Elements of Art Journaling - Earth/Body

I can't believe that it's been almost a month since my last post - or that I've been ill for almost that long!  I've been trying to 'tough it out' since I don't currently have medical insurance, and it's definitely been tough dealing with whatever it is I have in addition to the fibromyalgia.

The focus for the second week of The Elements of Art Journaling is the element of earth and our bodies.  Being ill, the biggest concept I found in my mind for this was "My body is a betrayer!" followed by phrases such as bones, death, caverns, pain and mud.  Every inch of my body seemed to be hurting, so I definitely wasn't in a good place when thinking of my body and its multitude of relationships to the Earth element.

I decided to do a two part journal page.  One page to express my initial feelings, which I then covered over to make way for more positive perspectives.  This was a technique that I learned last year while taking a workshop on Willowing's site called "Art, Heart & Healing".

The image that kept coming to mind as I worked on the original page was a painting done by Frida Kahlo which showed a multitude of nails being driven into her body.   It just seemed a perfect representation of what I was experiencing!  After scanning that first page, I journaled about the negativity, the pain, the frustrations of being ill and of dealing with chronic illness and disabilities too. 

It took quite a bit of introspection, getting myself centered and grounded, before I could start work on the second half of my project.   I love that I felt so supported and encouraged to do that work - simply by watching the videos and following the suggestions given in the workshop materials and by popping into the group on better days to get my 'fix' of positivity, glitter and warm fuzzies!  I only had the energy to briefly lurk, but that didn't diminish any of the things that I've so come to love about Wild.Precious.  

Fantastic Friday!!

Why?  No, not because it’s the weekend (although that’s nice too!).  Not because fireworks and barbeques and beer are bound to happen in celebration of the 4^th of July.  Nope!  It’s going to be a fantastic Friday full of learning, laughter,  creativity, pompom shaking and glitter flinging fun because Friday (tomorrow) is the official start of The Elements of Art Journaling class!

We’re already having fun though!   With three generous bonus lessons, a bit of a party in the classroom and lots of wild, creative, wonderful  (and did I say creative?) people to share with.  Lots of encouragement; lots of warm fuzzies; lots of room for everyone, no matter where they’re at in their journey .

I’ve been in a state of excitement and anticipation all week.  I’ve prepped pages in a composition book – nice, pristine, glued and gessoed pages eagerly awaiting inspiration and color.  I’ve made a slew of background pages in a rainbow of colors.  And I’ve even organized and cleaned my creative space – woohoo!!  

It’s not too late to join us!  And seriously, you really should - I'd love to connect with you there too.  To learn more and to register, simply go to The Elements of Art Journaling

 

We're Having A Par-tay!

Yes!  Over at Wild.Precious things are gearing up for Effy's upcoming Elements of Art Journaling class and we're having a par-tay in anticipation.  People flinging glitter, sipping virtual cocktails, beating drums, flinging glitter, tooting horns, making new friends - and flinging some more glitter!

You should come along and join in the fun!  Effy is a totally wonderful Wild Woman; our fantastically creative, big hearted, supportive "den mother" and she's growing a great place for us to be, to gather, to connect and to learn.

I'm excited to be able to be a part of her class - thanks (and a few hugs & kisses too - mwaaah!) to the angel who paid my tuition.  It's going to be full of awesomeness and I'd love for you to join me there! You might even win the pre-party contest and get 50% of your tuition refunded ;)

Effy's also released two videos in advance of the July 1st start - a really wonderful one covering the basics of making backgrounds (which I really, really needed!).  And a newly released video with an example of a cover page for the journal we'll be making during the first week.  The first is only available to those of us who've signed on for the class, but the second can be seen below (yup, I have Effy's permission to share!). 

                                                   
Where do you go to register for the class?  Right here:  The Elements of Art Journaling 

If you do sign up, let me know so that I can fling some glitter your way - and I'll see you at the par-tay!!

Wild Thing, You Make My Heart Sing!

Wow!  It's been nearly a month since I last posted.  Been busy dealing with my first fibro flare in over 2 years.  For those of you who aren't familiar with fibro, a flare is when pain and symptom levels intensify to incredible levels...But, things are getting better and I hope to have things back on track!
For now, I'd love to share the Wild thing that's making my heart sing, lol!  Effy Wild, Wild.Precious Studios, and Effy's new e-course, The Elements of Art Journaling. 
I'm so excited and over the moon happy to be taking the course AND to have the opportunity to post here about my progress.  Check out the video below to learn about what promises to be an awesomely amazing, wild and wonderful time.  I really hope that you'll join me there - I think that it'll make your heart sing too!