On a roll...

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Well, I don't think two blog posts within a week is actually a roll yet... but baby steps, right? 


Today I wanted to feature some of the artwork I did when Tam at Willowing.ning so graciously offered a free course in Art, Heart, and Healing. What a fabulous turnout she had! And what a wonderful and informative and FUN course it was. Sure, she's a bit goofy (luv ya, Tam!) but the quality of videos she puts out are really excellent. It's very easy to follow along while watching. Week one was creating a front facing portrait. I really liked her style of using water soluble oil pastels and paint. I chose to reveal my sensitivity to words. Throughout my whole life I've let words hurt me. Here is my page: 

 Yep, that's me with blue hair. Just kidding.

The second week we worked on altering a board book. We were to make an image transfer of ourselves as a small child and tell our child what we wish for her as a grownup. 

 

Yeah, that's mini-me, all dressed up as a sheriff of the wild, wild west. I even played with guns. (Insert collective gasp!) I'm not a mushy gushy person and didn't think this exercise was a big deal, but when I saw myself as a small child and thought about what I wished for her... well, it was interesting to say the least. I found myself crying for what I didn't have and feeling sorry for mini-me because I haven't been able to giver her some of those things on my list.


Moving on... we learned how to make "Whimseys" those cute little big-headed characters. The page focused on healing childhood trauma. I don't remember a lot of my childhood, especially my elementary school days, before my best friend Carrie came into the picture in 3rd grade. I can remember wandering around the playground by myself because I had no one to play with. I also remember the older kids making fun of me because I had a big head in relation to my skinny body. (I suppose I looked like a Whimsey, hehe) My Whimseys show some girls reaching out to me and asking me if I want to play with them. (Carrie, do you recognize yourself in your fiery redheaded-ness? With Maria?)

We learned some really good background techniques. Like using a brayer. I had one but never used it with paint before. I love it now. As the layers of paint on my brayer show... I use it often and neglect to wash it before it dries :-)


The third week we made "Empathy Monsters".  I've made plenty of stuffies before so I had everything I needed. Except a zipper mouth of course, the key thing an Empathy Monster needs. The monster is our inner critic and we need to be able to zip its mouth when needed. Well, I figured I could use duct tape when needed. I named him Jude, after a character in a book who was a surfer-dude.

He has an eyebrow piercing, a hoop in his ear, a nice shell necklace, and endearingly crooked teeth.  Duuude. Best of all, he loves me unconditionally and tells me how wonderful I am. Of course I keep the duct tape nearby ;-) 

I am embarrassed to admit that I didn't finish the cover of my book or lesson four. I think life got in the way. But all the videos were downloadable so I can finish them whenever I am able.  I believe if you go to Willowing's site the free course is still up and the videos are still downloadable. It's worth it just to watch Tam work her magic. 


That's all for now. I'll be back in a few days, have a great week!