Category: Art

Sep 06

i carry your heart with me


i carry your heart with me
i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)
i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

ee cummings

The theme of my friend, Andria‘s, circle journal is based on this poem. Andria is one cool chick, a writer, a teacher, a gal with a heart to share her passion with others. I met her at Artfest in 2008 and am so glad I did. She is one of the highlights of my Artfest experience.

The above pages are my addition to her journal. I’m finding my art journaling becoming much more simplistic. I love layers and hidden treasure, but am finding myself more and more satisfied with a cleaner process.

This simplistic style may also be a representation of the changes my life and heart have experienced this year. So many layers of others’ beliefs that I had thought were my own have been stripped away; layers about money, education, boundaries, life experiences, relationships, secrets, all gone. If you’ve been wondering why my blog has been so quiet, I’ve been totally engulfed in renewing my mind.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12: 1-2

Transformation is a continual process. Because I have arrived here does not mean I am at my destination. But now I am content to find my place once again in the ebb and flow of life.

amanda ∞

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Posted in Art, Art Journal, God's Word, God's leading, Hidden Art, Transformation

Aug 13

TELEPHONEME

TELEPHONEME | MK12 from MK12 on Vimeo.

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Posted in Art

Aug 08

The saga of bad hair, growth & openness

I picked the correct theme word for this year, Unsafe. Combine that with my church‘s theme word, Grow, and stir the pot. Although I’ve been relatively silent in the cyber world, my life has been moving and shaking.

Here’s the 2010 checklist for my theme word, Unsafe:

  • be bold
  • put my heart on the table
  • make art that speaks LOUDLY
  • risk rejection
  • give myself wholly as God commands
  • surely offend someone
  • get hurt
  • heal and grow
  • live a life focused on helping others
  • trust

Not that I’ll stop doing what has been crossed out, but now I turn my focus to making art that speaks LOUDLY, and at the rate I’ve been Growing this year, my mind is full to bursting with creative thought and worship for my King. Now to bring the art to fruition.

And about the bad hair drama in my life, a dear friend of mine turned me on to her hairdresser who worked a miracle on my awfully-colored, poorly-cut hair. After 2 months of wearing my skull cap, it felt so good to like my haircut. The grey is still growing out which I can usually deal with, but get that occasional twinge of “oh, but I’ll look so old!” Reality is, I’ll look my age and 41 is not a bad age to be.

amanda ∞

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Posted in Art, Art Journal, God's leading, Transformation, Worship

Jul 12

the scenic route

The artist over at SUBNORMALITY has graciously allowed me to post this. Thank you!
Click on the picture and be transported to the large view to read “the creative process”.

amanda ∞

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Posted in Art

Jun 11

Summer Soldering Class

This summer I am doing a great deal of growing and planning. My business is unfocused. As many of you know, my heart is really aimed towards creatively worshiping my God, and sharing the creative process with others to facilitate growth and healing, introspection and thoughtfulness. The small income I do receive from my Etsy shop and from the classes I teach go to fund supplies used in teaching monthly classes at Veronica’s Voice. If I were to make a larger income, it would go towards furthering my own artistic education, so I could continue to expand what I share with others. As I refine my business plan this summer, the classes I’ll be teaching outside of Veronica’s Voice will be minimal. Besides the soldering class below, I will also be scheduling one art journaling class (date will be announced early next week). That said, my dream is one of growth, and of sculpting and refining many new and fun classes to come.

Introduction to Soldering: Making Jewelry

Date: Sat, July 17
Time: 1-4pm
Place: 2926 Campbell St, Kansas City MO 64109

Hear pendant promise ring*Examples: your pieces will be unique.

Learn the funky art of soldering, and make your own one of a kind jewelry. After receiving instruction, you will be constructing and soldering your own ring and pendant. We will be using images from vintage books, music, and papers, or if you have a special image in mind, please bring it to class. The glass sizes available to make pendants include 1×1, 1×2 and 1×3. The diameter of the ring will be approximately the size of a dime. All supplies are included in the cost of the class, including choker or ball chain for your pendant. If time allows, you may make a marble charm as well.

Class size: 8 students max.
Fee: $35

Policies:

  • Prepayment is required to register for class.
  • A 48 hour notice is required to cancel your spot in class, so that I may contact others who may be on a waiting list. If you do not notify me of cancellation, your class fee will not be refunded.

amanda ∞

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Posted in Art, Art Journal, Balance, VERONICA's Voice, Worship, soldered

Jun 09

Fermentation

This evening the kitchen filled with the incredible aroma of grated ginger, daikon radish, nappa cabbage, carrot, and garlic. Yep, it was kimchi makin’ time.

I use the recipe from my Nourishing Traditions cookbook, and although it is not as hot as real Korean kimchi, the flavor is delightful. Once a jar is opened in our home, it is usually devoured by the end of the day.

My food processor grated and shredded all the lovely veggies so quickly. The only seasonings added are sea salt and crushed red pepper.

Fresh whey is added to promote fermentation.

Then the whole mess gets pounded for about five minutes. The aromas that are released in this process are euphoric.

Then into wide mouth jars it goes for at least a month of fermenting. And the wait begins.

While I was at it, six jars of fermented cucumbers also were put together. They are so quick and easy to do, and I prefer their funky, fizzy taste to the traditionally pickled cucumber.

The house is quiet tonight. My husband is away shooting “Most Terrifying Places” for the Travel Channel, and my children are off enjoying a party. Although tempted, rather than put away that folded laundry, I choose to work in my art journal for the rest of the evening…and dream of kimchi.

amanda ∞

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Posted in Art Journal, Good Food

Jun 05

Summer Shift

Morning laundry load blowing in the breeze, the constant sheen on my face, meals cooked on the grill, yes, summer is here.
(Don’t you love the clothespin bag? Thank you, MaryZoom, for such a gorgeous, functional bag. It brings delight to my laundry routine.)

We don’t run our air conditioner unless it is really hot. Acclimating to the heat allows us to embrace our yard as part of our living quarters. Winter is very hard on me. I get so cold and don’t want to venture outside much, so when it warms up even a little, our living space quadruples. This includes the kitchen as the gas grill has become our oven. We have learned to use it quite successfully for all our baking needs. A good heavy cast iron skillet or dutch oven works the best since the heat can be intense. The cast iron evenly distributes the heat and has kept many a dinner from burning.

The front porch swing is so inviting to sit and visit with my family. A sweet breeze always seems to be blowing through. This swing was built by my husband’s great-grandfather. I am so grateful to be able to use this cherished swing.

Living the “green” life before green was politically correct, I love the earth because I view it as a gift from my Father, a gift to be treated with care. This is why I personally choose to not to spray my yard with chemicals. (Tonight as I type, a breeze fills my nostrils with the stench of RoundUp. My neighbor cares for his property differently. I’m hoping tomorrow the smell of chemicals will be gone.) This is also why I try to slow down and embrace the earth, air, plant & animal life. I learn so much about God, myself, relationships, true beauty by pulling weeds, by hanging the laundry on the line, by opening my windows to the bird song, and strangely enough, by not freaking out when I sweat.

Been giving the Strathmore Visual Journal a test run. The one I’ve chosen to begin with is the 5.5X8in, 140lb. watercolor journal. This will be my first shot working in a spiral-bound journal. I’ve heard that many people prefer the spiral bound because it can lay open flat. I will not proclaim a favorite binding as of yet, but am finding the spiral to be getting in my way. I will form my opinion from more than a couple pages though.The watercolor paper is working nicely for both watercolor and acrylic paints. Next test will be collage.

I’ve never used a journal so large as the 9X12in, but am excited to begin using this as my Creative Entrepreneur journal. Yes, my book arrived in the mail, and I’m diving in. Love it so far. It has my mind whirring.

amanda ∞

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Posted in Art, Art Journal, Creation, God's leading

May 29

Strathmore Visual Journals

Strathmore is introducing a new product which will be released in stores June 1, a line of Visual Journals designed for those of us who love to paint, draw, journal, collage, and otherwise freely express ourselves in journal form. These spiral bound journals are available in 3 sizes and 6 paper selections, so we finicky art journalers can chose the right size and paper for our favorite medium. I received a box with a variety of the sizes and papers this month, and look forward to giving each of them a try. Thank you, Strathmore, for including one of my pages as an example of visual journaling at your trade show, and for the generous box of inspiration. My favorite to touch is the 140lb. watercolor paper. Its thickness and texture are inviting me to express myself in collage and paint. I can already envision the messy hands and joyous heart. My plans are to visually express the goals & visions that come from diving into Lisa Sonora Beam’s book, The Creative Entrepreneur: A DIY Visual Guidebook for Making Business Ideas Real. I’ll be sure to share the pages that come from the union of this book, my mind, and the visual journal.  Pam Carriker will also be sharing a series of instructional videos using these journals. Can’t wait until these are available!

When I ordered The Creative Entrepreneur, I also ordered another book that grabbed my interest while I was Christmas shopping last winter, Art Journals and Creative Healing: Restoring the Spirit Through Self-Expression by Sharon Soneff.This book goes hand in hand with the monthly classes I teach at Veronica’s Voice. I look forward to the postal carrier delivering these books to my door, so that I can absorb all they have to teach me.

Speaking of teaching, I am planning summer soldering and art journaling classes.The planning phase of teaching classes stirs all sorts of creative juices within my soul. I often think that I learn more by planning than I am ever able to teach. My all time favorite phase of putting classes together would be the hands-on instruction. Each class is so unique depending upon the personalities and collective groove of the students. Dates will be announced very soon! All classes will be taught from my home in the Kansas City area.

amanda ∞

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Posted in Art, Art Journal

May 22

Mind Body & Soap Co.

Last week was the grand opening at Mind Body & Soap.

My husband made the perfect display for my new line of soldered delights, Adornments.

I especially love the mirror he place behind the display so that both sides of the Adornments can be noticed.

The Adornments are made to hang from knobs, hooks, large bottles or vases, etc, to adorn and add beauty. Using only vintage ephemera, no copies, the raw imperfections and texture found in the photos and papers add so much more to the story that each adornment tells.

Play:

Even the stamped letters are made using vintage stamps from the 1940s.

Family:

The pearls come from a beautiful vintage choker and the little charms frame my grandmother-in-law’s handwriting from her college days. I love the blueprint on the backside.

Success:

This boy’s expression brings such a smile to my face. He is obviously not comfortable in his suit. I wonder what the occasion was.

Tree:

Rather than vintage ephemera, this adornment features some of my own artwork. Trees are a recurring symbol in my art. These could be considered self portraits. Attached to the twigs are soldered acorns.

These belt buckles are so fun to make. I love finding the perfect image for the glass, giving me a good excuse to wander through my delicious drawers full of ephemera.

And these key chain clips satisfied my marble muse.

I love the Mind Body & Soap shop. What an eclectic store. I especially love the smell of homeade soap. I began making soap over a decade ago, but haven’t made much of late. The whole process fills my head with sensual delight. My favorite part of soapmaking, saponification. It all comes together at that point. I totally respect the work and time that is involved with making soap.

Inside their lovely shop:

On a separate note, I’ve been reading and learning so much from the book, Boundaries, by Henry Cloud. This year has been a challenge for me as I accepted a position that I was really not prepared for, one that I truly desired to help with, knew the need was great. I said yes for all the right reasons, but my stress level hit the roof. I am glad for the experience even with the stress. It has helped me to prioritize in a godly way, to take inventory of my time and interests, to redefine my goals, and to understand that importance of saying no even to a worthy request.

Right now I am re-evaluating my (lack of a) business plan. One course I would love to take, but the timing is not quite right for me (being respectful of my boundaries and capacity) is the Right-Brain Business Plan e-Course by Jennifer Lee. And another fabulous e-course that is making my brain spin, Flying Lessons by Kelly Rae Roberts. One thing that is very clear is my need for a good plan, and a loose schedule for my days. To find focus within my own timing, I’m incorporating the read-everything-on-this-list strategy. But really, I’m going to get my paws on this gem, The Creative Entrepreneur: A DIY Visual Guidebook for Making Business Ideas Real by Lisa Sonora Beam first.

The great lesson that I did learn from being overextended is that I am MOST DEFINITELY an artist, and truly not a left-brained thinker. Phew! Good to have that affirmation. Now let’s get this show on the road.

amanda ∞

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Posted in Art, Balance, Hidden Art, Liberty, soldered

May 05

New Venture

This year has been different, new directions to say the least. I am not heading in my planned direction, but am remaining true to my word for the year, UNSAFE. My life certainly has not been careful or cautious this year.

Now the volunteer coordinator at Veronica’s Voice, I had much to learn and apply most of this year. Life seems to be settling back into a rhythm now, with my right brain re-engaged. I feel much more at home this way. This makes the timing perfect to be invited to carry a line of soldered accents for the home. I was thrilled when Katherine at Mind, Body & Soap contacted me. I will have my inventory in the shop by their grand opening on May 13th and you’re all invited.

Mind, Body & Soap Co. invited you to join in toasting their Grand Opening:
May 13th 10-6:30 with wine tastings by Fence Stile Winery.
~Ribbon Cutting @ 4:30pm~
**Special discounts through out the store!**
105  W. Broadway
Excelsior Springs, MO 64024
(816)520-3656

So now I’m playing with my favorite things;
vintage photos,

antique books,

artful handwriting,

and all my beloved soldering supplies.

Bonus: my man came to serenade me while I work play.

Just when I think my marriage is the best it can be, it just gets better. I look forward to growing ancient with this man. He is like no other, the perfect fit for me. Approaching 22 years of marriage next month, we are on yet another honeymoon. He just makes me swoon.

amanda ∞

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Posted in Art, Relationships, VERONICA's Voice

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