Famous Woman In History Featuring Maya Angelou

January 2013 Post Card Swap Featuring 

Maya Angelou

I belong to a wonderful Ning group called 

There's A Little Goddess In All Of Us

It's an inspiring group of ladies from around the world,

 a place to find goddesses, art, poetry, friendships and discussion.

I joined the monthly postcard swap a couple years ago to discover myself and as a way to heal through art. It was during a time in my life when I was home-bound due to my illness. 

Spending many hours at home and in bed left me longing for a sense of community and purpose.

I was very depressed, sad, and lonely; I'd spend most of my sleepless nights scavenging the net

for inspiration, friendship and a sense of belonging. I found it in an art chat room.

I had met Carol and a few of the other ladies in an on line art class called Art Heart and Healing

It was a free on line class which I used as a form of therapy.

There I was inspired to dig deep into my creative self and learn new techniques I never knew existed,

all the while of healing through the process of art.

 

The woman I've met in both of these Ning groups are filled with love, compassion and inspiration. 

Carol, our fearless hostess of the postcard swap shakes our world with a new topic every month.

We are encouraged to interpret each artist as we like, utilizing any medium to express our take on each topic.

I view each month as challenges to help me find my creative style and grow as an artist.

Each challenge teaches me new techniques as I learn about the featured artist.

Last year, the theme was famous artist. Each having a wide array of styles, most were new to me,

like: Di Grazia, Basquiat, Amedeo Modiglian and Freda.

Carol has opened my eyes and creative world. 

inspiring me to learned more about myself as an artist and refined my techniques as a result.

Each month a new topic is announced, I research and learn everything I can about it. It helps me to learn how they created their particular technique, form and style.

Some are more challenging then others, some take me several days to complete, some I whip off in no time; Each push my boundaries and are unique in their own way, becoming near and dear to my heart. 

Joining There's A Little Goddess In All Of Us  has been a true blessing.

Every month I receive little treasures in the mail from all walks of life, I call these fun mail. 

Is there anything more exciting  then receiving a handmade postcard from other artistes around the world... 

I think not! It makes opening the mail fun again...

Here is my take on our January's  "Famous Woman" postcard swap, 

I hope you'll find as much inspirations in my creations as I did in Maya's life's work.

 I decided to do a multimedia collage for 3 of my cards and a drawing for the last one.

For the 3 collage cards, I used magazines cuttings, watercolor paints, 

markers, napkins, and quotes from Maya Angelou.

I always like to draw the featured artist as my tribute to them. 

I used an ultra-fine Sharpe pen and markers.

Come check us out, I'm sure you'll enjoy our group as much as I do...

Until next time....love, hugs and many blessings to each of you!

XOXOXOXOX

Exciting New Give-A-Way at Willowing.ning

Tam over at Willowing and Friends is at it again.  Willowing.ning.com has recently surpassed the 5000 members mark and she is celebrating. She is having a BIG MASSIVE GIVE-A-WAY for her members, so hurry, there's still time to join in on the fun. She's giving away several prizes including a place in her up coming year long workshop called The Life Book. I am sooo excited for her, the prizes and her up coming workshop. What an opportunity for several lucky member's, not to mention everyone who participates in her new Life Book year long workshop... which she is offering at a very reasonable price of $99.00... Who offer's a jam packed 12 month workshop for under a hundred bucks these days....Tam does, your gonna love her!


Over the past year I have participated in several of Tam's online workshops... I have learn so many new techniques, remembered old ones I had forgotten, met friends from around the world, and sparked a renewed interest in creating multimedia art. There is so much magic, enthusiasm, inspiration and love floating around Willowing and Friends, your bound to be swept up, hugged and loved to death. What a better way to spend some quality time then taking care of you! Her new Life Book WS is all about learning to love and cherish our selves...Something that's hard to do for most of us...So if you haven't visited her Willowing.ning give it a try... Who knows, you may win one of her lovely prizes, meet a new friend, or find something new about yourself. I hope to see you there!!! 

{{{{{{Love and hugs everyone}}}}}}

The Elements of Art Journaling

 

The Elements of Art Journaling

How exciting, A wonderful opportunity for all... A journaling workshop is being offered by Effy over at Wild Precious Studio. 

This 6 week Course starts July1st. 

~*~*~*Sparkly Glitter*~*~*~

The Elements of Art Journaling is going to take you on a journey through earth, air, water, fire and spirit that will help you to create the most meaningful pages you possibly can. These pages will be beautiful. They will glow with your talent! They will shine with artistry and vibrancy and glorious colour!

Most importantly, these pages will be authentically, gorgeously, vibrantly and undeniably YOURS.

The art journal is more than just a collection of pretty pages, right? It is a snapshot of your very soul preserved forever in paint and glitter and kept like hidden treasure up on a shelf in your studio. It is a gritty, raw, love-oozing, self-reflective testimony! It is a dioxazine purple remembrance! A quinacridone nickel azo gold love letter! It is you – all of you – wrapped up in hemp twine or antique lace like a gift from the you of this present moment to the you of tomorrow.

When & Where

Registration is NOW OPEN! The classroom will be held in a private group within the gorgeous cyber-walls of Wild Precious Studio. There will be a fantastic PRE-CLASS PARTY but class won’t start until JULY 1, 2011. After the course is over the classroom itself will remain open for six more weeks to allow for catching up and downloading.

What Else?

The course will include videos & PDF's along with personal attention from Effy. everything you post will get her feedback. There will be a live chat every week for the duration of our ‘chapter’ weeks.

There are six ‘chapters’ but she will continue giving feedback on your work for a full eight weeks. The group itself will stay open for 12 weeks, and all course materials are yours to keep!

There will be 6 projects.  And one of those projects will be an altered composition book journal that we’ll make ourselves to keep all our TEAJ stuff in!

Random Act's of Kindness By Way of .......................Love Love Love & More Love....

These past few weeks have been an energy charged emotional roller coaster filled with  bursts of love, compassion and heartfelt appreciation....  all generated by a simple gift of a Valentine...... I just wanted to share the powerful gift of love I've experienced these past few weeks since Valentine’s Day.  I also want to share my random acts of love, appreciation and kindness with my faithful readers.

As I wrote last month, Valentine's has always been very special to me. I love giving them out just as much as I love receiving them. It’s my way of letting those around me known that I love and appreciate them.  I do it for them just as much as I do it for myself. It makes me feel good knowing I put a smile in someone’s heart. That's what makes my world sing.

My cards were a huge hit this year... everyone loved them. Most said it was the first card they have received in years. Some even went as far to say it was the only card or Valentine wishes they had ever received.... This broke my heart and made me start thinking of way I could spread my love all year long.  I decided that I was going to do random acts of kindness throughout the year, making everyday special. 

I went through all my boxes of greeting cards, post cards and stationary that I've been collecting for that special moment for years... I picked out my favorites, grabbed a hot cup of chi tea, curled up in my blankets and started writing out little notes of love and friendship. Making each card unique, I addressed them: To My Friend...I wrote out as many as I could before exhausting myself as I was still not feeling well. Noticing that once I was finished I felt so much better knowing that each little note card was filled with love, compassion and my heartfelt blessings; Knowing that I would be sending love into the world to those who might not have any, or could use a little extra that particular day,....Expressing my love, appreciation, and friendship to friends I've yet to meet. I put several in my art bag, my purse, my car, and my backpack that I sometimes carry with me. I wanted to be sure that I always have some with me to hand out randomly at all times, when people least expect it, hoping to make their day as others have made my day when I've received an unexpected cards in the mail.

A couple weeks ago, after spending the week giving out Valentine's to everyone I came into contact with... I received a couple different invitations to groups of artist's on line who also wanted to send out Random Acts of Kindness...Carol at A Little Goddess In All  and Effy at  Wild Precious  had invited me to join their group of creative souls to join in on one of their RAK.... Serendipitous? I don't think so.... I believe that when we send love out into our troubled world... it generates more love and brings love right back into your life... I believe this group of ladies came into my life just when I need them.... Just like I may be coming into your life when you need me...

I believe that we are all connected by our energy... As a practitioner of The Artist's Way... the one thing we learned is that the universe is always working with us.... So when our thoughts are generating love, kindness, gratitude, generosity, and appreciation.... it will come back to you tenfold... you attract that which you project... So if you project love... love will come back to you.

If you don't believe me....walk into a room smiling...laughing...with flowers, or singing... and see how the energy of the room changes... Then just to prove my point...walk into a room and be grumpy, frowning, sad, or crying.... and feel the energy of the room follow suit. Just try it... see for yourself if you haven't experienced it... or maybe you just haven't noticed....our world is a changing place... it is in need of love, kindness, compassion, and encouragement. How will you help change our world and make it a better place to live? How will you bring love into your life?

I would love to hear about your "Random Acts of Kindness" "Pay-it-forwards" or "Loving gestures" towards others. For the next year on the last day of every month I will pick and feature one story left in my comments section that moves my heart. If your story is picked and featured, you will receive a signed original Altered Post Card Art such as the ones I've posted above and below. This will be my gift to you....  In order to enter for your opportunity to receive one of my cards... you must post your Random Act of Kindness in my comment area. I hope that I've inspired you to love and be loved. 

Love, hugs & peace to all of you... 

Each of you are special, each of you mean the world to me...

Thank you for visiting my blog, 

Thank you for sharing your thoughts,

Thank you for being in my life!

XOXOXOX

Each card is watercolor painted on one side and collage on the other, 
each is unique and an original by me. 
Enjoy

Magical Mythical Makings Workshop Week 4 Continued

Wow... I am having so much fun in my 3M workshop, I’m in complete ahhhh to be painting amongst such talented artists… Tam at Willowing and friends is an Amazing teacher.  If you want to see some incredible artists or Mermaids... check out

 Willowing and Friends 

I thought I'd post my work in progress to keep you up to date.  Next week is a busy week with lots of medical tests, so I might not get to much painting in ... I'm still having a little trouble with the face area...I want that sweet serene look... the "ohhh I'm so at peace and in my element" look. I also need to do some needed outlining and highlighting... maybe add a couple more fish and whimsical elements like swirls, sea weed or sea flowers...lol. I also need to add another layer of acrylics as some of my watercolor paints and colors have faded into the wood. In some areas it gives it a nice rich contrast and adds to the elements of the painting, but in other areas, the paint blends into the wood and get's lost in the process. I am enjoying the experience of painting on wood verses a canvas or sheet of watercolor paper, I seem to have more control and I'm able to manipulate the paints better...it seems more forgiving which is great for an artist in training. 

I would recommend you give it a whirl, you might like it

I was debating if I was going to keep her arms in the painting or not...as I didn't think they looked quite right...but after much debate, I actually like them...so they're staying. My hubby isn't fond of my dressing  up my Mermaids bosoms...lol...as in my original drawing she was naked on top,  but they were so out there in your face, I thought I'd tone them down a bit compared to my original drawing... 

Maybe next time I'll showcase them a little more.

The smaller disk was a practice piece... I wanted to see how the paints would work with the wood...once I started, I couldn't just let it go undone...lol...besides I was having way too much fun, plus... It had this freedom about it...as it was just a practice piece, it didn't matter what I did to it or if there were mistakes... It turned out quite nice, I actually really like it.

My style seems consistent with my journal pages, but it still needs some tweaks and adjusting as I'm learning what I like and what I don't.... but I am getting there and finding my own rhythm.... I do have to keep telling myself...Picasso didn't learn to paint a masterpiece or walk over night.... practice, practice, practice... is the key to my success...

What a fun journey this is. 

I love everything about painting... It helps me to relax and get lost and be one with my paints and art piece.

Love, hugs & many blessings to everyone!!!!! 

~Enjoy~

♫¸.·♫•*¨*•. ¸¸(¯`♥´¯).•*¨*•♫.•*¨*•♫¸.•*¨*•♫.·♫•*¨*•. ¸¸(¯`♥´¯).•*¨*•♫.•*¨*•♫•*¨*•.  .•*¨*•♫`·.¸.·•*¨*•.♫.•*¨*•♫•*¨*•.♫.•*¨*•..•*¨*•.♫`·.¸.·♫•*¨*•. .•*¨*•♫

♫¸.·♫•*¨*•. ¸¸(¯`♥´¯).•*¨*•♫.•*¨*•♫¸.•*¨*•♫.·♫•*¨*•. ¸¸(¯`♥´¯).•*¨*•♫.•*¨*•♫•*¨*•.  .•*¨*•♫`·.¸.·•*¨*•.♫.•*¨*•♫•*¨*•.♫.•*¨*•..•*¨*•.♫`·.¸.·♫•*¨*•. .•*¨*•♫

Week 4 of Magical Mystical Makings "Mermaids"

Mythical Being: Mermaids
Master: Marc Chagall
Themes: Transformation, change & growth

Hello everyone, here are my journal pages for this week’s challenge.  I had a slow start this week as I had my chemo therapy on Tuesday and have felt pretty crummy since. My intentions are always good.... I'd love to blog every day, but somehow my energy level doesn't always cooperate nor does my health or migraines.

 This week in my 3M workshop we started our Mermaid on wood project. 

I have to say, I wasn't too excited about utilizing Marc Chagall's style, 

I never even heard of him before receiving our class material, 

or at least I didn't think I had.  

But once I emerged myself in his art I found I kind of liked it... 

I loved that my interpretations didn't have to be perfect... 

which is a difficult task for me as I am such a perfectionist and always want my lines to be clean...

at least when it comes to my paintings. 

This exercise brought me out of my comfort zone 

but I will say, I actually had a lot of fun. 

I was able to completely lose myself in the process.

Almost afraid to post my work for fear of what others would think,

My inner critic wasn't being so nice. 

I finally got up the courage to post my work. 

I'm so glad I did, 

After I received so many wonderful comments from my fellow classmates, 

It was so heartwarming....

I can't tell you how much it meant to hear their words of love and encouragement....

It was truly a humbling experience.

I am my own worst critic.

soooooo 

Today.... I allowed myself to feel good about what I've done... 

Today, I embrace the fact that I love to paint...

Today, 

I learned to believe in myself… to believe in my abilities

And

To believe in my artistic interpretation and creations.

Today I learned to love....

Me

 Thank you everyone for being on this journey with me... 

Thank you all for sharing a part of your life with me… 

We are all creative and artistic in our own way. 

Making our world a better place through the eyes of art brings so much joy to everyone.

I hope my creative endeavors bring love, joy, and beauty into your life.

Love, Hugs and Blessing to everyone.

♫¸.·♫•*¨*•. ¸¸(¯`♥´¯).•*¨*•♫.•*¨*•♫¸.•*¨*•♫.·♫•*¨*•. ¸¸(¯`♥´¯).•*¨*•♫.•*¨*•♫•*¨*•.  .•*¨*•♫`·.¸.·•*¨*•.♫.•*¨*•♫•*¨*•.♫.•*¨*•..•*¨*•.♫`·.¸.·♫•*¨*•. .•*¨*•♫

This is my work in progress.... Next I need to apply my magical touch
paint...college....pen....love....patients....more love....lol.... 
Stay tuned for my completed masterpiece...lol.. 
Love and Hugs!!!!

Week 3 of Magical Mythical Makings "Angels"

ANGELS

Hello everyone, Love and hugs out to all of you {{{xoxo}}}.  My goals this week were to stay on top of my workshop assignments... doing this weeks assignment first and then going back to finish what needs to be done on last weeks when I have extra time. That was going to be my way of staying on task so not to get so over whelmed by being constantly behind and in catch-up mode (not a very creative state of mind, I might add). These past few weeks my intentions and desires have not been my issue, although a white canvas was a little intimidating, but once I got started, it was not what was holding me back…my health was. It wasn’t cooperating with my wants, needs and desires.

"Everyday is going to be different." I kept telling myself each and every morning. I'd wake up with the mindset that today is going to be the day where I feel great and I accomplish everything I set out to do….As always life sets in, and my plans for staying on top of things quickly got hijacked by life forces stronger than my own...another migraine set in and forced me back to bed, that makes 24 days of migraines out of 31 days. As I laid there trying to will my migraine away, trying to create the life I want by meditating on every little detail... I found that what I needed to do was to let go.... I needed to just let everything in my mind stop fighting the pain and see where it wanted to lead me instead of wishing I was someplace else and someone else...I was trying to control every aspect in my life when in reality I have no control at all over anything...

Once I was able to see that, be one with it, and accept the things I cannot change...the migraine seemed to lessen. Now it could be the magnitude of meds, shots and more meds that I took to rid my month long continuous life stopper, pain-in-my a******* or in my case head and a**…lol.... but regardless... it finally started to let up and I was able to at least sit up in bed. I quickly surrounded myself with my journal, crayons, watercolor pencils, and laptop. Listening to Tam’s soothing angelic voice talk me thought my exercise, making me laugh and want to talk back to her when she'd question herself; I found comfort, love and the ability to get lost in my art, forgetting about the pain that consumed my body.    

Drawing my Angels brought about clarity and a sense of comfort and oneness. I felt surrounded by love! For some reason, I found this to be extremely funny because last week my Goddess choice was Katasee... Goddess of all that is, of all things, well-being, and unconditional love and healing.... While creating my journal pages, I came to the conclusion that these were all the things I wanted and needed in myself, my body, my life... right here, right now at that very moment. Realizing I had it…all of it right before my eyes;  I just need to be present enough to see it, feel it, and enjoy it. Peace washed over me; my migraine was no longer sitting in my face no longer the elephant in the room, no longer controlling my every thought, no longer consuming my essence. I was surrounding by a glow of love, art, compassion and healing!

So here you have the start of my Angels. I still need to finish her wings and dress but at least I’ve started. I decided to do the assignment just as Tam was teaching, and then when I put my work on my watercolor canvas I'll make my Angels my own. I've also included the progress on week 2's Goddess painting, I still need to apply the college aspect of the Klimt's style to her gown and halo, but one step at a time.  

Several months ago I was told to paint by a dear friend who recently passed, it was as thought he had an insight into my healing, he was very insistent that I give it a try again. At the time, I remember thinking he was crazy, I hadn't picked up a brush in years, I couldn't see what he did.  Now.... the more I paint, the more I feel his presence and the more I understand. I am so grateful he nudged me back into painting.   Every time I pick up my brush I feel so blessed and thankful. 

ENJOY!

Katasee Goddess 1-23-2011

Katasee Goddess 1-23-2011 2
Originally uploaded by Chel Marie's Creative Corner

As I announced earlier Tam over at Willowing.ning was offering her new workshop called Magical Mythical Makings. I was given the gift of this online workshop by a dear friend who I met at the Art, Heart and Healing workshop a few months ago. It is because of her I was able to participate in this workshop. I am forever grateful for my dear friend and artist soul sister Yolanda... Thank you for your friendship, Thank you for your love and understanding, and Thank you for your truly wonderful gift. I will cherish it and you forever!

So here is my first Journal entry for the online workshop at Willowing & Artist's Friends. As usual I'm behind the rest of the class as I'm constantly dealing with debilitating migraines and my illness. But through perseverance, my love of art and journaling I just keep plugging away. Art brings so much joy to my life, creating such beauty even if it's only in the eyes of the beholder, it truly brings so much love, peace and happiness to my heart. Making a dark day seem much brighter.

Art has been very healing for me, if you need some love or a boost in your sometimes hard emotional day... please, I encourage you to give it a try. Tam has the Art, Heart and Healing workshop up and running for anyone who wants to join in and it's completely free. It's her way of paying-it-forward for all the love and joy in her life.

It has been a way for me to connect to others even when getting out isn't an option. I have met so many wonderful, creative souls in the past several months and made lasting on line friendships all over the world. Tam has created such a fun and loving environment for anyone interested in multi-mixed media artistic adventures... Come and join in on the fun, I'm sure it will brighten your day and heart, and who knows maybe you'll find your long lost passion.

Magical Mythical Makings is now open for registration!

Magical Mythical Makings is now open for registration!

Learn to make beautiful mythical beings in mixed media paintings! We'll be making Goddesses, Angels, Fairies, Mermaids and Unicorns! We will cover the basics on a front facing and 3 quarter portrait but we'll also do full bodied figures. Additionally we'll let some of the old masters inspire us and we'll explore the different kinds of surfaces we can work on. This is a very comprehensive, in depth mixed media art course in which you'll also keep a practice journal for which you'll receive weekly assignments. Find out more information and sign up now.


Tam at Willowing & Friends is an amazing teacher, her teaching style is fun, loving and full of wonderful healing energy. I learned so much from her free online workshop she offered before the holidays which is still up and running for anyone who wants to give her art techniques a try. You will definitely come out learning more then you imagined and you will not regret it...I promise. Tam has a heart of Gold as we all found out during her Pay-It-Forward workshop called Art, Heart & Healing. I highly recommend it.  I met the most amazing woman in the workshop forming lasting friendships with ladies from all over the world. It's not just about the art...it's about the community and friendships.

Check it out; here. 

Art, Heart & Healing Free Course on Willowing.com

Art, Heart & Healing Free Course on Willowing.com

I am so excited to have found this website and to be able to share it with all of you.

Willowing & Artist’s Friends are offering a wonderful creative ways to

jump start your healing process no matter where you are in life.

It is a Happy Place for Making Art, Feeling Good, and Creating Some Beauty in your Life.

And it’s completely FREE

The One Line Course Starts October 18th.