Creating Art to Heal Yourself and Others
So many people tell me that they would love to get creative, but do not have the time for
it in their busy lives. If you are one of those people, there are some great ways to begin.
You might want to start by making a card for someone special. It is amazing how
something so small and thoughtful can brighten a person's day.
You may enjoy making an altered art shrine to your Inner Child. You can simply take a
tin or wooden box, turn it on its side and decorate it inside. You can add silk flowers, vintage keys and images, or whatever holds special meaning for you. It is the perfect place to add quotations that are uplifting.
Another project that is simple to create is an inspiration board for one of your family
members or friends. You might include photographs with special memories. Ribbon,
metal embellishments, and letters that spell out key words can be added to give it
your own flair.
There may be someone special in your life who has passed on and you are currently dealing with the feelings associated with that loss. Why not make a "Memory Box" in honor of them? This can be done artistically utilizing photos, old letters--even writing down key phrases that the person often said. Once you are involved in the project, new ideas will abound and you can add to them as you go. You might want to use colors that were their favorite ones.
If you have a cause that you are particularly passionate about, you may want to use
that as a theme for your art. Remember, your creativity is a gift to you and to others.
Once you get started, you will tap into resources that have been there all along--you
just didn't know that you had them!
The key to this artful journey is to enjoy it and allow yourself the opportunity to grow in
your craft. Through your process, you can affect others in a positive way. Producing
art can bring immense creativity to the forefront that has been waiting to emerge for
many years. It can provide you with a sense of joy and accomplishment. By making
that small space of time for yourself, you will be able to connect with those parts of
yourself that are longing to be expressed.
Cindy Adkins/Recovery Artist
So many people tell me that they would love to get creative, but do not have the time for
it in their busy lives. If you are one of those people, there are some great ways to begin.
You might want to start by making a card for someone special. It is amazing how
something so small and thoughtful can brighten a person's day.
You may enjoy making an altered art shrine to your Inner Child. You can simply take a
tin or wooden box, turn it on its side and decorate it inside. You can add silk flowers, vintage keys and images, or whatever holds special meaning for you. It is the perfect place to add quotations that are uplifting.
Another project that is simple to create is an inspiration board for one of your family
members or friends. You might include photographs with special memories. Ribbon,
metal embellishments, and letters that spell out key words can be added to give it
your own flair.
There may be someone special in your life who has passed on and you are currently dealing with the feelings associated with that loss. Why not make a "Memory Box" in honor of them? This can be done artistically utilizing photos, old letters--even writing down key phrases that the person often said. Once you are involved in the project, new ideas will abound and you can add to them as you go. You might want to use colors that were their favorite ones.
If you have a cause that you are particularly passionate about, you may want to use
that as a theme for your art. Remember, your creativity is a gift to you and to others.
Once you get started, you will tap into resources that have been there all along--you
just didn't know that you had them!
The key to this artful journey is to enjoy it and allow yourself the opportunity to grow in
your craft. Through your process, you can affect others in a positive way. Producing
art can bring immense creativity to the forefront that has been waiting to emerge for
many years. It can provide you with a sense of joy and accomplishment. By making
that small space of time for yourself, you will be able to connect with those parts of
yourself that are longing to be expressed.
Cindy Adkins/Recovery Artist
"May Your Spirits Share a Heavenly Dance Forever"
My best friend, Mandy recently became engaged and I created this
handcrafted mixed media card in celebration of her upcoming
marriage.
The title is taken from the verse inside--"May your spirits
share a heavenly dance forever."
Congratulations Michael and Mandy!
(This card was created using cheesecloth, embellishments, vellum (inside), embellishments,
and an altered digi-piece I created from classic paintings. I chose the image of this particular
young woman to work with as she has a heavenly, glowing face and reflected such peace and
inner happiness.)
handcrafted mixed media card in celebration of her upcoming
marriage.
The title is taken from the verse inside--"May your spirits
share a heavenly dance forever."
Congratulations Michael and Mandy!
(This card was created using cheesecloth, embellishments, vellum (inside), embellishments,
and an altered digi-piece I created from classic paintings. I chose the image of this particular
young woman to work with as she has a heavenly, glowing face and reflected such peace and
inner happiness.)
"Inner Child" Mixed Media Collage on Canvas
8 x 10
8 x 10
This collage was created
for a young woman named
Camille. It explores the
wonder of life as seen
through the Inner Child...
Music, nature, books,
and dance all come
together in this piece
that incorporates
numerous images--
the most
prominent being
the yellow cat.
Since the recipient
has a great love of
felines, the image
was not only
chosen for that
reason, but also
to represent her
as the cat stands
proud as if
poised for the
future that holds
endless possibilities.
for a young woman named
Camille. It explores the
wonder of life as seen
through the Inner Child...
Music, nature, books,
and dance all come
together in this piece
that incorporates
numerous images--
the most
prominent being
the yellow cat.
Since the recipient
has a great love of
felines, the image
was not only
chosen for that
reason, but also
to represent her
as the cat stands
proud as if
poised for the
future that holds
endless possibilities.
The image of the "inner child" is
compliments of The Graphics
Fairy.
compliments of The Graphics
Fairy.
Vintage Garden--
This 8 x 8 piece was created as a gift for a young lady named Chloe whose vintage style was the inspiration for this work that includes commercial images, papers, and embellishments, including a metal garden fairy. The little girl image is from Last Door Down the Hall.
This 8 x 8 piece was created as a gift for a young lady named Chloe whose vintage style was the inspiration for this work that includes commercial images, papers, and embellishments, including a metal garden fairy. The little girl image is from Last Door Down the Hall.
For Courtney--
To celebrate your engagement...
To celebrate your engagement...
This little heart-shaped box was designed as a gift for
young lady named Courtney in celebration of her recent engagement. It was created in creme and black using commercial papers, embellishments and buttons. Also includes Prima flowers, cheesecloth, tulle, and ribbon.
Congratulations Kurt and Courtney!
young lady named Courtney in celebration of her recent engagement. It was created in creme and black using commercial papers, embellishments and buttons. Also includes Prima flowers, cheesecloth, tulle, and ribbon.
Congratulations Kurt and Courtney!
After seeing the image from The Graphics
Fairy of the young woman (upper right), I
couldn't wait to incorporate her into a
meaningful piece.
This work was created as a gift for a special young woman named Sydney who is a true "nature girl" that was blessed with a beautiful singing voice, so "sing your own song" is
reflective of her amazing talent.
Although time-intensive, this project was one that
had endless possibilities and was so much fun
to create! It was made from commercial papers,
buttons, cheese cloth, other images, yarn, embellishments and Prima flowers. Twigs from
a real bird's nest were used to embellish the cover of the box.
4 x 6.
Fairy of the young woman (upper right), I
couldn't wait to incorporate her into a
meaningful piece.
This work was created as a gift for a special young woman named Sydney who is a true "nature girl" that was blessed with a beautiful singing voice, so "sing your own song" is
reflective of her amazing talent.
Although time-intensive, this project was one that
had endless possibilities and was so much fun
to create! It was made from commercial papers,
buttons, cheese cloth, other images, yarn, embellishments and Prima flowers. Twigs from
a real bird's nest were used to embellish the cover of the box.
4 x 6.
If you would like to view this challenge,
please click:
http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/
If you would like to leave a message on my blog, please click:
http://recoveryartist.com/contact_1.html
please click:
http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/
If you would like to leave a message on my blog, please click:
http://recoveryartist.com/contact_1.html
Haiti--Our Prayers are With You
This piece was created with an image from The Graphics Fairy.
Please scroll down to see my 2nd
entry for Brag Monday--"Nature
Girl."
This piece was created with an image from The Graphics Fairy.
Please scroll down to see my 2nd
entry for Brag Monday--"Nature
Girl."
"Nature Girl" mixed media wooden box
Actually, this piece was not created to
"brag," but rather, to bring awareness
of the seriousness of the devastation
in Haiti.
"brag," but rather, to bring awareness
of the seriousness of the devastation
in Haiti.
2 Brag Monday Entries
Box Interior
Mixed Media Monday and MTTC
Wings to Fly--This piece was created as a gift for a special young lady named Becca who loves to travel...Ephemera includes tickets and vintage
European advertisements. The butterfly which extends
off of the canvas indicates her unlimted potential. The
piece was designed in a muted color palette with black and cream accents. Faux pearls add a touch of elegance indicative of her style. Created with commercial papers, embellishments, and
rubber stamps. 8 x 10.
If you would like to make
a comment, just click this link:
http://recoveryartist.com/contact_1.html
If you would like to visit the Mixed
Media Monday challenge, please click:
http://mixedmediamonday.wordpress.com
I have also entered this into MTTC
challenge (Damask.) If you would
like to view the challenge, please
click:
http://mytimetocraft.blogspot.com/
European advertisements. The butterfly which extends
off of the canvas indicates her unlimted potential. The
piece was designed in a muted color palette with black and cream accents. Faux pearls add a touch of elegance indicative of her style. Created with commercial papers, embellishments, and
rubber stamps. 8 x 10.
If you would like to make
a comment, just click this link:
http://recoveryartist.com/contact_1.html
If you would like to visit the Mixed
Media Monday challenge, please click:
http://mixedmediamonday.wordpress.com
I have also entered this into MTTC
challenge (Damask.) If you would
like to view the challenge, please
click:
http://mytimetocraft.blogspot.com/
Little girl image from The Last Door Down
the Hall.
the Hall.
This miniature box was created for a young man named Atticus. Twigs from a real bird's nest adorn the lid, along with commercial embellishments and images.
For Becca
For Chloe
For Sydney
For Camille
Mixed Media Monday/Black and White Challenge
I used an image of a black and white teapot from The Graphics Fairy and added some female images for a touch of color.
To see this challenge, please go to:
http://mixedmediamonday.wordpress.com/
If you would like to leave a comment, please go to:
http://cindyadkinsrecoveryartist.webstarts.com/contact_1.html
To see this challenge, please go to:
http://mixedmediamonday.wordpress.com/
If you would like to leave a comment, please go to:
http://cindyadkinsrecoveryartist.webstarts.com/contact_1.html
To reach the Brag Monday challenge,
please go to:
http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/
please go to:
http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/