A Great Sadness....

I know, here I go again....

This video speaks for itself.   It brought tears to my eyes....

Is cheap chicken really worth it?   Negative energy, bad Karma, whatever you believe, I hope this speaks to you.

Something touched me...

I am hoping this does not come off as preachy.  I often wonder if I sound that way.   I hope not.  I think I am a genuinely caring person, who wants to see the good for everyone in this world.  We are all stuck here, together, wouldn't it be nice if we could all get along?  If we could help one another.  Make things just a little brighter for everyone?

These are the things I think about regularly.  The earth, and all it's concerns: pollution, greedy people scarring her, being taken for granted.  Animals:  they cannot speak for themselves, and deserve love and respect just like the rest of us hope for.  People:  All the hurting people, suffering people, grieving people, the homeless, the list goes on and on.  (not necessarily in that order)

A friend of mine posted this video on facebook and I took the time to look at it.  She said it was a very short video that will have a big impact.  I think this is an important message, and would love for everyone to see it, and remember it.  Here it is...

I realize that this is a commercial.  But I think the message here is very real.  It's a message I have hoped to spread for years.  I am one of those who has a story that people generally can't see on the outside. There have been times I've felt that no one noticed, and I wondered if anyone even cared.  

As TWLOHA says though, Love can change a life.  I know.  It has changed mine. 

 

I am seriously blessed to be surrounded by loving, caring people now, who know me and still want to be there.  But it wasn't always that way.  I have felt very alone even in a crowd of people.  I have grieved and no one noticed.  I have cried in the shower, or in my car, or in my bed because I couldn't share what was going on inside with anyone.  This post is not to cause anyone to feel bad.  But to think.  And then to act.  

It can be such a simple thing really.  Like looking someone in the eye and answering them when they ask how you're doing today, as they man the counter wherever you are.  Or not getting upset with the clerk who is screwing everything up, and seems she shouldn't be working there.  Maybe she's having a bad day, maybe her dog died, maybe.... who knows.  It could be any number of things.  Or how about patiently waiting while someone on the phone helps you with your problem, and they don't seem to be getting it...  Opening the door for the elderly lady walking behind you.  Smiling at a passerby and saying hello.  Listening when someone is trying to talk to you.  Hearing what they are saying.  

One of the things that has changed my life is finding help in recovery groups.  Groups like Alcoholics Anonymous, Adult Children of Alcoholics, Codependents Anonymous, Ala Teen, Overeaters Anonymous, there are even more.   The other major thing is self-love.  I know, it's not always easy.  I have been there.  Life is hard.  Sometimes we feel we have no one who understands.  It is at those times that we most need the friendly gestures of strangers.  To give us just a little bit of hope.  Consider this:  that simple kind act you just did for someone could be the lifeline they needed thrown to them as they were drowning...  

Art Journaling 101 part 2

Since I wasn't feeling too well last night, and since I didn't want the post to be too long I didn't get to a few notes yesterday.  These things stick with me, and I wake up all night long thinking about all the things I forgot to mention and how disappointed you'll be if something doesn't work out because I didn't warn you- so forgive me- this is the rest, plus some pics stage by stage for an example.

So, as I said first get something, anything on the blank page.  Here I used some blue paint and white gesso  mixed together on the page.  Notice that I did not pre-mix the paint, nor did I overwork it as I liked the streaky mottled effect.  This could also have been achieved with blue and white paint.  I had gesso so I used it.

 Then I took some scraps of paper, a wrapper, whatever I had around and laid them out on the page so I could plan what it would look like.  Although honestly I only did this step for you.  My usual approach is to let things just happen as they will.  Normally I would have just started gluing everything  down randomly and let come what may.  Sometimes it works out- and sometimes it doesn't and that's ok with me.

Next I stuck it all down.  For this step you can use whatever you have on hand.  Mod Podge, tape, masking tape, glue, even duct tape- try not to get hung up on the materials unless you are going for a certain look.  Here I used Gel Medium to stick it all down.  With the exception of the wrapper which I had to use double stick tape to get to stick.  Although honestly I considered masking or duct tape for ease of use.  I had double stick tape on hand though.

As you can see in the end I changed the arrangement of the papers anyway.  It just felt better to me this way.

The final step, and I think the most important is the journaling.  (please excuse the blob at the top of the page, I thought it best to remove any names to protect the innocent.  And as you can see I am no digital artist...)  Here I write whatever sort of sums up my day. Or more specific things if I'm in that kind of mood.  It's really entirely up to you, and how you're feeling.  Speaking of feeling I forgot to mention that I always listen to music while I work.  I think it helps stop all the obsessive, perfectionistic thinking.  Give it a try.

 And finally here are a few close-ups so you can see some detail.  I did end up using a dream stamp you'll notice after I glued it all down, before I journaled.  As I said don't get hung up here on supplies.  The Art Heals was also done with stamps, but I would have used my computer and printer if I hadn't had these...




And that is all there is to it.  You can do it!  I know you can!!

A note about papers:  I like the mixed media sketchbooks because they are made to hold up to watercolors, and paints.  If you are using regular paper, or thinner paper like regular book pages please glue a few pages together beforehand to give it some stability.  Or you can also use gesso to help add strength to the page.  Also this can be translated to all art forms.  I have seen pages with stuff stitched on them (with a machine, or by hand).   Poets and writers can make a base and print out their work if they'd like.  I've even seen a picture of some cute little knit or crocheted things stuck to the page. Crayolas are always available and perfectly suited for this.  I use them  sometimes myself, especially if my inner child wants to color.  It is entirely up to you, that is what I love about it.  And forget being perfect.  I am consistently guilty of 'crimes of imperfection' as one Etsy seller aptly put it.  I like imperfection.  It serves as a visual reminder to me to relax.  Nothing in this world is perfect.  I even kept a mimatched set of rocker and footstool once because it reminded me to relax my perfectionistic ways.

Remember this is not meant to be another exercise in beating up on yourself!  It is meant for your eyes only.  Your deepest, darkest thoughts and longings can be freely recorded in here.  And I hope they will.  We all need a place to just be whoever we are without apology.  So have fun!  Make something beautiful.  Make something ugly.  Just make something from your heart.  Let that child within you play and color.  Let me know how it goes for you!

Art Journaling 101

Have you ever wanted to try art journaling?  Or thought about keeping any kind of a journal regularly?  It can be overwhelming to think about sitting down and carving out any amount of time to write.  Especially if you are not fond of writing.  

I began looking into Art Journaling in the beginning of 2010.  At the time I was a wreck, and needed to change. I was seriously depressed and couldn't figure out where to start making so many changes.   It all looked like a lot of work ahead of me.  Hard work.  Emotional work.  Inner Child work.  Therapy.  The only thing I was sure of at that time was that I longed for a creative outlet.  Music, art, childs play, these were what I knew somewhere deep inside that I needed.  

Enter Art Journaling.  I have always been a journaler in the traditional sense, but with the addition of each child into our family my time was growing shorter and shorter;  and honestly at the end of a long day I was too tired to want to write about anything.  But I did long to draw, to paint, to express myself in some way regularly, honestly and beautifully.






When I first discovered art journaling I did what I do- looked to every resource I could think of to figure this out.  What was it?  Could I do it??  How much time was required??  What did I need to get started?  Some of my favorite resources are the internet, especially Youtube, and the library.  I love the public library.  They have a wealth of resources I can borrow, for free and I don't have to find the space for yet another book.  It will be there when I need it again.  I love that!  Less is more you know?

This was done in my collage class while I was
 taking notes

What I discovered was a form of journaling that I could actually fit into my lifestyle, with whatever materials I have on hand, and a little creativity.  So here it is in a nutshell.  I will blog more about this later, and include pictures of pages I'm working on to give you some inspiration.



The pictures included here are from my first art journal, so you can see what I'm talking about.

The first thing needed is some sort of journal.  Depending on what you are going to do in it, this could be just about anything.  I prefer the Canson Mixed Media XL sketchbooks.  They are spiral bound which I like since I like to work on a flat surface.   Another plus is that the pages hold up to any kind of medium and I tend to use a lot of paint, and watercolors.  However I have seen art journals done on everything  from beautiful handmade books to simple composition books, the kind kids use in school.  Some are small, and some are very large. 

When I first started I just grabbed an old sketchbook I had on hand for some time and started there, because it was what I had.  As I went on I discovered that I would like more space on the page, so I switched to a larger book.  

Add caption

Some days were good days

some were not

A blank page can be a little unnerving to most of us, so I recommend beginning by putting down something quickly, without too much thinking about it is usually best.







Try gluing in some pretty paper scraps and making a collage, or a bit of paint or watercolor, a page from an old book, anything can be a jumping off point.  Then the sky is really the limit.





Paint a picture, draw a face, sketch something from your day, create a line drawing, graffiti, anything goes.  Write some poetry across the page and add some bits and pieces of daily life- receipts, pieces of candy wrapper, the handwritten note your child gave you today.  Anything.  It's really that easy.

Some I just recorded concepts or things I was
 thinking about or feeling.

I carry a sketchbook with me wherever I go- but it is my art journal.  Some people choose to use theirs only for art journaling.  Some record their whole lives in them.

sometimes a simple image represented what I
wanted to say

Keep it simple, or make it amazingly intricate, it is completely up to you.  And know that this is yours.  For you and your enjoyment only (unless you want to share what you've done).

There were days I had ideas to begin with

and days I just doodled

these are leaves from a tree I found while walking

Of course this is not all of the pages in that first Art Journal- only the ones I was willing to share.  Some had some of my deepest darkest thoughts recorded on them...

Looking back now I am so glad I started.  There are many memories and lessons learned in there that I probably would have forgotten.

I kept lists

That's what I found appealing at first.  I could paint, draw, and make ugly pages to my hearts content and no one had to know.  My book was for me.  For my enjoyment only. This was what came straight from my heart.

I took notes in class

I even occasionally did assignments in there. 

As you can see there are many, many different ways of doing this.  Check out some of my favorite Youtube teachers for more inspiration.  They are Suzi Blu and The One Minute Muse.  The One Minute Muse has some really simple ideas that can be accomplished quickly, without a lot of prep.  There are also many images on flickr that people have uploaded of their art journals.


I hope this has been helpful and encouragement to start your own Art Journal.  Art heals.  It is good for the soul.  Give it a try and let me know how it goes.
  

The Pink Pearl

Image of the Black Pearl from
Wikipedia

I forgot to mention in the last post that we have named her.  Our Oasis vintage trailer, that is...  she is The Pink Pearl.   Let me tell you what I'm envisioning for her...   A mast and sail, with a pink Jolly Roger.  I'm hoping my husband can fashion the front end of a ship to put over the trailer pull things that are on the front with the propane tanks on it.  And a pirates chest shell for the cooler.  Twinkle lights, some lanterns, and whatever else I can find to make her a vintage, piratey, happy place.

check out this cute one I found
on Wikipedia

I have many ideas, hopefully to be fulfilled one day with other vintage trailers.  I think I'm hooked.  There are at least two more I have got to have.... eventually....  but for now this project is on the top of the list.

Would you like to see some art I've been working on??

Well, ok, since you asked.....  

It's been busy here getting ready for school.  With so many kids there's a lot of getting ready to be done.  Still I am trying to get some art in every day, when I can.  

I am trying to create a new life for myself and my family.  An artistic life.  An authentic life.  I think I've had authenticity in some areas, but not with art.  It's been a long time that I have been dabbling in art and never thought myself an artist.   I've had love affairs with poetry, music, ceramics, watercolor, knitting and crochet, sewing, painting.  It's an interesting thing to feel that creative pull, and never feel somehow qualified to actually work at it.  Unfortunately I've spent my life feeling unqualified for just about everything.  It took a serious 'hit bottom' to shake me into finding the answers and healing I needed.  I think I've got it figured out now with the help of some friends and my recovery groups.  I am an adult child, and attend ACA meetings regularly.  It has helped me learn so much about myself, and take a look at so many things I had not faced before.

So I am beginning to see my life more like an unfinished painting.  I can create whatever I want and so can you.  All we need is vision and hope.  I think I've got that now.

oasis

 [oh-ey-sis] 

o·a·sis

   [oh-ey-sis]

noun
something serving as a refuge, relief, or pleasant changefrom what is usual, annoying, difficult, etc.: The library was an oasis of calm in the hectic city.

definition from Dictionary.com









I absolutely love that word, don't you?  And the definition is perfect.  As you know I need an Oasis.  And life has brought me one.  

The bed and nightstand.   This is facing rear from the door.

She needs some TLC, but we can manage that.  We are longtime DIYers.  And I love the fact that we are revamping something old, rather than buying something new.  Here are some photos of her lovely 50's or 60's (?? we are pretty sure narrowed it down to '59 - '61).  

The kitchen, and some of her details.  So I really wanted a "Canned Ham" model trailer,

The cabinets and hardware remind me of my
Gramsys kitchen.  

and as  you can see from the picture above I got one.  

check out this old paper towel holder

I also really wanted the inside to be 50's style with the rounded corners and real wood interior.  Oh and a princess stove.  I really, really wanted a Princess stove...

Check out the rounded corners,
and the scalloped shelf

 And of course I wanted her to be pink.... Love the old pink formica backsplash.

Light fixture

A propane lamp

In this picture you can see
the lav.  

 We got lucky and she still had a lot of her original parts. The valances are scalloped like the shelf in the picture above.   I'm tellin' ya, it was l  love at first sight.

magazine rack

 These light fixtures and magazine rack remind me of the old Elvis movies I used to watch as a kid.

So, here she is.  A work in progress (aren't we all?!)...  But I have such a vision for her when she's finished. She is going to be a beautiful, peaceful place to relax and get away.   And the Geenies Lamp Studio will be on the road.

Inside the bathroom

An Oasis in the desert

We have found it!   Our Oasis in the desert;  And our new adventure begins.  Lil Gee and Lil E are thrilled!

So here she is....    

                                                       ....... in all her Vintage glory!

 still need a name for her.  Oh and you should see her hooked up to our car.  We felt so Mickey and Minnie, or Ricky and Lucy driving her home last night...













Now to decide on the redo inside.  No interior photos yet.  Will get to that when hubby gets home.  But you should see the inside!  So many 50's details, most of the original items are there.  Including a sweet magazine rack, the old metal kind.  Propane lamps, rounded corners.  And the kitchen reminds me of my Gramsy's kitchen.  Fond memories of growing up. This Oasis is going to be The Geenies Lamp Studio on the road so in keeping with that, I am thinking about doing the interior Geenie bottle style.  Or in keeping with the Vintage age diner.  Whatever I end up going with there will be lots of pink!  And yes, I will keep  you all posted with pics and all.

Thanks for sharing my dream with me!  I didn't think it would come to pass so quickly, but the kiddos aren't getting any younger, so I am glad.

Find Your Adventure

The Geenie's Lamp is brimming with life, love, and art these days.   If you've been keeping up with me you know why.  So here are a couple of updates.  My Sis and niece are still here, and will be with me through mid August. Our time is drawing to a close, but we are making the most of it.

An update on the farmyard. The ducks and chickens are all grown up now, and should be laying soon.  More on that to come.

I have new things listed in my Etsy shop.  Check the sidebar or click on the link to see them.  Finished a few more things today.  Not the least of which is my new love...  so, did you catch it?  My new passion/obsession/fixation...  I put a hint in my last post....   

 Here's my latest piece for the big reveal....

This is it!  I have found Vintage Travel Trailers and I really, really want one.  This or a Gypsy Wagon.  I can imagine myself now parked at the beach with my trailer and my art supplies...  Or camping with my family, and my art supplies....  or.... the possibilities are endless really.  When I first discovered the "Gypsy Wagon" about a year ago I imagined one built in our backyard for my studio.  That is still a dream of mine, but this.  Oh this. This is gonna happen.  Then the Geenies Lamp studio will be on the road...

and now for something I finished

and she was Loved

and of course, as usually happens, I love her so much I don't want to list her.  Thinking about offering prints.  That's all for now...  Will update you on my Vintage RV procurement as unfolds.  Suzi Blu once talked about a dream of an artist colony of traveling Gypsy Wagons.  That would be a dream.....