I will be honest here and a bit vulnerable. I am starting over, moving into a new business. but not a new way of living, per se. I have worn many hats in my lifetime, Mother, Designer, Artist, Photographer, Writer, and more. The one that has stayed with me all of this time is Art-Maker. I have painted, crafted, crocheted, and created digital art. I have also participated in several arts-related ventures such as music-making, writing, and, in my younger years, acting. All of these have helped me manage life challenges and difficult emotions. And, they have been fun. This is precisely the goal I want to help my clients achieve.
Nature Lover
I am a lover of nature. I enjoy hiking and taking photos on my journeys and especially of wildflowers. Pictured above is Fire Pink, a beautiful wildflower found here in the hills of KY and TN where I often hike. It speaks to me and inspires me when I look at it. Its name suggests ambition (Fire) and radiates warmth, joy, and a love for life. (a timely bit of inspiration as I begin anew)
Expressive Exercise
As an expressive exercise, I’d like you to take a look at your phone photos or printed snapshots and pick one that stands out to you. There is no judgment and the photo doesn’t have to be high quality or professional. Ask yourself these questions: What does the photo mean to me? What was I thinking when I took the photo? Does it make me happy or sad? What emotion does it provoke in me? What can the photo tell me about myself? What title can I give the photo? Now, use it as your phone or computer background where you’ll see it often. Or, pin the snapshot to a bulletin board or your refrigerator, anywhere you can reflect on it often. Notice and journal about what you can take away from the photo. Next, take your favorite art medium, (ex. watercolor and paper) and just allow yourself to create the emotion your photo provoked in you. (Again, there is no judgment. This art piece is just for you.) It can be detailed or abstract. After your art piece is made, including your thoughts about it in a journal. If you would like to share your photo, art piece, and writing reflection, you can do so on my Artspirations Studio Facebook page. I would love to see what you’ve created!
Art-spiration
As I have practiced the art of photography in my own life, I’ve realized how every photo tells a story, one we don’t write yet speaks volumes to us. Images also encourage us to “collect moments, not things” which is so important on this journey we call “life.” I believe this speaks to us in another way, not that we shouldn’t own things, but maybe we should pick and choose which of our possessions mean the most to us and capture meaningful moments in our lives. I believe these can show up, perhaps, in just a simple photo we take.
Resource
I love to share resources with friends. If you are visual like me, you enjoy looking at different kinds of photos.
