Baring My Heart - Using Art to Heal

Have you noticed that I've been re-posting a bit lately?  It's because things have been going on in my life that are hard to deal with.  No, I'm not talking about the political situation in the USA, although that IS very hard to deal with.  I'm talking about family, and illness, and sadness.

Wishes and Dreams of Love and Empathy

I've been candid about my struggles with depression.  But in late February, my younger daughter went through a very difficult time after several months of struggling with depression herself.  She's doing much better, and learning every day how to live with the intensity of her feelings.  But it hasn't been easy.  (She gave me permission to write a bit about it.)

Salad of Feelings With All Eyes Upon You

So it's been hard to write this blog, while feeling that there is a big part of my life that I can't share.  I am not going to go into all the details, because that wouldn't be fair to our family.  But I know that many of you also have experience with intense feelings, sadness, depression and anxiety.  And it is always good to know that we are not alone.

Deaths in the Desert

Speaking of not being alone, I have been doing a lot of art and activism around immigration and anti-Muslim sentiment.  Here I am at a recent demonstration and press conference at Newark Airport, the day after the most recent travel ban was struck down.

In fact, my lesson for Wanderlust 2017 uses that as an inspiration. I was inspired by this Georgia O-Keefe quote:

to create a mixed media canvas using shapes and color to express things I have no words for. Click here to visit Everything Art, and I'll see you in the classroom.

Here is a beautiful video about one aspect of immigration.  I hope it moves you as much as it moved me.



Thanks for meeting me here. Wrapping you all in a big hug.  xoxox

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Your comments make me so happy and let me know you were here. I read and treasure every comment and will happily answer any questions as soon as I can.

How To Extend an Artistic Helping Hand

As summer ends and school begins, most of us feel like we don't have enough time, enough hands, to do all that needs to be done for ourselves, our families, our children, and more.

Here's a way to extend your helping hand - quite literally!  Trace your hand on some cardboard, start to decoupage, stencil, embellish,  and away you go.

This hand was created for a friend of mine who had received a diagnosis that required radiation of her thumb joints.  But you could apply it to anyone!

Here's a video of my process: 

You can also watch "How to Create a Helping Hand" on YouTube here.  

Can you imagine giving your hand to someone in this way?  Please share in the comments.   And make sure to check in on Thursday when Karen Gaunt shares her first Creative Team post! 

         Visit Stencil Girl Products and RubberMoon Stamps to see all my designs!

If you haven't already - please connect with me here:

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Your comments make me so happy and let me know you were here. I read and treasure every comment and will happily answer any questions as soon as I can.

If you are entering a GIVEAWAY, please add your email address in the event I need to contact you.

To avoid SPAM, please write it like this: jessicasporndesigns (at) gmail (dot) com

Thank You!

How Journaling My Anxiety Put ME in Control

I have talked before about my sporadic bouts of anxiety and depression.  Many of you experience that too, and have left me the kindest words.  

Since the start of 2016, I have felt overwhelmed by the many obligations I have - and the ones I put on myself.  

The other night, I had lists of my many "to dos" swirling in my head. I had the image of myself slumping down the wall in a long hallway with doors.  Behind each door was an area of my life calling to me.  My inability to prioritize, to eliminate, to say no, threatened to engulf me under the weight of letting people down, not fulfilling expectations.  I quickly sketched it out, writing down, on each of the doors, a list of the things that were "calling" for me.   After I did this, I was able to fall asleep.

When I woke up, I immediately took to painting my page.  The first thing I did was CLOSE THOSE DOORS!  I even stenciled hands on them to hold them shut, and one to stroke my head.  When I was nearly done, I gave the hallway stenciled windows to the outside, to light, sky and fresh air.  I can prioritize, say no, pause and take some deep breaths.  I am in control!

Here's a fast forward video of me painting this page, from start to finish.

You can also watch "Journaling My Anxiety" on YouTube here.

Creating this page helped me regain control of my feelings and thoughts.

Do you have a journaling or other practice that helps you with your inner demons?  Please share!

And please check back TOMORROW for a special announcement!  I'm so excited to share it, but tomorrow's the day! 

Your comments make me so happy and let me know you were here. I read and treasure every comment and will happily answer any questions as soon as I can.

If you haven't already - please connect with me here:

InLinkz.com

Thank you!

Make a Wish

Thank you to all who commented on my post about depression and staying strong. I was truly touched by all the empathy and solidarity - we are a wonderful community.

This sweet girl is making a wish:  May I wake up every day able to not just know, but feel, my many blessings.

http://society6.com/JessicaBethSporn/Make-a-Wish-Rzf_Print#1=45

Here is a fast forward video of some of my process, in which I used stencils from February Stencil Club, and my Runes stencil.



You can also watch Make a Wish on YouTube.

Don't forget to check out my post for One Little Word and the main OLW post with all the great Design Team projects and amazing prizes offered this time around.  Also, if you are in the New York area, I hope to see you at The Ink Pad on April 5th.  You can also join my Meetup group for monthly classes in my New Jersey home studio.

Thanks for visiting!

UPDATE:  The Gefilte Fish and Bagel platters I designed over the summer are finally available!  You know you NEED one!


Your comments make me so happy and let me know you were here. I read and treasure every comment and will happily answer any questions as soon as I can.

 

Art Journal Page - Longing for Love

Warning - this post is a little "woo-woo" (emotional/out there)... So if you hate that kind of thing, read no further...

Before leaving for our most recent service trip to Guatemala, I had an art party in my home studio with a bunch of great women, including fiber artist Sandra Koterba, doll artist Heather Brauner, and some friends from my town.   We had a great time making journals out of papers we created using Stencil Girl stencils, gelli plates, and other mark making techniques.  

As we went along, I mopped up extra paint in my art journal, ending up with this lovely spread of greens, yellows and blues that made beautiful music together.

It sat this way until, on a walk with my dog, I had an epiphany and a vision.  I quickly came home and sketched in my journal.  It gave a face and figure to a part of me that feels like a very little girl longing for love, acceptance and approval.  She shares space with a part of me that is super critical and tells me that I'm not good enough, thin enough, nice enough, generous enough, talented, original and so on.

I have been wondering why a part of me would be so mean and say such cruel things.  But I realized that the critical voice is so worried about the little girl experiencing rejection, that she pushes love away so there's no chance of hurt or disappointment.

Sound crazy?  It made perfect sense to me!  Don't a lot of us live this way?  Afraid of opening our hearts and being vulnerable because of old wounds that keep us timid and scared? 

 I re-sketched and painted the girls on top of that colorful spread in my journal, and it looked like this.

I made the dress for the girl on the right using deli paper that I brayered with blue and pink paint, and added pattern from my Scales Stencil from Stencil Girl.



















I knew this wasn't done yet, but it had to sit a while.  And then yesterday, a great quote from a set of Donna Downey stamps, and the right paper remnants on my work table, called to me to finish this page.

As I worked on it, I was able to look at these parts and feel compassion and understanding for them.  I was able to tell that little girl that it's ok.  That I am grown up and strong and loved and there's no need to grasp so hard at approval and acceptance.  I was also able to tell that critical voice that she can take some time off - there's no need for her well-intentioned but hurtful protection.
 
Fighting depression and internal demons takes a lot of strength - but it's the only choice we have in order to live fully in the world.  And that's how I want to live.

So the emotional woo-woo part is over!  Now for a celebration - I will giveaway one of the Scales Stencils to someone who comments!  You have until Sunday night, 3/16, at 8PM EST.  I will post the winner right here so check back.  

And the winner is bncpools!  Send your snail mail address to me at jessicabethsporn (at) gmail (dot) com and I will get it out to you!


Saturday, make sure you come back here because there will be another post, a video tutorial, and another giveaway - because One Little Word is coming back!  

Your comments make me so happy and let me know you were here. I read and treasure every comment and will happily answer any questions as soon as I can.  Thanks for stopping by!