Being vulnerable can hurt but when I have a way to process the feelings, it hurts less. Whether I am working in an art journal or on a canvas or on a wood panel, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that I am creating. There is something magical for me when I get paint on my fingers. As I played, I was so grateful for the message that was revealed to me about vulnerability.
Life can be amazing and life can be painful. It was one of those painful days thanks to a family squabble, a disagreement, okay…a battle. Even when everyone means the best, there can be hurts, especially with family. We worked it all out (we always do) but the hurt was still there and I wanted the hurt to hurt less. Who doesn’t? Thanks to a little creative play that helped me put it all in perspective, it did hurt a lot less.
Watch Using Art to Heal a Hurt on YouTube.
Do you use art to help you heal? What’s your go-to way for making the hurts less painful?
Supplies Used
- Uplifting Words stencil
- Unconnected Circles stencil
- wood panel from Walnut Hollow (the exact one I used is not in stock, but this one is dang close to it)
- acrylic inks
- various acrylic paints
Wonderful piece and message!
Thanks for sharing your vulnerability and wonderful art! x
Beautiful video, Carolyn!! I find art to be so healing!! Thank you for sharing and being real!! It’s a beautiful thing to know we are all in this together!! Vulnerable is so scary! Sometimes, facing scary is good!! xx
I love that you used art to process
Your feeling
I really appreciate you sharing this with us. Figuring out how to release my feelings through artistic expression is something I, as a beginning art journaler but long-time writer journaler, am still finding difficult. This example is accessible to me where I am and beautiful.
Always that vulnerability gets ya. Glad you moved that energy out through your art. xox
LOVE this! Thanks for the reminder that creating art helps work through emotions…this was much needed today. 😉
I also believe that art is healing: the creative process and the sharing of the results. I teach my Debi Doodles Kids’ Arts & Crafts twice a month in Park La Brea, Los Angeles, CA. It is a big hit as as the kids come with their parents who do the projects with them. Thus it is really an inter-generational creative workshop. You can also see my children’s books on http://www.DeboraGillman.com. The Debi Doodles Workshop is on DebiDoodlesART.com. Keep up the good work!
Carolyn,
I admire your guts. To be open with feelings takes courage. Thank you.
Thank you,
I loved this
I work with disability and children
It’s very inspiring for me
Nice work. Thanks for sharing the back story – not easy.
Carolyn – WAY to throw it out there! That took GUTS!! I hate feeling vulnerable but after watching your video, I realize it’s something we all go through. Thanks for a “serious discussion.”
Lovely post filled with such honesty, warmth and mad art skills 🙂
Thank you for sharing.
It’s a bit discouraging that the whole commercial, finished art journaling page thing, is crushing out the personal. Once upon a time, not too long ago, journaling was about our lives. Like a written journal. The ups and downs, as well as the introspection. Also known as a visual journal. Almost like what scrapbooking started as… and ended up being fancy commercial things that were too expensive and fussy. I LOVE THAT YOU PICKED THIS TOPIC. Recognizing after the fact what the layers and paint was about. Emotions and experiences are not simple. Layers are not the law. In this case they made this page awesome. As always thank you for reminding us again what art journaling can be about.
P.S. I’d be very curious to hear what you think about the “Journal Junkie” guys. Their styles are so different yet had a great impact on art journaling.
THIS was probably my no. ONE favourite – that you’ve done/that I’ve seen. THANK*YOU for sharing your heART …. you always bring HOPE into my day.