Listen

Hello Friends,

My goodness I am blessed with wonderful online friends. So many of you take the time to leave beautiful comments that are like darling rays of sunshine into my day. Today's post is called, "Listen" and I am going to be listening for some way to bless my faithful blog followers. That's right. I am going to very soon offer a blog candy and you get to help me choose what it will be. Just leave a comment, letting me know what you would like to receive if you win the candy.

Here are your choices:
1. An original mixed media painting
2. Die cuts, including some handmade ones
3. A selection of patterned papers
4. Crocheted flowers

Now for today's post:

I have another journal page, inspired by a poem. This layout completes my 2nd Art Journal. This was made with a mixture of paint, collage, stencils, texture paste and whatever was close by that I grabbed to use.

Stencil for face by Artist Cellar

I used a stencil for the face, added a neck and left the background as her skin tone. I used paint and pens on her eyes and lips. For her 'hair' I first laid tracing paper on top and traced the outline of her face. Then I glued cut-out clip art images around the outline. Next I cut out my collage in the shape of her hair and glued that down. Lastly, I added a few lines with a marker to intimate hair without covering the clip art images too much.

I put my poem, which inspired this page layout, on the right. The background for this journal (called a zine) was made all at once. I made a mistake, as evidenced by my upside-down flower. Don't ever apologize for your artistic mistakes. Think of them as opportunities to do your art differently than you had first planned. They may speak to someone in a way you could never have imagined.

I added some white hairs with a gel pen to denote the wisdom of a listening ear.

And here is my poem that inspired this page. My husband laughed when I first read it to him. I was gratified by his reaction because this poem is mostly me laughing at myself in the mirror. Of course there is a serious message here, but I think it is easier to effect change when you are forgiving of your imperfections. And it's also important to realize that God made me as I am. He loves my quirks as much as the things that I think make me strong.

Thanks for visiting me today. Don't forget to leave a comment to let me know what candy you would like me to offer.

Blessing hugs,
Teresa

PS - I realized that it may be difficult to read my poem because of some glare on the photo, so here it is on its own. 

LISTEN

Set the timer, beep-beep rhymer

voices blaring, flat screen staring

message text, on FaceBook next

Pinterest Twitter, caffeine bitter

blogs a posting, event page hosting

read a book, learn to cook

celebrating, stimulating

meetings, concerts, benefits

no one ever simply sits

and listens

- Teresa Arsenault © 2014
 

Challenges & Link-ups:
Paint Party Friday
Crafty Girls - Anything Goes
The Outlawz Twisted Thursday - Anything Goes
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes
Artistic Inspirations - Anything Goes