Making Your Weakness a Strength

In February 2013, I set myself a goal of becoming comfortable with adding faces to my artwork.  I joined Ayala Art's Face a Day challenge, and set about educating myself through YouTube videos.  I took in-person classes with Jodi Ohl, Pam Carriker, and Cindy Wunsch.  I practiced and practiced, often posting my process on my YouTube channel.

Practicing my weakness turned it into a strength!  At the start of 2016, Mindy Lacefield started an Instagram challenge called #365faces.  While I haven't been able to create #afaceaday - like some of the participants, I have been creating a lot of faces!   Here are some of them.

To see more, look under the hashtag #365faces on Instagram.  You'll see amazing work!  

Are you interested in learning more about creating faces?  I've decided to share what I've learned in an online class!

My class, Facing Faces, debuts on April 4.  I will have a special pre-sign up for newsletter subscribers with a discounted price - so make sure you're a subscriber!

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

InLinkz.com

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.

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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!