Challenge: Make a Mess.

I have been wanting to do monthly challenges for myself to share with anyone who wants to join me for awhile now and I have decided that it's finally time to start...why wait- so, to follow up with this post of me as an anxious slightly OCD child who was afraid to make a mistake- I've decided this month's challenge is to:

 I am not that child anymore- in fact, I think I just may be more slightly on the opposite side of the spectrum of that child. I don't really consider it a good or bad thing to be the way I was... but I do know that I feel way more FREE.

 I attribute this shift to my field of study and going through a crazy three year graduate school program that really had me tapping into my personal patterns/issues and then making the conscious decision to let go of that little pleaser in me.

I also, attribute it to finding an outlet through photography and expressive arts that allows me to find my voice.

And lastly, I also attribute it to surrounding myself with people including the children and teenagers I work with who are so genuine and so real and for the most part not afraid of what other's think. 

It is a reminder to me that we all have inner children who need to come out and set us free from our so serious adult mess-avoiders.

So...

to get started- I want you to get your hands on this book and read it. You can read more about this book and my love for it here.

or

watch this video here:

Then I want you to grab some washable finger paint or regular washable paint and a large piece of paper and come back tomorrow to see what I am going to have you do with it...

I'm off to go do my challenge...post my photos tomorrow!

besitos, 

xo

Winner of the book "Beautiful Oops"...

I HATE having to choose a winner....( I want you all to win!) so, I decided to go along with the theme of the book "Beautiful Oops" and do a very random "oops" selection of the winner. 

I wrote your user name initial on the paper with oil pastels and took some ink and did slow zig zags until the ink dropped.... and then landed on.....

"A"...which is for Amy Nicole. Congrats! You are the winner!! Be sure to tell us how you liked the book!

besitos, 

My little piece of therapy...

So wanna know what I do for my own personal therapy these days? Art journaling. I started an art journal a few years back... and it has enhanced my love for art therapy even more- something that I use on a regular basis in my counseling practice. 

I have such a love for art journals and I think you should too...okay don't be afraid of the word "art." I know the first thing that you are thinking right now... "but I am not an artist" or "I am far from being creative"- excuses excuses....that is the beauty of this book... it is not meant to be pretty. In fact, the less pretty, the less perfect, the less symmetrical- the better. Think of it not as an "Art Journal" but more of a little Book of Random thoughts...or the "Just Is Journal." Hmmmm still not sure what to call it...I will work on that. 

I am going to be walking you through how to create one of these babies...however, I have THREE rules before beginning:

#1. No placing judgement on your art   random book- rid yourself from that inner critic.

#2. No placing judgement on yourself... like saying : "I am not an artist" or "I am not as good as..."

#3. Dare to experiment with color, brushes, fonts, images, stamps- whatever....constantly ask yourself "I wonder what happens when I..." See where it takes you. No pre-planning involved- just all in the moment.

Lastly...Before you begin- you GOT to read the children's book  "Beautiful Oops." I am doing a giveaway right now with this book... enter right here.  It is amazing and will hopefully rid your fear of your inner critic tell you that you are NOT "an artist"- whatever that means. You are. Everyone is.

Here is list of supplies that I used for these pages and may be helpful to begin a book of_______ (fill in the blank):

Sketchbook with mixed media paper (thicker paper is my fave)
Acrylic Paint
Rub Ons
Magazine Clippings
Stamps/Stencils
Tape/Glue
Scissors
Modge Podge
Gesso
Brushes
Watercolor Crayons
Photos


Now go gather supplies...and I will meet you back here next week and get you started!! For now GO to the giveaway for that amazing little book!

Besitos, 

FRIDAY FREEBEE...GIVEAWAY Ends Tuesday Oct. 25th at midnight.

I stumbled upon this book called The Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzberg and let me just say it is ADORABLE....it really teaches kids (and adults) the importance of making mistakes and turning an accidental spill or a smudge into a BEAUTIFUL piece of work. I truly believe it takes COURAGE to not do everything perfectly all the time...and this is such a great reminder.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE it.

So, this bookcan be all yours.... all you have to do is: 

1)  Become a follower (if you haven't already) here

2) Leave a comment about a time that you experienced a "Beautiful Oops" or something that you are NOT perfect at.

 

Here is a video of the book with music...

Besitos,