Journal Girl

vivid soul*ful art & a creative kick in the pants
  • Home
  • the girl
    • About
    • Blog (2007 - Aug 2013)
    • Couch Art
  • Portfolio
    • Paintings
    • Gel Prints
    • Journal Pages
    • 30 Minutes a Day
  • Offerings
    • Art Journal Summer Camp 2014
    • Friendly Faces
    • Gelli Print Junk Journal
    • Digital Adventures
    • Video Guides
    • Inspiration Ink Club
  • Shop
    • Custom Journal Shop
    • Online Classes
    • Digital Collage Sheets
    • E-Books & Zines
    • Etsy - Original Artwork & More!
  • Home
    • About
    • Blog (2007 - Aug 2013)
    • Couch Art
    • Paintings
    • Gel Prints
    • Journal Pages
    • 30 Minutes a Day
    • Art Journal Summer Camp 2014
    • Friendly Faces
    • Gelli Print Junk Journal
    • Digital Adventures
    • Video Guides
    • Inspiration Ink Club
    • Custom Journal Shop
    • Online Classes
    • Digital Collage Sheets
    • E-Books & Zines
    • Etsy - Original Artwork & More!

Home

  • All
  • 30 days 30 pages
  • 30 minutes a day
  • art journal
  • Color
  • finding her
  • Journal Girl Review
  • life + art lessons
  • Mandalas
  • Mood Board Monday
  • Paintings
  • Tutorials
  • Video
image.jpg

Release and remember

Samie Kira December 6, 2018

A lot of my work lately is about two things:

1. the tactile nature of creating with my hands rather than a brush.

(Ok, I do use a brush once and awhile, but not for spreading paint!)

2. the self-reflection and pep-talks needed to get through the Tough Shit.

Sitting on the floor is not the most comfortable position, but I now have a better understanding on how Frida was able to paint while in bed, or a wheelchair. I always wondered how she mustered up the energy and passion needed to create despite terrible pain. She's been an idol of mine for years, and helped with creating my couch box for art while in bed/on the couch. Still, I'd be tired, and in pain, so I would just look at my phone or watch TV.

When you have a real passion for what you're doing, when you *must* express your inner self, pain becomes fuel, not the blanket that smuthers it out.

Somehow, once I get into the flow of things, I forget myself past my thoughts and hands. I allow myself to stay in the moment by focusing on the feel of paint between my fingers, the way chalk sticks, the little bits of glue I habitually peel off (getting glue off my fingers is one of my favorite quirks). When I need a moment, I wash my hands in my water jar. Leaning over, leg going numb - none of it matters when I'm playing on the page or surface.

image.jpg

Honestly, I've been painting on the box an Amazon order came in a few weeks ago. It's just cardboard, so there's no pressure to make anything nice or perfect. I can work without thought, letting the colors I've spread inspire me for the next step. Little bits, big swaths of color, details, paper. One leads to the next. Over and over.

And there comes a moment when I stop. The colors aren't inspiring any more. The space is filled. Call it magic, call it the unconcious, but I get to a moment when I *know* what I need to write. What I need to get out to help clear my mind of distractions. Most of my pieces are pep talks or kind suggestions to myself.

image.jpg

You see, I've yelled at and hated parts of myself for years and nothing ever got better. So I decided, why not treat myself with love instead? Just try it out for a week, see if it helps. And it does! Yes, I still struggle, but I'm so much more gentle with myself.

So I add these words. They just...come to me. Like they're coming from an unknown source that knows *exactly* what I need to hear/read to help calm whatever's rubbing me the wrong way. And no, I don't just create when sad or depressed. Sometimes, I create to help someone else' pain. Or something I feel people need to hear. I don't really question it, I just *do it.*

(And yes, when I got up last night to put my sheets in the dryer since Edie threw up on them...ugh...I had to walk hunched over because my back had frozen and straighten was not something I wanted to do. I shuffled to the dryer. It isn't far. And I was able to tolerate that because I'd just created art I liked, art I've always wanted to make, so...so what if I can't stand up? Or that my leg goes numb, my knee flares up. The reward of art created, of feelings processed, that makes it worth it. I also relax and watch tv or read to loosen up before bed.)

There is so much more I could write about, or share. For now, I'll just show you the art and the details I love.

image.jpg
image.jpg
Inart journal, life + art lessons, finding her
  • Home
  • Older
  • Newer
Transient

Hi there! I'm Samantha Kira Harding, aka Samie, a writer, artist, & videographer from Phoenix, Arizona. 

When I'm not rockin' it on freelance video & graphic design gigs, I'm painting, and writing. All. The. Time. 

I exhibit locally in Phoenix & attend fairs with my artwork and book, 101 Mixed Media Techniques. 

I've had Fibromyalgia/CFS for 17 years, along with an alphabet soup of medical issues. Creativity and art saved my life. I also write about grief, suicide/mental illness awareness, and chronic illness. 

Search:

Join the Studio community, a place for art, health and happiness! 

Join the Studio community, a place for art, health and happiness! 

Transient

RSS Feed

Transient

Instagram Feed:
(I do a lot of mobil blogging there!)

A flare up had me spending the day at home, mostly in bed or in my recliner. So I had a little fun in my art journal with some easy-to-use supplies. Having a couch box close at hand means I have the ability to make art no matter how I’m feeling. A little bit of paint on your fingers can make you feel better no matter how crummy you feel! #journalgirl
A flare up had me spending the day at home, mostly in bed or in my recliner. So I had a little fun in my art journal with some easy-to-use supplies. Having a couch box close at hand means I have the ability to make art no matter how I’m feeling. A little bit of paint on your fingers can make you feel better no matter how crummy you feel! #journalgirl
This is where keeping at it really shows its rewards. As I was working on this page, I began to dislike it. I think I started to get an image in my mind as to what I wanted it to become, and that got in the way of what *it* wanted to become. 
Over the years, I’ve learned my best work comes from allowing one mark to influence the next. This developed naturally when I first got treatment for my general anxiety disorder when it got bad enough it interrupted daily life. When dealing with uncertainty and intense anxiety, sometimes, you can only deal with the next 5 minutes. Do what you can in the now and worry about 5 minutes. Now, this window of time expands as you work through things and get therapy, but with my art, I keep the same mindset. 
Make a mark. Make another. How does this color look next to this one? What if I dipped my fingers in this color? How about a line here? What if I used my left hand? 
Don’t think about the final product. Just let the art lead you. And keep letting it until it tells you it’s finished. What marks can you make today? What new ideas can you give room in your life today? #journalgirl
This is where keeping at it really shows its rewards. As I was working on this page, I began to dislike it. I think I started to get an image in my mind as to what I wanted it to become, and that got in the way of what *it* wanted to become. Over the years, I’ve learned my best work comes from allowing one mark to influence the next. This developed naturally when I first got treatment for my general anxiety disorder when it got bad enough it interrupted daily life. When dealing with uncertainty and intense anxiety, sometimes, you can only deal with the next 5 minutes. Do what you can in the now and worry about 5 minutes. Now, this window of time expands as you work through things and get therapy, but with my art, I keep the same mindset. Make a mark. Make another. How does this color look next to this one? What if I dipped my fingers in this color? How about a line here? What if I used my left hand? Don’t think about the final product. Just let the art lead you. And keep letting it until it tells you it’s finished. What marks can you make today? What new ideas can you give room in your life today? #journalgirl
Lunchtime art journaling. 
I used to be self-conscious about making art while at work. I have a very Grown Up Job in a corporate environment, where I try to dress nice and do my make up, so I felt weird pulling out my art journal and colored pencils or pens. Most people read, or watch things on their phones. But I’m here with art supplies sprawled out on the table, drawing or spreading color. 
Now, though, it’s a welcome break from being on the computer all day, talking to people, and investigating. I can switch my brain over and be creative, allowing myself a bit of down time in the middle of the day. 
It’s the same thing when creating in public. Who cares what you’re doing? Most people are focused on themselves. Unless they’re me - I once saw some guys sketching at a donut shop and had to stop and look through their drawings. We got to talking creativity and stolen moments at work to draw a bit. It was fun! Art in public allows you to make connections and maybe inspire others. 
So I challenge you to try it. Even if you just have a pen and paper and do something small. Get out there and make your art wherever you can and don’t worry about what other people may see. #journalgirl
Lunchtime art journaling. I used to be self-conscious about making art while at work. I have a very Grown Up Job in a corporate environment, where I try to dress nice and do my make up, so I felt weird pulling out my art journal and colored pencils or pens. Most people read, or watch things on their phones. But I’m here with art supplies sprawled out on the table, drawing or spreading color. Now, though, it’s a welcome break from being on the computer all day, talking to people, and investigating. I can switch my brain over and be creative, allowing myself a bit of down time in the middle of the day. It’s the same thing when creating in public. Who cares what you’re doing? Most people are focused on themselves. Unless they’re me - I once saw some guys sketching at a donut shop and had to stop and look through their drawings. We got to talking creativity and stolen moments at work to draw a bit. It was fun! Art in public allows you to make connections and maybe inspire others. So I challenge you to try it. Even if you just have a pen and paper and do something small. Get out there and make your art wherever you can and don’t worry about what other people may see. #journalgirl
artjournals.jpg
findingher.jpg
inthestudio.jpg
thingslearned.jpg
tutorials.jpg
videos.jpg
Going Further: Finding Yourself in Creative Art Journaling
By Samantha Kira Harding
101 Mixed Media Techniques
By Cherril Doty, Isaac Anderson, Jennifer McCully, Linda Robertson Womack, Samantha Kira Harding, Suzette Rosenthal

BUY ON B&N.com

Transient
Check out my stamp line @ Paperbag Studios!

Check out my stamp line @ Paperbag Studios!

Transient

Check out the archives!
See what blogs I love.

Search for some inspiration below:

facebook instagram youtube instagram instagram
  • Privacy & Copyright
  • Archives

Journal Girl

vivid soul*ful art & a creative kick in the pants

Journal Girl | PO Box 8743, Mesa, AZ 85214, USA

facebook instagram youtube instagram instagram