, 2014, 1:36 pm

    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.

  • Judy Shea January 17, 2014, 1:53 pm

    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

  • Denise Spillane January 17, 2014, 3:00 pm

    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!

  • Tracy January 17, 2014, 3:16 pm

    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 🙂

  • Ruth L January 17, 2014, 3:23 pm

    Great spread Carolyn! And you’re so right, art helps always…

  • Kay Wallace January 17, 2014, 5:19 pm

    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!

  • Carol Samsel January 17, 2014, 5:46 pm

    I love how art can heal our souls and enlighten our spirits…beautiful post ♥

  • Kirsten Reed January 17, 2014, 6:12 pm

    I love her…. just love her. 🙂 Your art always makes me smile! 🙂

  • Wanda Hentges January 17, 2014, 6:30 pm

    ((Hugs))

  • peggy gatto January 17, 2014, 7:25 pm

    You are using the colors I love, bright and beautiful!!!

  • Claudette January 17, 2014, 8:21 pm

    I thought it was spelled “kinect”? j/k, this is great

  • maria January 17, 2014, 9:49 pm

    Beautiful! I really love how you connect with your work. love the bold colours and the freedom that exists! truly lovely!

  • Meihsia Liu January 18, 2014, 11:34 am

    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. 🙂

  • Nancy B January 18, 2014, 3:31 pm

    Very pretty journal pages! I love the explosions of colors.

  • Studio Kaufmann January 18, 2014, 8:18 pm

    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

  • Boo January 20, 2014, 8:10 am

    ((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.

  • Danielle January 20, 2014, 2:02 pm

    Great colors!!!

  • Kathryn January 20, 2014, 2:02 pm

    Boy…your post really resonated for me today. Love the piece.

  • Rinda January 20, 2014, 9:16 pm

    I couldn’t agree more! Art journaling always helps me work things out.
    Art is so awesome that way.
    Rinda

  • Anna January 22, 2014, 12:52 am

    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.

  • Babs January 22, 2014, 3:13 am

    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

  • JKW January 22, 2014, 1:07 pm

    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