Collage

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Meet My Foot Feat, day 4

It’s only DAY 3 of my “convalescence” and the thought of spending most of my time sitting with my foot up for 3 WEEKS is __________.  Fill in the blank and it’s probably close to the mark.

So far I’ve worked on CATNIPblog posts, worked on Peggy & my Happiness project, started reading a new book and watched far too much TV.  My “rear-end” is already beginning to hurt as much as my foot.

I have more time on my hands (and feet) than ever yet have less focus than ever.  Looking for something creative to add to my sit-down-activities I decided to finish pages (upon pages) I started years ago in my many journals.  

judy’s journal, collage, acrylic, marking pens

Today I picked a page that required no thought, just schmearing a bit of paint with my finger and doodling with marking pens.  I have no clue why I wrote the fishy-poem I remember from childhood on the page.

Fishy fishy in a brook

Papa catch ’em with a hook

Mama fry ’em in a pan

Baby eat ’em like a man

Need to catch up? Here’s what happened to me:

In pain, Need Sympathy

Food for the HEEL

 

 

 

 

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The HeART of Spiritual POWER

Want to see more collaged Contemplation Cards?  The theme was Power. Click here The HeART of Spirituality

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Sneek a Peek into my Journal – Stripping for fun (not profit)

A Year of the SPARK  lesson:  Reverse painting on clear packing tape.  I didn’t like my results so I cut it up in strips.  What you see is the reverse order of the process.

3.  Cut-up strips on black paper

Thrown Around

Thrown Around

2.  Cut up strips, a variation

Cut up

Cut up

1. Painted-packing-tape, torn magazines and chalk

Pasted down

Cut-up, pasted down packing strips, torn magazine and chalk

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Sneek a Peek inside my PRIVATE Journal

I’m never sure if I just have trouble following “rules”, have attention deficit disorder, or get easily bored.  I’ve decided it’s all three . . . and I’m not joking.

I decided to embrace “my tendencies” for the journal writing class.  Instead of just journal WRITING I’m combining it with doodling, collage, free writing (aka stream of consciousness) and what ever else might amuse me.

FURTHERMORE!

  • I do not like starting on blank white pages so I smeared paint on the pages.
  • I do not like doing anything in sequence.  I am just writing, doodling, collaging at random throughout the journal

Old Journal already covered with acrylic paint

Cover of old journal I’m using – already covered with acrylic paint

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A free-write with one-line doodles

Prompt "FIVE"

Prompt “FIVE”

In class – randomly pick a word cut out from newspaper.  Free associate a list of words  (The last word written might have significance).  I free associated all over the page and lost track of the last word (which, as you know, is rare for me as I like to get in the last word).

Maybe it unconsciously prompted this next collage?

FIVE Fingers

FIVE Fingers

I might use this collage as a writing prompt to see what my unconscious is saying  . . .  or not

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It’s suggested to journal 3 pages every day.  Instead of 3 pages I did 3 sections: Free writing, things-to-do-list and one-line bird doodles

P.S. Since this is my PRIVATE journal don’t tell anyone else.

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Visions of Unconscious Meanings and Messages

Here are 3 vision boards done by an incredibly intelligent, creative, witty and caring woman who has been in MAJOR transition for over 3 years.

All 3 boards were created, one by one,  over a period of a month.  The instructions were simply to cut out pictures that appealed/spoke/grabbed her attention and then paste them on the board.

When she described each element of each board she talked about the literal, conscious meaning it had for her. When we processed each board, separately and as a series, we focused on the unconscious, symbolic and metaphorical messages and meanings.

I’ll show them in the order of creation focusing on just a few elements to take a glimpse at how her unconscious outlook has evolved over that period of time.  Please note these are my observations and not hers.

#1

  • Lots of masculine-feminine energy = black-white on horses, woman & man cuddling etc.  Her masculine energy is holding onto her feminine while her vulnerabilities (midriff & lamb) are exposed to the world
  • Black & white scarf of lamb imposed on Bon Voyage words.  The scarf is “man-made” which is an attempt to take attention away from natural vulnerability.  Bon voyage indicates a letting go/moving on.
  • Feminine hand reaching out for the precious gem. Diamond is a natural element formed over time by compression and “cut” by others.  She is reaching out for the three-diamond ring.  But it is the large square ONE-diamond ring is the one touching the fruit of her labors (tomatoes – With the exception of the animals the tomatoes are the only natural, non man-made thing on her board).  She is reaching out for the less valuable/smaller of her attributes/talents/qualities.

#2

  • Lamb (top) has given birth.= vulnerable feminine is letting go of artifice (scarf) which leads to new creations
  • Masculine and feminine going into the unknown.  Masculine leading.  They carry lanterns to light the way.
  • The feminine hand now is gloved (whimsically – polka dots – covered) and a dove perched on finger.  Hand has moved to opposite side of #1 board and  pointing off #2 board to a next step.
  • The dove is a sign of peace and can also fly.  She is beginning to make peace with herself yet still covers her vulnerability  with her whimsy & humor.
  • Shoes are pointing in many directions – not sure which way to go.  The black boots are the strongest image walking toward the 6 fruits of her labor.  She said one of her favorite numbers is 5 which she pasted several times on the board (conscious mind).  She doesn’t recognize one of her talents/strengths as symbolized by the 6th tomato (attributes/abilities etc. that have had fruition in her life) at the base of the inverted tomato pyramid.  Once again her focus is on her old perceptions and beliefs rather than noticing the new and unexpected.

#3

  • Lamb is now represented by a puppy. White, pure,vulnerable but playful.  Artist needs to incorporate play into her life.
  • There is a diamond ring ON the hand holding the beverage.  She now is beginning to “wear”, show her value. It is not clear if she is going to drink in who she is or she is offering it to another.
  • Diamond is also represented with natural stones under the puppy’s right paw.  The hard edges of a chiseled diamond have soften with playfulness and their naturalness is at the heart of who she is .
  • One shoe is pointed in the same direction as the #2 boots.  Shoe is whimsical (playful) like the gloved hand.  The feminine playfulness is becoming grounded.  The other foot is missing indicating she is still doing a balancing act (perhaps between masculine and feminine?)
  • Women/man on horses (circle on blue chaise) – now separated with the masculine leading in comfort (the chaise).  Comfort with both her masculine and feminine will lead to home, lead to clear vision of her femininity (woman framed on balcony) will lead to her converting the old (vinyl record being converted to digital) and fashioning it into a new modern version of who she is.
  • Feminine is predominant on board #3 indicating her journey of transition has been primarily about  her femininity and vulnerability.

_________________________

These boards are incredibly rich in images, meanings and messages.  She has done good work in only one month.  The unconscious knows!

Even though YOU did not make them you still can find  YOUR OWN UNCONSCIOUS meanings and messages through them.  

Images are like a Rorschach!

What are the images that have meaning for you?

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It’s Hard being Human.

I snapped at my husband today.  I felt justified to boot.

Why would a therapist, who KNOWS relationship dynamics, why would a therapist who counsels others on how to conduct themselves to make their life better, why would a therapist respond in such an unhealthy way?

Why would a woman with a husband and friends who love her and dog who gives her licks upon request, why would a woman who believes that we are all connected and God is in all  feel alone?

Hate to admit it, but I keep getting reminded that I’m human.

After the stress, excitement, tension of  being “up & on” all day yesterday I’ve crashed.
My body’s aching, my face, feet, legs and arms are burning, I’m exhausted and yes, I feel alone with it all.
Humbling experience.

Ironically, one of the pictures I talked about yesterday was the collage I did depicting my exhaustion and the part of me who yells to pull myself together, get up and get going, the part of me that just sits, frozen in place, and the exhausted part that just lays there listening.

I also talked about the Buddhist saying –
Pain is inevitable.
Suffering is optional.
Today I told that yelling me to shut up and leave us alone.
I choose suffering.
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Therapeutic Creative Expression – Jumbo Journals, Week 6

The journal process is a metaphor for layers and layers of experiences, feelings and thoughts of our lives; Some things covered up;  Bits and pieces of others showing through;  Each layer enriching the next; Forever creating who we are.

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The pages are layered more and more with stacked writing, collage, spontaneous poetry, faux sketching, paint, stencils, torn paper, tissue paper, magazine images, words, tissue paper, stenciling, markers, foil, torn paper, cut paper, scribbles, scratches, doodles and all things creative.

(The colors in the slides are not as rich and deep as the originals — I’m having trouble with iphoto)