The Darkness Seems To Be Starting To Lift

As some of you might have noticed, I have been quiet for about 4 month. Haven't done anything art related during all that time as well.

Even the 2 year long art journal projects turned into a plain diary like this for me.

Those months have been really hard on me:
* my daughter changed schools in the middle of the graduation year
* we all moved because of that
* she barely graduated and was diagnosed with chronic illness
* I had less and less income and got sick again and again
* I spiraled down into a really deep dark hole without having the money to get professional help
etc. etc.

Even the great job my youngest son did during his first year at art school and other nice things were barely holding me over the surface.

But, lately, the huge heavy darkness seems to be starting to lift now and then.

Tomorrow, my daughter is having her graduation ceremony. I just finished a tulle skirt for her gown and hope to shoot a decent pic of her in it tomorrow.

And I'm starting to add some color to my diary pages. :)

How have you been lately?  You know I'm always happy to hear from you, right?

Please, feel free to leave a comment here or contact me at ritajc(at)inbox(dot)lv.

Going Deep

As I had not a single acceptable translation job offer since the beginning of the year, I have more than enough time to work in my 2 new journals and for other stuff.

Although the lack of jobs makes me a bit nervous, I'm really thankful for this time with less outside and much more inside work.

Art journaling makes me go deep, always. Or I don't see any sense in spending time and supplies for it.

It feels like this year might become a turning point in the life of me and my 2 youngest kids.

And these 2 year long art journaling projects are helping me: one of them mostly to deal with the past, the other - to make decisions for my next future.

These are some of the pages I have worked on during the last week.

To see more inspiring creativity jump over to any of these sites

Paint Party Friday

Creative Every Day

And you know I'm always happy to hear from you, right?

Please, feel free to leave a comment here or contact me at ritajc(at)inbox(dot)lv

Loving The Process

So, I have participated in those 2 free year long art journal projects every day so far: pondering the prompts, selecting images, shooting pics, gluing, painting, brayering, layering, doodling, writing, interacting in the respective Facebook groups, and, generally, having much fun. :)

Yesterday, I even stumbled upon this great material about the therapeutic benefits of art journaling.

This is, how my covers and first spreads look for now.

(Sorry for the funny direction of the last one, but blogger wouldn't flip it back :D

As far, as I know me and my style, I'm pretty sure most of them aren't finished yet. And I'm taking my time, as I really love to be in this process again. :)

To see more inspiring creativity jump over to any of these sites

Paint Party Friday

Creative Every Day

And you know I'm always happy to hear from you, right?

Please, feel free to leave a comment here or contact me at ritajc(at)inbox(dot)lv