Thursday, June 27, 2013

Grounding Down to Extend Up


Remember the bits and pieces that I made using the Dots and Dashes stencil and my Gelli Plate in this post?







I used the leaves, flowers and circles in my art journal, to embellish a tree stamped on tissue paper using a Donna Downey stamp; you can watch the process in this video.


This page came about when I found the word "grow" as I was cleaning up my studio today.  I had written, but not used, the word for a prior project.  (Sometimes it IS good to clean!)

In yoga, we always say that step one is to get grounded.  Spread your roots, whether they be your feet in a standing pose, your hands and feet in downward dog, or your hands in handstand!


You can't extend up and grow if you're not connected to the earth beneath you.  Think about the most majestic, stately tree.  If its roots aren't firmly in the earth below, it will topple.


I know my yoga practice is so important to keeping me grounded.  As is our service work in Guatemala.

What keeps you grounded?

Thank you for visiting! I hope you will leave me a comment to let me know you were here.   I read and treasure every comment and will answer any questions as quickly as I can.

And the winner of the giveaway from the Jump for Joy Stencil test drive is

texasbarb who wrote:  Love the projects!! Thank you so much for making the videos!! I'm a visual learner and it really helps me to see how a project comes together. LOVE the jump for joy stencils...such happy, happy girlies...I need that in my life!!  Congratulations and I hope you enjoy the stencil!


Linking to Paint Party Friday, a Colorful Gelli Print Party (coming July 1) and Art Journal Everyday!

33 comments:

  1. Ah, this is a nice post... I feel a little topply lately.. I need to be more grounded.. Thank you for this. That tree is beautiful!

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  2. Congrats to Texasbarb! She just won a fabulous stencil! Your tree is wonderful- still love love love those bits you made with the dots and dashes!

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  3. what a beautiful page Jessica and your words about growing and having roots is so true. Great vid too! and congrats to the lucky stencil winner!

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  4. Wonderful bits of flowers and leaves, Jessica- they bring your tree to life, and prooves it is truly grounded !!
    Thankyou for the fab. video .
    xo,Dorthe

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  5. OMG!!! I won the Jump for Joy stencil!!!! Thank you soooooo much for picking me! I sent you an email with my addy...hope you get it!

    Love today's project, too. Again...thanks for the video!

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  6. Wonderful post, loved the vid and congrats to Texasbarb. I think there is a tree in my future...

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  7. Great page! Thanks for the video and the reminder that bits and pieces are perfect for using in other pages.

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  8. Beautiful...and I was pondering this with a few situation of those about the topple and you are so right...excellent post and perspective!! Being a mom has always kept me so grounded.... but I was born pretty motherly.... from the get go!

    Hugs Giggles

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  9. Beautiful work as always! Love that you were able to use those scraps so nicely!

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  10. Lovely journal pages, and today I have been tidying up too, but didn't find much apart from dust! Trees always have something very special about them. Valerie

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  11. What a wonderful pair of journal pages, Jessica! I learned so much watching your video. I had no idea that the outlines you made were in paint and not gel pens. Your tree with its fruit is so beautiful . LOved your post.

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  12. Lighting the lamp, praying, talking in my heart to my mother, loving my son...that's what keeps me grounded, I think! These leaves, fruits look so beautiful in the lovely background...and it is accompanied by a very sound thought, to be grounded. My grandma says, water the roots to ensure that the leaves and the rest of the plant grows, which is to give care and consideration to elders and those in need.

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  13. Love this, what a great message! HPPF!

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  14. Beautiful piece! I love seeing how you used the gel-printed papers for the collage elements.

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  15. hey there lovely! i really love your tree of life! all the elements are so wonderfully shown. thanks for that! the papers are wonderful and i always really enjoy your process and how you use your paints. i'm hoping your daughter is doing well on birthright and loving filling in your journal. i can't imagine she is not loving such a mommy made project! love to you all.

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  16. I love your tree! The whole page is amazing! ♥
    Oh and congrats to the winner!

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  17. Oh my Gosh!! I love trees! This is beautiful!! Lovely!!

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  18. Love the tree. I always have loved trees with their spreading limbs that seem to be beckoning the world with a hug. Wonderful piece. Congrats to the winnder.:)

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  19. Love it, so joyful and thoughtful! <3

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  20. Love your tree and the patterns in the trunk and branches, and I always love your videos, I learn so much from them. What keeps me grounded. Nature!

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  21. What a gorgeous tree! Love how you did the stem and the blooms beside it...as soon, as my stream runs better, I will look your video ( I have so much trouble with it these days...grr ;) ♥ Conny
    http://piaromsartjournaling.blogspot.de

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  22. This is a great post. Love your art.
    Nicole/Beadwright

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  23. I love your style Jessica. The way you make art really appeals to me:) Your tree is wonderful as is the sentiment!

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  24. 'Spread your roots and grow' looks and sounds so, so beautiful and inspiring. I have not checked your blog for a while but it is so good to see your art again. Thank you for sharing.

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  25. A beautiful piece that resonates deeply as my word for 2013 is grow. So true that we need to be anchored firmly in order to grow tall and bloom.

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  26. Wonderful journal spread. I love the tree.... actualy, I love all trees... =)
    xx

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  27. Love all your colorful cutouts! The ending result is just mega gorgeous! Love love love!!!! And the sentiment is perfect!

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  28. lovely work jessica! very inspiring. what keeps me grounded is God knowing He is always around us. Take care!

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  29. Love popping into your blog for inspiration! Always love what you do.

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  30. I love the trees designs in the trunk. These colors are very happy too. I can't help but smile when I see it! Beautiful :)
    Chandra

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  31. What a spectacular post...totally totally in love with your art !!

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