Collage Diva

Birthday Vignette

Here is a look at my kitchen table this morning. My birthday was yesterday and the celebrations with family and friends have filled this week. In fact, I have a special outing and dinner yet to come with my parents. Lighting candles on one's birthday has been a tradition that I've enjoyed. Often they are on the birthday cake. Until this year I've not enjoyed the pleasure of using my candles. I would hold on to them for a special occasion and even when a special occasion came I didn't want to use the up. Since January I have enjoyed lighting candles each day as part of my morning routine and creative process. I've realized as silly as this sounds that I can get more candles when I've burned through the ones that I have. I can enjoy the candles more when they are fulfilling their purpose of being lit.

The lotus flower is the perfect image for this time of new beginnings.

My friend Claudia gets me! She gave me these authentic vintage keys. I love how she took care to select the ribbon - a detail that I didn't miss. As I sat at my table looking at the candle and then the keys, I realized the role the keys play in the next lesson of my True North Arts Vision Journaling Workshop. If you haven't checked it out, you can do so HERE. Realizing that we are the key to the change in our lives is huge. In this next week we explore setting positive intentions and I'll be scanning these keys for participants to use in their vision cards. It isn't too late to jump in this workshop series. 

I've had a very special birthday week so far thanks to my dear friends new and old.

SoulCollage Birthday Discoveries

It was just last year on my birthday when I made my first SoulCollage cards. Last night I had the wonderful opportunity to hang out with my friend Anne, a SoulCollage facilitator. I made two SoulCollage cards that reflect a lot about where I am at today as I look at the next year in my life. The card pictured above shows a door once locked now open. I've started a study of Ikebana, Japanese flower arranging and the orchids in this card represent this practice in which I view each arrangement as an opportunity for me to reflect on the different elements in my life (family, work, health, relationships, etc.) and putting it all in balance. Quan Yin represents how important it is to be compassionate toward myself as I follow my path. I cultivate my intuition as I follow my path and make decisions - the tuning fork represents that resonance of following my true path only realized through intuition and the music that flows interestingly crosses the threshold. This card tells me to follow my music it will lead me to new adventures.

My second card represents my relationship with the scale. I've often felt like that pawn that is chained to the scale and sitting on top of a swirl of whipped cream. At times I feel like the pawn and other times I feel like I'm the king.

The evening included a reading. Anne has so many SoulCollage cards to choose from and it was fun to pull out three to reflect on. I found the reading to be so insightful and helpful as I discern where I am at and where I seek to go. Thank you Anne for a very special birthday!

You can learn more about Anne and her work with SoulCollage at her Web site: Art Heals the Soul

About the collages in this post:

Each collage is made by cutting and gluing magazine images. We pause here to express our gratitude to the many photographers, artists and graphic artists whose images lead us to new insights and discoveries on our SoulCollage® journey to wholeness. Thank you!

Click here to learn more about SoulCollage®

Ikebana - Lesson 2

Lesson 2 was the same arrangement as Lesson 1, the upright Moribana however, this time we used all flowers.

Blue delphinium and green spider mums made for a delightful illustration of Moribana Upright style.

From the top view it is easy to see the "companions." Each delphinium and mum is paired.

We take our arrangements home - this gives us an opportunity to recreate the arrangement and practice. The photo above was taken to show the relationship of the companions. Ohhh my mind is heading toward some very Freudian thoughts right now!

To learn more about where I am taking my classes visit: Ikebana Flower in Nashua, New Hampshire.

New Moon Destruction Ritual

A dear friend of mine has made great strides at decluttering and sprucing up her home. I had been thinking of doing the same thing for months now. Seeing her progress inspired me to tackle my home to make room for more creativity and abundance in my life. This week I rolled up my sleeves and started working on my creative room. It is amazing how much I hold on to. My ex-husband and I would joke that I was a gerbil in a previous life. If you saw the paper I collect, you would understand why. While clearing things out I came across a little journal that I started on the day that my ex and I separated. As I read through the entries I was amazed at how I wasn't affected by it. It was as if I was reading someone else's story. That separation was 5-1/2 years ago and I'm so happy that I've moved past that painful period in my life. I decided that I no longer want to hold onto this little journal so I pulled out the pages and burned them.

I placed the pages in the kitchen sink for safety sake and pulled out my camera as I knew it would be a great photo opportunity.

Most mornings I write in my morning pages, a practice I learned from Julia Cameron in her book, "The Artist's Way." In the morning pages, we are encouraged to write whatever we are feeling. It is a purging of sorts. Most of the time I find myself tapping into my creative source and brainstorming so many wonderful ideas. Some entries contain some raw emotions -- much of which I don't ever want to revisit. After burning this journal I decided that on each new moon I would pull out one of my filled up journals and destroy it. I think I'll opt for shredding rather than burning but that will all depend on my mood. Before the monthly destruction I will scan the entries for those golden nuggets and record them in a book that I won't mind anyone finding and reading. I think it will also be a great opportunity to revisit those great ideas and maybe even put some of them into action.

The morning I decided to burn these pages my inbox had a newsletter from Christine Kane about how clutter blocks success. Oh how I love synchronicity. She is generous to allow for republishing so I'm sharing her article here for you to read. She asks some great questions that I have been reflecting on all week. What are you holding onto? What can you let go of today?

The Year I Discovered How Clutter Blocks Success

I looked at my phone in horror. 

"You want me to what?" I said into it.

"It's time, Christine. You've been talking about that basement for weeks now. It's time to deal with it."

I had been working with my coach for months at this point. And even though I had reached certain levels of success in my career, I kept getting stuck in the same old ruts. I was about to record my fourth CD, and I was ready to move to a higher level. 

Thom was doing what good coaches do: listening carefully, seeing clearly - and of course, pushing me to take conscious action. 

So, he encouraged me to start small and completely clear out the junk 
in my basement. Thirty minutes a day.

One section at a time. Building momentum as I went. 

Each week, during our call, I'd report back on my progress. 

Each week, I had a new reason why I simply could not let go of some clutter-y item. 

"But I spent so much on it!" "I might need it someday!" "I could gain weight and need this again." "I paid such a good price for it!" 

To my credit, I did pretty well at letting go once Thom talked me through these old mindsets. 

Then came the week I had to face one particularly significant section of the basement.

It was where I stored various pieces of furniture I had gotten at the Salvation Army and at local flea markets when I first began my songwriting career. A bookcase, a kitchen table, a dresser, and a few shelves. I no longer liked or used this furniture because my tastes totally changed. I had begun to cherish beauty and opulence in my surroundings. I wanted to fill my home only with items that I loved.

"So, Christine," Thom asked. "Why don't you want to let these things go?" 

I was embarrassed. But I told him the truth. "Well, here's the thing. If my music career doesn't work out, I might need them one day. If I fail, and I don't have any money, I might wish I had kept these things." 

Long pause. 

"So, you'll be on the street - but at least you'll have that bookcase?" 

I laughed. 

Thom sighed. And what he said next has been a core lesson of creating my success and happiness. 

He said that everything in our lives has energy. Everything has our thoughts and emotions embedded into it. Old furniture is no exception. In essence, what I was saying to the universe and to my subconscious, creative self was this:

I believe so deeply in my own failure that I'm holding onto physical things that represent that possibility. Every time I walk by these items in my basement, I will be reminded of my inevitable failure. Every moment I'm in my house, my subconscious will know that in the very foundation of my life (my basement), there are items that prove I don't believe in my own success. 

That week, I called Goodwill, and scheduled an appointment to have the old furniture taken away. 

I'd love to report that I smiled and waved as the old clunky furniture was carried away. But the truth is I was terrified. I was letting go of my Plan B. I was saying to the Universe: "I thoroughly believe in my own success." 

I had never done that before in such a concrete way! 

As I wrote earlier, I began recording my fourth CD "Rain & Mud & Wild & Green" as I was clearing out the basement. That CD went on to sell five times more than any of my other CD's. It received rave reviews. Border's Books featured it on a listening post that year, and named it the top CD of the year in my category. 

Now, even though I know this success wasn't ONLY about letting go of my old flea market furniture, I have become a firm believer that we each need to pay attention to the energy of the stuff that surrounds us. We need to pay attention to what we are telling our subconscious minds when we hold on. 

Now you. 

What are you holding onto? What thoughts and beliefs are you putting out into the Universe by clinging to it? Are you telling yourself you don't believe in the inevitability of your own success and prosperity? Or that you don't believe you can expand and create better things in your life? 

Pick one thing - just one small thing - and let it go. Today!

---

Performer, songwriter, and creativity consultant Christine Kane publishes her 'LiveCreative' weekly ezine with more than 4,000 subscribers. If you want to be the artist of your life and create authentic and lasting success, you can sign up for a FRE*E subscription to LiveCreative atwww.christinekane.com.

Today's Affirmation: I am Courageous

It takes courage to try new things, to imagine our lives differently, to visit the old worn out stories that we've told about our lives for so many years and dare to rewrite them. It takes courage to be ourselves. In the last 24-hours I've witnessed courage in so many people:

• A new student in my Ikebana class
• Participants in the True North Arts Vision Journal Workshop
• A member of the True North Arts Yahoo! Board
• My dear friend who lives next door
• Colleagues at the office
• Peeps on Twitter

I thought about courage this morning and decided to pull an affirmation off of my fridge to share with you today. "I am courageous. I have the willingness to explore new possibilities."

What new possibilities will you explore today?

{soul hugs}
Kathryn Antyr, Collage Diva

Ikebana - Lesson 1 Practice

This evening my friends Mary Ellen and Mary Jane had me over for dinner. Mary Ellen introduced me to Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging. She has been taking classes now for two years. I brought over some flowers for us to arrange as a thank you gift for supper and to practice what I learned in lesson 1.

Selecting the flowers was tricky. I knew I wanted three branches and three flowers. I decided on the flowers you see above but decided to get some grass to add some extra character and fullness. See below.

I have seen where the grass has been tied into loops and here is my attempt at adding a little texture and shape to the negative space. As a beginner student, it is helpful to have the teacher select the flowers for each lesson. I have to admit, it was fun picking out my own combination here. I like the different textures and shapes.

It is customary to photograph the arrangement from the top. I really like how this looks.

A side view is also included in the study. It is interesting to see how the arrangement changes based on the angle of the photograph.

I am eager to go to class tomorrow to show my teacher these photos. I'll have a new arrangement tomorrow and will post more photos on Friday.

Thanks for stopping by!

Kathryn Antyr, Collage Diva

Ikebana - Lesson 1

Ikebana is the art of Japanese flower arranging. This week I started a beginner's class that will run for five weeks. Pictured above is my first arrangement. In each class we work on one arrangement that includes photographing it with two different backgrounds, from the top, and the side. We are to keep a notebook with diagrams and drawings of our arrangements along with our photos. I'm excited to head out today to pick up a new journal to keep a record of my studies. I'll post my journal pages as I get them done.

Here is a look at my arrangement with a different background. I love how the tall branches curve to create a lovely arch. The branches are umbrella ferns from Australia. They pair so nicely with the sunflowers. Notice the flower on the far right. See how it is facing up? Flowers are always positioned to face heaven. The branches around it are it's companion. I arranged these branches to embrace the flower.

Here is a look at my arrangement from the top.

This arrangement was done by a student who has been studying for eight years. Her assignment was to create an arrangement where the plants come out of the pot straight up and the top is arranged to be shaped like the container. The student is to create a sense of tension in this piece. I was honored to be able to photograph this arrangement. Isn't it lovely? Who knew that onions could be so elegant.

Another student of three years worked on the piece shown above. Her assignment was to work paper into her arrangement. She cut out the sky images from a magazine and attached them to the vase. I was so delighted to see this assignment. The teacher and students there have no idea that I am the collage diva and my love for paper. I learned a lot watching the advance students as I witnessed their arrangements take shape.

This is the start of a second arrangement by the student who is working with paper. Here she cut some handmade marbled paper. When I left class she was still working on adding more grass along the bottom to continue the movements and to tie in the top of the arrangement with the bottom.

I extend a heart felt thanks to the other students and my teacher. I have my arrangement set up at a spot in my kitchen where I walk by it often. It has a prominent place of honor.

To learn more about where I am taking my classes visit: Ikebana Flower in Nashua, New Hampshire.

New Workshop! True North Arts Vision Journaling Workshop

True North Arts Vision Journaling Workshop

~ Create the life of your dreams ~ NEW WORKSHOP!

Instructor: Kathryn Antyr

You are ready for this workshop if:

• You are ready to make a change in your life.
• You feel stuck and need help refocusing.
• You need help clarifying your dreams.
• You wonder if there is more to your life.

In this workshop you will:

• Learn to tune in and listen to your heart and soul.
• Clarify your goals and dreams by setting positive intentions.
• Explore the common blocks and obstacles and strategies to work through them.
• Create a vision journal and vision cards.

Join me on a new six-week online workshop series to create the life of your dreams. We’ll use collage, a fun and easy medium to design clear pictures of your heart’s true desire. This workshop goes beyond cutting and gluing magazine images -- it is a series of projects that review many of the principles made popular by the Laws of Attraction (see “The Secret”), Shakti Gawain’s “Creative Visualization” and Dr. Wayne Dyer’s work including “The Power of Intention” and “Excuses Be Gone.”

What is Visioning?

Visioning is the practice of clarifying what you want in your life that leads to making it real. Vision boards (also called dream boards and inspiration boards) are made by cutting and gluing magazine images and words onto a piece of paper, poster board or journal. It is an effective way to help you to “see” your dream. Creating a clear idea or picture of your dream is essential to making it happen.

Workshop Format

• The workshop can be accessed online anytime 24/7 at a password-protected e-course blog.
• Weekly lessons include several photos and colorful examples posted each Monday starting July 20, 2009.
• Work at your own pace - If you will be on vacation and will miss a week or two, not to worry, you can pick up where you left off.
• Registration is open until August 24, 2009, the last week of the series.
• Participation is optional. You are welcome to share your reflections and experiences as well as your vision boards but this is not required.
• Having a blog or Flickr account is not required but encouraged to share your work.
• I’ll be available to answer your questions by e-mail at kathrynantyr@mac.com.

Fee and Registration Process

This pilot program is being offered at a low introductory rate of $20 for 6 lessons.

• To Register click on the Pay Now button. You’ll be taken to a PayPal payment page.
• You may pay by money order. E-mail me at kathrynantyr@mac.com to make arrangements.
• After payment is received you’ll get a welcome message from me with instructions on how to access the workshop.
• Password: In the welcome message you will be provided a username and password to access the workshop.

Basic Supplies

• Sketchbook or blank journal (I like using a large sketchbook sized 11" x 14")
• Watercolor paper or card stock (for making the cards. I’ve even cut up old greeting cards)
• Notebook (optional for brainstorming, writing reflections, and note taking. You may want to use your sketchbook for this too.)
• Scissors
• Glue stick
• Brayer (optional)
• Magazines of various types
• Collect various things to cut up like greeting cards, junk mail, etc.
• Art and office supplies - the lessons may inspire you to pull out markers, highlighters, colored pencils, and other art supplies that you most likely already have on hand.
• Candle

About Kathryn Antyr, Collage Diva

Kathryn Antyr is a teacher and mixed media artist. For over ten years Kathryn’s students find her lessons to be insightful and inspiring. People from more than 60 countries have accessed her unique online art journal lessons in the last year. To see examples of Kathryn’s art journal lessons visit www.truenortharts.com.

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