Mixed media collage tutorial: Whispers from the past

Join me at the art table as I show you how to create a mixed media collage in your art journal.

It can be difficult to figure out how to begin an art journal page, but if you think about it layer by layer, it gets easier – and more fun! It is the same with collage – the key is to take it one step at a time.

I start this page by playing with marks and color. Beginning in this way, allowing for the intuitive exploration of colors and marks, makes for a much more expressive and interesting piece of art.

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On my art table: The healing journey

You know what they say about healing – you’re constantly spiraling back to your lessons, uncovering deeper and deeper layers that need to be healed.

And when you are in the collective year of The Hierophant, you can find yourself dismantling “the way things are done” in favor of the way you would rather live your own life, even though it may be counter-cultural.

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September 2021: Tarot spread for the new moon in Virgo

Plus some journaling questions, an astro-tarot forecast, exploration of the the Sabian symbol, and additional resources for the September 2021 new moon in Virgo.

Tarot spread for the September 2021 new moon in Virgo

The September 2021 new moon falls in the sign of Virgo. The Virgo archetype is logical and practical, with an eye for detail and the steadfastness to go after their goals. This is a sign that thrives on meticulous planning, on honing skills to perfection and gaining mastery over their chosen vocation.

Spiritually, the Virgo archetype teaches the principle of devotion. One way to understand this principle is by looking at it through the lens of one’s devotion to their craft. While all the buzz seems to point towards profiting from your passion, there are numerous examples of famous writers and artists who held down a day job for most of their lives. Franz Kafka was an insurance clerk, Harper Lee was an airline ticketing agent, Mark Rothko was an elementary school teacher and Paul Gauguin was a stockbroker. They could all have given in to the dull drudgery of making a living, but they didn’t – and the world is much richer for their devotion to their craft.

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Creative pep talk: Do what you love

Because everything else flows from there!

On this episode of the Art with Soul podcast, I offer you a short – and inspiring – creative pep talk to help you remember to do what you love. This is your reminder – and your permission slip – to follow your curiosity and create for yourself first. Everything else follows from there!

You’ll find the transcript {lightly edited for readability} below.

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Reading round-up: 5 books set against the backdrop of war

It’s a well-known fact that reading makes us more empathetic. How could it not? When we read, especially fiction, we can easily put ourselves in the shoes of the protagonists. We recreate the scenes from books in our imaginations, inhabiting the world of the characters on the page. That’s one of the reasons why books are almost always better than movies – the imagined worlds we create in our mind can rarely be captured in quite the same way on screen.

For this reason, I believe that reading stories set during war and conflict can help us build more empathy towards all people. Rarely are things as black and white as the leading narratives of the news cycle and social media trends have us believe.

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August 2021: Tarot spread for the full moon in Aquarius

Plus some journaling questions, an astro-tarot forecast, exploration of the the Sabian symbol, and additional resources for the August 2021 full moon in Aquarius.

Tarot spread for the August 2021 full moon in Aquarius

The August 2021 full moon falls in the sign of Aquarius — again. The independent, free-thinking Aquarius archetype encourages us to examine our inner wild self and celebrate everything that makes us unique. It is the archetype of the reformer, the idealist who strives for tolerance, unity, and a better and brighter society. And despite these rather lofty ideals, the Aquarius archetype isn’t afraid to get in there and get its hands dirty.

Spiritually, the Aquarius archetype teaches us how to be true to our own voice, to listen to and follow the calling of our own heart and soul. By learning how to tune in rather than out, by being true to the things that make us unique, we undertake the journey to individuation.

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On becoming your own patron

On hustle culture, the passion to profit myth and what it means to truly support your art

Image of an artist painting on the floor of her studio. Text reads Become your own patron

On this episode of the Art with Soul podcast, we talk about hustle culture, examine the current cultural narrative around the passion to profit myth, and discuss what it means to become your own patron.

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On my art table: Origin Stories

On time, and life, and our multi-dimensional being

Swirling currents, eddying over the surface of the water,

forming whirlpools that whisper to her their song of change.

As the waves crash over the rocks, the sea salt spray on her lips

carries the tale of the journeys that were and the journeys to come.

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August 2021: Tarot spread for the new moon in Leo

Plus some journaling questions, an astro-tarot forecast, exploration of the the Sabian symbol, and additional resources for the August 2021 new moon in Leo.

Tarot spread for the August 2021 new moon in Leo

The August 2021 new moon falls in the sign of Leo. The bold and dynamic Leo archetype infuses us with a passionate zest for living. It is the archetype of the fiery creative who is confident and unafraid to stand in the spotlight. But this infectious dynamic can also succumb to its shadow aspects of overbearing pride, drama and arrogance.

Spiritually, the Leo archetype teaches the principle of creative manifestation. Clarity of thought and focussed energy, which points to the spiritual principle that your beliefs about life tend to shape your life. You can see this spiritual principle at play with a regular gratitude practice. When you cultivate an active gratitude practice, you tend to experience a shift in your life and circumstances. And while your life may not change dramatically, your outlook to life can certainly shift.

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Social media for artists: A fresh perspective

Is social media really important for artists

On this episode of the Art with Soul podcast, I talk about social media, especially as it pertains to artists, and hustle culture. There’s no denying that social media can take up a lot of our time — both as consumers and creators of content. But when does content creation become something we do just to feed the algorithm, and how can we take back control of our time?

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