First World Problems, Snow, and Soup

Tags

art journal, collage, first world problems, gratitude, gratitude journal, meditation, snow, soup

So the other day when it was 6 degrees Farenheit (-14 C) my garage door got a little bucky with the cold and I had to take off my seat belt, get out of the car, and manually close my garage door. As I took my son to school I started to laugh  at myself with him for my irritation (remember my post to always meditate on whatever provokes resentment – here it is in action). Anyway, I started to count my blessings and you can see them here on this warm sunny page.

The rest of this week has gone well with good food, conversation, and a good furnace! brrrrr

Weekly Challenge 194: “Embracing the Yuck”

Tags

Beads of courage, Diva Challenge, left hand, zentangle

Left handed beads of Courage.

This month the Diva has been having guest challengers because her son has had some major surgery. I drew him some beads of courage for all his bravery.

Our guest blogger this week was Elisa Murphy, CZT 15. Here is my quote of her challenge for us:

“Here’s my idea.  Let’s show some Zentangle solidarity and support for Laura and other fellow “Zentanglers” fighting the feelings that come with being forced to sit with that unsteadiness and powerlessness.  My clinical term for this is, “Embracing the Yuck” (I’m so fancy).

With all of this in mind, your challenge is to tangle with your non-dominant hand (including shading and blending).”

Elisa blogs at: Elisa’s Now and Zen

I really was challenged by this tile. I started with the larger circles around the edge with the idea of Beads of Courage. I discovered that drawing circles with my left hand is a very interesting experience so I drew more and more circles. Many of them I did not draw very well, but it was quite a challenge and kept my attention. I pretty quickly realized that I would not finish the tile this week if I kept doing circles so I added the X in the middle and thought that it would be interesting and perhaps easier to do Hollibaugh in the lower center. Wow. Another learning experience. I really had to get into the Zen of drawing each line. Filling in the background also turned out to be a surprisingly difficult task. I would have random jerky lines that would go places I did not want them. Each individual tangle pattern presented new curiosities and perspectives. There was some Yuck in my life this week so this was a fabulous parallel. I have been working on my gratitude journal, but I’m a little behind and I hope to post tomorrow. I love to find the Beads of Courage and the wonderful new perspectives that can come out of yuck. I hope you find gems in whatever life hands you today, too.

Meditation on Resentment & a Cure for Loneliness

Tags

altered art, art journal, atisha, collage, gratitude, loneliness, meditation, resentment

Diva Challenge 193: Thanks (THX)

Tags

Diva Challenge, zentangle

I am so excited to participate in the Diva’s Challenge again and the fact that it is a gratitude related challenge is so fitting! The THX refers to the first letters in the names of the tangle patterns that are to be used for this challenge. I am grateful for these challenges and the community they have exposed me to. This month the Diva has some challenges of her own and I wish her all the best. Check out this wonderful community at

Whimsical Wall Decor & More

Tags

art journal, collage, elephant, flowers, gratitude, Monet quote

I have been so busy working on 2 collages for an exhibit and contest in Wausau, Wisconsin. I will post photos of the collages I am submitting on my Events page and keep you appraised of their status. I also taught 2 workshops in the last week. Fortunately my migraines have not been too bad for the most part and I have been able to get so much work done. So exciting!

These purple posies may look familiar. I colored in the flowers from the collage I “finished.” I also played around with other parts of the collage. I am really happy with it now and I think it is actually finished this time! Prints of the collages are available at Fine Art America.

My son has been in the play, Pippin and I went to see him on Friday and Saturday. He did such a wonderful job. It really is amazing what a bunch of high school kids can do with some face paint, choreography, and adult guidance.

Iris paper folding was the technique for the Monday workshop and here it frames an adorable bunny that was photographed in our yard.

I am planning on going on a 5 day meditation retreat in January and I went to an informational workshop. My son is getting all of his music videos together for his college applications. I had so much fun going through all of them with him. What a fabulous walk down memory lane.

Yoga, coffee with Bridget, painting and book club – it must be Thursday. Here is my husband walking out of Friday’s page. He is so wonderful and I really love him.

Here are some color swatches using a new stencil I bought when shopping for frames for my finished collages! I taught an art journaling/gratitude workshop at a local library and had such a wonderful evening. I hope you have a beautiful day and take note of your blessings!