Is there anything more beautiful than a painted book? My heart loves paint and paper bound into a book more than just about anything. This class was titled, "A Handmade Life" and focused on the journal, our words and paintings, collage and dreams all spread out in joyous color as a daily meditation on chance, hope, play and survival.
Our goal is to reach deep inside ourselves and find that place where we are children, playing with abandon, celebrating the newness of existence. Celebrating our one, precious life.
Celebrating our hands and all the joy they can give us.
Making faces full of energy and happiness just for fun.
Trying out new techniques of applying paint, making marks, writing words, investigating.
What happens when we suspend judgment and give in to our shy love of just having fun?
Is there anyone who does not love to pick up a brush and make a mark? Certainly there is no child who refuses the task. They take to it like ducks to water.
We painted and collaged houses for our hearts to live in. Secretive, hidden-away places where no one can enter unless we say.
Clubhouses for the soul.
We don't ask anyone for permission. We give ourselves permission. We are each the boss, the one who decides what is good for us and what is beautiful.
We open a door and delight enters in. We fall in love with our creations. We become whole.
Here is where health, happiness and liberty begins. This I believe. We are creators. We must keep that conduit open or we become sad and perhaps ill.
We have words, colors and emotions to express. Every culture does it. We surround ourselves with beauty. But most of all we love to make things.
Our brains love riddles, complexity, diversity and solutions. When we stir these components into our lives we are happier and more content.
Big, happy humans. Ahhhhh.
Music and fragrance and color and love and touching and trust and friendship. The art of living life so that we live each day in fulfillment instead of pain.
This is why.
This is why we gather together to learn to walk the path of kindness and inclusion. So that everyone is encouraged, lifted, loved and heard. My heart is full.
Is there anything more beautiful than a painted book? My heart loves paint and paper bound into a book more than just about anything. This class was titled, "A Handmade Life" and focused on the journal, our words and paintings, collage and dreams all spread out in joyous color as a daily meditation on chance, hope, play and survival.
Our goal is to reach deep inside ourselves and find that place where we are children, playing with abandon, celebrating the newness of existence. Celebrating our one, precious life.
Celebrating our hands and all the joy they can give us.
Making faces full of energy and happiness just for fun.
Trying out new techniques of applying paint, making marks, writing words, investigating.
What happens when we suspend judgment and give in to our shy love of just having fun?
Is there anyone who does not love to pick up a brush and make a mark? Certainly there is no child who refuses the task. They take to it like ducks to water.
We painted and collaged houses for our hearts to live in. Secretive, hidden-away places where no one can enter unless we say.
Clubhouses for the soul.
We don't ask anyone for permission. We give ourselves permission. We are each the boss, the one who decides what is good for us and what is beautiful.
We open a door and delight enters in. We fall in love with our creations. We become whole.
Here is where health, happiness and liberty begins. This I believe. We are creators. We must keep that conduit open or we become sad and perhaps ill.
We have words, colors and emotions to express. Every culture does it. We surround ourselves with beauty. But most of all we love to make things.
Our brains love riddles, complexity, diversity and solutions. When we stir these components into our lives we are happier and more content.
Big, happy humans. Ahhhhh.
Music and fragrance and color and love and touching and trust and friendship. The art of living life so that we live each day in fulfillment instead of pain.
This is why.
This is why we gather together to learn to walk the path of kindness and inclusion. So that everyone is encouraged, lifted, loved and heard. My heart is full.
What a beautiful and inspiring post, Judy! Thank you for sharing your wisdom and all of that lovely art.
ReplyDeleteHi Judy!
ReplyDeleteAgain,thank you sovery much. You have no idea...
Sharyn
Beautifully written, and so well seen.
ReplyDeleteI teach art journaling and have linked to your post so that my readers and students can have the benefit of what you have expressed.
Thank you.
I haven't stopped by for a couple of weeks and boy have you been busy. What a fabulous class, so much productivity. I home the weather cools down a little for you too. We're enjoying the cool before the onslaught of summer.
ReplyDeleteThis is how I feel too Judy - Magic Hands! We all have them and the magic of the process never ceases to amaze me. I Loved seeing your students at play!
ReplyDeleteBusy hands and so creative. Wonderful work.
ReplyDeleteIt is obvious that everyone is enjoying your class.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like juicy fun! I bet they bless they day you walked through the door! Your fan - Jeanne (can you tell I'm a fan?)
ReplyDeleteyour class summaries are simply the best. i feel like i've been a little spy in the classroom
ReplyDeleteafter i see your photos and read your stories.
loved your description of apache boulevard a few posts back - i lived just off a sketchy part of apache about ten years ago, in a place that only a student could love. your motel photos were spectacular!
lovely
ReplyDeleteHi Judy!
ReplyDeleteI loved being part of this class more than I can tell you. It was a glowing, wonderful experience.
I know you probably don't get many photos of yourself in action, but I took a few of you that you are more than welcome to download from my online album--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/desertsong/sets/72157622045584602/
Thank you for sharing your beautiful self & your beautiful soul!
Lyn
My heart is full, too, Judy -- just from reading your post and seeing these spectacular photos with the expressions, the artwork, the shared experience and camarader that I swear is still there within the frame of the shot.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing.
Candace in Athens.