In an attempt for my husband and I to keep our sanity through Lil’ Sophie’s journey we’ve made a point to allow each other personal time each week to get a break. My nights of escape are Wednesdays. Although I often struggle with what to do during this time. Hello? Guess that would be a good time to actually complete a blog entry for the post a week challenge? Hmmm… I’ll have to keep that in mind.
Those of you who know me more intimately are aware that I’ve spent the better half of my life doing one art project or another. Some of you know that I’ve kept journals over the years. But January 20th 2010, these artistic outlets came to a screeching halt and have since left me creatively paralyzed. They have been replaced with appointments, learning medical terminology & equipment, surgery stays, and a host of conversations with doctors and nurses.
So one Wednesday a few weeks ago, I found myself lost in my freedom. Wandering around, I forced myself to go into an art store – a place that used to be my personal playground. This time I numbly walked around, praying to God to awaken my creativity and inspire me. And then my eyes landed on this book:
The Journal Junkies Workshop
As I thumbed through it, I found myself getting excited again. Eric M Scott and David R Modler have put together this amazing book that beams artwork from their own journals. They talk about how to get started – overcoming the fear of putting something on a blank page. They also include techniques on how to use different mediums with step by step pictures and instructions. I’ve been newly motivated to begin combining my love for art and journaling together. The result during this difficult time will hopefully become art therapy.
Check it out for yourselves: The Journal Junkies Workshop. Eric and David also have a blog to inspire and motivate other artists by participating in the Journal Fodder Junkies Challenges. Now we all know how well I do with weekly challenges – Epic Fail!! But this is extremely therapeutic for me so I grabbed my art supplies and went to town. I’m not finished with this page, but it is the beginning of documenting Sophie’s heart surgery and liver transplant journey. More to follow – hopefully!! So please stop back again. Maybe I’ll actually finish something I’ve started. 😉
My First Entry - Sophie's Medical Journey
Rising Above the Bathroom Floor 
April 11th, 2011 at 9:45 am
I love your writings and always look forward to reading one of your postings. I think this “art therapy” is an incredible ideal. I’m slightly jealous because I have absolutely no art bone in my body. I hope you can get some stolen time away to continue working on your therapy.
April 11th, 2011 at 6:04 pm
Good for you, taking some time! When we take of ourselves, we can take better care of those we love. I’ve learned this through my years as a teacher!
I know someone who recently used their journal to draw a timeline of their body’s health. That might be interesting to map out, like a flow chart or a spider web of concerns / procedures / progresses to see how it appears visually.
Best! Erin
April 24th, 2011 at 2:54 am
[…] one of my previous posts I mentioned that I’m working on combining my art with journaling, therefore creating an […]
June 4th, 2011 at 3:25 pm
[…] I’ve previously written, I’ve been inspired by Journal Fodder Junkies. But Lil’ Sophie’s medical issues […]