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From the ends of the earth I call to you... as my heart grows faint. (Psalm 61:2)
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ART MEMORIES - STORYTELLING
 BEFORE PHOTO EXPLORING (process of becoming): I started with a vintage library index card (that was trimmed to a size 4x4 square) as my substrate. I machine-sewed an ALCHEMY upholstery remnant, similar to the one from Day 2 (but this time I positioned it upside down compared to yesterday's placement). Sometimes when you find yourself using similar elements all it takes to create a new adventure is to flip things around. I practiced some free-motion sewing using white thread to keep the movement light and airy. My forms were very organic and as I practiced mindful sewing (slowing down my speed) I began to make rough "echo style" quilting marks that took on the shape of something growing above the surface of the soil. I then layered and sewed on the textured fabric with its metallic golden threads sprouting outward, and a tiny velvet snippet (similar to yesterday) with again another form opening up, pressing up through the soil. The last bits of fabric that I added came from my Spoonflower printed fabric "Process of Becoming". I machine sewed it on and then with my micro pen (sizes .005 and 0.5) I drew in some zentangles to emphasize the curvature of the land and the shape of the growing flower. The black lines provide a nice contrast and balance to the almost transparent stitches done in the white thread. Shadow and light work together to bring awareness of the power of light. The "light" reaches outward, upward, and flowing. Below is the first book I ever purchased years back when I first heard about zentangles (doodles for mediation). It helped me to better understand the process and boosted my creativity. These days I have several more zentangle books in my library but instead of copying other people's designs, I create my own.  Close-up of some zentangle, hand drawing, done using a micro pen on top of the fabric. |
What is a Zentangle? .jpeg) My zentangles are a great place for me to turn to when in need of shape inspiration. Below is one of the first books I purchased on zentangles. Its still one of my favorites.  Zentangle art is non-representational and unplanned so you can focus on each stroke and not worry about the result. There is no up or down to Zentangle art. If fact, you can most easily create Zentangle art by rotating your tile as you tangle -- always keeping your hand in a relaxed position. You don't need to know what a tangle is going to look like to draw it. You just need to know the steps. The result is a delightful surprise. ENJOYING (spiritual wellness): What I've learned through today's creative exploration, and mark-making, inspired by the Word (Pslam 61:2) is that my spiritual care and creative growth require my listening to the voice of God. I believe God hears all my prayers! He hears my audible prayers, my silent prayers, and also my visual prayers (mark-making). Making and creating ART is my sacred visual prayer time with God. You might ask, "What is visual prayer? My visual prayer time is when I seek God through personal creative explorations and mark-making. With every decision that I make and every change to the medium of my choosing (be it clay, paint, paper, or mixed media) my mind, body, and soul are pouring out the expressions of faith that are surrendered at that moment to become present in the dwelling of the Word. Holy Spirit leads and guides me through the transformation of each artwork. What to cut, trim and cover up and what to leave untouched and exposed. The transformation is not of my choosing or control, but that of the Father's will. I create art to become more aware of who I am (mindfulness of my mental health, stress, and total wellness) and to seek direction from God as to which pathway will bring me Shalom (peace). Listening to the voice of God provides me the opportunity to choose to travel with God by my side. To make changes that are pleasing to him for the purpose he created me to serve. My prayers of lamentation may be rooted in emotions of pain, hurt, disappointment, and even anger against the injustice of this world. I move all that negative energy (stress) out of my mind, body and soul (where I house my emotions) through my mark-making, through the changes I make in the experience of the creative exploration. I call the outcome my Art Memories because the ART that is made is the documented storytelling of my time spent in prayer with God. In this sacred prayer time with God, talking to my Creator, I seek and ask him to open my eyes. Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. (Psalm 119:18) It's not my words of petition or protest or even praise that have the power to heal me and transform my spiritual wellness. For my words come forth through the understanding of a human mind, body, and soul structure. My words are limited - thus, why I cannot heal or "fix" my concerns through my own ways and knowledge. You may ask "then why to speak my words, my human words to God, why pray?". I pray not because God needs to hear me - for he is sovereign and knows all. I pray because I need to hear from God so that I may hear my words transformed through his Word into tangible meaning, a pathway of awareness that lead me to Shalom. Shalom means peace and we are called and created to be "peacemakers". Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (Matthew 5:9) I cannot live my life purpose as a peacemaker, a follower of Jesus if I am captive in the prison of negativity. My hope is alive through my faith in God to dwell in me, and transform me into his choosing - to use me, to bring light to a broken world. We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone. (Psalm 33:20-22) All my prayers are heard in heavenly places, my Father God hears me (sees me) and through his Spirit, he dwells in me, and speaks to me - transforming my words into moment-changing, life-giving opportunities for me to walk, live, and shine in the light of Jesus. To listen and hear the Word of God "his laws" as "my words" - for me that is to wear the Word as skin. The Word of God is my refuge, my shelter to keep me safe so that I may not sin and die a spiritual death. It guards my pathway so that I walk in Shalom and my ways become that of the Father's way. That I seek the Lord daily and ask "Lord, what shall I do today to please you? Lord, what shall I create today that will speak of your goodness and faithfulness?" I believe that God is for me, to transform my stress into favor. For stress is not bad, stress is what wakes me up with purpose and responsibilities to take action. This is what is called positive stress. Stress is harmful when it is negative stress when it is rooted in dark forces, the enemy's rule over your mind, body, and soul to not believe in God's promises, in his Word. This negative stress, if not addressed, can transform into sadness, depression, anxiety, crisis, and trauma. God is there in every season to be our helper and transform our darkness into light, if we seek him. Visual prayer is my way of seeking God's presence to guide me in the transformation of the process of becoming more like him. Less of me and more of you, Oh, Lord! God is for me! God is for you! He will be there, always, when we pray to him. God hears our prayers. PRAYER: Father God, guide our every mark-making, every change we make so that our eyes are open to who you are and who you created us to be. Amen ~ Blessings, Sandra _______(CHANGEMAKERS)_______ |
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