Personal Art Therapy

Were covered in Ice!! I woke up at 5 am this morning getting super excited about the snow we were going to get but instead ice! I can't leave my apartment to take packages to the post office or take my pup for a walk. Were trapped but I think this is a good thing. I wanted to take this weekend and make a short short list of personal goals. I always plan so much for myself to try to accomplish it overwhelms me and takes enjoyment out of what I do.

So this weekend I will work on Personal Art Therapy. Taking the time to devote my creative juices to new projects that are for my personal use. Feel good projects, fun projects not projects I need done or ones that have been sitting on the dreaded to do list.

After this weeks sketch I realized how good it felt to just do a project that had no purpose. Just for fun or relaxation and it seemed like therapy. It motivated me to want to pull out my paints and start exploring my fun supplies in my studio room. I am so shocked at how the Sketchbook Workshop only in it's second prompt is making me feel better unlike the dreaded 365 self portrait project which obviously didn't fit my character and left me feeling like a failure.

Besides the art therapy.... I want to clean up my computer... Create a couple new items for the shop... and get organized for this week to be productive.

You can find the 2nd Sketch book prompt here

Also you can still submit to the first one here ... and if you can't get linky to work you can drop a link in the comments below and your thoughts!

IF YOU PARTICIPATE IN THE FIRST 10 SKETCHBOOK PROMPTS YOU WILL GET A SURPRISE IN THE MAIL! Of course you can't just slap them up in one day so try to keep up as much as you can!


Thanks to all who have participated! I hope all my bloggy buds have a wonderful weekend!

What is one simple goal you would like to complete this weekend?

Sketchbook Workshop Entry 1

Yeah! It's time for the first Sketchbook Workshop Entry!

Before we begin I would like you to notice below that you can link up your sketchbook entry to show off when you complete your sketch book entry. This is the first time I am trying this out with an open post so it would be great to see at least one or to of you link up! It would make my day and make me keep the link up... (which actually costs money to have on my blog). Don't forget to grab the button to add to the end of your post so viewers can click back to see others.

Also I didn't give any rules but I wanted to let you know that I am giving myself a time limit to complete this sketch.  15 minutes is what I am allowing myself. After all a sketch is a quick drawing and should not be overly thought about. It should be quick, painless, messy and in some cases strange. So consider using a time limit.

One more tiny point... after reading the prompt just begin, don't think even if you have no idea just draw. The point of the prompt is to get your pen or pencil (or anything) to paper!

So let's begin!

SKETCHBOOK PROMPT 1:

Draw a self portrait without using words, without a mirror and without actually drawing yourself realistically. Use this sketch to describe who you are on the inside, not who we see on the outside.


Here is what I did in 15 mins... I will not lie I had a hard time starting and a hard time wrapping it up but I hope that I will be able to look back from future sketches and see growth.

<center> <a href="http://run2thewild.blogspot.com/search/label/Sketchbook%20Workshop"><img src="http://i1152.photobucket.com/albums/p492/courtney_howard68/workshopbut_zpsa4b83f0c.gif" /></a></center>

Introducing The Sketchbook Workshop

I am really excited to introduce something new to the blog where all of you can participate! It's called the sketchbook workshop. Every week I will create a prompt for you to do in your sketchbook. You can choose to link it up and show it off or keep it to yourself. I will be doing it too!

THE PURPOSE:
The purpose of this workshop is to inspire you to think outside the box. To practice thinking and working creatively. It will also be a great reminder to take time out of your busy week to just scribble. Hopefully these prompts will also help to keep you from a Sketchbook Blockage ( when you can't think of what to sketch).

I decided to to this instead of the 365 day self picture project. I found that trying to take a picture of myself everyday kept me from taking pictures of what I love in life. After 6 days I found it kind of pointless so I am replacing it with something I need which is time with my sketchbook. I take enough pictures anyway!

I scribbled these pictures down last night and I plan on gathering a clean sketch book before the first prompt which will be next week!

PS... if you want to get the prompts make sure you are a member of this blog!

So will you join me?? 

DIY Hand Printed Gift Wrap

There is nothing like ripping open at least one present. So I decided to hand print my own gift wrap for a couple of special gifts that really needed to be wrapped.

I grabbed some brown packing paper, the top of a Styrofoam takeout container, scissors, a sponge roller, regular craft paint and a coloring pencil with a dull tip. Before I began I made sure to wrap my present first, that way I wouldn't waist time printing on areas that wouldn't be seen.

First I prepared my stamp but cutting the edges off the top of the container so that it would be flat and easy to press.

Then I used my dull coloring pencil to press in a design that filled up the whole piece that way I could cover more of the present with less stamping = less time.

I then squirted some craft paint in a plastic tray and rolled my roller back and forth in it until I had an even coat.

Then I used the roller to cover the stamp.

I carefully laid the stamp on the package and pressed firmly.

Tada.... now just continue that all around your package!!

Last but not least it's fun to add little details like string, a fortune or a small knick knack. :)

So what do you think?? Have you ever stamped your gift wrap before?

The Beginnings of a Baby Book

I found this old large scrapbook a couple weeks before I found out I was prego. It was 2.99 at a thrift shop and in perfect condition with tons of blank pages. I had no idea what I was going to do with it but I realized about a couple weeks ago that this was going to be the beginning of my baby book.

Yeah the cover is ugly and I will be giving it a major overhaul slowly over the next 7 months. I am thinking about painting it. I always knew that I wouldn't wan't a hallmark baby book... pre-made with you just filling in blanks. I don't fill in blanks I transform the blank. I would rather create my baby book then feel obligated to fill in someone else's idea of a baby book.

Looking back through my baby book that my mom filled in I saw a lot of blanks not because my mom wasn't faithful in filling it out but because some of those blanks didn't apply to our life. Really it was wasted space and there wasn't enough room for things like letters or journal entries. Which is something I wish I could have read from my mom to really get how she was feeling in that moment. 

So I have done one page front to back so far and a the front of another page. The first page is a letter about how we found out and what I was feeling. The second is right after we saw spud for the 1st time which is that blurred pic I have posted. 

I realized last night that I needed some extra little special touches so I got on etsy and splurged a bit on some  washi tape and japanese stickers. I have really been wanting some special washi tape but just didn't really have a good reason to splurge on some. Check out those cute husky stickers above... They are fuzzy!! I can't wait to add these little details in. I am excited!

DIY Personalized Gift Bags

Wrapping presents was always something I love until this year. I guess all the packages I wrapped for the shop got me kind of sick of wrapping things. Still I needed to wrap so I tried to figure out the easiest way that would make it more fun for me. Here is what I came up with....

Bags are simply the easiest way to quickly wrap a gift without all the fuss of making corners look perfect and all that jazz. So I picked up some brown bags from a local craft store. Pulled out my last urban outfitters uncatalogued and some scissors. I clipped out some pretty snowflakes and some letters and used spray glue to attach them to the bag. Well I didn't use the spray glue... I made justin. lol.

Then I pulled out my favorite sharpies and metallic colored pencils and went to town with some details to really bring out the magazine clippings.

It was so therapeutic to just kinda scribble... which if you know me well that's what I love, scribbling.  

Then came the personalized letters.. This is for my sister Tiffany... obviously!

and the final touch was a little glitter dinosaur....

So glad I decided to go the bag route! Lol so simple!

How are you wrapping your presents? 

My Day in a Nutshell

Phew it seems like the days and nights are just blurring into one lately. With it being dark at 5 and still no snow in sight here in Kentucky I just seem to get less and less excited for christmas to get here. However the sales in the shop have kept me busy and I have been getting a couple sweet packages in the mail that keep my spirits high. So I wanted to show you my day in a nutshell.... I will explain along the way.

A couple days ago I ordered a calendar from MessyBedStudio on etsy. She is a blogging bud of mine and a awesome artist as well. She came up with the hand drawn fortune cookie wisdom calendar and I just couldn't help but get it. After all I am obsessed with fortune cookies!

The calendar was packed and printed with perfection. I couldn't have asked for better quality. Each page is a fortune that will uplift and keep you striving for goodness in your life. I really love it! I can't wait to hang it up for the new year and show you all! The first picture is my favorite part of the calendar but to see the rest you will just have to buy it yourself!

Then I received a lovely gift from my cousin who lives in Illinois. Her name is Taylor and she runs a shop on etsy too called Suite Potaytoes. She specializes in painted sugar skull masks... and made me this special one just for my shop! I really love handmade gifts more than anything else!

Now I just have to find a special place to hang it!!



I also got another postcard from the post art exchange today here is a sneak peak! For all of you who are participating don't forget to link your posts on the page and keep your eyes peeled for another special snail mail surprise!

Last but not least I spent nearly all of the sunshine part of the day packing all of this. Goodness!! I still have to pack the other half of all these orders tonight and tomorrow. I was a little embarrassed walking into the post office but I am glad I had Justin to help! Once again I am so thankful!

How has your day been!! P.S support some of these lovely shops this season! Maybe tomorrow I will show you my wannabe Christmas list!

Fabulous Friday: The day has come!

Today at 5:15 I go to the opening of the show my two works have been included in! Why is this such a big deal... because it's the first show/gallery I have ever been in!! I have only tried to get my work accepted one other time during my second year of college for a show held by the art student association. It was disappointing because I wasn't chosen. I actually tried to submit a work that was not finished. I was just so anxious to be in a show that I said on the description that the work wasn't finished. Looking back I can see why it wouldn't have been chosen but it definitely burned out my yearn for being in a show.

I have always had issues with my work. One of them being that I never know when to stop or finish a piece. Many of my professors would tell me that the saying less is more... did not define my work. In my case it was more is more and in a lot of ways it worked well but in some it didn't work at all. My second issue has always been finding consistency and developing from "craft" to "art". I really enjoy doing all forms of art but have not mastered or specialized in just one like most artists do. That's where I feel like my art turns into craft which is something I am not disappointed by but I would like to see it grow into something more.

So today begins a new chapter in my life where I can look at someone and confidently say I am an Artist. That's always been a hard thing to say. I am not just one of those people who thinks that word can be thrown around lightly. I tell the kids at my after school program that they are all artists. The thing is that children need the confidence boost and hope. When your an adult you have to prove your worth. Say what ever you want but no one is going to consider you what you think you are unless you prove it.

So I am so nervous, excited, scared and thrilled. So much that I have not officially invited anyone to come with me tomorrow. I just feel like I need to see it for myself before anyone else does but most likely I will be bringing my little sister if she doesn't end up working.

I am proud to say that I have overcome the feeling of more and I think etsy has helped me achieve that. I am also starting to discover the kind of art I like and need to create... which ties together the idea of craft becoming art. How ironic!?

Remember how I mentioned the other week about life changes throwing my life around... well it looks like those itty bitty changes have given me enough of a confidence boost to feel like I can achieve anything. Still wondering what will be the next thing to try to knock me down but trying at the same time to enjoy this little ride I am on right now in life. It seems to be looking up and the person I have always wanted to be seems to be in reach.

The last whoooo rahhhhhh

So the days have been sneaking up and passing me like I was just viewing them from the passengers seat of   my car. I did another festival this weekend which has made me not so active internet wise. So I wanted to let you know a few things since this week is now over.


We have 8 people including myself taking part in Run 2 The Wild's very first Post ART Exchange which is super exciting.

Here is who I have on the list so far...

Stephanie Schutte from the Netherlands
Lisa Goodman from New York
Rosi Muller from Europe

Courtney Howard (me) from Kentucky
Heather Watson from Kentucky
Megan Downs from Colorado 
Courtney Huckaby from Georgia
Nicky Howard from Kentucky 


IF YOU DON'T SEE YOUR NAME AND WANT TO PARTICIPATE YOU NEED TO SEND ME YOUR ADDRESS THROUGH EMAIL OR FACEBOOK courtney_howard68@eku.edu BEFORE MONDAY

ALSO EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATES GETS A SPONSOR SPOT ON MY BLOG FREE FOR OCTOBER AND MOST LIKELY NOVEMBER. TO ACTIVATE THIS SPOT I JUST NEED YOU TO SEND ME YOUR AD IMAGE WHICH NEEDS TO BE THIS SIZE 250 x 140

Last but not least I will have a cute little badge available next week for you to attach to your blog saying you participated! 

MONDAY I WILL SEND OUT DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS ALONG WITH YOUR LIST. YOU CAN START MAKING YOUR POSTCARDS AND HAVE THEM READY TO SEND TO THE FIRST PERSON WHICH WILL PUT YOU ONE STEP AHEAD. 

SOME OF YOU ARE A LITTLE WORRIED ABOUT SENDING OUT PROMPTLY BUT I WILL HELP YOU OUT AND PROVIDE LITTLE REMINDERS. YOU CAN DO THIS! LETS MAKE IT HAPPEN!

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE SIGNED UP! IT'S NEAT TO SEEING THIS IDEA COME INTO REALITY.

ALSO NOTICE WE ARE ALSO SENDING INTERNATIONAL SOO.. IT MAY OR MAY NOT COST YOU A FEW CENTS TO SEND YOUR CARD IT JUST DEPENDS. JUST THINK OF IT AS AN INVESTMENT TOWARDS A AWESOME ONE OF A KIND WORK OF ART! 

Post ART Exchange!!! Lets begin!

If your still wanting to be included please email mail me this information..

Name
Address
Email

I have 2 people who have signed up and one of those is in Europe which is super exciting!

I need more peeps to join though before we can begin!! So please send me the info above to this email courtney_howard68@eku.edu

I am going to give everyone one more week before we start! My post card is almost ready.

Once you send me that email I will put you on a list and this weekend I will send you instructions along with your list to start the exchange!

Lets do this!!

IF your having trouble emailing leave a comment below and I will contact you!!

Mail Art Inspiration and Important Info on the First Post Art Exchange!!

Only a week left until we begin the 1st Post Art Exchange! I am pretty excited because we have a good group so far!

To confirm your entry I need the following...

Your Email
Your Address
Your full Name

Please send this info to courtney_howard68@eku.edu With the title of your email as POST ART EXCHANGE
The last day to submit your entry will be Friday the 28th so please do it now! ;)

I will not have your list ready until the 1st. I will email your list and post a reminder on the blog to check for it.

So essentially you can start working on your postcard now!

Some important things to remember....
--you need to include a note with your list of address from the email
--you need to make sure you send your post card to number 2 on the list
--others will be altering your card so try not to get complicated and just have fun
--also you will be receiving more cards in the mail for you to alter it is important to keep them going in a timely matter
--all postcards are due before the end of october to their final destination!

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FEEL FREE TO ASK THEM NOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW OR YOU CAN EMAIL ME.

I am including some inspirational pics in this post so hopefully it will inspire you! Get as crazy and creative as you want to... and really size is not an issue in my book! This should be loads of fun! Also when you receive another postcard it would be nice to see a before and after picture to post on your blog.

check out this link for more info on mail art... pretty interesting! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mail_art