Collage Diva

AEDM #23 - Storytelling + Collage

Today I've been working up the details for my newest online workshop. I couldn't resist putting a key in the digital collage above. The background is a combination of an art journal page and a painted background layer. I blended the two layers. The key is from a bookstore promotion of the book series, "Leven Thumps."  I offer several affordable online workshops. The next series of workshops will begin in January. CLICK HERE to read about all three workshops.

Storytelling+Collage: Unlock Your Own Story

We are all living myths. We are the hero of our stories.

Using the intuitive process of collage making, participants will visually explore their own inward and outward journeys. Each week a new prompt and ideas will be shared based on Joseph Campbell's work on myths and the Hero's Journey. The series of collages will be the basis for writing our own stories. What stories do you tell about your own life's journey? This is an opportunity to explore your stories and even rewrite them.

Starts: January 14, 2010

Duration: 8-weeks!

Price: $30

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 Thursday starting January 14, 2010.
• Work at your own pace - If life gets busy, not to worry, you can pick up where you left off.
• Registration ($30) will remain open until March 1, 2010. Participants can take their time working through the lessons as the workshop remains available to them until December 31, 2009.
• Participation is optional. You are welcome to share your reflections and experiences as well as your journal pages 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.

This workshop is being offered at the budget friendly amount of $30 for eight weeks.

• 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 a week before the workshop 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.

SoulCollage - One of Those Days

Last week I pulled out some magazines and decided to make 2 SoulCollage cards in under 1 hour. One thing I learned from one of my art teachers is that I have the tendency to work slowly. He would push me out of my comfort zone and into the creative zone. So on this day I decided to give myself a time limit and see what images come up in the cards that I created.

Here is my interpretation of the card above: "I am the one who runs and runs and runs toward an unknown future that seems to spiral off into a fog. I feel the pressure of moving forward. I feel overwhelmed. I feel like I'm not enough. I feel ready to quit. Then I look up and I see a turtle gliding swiftly and gracefully. A large feather comes in to view and I realize that I can stop running and be like the feather - soft and light. I now think of tension as forming like a bead of water on the feather andI know it is time to let it roll."

I'm always amazed at the inner work that I do each time I create a SoulCollage card. The morning after making the card I stepped out of my car to head into the office and there was a little feather, perfectly shaped. I smiled and picked it up and twirled it in my hand as I made my way up the stairs and down the hall to my little workspace. This token is my new touchstone and it reminds me to "be like a feather."

Since making this card I'm easing up on myself. I'm just having fun and sharing what I do both at the office and here in bloglandia. I know I find myself in this "running into the fog" state-of-mind by comparing myself with others. I'm impressed each day with all of the talent, especially in bloglandia. My lesson here is that there is room for me in this amazing world of creatives.

This morning I received an e-mail from Goddess Leone who shared her recent blog post, titled, "One of those Days." As I read it I kept nodding my head and saying, ahhhh, yes, hmmmm. I felt comforted by our similar experiences but surprised as I've looked at Goddess Leone as someone who is making it and yet here she shares her own feelings of not being successful. Here I send the darling Goddess Leone a SOUL HUG and I invite anyone who visits my blog to take a moment to visit her and give her a big SOUL HUG. Be sure to leave her a juicy comment that tells her just how talented she is.

Now for my second SoulCollage card. This one is very different from any of my other cards. This time I invite *YOU* to leave me a comment in response to the card. In your comment finish the following sentence,

"I am the one who _____________________________."

I think we have all felt like the pouting princess.

I hope that in this day your tensions bead up like water droplets and you feel like the feather. Let it roll!

{soul hugs}

Kathryn, Collage Diva

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®

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®

Hero's Journey

Here is an invitation to enter the garden and take up the hero’s journey.

The friendly guides along the way remind you to follow your heart.

Pass through the lake of lights and follow the windy path up to the tower.

Don't be afraid to walk down the stairs for they lead to a deep well where creative ideas are found.

Take this lantern back with you. It is filled from the creative source.

Your soul sisters are here to guide you back by way of the healing blue waters.

Listen carefully to the song of your sisters. They sing...

The journey continues at Mother Henna's fabulous Summer Solstice Blog Party. CLICK HERE to visit the other heroes.

Join me here next Saturday for the magical Mad Tea Blog Party hosted by A Fanciful Twist.

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®

For my friend's who have been visiting my blog regularly I wanted thank you! I've decided to take more time on my animation before publishing it today. Trust me it will be well worth the wait. I'll post some preview shots in the weeks to come so you can see some of the behind the scenes. I hope you all have a fun and delightful week!

SoulCollage for a New Year

Last night I rang in the new year with a good friend. We get together each year and work on a collage project. I made the two SoulCollage cards posted here and I worked on the first Soul Journal activity for 2009, "Weaving Our Dreams." It has been a couple of weeks since I worked in my Soul Journal and I'm eager to get back into the creative rhythm. Each Sunday I'll post a new Soul Journal activity.

I call the SoulCollage card above, "The Tea Run."

I haven't named this SoulCollage card. I haven't done a reading on it yet so I don't have much to say about it. The horse seems to be a recurring image in my collages - I think this represents my power. I love water - I'm a fire sign and water for me is how I cool down. Am I the one who is taking charge or looking on, confused? There is a lot going on in this card.

I had a wonderful evening. I hope you did too.

Places to Visit:
SoulCollage
Creative Every Day
Soul Journal

SoulCollage - Quiet Time

The holidays are a busy time. This weekend I am taking some time to read, journal, and look within. I made this SoulCollage card on Christmas day. It was evening after a busy day and I was feeling a bit sad about one friendship that I've seemed to have lost. A friend gave me some advice that sounded like advice I would give myself -- go make something. I always feel better after creating. This is a very simple SoulCollage card as it is made up of only two images. When I look at it I feel comforted by the expression on the woman's face. She is taking time for herself. I'm following her lead and I'm taking time for myself - to find my quiet, happy place to rejuvenate and renew.

Creative Every Day #28

Learn more about SoulCollage.
Visit Creative Every Day.

SoulCollage - In the Balance

I think the "balancing act" theme will likely be a recurring theme for my entire life - so I better get use to it! It really is the ultimate challenge. Because I find so many things interesting and life demands so many things that I'm sure my juggling skills will get pretty good in time, or at least I hope.

I really have fun creating these SoulCollage cards. In this card I was captivated by the pink image. In years past I've hated pink as it just reminded me of Barbie and the last thing I want to be is a Barbie. Now I'm fascinated by pink. I love pink with brown, pink with orange, pink and yellow. I still prefer red and I'm not likely to wear pink but I will be playing with it in my journal and projects.

Creative Day #3

What are you doing today to be creative?

Visit Creative Every Day.

Happy Thanksgiving

There are so many things that I am grateful for on this Thanksgiving day. As I was looking through my images I settled on this SoulCollage card that I made last Friday. The image of the father and daughter is a tender one for me. For 12+ years I lived far away from my dad and I'm grateful for the time we've had together since I moved back to New England. In the last four years, my son and I enjoy weekly visits with my dad.

I wish you all a wonderful holiday filled with lots of love!

SoulCollage - The Dance

I made this SoulCollage card on Friday night. A couple of friends and I get together once a month to create these little works of art. What I love the most about SoulCollage is how the collages speak to me.

This card reflects the balancing act that I'm doing these days. Standing on top is a dancer who is keeping her balance atop of some playful whales. The child reaching out is that desire I have to connect with the many wonders of life. The spiral staircase is my environment - ever moving and ever changing. All the while there is this large Buddha statue, peacefully holding it all up.

This is a fitting card as my own creative dance continues. Here I am starting a new blog. I've put in so many hours into my old blog and I can't believe I'm back to ground zero! My hope is that Typepad will resolve some of the technical difficulties that I had with MAC's iWeb.

This blog, is my personal playground on the digital highway. I've made another blog for the Soul Journal prompts. While it is taking a lot of work to set all of this up, once I get in the groove, I think it will work out really well.

For those who are following along with the Soul Journal prompts, you'll see that I'm a bit behind on the Advent calendar instructions. Hang tight!