Dear Wonderful, Creative You:

Since last fall, I’ve been participating in a practice called authentic movement. It’s a movement-based mindfulness practice and active imagination process. I’ve been inspired by all of the parallels between the movement practice, and my art practice, and I wanted to share with you about one of them today.

Just so you understand, I’ll give you the basic layout. We practice in a light-filled renovated barn – a big open space. There is a facilitator who is the witness, and there are movers. Each of the participants moves with her eyes closed for about 45 minutes. The idea is to tune into what your body wants to do, and to follow the impulse as closely as you can. So if your hand wants to make a fist, you do that. If your feet enjoy sliding on the wood floors, do that. (I do that often.) But it’s not a planned movement or a performance of any kind.  It’s about being mindfully, non-judgmentally present to your body and what it wants and needs in the moment.

When the movement is over, the witness reflects back something she saw and what it made her feel and experience. Her job is to help you feel that you were non-judgmentally seen, not interpreted. It’s a very beautiful practice, and I find it more accessible than regular meditation practice. There’s something really powerful about being seen non-judgmentally, both by yourself and by another.

Before we begin, we stand at the periphery of the room and make eye contact to honor each other, and then we do something interesting – we look at the open space to honor it too. We do this again at the end. At first I wasn’t quite sure what this meant, but recently, my teacher offered a little nugget of wisdom that really struck me. She said:

“In the beginning, there is nothing. In the end, there is nothing.”

It’s the same with art. In the beginning, there is nothing, and in the end, there is nothing once again. You begin a piece in the empty space, fill it with your marks, complete it, put it away, and return to the emptiness. We face the possibility, the curiosity, and the anxiety of not knowing. 

So much of what scares us about art practice stems from facing this empty space. So much of what excites us about the art process stems from the emptiness too. What helps me to face the possibilities and the anxieties is knowing that I am not alone. I face the unknown in community.

Fluid Art Workshop:

We’ve been talking a lot in my Diving Deep class about how important community is in building our courage as artists. I want to help you build your art courage too. I’m inviting you to a free workshop tomorrow, Thursday, June 21st at 12pm EST. There’s still time to register, and you’ll get an amazing PDF with all the goodies from the workshop. There’ll be a 48-hour replay as well. I’m thrilled to tell you that I’ll be announcing an AMAZING freebie at the end, so stick around for that. Click here to register now.

Creatively Yours,

Amy

The post Facing the Empty Space: Practicing Mindfulness Through Art appeared first on Mindful Art Studio®.

Dear Wonderful, Creative You:

These are the tools of my self-healing: A board. A painty towel. Varied colors of paint. Water. This is how I am finding meaning in my art:

I wet the surface with a wide brush and let my emotions flow with the water. I’m not pushing or trying. I might be thinking about what’s on my mind, or I might be completely present in the moment, getting absorbed like the water, letting the colors seep into me, and becoming one with my piece.

There’s no pushing or pressing, just permission to be in this moment with my paints and myself. I’m open to discover whatever wants to appear on the page before me. We make a contract, me and the art piece – I can sometimes intervene, nudging the image this direction or that, but I won’t force, or push too hard. I’ll respect the image for what it is, and trust the process will bring me easier breath and a more open heart if I give myself over to it.

I could begin critiquing and criticizing my images for perfectionism’s sake, but I’d be disrespecting the tender art pieces who have decided to show up for me. And I know too that I’ll have an opportunity to dress them up, further reveal their secrets and their beauty, when I take my gel and paint pens to the page.

That’s why art is a sacred practice for me. I feel as if I’m swallowed up in a different world, a different time – where the mountains are tall, the rivers run deep, and I am engaged in an ancient practice of discovery and renewal. I can feel the Great Mother wrapping her arms around me. Dwelling in my imagination – or the Unknown, is a balm to my soul. I feel a part of something bigger, and therefore, I am more whole. The tightness in my chest eases, my lungs open, and I’m just where I need to be.

Within each of us is a wellspring of healing energy, if only we are willing to let it touch us.

[bctt tweet=”Art is the only way to run away without leaving home. – Twyla Tharp #creativeselfcare #creativityfound” username=”amymaricle”]

This art practice is like building an inner sanctuary. The skills are the same as taking care of myself in life:

Stand back. Observe, take in the whole scene. Formulate a plan. Execute the plan, but with flexibility, so I don’t miss good opportunities along the way. When I get stuck, I focus on something small that I know well what to do with. Then return to observing: trying to learn from the water, flowing around the hard objects that stand in the way.

Through Mindful Art Studio, I have the opportunity to share the gifts I’ve been given for finding meaning in my art. Part of what gives me the most joy in this work is seeing you dive deeper into your own practice. I’ll be doing a free, live workshop this Friday, December 15th at 6pm EST on Mindful Art Studio’s FB page: Fluid Painting – Get in the Flow.

You can RSVP here whether you can make it at that time or not, as I’ll have a 48-hour replay available for you. Click here to download my PDF fluid painting tips and supply list. And, if you can’t wait for Friday to let loose with your fluid paints, you can upgrade to The Fluid Painting Workbook with lots of great tips and fun ideas for fluid painting for just $9.

I’m looking forward to diving deep with you Friday.

Creatively Yours,

Amy

The post Finding Meaning in My Art appeared first on Mindful Art Studio®.

Dear Wonderful, Creative You:

One of the most beautiful gifts in my art journaling practice is the ability to transform my feelings on the page, especially by working in stages and layers.

Working over time and in layers creates a conversation between me and the art piece. I have to be open to what the art wants, and not try to force things. I stand back frequently, looking from a distance, and waiting. This process is deep, sacred, and cleansing for me. I’m excited to share it with you.

Mindful Art Journaling in Stages

First, I made an ink and string drawing (a technique I teach in Art Journaling 101.) That version of the page sat untouched for many months. Next, on separate days months apart, I doodled the triangles on the bottom left, and then added a light wash in blue and green high flow acrylic paint.

I liked what was appearing, so I added another layer of wash to deepen the values.

I could have stopped here, but I needed to think through my feelings and find equilibrium. I felt relieved and more clear by the end.

Next, I added another wash of paint over my words in order to hide them a bit, that’s the photo you see below.

It seemed to me that the words should be even more hidden, so once the paint was dry, I began rubbing white gesso onto the page with my fingers. Using my hands gives me an intimate and direct relationship with my art. The black shape on the left page reminded me of a flower, and I imagined that the dots I drew were flower seeds floating away.

After stepping back to take a look, I added more layers of gesso, again with my fingers. To get that smoky look, I use a pulling and dragging motion with the gesso.

Next, I added some white dots around the edge of the gesso with my new favorite Posca pen.

Soon the white started to feel overpowering, so I used the brush to do another wash with my high flow acrylic in blue.

Then I added a little wash of sap green.

And then suddenly it seemed to me the piece needed to drop down again into deeper tones. I used my new plexiglass palette to mix the colors right next to my page. It’s so convenient to mix the high flows on my table and then wipe them off when I’m done. I wonder if you would like it too?

After that, it seemed that the dots wanted to multiply, so I let them. And then I stood away from it for a long while gazing at it from a distance.

And then something magical happened…the paper cutouts! I loved the contrast of the translucent tracing paper and the opaque white pen against the depth of the green-blue shades on the page.

I added more interest by layering the flowers. I glued the flowers down in the center, so that the flower petals could flutter and make little sounds with the smallest provocation.

I’ve always been fascinated by the many properties of paper, including the sound and texture,  and lately I’ve been experimenting with how I can use paper as a sculptural element in journals. This is an exciting step in that journey. It’s even more exciting knowing the the page started as a way to vent my frustrations, and turned into a piece that is full of life and whimsy. It makes me think about how changing my perspective and behavior can change my experience.

I’d love to hear how you dive deep in your art journaling practice. Share about it in the comments and please share this post with a friend!

Art Materials I Used for This Page:

Moleskine Journal, Classic Colored Notebook, Large, 5 x 8.25

Golden High Flow Acrylic, Sap Green

Golden High Flow Acrylic, Phthalo Blue Green Shade, Transparent Line

Liquitex Gesso

White Posca Pen

Gel Pen in peach from Sakura Gelly Roll Souflee

Tracing Paper

Scissors

Classes I Referenced with This Page:

Art Journaling 101

Fluid Art

Helpful Art Journaling Tutorials and Posts: 

Emptying Out, Filling Up

The Simple Art Technique I Just Can’t Stop Doing

The Guide to Creative Self-Care – My powerful, free class!

Instagram:

You can find more of my art and daily inspiration on Instagram: @amymaricle

Have fun with all these resources!

Creatively Yours,

Amy

*Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. That means that if you choose to click a link and purchase something, at no extra cost to you, Mindful Art Studio will receive a small commission to go towards our work to empower the artist in all of us.

The post Diving Deep in Your Art Journaling Practice appeared first on Mindful Art Studio®.

Dear Wonderful, Creative You:

Honestly, there is so much that can get in the way of a creative life. Creative endeavors are an extra, right? A bonus for those who have time. A benefit for the rich. Unless you are an artist, creative projects are for retired people who no longer need to work for a living, take care of kids or elderly parents, and have tons of extra time on their hands. At the end of the day, you are so exhausted, the best you can do is fall into your couch in front of the tv or a computer screen. Who has time and energy to make time to make art? Right?

If this is the story you tell yourself, you will always be the one who gets that spark of excitement when you see beautiful art, but never makes any of her own.

Consider that perhaps the only thing standing between you and a creative life is the clever, scared inner critic. Your inner critic so fears “failing,” that she won’t even let you try. She puts up every excuse in the book. The critic will tell you that doing things less than perfectly is not worthwhile. This kind of fear will rob you of the rich, creative life you deserve.

Even the most talented artists in the world struggle with and have to set aside, the negative talk of the inner critic in order to work. Almost no one is immune to this insidious self-doubt. But don’t be fooled, you ARE creative. Whether you express your creativity in clever jokes, crochet patterns, inventive city planning solutions, or paintings, you cannot help but be creative. It is in your nature. It’s how humans problem solve, how we make novel sentences each time we talk, and how we respond so effectively to new situations. If you’d like to learn more about human creativity, this post explains more from a neuroscience perspective we can all understand.

Let’s Make Time to Make Art

A few weeks ago, I shared a post with 10 creative ways to make more time to make art. In my experience with students, the biggest thing standing between you and your creative expression is you and your inner critic.

So here is part two of How to Make Time to Make Art, with 10 more ideas to invite more “YOU” time, more creative self-expression, and more creative joy into your life:

• Create little art altars around your house. Mine are made up of a combination of natural materials and art. Pretty much any place where I’ve got a collection of art and/or natural materials feels like a sacred space to me. You can decide what an art altar means to you.

• Make art outdoors. (Create a mandala with flowers, sticks, rocks, or shells.) Get inspired by Michele Faia’s beautiful work. In fact, perhaps you will make your art altar a nature mandala.

• Give yourself permission to use art as self-care. (AKA – give yourself permission to suck.) Just keep putting one creative mark next to the other, and you will get there.

• Make art friends. Go to local art shows. Join the local artist association or art museum. You don’t need to be a professional. Talk to other artists about their art and why it speaks to you. Ask questions about their process and anything else that sparks your interest. Over time, you might pluck up the courage to invite a few other beginner types to your house for some snacks and a low key art date. I recently started showing my work again for the first time in ages. I’m pictured here at the opening reception with my work, but the best part was talking to another incredibly talented artist. We spoke about her process, our shared love of nature’s art, and I asked for her feedback on a recent painting. I could tell she would be straightforward but kind. And she was. As soon as she gave her suggestion, it rang true, so the critique never stung. What a lovely lady.

• Take a class to broaden your skills. Mindful Art Studio classes are geared towards folks who struggle to get past the inner critic and creative blocks, or who want to create art from a more intuitive place.
• Recognize the creativity in the things you already do. Some examples include cooking new recipes, writing, knitting, handicrafts, card making, gardening, home improvement and design, cake decorating, or creative solutions to spread sheet problems. You ARE creative, you just don’t see it yet.

• Tell yourself, “I deserve to take care of myself. I AM creative, and this makes me feel good.”

• Post your art at home to inspire you to create more. I know you might think this won’t work, but folks in my classes are always amazed at how even what they see as “mediocre” work can inspire them to dig in again and again.

• Work small. Inchies, twinchies, and small art journals are a great way to make sure you get started. Check out this video on the big pay offs of working very small.

• Read books about art and creative process – I’ve just read The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp and it’s SO inspiring and helpful. You can also watch movies about art and artists!

I can’t wait to hear what you are doing to keep creativity woven throughout your day. Tell us about it in the comments.

Creatively Yours,

Amy

[bctt tweet=”Your inner critic is so scared of failing, she won’t even let you try. Let’s bravely create something together anyway.” username=”amymaricle”]

The post Make Time to Make Art Part Two appeared first on Mindful Art Studio®.

Dear Wonderful, Creative You:

We have arrived at day three of our interview series and I’m thrilled to introduce you to Vanessa Oliver-Lloyd.  I met Vanessa several months ago when she took my online class, Freeing the Muse. Her passion for art and the courage she has to express herself, explore her feelings, and allow her art to open her up is inspiring. I hope you enjoy our chat as much as I did, and allow that spark of inspiration to lead you directly to your art table.

If you are looking for the other interviews, you can find them here:

Creatively Yours,

Amy

AMY: What are your earliest memories of art making and creating as a child?  What’s the first time you remember feeling inspired? 

VANESSA: There is a photo of me in first grade. I am painting at an easel, wearing an apron and someone called my name so I’ve just turned my head toward them. My lower lip is half in my mouth. That is my concentrated face! I could always be found with crayons and paper when I was a kid. I remember finger painting bringing me so much joy, touching the slightly cold paint with the palms of my hands and loving getting dirty and feeling like this was such a treat!

AMY: What were the messages that you got as a child about art? 

VANESSA: I was always told that art is important and necessary. My mother always said, “If you feel connected to a piece of art, buy it because it means something.” I was an introverted child so my parents figured this was a good way to let me express myself. So art as self-expression was always encouraged for me.

AMY: What are your favorite ways to express yourself creatively?  What kind of art do you make?

VANESSA: I work in an art journal. This is super important to me because I feel a book is the best place to express yourself without self-censorship. Because you decide if you want to share a spread or not, you can be super honest about how you feel, even if those emotions are super self-indulgent. I love to use paint, collage and water soluble pencils in my art. The art I make is directly related to self-expression.

AMY: If you’ve ever gone through a period of feeling blocked or that you don’t have “permission” to make art, how did you find the courage to create again?

VANESSA: I have never felt blocked in this way, but I have felt frustrated, because of lack of time. When my children were babies, it was very difficult to find time for myself and that was a very difficult period for me. I found my way back slowly but surely. But I dived completely into art journaling when my family was posted in Hong Kong and I had to give up my job as an archaeologist. Art journaling saved my life because I had so much trouble adjusting to this new role.

[bctt tweet=”My art journal is the recipient of all my feelings. – Vanessa Oliver-Lloyd #doitfortheprocess ” username=”amymaricle”]

AMY: What role does art play in your life? How is art self-care for you? Does it help you express, cope or understand your world? Can you explain your process and how you use it?

VANESSA: My art journal is the recipient of all my feelings. In this sense, it is self-care. I pour my feelings unto paper so that they do not fester in myself. In turning something ugly like anger or frustration into something visually strong and powerful, I am freeing myself from the hold these feelings have over me. My process is all about the process! Often, when my page is done, I don’t feel attached to it especially if it has expressed what I needed it to. I can’t really make a spread that I don’t feel concerned about, like you will never see an art journal spread with just a quote from me, that isn’t how I art journal.

Vanessa is a student in Freeing the Muse, an art journaling class that focuses on using simple and fun art prompts to help you quiet your inner critic, and inspire your inner muse. It’s a great class for perfectionists who need to let go at the end of the day, artists who need to bust out of a rut and into inspired, soulful art. It’s a heck of a lot of fun, in other words. You can learn more here.

AMY: Are there ever art pieces that scare you? Pieces that you don’t want to complete because they feel too dark, weird, stupid, or “not you?”

VANESSA: There are no art pieces that scare me. Some scare others though, especially if they know it is about them. Because my art is my refuge, nothing is off limits or too dark/weird for me. It has happened once or twice than I felt that a spread wasn’t me. In those cases, the pages were not expressing what I needed them to.

AMY: What inspires your art? Who are some of the artists/places/situations that inspire you?

VANESSA: My daily life is what inspires my art. Being around other artists and taking workshops inspire me immensely. Traveling is also a source of inspiration for me. My all-time favorite artist is Jean-Michel Basquiat, but I admire a whole range of artists some of whom I have had the chance to meet and work with. Orly Avineri, Erin Faith Allen and Misty Mawn are some of these artists that inspire me.

AMY: Do you have artist friends? Why is being in the Mindful Art Studio community important for you?

VANESSA: I do have artist friends but they are not in my daily life. The friends I have grown up with are not artistic. So the arrival of online communities has been incredible for me; it is amazing to have an online tribe. The artists in these forums are very important to me and I love our exchanges. My art tribe is linked to some of the art groups I belong to or workshops I have taken. It is essential to me to have a place – even a virtual one – to ask questions and to interact with like-minded people.

AMY: Is there anything else you’d like to add or that you feel is important to this conversation?

VANESSA: I would say that the best gift you can give yourself is to quiet the inner critic and create for creating’s sake. Give yourself permission to fail, to make ugly pages, to purposely be off the mark. Why? because these are for you. They will help you loosen up and not care so much about perfection. It’s overrated anyway!

Vanessa Oliver-Lloyd is an archaeologist and an artist. She believes in the healing power of pouring your feelings unto paper and transforming them into art! She has just released a new online workshop called Totems, on finding and using personal symbolism in one’s work: https://www.getmessyartjournal.com/shop/totems

The post Defining Your Life Through Art Journaling with Vanessa Oliver-LLoyd appeared first on Mindful Art Studio®.

Hello Wonderful, Creative You:

I recently picked up Big Magic* by Elizabeth Gilbert. (Did you catch her podcast interview with Krista Tippet at On Being?) I was excited to hear her talking about how to get inspired to create, and the connections between her creative and spiritual life. While she doesn’t use the term “creative self-care” it’s exciting to hear this well-known author speaking my language.

As I’m reading Big Magic, I find myself nodding a lot, and internally saying, “Yes! YES!”  She adeptly explains the evidence of why WE ARE ALL creative beings. Even the most boring person has the capacity for creativity. I would add that one of the reasons we know this because of the way the arts are woven into every day life in the oldest cultures on earth. Everyone takes part in rituals involving song, movement, dance, and body paint. The practice of “the arts” does not belong to a chosen few with special “talent” but to the community.

I love that Gilbert gives us permission to create – not because it will be special, original, important, or even inspiring. She tells us to create because it feels good. Because we need to make something. It’s how we’ve survived for a long time before we sat with our face in a screen waiting for something to happen. Here’s my ideas on how to get inspired to create.

[bctt tweet=”You DO need time to create. It IS essential for your well being. #artheals” username=”amymaricle”]

Clear the Obstacles in Your Creative Life

So if you can acknowledge that there is at least some creativity within you, how do you get started? I know there seem to be a lot of obstacles getting in the way of you creating: time, inspiration, clutter, health issues, perfectionism, self-doubt, etc. I have good news and bad news about this. The only way through these obstacles is to decide that you must create. When you decide this, the excuses will clear, the clutter will go (even if you need a little help) you will prioritize creating over something else, and you will find a gentle approach to creating that eases, not causes pain.

Give Yourself Permission to Make Art.

Sometimes hearing someone else tell you that it’s okay to do something can help you give yourself permission. I know it might seem silly, but I know this has worked for me. I’d like to speak straight to your heart, so I’d invite you to open your heart and listen. If it feels right, you might write some of these down, or even make your own permission slip to create, and keep it visible at home.

You have a right to create. As a young child, chances are, you danced, sang, babbled, drew, told stories, and tried new things, all without shame, fear, or critical self-talk. You created because it was natural, and because you experienced the world through your 5 senses as a way of exploring. Somewhere along the line, you let other people tell you to shut all that down, to sit still, and only to pursue those activities in which you had “talent,” if any.

I have to tell you, that’s total bullshit. We are all creative.

Being creative is the exhale to the inhale, the output from the input. It’s the natural order of cause and effect, things moving up and down. We use creative energy in all parts of our lives. If you feel called to write, dance, craft, paint, or make music, why not just do it? What’s the harm in playing if it makes you feel good?

Perhaps you feel stuck because you are think your art isn’t “good enough.” I say, it doesn’t have to be “good enough,” so do it anyway. If you think your paintings are ugly, do it anyway. If you sing off pitch, do it anyway. If you can’t dance on the beat, do it anyway. It’s about the joy of expression. That’s what makes art normal. That’s what makes art healing. That’s what makes art necessary.

[bctt tweet=”So you have permission: Create. Do something. Make something. Be wild. #calledtobecreative” username=”amymaricle”]

Give Yourself a Simple, Doable Art Assignment.

Even once you give yourself permission to create, staring at a blank white page and a mountain of art supplies and no ideas can be overwhelming. If you are feeling overwhelmed, I suggest structuring your creative life to make it feel a bit more manageable. (That’s a big part of how to get inspired to create.)

To structure things, you might give yourself mini art assignments with small, doable steps and limited materials. Put away everything else and give yourself permission to only focus on the assignment you chose. I’ve set this up as daily art prompt for 5 days, but you can adapt it to a weekend, a month, or whatever makes sense for you.

1. Project Idea #1: Focus on Drawing in Pencil.

• Day 1:  Spend five minutes looking for 2 – 4 beautiful leaves. Notice the colors, shapes, and textures.

• Day 2:  Set your leaves, pencil, sharpener, eraser, and paper out in a visible spot at home.

• Day 3:  Choose one of the leaves and draw it. Ask your inner critic to please step aside while you simply enjoy the activity of moving your pencil across the page. Really look at the shapes you are seeing. Forget that it’s a “leaf” and focus on the shapes.

• Day 4:  Choose a different leaf and draw it upside down. Get to know a different part of it. Study it. Then draw your special leaf. Give yourself the same creative “permission” to just enjoy the process.

• Day 5:  Look your 2 -4 leaves and draw the one which you feel the most affection for, even if you have already drawn it. Feel free to experiment and take some risks. Try shading a bit, or experiment with varying how much pressure you put on your pencil and how that translates on the page.

2. Project Idea #2: Focus on Collage. 

• Day 1: Collect 2 – 3 magazines, scissors, glue, and paper, and set them out in a visible place at home.

• Day 2:  Turn on some music and begin cutting images that speak to you. Don’t shy away from “odd” images or things you don’t understand. If it speaks to you, cut it out. Spend about 30 minutes to an hour.

• Day 3:  Lay your images out in front of you. Which ones catch your attention first? Pick 2 -4 that really catch your eye. Begin laying these out on your page, playing with the arrangement, stepping away to gain perspective, and coming closer. When they feel right, glue them down.

• Day 4: Take out markers or acrylic paint, a brush, water, and a cloth.

• Day 5: Use the paint to “pull together” the magazine cut outs into one art piece. You may paint over parts of the pictures or leave them as is.

3. Project Idea #3: Focus on Watercolor and Black Pen.

• Day 1: Take out your watercolor paints, brush, cloth, and paper, black permanent pen,and put them somewhere visible. Set a timer, and spend 15 minutes looking for inspiring mandala patterns on Pinterest. Screen shot or print anything you like so that you can use it later. Set a timer so you don’t get pulled into a vortex on the web!

• Day 2: Use a cup or circular item to trace several circles on your page. You can decide how big or small you’d like to make them, depending on the size of doodles you enjoy drawing. Paint each circle with watercolor.  Repeat this technique for each circle.

• Day 3: Working with your dry circles, keep your mandala inspiration patterns nearby, pick something simple, and work SLOWLY to create a pattern in black pen over the watercolor background. Complete 1 or 2, depending on their size and your time and energy.

• Day 4: Complete one or two more circles, either practicing the same patterns to improve your results, or trying a new pattern. Remember to work slowly and deliberately. Tune into the sounds and colors.

• Day 5: Finish the circles on your page, or start another page, following the same process. With practice, you will enjoy your results a little more each time, and it will encourage you to experiment.

4. Project Idea #4: Your project idea.

• Assign yourself a simple art task.
• Break the task in to small steps: Gather supplies, gather inspiration, work in short sessions.
• Remember that making a plan to be creative IS creative. Creative planning “counts” as art time.

I hope that you have noticed the pattern here: pick something and do it. Then do it again, and again, and be willing to be a beginner. That’s how you make more art. There’s really nothing magical about it. I’ll do another post on clearing away the obstacles that you just can’t seem to get past. There are many things that can trip us up.

How to Get Inspired to Create When You Can’t Clear Creative Blocks

1. Take a class. Sometimes the structure of a class, the support of an artistic community, and an infusion of fresh techniques can really fire up your creative practice. Check out my online classes here. 
2. Hire a creative mentor to help you pinpoint your creative blocks, create a plan to get them out of the way, and support through your journey back to creativity. You can read more about my creative mentoring program here.

I can’t wait to hear more about your creative life and dreams.

Creatively Yours,

Amy

*Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. That means that if you choose to click the link and purchase something that at no extra cost to you, you will be supporting the work of empowering artists at Mindful Art Studio. This is how to get inspired to create! Thank you!

The post How to Get Inspired to Create appeared first on Mindful Art Studio®.

I’ve been trying to find the words to describe why working abstract, with no plan, and letting go of the outcome is such a mindful, exciting, and yet calming experience all at once. It’s one of my main forms of creative self-care these days, and really helps when I feel anxiety. I’m so excited to share how I use art journaling for anxiety.

Please be sure to share it with your friends and anyone who could use a little help “ARTing it out” right now.

Next Steps:

• Start your creative self-care practice by getting your Free Guide to Creative Self-Care.
• Learn more about art journaling.
• Practice mindful drawing for anxiety.
• Make an easy and fun journal background.
• Or, make a background using tissue paper and water.
• Dive into the flow of art journaling with this amazingly fun class: Fluid Art.
• Journal to clear your mind and banish perfectionism with my class: Freeing the Muse.
• Learn to use art journaling as a form of creative self-care: Starting Your Art Journal.
• Get your hands on those high flow liquid acrylics here*.
• Read more about the work I do at Mindful Art Studio here.

[bctt tweet=”For someone who is anxious, to see the unknown not as something scary, but as an adventure, is amazing. #selfcare #artjournal” username=”amymaricle”]

DISCLOSURE: The information described here is not art therapy. This post is for informational purposes and should not be considered a substitute for medical or psychological evaluation or treatment.  Please seek advice from a mental health professional in your area if you are experiencing mental health challenges. You can find an art therapist in your area by searching here.

*The link provided is an affiliate link. If you choose to click and purchase something, at no extra cost to you, you will contribute to the work of Mindful Art Studio. Thank you!

The post Art Journaling for Anxiety: Dwelling in the Mystery appeared first on Mindful Art Studio®.

You’ve probably heard that controlling your breathing, and practicing mindfulness are great ways to beat stress. But what does that really mean? How does a mindful breath help you psychologically and biologically?

A Simple Breathing Technique

The Breath Project, a wonderful collaboration between a group of doctors, artists, and mindfulness experts has a very short, visually beautiful hand-drawn animation, explaining all of this and more. There’s also a wonderful 2-minute guided mindful breath exercise that you can use anytime. Watching their video, I found it so reassuring to learn that even 1 mindful breath creates enough mental pause to impact our actions.

Check out their video here: http://thebreathproject.org/

Mindfulness, Breathing, and Art Making

I am always looking for new ways to practice mindfulness, reduce stress, and be more creative. Luckily, these practices go hand in hand. Try some of the following exercises to engage your imagination, get centered, and get creative.

• Try some of these free meditations and visualizations.
• Practice mindful mandala drawing or mindful photography.
• Calm Your Anxiety with Guided Visualization
• 5 Breathing Exercises to Relieve Stress
• Try these simple art techniques and practice mindfulness
• Use some of these 5 minute art exercises while focusing on the sounds, colors, and what you physically feel in your body while you make art.
• Natural Anxiety Relief: Make Art From Nature

How do you incorporate mindfulness into your life in large and small ways? Tell us about it in the comments.

The post The Mindful Breath: A Simple Form of Self-Care appeared first on Mindful Art Studio®.

I want to show you how good it feels when you make self-care a priority. I want you to see that it’s not selfish. That it doesn’t require too much time.

Self-care is not as much about what I do, as it is how I think. It’s about taking a moment to put myself in the equation, consider how things will affect me, and make choices based on that. It doesn’t mean that I always put my needs first, just that sometimes, I do.

I’m not advocating selfish, self-indulgece, like missing your child’s dance performance to get a pedicure, or skipping out on a friend in need so you can go to yoga. I’m advocating for you to give consideration to yourself and your own needs too.

[bctt tweet=”Self-care is not about being selfish, it’s about being mindful and realistic about your needs. -Mindful Art Studio #5for5selfcare”]

Self-care is tuning into your body, and when you notice the tightness in your back, taking three deep breaths to release it instead of pushing on to the next work task. Self-care is talking honestly with your sister about how she hurt your feelings so deeply, instead of trying to let it go.

Or perhaps you have a job that just “pays the bills,” and you notice that when you let your volunteer work at the homeless shelter slip, you tend to question your purpose and feel down. Self-care is re-prioritizing the activities that give your life joy and meaning, and making sure you have the energy to do them.

Self-care is about engaging authentically with yourself and others about who you are, what you need, and what you have to give. Some of the most giving people I’ve ever met have the most strict self-care practices.

How One Selfless Person Does Self-Care

One of my new favorite ways to “fill my inner well” is listening to On Being, a fabulous podcast on “the big questions of meaning…what it means to be human… and…how we want to live.” An interview with a social activitist, Zen meditation practitioner, and Catholic nun, Sister Simone Campbell , of Nuns on the Bus, got me thinking about the importance of service to others in our self-care practices.

Simone Campbell is sharp, witty, compassionate and will completely change your image of the stuffy, old, habited nun rapping your knuckles with a ruler. She lives her life in service to others. I was moved by her commentary on being open to what comes in the moment, and her ability to embrace the positive.

But one thing Simone Campbell said really troubled me.

She said people often ask whether her many commitments and constant travel are exhausting. She noted that her reply is always the same: she only gets depleted when she focuses on herself.

Uh oh.

This is exactly what I ask you to do.

Was I missing something? I couldn’t understand how could she give so much of herself if she didn’t engage in self-care. But as I thought about it more, I understood that in fact, she has a very robust and rich self-care practice, she just frames it differently.

Sister Simone meditates every morning. She prays. She attends religious services. She lives in a community where she is deeply connected. She believes in a larger power and feels connected to it. She is clear about her life’s purpose, her place, and the things she needs to do to maintain them.

A life of service brings her joy and energy because she has a lot to give, so giving feels good.

I don’t think it’s a mistake that when we do something good for someone it makes us feel good too. I believe we are hard-wired to want to help each other. I also believe that without self-care, there’s very little to give.

For Sister Simone, self-care is her spiritual life. What is it for you?

For more ideas on how to incorporate self-care in your life, check out this post.

What is the 5 for 5 Self-Care Challenge?

I want to show you that self-care can be really simple and fun. So here’s my challenge to you:

Next week, on Monday, August 3rd – Friday, August 7th I challenge you to spend a minimum of 5 minutes each day on self-care, and then comment about it here. That’s it.

I will share ideas  and inspiration each day to help you get started, but if the prompt is painting and you prefer to watch the sun set, mindfully walk the dog, or carry out a random act of kindness, go for it! All you need to do to enter is comment on your experience.

We will be doing lots of creative self-care together, including writing, making art, and enjoying nature.

Prizes

Who doesn’t love the chance to win a prize? I do! Two lucky winners will receive a copy of my upcoming e-book, Starting Your Art Journal,

One winner find a portable art kit, worth $40 in their mailbox.

Share

Please share this post via social media to build this community.

[bctt tweet=”The #5for5selfcare challenge starts Monday August 3rd. Are you ready?”]

Official Rules

No purchase is necessary to win. Each day you comment on that day’s blog post by 12 PM EST is one chance to win. Limit one chance per day per person regardless of the number of comments you make. You must be at least 18 to enter. You can live anywhere in the world, be male or female, and be any shape, size, gender, color, religion, etc. Void where prohibited. The challenge starts on 7 am Monday, August 3rd, and ends at 12 PM EST on Friday August 7th.

Two winners will be randomly chosen from all the commenters and receive a copy of the upcoming e-book Starting Your Art Journal, which retails for $3+. One randomly chosen winner will receive a portable art kit worth approximately $40. Winners will be contacted individually via e-mail and their name will be shared on the blog. Winners must sign a release and affidavit of eligibility. 

Comments:

What are your “self-care challenges?” Where do you find yourself getting stuck? Does service fit into your self-care practice?

The post Join the 5 for 5 Self-Care Challenge appeared first on Mindful Art Studio®.

Dear Wonderful, Creative You:

I’m so excited to introduce you a very special artist, and now friend, Maria Mercedes Trujillo A. I first became aware of Maria’s gorgeous work through Pinterest as I searched for mandalas and nature-based art projects. I’ve always loved outdoor installations, spirit sticks, and art made with stones, so Maria’s work was hard to miss given her connection to nature, spirituality, and beauty.

Later, when I joined Instagram (@amymaricle),  I was able to see her amazing works in process @MagaMerlina. She is a constant source of inspiration. We began commenting on each other’s work, and there began an artistic friendship across thousands of miles. I feel very lucky that she has agreed to share her art, inspiration, links to her amazing work and tutorials, and tips on overcoming creative blocks.

At the end of the post, I’ve included some pictures of my own stone mandalas, as well as a free printable stone mandala pattern sheet. Stone mandalas can be a great mindfulness activity. I’d love to hear from you in the comments about your experience with it.

Interview with An Artist: Maria Mercedes Trujillo A.

Maria is a self-described late bloomer, self-taught illustrator-crafter from Bogotá-Colombia, who now calls New Zealand home. She attended medical school and became a psychiatrist, but in 2009 decided to make art full time.

Amy: When did you start making art?

Maria: I started keeping artist journals in 2000 when I was 35 years old. First I was drawing and painting from my inner world, and then about 10 years later, from the outer world too. The mandalas started in 2001. I draw, paint, and embroider.

Amy: How do you get the ideas for your mandala patterns? Do you study the patterns used by particular artists or cultures?

Maria: My mandalas are mainly born from my inner world, and they are always changing. I’ve studied the history, theory, and psychology of mandalas. I’ve been particularly drawn to Indian/Desi Mehndi, Kolam, Rangoli patterns, Buddhist sand mandalas, Thangkas and Islamic geometric pattern rosettes.

Amy: Your mandalas are so beautiful, whether on paper, the cover of a journal, or on a stone. What gave you the idea to start painting on stones?

Maria: A very long time ago I saw some beautiful painted pebbles in Sweden and loved them. I regret I didn’t buy one. More recently I saw some others online, none of them with mandalas though, and thought of drawing my own.

Amy: We are so glad you did! Mandalas are often seen as a spiritual symbol. Is making mandalas and art in general a spiritual process for you?

Maria: Art is a spiritual process for me because it connects me to who I really am, my essence. Each mandala I create is like a picture of my “Self” in that specific moment in time.

Amy: Do you ever feel “stuck” or uninspired artistically?

Maria: I used to get anxious about this, but now I know it’s all a part of the process. Creating is a cycle, there are times to create and there are times to “fill your inner well” as Julia Cameron says. When I’m uninspired, I look at books, other people’s art, nature, movies, videos, or my own artist journals.

Amy: Where do you get the beautiful stones you collect?

Maria: I’ve been collecting stones from many places since I was a child. I’m lucky there are some “shingle” beaches here in New Zealand, that’s where I collect most of the stones I paint.

Amy: Where can people learn more about making their own stone mandalas?

Maria: You can find the stone mandala tutorial here, as well as many other videos, tips on materials, and other resources on my blog, www.magamerlina.com. You can also see some of my projects featured in:  MAKE YOUR MARK: Creative ideas using markers, paint pens, bleach pens & more. By Lark Books.

Create Your Own Stone Mandalas!

Before you head over to www.magamerlina.com to check out Maria’s fabulously inspiring videos and tutorials, I’ve made up some of my own stone mandala samples for inspiration, as well as a little printable PDF cheat sheet to get you started.

Creative self-care idea: create a portable art kit that holds thin tipped markers (Sharpie, Faber Castell, or Micron brands can be found in your local art and craft shop), stone mandala pattern cheat sheet, and one or two smooth stones. (Click the picture below to download and print.) Carry this with you and you can steal away 5 minutes here and there throughout the day.

 Comments:

The post Stone Mandalas: An Artist Interview with Maria Trujillo appeared first on Mindful Art Studio®.