The Key Word: Ease

Hi There!
How's your Monday going so far? I decided to take some time for some art journaling today, inspired by the book The Creative Journal by Lucia Cappacchione.


These are the questions that led me to this journal page...
What is the theme of your personal growth at this time? What word describes the current challenge or lesson I'm dealing with right now?

The answer didn't come to me all that easily, either! As soon as I saw the word 'challenge' in the question, I immediately started thinking of the areas in my life where I am struggling. But I'm at a point in my life right now where I'm ready to stop struggling, and start enjoying life! That's when the word "ease" jumped in my head.

The exercise told us to think of any words that went along with our "Key Word"..."letting the words flow out quickly and spontaneously in free association." That's what all those "other" words came from. I started at the top left (relaxing) and ended at the bottom right (smiles). The word smiles was a direct result of my free association with the words God..Life...Cycles....Vespas :) I've actually been thinking of getting a Vespa to make my life easier (hee hee hee). We shall see about that...

Here's an "in the beginning" photo of my journal page. I always like seeing how the page progresses!


Thanks to Nikki for the rubber stamps that I used on this page! They went along with my theme so very well! In addition to the rubber stamps, I used Stabilo 0.4 markers, Zig and Micron markers, Golden acrylic paints and Whispers dye based inks. If I would have done anything differently in this page, I would have started with yellow paper (or painted the page yellow first). It would definitely add some sunshine to the page!!

So, what's your "Key Word" for the day? Do share it with me!!
And have a lovely Monday!

To be like the turtle - at ease in your own shell.
-Bill Copeland

What Should I Be Doing?

Hi All!

I just started reading the book Creative Awakenings by Sheri Gaynor.

My art journal page below is based on one of the exercises in the book...the "Envision Art of Intention." In the first step, you go to a relaxing/meditative place - Sheri explains it as "a time for going within, listening to your intuition and creating space for your life dreams." During this "Dream Time" you listen for any questions that are going through your head. One question that kept speaking to me was..."What should I be doing right now?"

In the second step, Sheri outlines instructions to create a journal page based on your question and your "Dream Time". Step three is writing or reflecting on the art you created. Here is the journal page that emerged from my question...


I had fun looking through my old stamp collection and picking out images that called to me. The big smile on Walt Disney's face representing the joy I want in my life....the Daniel Boone stamp to represent the adventurer within me. I also enjoyed finding magazine pictures that felt like they "belonged" on the page.

In addition to the images, I used gesso and some oil pastels. I'm not a big fan of the messiness of pastels. I've had them for years, and every time I use them, I think about giving them away! Next time I'll use my Neocolor Artist Crayons!! No mess...AND you can soften the colors by adding water as well. I also cut up some pieces of decorative paper, and used some crayons, markers and charcoal pencils.

So...what should I do right now in my life?

Bloom...Seek comfort...Smile...Travel with friends...Eat healthy
and most of all...
Live the Adventure!

See you next time!

We live in a world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.
-Jawaharlal Nehru