Change is Good!

This weekend I was trying to finish up another of Christy Tomlinson's workshops, She Art 2 and created this canvas.  The Living Canvas workshop started today and we were to think about our lives up to this point.  Our story.  All of the circumstances and experiences that have made us who we are at this point in time.  I have had a blessed life, free of tragedy and really hard times but I have made some really bad decisions that still have led me to a great place.  I am truly, truly blessed right now but God has convicted me to change and to continue to strive to be better.  This workshop is helping me to drive in the right direction.

Sometimes we resist change.  I have always been FOR change, openly and with great enthusiasm.  This time is not different but I am nervous and anxious about failing.  Will I be able to manage the discipline needed to feed my family in a healthy way and change their way of eating? Will I be able to save money and resist temptation for the things I don't NEED but want?  Will I take time to be present as a mother and spend quality time with each of my girls?

The answer to those questions is yes.  With God's help, yes.  The Bible says we must die to ourselves daily to be a proper servant of the Lord.  If God wants me to be better, which I know He does, then I must embrace change.

The butterfly symbolizes change.  This butterfly started out kind of ugly but I worked and worked on it adding layers and layers of color and texture to create something I think is beautiful.  It takes work to change and be what God wants us to be and it isn't always what we want to be but it is necessary to follow His will in our lives.  God chose me to be the mother of two beautiful girls and I am making a change so that I can do a better job, for them and for Him. 

 I really am a selfish person.  I think inside we all are to some extent.  I marvel at the people that seem to NEVER think of themselves and always put others first and I see for the most part how happy those people are.  Don't misunderstand, I know there needs to be time carved out for me but the people I am talking about literally and instinctively think of others before themselves.  I am working on that one. A Lot!

I understand the need for change.  The need to have a healthy family, the need to have more financial security and the need to be a mother my girls can come to, for and about anything.  I understand, I'm just not real sure yet how to do it.  I am learning and working and thank goodness He is not finished with me yet.

Blessings,

Jana

Let the Journaling Begin

Today I wanted to share with you the first few pages of my art journal.  Not so you could read the inner most workings of my heart (the pages aren't big enough for that!) but so you could see the end product and maybe be inspired to start your own art journal.  Frankly, I have no idea what I am doing as I begin each page, I just let my heart and God lead me.
I showed you the background of this one in my last post but I thought I would share with you what it looked like and the format I think I am adopting as I begin this journey.  Christy Tomlinson has been giving us journaling prompts to prepare us for the workshop before it begins. (This is the Living Canvas Workshop)  I thought I would share them with you as we go so you could think about who you are and where you are going in life.

I have decided that with each week's prompt, I will journal on the right and then create a mixed media piece on the left in response to the journal entry.  Here is week 1 prompt:

• Write down one moment of clarity or accomplishment that you are proud of that you remember.
• Write down one trial or heartache that shapes you in some way.
• How did this change your day to day way of doing things?
• How did it affect you?
• From these experiences, did you find motivation or a purpose to do better or be better?

Because my moment of clarity came when I was creating a piece of art inspired by Proverbs 31, I decided to put all of the things God says makes up a virtuous women on the page on the left.  I would encourage you to read Proverbs 31.  God puts these expectations in such a kind and loving way, how can I disappoint??

Now because I started out a little behind, I also have week two for you to see.  I had fun using a Tim Holtz mask on my journal page and then my spray inks.  It made for a quick and easy background.  This prompt forced us to think a bit about our strengths and weaknesses, which makes me realize although I have made some changes in my life to be more like what God wants me to be, I am forced to see that I still have a lot of work to do.  Here is week 2 prompt:

• The 6 F's and Balance in your life
• Faith, Family, Fun, Friends, Fitness and Finances
• Write about one that is going really well
• Write about one that is not going so well
• Think about the imbalance of the two and why you think its going the way it is.
• What do you want to do differently?
• What is your desire for the future?

I decided to write a little about all of them although I think the one I am the best at achieving is fitness and that is not saying much.  I work out 5 days a week but the imbalance comes in with food :(  Finance is probably my weakest area and as you will see in my next journal entry, probably next week, it is a goal to change that in the very near future.

For the art part of this prompt I was very led by the Spirit to create this girl.  A friend shared an inspiring verse with me a few days ago from Ephesians 1:17 or somewhere there very close.  It says that God gives us the power to overcome, the same power with which He raised Jesus from the dead!  WOW!!!  That gives a little more clarity to the verse, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  Eternal life in Heaven is not the only gift we receive as followers of Christ Jesus.

A little about my girl, I seriously think she is my favorite that I have made so far.  The colors were outside my usual palette and I think that pushed me to try new things on this one.  So, I subscribe to the Peachy Keen monthly stamp and kit clubs and that is where the paper, green flower, little button and butterfly came from.  CUTE!!!  I got the Christy Tomlinson rub-ons in the mail today and of course I had to use them immediately.  For this girl I decided not to paint her face because when I got her head glued down I realized that just by luck (which I don't believe in, God does those things we call "lucky") the words jewel and diamonds are right on the face.  It reminded me that in the Bible God says we are more precious than jewels or diamonds!  I love it when that happens!

I hope you decide to come on this journaling journey with me.  I could use the support :)  You can just use the prompts as I give them to you or you can sign up for Christy's workshop and join in the messy art fun too in the Living Canvas Workshop.  If you decide to do that, be sure to tell her I sent you.

Have a blessed day,

Jana

A New Journey

Hello all!

Today I begin a new journey. I am taking an online course from Christy Tomlinson called Your Living Canvas. Here is the short description from her website:

We all have a story to tell... one that we live and paint and breath everyday... through our heartaches and trials, joys and celebrations, insecurities and moments of clarity.  What story are we telling now and what story do we have yet to create? At the end of the day, it's our living canvas that will tell our story.

In this six week course we will help you discover that through art, techniques,journaling and soul searching exercises... that will help you create your canvas by design not by default. 

I would be lying if I said I thought this was going to be all about making fun art.  Christy and her friend Art McCracken (fun name lol) are helping us do some soul searching to discover more about ourselves.  I'm on a path to learn more about who God wants me to be.  If you read my post a few months ago about the 6x6 canvas I created for the 100 Women, 100 Words exhibition you will remember it really got me to thinking about Proverbs 31 and whether or not I was striving to be the virtuous women God wants me to be.  Very soon after I finished that piece I got an email from Christy's blog about this workshop and it made perfect sense to take it to help me along this journey.

It's not a cheap workshop, $104 to be exact and with me wanting to get my car paid off I didn't feel good about spending that so I went to work crocheting some purses thinking I might be able to sell them and lo and behold, I have sold 5! Here is what a few of them looked like.

The class doesn't even start until May but we have a private Facebook group where we are doing journaling exercises and other challenges to prepare us for the workshop.  So in order to really get into the journaling, which I have tried for years but never really followed through, I created a fun cover for mine and began with a few pages before my first journaling prompt.

Here is the cover:

This is the first page I am not finished with, but I was looking at one of my favorite artists websites, Junelle Jacobson and she had done a mixed media piece similar to this an it really spoke to me so I wanted to sketch it, then I wanted to paint it.

Below is the background for my first journaling prompt.  Not sure if I am going to share my actual entries yet though.  The prompt went something like this...for any of you that would like to play along:

Write down one moment of clarity or accomplishment that you are proud of that you remember and write one trial or heartache that shapes you in some way.  How did these things change your day to day way of doing things? from the experiences, did you find a purpose or motivation to do better or be better?

I have always wanted to do an art journal so here I go!

So that is what I have been up to and will be working on for a while.  I promise I will sprinkle in a few paper projects and some Pinterest playtime, so keep checking back.

Blessings,

Jana

A Woman's perspective on Women

Hi everyone!
Today I am going to show you my latest painting.  There was a call for 100 female artists at one of our local universities that is doing an exhibition on a woman's perspective on women.  I was fortunate to be asked to participate.  100 women were given a 6 x 6 canvas to create a work of art that represented how they see women.  The timing for this could not have been better.  My life was chaos at the time of the invitation with driving kids from one event to another, rehearsals for the singing group I'm in, choir practice at church, a big installation of art at my job, my boss got fired, my daughter was having trouble with her violin, I mean, you name it and it was happening.  Thus, the inspiration for She Wears Many Hats, mixed media on canvas.

Proverbs 31:10 sets the stage - A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.  Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.  She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.  She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.  She is like the merchant ships, bringing food from afar.  

 She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.  She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.  She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.  In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.  When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.  She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.  She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.  She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.  She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.  Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

We wear many hats - we love, cherish, heal, care, comfort, cook, create, nourish, guide and correct but above all we wear the crown as the princess of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Blessings,

Jana

Simply Sunday Challenge

It's time again for a fun Simply Sunday Challenge at Getting Cricky. Today the theme is "fantasy land" and in my opinion that kind of meant that anything goes.  We all have fantasies, right??  I have always wanted to be able to fly and thought it quite romantic if I were some type of fairy.  Flower fairies have always caught my fancy so that is what I have created for this challenge.  And for those of you that follow me you will see I am still a bit hung up on my "She Art".  I promise I will SOON post more paper creations but for now, this is how I spent my weekend.  My FUN sister-in-law Tonya came over and I demonstrated how to create a She Art canvas.  Many of my friends have asked me what "She Art" is...well, it is certainly not my clever idea.  It came from Christy Tomlinson and she teaches online classes for mixed media artists.  Feel free to go check her out and then show me your She Art!  Here is my project for this Simply Sunday challenge...

 I think she looks a bit like my sweet daughter.  The colors, flowers and especially the sun make me happy.

 Here is the K. Andrew Stamp that I used, it is from the "Positive Thoughts" set.  "Happiness is an inside job" is a good thing to think about.  We are more in control of our happiness than anyone else.

 I also used a couple of stamps from the "Amazing You" stamp set.  It has great single word positive statements that work really well on these canvases.

 I cut the "she statement" of a bit but it says, "She saw her dreams take flight." I like the wind blowing her hair.

Now I LOVE her skirt.  I used some prima flowers and Tonya showed me how to color them with my new alcohol inks.  It was so fun, then I just used a script stamp and black stazon ink to stamp on them.  I hope you are inspired to create today.  Anything!!!  Just make something fun and imaginative them pop over to Getting Cricky and link up your project.  There is usually a prize to a lucky winner so join in the fun!
Blessings,
Jana

She Art Angel

Today I am showing you my second She Art girl.  This one wasn't JUST for fun, although it was very fun.  There is a co-worker of mine that is quite a leader in our organization and an incredible Christian woman.  We have been having some rough times at work and she works so hard to help everyone and give us guidance to be a good team.  I think we have accomplished becoming a VERY strong team because of her efforts.  I wanted to do something to show my appreciation to her and so, was born, my next She Art girl.

"She Kept the Faith"

She tells us all the time to keep the faith, that God will get us where we are supposed to be and help the people we are supposed to help. I am mostly an emotional mess during times of conflict but she is so strong, courageous and clear-headed.  She truly lets God lead her.  

I was anxious to get this to her so I took the pictures before the glue was even dry on a lot of the parts.

More of my granny's lace and some of my favorite pink fabric :)

The wings are made of embossed metal colored with alcohol inks and glitter, what angel isn't a shiny angel?

The sentiments are from the K. Andrew stamp set Scripture Sayings.  I love knowing that God is on my side!

Even more comforting is knowing that God has his angels, like my co-worker, here on earth to watch over us and give us guidance.  All we have to do is allow Him in our hearts.

Tune in Sunday for the next Getting Cricky Simply Sunday Challenge.  It's all about fantasy!  Sounds interesting, I can't wait to see what everyone makes and links up at Getting Cricky.  Head over there now and check out our Fabulous Featured Blogger and the beautiful card she made!

Blessings,

Jana

Something New

I am so excited today to be posting my first "She Art Girl".  I do some mixed media art but none just like this.  I am taking a workshop from Christy Tomlinson, it's called the "She Art Workshop" and it is an online class.  I first found out about it on another blog but can't remember for the life of me which one.  I follow way too many. (Naaaa...)  Anyway, this is my first finished girl and I can't wait to make another.  I plan on making many.  It is such a fun stress reliever and a great way to use a lot of "stuff" I have collected over the years.  I hope you enjoy it.  Here she is.....

She makes me smile!

Of course I used my favorite stamps from K. Andrew Designs. This one is from the Scripture Sayings set.  This verse really spoke to my heart.  I am having some issues and it reminds me to be courageous and that God is always with me.

This sweet "loved" stamp came from the K. Andrew set Amazing You.  I really like the set, it is full of positive statements perfect for this type of art.  I will be using that one a lot. I also like this shot because you can see the tiny lace I used for the dress.  It came from my stash that my Granny left me when she passed away.  She was a quilter, painter, seamstress and anything else creative you can think of.  Thus the background paper that is from an old dress pattern from her too.  She used the lace on Raggedy Ann dolls to give to children that were sick or to her sweet grandaughters.

Even with the issues I'm having, I know that I am blessed beyond what I deserve and there are MANY people way worse off than I am.  So it's ok with me to be very contented with where I am right now. What makes you content, where are you "happy just where you are?"

Blessings to you,

Jana