Video – https://youtu.be/aHl4_9WqUYs
Hello friends,
Welcome to Sunday’s ART of Truth. Today, I am working in my small Arteza Mixed Media Journal. It measures 5.5 x 5.5. Perfect size for having a nice and free play with mixed media.
The quote that inspired this was “You are complete, even in pieces”. The project took some sharp turns and lessons were learned. My heart was processing this idea that no matter how broken we feel, we are still complete. We are still enough. We don’t have anything to prove. We can inspire, bless, be blessed, fail, cry, writhe in confusion and despair – but even in that, we are complete.
I think one of the most important things that we can do every day and in everything is just to show up. I love Brene’ Brown’s mantras that say, “show up and let yourself be seen” & “don’t shrink, don’t puff up & stand your sacred ground”. It always reminds me of the Man in the Arena speech…
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” – Theodore Roosevelt
When I sat down to work in my art journal around the quote “You are complete, even in pieces”, I was immediately reminded of Theodore Roosevelts speech. I have been out of sync for weeks and for a lot of reasons. Working on this project was a challenge. I had one thing in my mind, yet another went down on the page. During the process, I spilled half a small container of Matte Medium and half a bottle of ink right on my desk! It felt like a train wreck from the start.
There was a time when I would have thrown the whole lot away and crawled into bed for a good cry. I didn’t. I began processing what it felt like to feel like I was coming up short again in a video. It can take me into a cycle of self-defamation and a deep sense of uselessness. It is a slippery slope of disparaging self-talk and a desire to give up.
I was not happy. I felt frustrated. I felt unequipped and scattered and a little bit crazy. Pressing into those uncomfortable feelings was so important. By pressing in, we get the opportunity to see what the real message is. We get to tangle with the gremlins that want to lie to us about our ability and our value. For me, the message was “Show Up”. Don’t shut up. Don’t cower and hide. Don’t beat myself up. Don’t be perfect. Don’t have it all together. Just show up.
For months, I have been pressing in. Feeling the stuff and sorting the truth. However, I was still holding up a stout measuring stick about my value as a creator, an employee, and a person. The harder I tried to keep it all together, the more raggedy I got.
I am a perfectionist by nature. I would never measure another person by the stick I use to measure myself. It seems, grace is so much easier to offer to others, then to offer it to ourselves.
My friends, I am speaking to myself as much as myself.
Can we think a moment, about the value of showing up?
Can we talk about how hard that can be?
Can we talk about the fatigue and the inadequacy?
Can we talk about the shrieking, lying voices?
Can we reflect on the courage it takes to show up, especially when we know we don’t have everything lined up in straight rows?
Can we whisper to ourselves the truth that we are complete, even if we feel like we are in pieces?
Showing up is hard work.
Showing up, knowing that we can fall flat on our faces.
Showing up means that we face in, we do what we love, we take chances, we love without expecting anything in return. We are real. We are fragile. We are beautiful. We are honest.
You are beautiful.
You have amazing gifts that the world needs, even in ‘your pieces’.
There is not a grander gift that we can give one another than to be honest, authentic, beautiful, and unashamed of our humanity.
My friends, please show up. We need you.
I will.
I have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
In this project, I made lemonade from lemons, and it tasted GREAT!
Blessings my friends until next time,
Beloved-Reborn
Supply list under photos!
Supplies used:
Liquitex White Gesso & Fluid Matte Medium – See Basic Mixed Media Supply list below
Stampendous Stamp – Vintage Letter – https://www.amazon.com/STAMPENDOUS-CRR221-Rubber-Vintage-Letter/dp/B00NBK2FL8/ref=sr_1_4?crid=22MAZPMHJBYL1&keywords=stampendous+script+stamp&qid=1648355792&sprefix=stampendous+script+%2Caps%2C1311&sr=8-4
Ranger Archival Ink – Jet Black – See Basic Mixed Media Supply list below
The Crafters Workshop Modeling Paste – https://www.amazon.com/Crafters-Workshop-TCW9005-Modeling-Paste/dp/B01LZYEMFN/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3SZMM224O70KY&keywords=the+crafters+workshop+modeling+paste
Lindy’s Stamp Gang Sprays – Cockbells Coral & Long Johns Silver –
Distress Stain – Vintage Photo – https://www.amazon.com/Ranger-Distress-Bottles-1-9-Ounce-Vintage/dp/B00NMQO6OU/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1RA0103R99TRF&keywords=distress+stain+vintage+photo&qid=1648355542&sprefix=distress+stain%2Caps%2C2278&sr=8-1
Harlequin Stencil – I cannot locate the exact one I have but this is similar – https://www.amazon.com/CrafTreat-Stencil-Harlequin-Reusable-Scrapbook
List of basic mixed media supplies:
TCW Light & Fluffy Modeling Paste – https://www.amazon.com/s?k=light+and+fluffy+modeling+paste&crid=3PFDSLJUPLGOO&sprefix=light+and+flu%2Caps%2C272&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_13
Shoresua Script Stamp- https://www.amazon.com/Shoresua-Transparent-Silicone-Scrapbooking-Embossing/dp/B07PGN3MR3/ref=sr_1_77?dchild=1&keywords=bo+bunny+stamps&qid=1601231832&sr=8-77
Golden High Flow Acrylic – Transparent Yellow Oxide – https://www.amazon.com/s?k=goldenhigh+flow+acrylics&ref=nb_sb_noss_2
Liquitex Matte Medium- https://www.amazon.com/Liquitex-Professional-Matte-Medium-8-Ounce/dp/B000IYWYNE/ref=sr_1_1?crid=74CDOKRUL040&dchild=1&keywords=liquitex+matte+medium&qid=1586229506&sprefix=liquitex+ma%2Caps%2C291&sr=8-1
Liquitex Glazing Medium- https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Multi-Purpose-Acrylic-Polymer-GAC-100/dp/B001YJPX58/ref=sr_1_46?dchild=1&keywords=golden+glazing+medium&qid=1586230065&sr=8-46
Liquitex Heavy Gesso- https://www.amazon.com/Liquitex-Professional-Super-Surface-Medium/dp/B001UNREO6/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=liquitex+heavy+gesso&qid=1586229647&sr=8-1
Penny Black Script Stamp- https://www.amazon.com/Penny-Black-Script-Unmounted-40-470/dp/B01HNO5R08/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Penny+Black+script+stamp&qid=1586229678&sr=8-1
Shawn Petite Stencils- https://shop.shawnpetite.com/Stencils-c14287046
Decoart Crackle Paint – https://www.amazon.com/s?k=decoart+crackle+paint&ref=nb_sb_noss_2
Rembrandt Soft Pastel – Black – https://www.amazon.com/s?k=rembrandt+soft+pastel+black&ref=nb_sb_noss
Golden Fluid Acrylics – https://www.amazon.com/s?k=golden+fluid+acrylics&crid=1140N398O4PP1&sprefix=golden+fluid+%2Caps%2C520&ref=nb_sb_ss_ac-a-p_1_13
Junk Journal Basic Supplies List –
FabriTac Glue – https://www.amazon.com/s?k=fabritac&ref=nb_sb_noss
Art Glitter Glue – https://www.amazon.com/s?k=art+glitter+glue&ref=nb_sb_noss_2
Ranger Archival Ink – Vintage Photo – They no longer make the pad so I bought the reinker and a DIY ink pad – https://www.amazon.com/Ranger-AIP48077-Empty-Archival-Pad-Empty/dp/B016A88EAI/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=ranger+diy+ink+pad&qid=1626104364&sr=8-4
Https://www.amazon.com/s?k=vintage+photo+reinker&ref=nb_sb_noss_2
Beautiful message as always. It seems you are working through what you need to work through. It’s always hard to push on. I think you have lost an important support person in your life and you are figuring out a new way without her. My thoughts and prayers are with you my friend ❤️.
Indeed, I am 💛 grateful to God and he never stops guiding me. And, yes, I am navigating life without someone very dear to me 💛
Lovely thoughts. I discovered I was always supporting my husband and children to do just that~ Show Up. I forgot about myself along the way. This has become a time for me to tap back into my creative side~ music, art and writing. You are a treasure for being so generous with your positive messaging. Best wishes~ Valerie.
Oh Valerie, I hear you! It is such a balancing act isn’t it. Wgen raising kids, at us certainly much mire challenging to find and make time for things that refuel us. I am so glad you are finding time for some of the things you love 💛 blessings lady 💛
I love how you express yourself through ART and through the word good stuff
Thank you so much Lisa 💛 I have been carried from strength to strength by Jesus. I feel so grateful to be able to do this 💛