finding peace in the work

As i mentioned before, I have been working through my "Schtuff" lately...truth is...this is simply a way of life for me... i'm not ashamed to admit this... i think my artwork my entire life has reflected this work.... this is just who  i am... I am actually quite an introvert, and a virgo...(look those two if you need to...)  which really does explain a great deal about me, how i function, and what my artwork comes from...

Here is the inside cover of my art journal/altered book...as of TODAY....I say this, because it will most likely change several times before I feel that I am finished with this project... I like to layer things...this  two page spread has mulitple layers collaged on top of each other...there are stickers added by my youngest, notes i wrote down, business cards, old prints, and much, much,more that I have lost track of by now...There is also acrylic paint, mod podge, sharpie and gel pen...and more mod podge... I work on these pages a little bit at a time...it is too much for one sitting...(I have a life outside of art)....but also the fact that things need time to dry, settle, and sink in...mind, and spirit...to move on to the next phases of each spread...

laying low

So in  the last few months I have been sort of taking some time to really focus on things pertaining to mind, body, and spirit....

I have lost count of exactly how many weeks now, but, i have been working through a weekly self- improvement (?), self-help (?). self-awareness (?) program (?)... there are so many question marks because i am just not even the slightest bit sure exactly  how to describe what i have been doing...

but in a nutshell, i have been working through my "schtuff" and am still working on my "Schtuff"...with the hopes of eventually finding a sense of peace....

You know what i mean by "Schtuff"...we all have it...some more than others...and some more willing to admit it that others...some more ready than others to work through it...but, none-the-less...we all have it...

my "schtuff"...as i like to call it...affects every aspect of my life...(it is like that for everyone...)
it affects:
health
emotions
spirit
creativity...

everything....

for me, part of working through my "Schtuff" has resulted in me needing to do it viusally...and everyone has their own way of telling you to do this..vision boards...journaling...lists...i happen to do best by making an art journal...in the form of and altered book...

I did altered books when I was an art teacher. It was one of my most popular projects with my students. It recycled books that were going to be trashed. It gave the students a sense of creativity they had not expected. Google"altered books" and you will find all kinds out there...there is no limit to what you can do...