A Focused Journey: Finding a focus on the other side of 50.

I believe everyone’s life has a purpose. We are here to discover that purpose then use whatever gifts were bestowed upon us to make this world a better place. Some of us are fortunate as we know at an early age what that purpose is. Others, well, we go along, often digressing from the road that will take us there. This is me. Now on the other side of 50, I am finding my way back to that road that will lead to my life’s purpose. Welcome to my journey.

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

WOYWW: Struggling this week

This desk shot represents struggle although Pandora seems to think it is all about her. I’ve been struggling to complete an overdue journal spread in a friends journal. It sat on the shelf for several weeks, waiting to be opened and worked in. Last Saturday, realizing I was putting it off, but not knowing why, I opened it and forced myself to begin. Here I am laying down a background of newly found tissue paper. I was trying to figure out how to incorporate this fabric.

It dawned on me that I’m struggling because I’m in that spot where I just haven’t found my own painting style. I’m still painting using what I learned following Rae Missigman’s 15 minutes of Mixed Media with hints of myself showing up here and there. So the struggle to work in this journal was not fear of creating something awful, rather a feeling of frustration of not knowing how to create something that is me. I read somewhere that this place where I am, this frustration, is actually the first step in finding one's own style.

The completed spread

Adding the fabric and stitching

Using crochet thread to add textrure

Pushing modeling cream through a stencil for more texture and contrast

I came home from work yesterday to find a much anticipated package in the mail, all the way from Australia:

I won the drawing for the needle keeper over at Judy's Paper and Textile Creations! I was so excited as I rarely win any of these drawings. And she made this gorgeous tag which I added to my tag journal. I am in awe of her work and have added creating a fabric journal to my list of creativity projects for 2016. Many thanks Judy and I will be sending you a little something soon.

Swapping

I have greatly limited how much I swap, instead focusing on creating for myself. I host a monthly tag art journal swap and participate in postcard swaps but that's it these days. I stopped making ATC's altogether, although I will participate in the WOYWW's swap (I even have it on my calendar so I won't procrastinate).

New Year's tag

Joining up with What’s onYour Workdesk? Wednesday where desk snooping is not only allowed but all part of the fun!

14 comments:

Robyn OliverJanuary 13, 2016 at 5:50 AM
Hi Diane, I can relate about finding ones style - I'm still wavering about..but I am truly loving your complete artwork piece and your sentiment. I too have a Judy needlecase and am in awe of her work. Have a great week RobynO#36
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Beverley BairdJanuary 13, 2016 at 7:43 AM
What a beautiful spread. Love that quote as well. Finding one's style is frustrating indeed.
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Zsuzsa Karoly-SmithJanuary 13, 2016 at 9:21 AM
I may be at that stage myself. I certainly feel frustrated sometimes. Love what you did with the batik! Fantastic tags received! Pandora looks so pretty! I'm trying to see if she's got any eyebrows? Oreo seems to have lost all but one of his! I didn't know you had two kitties? Isn't Alistair jealous for not being featured today? Happy WOYWW! zsuzsa #48
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Karen McAlpineJanuary 13, 2016 at 9:29 AM
Great projects! Thanks for sharing your design thoughts.
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Bleubeard and ElizabethJanuary 13, 2016 at 12:27 PM
I don't know what your style was before, but this is an incredible spread. I love the painting, the sewing, and the bits of thread you spread around the piece.

I tell people I don't have a style, but I create what is in front of me, or what is in my mind at the time. I've never been able to copy anyone else's style, because I don't paint, stamp, or have a die cutting machine. That's why I'm often all over the map, as can be seen on my desk.

Pages from the CR book are going to be used for a swap. Although you didn't ask, the tea bags will be used in a tutorial that goes live tomorrow, in case you have time to return. Thanks for visiting while I slept. BTW, Bleubeard is jealous of Pandora, because he's not allowed in either of my craft areas. Happy WOYWW from #2.
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Bleubeard and ElizabethJanuary 13, 2016 at 12:39 PM
Forgot to mention that I don't journal, so those tea dyed pages will find their way into something, whether it's an altered book or assemblage. Also forgot to mention, I don't do CUTE, or rather CUTESY. Guess that's why I love that spread you created so much.
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SharonJanuary 13, 2016 at 1:49 PM
The New Year tag is wonderful! Really like the journal page too. The cat isn't bad either lol

Sharon #50
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shazsilverwolfJanuary 13, 2016 at 4:33 PM
Hi Diane, I too am procrastinating about starting an art journal, and you are so right, it's fear of doing it wrong/not knowing what your style is.Which is silly, because it eventually becomes clear to us, just like it did making cards! Have a great week, Hugs, Shaz #5 xxx
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Julia DunnitJanuary 13, 2016 at 4:48 PM
It's funny, this style thing, I think it is something to do with lack of confidence or belief that ones haas a style within....it's fascinating. Especially in view of the pages that you're ultimately created...lovely, that sentiment is gorgeous isn't it. Especially flattered that you intend to join in with the Anniversary ATC swap, thank you!
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Felix the Crafty CatJanuary 13, 2016 at 5:13 PM
Mmmm this is a difficult one, finding your own style and can stop you from making progress with stuff. I think it's better not to think and just do it and it will come to you. Hope you have a great woyww and happy crafting, Angela x 17
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okienurseJanuary 13, 2016 at 8:59 PM
It is a difficult time as everyone says but style is constantly evolving and sometimes I love what I do and others I think it sucks but friends, family, and art friends love it. Hang in there it gets better. Congrats on the win! Have a great week and thanks for sharing. Vickie #61
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sandra deJanuary 14, 2016 at 2:24 AM
Wow all your projects are amazing... but kitty is my favourite.
sandra de @15
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Sue JonesJanuary 17, 2016 at 11:58 AM
Hi Diana- You won the mini Calendar from my blog post - If you send your address , i'll post it out xx Soojay
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AliceJanuary 23, 2016 at 10:31 AM
you have beautiful cats <3 love the way you make art. lush color, fun lines, bold style
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Thank you so much for stopping by. Please share your insights.

THE JOURNEY

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice--
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do--
determined to save
the only life you could

The Dark Night Of The Soul
By Saint John of the Cross
Translated by A.Z. Foreman

Songs of the soul rejoicing at having achieved the high state of perfection, the Union with God, by way of spiritual negation.

Once in the dark of night,
Inflamed with love and wanting, I arose
(O coming of delight!)
And went, as no one knows,
When all my house lay long in deep repose

All in the dark went right,
Down secret steps, disguised in other clothes,
(O coming of delight!)
In dark when no one knows,
When all my house lay long in deep repose.

And in the luck of night
In secret places where no other spied
I went without my sight
Without a light to guide
Except the heart that lit me from inside.

It guided me and shone
Surer than noonday sunlight over me,
And lead me to the one
Whom only I could see
Deep in a place where only we could be.

O guiding dark of night!
O dark of night more darling than the dawn!
O night that can unite
A lover and loved one,
Lover and loved one moved in unison.

And on my flowering breast
Which I had kept for him and him alone
He slept as I caressed
And loved him for my own,
Breathing an air from redolent cedars blown.

And from the castle wall
The wind came down to winnow through his hair
Bidding his fingers fall,
Searing my throat with air
And all my senses were suspended there.

I stayed there to forget.
There on my lover, face to face, I lay.
All ended, and I let
My cares all fall away
Forgotten in the lilies on that day.

Pages

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

WOYWW: Struggling this week

Swapping

14 comments: