Day 242 Gateway to wisdom

Day 242 Gateway to wisdom

242:365

05/30/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   “The gateways to wisdom and learning are always open, and I’m choosing to walk through them.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:   Use only markers as your material or inspiration today.

Media:  Scrapbook paper, Magazine photos, Mod Podge, Tissue paper, Sharpie

Time:  1H

Comments:  Today was one of those days when things felt just a bit off all day...  That's reflected in the cartoon-like marker gateway in this collage.  Not my highest artistic achievement, but I do like the parrot holding a lantern that lights the way to wisdom and learning, though.  

Day 241 Chasing purple light

Day 241 Chasing purple light

241:365

05/29/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   “My home is a peaceful haven.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:   Make up a new sport.

Media:  Scrapbook paper, Magazine photos, Mod Podge, Sharpie

Time:  1H:10M

Comments:  The sport I made up is call Purple Light Chase.  The image in today's collage reminds me of a place in my backyard where I sometimes sit to reflect and meditate.  I have a lounge chair that I place under oak trees and when I look up, I feel that I'm somewhere in the woods.    What a peaceful haven at home!  On a good day, I'm able to perceive a purple undulating light during meditation... and feel it's a fruitful time spent.  

Day 240 Joyful chopsticks

Day 240 Joyful chopsticks

240:365

05/28/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   “My life is filled with love and joy and health and creativity.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:   Make something with disposable chopsticks. Or make chopsticks out of something else.

Media:  Scrapbook paper, Watercolor, Mod Podge, Disposable chopsticks, Zots, Sharpie

Time:  1H:20M

Comments:  The sushi takeout container in today's collage features some interesting new flavors.  

Day 239 Color removed

Day 239 Color removed 

239:365

05/27/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   
“If we want more life, then we have only to give.  Love is, and I am.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:   Create the illusion that the color has been removed from something so that it looks like a black and white photograph.

Media:  Magazine photos, Mod Podge, Antique sepia photo, Tissue paper, Watercolor

Time:  1H

Comments:  Today's collage features several sepia-toned photographs of new products and architectural interiors, as well as one true sepia photograph that I picked up at an Estate Sale.  When I see old pictures like this one, I think about how photography once was a staged event for which one dressed and posed.  The sitter allowed someone capable of handling the new technology of the day to capture one's essence in the camera, and passed the image down through their family for generations.  

It always strikes me as a little sad when I see old family photos as someone's house and belongings are liquidated at a public sale.  Studying the face of Martha Antoinette Winn NIcholson makes me wonder if she wanted more life.  Love is, and I am. 

Day 238 Equal time

Day 238 Equal time

238:365

05/26/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   “I balance my life between work, rest, and play.  They all get equal time.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:   Make a mural, big or small, with any medium you like.

Media:  Calendar photo, Personal photo, Magazine photos, Mod Podge, Tissue paper, Images from Bow the Dog book

Time:  1H:40M

Comments:  

  

Day 237 Plenty to read

Day 237 Plenty to read

237:365

05/25/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   “There is plenty for everyone and we bless and prosper each other.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:    Make a unique bookmark.

Media:  Scrapbook paper, Mod Podge, Newsprint, Sharpie, Dimensional magic, Google images, Charm, String, Watercolor paper, Paper bag

Time:  2H

Comments:  Today's collage features a bookmark that I made from a bunch of random bits of leftover papers.  There is plenty for everyone.  

Day 236 I Know Someone

Day 236 I Know Someone

236:365

05/24/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   “I forgive myself.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:   Carry something with you all day and document it in a variety of locations.

Media:  Scrapbook paper, Company flyer, Project team logo sticker, Daisy embellishment, Copy paper, Mod Podge

Time:  1H

Comments:  This collage features a few artifacts from my day.  Parts of a company flyer, logo from a project team, a sunny daisy that gives no hints of the frustration behind it.  

Today at work I found myself doing an unexpected task, after delegating it to others that are typically responsible for the help I needed.  I found at the last minute that not only had the work not been completed by the ample deadline given, it hadn't even been attempted.  

I found myself getting angry and frustrated as I regrouped and simply did the work myself. This was the second time this week, both completely different incidents and different people, that similar circumstances and feelings came up for me.  Both times, I wondered what I did wrong that the people who were to help completely missed the intent of the instructions that I gave.  I wondered how I could have said or done something differently that would have influenced the outcomes differently.  I couldn't help feeling tested, and that I was failing each test miserably.  

I forgive myself for being angry and frustrated, for thinking everything was my fault, and for not passing the tests set before me.  The reality of corporate life is... sometimes people let us down, and sometimes things just don't go as planned.  I can choose to respond differently next time. 

Day 235 Pearls of wisdom

Day 235 Pearls of wisdom

235:365

05/23/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   “I am divinely protected at all times.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:   Use only the human body to make something today.

Media:  Scrapbook paper, Magazine photos, Mod Podge, Ribbon, Vintage pearl jewelry, Zots

Time:   1H

Comments:  The Art I create rarely features exact human likenesses, but I was attracted to use this image from a chair ad in today's collage for a theme of Divine protection.  The largest guy in a chair represents the Divine holding us in its hand.  The midsize guy in a chair represents me living my life as a smaller part of the Divine.  And the tiny guy in a chair represents me holding the pearls of wisdom gained from lessons in life as a part of my role in the Divine plan.  

Pearls are a poetic symbol of valuable things coming from rough bits of sand (experiences and lessons in life), while inside the Divine protection of an oyster shell. 

Day 234 I AM a red chair

Day 234   I AM a red chair

234:365

05/22/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   “I am healthy, happy, and whole.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:  Make alternative labels for things in your home and apply or use them.

Media:  Scrapbook paper, Magazine photos, Mod Podge, Sharpie

Time:  1H:30M

Comments:  Today's collage is simple and to the point.  I am.

Day 233 Gone 'Biking'

Day 233 Gone 'Biking'

233:365

05/21/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   “My friends are loving and supportive.  
I give myself permission to be a friend.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:   Create a portmanteau (blending of two words to make a new word) and use it.

Media:  Scrapbook paper, Magazine photos, Mod Podge

Time:  1H:10M

Comments:   Today's collage features a golden, wire bowl to represent love and a bright flower to represent support. The portmanteau (word mash-up) is a bit of a stretch, but here goes...

Beagle Hiking = "BIKING"

The man carrying his beagle in his backpack is an image from an old National Geographic and struck me as a little odd and charming at the same time.  The dog's company on a hiking/fishing excursion must be supportive to the man, and carrying his dog on his back an act of love.

While the paw on the man's shoulder makes me think the dog is calm, loving, and probably enjoying his/her outing as well.  Nice photo of friends.  I give myself permission to be a friend.

Day 232 Calming the tornado

Day 232 Calming the tornado

232:365

05/20/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   
“I find relaxation, enjoyment, and healing in the simplest things in life.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:   Make a cloud, or make something inspired by clouds.

Media:  Scrapbook paper, Magazine and Catalog photos, printed Google image, Mod Podge

Time:  1H:20M

Comments:  It seems like the goal of Meditation is to quiet the mind (the tornado) long enough to allow Divine Spirit a chance to be with us or speak to us. 

Today's collage is an homage to an interesting Meditation experience I had over the weekend.   Meditation is something I've attempted at various times, never consistently, and has proven to be a tricky for me to achieve true quieting of my mind.  

The images of the person and the bulldog are a nod to 'feet up the wall' pose in yoga, which is quite relaxing.  And to every dog whose found great relaxation, enjoyment, and healing in the simple act of rolling over on his/her back to  take in life from another viewpoint. 

Addendum: After I made this collage today, I learned that a tornado swept through Oklahoma and it appears to have created a devastating loss of life and property.  Sad and eerie coincidence for today's storm cloud theme.

Day 231 Birthday Avenger

Day 231 Birthday Avenger

231:365

05/19/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   “My future is glorious.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:   Create a new superhero. 

Media:  Scrapbook paper, Magazine photos, Birthday cards, Envelope, Mod Podge

Time:  1H

Comments:  Today's collage features a bulldog superhero who swoops in on birthdays and conquers one's old self.  A new self is then released to live on until next year's birthday when he/she will undoubtedly be needed to save the day again.  My future is glorious.  

Day 230 Potter's wheel

Day 230 Potter's wheel

230:365

05/18/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   “I know that only good awaits me at every turn.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:   Make a container, such as a bowl, bottle, cup, or box.

Media:  Ledger paper, Catalog photos, Mod Podge

Time:  1H

Comments:  The containers in today's collage are mostly Global Views catalog images.  I love their vases and glassware.  

Though the potter's wheel in the collage is probably not making something as refined as the Global Views vases, it still knows that something good awaits at every turn of the wheel.  

Life, sometimes, feels like a rough clay bowl turned on a potter's wheel past the lessons we need to keep learning (till we finally get it), then fired by trials... to eventually end up as a highly refined, and beautiful vessel for good.  I know that good awaits. 

Link for more info:   


https://www.globalviews.com/

Day 229 Bicycling to opportunity

Day 229 Bicycling to opportunity

229:365

05/17/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   “Today my opportunity for success is unlimited.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:   Work with or be inspired by a bicycle or parts from one.

Media:  Magazine photos, Glue Stick, Swizzle stick, Scrapbook paper

Time:  45M

Comments:  Today's collage about bicycles features an Interface flooring ad that I found interesting.  The bicycle is hung on a wall below a piece of Art.  I added the classic Eames side chair in front of it to hint that someone might sit in front of the wall and consider both pieces as one would an Art gallery hanging.   Both are bike and painting are beautiful, functional, sculptural, and worthy of consideration. 

The wall of windows that overlooks a bright city reminds us that our opportunities for success are unlimited. We need merely to look out into the world and seek them.  

The flamingo is a leftover swizzle stick from my swirl margarita at happy hour at Uncle Julio's in Dallas.  It's there as a reminder that when unique people come together in a spirit of friendship, comraderie, storytelling, and creative exchange of ideas, who knows what might happen.  Even a flamingo may ride a bicycle!

Link for more info:   

http://www.hermanmiller.com/content/hermanmiller/english/products/categories/seating/multi-use-guest-chairs/eames-molded-plywood-chairs.html

http://www.unclejulios.com/happy_hour_specials.html

Day 228 Balancing act

228:365

Day 228 Balancing act

05/16/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   “Opportunities are everywhere.  
I have unlimited choices.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:   Work with the weights of things to create something that’s perfectly balanced on a small point.

Media:  Scrapbook paper, Magazine photos, Mod Podge

Time:  1H:15M

Comments:  Today's collage depicts the weighted dice that can feel like our lives, and the balancing act between the everyday smarts of man and the eternal wisdom of owl.  

On the dice and in numerology, the 5 stands for change, which can be a distinctly challenging dimension to balance in life.  The robot fulcrum in the center is wearing some jauntily stacked lamp shades for a belt, and represents the cross between creative whimsy and tech gadgetry that props up our scales and makes us choose how we will balance ourselves.  I have unlimited choices.