Dancing to the beat of your own drum - Painting

This painting was inspired by the idea of change as well as experimenting with a limited pallet.  When you are asked to consider what you really want in your life, it can take a while to actually articulate it and the more more you think about it the easier it is to identify those things.  

Laying down the foundation

Some people go through their life never knowing what it is they want, or even like and it isn't until you start to explore you begin to understand what you need to put in place so that you can let go of old stereotypes and patterns of behavior, and really live your life to the full.

I really enjoyed painting this picture, and feel a lot of energy coming from it.  As we dance to the beat of our own drum our lives are no longer governed by what other people think about us, or the box they want to confine us to.  We dance to the beat of who we truly are at our core, expressing our true nature, and shining.

Dancing to the Beat of your own Drum - Mixed Media

What's in the Bag? New painting

I do like bags and if you look through my Pinterest board  I have a wide variety of bags that I like the look of each with its own look to fit the particular occasion.  

I have gone from carrying small ones to quite large ones and I think I have always been one of those people who needs those 'just in case' items.  I usually end up with a back or shoulder ache and so have to cull the contents of my bag, there has to be a balance..

I don't think the trolley route is going to work for me at the moment, though I've brought one for my mum and it comes in handy when I do her shopping and don't want to take the car, there are some nice designs that I have seen around.  My son calls them Granny Trollies, though I have seen a wide range of ages use them, perhaps they are coming back in fashion and I could start a trend,  Have a look at some of the ones I have collected on my Shopping Trolly board.

As a creative, you could even get a plain looking trolley and decorate it with stencils and art work.  I am going to have a look into that, they could look quite funky.

This painting that I recently completed was inspired by the bag and that feeling of joy as you break in a new bag or find one that suits all your needs (if there is one)!  Stay blessed!

Whats in the Bag - Mixed media painting, Amanda Trought

Taking time out

I've taken time out, so it seems, well, its pretty evident.  Not sure what happened, felt stuck, as if I were in a fog and could only see a hands width in front of me.  I didn't know when it started, but it felt like the moment that I had resolved to make changes that there would be some resistance.

I think I had taken to much on my plate, as well as posting I am taking part in the courses - Soul Food and Life book, as well as dealing with the day to day.  I think the challenge would have been fine if I didn't try and do a vlog and edit and post. Keeping it real via the video is what I wanted but it seem to take forever and a day to load a 15 minute ramble, and then the fog came, and I stopped.

On top of all this as a family we have mourned the loss of my brother - Robert, there is no preparation to how you will feel, or how to deal with it all, .  The year has gone quickly, it's weird, and then again feels like forever, the loss still raw in our hearts and minds.  We remember his joy, his sense of humor, his love, warmth, his strength.

I paint, I draw, I create, as a way through.  I remember my conversations with Robert and the things I said I would explore, so many things that I don't want to let anymore time pass before I get to do them, and so I change.  Change is good.  I am still going to make the healthy changes that I said I would, I just won't worry about giving you a blow by blow video update, because essentially I want to pour all of that time into creating. I want to paint, I need to paint, it has become as essential to my heart as breathing is to my lungs, and a way to allow the heart to heal from the loss of the past few years.  Perhaps this is another lesson learnt from the challenge.

I will share with you some of the pieces as I finish them, and I am quite excited by the some of them. This painting is called Together...it is about our relationships

Together - Mixed media

Together - Though time and dimensions may separate, you will always be in my heart. Came from the same source to lead different lives, you were a strength and a support from the start.

We have to invest in our relationships and make the most of every opportunity, and knowing our purpose live as if it were our last day on the earth. 

Blessings always!

We have raised £1530 for Myeloma UK, if you want to donate you can do so HERE

New Art - The Other side

A new piece of art I thought I would tell the story behind it.  You can make up your own filling to the story. It will be available as a print should you wish to purchase a copy

The Other Side - Mixed media art

 She pondered, what would it be like on the other side, I've heard so much about it.... gazing across the water she breathed out, pretending to be in control of the waves

To be free like the bird to be able to soar, she saw herself, letting go of her insecurities she knew that she would be able to take the step..

A step that so many had taken before her and would continue to do so after she had gone.  So she uncurled her wings and let go.

If you want to see more of my work click HERE

Soul Food - New work and Zen Doodles

I thought I would share some of the work I have been producing from the Soul Food course I have been doing....

In the session led by Heather Santos - 'letting go of perfect', I used a piece of art that just didn't seem to be working and creating a new painting.  I drew an outline of a figure I wanted to use and then went about adding the necessary paint.

I was pleased with how she eventually turned out.

Sarah Hand showed us how to make paper mache shadow boxes

Shadow Box

It has been great so far to be able to work with such a vast array of creatives, in a supportive and encouraging environment.  I would definitely do both of these again and have collected a few boxes that I would love to alter.  I am finding my pace and looking forward to sharing more as the weeks go on.

Finally, do you doodle?

I was fortunate to have one of my Doodles featured in the book Zen Doodle: Tons of Tangles.  Well, North Light Books are producing another book called Oodles of Doodles and they want you to submit your doodles or tangles to the Zen Doodle competition by March 14th, there is no entry fee so get a move on!  Check out Create Mixed Media 

You can also enter in the following ways:

email them at info@createmixedmedia.com
Instagram — email them at info@createmixedmedia.com via your Instagram account
Pinterest — tag them in the comment @CreateMixedMedia
Twitter – tag them in the comment @CMixedMedia