tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15841083440018125452024-02-07T04:21:14.221-08:00Healing Art WorksThoughts about creating sacred and healing art.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676429836050642671noreply@blogger.comBlogger94125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584108344001812545.post-76441084637976558952016-05-03T17:32:00.002-07:002016-05-03T17:34:44.933-07:00Calming Creative Clutter<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3nQlveZPsabXVZ1nWKjOWl01_bhyod0q_Tf_l6ZWgbi7Z2BoIW8ti-wASoofPjvdpEz-IQl4QvuLNWG4svUk_iZIkfFNqDZ_7t6Y6xIl_Lz1XeCydeP7Bru-XPPp1Zm86-szmpT2F71OC/s1600/I+Am+One+Who+is+learning+to+order+and+recycle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3nQlveZPsabXVZ1nWKjOWl01_bhyod0q_Tf_l6ZWgbi7Z2BoIW8ti-wASoofPjvdpEz-IQl4QvuLNWG4svUk_iZIkfFNqDZ_7t6Y6xIl_Lz1XeCydeP7Bru-XPPp1Zm86-szmpT2F71OC/s400/I+Am+One+Who+is+learning+to+order+and+recycle.jpg" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I Am One Learning New Ways to Relate to Things and the Earth<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Created this card today when I got junk mail with the little explorer on the cover. The background is from a 10 cent book from the Westminster Library which features the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_fb_0_19?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=berenstain+bears+messy+room&sprefix=berenstain+bears+me%2Cdigital-text%2C242" target="_blank">Berenstain Bears</a> addressing the issue of having a messy bedroom.<br />
<br />
This is me, a card carrying <a href="http://www.messies.com/" target="_blank">"Messy"</a>, who has struggled since childhood with managing the things in my playroom, my study room, my bedroom, my car, my studio. My excuses: I'm an artist, a single mom, a teacher with lots of books, art supplies, and stuff I should probably save (lol).<br />
<br />
I must admit, though I like a visually interesting living space, I feel better when things are clean and somewhat ordered. Did I mention that I haven't been feeling that great lately? My studio gets straightened at least once a week since people come in for groups--but my bedroom? Yikes! I could spin and weave a huge itchy blanket from all the cat hair on the floor. Cleaning keeps on getting put on my daily to-do list and daily shifted to "tomorrow". Yes, I am going to go vacuum and de-clutter after I post this blog. Really.<br />
<br />
I've been working on applying the "<a href="https://lottmiddleschool.wikispaces.com/file/view/60SecProcrastinator_533256.pdf" target="_blank">The 60 Second Procrastinator</a>" idea for overcoming the main barrier to getting things done: getting started. Committing oneself to working on a postponed task for 60 second (just 60 seconds!) is the secret. Once started we mostly keep on going. This trick works very well, actually, and great that I fall for it, can depend on falling for it, every time.<br />
<br />
But back to the main reason I made this card. I have been doing the <a href="http://juliacameronlive.com/books-by-julia/the-artists-way-a-spiritual-path-to-higher-creativity/" target="_blank">Artist's Way</a> "morning pages" for some weeks and it has been helping me to be more committed to including art in my life. Some of the things I've added have been: going to a local art guild meeting monthly, showing art pieces in my first show in years, going to a weekly art group (love the other artists!), finding new artist friends to have coffee and plot with, hosting new special topic (latest: Gelli Plate) workshops, going to an Eco-Art group. Great to list these things because there really has been a profound shift and it has dramatically changed the way I view myself as an artist, and how much art making I accomplish weekly.<br />
<br />
The Eco-Art group gave me a sudden brilliant idea: I could recycle my 50 (not sure) boxes of papers into handmade paper!!! That would solve paper clutter and also make me a better world citizen. Plus handmade paper might be a really cool thing for collage. I've done some research about papermaking, found some promising websites for <a href="https://arnoldgrummer.com/" target="_blank">buying supplies </a> and have found the two kid's papermaking kits I've collected over the years. Hope to get started with shredding that paper mid-month.<br />
<br />
My Commitment for May<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>get started with paper shredding and papermaking, thus making my paper trash to treasure</li>
<li>attend the messy anon call at least once a week to keep me decluttering </li>
<li>continue with morning pages</li>
<li>clean and keep clean bedroom, bath, floors</li>
<li>work on art project daily</li>
<li>give my artist self (and my messy self) a hug whenever they feel overwhelmed.</li>
</ul>
<div>
Any other messy artists out there? What are your trade secrets for averting avalanches?</div>
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676429836050642671noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584108344001812545.post-1639230163610867452016-02-08T10:51:00.000-08:002016-02-08T10:53:38.376-08:00Honoring Seena Frost, Founder of SoulCollage<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJyaYeD1hYG36bykSbvSN01NNa6uERUJXa4OZSyNk8O-FGYR5PyfmGtDHi7NLEmsdfHJycT7DIzfraSI-JxKeONn9R86lzvSeoMPzxvJu7Tv2FEtowyv2e0etGjPartVQMmDlK-5m7pDHc/s1600/SoulCollageLightingaCandleforThoseWhoWereLost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJyaYeD1hYG36bykSbvSN01NNa6uERUJXa4OZSyNk8O-FGYR5PyfmGtDHi7NLEmsdfHJycT7DIzfraSI-JxKeONn9R86lzvSeoMPzxvJu7Tv2FEtowyv2e0etGjPartVQMmDlK-5m7pDHc/s400/SoulCollageLightingaCandleforThoseWhoWereLost.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I Am One Who Lights a Candle For Those Lost</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">This is a card made in 2015 from a National Geographic image of a candlelight vigil for those lost in the 1986 Chernobyl disaster. To me this card represents <span style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">the mourning </span><b style="line-height: 18.2px;"> </b><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">of a community when it experiences devastating loss. At the time I made this card it related to mourning related to the devastation of senseless school shootings and horrific bombings in the Middle East. </span></span></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Each day I draw a card from my SoulCollage deck to meditate on for the day.<br />Today I am thinking of Seena Frost because I registered for the February 15th memorial service for her, scheduled for the day that would have been Seena's 84th birthday. You can still register to attend this celebration of Seena's life here: <span class="cc-var" style="line-height: 18.2px;" title=""><a href="http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=nkioexbab&oeidk=a07ec7583qxa97e6673" target="_blank">Seena's Cyber-Memorial: A Celebration of Seena B. Frost, Founder of SoulCollage®</a></span><span style="line-height: 18.2px;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">Although I am sad that Seena is gone I am so joyous that she lived a full life and has made the next step on her soul's journey. I am so grateful that she founded and developed SoulCollage and that it has become a dynamic and meaningful part of my life.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18.2px;"><br /></span>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676429836050642671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584108344001812545.post-20089044550591424712015-09-01T16:05:00.001-07:002015-09-01T16:17:17.816-07:00I Am One Who Supports My Creative Inner Child<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifWj6a-6tPpIR4Fe0k_B6DK4R_JpryIcvK4EKfFxyxxx_5t1AJGvNC2Exo6UU_LnJxXQIqapXWYV45g6UYZsHtHoQ_FLCR1mr2O0mrTm2U1h9x2HlQbKRvDJzSB2HYuUlKzrSO3nyC_K9Y/s1600/I+Am+One+Who+Supports+My+Creative+Inner+Child.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifWj6a-6tPpIR4Fe0k_B6DK4R_JpryIcvK4EKfFxyxxx_5t1AJGvNC2Exo6UU_LnJxXQIqapXWYV45g6UYZsHtHoQ_FLCR1mr2O0mrTm2U1h9x2HlQbKRvDJzSB2HYuUlKzrSO3nyC_K9Y/s400/I+Am+One+Who+Supports+My+Creative+Inner+Child.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I Am One Who Supports My Creative Inner Child<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
I took a tele-class from SoulCollage® Facilitator Anne Marie Bennett called "Exploring the Shadow with Light of SoulCollage®". During this class I made a card about an inner 5 year old full of despair. An unfortunate life event</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
caused this child to believe that she was unloved, and she was largely unable to recognize the behaviors of others in</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
her life that proved her wrong. I found that she was linked to a card I made of a hostile teenager called "I Am One Who</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Has Strong Defenses. Both of these parts of self can now be offered love and support, now they have had the light of my awareness focused on them. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
What followed was a series of cards that offer support to my my inner children. There is a baby card I will post later and </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
this card above. At first the voice of this card was from the woman in red, an adult part of myself. She tells the child that</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
her creativity is celebrated and that the shoulder bag represents the supplies she will have to help her express herself.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Later I was aware of the second voice of this card: I Am One Who is Full of Creative Ideas, I Am One Who is So Excited </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
to Have Permission to Be Expressive, I Am One Who Has a LOT of Energy and Enthusiasm, I Am One Who Loves to Draw and Paint, I Am One Who Loves Color and Texture.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The colorful background was from a science magazine. Electron Microscope photos of cellular activity. That is how deep</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I want my support for my inner child to be: down to the cellular level. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676429836050642671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584108344001812545.post-31107786885894757622015-07-15T12:18:00.000-07:002015-07-15T12:18:16.881-07:00I Am One Who Is Grateful<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQuyILOJM2kFXoZxeS0-c4C05IPYV0kZkkKoLnMDrJxVHXUT7TLoF1pqLmDHXMbpIzV1Hytoy0x6Y_FEqthX5-IQWcuwkXqv1U8fmoCTcyFoZDlmfn64lFYFVawgxWQwjclrpqv5KkawZ/s1600/I+am+one+who+is+grateful.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQuyILOJM2kFXoZxeS0-c4C05IPYV0kZkkKoLnMDrJxVHXUT7TLoF1pqLmDHXMbpIzV1Hytoy0x6Y_FEqthX5-IQWcuwkXqv1U8fmoCTcyFoZDlmfn64lFYFVawgxWQwjclrpqv5KkawZ/s400/I+am+one+who+is+grateful.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I Am One Who Is Grateful<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
This image was part of a larger illustration of an article in <i>Experience Life</i> magazine by <a href="https://experiencelife.com/article/real-thanks/" target="_blank">Courtney Helgoe</a>. The part pasted to my card illustrates the reason I think gratitude is important to me. When I am aware of what I am grateful for in my life, rather than focusing on what appears to make my life less than perfect, this keeps me open to receiving opportunities and available to witness amazing occurrences in everyday life. <br /><br />In addition to this lovely illustration I also added a related pink color to the right and left sides of my card with Derwent Inktense Watercolor Pencils and doodles with Gelly Roll pens.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am One Who is Willing to Receive</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am One Who is in Communion With Higher Power</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am One Who is Willing to Receive Abundance in All Areas of My Life</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am One Who Experiences Fullness</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am One Who is Complete</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am One Who is Grateful for Life</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am One Who is Willing to Receive a Rain of Daisies</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am One Who Shares My Love</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am One Who is Willing to Receive Love</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am One Who is Loved</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676429836050642671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584108344001812545.post-33108687975971397272015-07-14T11:37:00.000-07:002015-07-14T11:38:53.022-07:00SoulCollage® Empty Nest<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87uUUHa5WB5P3tilk4TLLchUuqmqDTSizLVk4nuD65R38_WWF_EXQRqEvq-T10iLanu5cJUzEliCXloMkFVDIzsjCwIVk428Q3QQ-7KvIjAF8cVFf6YHTFKMAs2RTjDVVtalRPry1ysJQ/s1600/emptynestwithfeathersandcrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87uUUHa5WB5P3tilk4TLLchUuqmqDTSizLVk4nuD65R38_WWF_EXQRqEvq-T10iLanu5cJUzEliCXloMkFVDIzsjCwIVk428Q3QQ-7KvIjAF8cVFf6YHTFKMAs2RTjDVVtalRPry1ysJQ/s400/emptynestwithfeathersandcrow.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I Am One Who Mourns the Empty Nest<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I've been doing some prompts with my art journaling group related to Croning, or growing older and embracing power and wisdom, as well as accepting the losses and challenges related to aging. We've been looking at the 13 Characteristics of a Juicy Crone in Jean Shinoda Bolen's book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Crones-Dont-Whine-Concentrated-Wisdom/dp/1573249122" target="_blank">Crones Don't Whine</a>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">One thing that has come up for me relates to the bout of depression I've been going through. I finally realized that although I am now retired (but will always work with SoulCollage®, Creativity and Art Therapy) and working on making friends with old age, I am still the mother who is watching her son move from young adulthood to adulthood. I finally saw that part of me is mourning the impending reality of my empty nest.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I seriously had the illusion that since my life has always been full of learning and exploring and creativity that I would not experience the "<a href="http://grownandflown.com/8-best-of-the-empty-nest/" target="_blank">Empty Nest Syndrome</a>" I thought reserved for suburban housewives whose lives have always been structured around their children. I came late to motherhood, birthing my son when I was 45. Now he is 18 and I am 64, and, like everyone always said, the time flew.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I am trying to plan for my future life as an single elder woman while helping him flex his wings and learn to fly. Not smooth for us, not like boarding a plane and short hours later arriving at a new destination. Of course life drives us on, whether we are ready for changes or not. Many potholes on this road have been jarring, nothing is simple. I've tried to be mother, father and friend to my child. Of course it is his job now to hate me, tolerate me and love me in unpredictable doses. Of course he demands independence and freedom but struggles mightily with paying attention to getting necessary things done, and turning his attention to life's requirements. And WHY hasn't he yet gotten his driver's license? I know he is equal parts (some days) wanting to grow up and wanting to remain a child. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The card pictures my empty nest with my well loved son smiling and close by on the left (past). The toy car represents my exhaustion with constant driving, my love for toys and my desire for him to drive himself, both in his life and in his (own) car. The nest is empty but contains feathers (wishes, dreams, memories, blessings) and a <a href="http://www.spiritanimal.info/crow-spirit-animal/" target="_blank">Crow</a> on the right (future) is bringing a shiny <a href="http://www.chakra-anatomy.com/sacral-chakra-colors.html" target="_blank">orange</a> orb to the nest. Hmm, perhaps I haven't lost all my marbles yet, lol.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I Am One Who Mourns the Empty Nest</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I Am One Who Drives My Son Everywhere,All the Time</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I Am One Who is Ready to Begin My Solitary Life</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I Am One Who Wishes My Son to Make His Way Into the World</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I An One Who Wishes My Son to Find His True Vocation and His Life's Companion</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I Am One Who is Lonely</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I Am One Who Fears the Financial and Physical Challenges of Old Age</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I Am One Who Has a Nest Feathered with Treasured Memories, Creative Projects and Friends</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I Am One Who Misses the Innocent Toys of Childhood</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I Am One Who Knows the Future Brings Treasures and Joy</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I Am One Who Honors the Life-Death-Life Cycle</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I Am One Who Celebrates My Sister Crones and Our Place in Life</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I Am One Who Is Grateful for What the Crow Brings.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676429836050642671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584108344001812545.post-68244801927593448152015-07-04T12:10:00.002-07:002015-07-04T12:12:12.879-07:00I Am One Who Withdraws When Overstimulated<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-geAgw-kKt1A/VZgsnlJ1kWI/AAAAAAAAEFw/wQkuOXatPqI/s1600/I%2BAm%2BOne%2BWho%2BWithdraws%2BWhen%2BI%2Bam%2BOverstimulated.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-geAgw-kKt1A/VZgsnlJ1kWI/AAAAAAAAEFw/wQkuOXatPqI/s400/I%2BAm%2BOne%2BWho%2BWithdraws%2BWhen%2BI%2Bam%2BOverstimulated.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I Am One Who Withdraws When Overstimulated.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: #6fa8dc; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">I Am One Who Withdraws When Overstimulated. Sometimes I get frustrated with my highly sensitive introverted self. I've been working on more compassion for the rhythms I require, although I do not always understand them. I am attracted to vivid colors and experiences, but am also one who gets exhausted by too much noise and other stimulation, and needs to just withdraw and recharge. The world is a hot, bright place to me sometimes. It's OK to withdraw to my cool, private world.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676429836050642671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584108344001812545.post-35842720255185846422014-10-07T19:34:00.000-07:002014-10-07T19:34:59.458-07:00I Am the One Who Is Creative<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihijxmRFZbWj7g7gHbbQbAeCaOVuUX0rwOMeUdzUkIsT6GVJnozZrZMMRHfn91gJkx7Qwmvlw5RGROBI5Oe0QhZccxb0rMOuXLYtmY9L7yoTqrOJ3eV2PugAA7PL9RG4KyKI881LQ-QjC1/s1600/I+Am+th+One+Who+Paints.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihijxmRFZbWj7g7gHbbQbAeCaOVuUX0rwOMeUdzUkIsT6GVJnozZrZMMRHfn91gJkx7Qwmvlw5RGROBI5Oe0QhZccxb0rMOuXLYtmY9L7yoTqrOJ3eV2PugAA7PL9RG4KyKI881LQ-QjC1/s1600/I+Am+th+One+Who+Paints.jpg" height="640" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I Am the One Who Paints<br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I created this card last year, just after my birthday. I use it now for my profile picture on facebook. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It represents a favorite part of myself, the creative, the painter. Somewhere I read, when I was working</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
on my BFA, that in ancient Japan it was considered the artist's duty to bring the beauty of nature to</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
those who had to keep their eyes on the world of commerce and politics, who did not have time to</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
glimpse it in their day to day life. I took this to heart. In this card are: Victorian flower images, garden</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
flowers, forget-me-nots, cans of paint and a painter's brush, Tibetan tanka imagery and colorful South</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
American painted pottery. These different images represent the idea of memory, the beauty of nature,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
(especially flowers), tradition, the joy of color, my spirituality. All these aspects ignite my love for painting</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
and my sense of responsibility for bringing my ideas/visions/dreams to birth through my art.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am the One Who Loves Color</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am the One Who Loves Nature</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am the One Who Brings Beauty to Others</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am the One Who Seeks the Path With Heart</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am the One Who Trusts Intuition</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am the One Guided by Spirit</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676429836050642671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584108344001812545.post-36761996730514045952014-09-23T08:17:00.000-07:002014-09-23T08:17:55.030-07:00SoulCollage: The End of the World (record of process)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiclbwD53N5yDFoV2RNmiCLrJDRmn3cigWSsoFmdq7klch_2TrGJVI2lpjlXU8TnKsQttyKrv8kKD6pEQ_-euqUoMGd54W4in5uz6bFshcqt5LTX8geFPcR1actlz5iKCjARSwWQrHbQfKf/s1600/Mushroom_Cloud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiclbwD53N5yDFoV2RNmiCLrJDRmn3cigWSsoFmdq7klch_2TrGJVI2lpjlXU8TnKsQttyKrv8kKD6pEQ_-euqUoMGd54W4in5uz6bFshcqt5LTX8geFPcR1actlz5iKCjARSwWQrHbQfKf/s1600/Mushroom_Cloud.jpg" height="640" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mankind has, in its hands, the power to create or prevent nuclear disaster.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVX6UUSpfgxMIMKMU6qXV8wWeR778ByjWwIyVSRtYClbR3PfotjbRToa6BxGy5UCVOGghyphenhyphenK6-Pqq0-UDOGOS9ArqDbOE33hUghY1nE0zhcsPeVmI4h_EVE_5kh_clyf_qJnN23AowqqjD/s1600/Soul+Collage+Apocalypse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVX6UUSpfgxMIMKMU6qXV8wWeR778ByjWwIyVSRtYClbR3PfotjbRToa6BxGy5UCVOGghyphenhyphenK6-Pqq0-UDOGOS9ArqDbOE33hUghY1nE0zhcsPeVmI4h_EVE_5kh_clyf_qJnN23AowqqjD/s1600/Soul+Collage+Apocalypse.jpg" height="640" width="404" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Terrorism, biological disaster, climate change, government surveillance.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXcmcUWPRx9ySL_mfzyh05a117EhGzenT3Hqrn_UZQHn_1erzV8v7z8auwvvGFL0U3LnaZTgRy3ZAwGuFO2WiIQfRd1zzQnZJOeXCZxtM7kiNqVD5UXFsFNvoYcs-LNEB1-45GR0KqT2_t/s1600/SoulCollage,+Counsil,+Apocalypse+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXcmcUWPRx9ySL_mfzyh05a117EhGzenT3Hqrn_UZQHn_1erzV8v7z8auwvvGFL0U3LnaZTgRy3ZAwGuFO2WiIQfRd1zzQnZJOeXCZxtM7kiNqVD5UXFsFNvoYcs-LNEB1-45GR0KqT2_t/s1600/SoulCollage,+Counsil,+Apocalypse+2.jpg" height="640" width="404" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dire predictions by religious fringe groups. Fear of the unknown.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I tend to be a thoughtful but positive person in my day to day life. But I have taught a collage class,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
at two different tech schools, called "Technology and Society" for a few years. This course is a </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
critical thinking class that asks students to analyze the positive and negative effects of technology, </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
since man's first use of tools, on society and the world. So we have been looking into the news</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
and marveling at scientific breakthroughs in nano-tech, bio-tech and technology in general. We've</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
also looked at global and national issues such as global warming, terrorism, problems with disease</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
and food production. I think this is where this card came from. I don't know how many other </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
SoulCollage practitioners have a Apocalypse card but now there is one in my deck. Of course</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
the classes I have been teaching are not the only reason that this card appeared.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I grew up during the Cold War when the threat of global nuclear annihilation was in the back of </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
every one's minds, I think. <a href="http://rt.com/news/doomsday-clock-nuclear-conflict-626/">The Doomsday Clock </a> was first launched in 1947 by the editors of the</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Bulletin of Atomic Scientists. It is currently (as of 2014) at 5 minutes to midnight. The first version</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
of the card, with the atomic mushroom and human hand holding a stopwatch, relates to my </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"end of the world" fears, both conscious and unconscious, and anxiety about when the world will end.I think that the fear of a nuclear bomb starting the last world war is less of a fear for me than it was when I was young.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The second version of the card includes the shadow of terrorism and also the threat of increasing government intrusion into our day to day lives, related to all kinds of surveillance. In addition this card refers to threats related to climate change (the ice imagery). Other areas of low grade anxiety for me are the many predictions of the coming apocalypse (the stained-glass image of death). Although I do not subscribe to religious fanaticism it is hard not to miss the dire predictions from these groups. Last on this second version of the card is the image of bacteria. Threat of bio-terrorism and the evolution of super-strains of diseases, once in control, as well as new diseases, seems to be the way "life as we know it" might end, rather than fire or disappearing ice.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The final version of this card includes the image of an meteor striking the earth. It represents, for me, the fact that world is far more unknown or uncharted than was thought in the 1950, a time when it seemed that the Utopian "modern world", where science solved all human problems and could manage and control every aspect of life, was right around the corner. At that time science was given a blank check to do its magic and create that wondrous world. I think that most now realize that science is a powerful tool but one that must be welded wisely. And that it is everyone's responsibility to continue to strive for a healthy equatable world. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Gill Sans Light', Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.0021018981934px;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676429836050642671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584108344001812545.post-20006226937167687552014-09-21T10:39:00.000-07:002014-09-21T15:40:33.357-07:00I Am the One Inspired By Elizabeth St. Hillary Nelson<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH81q6TbMOOEvzVJQFQkt2wAKVctSuHbOYJDRDTvtusRKKVjn7gJJTJC2Lvo_g2yo7nLyMn9FquuSHGj3weqwDIob2YEkQBV0dXti_GCMgXhBMq0TQZhi_TJynIb9InDnvwC1SotYYv22F/s1600/I+Am+the+One+Who+is+a+Whimsical+Collage+Artist+Like+Elizabeth+St.+Hilarie+Nelson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH81q6TbMOOEvzVJQFQkt2wAKVctSuHbOYJDRDTvtusRKKVjn7gJJTJC2Lvo_g2yo7nLyMn9FquuSHGj3weqwDIob2YEkQBV0dXti_GCMgXhBMq0TQZhi_TJynIb9InDnvwC1SotYYv22F/s1600/I+Am+the+One+Who+is+a+Whimsical+Collage+Artist+Like+Elizabeth+St.+Hilarie+Nelson.jpg" height="640" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">SoulCollage: I Am the One Inspired by Elizabeth St. Hillary Nelson</span><br />
Collage using Gelli Plate, acrylic paint and deli paper plus images from <br />
Elizabeth's promotional flier and images from her collages<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
I attended a Paper Painting Collage workshop with Elizabeth the first weekend of September, 2014.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It was so inspiring! As one gets older, I'm told, new experiences become connected to related experiences</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
from the past. So this experience took me back to: being in painting school, working with children in</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
summer recreation programs, a workshop with child book illustrator Ed Young, seeing the paper</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
cuts of Matisse, as well as reading the wonderful books from Eric Carle when my son was young. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So great to connect to all those experiences of with a common theme: being playfully creative while</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
delighting in the pure sensual and intuitive pleasure of making colorful marks. Additionally we traded</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
bits of paper that workshop participants had painted and worked to assemble our individual collages.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Here is my first collage from that workshop.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ND9UeY-aZMw/VB8KBpX5BnI/AAAAAAAAEDk/4YZQBC-kyfQ/s1600/Gayle%2BB's%2BApple_First%2BPainted%2BPaper%2BCollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ND9UeY-aZMw/VB8KBpX5BnI/AAAAAAAAEDk/4YZQBC-kyfQ/s1600/Gayle%2BB's%2BApple_First%2BPainted%2BPaper%2BCollage.jpg" height="400" width="391" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
First Apple</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
collage with painted paper</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am the One Who is Inspired by Elizabeth St. Hillary Nelson</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am the One Who is a Whimsical Collage Artist</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am the One Who Remembers Being a Creative Child</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am the One Who is in Love with Color</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am the One Who is a Painter</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am the One Who Puts the Torn Pieces Back Together to Make a Better Picture</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676429836050642671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584108344001812545.post-18228977318268816702014-03-07T20:50:00.000-08:002014-03-07T20:50:34.149-08:00I Am The One Who Cures the Common Cold<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6fdAqeRuFbRQFlAOSZt87D3sv7XpiJLsdr2I9NL-U7B2TqN4zl54shQ0AxGcp2BfpDp8Othqq7HAdiLCtdJn9nCkp9BK_G7uuIEBd0Dh8dUfRT3b6F7hdee7-JwU3jp0eYPD8VKk70fh/s1600/I+Am+the+One+Who+Cures+the+Common+Cold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6fdAqeRuFbRQFlAOSZt87D3sv7XpiJLsdr2I9NL-U7B2TqN4zl54shQ0AxGcp2BfpDp8Othqq7HAdiLCtdJn9nCkp9BK_G7uuIEBd0Dh8dUfRT3b6F7hdee7-JwU3jp0eYPD8VKk70fh/s1600/I+Am+the+One+Who+Cures+the+Common+Cold.jpg" height="245" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I Am The One Who Cures the Common Cold<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
This card is about knowing the recipe for finding healing. This card came together over the period of a</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
few weeks as I gradually found the various elements brought together here. The doctor with the very</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
silly hat was one of the final pieces, and when I found her large, red, clown's nose the card was complete.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So here is the recipe, and no great revelations, but in the time of cold and flu season, when this card was</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
made, it was a good reminder.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ol>
<li>Good humor and general silliness is the best medicine; also seeing the doctor when needed</li>
<li>Exercise (swimmer diving in). Remembering that exercise supports the immune system</li>
<li>Healthy and warming foods like chicken soup</li>
<li>Balance (yin/yang symbol) which, to me, means a balance between worldly activity and<br />contemplative practice</li>
<li>Rest (the guy resting on the couch); also taking time to get better</li>
</ol>
<div>
My favorite part of the card remains the smiling doctor who seems so full of positive regard for anyone</div>
<div>
who happens to view this card. I think I should add that allowing others to love and care for you is an</div>
<div>
important factor for health, as well as locating that loving part of ourselves that reminds us to lighten up,</div>
<div>
and take time to shine loving compassion on ourselves and our bodies as well as all being around us in the world.</div>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676429836050642671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584108344001812545.post-1578803192103208252013-12-23T13:46:00.000-08:002014-01-06T09:06:23.290-08:00Soul Collage: This Woman's Issues<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1sqb-OGiaSx_hpQoP6ni2ivIEUeGufeQsmo_hGCj7LbQNFiJdw8oMFmJtn6qWuJeYR8dnnHOfRTpttZt_2cRVjbtyvwzHd9eOoCCuxY1R8xfgnQwTNnW46wAp2pFHngfQpgYO8JtEkkM/s1600/mind-map+of+I+Am+the+One+Who+Defines+Myself.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1sqb-OGiaSx_hpQoP6ni2ivIEUeGufeQsmo_hGCj7LbQNFiJdw8oMFmJtn6qWuJeYR8dnnHOfRTpttZt_2cRVjbtyvwzHd9eOoCCuxY1R8xfgnQwTNnW46wAp2pFHngfQpgYO8JtEkkM/s640/mind-map+of+I+Am+the+One+Who+Defines+Myself.jpg" height="640" width="489" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mind Map of I Am the One Who Defines Myself Despite Convention</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPpOpQtLV07rWhlcnTBI0Uf-D95OJWiyF9CTSLQVdORUnXx9sJZMsfUeGi4nAUGZ_Kf7YRsOVDVMZlgjgjy05vrebvOSxwbpLGEmxsD_EjIGgzKjGuHRAUpqDv9LAX-v3A3FaoPoFPPqhh/s1600/I+Am+the+One+Who+Works+To+Define+Myself+Despite+Convention.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPpOpQtLV07rWhlcnTBI0Uf-D95OJWiyF9CTSLQVdORUnXx9sJZMsfUeGi4nAUGZ_Kf7YRsOVDVMZlgjgjy05vrebvOSxwbpLGEmxsD_EjIGgzKjGuHRAUpqDv9LAX-v3A3FaoPoFPPqhh/s640/I+Am+the+One+Who+Works+To+Define+Myself+Despite+Convention.jpg" height="640" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I Am the One Who Defines Myself Despite Convention<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This card initially surprised me. I thought I was going to make a card to celebrate the solstice during the </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
SoulCollage group on December 21st but this composition emerged from my unconscious/conscious</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
instead. It started with a poetry magazine image which was a collage comprised of fragments of images of</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
women from glamour magazines. The poem was about feeling fragmented. I then found the ancient stone</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
steps/wall which I cut apart and rearranged, as I did with the glamour images. Somehow the dark</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
silhouette of a mosque seemed to fit into the foreground of this card. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I just noticed that the religious building is in the foreground, the ancient bricks of a wall or steps are in the<br />
mid ground, and the images of the women are in the background. This arrangement is a metaphor all in itself.<br />
I must acknowledge that I arranged things in this order--and so I see how my mind places what is closest,<br />
a step away, and farther away. Is this my unconscious understanding of what is important?<br />
Perhaps it is the order of what has been important in shaping my ideas of how I am valued as a woman.<br />
And how I value myself.<br />
<br />
At first I reported to the group that this card was another one of a series of "enigma" cards for me. Images<br />
seem to belong together but my conscious self has no idea what it "means". I just created a mind-map to try<br />
to unlock my associations. I really recommend using this form of free writing to gather your associations.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I am now remembering what I told the women at that meeting: that the Solstice represents the return of hope</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
and light. With the light we drive away the darkness and are also able to illuminate what is in the shadow.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In the shadow/unseen/unknown for me has been the unconscious judgments I hold related to my value as</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
a woman as I grow older. I have reached that age where I perceive that men no longer see me or seek me...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I am invisible to them. Or so it seems. But what part of me is defining my own worth as the degree to </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
which I am beautiful/attractive/sexy or sought after as a sexual partner?<br />
<br />
I do not want to become asexual. I want to be recognized as an attractive woman despite my wrinkles and<br />
rounder figure. But I long ago rejected many of the accouterments of the beautiful women I see around me:<br />
high heels, fashionable clothes, makeup, styled hair and jewelry. Actually I think those things were thrown<br />
out with my bra during my hippie years and the woman's liberation movement. But apparently my association<br />
between my value as a woman and person and my own physical attractiveness was not let go of.<br />
<br />
I also continue to see images of glamour and sexual beauty in most ads and many news videos, including the<br />
highly styled women who are delivering the news. In addition is the news from other countries, as well as<br />
conservative thinkers in our own country, who believe that the freedom gained for women in the last century in<br />
the US is wrong. Women are still stoned or imprisoned in other countries for disagreeing with the religious <br />
and/or political ideas that have been in place for centuries. I have been grateful to be in this country and<br />
feel, in general, as if I have the right to express myself as a human being, without regard to gender. <br />
<br />
But this card is telling me that I need to shift MY idea of my value. That I need to stop comparing myself to<br />
the supermodel or sexy female rocker of the moment. That I need to lay to rest my need to be validated by<br />
others, especially men, in terms of my outer beauty.<br />
<br />
Just saw this wonderful quote from the 17th Karmapa<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">"Do not let anyone tell you how you must look or act just because you are a man or a woman. <br />You have boundless potential that can only be limited when you believe that your social identity<br />is really who you are. Who you are is not a perfectly measured object. There is tremendous elasticity<br />in who you can be. It is up to you to decide the shape you give yourself."</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">~ 17th Karmapa</span></b></span><br />
<br />
I Am the One Who Defines Myself Despite Convention<br />
I Am the One Who Defines Myself Without Reference to Social/Political/Religious Expectations<br />
I Am the One Who Accepts and Nurtures My Aging Body<br />
I Am the One Who Loves Myself and has Compassion for Myself<br />
I Am the One Who is Worthy of Love<br />
I Am the One Who Continues to Be of Value to the World<br />
I Am the One Who Continues to Grow<br />
I Am the One Who Becomes More Full of Light. </div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676429836050642671noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584108344001812545.post-38970384884385795892013-12-13T12:55:00.000-08:002013-12-14T07:33:32.605-08:00SoulCollage: I Am the One Who Seeks Healing (a record of process)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PYfpetu8Nq8/UqtonvF5aOI/AAAAAAAAEAA/LwDTHyCSUSQ/s1600/I+Am+the+One+Who+Witnesses+The+Earth+Bringing+Forth+Life+and+Consciousness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PYfpetu8Nq8/UqtonvF5aOI/AAAAAAAAEAA/LwDTHyCSUSQ/s1600/I+Am+the+One+Who+Witnesses+The+Earth+Bringing+Forth+Life+and+Consciousness.jpg" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>I Am the One Who Sees the Mother's Creations</b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>This is the way the card looked in its first version.</b> It is an image of a green </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">forest seen through a goddess shaped cave entrance. I wanted a triangular </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">shaped image for her pubic area. I was surprised when the autumn leaf </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">began to look like a fire bird's head. I had associations to the bright and </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">conscious creatures that are brought to birth by nature. It is thrilling to </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">count myself among those creatures. I also had the association to bringing </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">to birth awareness and that which has vivid life through my art. The head </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">also has an association to the ancient ancestors of the bird as well...this </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">head looks like the head of a dinosaur. This card really speaks to </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">me about the primitive process of life coming forth into the reality of earth.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">After sitting with it for a couple of days, though, I realized that it wasn't done.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzdo3O6CZW0dtOB5VKz8tj_ME5oiyatDobgSJtc6zhcCWueAqkoF9hA-MwgwAHA-CuQ4Upsv87IN36G8S7R1bzMYb3BiH7Ygubvg0XiLFbGT-MrxKlY-EzHS7j74LjzDYQIRvIY2uUyK8/s1600/I+Am+the+One+Who+Glimpses+The+Great+Mother.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzdo3O6CZW0dtOB5VKz8tj_ME5oiyatDobgSJtc6zhcCWueAqkoF9hA-MwgwAHA-CuQ4Upsv87IN36G8S7R1bzMYb3BiH7Ygubvg0XiLFbGT-MrxKlY-EzHS7j74LjzDYQIRvIY2uUyK8/s1600/I+Am+the+One+Who+Glimpses+The+Great+Mother.jpg" width="396" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>I Am the One Who Glimpses the Great Mother</b><br /><br /><b>This version of the card was the next step.</b> I wanted to hide and soften the<br />wild bird head. That red energy becomes the energy of the earth in spring.<br />The first flowers of spring, the Lily of the Valley thrives here. The flowers<br />are nurtured by tears from the Bleeding Heart blossom as well as tears from<br />the eye at the power/self-esteem chakra center. These tears also form pools<br />and streams at the bottom of the card. I also added Cone Flower centers to<br />define the areas of the mother's breasts. Sitting with this card I am disturbed<br />by that inhuman eye. When looking at the card it is all I can see. The eye<br />appears to be looking to the left, towards the past. My associations are to<br />as yet unresolved self-esteem issues tied to the past, some of them the<br />disappointment of unfulfilled expectations, others related to injuries to self-<br />esteem experienced throughout my life. I have found that making SoulCollage<br />cards has really helped my in the process of recovery of my person power.<br /><br />In my email I receive a note from a website I subscribe to. Carol Tuttle is offering<br />a Chakra Healing class and a free chakra assessment. I take the assessment and<br />find that all my chakras are strong except my heart chakra and my power/<br />self-esteem center. I realize that the card with the eye is like a chart of this chakra<br />assessment. My association is that I am also finally getting insurance through<br />the state and can finally go to the doctor and address some of my concerns<br />about my aging body. Need to get a mammogram and do something about<br />that too ample behind. Hmm, what do you think the doctor will say<br />about the </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">orange </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">bird head in my public area? Well, it is only a metaphor, right?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OAlZ4durmwM/UqtozDh1xpI/AAAAAAAAEAQ/aUeqrxNyqxw/s1600/I+Am+the+One+Who+Seeks+Health.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OAlZ4durmwM/UqtozDh1xpI/AAAAAAAAEAQ/aUeqrxNyqxw/s1600/I+Am+the+One+Who+Seeks+Health.jpg" width="402" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>I Am the One Who Seeks Healing</b><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>This is the final version of the card</b>. </span></span>I have had a series of cards, lately,<br />
that are quite enigmatic. Hard to tell when they are done (until that final feeling).<br />
I've finished this card by adding a leafy upper and lower eyelid to that eye.<br />
Still journaling about this one but has to do with nature as my mother and my own<br />
body and its need for improved health. In the simple chakra test it said my chakras<br />
are strong except for my heart and my self esteem/power center. That seems to be<br />
what this card is about: the strange eye at my power chakra looking to the past,<br />
my heart a "bleeding heart" blossom. Hope to do Anne Marie's upcoming class<br />
"Using Soul Collage During Times of Illness". A number of readings have pointed<br />
at the need to address my health. I am overweight and need to see the dentist<br />
and dermatologist and the list goes on. I am thankful for my relative good health<br />
but think it is time to take care of myself and focus on keeping the health I <br />
have as well as improve my energy in the time I still have in this amazing world.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676429836050642671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584108344001812545.post-27347756995760078712013-10-28T19:43:00.000-07:002013-10-28T19:43:58.850-07:00SoulCollage: Community Card, Frida Kahlo<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4O9tK38iLYGD1XJg3Wc76hV-zOy7EaiJuXq-B1QeRjvrjDa82jmev8vhRyBNNVsIdNb3O-YsjDvRf8BnizPHKFvdPIA-O8su8pxznrvLXSYvjQpgtrLD3lAhra0gojEalAtuZYMe71k/s1600/SoulCollage+Frida.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4O9tK38iLYGD1XJg3Wc76hV-zOy7EaiJuXq-B1QeRjvrjDa82jmev8vhRyBNNVsIdNb3O-YsjDvRf8BnizPHKFvdPIA-O8su8pxznrvLXSYvjQpgtrLD3lAhra0gojEalAtuZYMe71k/s640/SoulCollage+Frida.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Community Card: Frida<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
My friend, Sandra, bought me a <a href="http://www.philosophersguild.com/Frida-Kahlo-Card.html">greeting card with a photo of Frida</a> when she was in Arizona, recently.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I had been meaning to make a Frida card, as one of my community cards, so joined the greeting card</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
collaged Frida with a part of Frida's painting "The Two Fridas". You can see this painting on the <br /><a href="http://www.frida-kahlo-foundation.org/">Frida Kahlo Foundation</a>'s website that includes all 101 of her paintings.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Frida was born on July 6th, 1907 but changed her recognized birthday to July 7th, 1910, to coincide</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
with the beginning of the Mexican Revolution (and "Modern Mexico"). Coincidentally my birthday</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
is July 7th, although later--three years before her death at age 47. Many thanks for most of the facts<br />related to Frida's life which were gleaned from the <a href="http://www.fridakahlofans.com/biocomplete.html">Frida Kahlo Fans</a> site. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Frida is considered by many to be the most famous female painter to have ever lived. She was the</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
wife of famous Mexican muralist <a href="http://www.diegorivera.org/">Diego Rivera</a> (she married him, divorced and married him again).</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
She is represented as one of my community cards because she is one of the painters who has influenced</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
me and given me courage to express myself honestly in my work and in my life. Frida was an</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
outrageous person who experienced much emotional and physical pain in her life. She suffered</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
physically throughout her adult life due to a tragic trolley car accident when she was 18. She </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
attributed much of her emotional suffering to her relationship with Diego. Frida's paintings are</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
autobiographical, surrealist seeming and tremendously evocative.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Many women, and many women artists hold Frida as a great woman's hero for her courage to</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
live her life in a highly original manner. She was avant garde, creating her own style of art,<br />fashion and personal expression. Frida behaved in a manner that could be considered early <br />feminist by speaking directly and colorfully and behaving in a "modern" way. In contrast she</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
adopted and adapted a traditional Mexican Native style of dress. Frida made the cover of</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Mexican <a href="http://blogs.artinfo.com/silhouettes/2012/10/25/frida-kahlo-makes-the-cover-of-vogue-for-the-first-time/">Vogue</a> 60 years after her death although she was interviewed in Vogue in 1937.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am the One Who Is a Woman Artist</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am the One Who Paints from the Heart</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am the One Who has the Courage to Be Myself</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am the One Who Reveals My Truth</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am the One Sees Life's Pain and Beauty</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am the One Who Sees the World</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am the One Who Honors My Roots</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am the One Who Tells My Story</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676429836050642671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584108344001812545.post-6210979598289753282013-10-26T17:45:00.000-07:002013-10-26T17:45:41.065-07:00Soul Collage: I Am the One Who Walks Past False Comforts<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuTz4b6nYNDMY15w98oOvERNKVQN8DD8qQxf2AsRcRh23SJ8HVIiOI8ZV5gldYdOiUim4zQf9e2t2rw-4R_mZn0fbUdjA6XwXUrNuG4by5kZoQ8azuxCt3Ss5RUfqgwnpNK45WKuaSGmOa/s1600/I+am+the+one+who+walks+past+lifes+illusions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuTz4b6nYNDMY15w98oOvERNKVQN8DD8qQxf2AsRcRh23SJ8HVIiOI8ZV5gldYdOiUim4zQf9e2t2rw-4R_mZn0fbUdjA6XwXUrNuG4by5kZoQ8azuxCt3Ss5RUfqgwnpNK45WKuaSGmOa/s640/I+am+the+one+who+walks+past+lifes+illusions.jpg" width="404" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I Am The One Who Walks Past False Comforts<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
This card pictures two monks walking past a cactus couch with watermelon slices and an</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
elaborate castle made of sand. They are walking prayerfully with proper attitude and shielded</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
from the heat of the sun with their umbrellas. Up above two butterflies rise. Behind them, in</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
their path, a desert flower blooms. In the deep background the vast ocean is glimpsed.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
For me this card is about not being distracted on my path by my thoughts that I should have</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
the apparent comforts that others have who have lived a different life and made different choices</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
than I have. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The big house (actually made of sand) and the couch clipped from an architecture magazine </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
(which would definitely be uncomfortable) are obvious illusions. I was stumped at first about</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
the watermelon but then I thought of how I keep on thinking of the sweet juicy picnic watermelon</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
of my childhood memories in contrast to the tasteless watermelons (probably of the GMO variety)<br />that I've purchased at the supermarket in the last years. Looks beautiful from the outside but not<br />sweet or satisfying at all.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The blooming cactus and the butterflies were cut from a magazine picture of hand embroidered</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
pillows. Certainly pillows are linked to real rest, real comfort. These also represent the joy</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I experience from creating art and craft items with my own hands. </div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676429836050642671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584108344001812545.post-89941438408399637302013-10-10T20:04:00.000-07:002013-10-10T21:48:21.610-07:00SoulCollage: I Am the One Who Is the Weight Watcher<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSkhv5tNTu2cmHJrftE2rMYxzzcBfbOZOepstjj1UoJDzLJXf_hfrDpMyQQW6KcdthSfYhl_g8-aqwqSSp7nUQwvItwUNNQ6el3E6e5h5WaVauw0qJ5ganSiJwQdgNalml3RWpdmSLRy8d/s1600/I+Am+the+One+Who+Loves+Food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSkhv5tNTu2cmHJrftE2rMYxzzcBfbOZOepstjj1UoJDzLJXf_hfrDpMyQQW6KcdthSfYhl_g8-aqwqSSp7nUQwvItwUNNQ6el3E6e5h5WaVauw0qJ5ganSiJwQdgNalml3RWpdmSLRy8d/s640/I+Am+the+One+Who+Loves+Food.jpg" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I Am the One Who Loves Food<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
The card above was made in group and at the time I joked that it was "I Am the One Who is on the "See Food" diet. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
That is certainly the space I was in--not having the determination to limit my food choices much, and feeling</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
like it felt right to eat whatever I wanted to. Pretty guilt free at the time but not helping my health. The eyes</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
focused on the cupcake with green frosting didn't really seem like an image that totally fit because I am not</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
one to go for a cupcake. My food passion is more related to that second helping of spaghetti, a nice slice of</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
whole wheat toast with butter, Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But I journaled with this card and kept on looking at it. So last Friday I got back on the Weight Watcher's wagon.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This is a food plan that has worked for me in the past, have just been in the comfort myself with food place until now. But I've had no energy and noticing that it's been harder to breath lately. Maybe more about getting fatter than getting older? It was time to set a new goal.</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_FyfrYDASB-OZ9Qg-ncU4brjXlunkuvNlU71JKtpBNP6VXG-I-ugAemmT7buoOLwKOfG5TSem9Ikhlw_wKLzg5hzZdIcy4BYEXvhWNTK81p3bn3X_Rp-1mHX8B2rwIMpnGbYLYMq-tkD/s1600/I+Am+the+One+Who+Is+a+Weight+Watcher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_FyfrYDASB-OZ9Qg-ncU4brjXlunkuvNlU71JKtpBNP6VXG-I-ugAemmT7buoOLwKOfG5TSem9Ikhlw_wKLzg5hzZdIcy4BYEXvhWNTK81p3bn3X_Rp-1mHX8B2rwIMpnGbYLYMq-tkD/s640/I+Am+the+One+Who+Is+a+Weight+Watcher.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I Am the One Who is the Weight Watcher<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
I started to look for an image of a fit woman to replace the cupcake. I found the scale first, then the little</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
person reaching up and stretching. Now the jogging woman on the left with her eyes on the prize </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
makes more sense than a fit woman with her focus on a cupcake.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am the One Who Has My Eyes on the Prize</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am the One Who Reaches My Goals</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am the One Who Makes Food Choices Which Are Consistent with My Weight Goals</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am the One Who Exercises and has More Energy</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am the One Who Ages Well</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am the One Who Loves Healthy Food</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This card's message for me:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Just keep your eyes on your goals and keep on making choices that are consistent with your weight</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
and health goals. Enjoy food and cooking. You can still have an abundance of yummy things to take</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
pleasure in eating. It will be so fun to find new healthy recipes! It will be so great to feel good about </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
your physical health and how you look in your clothes.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This card is going to sit in a place where I can see it on my altar. Will also print a copy to put on</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
the fridge door.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676429836050642671noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584108344001812545.post-19333084996115129662013-09-28T14:07:00.001-07:002013-09-29T22:25:44.175-07:00SoulCollage: I Am the One Who Manifests the Unexpected<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zatz1qVW2P-U6wIy-2SJJxEwNdRwa_gGU7Lmd8c6CnO7GzCcPwTjM9oTgdgViabLFssebxufzswMC4pDCV6NLITOxBwftjA5b1lhGFM0o_tlSOekptmkZYurQmft6nWSr6i_2MFY6j4Z/s1600/I+Am+the+One+Who+Manifests+the+Unexpected+with+Float.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zatz1qVW2P-U6wIy-2SJJxEwNdRwa_gGU7Lmd8c6CnO7GzCcPwTjM9oTgdgViabLFssebxufzswMC4pDCV6NLITOxBwftjA5b1lhGFM0o_tlSOekptmkZYurQmft6nWSr6i_2MFY6j4Z/s640/I+Am+the+One+Who+Manifests+the+Unexpected+with+Float.jpg" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I Am The One Who Manifests the Unexpected<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
First, as always, from here on out, I would like to give thanks to the artists and photographers who work makes</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
the SoulCollage process possible. SoulCollage typically utilizes the images, created by others, from magazines, to</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
engage in sacred collage for self exploration and healing. SoulCollage cards are not created for sale or </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
monetary profit but as part of a personal, self healing process.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This card started with the young man posing as an amateur magician. I think I had thought of making a card</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
for my son and my <a href="http://www.kaleidosoul.com/soulcollage.html">Community suit</a> but this turned into a <a href="http://www.kaleidosoul.com/innervoices.html">Committee card</a> instead. In Jungian terms this is</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
my immature inner masculine. I am not surprised that my inner masculine is so young because it represents</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
the part of myself that masters the outer world and career, and I feel so young in this area. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I have managed to complete multiple college degrees and have had a personally successful private practice</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
as an Art Therapist, a satisfying and ongoing career as a teacher, and my ever present avocation as an artist.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My life goals, in terms of financial success, have been elusive for me, however. I guess I'm thinking about this today</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
because it is Saturday, and yesterday was payday, and I am already down to barely enough money to keep</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
gas in my car this week. Did buy groceries and my son does have a nice new fall jacket. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Why is it so hard for me to create a fat bank account? I've gone to astrologers and psychics about this issue.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I know, some of you are saying--hey, better a a financial planner. Sigh. The intuitive counselors tell me both</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
that I was very wealthy and powerful in a former life and lost the taste for riches, and power over others, and </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
also that I've spent many lifetimes as a monk, renouncing worldly goods. Also, can't underestimate the power of</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
childhood fairy tales where the prince was supposed to take care of all those worldly concerns, lol.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Nonetheless, I am still working on manifesting abundance. From infinite resources, represented by the</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
ocean in the background, my young self is able to produce a chipmunk. In the original picture there was a </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
bunny at the young magician's feet, which I cut out and promptly lost. During a search of my clippings I </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
found instead this engaging chipmunk. Unexpected but seemed quite fitting. I had also cut out a glass</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
fishing net float that someone had pictured washed up on a Northeastern beach. I had also misplaced that</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
clip as well but found the flower instead. After gluing the flower down I found the float image. I think this is</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
so fitting. My paintings of flowers and flower-like mandalas truly keep me emotionally afloat.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And the chipmunk. I looked up the associations and found that the humble chipmunk has interesting </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
energy in terms of <a href="http://www.universeofsymbolism.com/symbolic-meaning-of-chipmunk.html">symbolism</a>. The chipmunk represents "wishes granted". And also relates to the "gifts</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
of artistic endeavours and creativity". It also relates to the unexpected, close observation, and playfulness. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Further it creates secret and hidden ways of getting to its goals. I love this playful and unexpected magic.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I relate to focusing on the part of myself that manifests through playfulness and delights in the </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
unexpected. I may not be rich but I delight in the creative surprises that appear in my life.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am the One Who Creates the Unexpected</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am the One Who is Childlike in My Creating</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am the One who Stays Afloat through Reflecting the Beauty of Nature</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am the One Who Remains Playful</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am the One Who Observes Closely</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am the One Who Finds and Follows Secret Pathways</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I Am the One Who is Blessed</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676429836050642671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584108344001812545.post-32008051044632279022013-09-24T11:49:00.000-07:002013-09-24T11:49:46.775-07:00SoulCollage: I Am the One Who Is Guided<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ALCQoL4_PrAUrZIpRrtX8F9X68725ZeR64HpxY7ghNC3UrzE2y6E2hzBdJ9uMoOyxV0GsRoPwplIM657hVEn3oTPz50r3doBwACmm6qCTBGriwAD7AYTQP707Y8c641FSxTH6ts6NH4T/s1600/I+Am+the+One+Who+is+Guided.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ALCQoL4_PrAUrZIpRrtX8F9X68725ZeR64HpxY7ghNC3UrzE2y6E2hzBdJ9uMoOyxV0GsRoPwplIM657hVEn3oTPz50r3doBwACmm6qCTBGriwAD7AYTQP707Y8c641FSxTH6ts6NH4T/s640/I+Am+the+One+Who+is+Guided.jpg" width="402" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I Am the One Who Is Guided<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
I've created a number of card this month that have been multi-layered both in terms of layers of images, and layers of meaning. Many have also been decorated and embellished. In contrast, this card, having only two images is simple</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
and straightforward. It was at first just the picture of the lighthouse, a symbol of being guided to safe harbor. I got the idea of adding a dolphin leaping and found this nice blue one. Looking up the symbology of the dolphin I found</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
that it was an early Christian symbol. A secret reference to Christ and Christians from the time of Constantine</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
and before. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuRsb-qu-W-sQ795iogvJolcg_Tm461fw6Btg2bAm8f_xzY2gDbe5Uu_8kok8lNJQW9Oilt_9CN7X7z00oikdqbUCxDeCPY80yHRC8hjvPaJtw3qOuBWn1UjF__SWdzhR_DDfOoE8A3p4/s1600/Famous-Dolphin-Mosaic-300x225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuRsb-qu-W-sQ795iogvJolcg_Tm461fw6Btg2bAm8f_xzY2gDbe5Uu_8kok8lNJQW9Oilt_9CN7X7z00oikdqbUCxDeCPY80yHRC8hjvPaJtw3qOuBWn1UjF__SWdzhR_DDfOoE8A3p4/s1600/Famous-Dolphin-Mosaic-300x225.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
To me the dolphin more relates to growing up watching "Flipper" and also "Lassie"; being well schooled in the idea</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
of other species helping to guide and protect humans. There are also contemporary stories of dolphins rescuing</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
children and even dogs, befriending cats, saving divers from sharks and leading lost boaters to safety. The dolphin</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
is also agile, happy, intelligent, sleek and beautiful. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
To me the lighthouse and the dolphin represent help and support from not just the spirit's guiding light but also from unexpected sentient sources. The ocean, to me, represents the great ground of being, the source of all life and the collective unconscious. This simple card gives me hope.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I Am the One Who Has Hope</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I Am the One Who is Guided</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I Am the One Who Finds Light in the Darkness</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I Am the One Who Has Help</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I Am the One Who Sails Into the Safe Harbour</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I Am the One Who is Blessed and Grateful</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I Am the One Who Has a Lucky Life</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676429836050642671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584108344001812545.post-76907703663354087782013-09-20T20:33:00.001-07:002013-09-20T20:49:35.773-07:00SoulCollage: I Am The One Who Is Neptune in Libra<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJtVE6Qnb82Yje7IpuoIzMYqABrc7aVUxe1F00yQrxCdqtGofNrd22V01_jls2OFLy23YvwHvfzFf5eImC0fgufj6XRVgo_YgbbTiFl83EkN2s-IYszhHk6GSDnSyojqRADBmoSJJTXX9K/s1600/Neptune.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJtVE6Qnb82Yje7IpuoIzMYqABrc7aVUxe1F00yQrxCdqtGofNrd22V01_jls2OFLy23YvwHvfzFf5eImC0fgufj6XRVgo_YgbbTiFl83EkN2s-IYszhHk6GSDnSyojqRADBmoSJJTXX9K/s640/Neptune.jpg" width="404" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
I Am The One Who Is Neptune in Libra<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
This card started out as one that was hard to interpret. I had found a picture that looked like Neptune, in grease paint, with a flowing beard and a staff. This image was in an article about the Mummer's Parade, which occurs the 1st day of every New Year in Philadelphia. It is the oldest folk festival in the country and began with the practice of visiting one's neighbors on that first day and performing in exchange for food and drink. This led to the parades. I put this card together with this Neptune, coral, crystal floats, parrot fish and turtles.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I kept on staring at the man I had thought of as Neptune and wondering why the images included a man in Mummer drag and an artist's art globes. I even talked to Betsy, the facilitator of the Soul Reflection Net group and the Rodeo Market face to face SoulCollage group. She said that a card that does not respond to journaling might not be a standard Committee, Community or Counsel card and might not
even be a SoulCollage card. Confusing. Unusual, enigmatic to me.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I began to do research on Neptune/Poseidon and found that he was the ruler of wells, rivers, lakes and
the ocean. The ruler of horses as well. In a video that I show to my Humanities class, about the Ancient Grecian civilization, an historian states "Poseidon is a powerful god. He is the patron of sailors, he protects them; he also sends them to their death". So I was mystified by this Neptune that I chose, made up like a Mummer Wench. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
But then I found one key: Neptune is related to mists, haze and fog. As in "caught in a fog". Also the dissolving of old boundaries; related to transformation and major change, as well as confusion and inspiration. Also faith and vision for a more creative and spiritual life. I began to wonder where the planet Neptune was in my natal chart. Found my chart: Neptune in Libra. Did a search and found that everyone born between 1942 and 1957 has Neptune in Libra. A light bulb moment. This lost in a fog feeling is part of Neptune and Neptune in Libra itself.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
This card is another (along with my flower child card) that references the idealism and idiosyncrasies
of the hippie generation. My idealism, my creativity, my desire for peace and ideal love. My confusion, my connection to the collective unconscious. Neptune itself is related to not being able to quite see through the distortions of water. Illusion, and the need to press through illusion to uncover the truth behind mystery. Also in this card: the powerful trident that is a lego toy. The beautiful glass balls with encased images of nature created by artists <a href="http://www.paulstankard.com/">Paul Stankard</a> and his daughter <a href="http://www.craftinamerica.org/artists_glass/story_517.php?">Katherine</a>. Turtles that represent
steadfastness and tranquility. I should have asked this card "What is the message you have for me"?<br />
<br />
I think the answer is to not accept easy answers and to continue to be playful, expressive and original. To remember to go deep, to explore my spiritual self, and pursue my idealistic goals as an artist,
teacher and healer. To not dismiss my youth as time wasted but to re-embrace truths I found there.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676429836050642671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584108344001812545.post-11097626225277655212013-09-15T11:24:00.002-07:002013-09-15T11:45:22.291-07:00SoulCollage: I Am the One Who Climbs Out of the Wreckage<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBOBQgeB1Ej3kKnzdxKi_3MCRbLTPk07DuWhJ32vDqH8eMeCH1TBhq9LQIgF5YT3x_u26ZV_ifXIWGL4nOoPIIdr3xVOIgXhp6kn_y3cXAMyQG_V9Et-KoQyBwZ6Dmz2uqxQ1P71x2Vtt/s1600/I+Am+the+One+Who+Climbs+Out+of+the+Wreckage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBOBQgeB1Ej3kKnzdxKi_3MCRbLTPk07DuWhJ32vDqH8eMeCH1TBhq9LQIgF5YT3x_u26ZV_ifXIWGL4nOoPIIdr3xVOIgXhp6kn_y3cXAMyQG_V9Et-KoQyBwZ6Dmz2uqxQ1P71x2Vtt/s640/I+Am+the+One+Who+Climbs+Out+of+the+Wreckage2.jpg" width="404" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I Am the One Who Climbs Out of the Wreckage<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
I made this card at the end of August before the flooding that has impacted some of my favorite </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Colorado towns, specifically Boulder, Lyons, Estes Park. Many others also impacted. It is not over</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
yet as it is still raining hard today. I am not near a river, lake, creek or dam so I have been spared</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
except for a leaky roof and closed highways.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This card is not just about the Colorado flood of 2013. It is about the strength it takes to climb, at</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
least psychologically and spiritually, out of life's pressing challenges. What does it take to climb</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
out of the wreckage? The right knowledge, equipment, supplies, and tools. Good fortune created</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
through mindfulness, meditation, and right practice. Grace. In life it is likely that one will lose one's </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
physical home and all that is familiar through events that cause suffering: a natural disaster, illness,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
loss of a job, loved ones, personal injury, or warfare; and still attain the peace that endures.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In this card the woman, who coincidentally has the same face as the Quan Yin figure, is able to</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
make it to safety through her climb towards this shrine at the cliff top. Beautiful, blue mandala-like</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
flowers bloom despite the shake-up below. Having strength, through spiritual practice and the</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
determination to make gradual progress, allows me to reach the goal. Strangely the goal is also</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
the path and the practice. I am so grateful, I am so blessed. <br />
<br />
Just saw this quote from post by Domo Geshe Rinpoche and it feels connected to this card:<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">Among the Vows of the Medicine Buddha upon attaining Enlightenment, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">according to the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">Medicine </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">Buddha Sutra are:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">To illuminate countless realms with his radiance, enabling anyone to become a Buddha just like him.</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;"><br />To awaken the minds of sentient beings through his light of lapis lazuli.<br />To help beings follow the Moral Precepts, even if they failed before.<br />To heal beings born with deformities, illness or other physical sufferings.<br />To help relieve the destitute and the sick.<br />To help heal mental afflictions and delusions.<br />To help the oppressed be free from suffering.</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676429836050642671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584108344001812545.post-36209781909152482982013-08-05T14:49:00.001-07:002013-08-05T14:49:56.667-07:00I Am The One Who Hears the Call<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3QYS6CcYIMDynxH5yyU69HuJGqs15v_GfgIKoV1zns9g2L5FXGnsSOPWpTk6L2LY1rQdeugWZnLK4roVxVWbLuquO7-8sRFl0oie_MT6AkSNH1ALCqr_7Bw8EaqtmpsFrQrRAVwW9bdX/s1600/I+Am+the+One+Who+Hears+The+Call.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3QYS6CcYIMDynxH5yyU69HuJGqs15v_GfgIKoV1zns9g2L5FXGnsSOPWpTk6L2LY1rQdeugWZnLK4roVxVWbLuquO7-8sRFl0oie_MT6AkSNH1ALCqr_7Bw8EaqtmpsFrQrRAVwW9bdX/s640/I+Am+the+One+Who+Hears+The+Call.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">magazine clips, scissors, glue-stick, 5" X 8" support<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The <a href="http://www.kaleidosoul.com/">Soul Collage</a> process has been calling me, and I'm heeding the call. I've been making a card</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
or so a day and I can hardly tell you how powerful this process is. In the past I've made a card</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
here or there for years but have recently picked up the thread because I've had a coaching client</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
who has been bringing her cards to our phone sessions.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I returned to <a href="http://www.kaleidosoul.com/">Anne Marie Bennett</a>'s website and looked around. I pulled out <a href="http://www.soulcollage.com/seena-frost">Seena Frost</a>'s book</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
about Soul Collage and enrolled in a teleclass called "Journaling With Our Cards". The class </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
just ended, although I'm staying active on the related facebook page. I started the journal</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
and have committed to creating and journaling with my cards as often as I can. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Another thing that I've returned to is this Healing Art Works blog. I started blogging with this</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
site, with a focus on art therapy and "Healing Art Works", which had been embodied in my</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
artist cards a few years ago. For the last year I've been blogging on another blog, <a href="http://creativecollage4journaling.blogspot.com/">Creative Collage</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://creativecollage4journaling.blogspot.com/">4 Visual Journaling</a>, focusing on my visual art journal pages and my group in Colorado. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now my art and soul explorations will include my Soul Collage cards and process.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Soul Collage is a registered trademark but anyone can click on the link in this blog for free</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
instruction on how to make cards. I think I am so hooked because of the deep feelings that have</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
come up for me in the recent class and to experience again what a dynamic process it is to engage</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
with the parts of self. I've experienced this process before with other techniques: Sand Play</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Therapy, Alchemical Hypnotherapy, Dream Work, Art Therapy, art making (especially as a </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
collagist), and as a Tarot reader.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Somehow Soul Collage is just the perfect inspiration and healing modality for me now,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
although I will continue to delight in many of the above processes as well.</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676429836050642671noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584108344001812545.post-2162125361779649092012-09-11T14:09:00.000-07:002012-09-11T14:09:45.184-07:00Tiny Treasures Show<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KW_Fmb2b4DU/UE-hz22t5SI/AAAAAAAAD7o/UWMlrkvH3QU/s1600/9_8_12+Tiny+Treasures+show+at+Super+Good+Art+Stuff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KW_Fmb2b4DU/UE-hz22t5SI/AAAAAAAAD7o/UWMlrkvH3QU/s400/9_8_12+Tiny+Treasures+show+at+Super+Good+Art+Stuff.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here I am at the Super Good Art Stuff Store in the Tennyson Street Art District on 9-7-12<br />
What do you get when you frame your Artist Cards? Tiny Treasures, of course</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8KfGtuWB0FA0TLIoRDl7fOUV6XKDkoJf4mlJydfVAGP-Gip11hyluXhJGHwai1CPhWbWSXd3rNce6_VdFIR9B7FuiV4ztYCcekku_G6T45qdMEt_zu_HAAp0r7tswEA_kyUuiMlbaq3gX/s1600/9_8_12+at+Super+Good+Art+Supply+Store+in+Denver+on+First+Friday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8KfGtuWB0FA0TLIoRDl7fOUV6XKDkoJf4mlJydfVAGP-Gip11hyluXhJGHwai1CPhWbWSXd3rNce6_VdFIR9B7FuiV4ztYCcekku_G6T45qdMEt_zu_HAAp0r7tswEA_kyUuiMlbaq3gX/s400/9_8_12+at+Super+Good+Art+Supply+Store+in+Denver+on+First+Friday.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't you love the chalk board paint design they have on their wall?<br />
Think I need to have a wall like this in my studio</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Em at the Super Good Art Stuff Store posted on facebook that she was looking for artists<br />
to feature for the month of September. I've been wanting to be more visible as an artist.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Have been making my journal pages and artist cards for several years but few<br />
(except those in the virtual world) have seen them up close and personal.<br />
I am an introvert (OK, I do have a Leo moon), and so need to push myself to get it out there.<br />
So here is my brave act. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
At my phase of life (doesn't that sound cooler than "at my age") I am embarrassed to say that</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I can count the art shows I participated in on one hand. Of course there were art things in</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
grade school and high school. But I'm talking about as a grown up. No big deal but I've<br />
been telling everyone I meet, for the last 60 or so years that I am AN ARTIST.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
There was that art show in the early '80s of the artists who worked at Art Hardware, an art<br />
supply store in Boulder. There was my BFA painting show in 1988 in Dekalb, Illinois.<br />
There was a show of the art of Colorado art therapists work in Denver in the early '90s<br />
(I sold a Neo-Expressionist piece!). Then nothing until I was part of an artist card show<br />
at the Core Art Space in Denver a couple of years ago.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My goal is to make more larger pieces and have a show of them. My poor introvert self<br />
thinks that sounds like walking around naked at Walmart. But my brave heart self is eager<br />
to get to work. Let's say: walking around Sky-clad. And let's make it at some nice, friendly<br />
gallery. More later.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676429836050642671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584108344001812545.post-76656285856426402312012-05-29T10:13:00.001-07:002012-05-29T10:15:19.216-07:00Tiger Flower Card<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTlfGcLoKytKEec68V9m_V4o3FYXBkMWKop1fNHC5telNsCratLNpLhvxw7Zt_wGe3Pp9yXFG1pmgLXZhEn26cF6ltKr8WGEUb58Hl0w3_fOB3fJq6HswsLVoKmrM9OvEke9HTmYlKnGYv/s1600/Tiger+Flower+Multi-Media+Postcards+&+Greeting+Cards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTlfGcLoKytKEec68V9m_V4o3FYXBkMWKop1fNHC5telNsCratLNpLhvxw7Zt_wGe3Pp9yXFG1pmgLXZhEn26cF6ltKr8WGEUb58Hl0w3_fOB3fJq6HswsLVoKmrM9OvEke9HTmYlKnGYv/s640/Tiger+Flower+Multi-Media+Postcards+&+Greeting+Cards.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiger Flower Cards<br />
<br />
Imagine Crafts Fireworks Craft Spray, Sharpie Pen, Copic Markers, tissue paper collage<br />
stencils, Inkadinkado stamp (Kathy Davis), K and Co. stamp ink,<br />
Yasutomo iredescent watercolors, Pelican opaque watercolors<br />
<br />
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
I've been neglecting my Healing Art/artist card blog lately, focusing on my Art Journaling blog. I do make<br />
artist cards every 6 weeks, at least, for a botanical card exchange with my students at the Denver Botanic <br />
Gardens, a class through the Colorado Free University: "Impressions of the Gardens". Have not always<br />
been good about posting the cards I make for that class although there is a relatively recent post picturing<br />
my student's card (they're great!). </div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
The above two cards may become artist cards but right now they are multimedia postcards (in the form of <br />
greeting cards with a perforated edge so they can be torn of to send as a postcard). I'm making thes cards <br />
as part of the "International Mixed Media Postcard Swap Version 2.0</div>
<div align="left">
<a href="http://musingsonrealities.blogspot.com/2012/05/international-mixed-media-postcard-swap.html">http://musingsonrealities.blogspot.com/2012/05/international-mixed-media-postcard-swap.html</a> . </div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
I'm doing this swap for fun and also because I am working to make practical applications of my art.</div>
<div align="left">
Greeting cards came to mind. I saw a greeting card with the perforated front panel so that the card front<br />
could be sent as a postcard at Office Max. I fell in love with the idea! Clever and supports recycling too.</div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
These card images started out as a journal page (see how to directions on<br />
<a href="http://creativecollage4journaling.blogspot.com/">http://creativecollage4journaling.blogspot.com/</a> ). I then sized the image in Picasa (free microsoft photo<br />
editing and sharing program <a href="http://picasa.google.com/">http://picasa.google.com/</a> ) and printed the image on textured cardstock. I hand<br />
painted each image. I just have to permanetly mount the images to my collaged background (also printed <br />
from the image in Picasa) and attach to the perforated card. Yes, I know they are currently attached to the<br />
background crookedly, lol. Then pop in the mail for the swap. Now you can easily make cards out<br />
of all your artwork---fun!</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="center">
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676429836050642671noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584108344001812545.post-76010744282395410982012-05-08T13:20:00.001-07:002012-05-08T13:20:58.673-07:00Remembered by Our Community<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLkd03oNKv3nR4gO1ru5aHQErA4AsfIGEIaHtRO8I9s5MDOYjfekSLpj2a5-xVNR73ZaAmxi2RB2MV4OmigCJapvsLxXdTTzFWPV3znjc6SU41Tg3VgraFKk0O-zkRxVOShwmwkw5yilX/s1600/Remembered+by+Our+Community+5-24-2010+5-39-25+PM+494x689.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474986788629611554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLkd03oNKv3nR4gO1ru5aHQErA4AsfIGEIaHtRO8I9s5MDOYjfekSLpj2a5-xVNR73ZaAmxi2RB2MV4OmigCJapvsLxXdTTzFWPV3znjc6SU41Tg3VgraFKk0O-zkRxVOShwmwkw5yilX/s320/Remembered+by+Our+Community+5-24-2010+5-39-25+PM+494x689.jpg" style="display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 230px;" /></a>Remembered by Our Community</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
Card made using a newspaper photo, gold border stickers (Mrs. Grossman's), scrapbook paper background (K & Company, "Life's Journey"), Ranger "Glossy Accents", gold and silver stamp ink (Color Box). The candles represent our school community members.</div>
<br />I made this card in 2010 and just noticed that I had never published this post. Time has passed and I am realizing the importance of remembering and acknowledging community members as well as being aware of possibility of making playing card sized memory cards. Seems like these would make a discrete and meaningful shrine for survivors. What follows is what I wrote about this card in 2010.<br />
<div align="left">
<br />
One year ago today Leigh was shot and killed by her husband in their home, during a domestic dispute, not far from where I live. She was the mom of two children at my son's charter school. I did not know Leigh personally but had seen her at community events and talked to her in passing. I recently ran across a newspaper clipping I had saved because I was saddened by this senseless loss of one of our charter school community members. Artist Cards can also become Memory Cards or shrines, acknowledging those who are missed. Remembering you today, Leigh. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676429836050642671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584108344001812545.post-9591920200955913322012-05-08T12:49:00.002-07:002012-05-08T13:53:42.885-07:00Lady Tree<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--gmEMYqINZA/T6l4PFJ-WtI/AAAAAAAAD6g/j8FmakOE6Y0/s1600/LadyTree3+11-22-2010+1-21-24+PM+499x692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--gmEMYqINZA/T6l4PFJ-WtI/AAAAAAAAD6g/j8FmakOE6Y0/s320/LadyTree3+11-22-2010+1-21-24+PM+499x692.jpg" width="232" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stay Grounded, Reach for the Stars<br />
<br />
Metallic markers (Office Max), Pitt pen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZ585TSr9w_DqMyHSOX225TzivC1Y_k8Ll3cDORlqHGSVGkf4Ypj4o81He1PK13aZt32gpn2Ra8JvU3fTrLZkbVf44BBlWJ0d2Er7IQQAmMT7HgvC3l5e5wWEdcA47Vfh_8O6F5K9bdMV/s1600/LadyTree+1+9-1-2010+6-24-35+PM+465x653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZ585TSr9w_DqMyHSOX225TzivC1Y_k8Ll3cDORlqHGSVGkf4Ypj4o81He1PK13aZt32gpn2Ra8JvU3fTrLZkbVf44BBlWJ0d2Er7IQQAmMT7HgvC3l5e5wWEdcA47Vfh_8O6F5K9bdMV/s320/LadyTree+1+9-1-2010+6-24-35+PM+465x653.jpg" width="227" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stand Strong, Be Fruitful<br />
<br />
Metallic markers (Office Max), Pitt pen<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="left">
These are a couple of "Lady Tree" images that I have been doodling since the early '80s. I think this image is important to me because it reminds me about my relationship to earth and sky. "Stay Grounded" and "Reach for the Heavens". I used this image on the cover of some of the invitations I sent when I ran a woman's group called "The Year of Women Dancing". It was an empowerment group based on the power of the group and of being heard when you state what you want to create in the future. The group ran for many years and was my impetus for going to graduate school to get my Art Therapy Masters. I think I like the more lyrical/abstract woman tree although I like them both. I doodled both of these images while watching a Time Life movie about Ancient civilizations in one of my Art History classes that I teach.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="left">
</div>
<br />
<div align="left">
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgARVd3Lom1ccy56nQ6uxmDt5M_5WyZiudl6ySfjejrWsx4PqYwu-tgeV7DlvTz6KiB2pu5jW8GoE6cjE_Wjd14EwSFoelOtJ9IkLgKfrXG_uA5qYYYWCiT_D5q7yoQNO5RZuRs5ShO5auF/s1600/LadyTree3+11-22-2010+1-21-24+PM+499x692.jpg"></a> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676429836050642671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584108344001812545.post-82264709963207350822012-05-08T11:28:00.001-07:002012-05-08T11:28:58.919-07:00Impressions of the Gardens ATC (Students)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdAtr_anY7nrle7k6zrQTZE-b32r3sRAF3-onL3CUFs_8GG6Lqz5pSgXb_wkmiMiH9aPO3hhPEqxvkNkb4IJWNAdBa3W6fOBgDr_BETb3ywjjB2L1tmPZfLS6M7_G64Tu5LlwmgAoGmXBo/s1600/Impressions+of+the+Gardens+Artist+Trading+Cards+(Students3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdAtr_anY7nrle7k6zrQTZE-b32r3sRAF3-onL3CUFs_8GG6Lqz5pSgXb_wkmiMiH9aPO3hhPEqxvkNkb4IJWNAdBa3W6fOBgDr_BETb3ywjjB2L1tmPZfLS6M7_G64Tu5LlwmgAoGmXBo/s320/Impressions+of+the+Gardens+Artist+Trading+Cards+(Students3).jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karen E., Joe W., Stephanie K, Ben K. Jennifer H., <br />Anne Marie F., Stephanie K, Shannon B, Joe W.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aQq-DiXr3uU/T6lgIxVAsWI/AAAAAAAAD6M/kTWf36_CEJI/s1600/Impressions+of+the+Gardens+Artist+Trading+Cards+(Students2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aQq-DiXr3uU/T6lgIxVAsWI/AAAAAAAAD6M/kTWf36_CEJI/s320/Impressions+of+the+Gardens+Artist+Trading+Cards+(Students2).jpg" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karen E., Deb S., Julie B., Karen B., Jennifer S., Jennifer S.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vP8h9oQAN90/T6lgR46K9iI/AAAAAAAAD6U/0m5Vml4ho64/s1600/Impressions+of+the+Gardens+Artist+Trading+Cards(students+1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vP8h9oQAN90/T6lgR46K9iI/AAAAAAAAD6U/0m5Vml4ho64/s320/Impressions+of+the+Gardens+Artist+Trading+Cards(students+1).jpg" width="229" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruth J., Vicki M., Shannon B., Jennifer H., Jennifer He., <br />Stephanie K., Patricia L., Lisa J., Megan S.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I teach a 6 week long class at the Denver Botanic Gardens through the Colorado Free University, I think I've mentioned this before. It is the source of much of my delight in life. On the last week of class I ask students to bring a botanical trading card that they have made during the class, one for each of the other students, and me of course! Some used colored pencils, watercolor pencils, watercolor, markers, even photoshop to add some final pizazz. <br />
<br />
This is an adult education course that is held in 6 week increments throughout the year. Students are (to name a few backgrounds), software engineers, librarians, college students, nurses, doctors, graphic designers, entomologists, grade school teachers, artist with experience and artists just beginning. We learn to see and create like artists through observation, practice, learning about techniques and materials and the art elements and principles. <br />
<br />
Mainly its a time to relate, relax in the Denver Botanic Gardens, experiment, be in a creative and supportive environment and de-stress in general. I'm not sure who has the most fun--probably me. And I fall in love with my students and their art again and again. Just had to show you what they made and traded!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676429836050642671noreply@blogger.com0