Art Heals

No need to dig deep, it will lay beneath the surface...
or in this case the canvas!


For some keeping a written journal is wonderful therapy. 
Placing our thoughts down, helps us move on.
If you interested in learning more on this process click here .


Art Therapy, or as I call it "Healing through art"...
The definition varies, but most commonly leans towards the art-making process as therapeutic.
In most cases it is a symbolic self-expression, communicated in a visual form, art!

This mixed media painting was created by my daughter, Ashley.

It was just too incredible to pass up, I had to take some snap shots...

and share it with you.

She is a very private person, and I respect that.

 As she enters into adulthood, becoming a young women...

It can become confusing at times.

As I looked over her work of art...

It was so beautiful expressed.

There is such feeling to it.

"I get it... my dearest daughter!"

I love you

you want your freedom, yet there is something missing in your life.

My only wish is...

keep painting my lovely daughter, you will find those answers you are searching for!

Happy Monday!

Sharing A Common Interest...

Creativity. A spark of inspiration. 

Ring a bell? 

You know those dry spells... it happens to us all, at one time or another.

Some find it easier that others to admit! That's okay.

We all have artistic abilities, for some it seems to come naturally... for others

it can be a struggle at times.

In the end, we all search for that "spark"to get our creative juices flowing.

"Wouldn't in be great to create that "spark" at any given moment?" ~ just my thoughts.

      Accidental CREATIVE

         

             http://www.accidentalcreative.com

   

The Accidental Creative: How To Be Brilliant at a Moment's Notice

from Accidental Creative on Vimeo.

I thought I would share with you this site, along with the new book by 
AC founder Todd Henry.

~ I will definitely be ordering with book!

Here

Think creatively... Be passionate and true... Draw a colorful life.

Happy Saturday

Friday's Lovely Links

Enjoy your visit... and these delightful links.

source

***

http://inmyheadstudios.blogspot.com

Vickie 

is a self-taught mixed-media artist.

She loves to create anything from scratch!

Have a look at these adorable Domino Pendants 

Vickie creates here .

***

http://lynnehoppe.blogspot.com

Lynne Hoppe

art room

Lynne's artwork something to be admired.

***

http://papercupsketchbook.com

A stationary and design studio.

Their site, sketch book, is a tribute to all that inspires them

as well as the things they love.

***

I know it is only January... I couldn't resist!

*DIY*

Yarn Hearts

http://www.shelterness.com

***

Have a wonderful Friday!

Thrift Store Therapy

I just love taking a trip to our local thrift store... 
rummaging through stuff, you never know what treasures you might find!


I was in  search of finding a book I could use to alter for Book-Of-Days 2012.
I had a few already laying around in my studio, but for this art journal project 
I wanted a larger size.
(honestly...I need to get busy, and caught up with the everyone else who has joined this project.)


I am very excited and eager to get playing with my pages... 
so I thought, a trip to the thrift store would be the perfect place to find a book.


Plus, it is so much fun!
I also, gathered these extra treasures right up into my cart.

Van Gogh - coffee mug

(what fun it will be, drinking my morning coffee out of this cup!)

*50 cents

set of 12 cards - Stylis *75 cents

Tag in a Bag set of 12 (really cute) *25 cents each

(I can use the cards to say "hello" to my artsy friends!)

vintage hangers (2) *75 cents each

(been searching for these for some time)

I was super excited about finding these!

(deck of "fortune telling cards")

Perfect for my art journaling!

$1.00

These darling tea cups! $1.45 each

(way too sweet to pass up!)

** Total $7.15 **

Almost forgot... yes I did find a book to alter!

I will be working on that today in my art studio.

Will post pictures very soon...

Happy Thursday!

Wishcasting Wednesday

~ I believe all suffering is caused by ignorance. People inflict pain on others
in the selfish pursuit of their happiness or satisfaction.
Yet true happiness comes from a sense of peace and contentment, which in turn
must be achieved through the cultivation of altruism, of love and compassion,
and elimination of ignorance, selfishness, and greed.  

~ Dalai Lama

What or whom do I wish to make peace with?

wish here

source

Myself.

I have lived long enough to realize...

you can not make anyone, including family members...  see things in a different light.

Unless they are willing!

Willing to open their hearts, allowing love and compassion to fill their soul.

Over the past two months, I have been carrying around a heavy heart.

Honesty... the weight of it all,  had become unbearable.

source

If I was to light a candle for every hurtful word that was exchanged...

you could supply enough light to fill the city, for everyone to see.

Who wants to keep track of that, anyways?

Wasted time, energy, and space... filling my heart and life up with. 

Life is too precious!

I am willing to make peace with myself.

I may not be able to change, the point of view of others... 

I can personally change the way if effects me.

Things may not be the way I want them to be... but I have a wishful heart!

Rolodex Phenomenon

Webster Thesaurus Dictionary- noun
Discribes the definition of phenomenon as something extraordinary.

I happen to think... these are extraordinary!

created by: April Cole

created by: April Cole

created by: April Cole

created by: April Cole

These are all created for Altered Rolodex Card Project

If you are interested in participating 

click here

for all the details on how you can get involved!

***

I just had to share this video with you...  So inspiring.  

Now!! I've just got to find me a wooden box to create one of these. 

Rolodex : History, Conditions, and Prospects 

***

Here are a few other inspiring sites and resources

for Altered Rolodex Cards.

http://pinterest.com/ccsalter/rolodex-art-and-inspiration

http://tipnut.com/idea-rolodex

http://recycledcrafts.craftgossip.com/repurposed-rolodex

http://www.ehow.com/way_5787480_crafts-make-rolodex-cards

Have an inspiring Tuesday!

Junk Mail Stationery- sending words of inspiration

So I got to thinking...
How do I wish to start the New Year?
Better yet, what could I offer, of myself, to others?
A word of inspiration! 

I came across this video by yellow owl workshop.
This Junk Mail Stationary tutorial... was perfect!!
This was just what I was looking for, something to do with all the extra holiday wrapping paper
and other scraps I had laying around.



My wheels started turning!
I had purchased this tablet of Inspirational Quotes some time ago, and had yet to put it to good use.

I had downloaded these cute free download birdies I got from this site Here
With a little thought and creativity...
I decided to glue them onto decorated paper clips and attach a quote.
(There is a reason why, I did not post a picture of my finished craft.)

My next thought was...
"Wouldn't it be nice to send these out?
An artful thought, an inspirational quote... sent by a little birdie."

I got it... a little bird told me!!

These are a gift, from me to you. **
A little "artful" creation made with love! 
I wish to start the year off by sending you a spark of inspiration...
For you to know you are loved, and to share my talents
by gifting you with one of these artful clips.
(I think these are adorable; can be used in your art journal, as a bookmark, 
add as an embellishment, whatever your heart desires!)


WOULD YOU LIKE ONE...?


** I HAVE FOUR AVAILABLE!
Email me at  aprilmariecole@gmail.com
Leave me your mailing address.
The FIRST four to respond will receive my gift.


Let's keep making art and inspiring each other... a little bird told me!

Happy Monday