MessyJessyCreatesArt

There is no doubt that art can be very therapeutic.  In fact, it helped me get through so many dark times in my life these past few years. The following are things I discovered about myself yesterday during my therapy session.  I had forgotten just how much these things impact me and are the root of my daily issues. I don't do well with change. I am still a perfectionist. I still have obsessive-compulsive disorder. I have major issues with uncertainty and the unknown. My memory REALLY sucks. All of these things cause great amounts of anxiety. I have little control over these things (OCD?) and I am going to figure out a way to take back control of my brain. One issue I have for dealing with these things is that I have really bad memory problems.  I have fibromyalgia and sleep disorder, both of which come with major memory issues.  I have been working on my anxiety issues for years but, with memory issues, it is like the slate is wiped clean every so often and I forget

Week 16:  In the Moment with Traci Bautista   http://www.treicdesigns.com/ Abstract- collage,acrylics, alcohol inks Week 17:  Gratitude in the Now with Tascha Parkinson   http://timewithtascha.blogspot.ca/ Gouche, Pitt Pen, Collage Week 18 was an artist interview with Carla Sonheim   http://www.carlasonheim.com/ I have taken a few of Carla's online classes so I opted to not do a piece for this week.  The interview was very good.  She talks about her experiences as an artist, writing and publication of her books, teaching children art, and about dealing with depression. Week 19:  Honoring your Inner World with Danielle Daniel   http://danielledaniel.com/ Spray Inks, acrylics, stencils, india ink, faber-castell markers, charcoal, graphite, collage Week 20:  Honoring your Inner World with Serena Bridgeman   http://www.serenarty.com/ Spray Inks, stencils, collage, graphite, acrylics, gesso, watercolor

Week 11:  Tree of Life with Tamara Laporte  http://www.willowing.org/ This one was done in only tinted charcoals (I LOVE THESE)  http://www.dickblick.com/items/22079-1024/ Week 12 and 13 are in progress LOL Week 14:  Spring Time Journaling with Dyan Reaveley   http://www.dyan-reaveley.blogspot.co.uk/ Spray Inks Collage This one was so easy and great for an art journaling page. Plus, Dyan is a hoot to watch!   Spray inks, Stencils, Collage, Black Pen Week 15:  Quirky Animals Spirit Totem with Tamara Laporte I went to  http://www.spiritanimal.info/  and took their quiz.  I found out that the butterfly was my spirit animal :-)  Watercolor crayon, acrylic, faber-castell markers, india inks, collage

Week 6:  Spray Ink Love with Tamara Laporte   www.willowing.org Warm-Up- Negative Space, Composition, Spray Ink, Stamps, Collage, Washi Tape, Gesso Main Lesson- Positive Qualities- Spray Inks, Stencils, Stamp, Charcoal, Acrylic, Watercolor Crayon Week 7:  Pop Up Positives with Jane Davenport   http://www.janedavenport.com/ 3 qualities I value in Myself and Others-  (1)kindness, thoughtfulness, a big heart (2)Creativity (3)Intelligence Creating a Pop Up Page, Watercolor, acrylics, washi tape, collage, scrapbook papers Week 8:  The Joy of Intention with Alena Hennessy   http://www.alenahennessy.com/ Mix of abstract combined with flowing natural shapes Acrylics and collage Week 9:  An artist interview with Claudine Hellmuth   http://www.collageartist.com/ Since this week was an awesome interview, I decided to do a piece in her style- retro whimsy Week 10:  Positive Life Connection with Tamara Laporte I did not paint over face like the lesson ori

Week 1:  Warm-up with Tamara Laporte   http://www.willowing.org / Color Theory (Primary Colors) Watercolor Crayons, Acrylics, molding paste, collage, stencil Week 1:  Art Guardian Portrait with Tamara Laporte   http://www.willowing.org/ Meditation and "Word for the Year" Watercolor crayons, acrylics, collage, graphite, charcoal, Liqitex iridescent medium Week 2:  Bonus Lesson- A Happy Affirmation with Micki Wilde   http://thesecrethermit.blogspot.co.uk/ "What I want more of in 2014" Watercolor crayon, Sakura gelli roll pens, washi tape, collage elements Week 3:  Creativity and Play with Carla Sonheim   http://www.carlasonheim.com/ Creativity Exercises in page pocket and creating a Textured Background Gesso for texture, chalk pastels, collage papers, washi tape Week 4:  Be True to You with Kelly Hoernig   http://www.kellyhoernig.webs.com/ Using 3 elements, Acrylics, collage elements, washi tape, stencils, stamps, ribbon W

So this is my second year of Lifebook 2014 with Tamara Laporte. You can find her Mixed Media Art classes at www.willowing.ning.com  She does offer tons of mini-workshops and even an awesome free workshop!  I have taken several of her workshops and LOVE each and every one of them! Anyway, I have been busy this first half of 2014 and have not had the time to post my work for this class. So, this is a catch-up post to let you know what I have been up to :-) Last year I did all of my work for this class on Strathmore 400 series Mixed Media paper in the 18x24 size. I loved this size but it is large.  Therefore, I decided to go to 11x14 for this year's Lifebook.  It is PERFECT!  I love this paper because it is wonderful with wet and dry mediums, doesn't pile or bleed, and has a nice vellum surface.  It is thick as well and you can throw anything at it.  I am using three rings and, yes, I am punching holes in my work to insert the rings to bind the book. I have been working on m