Saturday, June 1, 2019

NEW WEBSITE LAUNCH!!!

I'm so excited to announce the launch of my website:


I admit, it was tough for me to blog here regularly, but I think part of this 
was related to the fact that I did not have a business connected with it

I have set up a heart-based business to create gatherings of women supporting 
each other in creative art-play.  
This is where I can share what I've learned and all the inspiration
I have received over the years of making stuff, doing art journaling, hosting Girls ARTisan Camps, and making postcards.

My website has a blog, so that's where I'll be sharing and promoting what I'm doing.

Check it out.
I look forward to your visit,
and THANK YOU so much
for following me from this blog
over to Juicy*Art!

XO
Sarah

Wednesday, May 8, 2019

Art Play-Dates - Creative Self-Care



WOW!!!
A post that is not about an iHanna DIY Postcard Swap?!
Well, there IS one happening now, so check it out!  
I have not made my cards yet...but I am inspired!  

...and read on....



I am offering Art Play-Dates as a way of sharing my favorite self-care activity…being creative, making stuff.   For many years I held Girls ARTisan Camps for my daughter and her friends.  When the moms came to pick up the girls after camp, they'd all say "I wanna do art camp!"



I know that one person’s self-care may not be another person’s, but here’s why I think creativity can be self-care for everyone.  

We may say “I’m not creative!” Some people have said to me: “I wish I was creative like you!”; we may tell ourselves we are not “artists” and cannot create “art”; we may sense that we are creative have no idea 
how to access that creativity.  

But, we are all creative beings.

The Artist’s Way, by Julia Cameron, has been called the seminal book on creativity.  In her book, she lays out the spiritual practice of creativity. She proposes, and I believe, that creativity is our true nature.  

We align ourselves with our own potential and truest essence when we intentionally engage ourselves in the practice of creating…anything…
even something bad.  

"Being willing to make bad art is actually being willing to make progress." - Julia Cameron

Willingness, intention, and mindfulness are all that is needed.  

You gotta be willing to play!  We are so engrained in our adulthood that we may be uncomfortable just letting ourselves be playful, waste paint, scribble like a kid.  If we adopt an attitude of playfulness (it may take some effort!), we free ourselves from the adult in our head who tells us we are "too old for this".

Mindfulness has become a mainstream concept, but it is only in practice that it is meaningful.  Mindfulness is being attentive to what’s happening now.  Our assumptions (about ourselves, our ability, what’s good or bad) and our limiting thoughts are all part of our history—they are grounded in the past.  Our worry and fear of not being good enough, or failing is about the unknown, what hasn’t happened yet—the future.  What’s left is something in between — the present moment.  This is where we are when we engage ourselves in process of creating something.  There is much research on how mindfulness is beneficial to our overall health, and creativity is mindfulness in action.

Intention is about where our head is at during this process—our mindset.  Are we on autopilot, or are we making conscious, mindful choices for ourselves?  Being on autopilot is a sign we are not present in the moment.  Making conscious choices for ourselves requires attention to what is happening right now.



In the book “Mindset” author Carol Dweck describes a fixed mindset, where we define everything, including ourselves, in absolutes, black or white, good or bad, success or failure.  She also describes a growth mindset which acknowledges that, as humans, we are many shades of gray.  A growth mindset allows us to see possibilities available to us, to learn something new, embrace mistakes as lessons, and work through the discomfort of not knowing into a place of awe and wonder -- discovering or creating something new.

“Nothing interesting begins with knowing.  It begins with not knowing."  
-Neuroscientist Beau Lotto-

Let’s take in what’s happening now and ask, what if?  
Experiment, try, mess up, try again.

Psychoanalyst Carl Jung said:  "The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect, but by the play instinct acting from inner necessity.”  When we suppress our nature, and allow our inner critic (limiting belief and fear) to rule us or  keep us from playing, we suppress a necessary function of our humanity.

One aspect of Julia Cameron’s creative practice is the “artist date”; this is a block of time you set aside for yourself to play, revive, refresh.  It could be making art, or writing, but it can also be going for a long walk or hike…whatever nourishes and refuels you.  It’s a time for self-care, i.e., caring for or nurturing ourselves to raise our energy to a higher level.  

This is where the name 'Art Play-Date' came from and that’s what I hope participants will experience and take away from each event.



We can raise our energy to a higher vibration.  Playing around with some art supplies in a fun and supportive space starts our practice.  Practicing creativity will connect us to our true selves and to the creative energy of the universe.  This uplifts us, makes things light, supports us, and gives us more vitality…energy.  It’s like we are traveling a highway instead of a rut-filled road.  I know that this happens for me when I create something, and that energy stays with me and sustains me in other aspects of my life.  Everything else, from getting out of bed in the morning, to my day job, or doing laundry, is easier when I have this energy.  

I hope to play with you soon!
XO
And thanks for visiting my blog!
Sarah, a.k.a. Juicy*S

Sunday, December 2, 2018

Pretty in Pink

I have a new appreciation for anyone going through the process of dealing with and healing from cancer...be it breast or lung or ....what I had...cancer on my tongue.

On June 7, 2018 I was in surgery to remove a squamous cell carcinoma from my tongue.  I was under for 13 hours during which my head and neck surgeon (an amazing doctor and human!) removed the tumor, and two plastic surgeons (I love them both!) took tissue from my left wrist/forearm along with my radial artery, to use to rebuild my tongue and cover this donor site with a temporary reconstructive dressing.  

I spent four days in ICU after this, because the treatment team needed to monitor my tongue reconstruction and make sure the tissue was viable.  Everything went according to plan and I was transferred to a trauma recovery unit at the same hospital for another eight days.  I had amazing, nurturing, attentive care, including a reiki session that I will remember for the rest of my life, during the remainder of my stay at Sharp Memorial Hospital.  My doctors checked on me regularly.  I had visitors and family with me constantly.  I was always in good spirits...knowing I was in good hands and that I had the power to influence what was going on in my body.  I had the good news during my hospital stay that all of the lymph nodes removed from the left side of my face and neck were clear of cancer, so I didn't need chemotherapy.

In follow up, on consultation with my oncologist and a tumor board who examined my case, it was determined that I did not need radiation therapy, either.  Surgical removal had been the solution for me.  I count myself extremely blessed and fortunate.  I have since experienced the constant support of Sharp doctors along with occupational and speech therapists, and feel even more grateful to be back to work in all capacities, taking care of my family, and enjoying all my hobbies...

...including making cards for iHanna's swap this fall.  It's extraordinary to me to think that I experienced all of this between Swaps!  

Once you experience cancer, you have a sensitivity to it...and I've since learned about so many friends and acquaintances that have gone through breast cancer diagnoses or other cancer issues.... Sadly, I think we (my age group) will encounter this more often.  

For me, it has been a transformative and positive experience.  I value the important things more and easily let go of the little things.  I'm a better mom, co-worker, human...because of this.  I realize I am loved by many, when I assumed no one really gave me a second thought, before all of this...
...how (unnecessarily!) lonely and pathetic I was.

  I want everyone to know that they are loved deeply...even by me...I may not even know you...I may just follow you on the internet...but your life has meaning and I value you...you are loved...you don't need to get cancer to understand this....please...know you are loved...by many...including me.













Thank you for visiting...I love you!
XO  Sarah

Thursday, May 3, 2018

More Layers than You'll Ever Need...But You Know You Want Them!

I have actually been making more art over the past few months than prior to past iHanna International DIY Postcard Swaps, and sharing it on Instagram. I've also been taking art journaling classes (online and in person), 
so I am not as desperate to make cards this time.  

But I AM very inspired to make them!  

I recently finished my art journal spread for the wonderful online class "Hallowed Ground" by my favorite teacher, Roxanne Coble, bybun.  In every class she teaches, I learn several techniques that I love and continue to put to use in my art!  Her style and lessons have inspired the last few batches of cards I've made for Hanna's swap.  
(I posted about the process of making these cards here and here.)  
I highly recommend her online classes...she's an amazing teacher, the videos are beautiful, and they are rich in content and instruction.



 There are so many layers to the process here, and I don't want to give anything away.  But the cards did start with a set of pens my husband gave me for Valentine's Day,
(Finally! after 20 years he learns I'm addicted to office/art supplies!!!),
 and an inspiration to doodle some mandalas.


I'm including the ten postcards I am sending out today!  I always make extras, and you can see all 18 of the cards I made on my flickr account here











Thanks for stopping by!  
I always love to see a comment from you...then I know you were here!
Get in on the next Swap by following iHanna's blog and subscribing to her newsletter!
XO,
Sarah

Friday, December 29, 2017

Calling All ClubMAKErs!

Almost two years ago I started a group, kind of like a book club, where we alternate hosting, but no books, just creativity.  I didn't want people to feel pressured into making "art" because sometimes that can be intimidating...depending on your view of "art"... so I called it ClubMAKE.  The host can choose anything to "make":  crafts, food, something they saw on Pinterest.
I didn't really expect the response I got, and the nine of us have pretty consistently "met up for making" several times a year since we started.  It has been so fun to hang out, eat good food, drink wine, and bust out the art supplies!  As it happens, we have made more art than crafts or other projects together.  I'm including just a few photos of what I've made so far.  This creative gathering means a lot to me because I sometimes do not take enough time to do this stuff!  But I also think it has helped my friends see that "art" is not that intimidating...you can just play around and enjoy the process even if you don't end up framing the result.  We've all made time to get creative, and that has been a truly positive addition to my schedule.  
I am looking forward to another year of ClubMAKing!












Do you have a group of friends you get together with to just be creative?  
Let me know you were here with a quick comment and thank you for stopping by!
XO
Sarah




Thursday, November 9, 2017

More Mail Art

Because I feel you can never have enough art in your mail
...or your life...
I keep making these sewn collage cards.
I use a sheet of Tyvek envelope for my substrate.
The process is pretty simple:
1. Collage a layer of scrapbook paper, art paper, book text, etc.;
2. Collage a layer of magazine images and other ephemera;
3. Sew the collage with different colors of thread (2-3), with different stitches
all over it, leaving a trail of straight and zigzag stitching over the collage, 
framing some of the images/text; making little stars or shapes.
4. Find notecards and postcards with envelopes to use as the base 
(I get cheapies at Target or Marshalls);
5.  Cut up the collage to the card sizes and sew the collage pieces to the cards.


Sometimes I love how they turn out so much that I don't want to send/give them away.
Then I realize that's what I made them for...
and they end up as gift cards, birthday cards, or cards to say "Hello" or "Thank You"
But I've found a solution to my problem...I always scan the cards.
Sometimes I'll use the scans to get printed postcards made by Moo.
That way, I've never let go of them completely and can send the same card again!

Here's the latest collection:
















Thank you for visiting!
I always appreciate your comments...then I know you were here!
XO
Sarah


Monday, October 23, 2017

Fall Flow





It's time for another swap...iHanna style!  Hanna's DIY Postcard Swaps always seem to happen right when I need inspiration and motivation.  This time,  I started on a big sheet of mixed media paper, got a few steps in, laying down some layers; and then I cut this up and started adding more layers and details.  So each card has a similar beginning, and some similarities along the way, but they all ended up being unique.  It was a fun way to work, because it added a random quality that helped me engage in the moment and work with what was right in front of me, instead of being focused on the end result.  This is always the most fulfilling way for me to work.  I really feel more in "flow" when I am responding to randomness and making little choices one at a time.


A base of collage in neutrals


Black and white paint, more high contrast collage pieces.


More black and white paint, transparent acrylics, pastel, and a "blob" pattern on top.



White wash over some areas to tone it down; then I cut it into 6 cards.


Each cut card got a last dose of collage (torn paper); and then I added some gold leaf.  This was the first time I've ever used gold leaf and it was a learning experience...a fast-drying adhesive is key!  I love the way it looks on the cards!  You can see the whole batch here on my flickr account.


I liked the muted simple abstract feel of this, so once I added the gold leaf, I left it alone



This one got the gold leaf and a lot more stuff!

Here are a few more finished cards:











Thanks for stopping by!
XO
Sarah