tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66831381932715348212024-03-13T23:57:01.123-04:00Honeysuckle Cottage and Wisteria StudioSusan Ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07711663371096722391noreply@blogger.comBlogger185125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683138193271534821.post-28581029631833545262015-04-01T16:57:00.000-04:002016-06-09T08:18:22.426-04:00International Fake Journal Month 2015For the second year, I am participating in Roz Stendahl's <a href="http://officialinternationalfakejournalblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">International Fake Journal Month</a>. I will be writing as Lily Roberts, the character I created last year. This year Lily will be writing poetry. If you are interested in following that, please go to <a href="http://ilyrs.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">this blog</a> where I will be posting daily. Hope to see you there!Susan Ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07711663371096722391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683138193271534821.post-10571906063926052942015-03-09T17:12:00.001-04:002015-03-09T17:12:18.914-04:00What's Ahead for MarchThe long month of February with snowfall after snowfall and lots and lots of shoveling, extended into the first week of March. But now, coinciding with the time change, Spring seems to be making its way back.<br />
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And with it, lots of new opportunities: <br />
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I am taking another Botanical Watercolor class with <a href="http://www.artbygilbane.com/" target="_blank">Cindy Gilbane</a> of the <a href="http://www.ctnsi.com/" target="_blank">CT Natural Science Illustrators</a>. That runs until the first week of April.<br />
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On Saturday I'm taking part in an online SoulCollage workshop entitled <a href="http://www.kaleidosoul.com/come-as-you-are.html" target="_blank"><i>Come As You Are</i></a>, led by Anne Marie Bennett. That runs for four weeks.<br />
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On Tuesday, March 24th, I begin a ten week training program to become a <a href="http://www.ctaudubon.org/center-at-fairfield/#sthash.7bvgaIa0.xGYEua8S.dpbs" target="_blank">Master Naturalist with the CT Audubon Society</a>. This is a program I have been waiting for almost three years to be offered. <br />
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In addition to doing the at home work for these courses, I am also preparing for the <a href="http://www.kaleidosoul.com/training.html" target="_blank">SoulCollage Facilitator training</a> I will be taking in early April, also with Anne Marie. That will be held in Massachusetts. <br />
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April is also <a href="http://officialinternationalfakejournalblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">International Fake Journal Month </a>and I want to do that again as well. I have an idea for how I will approach that this year and would like to get started on that.<br />
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So much to look forward to and to juggle along with ongoing work and the beginning of spring garden chores.<br />
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And lastly, next week I find out if I have been accepted to <a href="http://divinity.yale.edu/admissions/master-arts-religion" target="_blank">Yale Divinity School</a> and the <a href="http://ism.yale.edu/academic-life/graduate-study/divinity-degreesprograms/religion-and-arts" target="_blank">Institute of Sacred Music</a>. I applied to both back in November and have been patiently waiting to hear. Their decision will alter the months ahead in one direction or another. If I am accepted, I will concentrate more on the immediate tasks/chores that need doing so that they are completed before two years of full time study. If I am not accepted, or accepted but not given much financial assistance which might cause me to decline acceptance, I will move ahead with the Plan B steps I have ready to go. If I am accepted, I will be sure to do a post explaining why I chose to apply there, what I plan to study and where I see my future headed.<br />
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I'll post again next week. Until then, enjoy the unfolding of this new season.<br />
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Susan Ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07711663371096722391noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683138193271534821.post-67598118343152608012015-02-02T20:45:00.000-05:002015-03-04T20:46:50.161-05:00A Month of PrintmakingA friend of mine is out of town for the month of February and has
graciously allowed me to rent her studio for the month. She has a small printmaking
press that I will be able to use. This is going to be a great
opportunity for me to get to finish some projects and work on ones that
have been in my mind or in my notebook for a long time. Having a place
where I can lay out my materials and not have to share a press with
anyone else is going to be shear delight! Whenever I take a class or workshop, there are
always others waiting to use the press.<br />
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I plan to spend three days
a week there, weather depending. A winter snow storm just finished
dumping 14" of snow here. We are still shoveling out. The parking lot at
the studio won't be cleared until mid morning tomorrow. I hope to get
there tomorrow.<br />
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I will post photos of my work in progress as I do them.Susan Ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07711663371096722391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683138193271534821.post-9308785463627916442015-01-28T21:44:00.000-05:002015-03-09T20:30:47.366-04:00Turquoise Calling Part III added some mark making to begin to add detail to this intuitive painting.<br />
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I'm satisfied with what I've got so won't be adding anything else for now.Susan Ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07711663371096722391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683138193271534821.post-29147598348702819742015-01-22T11:57:00.000-05:002015-03-09T20:29:05.709-04:00Turquoise CallingLast winter I was <a href="http://susanernst.blogspot.com/2014/02/craving-magenta-visual-journal.html" target="_blank">craving the color Magenta</a>. This week, the colors turquoise, cerulean blue, blue greens and saps greens have been calling me. I started a <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/ernstsusan/blue-green-color-scheme/" target="_blank">Pinterest board</a> for these color combinations.<br />
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This morning I had the strong urge to paint with these colors. Realizing that watercolors fit the criteria I was looking for as stated in my previous post, I pulled out these colors from the watercolor and gouache tubes I have. Working on a watercolor block, I began. Over the course of the morning I covered the surface with color.<br />
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I am letting this dry, then will come back and begin adding some sort of details with markers, oil pastels and more paint.<br />
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Susan Ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07711663371096722391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683138193271534821.post-41097586013732647482015-01-09T16:04:00.002-05:002015-01-22T11:41:48.417-05:00Creative Play TimeOne of my New Year's Resolutions is to be a bit more spontaneous and carefree in my creative process. I have always been a serious, thoughtful person, not given much to frivolity. Everything I do, I do with an intention. This sometimes prevents me from actually being creative. If I don't have a clear outcome for what I am thinking of doing, I tend to dismiss it. But over time I have been learning that it is more about the process than the product. It is the time spent being creative that feels so good. But the time (or desire) to work on a specific piece isn't always available and as a result, I don't spend time in my studio. I want to change that. I want my studio to be a place to have fun all the time! I spent a few days cleaning up and clearing off counter space. There is much more to do, but for now I am taking a break from that and working on a few things. A few just-for-fun or just-because-it-interests-me things. Not creating for the sake of selling or exhibiting.<br />
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This morning I had the urge to create something large. As it was snowing quite heavily, I could not go out to my husband's workshop to get a large piece of Masonite to use as a support, so settled for a 20x30 inch piece of foam core. To this I taped a sheet of drawing paper. Wanting to work quickly without having to set up, prep and clean up, I decided to work with dry media - colored and graphite pencils, crayons and oil pastels.<br />
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Listening to a "mental" recording of a favorite song, I closed my eyes and drew, with long sweeping movements, how the lyrics and music felt. Then I began coloring in the resulting shapes. This is so different from what I usually do, but so freeing as I have no plan and no desired outcome. It will become what it will become. I may like it. I may hate it. It doesn't matter, as long as I continue to enjoy the creating of it. There is much to discover in the actual doing. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Progress</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Progress</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Update: I worked a few times more on this but decided I wasn't enjoying it. I didn't like the way my hand and arm were smearing the graphite and I didn't like the tediousness of coloring in the areas. I was looking for something spontaneous, but I guess pencils and oil pastels don't offer that when trying to color in large areas in a short time. So I ditched this. But I learned from it!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As far as this progressed</td></tr>
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<br />Susan Ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07711663371096722391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683138193271534821.post-54562040645541100372014-08-23T19:19:00.002-04:002014-10-13T08:43:36.857-04:00Artists and Artisans in Paradise 2014Tomorrow is the BIG DAY. I have been working with the Stratford Arts Guild Show Committee for the past four months to make this a spectacular must see show and destination. I think we have done everything we could possibly do. Now we just need people to show up, enjoy it and buy art!<br />
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I have also been very busy most of this month (and earlier this summer) creating work for this show. I wanted a nice body of new work for it. It would have been great to complete a few more pieces, but am pleased with what I was able to do. <br />
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Here is some of what I recently created:<br />
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Working with the drawings of a few weeks ago, I created these three 14x11 panels. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden Cosmos Series Mixed Media </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Wanting to work with the vintage ephemera I have been collecting (see my <a href="http://instagram.com/susane220" target="_blank">Instagram</a> account for more on that), I began this new series I am entitling <i>Natural History</i>. I would have liked to have competed at least two more of these for the show, but ran out of time.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natural History I</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Lastly I wanted to do a few more sets of Garden Songbird Silhouettes. I really love working on these little guys. They make me so happy. Both for painting the cute little birds, but also because many of the vintage papers I use are from my Grandmother. Seeing her handwriting and other pieces connected to her fills me with joy. She was a special person in my life. </div>
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<br />Susan Ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07711663371096722391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683138193271534821.post-84483508772249679892014-08-14T12:21:00.000-04:002014-08-14T12:21:32.262-04:00Painting As TherapyI found out today, after waiting three weeks for results, that I tested negative for Lyme disease but the lab failed to test for the other tick borne diseases. When I saw the doctor three weeks ago I expressed my concern that I thought I might have babesiosis this time. And I still don't know if that is the case. Guess I should be thankful that it isn't Lyme this time. (Though it could still be; negative results are not a guarantee that it isn't present and active.) Have to go for new lab work. Sigh...<br />
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In the meantime, I have been pushing through my days, doing what I can and resting when I need to.<br />
I did start the Cosmos Flowers mixed media paintings on Tuesday. I've completed the first and am working on the second today. Here is a progress shot:<br />
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I'm also developing ideas for some collages. Here is a shot of that:</div>
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<br />Susan Ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07711663371096722391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683138193271534821.post-10357709084285694922014-08-07T14:15:00.000-04:002014-08-14T12:11:13.417-04:00Sketching in the GardenHello there! It has been awhile! Instagram has become my primary venue for sharing photos and my activity since it is so easy, but figure it is time to get back to blogging at least a little bit!<br />
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This morning I spent about an hour sketching these delightful Cosmos. I have begun a series of paintings which will feature them. The sun became too intense and forced me to go inside. I plan to work from the photos to finish the sketch. <br />
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I have been struggling with some health issues over the past three weeks or so and have limited amounts of energy. Each morning I ask myself how best to use this limited and precious resource. Today it was getting this drawing started. After lunch and a shower to wash off the insect repellent and sunblock, I will take a nap. Then hopefully I will have time and renewed vigor to finish this. I want to start on the paintings soon! Like tomorrow! This is quite frustrating!!<br />
<br />Susan Ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07711663371096722391noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683138193271534821.post-40236485801590998912014-06-26T12:00:00.000-04:002014-06-26T12:00:49.944-04:00Instagram<br />
<style>.ig-b- { display: inline-block; }<br>.ig-b- img { visibility: hidden; }<br>.ig-b-:hover { background-position: 0 -60px; } .ig-b-:active { background-position: 0 -120px; }<br>.ig-b-48 { width: 48px; height: 48px; background: url(//badges.instagram.com/static/images/ig-badge-sprite-48.png) no-repeat 0 0; }<br>@media only screen and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2), only screen and (min--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 2), only screen and (-o-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2 / 1), only screen and (min-device-pixel-ratio: 2), only screen and (min-resolution: 192dpi), only screen and (min-resolution: 2dppx) {<br>.ig-b-48 { background-image: url(//badges.instagram.com/static/images/ig-badge-sprite-48@2x.png); background-size: 60px 178px; } }</style><br /><a class="ig-b- ig-b-48" href="http://instagram.com/susane220?ref=badge"><img alt="Instagram" src="//badges.instagram.com/static/images/ig-badge-48.png" /></a><br />
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I'm on Instagram, are you? <br />
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I've been using Instagram more frequently and am enjoying it as a new and different way to connect and interact with others. So I was happy to read that the 2014 Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt organized by Rinda Ontiveros is using Instagram as an avenue for posting photos. I am posting my finds there and will do one blog post here when I have completed the list, or summer has ended. Whichever comes first! <br />
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To see what I am posting, click on the icon above.<br />
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To learn more about the 2014 Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt, click <a href="http://gallorganico.blogspot.com/2014/06/2014-summertime-photography-scavenger.html" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
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Susan Ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07711663371096722391noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683138193271534821.post-53786638840737464872014-05-09T13:40:00.000-04:002014-07-16T13:38:31.377-04:00Evaluation of the Fake Journal Experience<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NhuGNTxn4D4/U20NfLEHaiI/AAAAAAAAG9g/G4g73LOfZHE/s1600/Day+30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NhuGNTxn4D4/U20NfLEHaiI/AAAAAAAAG9g/G4g73LOfZHE/s1600/Day+30.jpg" height="400" width="271" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last Page of <a href="http://lilyrs.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Lily's Journal</a></td></tr>
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<a href="http://officialinternationalfakejournalblog.blogspot.com/2014/04/international-fake-journal-month-2014.html" target="_blank">Roz Stendahl suggested in her last blog post</a> that participants of International Fake Journal Month set the recently completed journal aside for a week and move on to a new project. Then take the journal out, read through it and really study and evaluate it. What did you like about the experience? What worked? What didn't. Write it down so that you have it for future reference.<br />
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Here is my evaluation.<br />
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I liked the freedom I felt I had to create and write anything. I was able to say things that I have been thinking about, wondering about, hoping, but that aren't necessarily real life for me. By making these experiences real in someone else's life, I got to be a part of them too. I could combine my own memories with bits and pieces of other people's lives and make it Lily's life and world. I liked that I could put a little bit of me in her friends and in her family. I loved her parents. The relationship she has with them is what I've wished for myself (though didn't know that until working on this journal.) I would have loved to have had a close relationship with an interesting, wise, loving father. My dad may have been, but I didn't get the chance to find out. And I think that subconsciously I may have wished that my mom had had a strong, loving, supportive husband to share her years with. I hope that the relationship Lily has with her parents is the type of relationship Alina feels she has with us. Lily is modeled somewhat after Alina (my 26 year old daughter) and her love of New York City, with some of Beth, an old friend, (confidence) and Paula, my sister in law, (independent) added in.<br />
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It is hard to know for certain how the character of Lily Roberts came to be. I do think that if I hadn't created my <i>Identity</i> Visual Journal* this past winter, Lily would not have been the character I developed for this fake journal. <a href="http://susanernst.blogspot.com/2014/02/my-inner-hero-historian.html" target="_blank">My Inner Hero, the Historian</a>, is in large part who Lily is. Her love of medieval history and art is because of <a href="http://susanernst.blogspot.com/2014/02/my-inner-hero-monk.html" target="_blank">My Inner Hero, The Monk</a>. Her parents characters came about because of my desire for a father to grow up with. See my <a href="http://susanernst.blogspot.com/2014/02/my-inner-hero-child.html" target="_blank">Inner Hero, The Child</a>. <br />
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Notes on the art of the journal: <br />
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<u>What I liked:</u><br />
The paper held the paint well. It didn't curl much.<br />
The pens write over the professional acrylic paints beautifully.<br />
Lesson learned: use the cheap acrylics to add color. In areas where I want to write something, apply Liquitex or other quality acrylic.<br />
The colors layered on top of each other on <a href="http://lilyrs.wordpress.com/2014/04/02/day-two-2/" target="_blank">Days 1 and 2.</a><br />
The size of the journal both to work in and to hold.<br />
Working on just one page a day (rather than a page spread) made the project achievable.<br />
Working in a bound book rather than a spiral one. The pages fit nicely together and allowed for a seamless flow from one side to the other.<br />
Having a limited amount of pages. It created a book.<br />
The simple outline of the faded rose on <a href="http://lilyrs.wordpress.com/2014/04/10/day-ten/" target="_blank">Day 10</a>.<br />
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<u>What I didn't like:</u><br />
The pinks and baby blues on <a href="http://lilyrs.wordpress.com/2014/04/14/day-fourteen/" target="_blank">Days 13 and 14.</a><br />
<a href="http://lilyrs.wordpress.com/2014/04/24/day-twenty-four/" target="_blank">Days 23 and 24</a> are too busy with distinctive marks.<br />
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<u>Taking it from here:</u><br />
Want to strengthen my lettering skills. Take Valerie's on line class?<br />
Want to get good at italic calligraphy again. Must practice.<br />
Do more spontaneous drawings such as the tulips on <a href="http://lilyrs.wordpress.com/2014/04/16/day-sixteen/" target="_blank">Days 15 and 16</a>.<br />
Do more image transfers.<br />
Use light colors on the page backgrounds.<br />
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I have a new visual journal in mind for this summer. It is one that I will do through the persona of Lily.<br />
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*I have yet to upload the completed pages of this journal, but you can click on Identity Visual Journal tag on the right hand side to see the pages I did post about.<br />
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You can view my fake journal in its entirety by following this link: <a href="http://lilyrs.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Lily's Journal </a><br />
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<br />Susan Ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07711663371096722391noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683138193271534821.post-15408631181107223152014-05-01T06:00:00.000-04:002014-05-01T07:21:59.946-04:00A Month of Fake JournalingAs mentioned in the previous post, I have been working on a "fake" journal during the month of April. It has been a blast!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lilyrs.wordpress.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kEhCP6JF0D0/U2EZi_PtKVI/AAAAAAAAG5U/cEdC5nQLfFY/s1600/IFJM+2014.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lilyrs.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Lily's Journal</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lilyrs.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><br /></a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lilyrs.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><br /></a></td></tr>
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This was an opportunity to work in a journal format that I have wanted to explore, but as of yet, had not. And work in a style different than what I usually do. <br />
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When I work on my art, I place a large sheet of paper down on my table and work on top of it. I use this paper to test colors, clean off brushes, make notes, etc. I have been saving these with the goal of using it as pages in a journal or the background a new art project. Tearing the sheets down to journal size, I nestled them in an order that allowed the pages to relate to the ones they were next to. Before binding it, I added some paint randomly on most of the pages to give the journal some cohesiveness. Next I used a stencil to date each page. Then I bound it with a 5 hole pamphlet stitch. The pages were torn which created a nice deckled effect.<br />
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Since I usually work in a grid-like fashion with squares and rectangles and lots of collage, this fake journal incorporated circles and I prohibited the use of any glued on material. I found this to be the most challenging part, but the most beneficial. If I wanted to visually depict something I was forced to draw it. I used graphite pencils, colored pencils, acrylic paints and inks and various types of markers and pens.<br />
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The layers of random jottings and paints created a very intricate, complex, beautiful background. One I would not have been able to create from scratch. It happened all by chance.<br />
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I have wanted to create some abstract work but really did not know how to begin. Creating this journal taught me how to approach it.<br />
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The best lesson I learned was to just go for it and have fun! That I did.<br />
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Click on the photo to visit my fake journal blog. There you can read all the entries. Susan Ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07711663371096722391noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683138193271534821.post-89751820252492330032014-04-21T10:51:00.000-04:002014-05-09T13:40:31.789-04:00Adventures in Fake JournalingAt the beginning of April I read about Roz Stendahl's <a href="http://officialinternationalfakejournalblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">IFJM (International Fake Journal Month) project</a>. I loved the idea and the wheels started cranking immediately, so I proceeded full steam ahead.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R8COlsWJYz0/U1UvUBbu6wI/AAAAAAAAG0U/8_kSm9_cipo/s1600/Days+15&16jpeg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R8COlsWJYz0/U1UvUBbu6wI/AAAAAAAAG0U/8_kSm9_cipo/s1600/Days+15&16jpeg.jpg" height="467" width="640" /></a></div>
I am half way through the journal and have posted the pages on a separate blog. If you want to read along, follow <a href="http://lilyrs.wordpress.com/2014/04/01/day-one/" target="_blank">this link to the first entry</a>. Using the arrow on the right hand side under the post, continue to read the posts in daily order.<br />
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<br />Susan Ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07711663371096722391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683138193271534821.post-61050491257978410012014-04-14T09:52:00.000-04:002014-05-09T13:40:55.580-04:00Kitchen Renovation Done (Mostly)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8p79ooLctqM/U0vmpj6t8mI/AAAAAAAAGy8/M8FYTbppDsM/s1600/IMG_20140414_083508_428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8p79ooLctqM/U0vmpj6t8mI/AAAAAAAAGy8/M8FYTbppDsM/s1600/IMG_20140414_083508_428.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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My husband worked part time for three and a half months on our kitchen remodel. I tell him all the time that he is my hero! There are a few things still left to do. The above refrigerator cabinet is still on back order. I need to paint the trim, decide what is going on the walls and work with my daughter-in-law to fashion curtains from towels and vintage lace. But as is, we can start entertaining again!Susan Ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07711663371096722391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683138193271534821.post-36255037603092023362014-02-27T16:41:00.001-05:002014-03-18T17:09:42.850-04:00Craving Magenta Visual Journal pages 6-10<div style="text-align: center;">
Here is a look at the next five pages in this journal:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GYIHFjMgjts/Uw-wLqle3DI/AAAAAAAAGfM/NJ0UZpA2JJA/s1600/SCN_0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GYIHFjMgjts/Uw-wLqle3DI/AAAAAAAAGfM/NJ0UZpA2JJA/s1600/SCN_0003.jpg" height="400" width="261" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N71ECUdupf8/Uw-wLoFkD5I/AAAAAAAAGfQ/VlUWTnOrl9M/s1600/SCN_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N71ECUdupf8/Uw-wLoFkD5I/AAAAAAAAGfQ/VlUWTnOrl9M/s1600/SCN_0001.jpg" height="400" width="258" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2z1ix-77BYg/Uw-wLla2_gI/AAAAAAAAGfU/DKi-i-4UJ94/s1600/SCN_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2z1ix-77BYg/Uw-wLla2_gI/AAAAAAAAGfU/DKi-i-4UJ94/s1600/SCN_0002.jpg" height="400" width="251" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YjExLbSQ8e8/Uw-wMf2U26I/AAAAAAAAGfg/lXQ_ff94bKo/s1600/SCN_0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YjExLbSQ8e8/Uw-wMf2U26I/AAAAAAAAGfg/lXQ_ff94bKo/s1600/SCN_0004.jpg" height="400" width="255" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7q27BFd8tGQ/Uw-wMrW4VVI/AAAAAAAAGfo/tNXqLZLlk_0/s1600/SCN_0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7q27BFd8tGQ/Uw-wMrW4VVI/AAAAAAAAGfo/tNXqLZLlk_0/s1600/SCN_0005.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://susanernst.blogspot.com/2014/02/craving-magenta-visual-journal.html" target="_blank">Click here to go to the first post about this journal.</a>Susan Ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07711663371096722391noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683138193271534821.post-34774415473401217982014-02-26T10:02:00.001-05:002014-05-09T13:41:08.798-04:00John Mayer on Magenta<div class="quoteText">
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<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Life is like a box of crayons. Most people are the 8 color boxes, but what you're really looking for are the 64 color boxes with the sharpeners on the back. I fancy myself to be a 64 color box, though I've got a few missing. It's okay though, because I've got some more vibrant colors like periwinkle at my disposal. I have a bit of a problem though in that I can only meet the 8 color boxes. Does anyone else have that problem? I mean there are so many different colors of life, of feeling, of articulation. So when I meet someone who's an 8 color type...I'm like, hey girl, Magenta! and she's like, oh, you mean purple! and she goes off on her purple thing, and I'm like, no<span style="color: purple;"> </span></span></span></i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: purple;"> </span></span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: purple;"> I want Magenta!</span>” </span></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">― <span style="font-size: large;">John Mayer</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I think that explains it! </span></span></span></div>
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Susan Ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07711663371096722391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683138193271534821.post-34648304335662276102014-02-25T11:59:00.000-05:002014-04-14T18:07:37.934-04:00Craving Magenta: A Visual Journal<u>Why Magenta</u><br />
Not one to take things at face value, I wanted to
know if my craving for magenta was deeper than just wanting to
experience some warmth and cheeriness on these bleak, cold, white and
brown days. So I researched the color meanings of magenta. It was an
interesting read. I am using quotes from the articles I found as the basis for this journal.<br />
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<u>Working with Magenta</u><br />
Next I needed to
decide on what colors I wanted this journal to contain besides magenta and
its variations. I know I don't like brown with it. That reminds me of
the slices of Neapolitan (strawberry/chocolate/vanilla) ice cream we
would sometimes get with school lunch when I was in elementary school.
Always delicious, but never visually appealing to me. I like <a href="http://susanernst.blogspot.com/2013/06/summer-of-color-week-2.html" target="_blank">magenta with orange</a>,
but am not feeling that combination right now. I'm never far from
including green (in its many variations) in any artwork, as it is <a href="http://susanernst.blogspot.com/2013/01/green-my-favorite-color.html" target="_blank">my favorite color</a>.
I love using black, white and gray with greens so decided to use these
too. Finally, I chose purple and peacock/teal blue as accent colors.<br />
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<u>The Format</u><br />
If you read my blog posts you may remember that I mentioned creating my <a href="http://susanernst.blogspot.com/2014/01/identity-new-art-journal.html" target="_blank">Identity Visual Journal</a> after reading two articles in Somerset Studio's <a href="http://stampington.com/art-journaling/Art-Journaling-Autumn-2013" target="_blank">Autumn 2013 issue of Art Journaling Magazine</a>. One of the articles was written by Kelly Kilmer. I have been reading <a href="http://kellykilmer.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">her blog</a> since then and looking at the online courses she offers. They all sound wonderful and they are offered at a very reasonable price. I decided to sign up for one of the classes - <a href="http://kellykilmer.blogspot.com/2012/03/journey-within-guide-to-unlocking-your.html" target="_blank">The Journey Within: A Guide to Unlocking Your Creativity</a>. Her classes offer instructions on creating visual or art journals, based on her journals. She provides templates for each page along with step by step instructions on how she created her page. Kelly provides a long list of things to try and how to change it up. Wanting to stretch my boundaries and do something a little different than the way I have been working, I thought this would be a fun way to try something new. Kelly also gives instructions on how to create a book from scratch. I think each class offered provides a different type of book construction. This particular one is one that I have not seen before and I know I will use it often. Wanting to get started right away on the journal, however, I forewent this step and used a Strathmore spiral bound visual journal that I had on hand. It is small - 6" x 8".<br />
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<u>The Journal</u><br />
I've created 5 pages so far following Kelly's templates. Having these templates to work from makes it easy to work in the journal. The need to figure out how best to layout the page is eliminated as you follow the template. There are thirty pages worth of templates. I will post what I've done in groups of five pages as I complete them.<br />
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<br />Susan Ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07711663371096722391noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683138193271534821.post-55891308955343932532014-02-24T14:15:00.000-05:002014-02-24T14:26:29.679-05:00Craving Magenta<div dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">"I'm so bored with white I could scream."</span> </div>
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- Beverly Ellsley, interior designer, as quoted in <i>House Beautiful</i> magazine</div>
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My sentiments exactly!! It many sound odd, but I have been <b>craving </b>the color magenta for the past week! I suppose it is because it is a warm, sunny, summery color that evokes feelings of joy, happiness and gaiety. Looking through my winter wardrobe, I did not find this color. </div>
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How can I surround myself with it to satisfy the craving? I searched through my stash of art supplies and papers for some of this delicious color. Couldn't find much. Decided to search out paint, decorative papers and washi tape from the craft and art supply stores in my area. I was able to find and purchase this collection. (stores visited: JoAnn Fabrics, Michaels, Staples (they carry washi tape), Lowes and Blick Art Materials)</div>
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Magenta is one of those colors that is difficult to capture and pin down. It is close to fuchsia with less pink. It is close to mulberry with less purple.You can see that in this color chart found on Wikipedia:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magenta</td></tr>
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The items I purchased span this color spectrum. </div>
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Okay, so now that I have this stuff, what am I going to do with it? I'm not going to work with the paint just yet. I plan to use some of the paper to cover hand bound books. But for now, the quickest way to interact with these colors is to work in a visual journal. I'll show you that in my next post. </div>
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Susan Ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07711663371096722391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683138193271534821.post-56977737589950163132014-02-20T10:21:00.000-05:002014-02-20T10:21:44.473-05:00Gifts for Contemplation<br />
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Today is my birthday. I bought myself this new coffee mug and journal to keep me company during my morning contemplation times. <br /><br />
I like the muted colors - they provide a peaceful, quiet atmosphere important for introspection and prayer. A compact sanctuary.<br />
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How do you create a peaceful space for your quiet time?<br />
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<br />Susan Ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07711663371096722391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683138193271534821.post-262139168578423322014-02-18T18:27:00.000-05:002014-02-24T10:25:04.741-05:00A Winter's Day - New Identity Art Journal EntryTaking a break from the inner heroes portion of my Identity Art Journal, I have completed this page layout today.<br />
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These pages are painted with several layers of acrylic paint. I actually did these pages before deciding to stick with collage only for this journal. I had the image of the woman from a clothing catalog already in place. I added the quotes, journaling and definitions today.<br />
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"A major obstacle to creativity is wanting to be in the peak season of growth and generation at all times... but if we see the soul's journey as cyclical, like the seasons... then we can accept the reality that periods of despair or fallowness are like winter - a resting time that offers us a period of creative hibernation, purification, and regeneration that prepares us for the births of Spring." - Linda Leonard (as quoted in <i>The Artist's Rule </i>by Christine Valters Paintner)<br />
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January - a new year, a time for new beginnings. Knowing it was time to move on from the experimental two months of being in a retail co-op where I always needed to be able to come up with something new, I chose to withdraw in order to narrow my focus (this has included not taking any new natural science illustration courses for a few months as well)and concentrate on what it is I most want to do. Most of the month was a creative void and sea of indecisiveness with a touch of melancholy and doubt. Like the quote above, a time of despair and fallowness. But reading <i>The Artist's Rule</i> again reminded me that this is <i><u>okay</u></i>. It is a part of life and the creative cycles to have times of rest and of purification. January ended with the idea of creating this journal and February so far has been a time of single focus - a narrow vision - of being drawn inward and discovering the quiet beauty that winter - both outward and inward - has to offer.<br />
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Such a snowy February! Over 34 inches of snow during a two week period. Plus all the overcrowded rooms in this house as a result of renovating the kitchen has left me with very few options. It is forcing me to concentrate on what is right before me - I can't flee!<br />
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Learning to be present to every moment - even, and probably especially, the ones I wouldn't choose for myself - is a challenge that requires daily discipline and a continuous committment to it.<br />
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I trust that deep inside, my roots are being nourished, just as the trees and plants are from all the snow, and that I will see the results of this quiet, resting, fallow hibernation before too long.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dormant - as if asleep; quiet; still. Latent, implicit, undisclosed, potential, undeveloped, unrealized, veiled, hidden, unapparent</span></div>
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"Yet we are called to dwell in the dark, fertile soil of the earth, in that space where seeds incubate and begin their cycle of growth. Here we can cultivate a different way of seeing the possiblities not yet named and dreams being born. In nurturing creativity we must learn how to rest in periods of unknowing, finding peace in the knowledge that movement is happening far below the surface of what we can see." - Christine Valters Paintner in <i>The Artist's Rule</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Vigil - watching, waiting, listening</span></div>
<br />Susan Ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07711663371096722391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683138193271534821.post-68395984061047409522014-02-17T06:00:00.000-05:002014-02-17T06:00:05.955-05:00Discovering Additional Inner Heroes/ArchetypesReading the article on the <a href="http://www.soulcraft.co/essays/the_12_common_archetypes.html" target="_blank">12 Common Archetypes</a>, I've added to my list The Lover. <br />
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Susan the Lover is wife, partner, helper, the other half.<br />
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And in reading some of Quinn McDonald's book (which arrived last Tuesday), <i>Inner Hero Creative Art Journal</i>, I am also adding The Alchemist. <br />
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Susan the Alchemist enjoys making something from nothing. Making paper for over a decade, she loves being able to take old cotton or linen fabric or brown leaves from plants and turn them into something beautiful.<br />
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She saves bits and scraps of this and that knowing that one day they can be incorporated into an art piece. <br />
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<a href="http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1320428393l/548580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="irc_mut" src="http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1320428393l/548580.jpg" height="200" id="irc_mi" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="129" /></a>A literary character that comes immediately to mind is Rumpelstiltskin who turned straw into gold. Incidentally, Rumpelstiltskin was one of my favorite storybooks as a child. I loved the illustrations in it and spent much time looking at it.<br />
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I bought a book a number of years ago called S<i>pinning Straw Into Gold : What Fairy Tales Reveal About the Transformations in a Woman's Life </i>by Joan Gould. (Have I mentioned how much I love books?) I read the first two chapters then put it aside for something more appropriate at the time. I think it is time to dig into this one too. As I stated in my first post about why I am creating this <a href="http://susanernst.blogspot.com/2014/01/identity-new-art-journal.html" target="_blank">Identity Art Journal</a>, I believe my life is in a state of transition. Transformation may be a better way to view it!<br />
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Oh, I love how all of this is coming together the way that it is!<br />
(I haven't created any pages for these archetypes yet, but when I do I will post them.)Susan Ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07711663371096722391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683138193271534821.post-79025699344934759582014-02-16T06:00:00.000-05:002014-02-24T10:25:04.774-05:00Inner Heroes and Archetypes Part 2Using the list of the <a href="http://www.soulcraft.co/essays/the_12_common_archetypes.html" target="_blank">12 Common Archetypes</a>, I've placed my inner heroes under the archetype I see them most in line with. Here is what I've come up with:<br />
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<u>Archetype: The Innocent</u><br />
Child<br />
Hopeless Romantic<br />
Monk (fits two categories)<br />
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<u>Archetype: The Caregiver</u><br />
Mother<br />
Gardener (fits two categories)<br />
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<u>Archetype: The Creator</u><br />
Gardener<br />
Artist<br />
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<u>Archetype: The Sage</u><br />
Historian<br />
Naturalist<br />
Monk <br />
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Many of the other archetypes I clearly am not. In this list of archetypes, Hero is listed as one. It is the traditional view of hero - the warrior, superhero, soldier, dragon slayer. Quinn McDonald's view shows us that these more gentle qualities are heroic too. <br />
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If you did this exercise, your heroes and archetypes would most likely be different than mine. These traits are what form our personality, what make us unique, special and <i>needed in the world</i> (that's where the hero part comes in.) We can't be all things to all people. We can't be made to fit into a mold/role that isn't meant for us. For too long in my Christian walk I was told/taught that I must do/act/perform/think a certain way. (did you say cult?) It has taken many, many years to heal that damaged thinking and more still to come. I believe that God, through his Holy Spirit, is directing this path of exploration right now. The feeling is so powerful it is difficult to describe. And the things that are being revealed and opportunities that are being placed in my path are awe inspiring. Too much to try to relay here, but there will be future posts explaining it in more detail. Susan Ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07711663371096722391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683138193271534821.post-21494046809290529242014-02-15T06:00:00.001-05:002014-02-24T10:25:04.729-05:00Inner Heroes and Archetypes Part 1In the book, <i>The Artist's Rule</i>, the author, Christine Valters Paintner, writes:<br />
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"The monastic way and artist's path are both ways of being in the world and journeying through life. The monk and artist each represent an archetype. Archetypes are psychological structures that are reflected in the symbols, images, and themes common across cultures and time periods. Archetypes reflect different energies working within us. We each contain a multiplicity of selves. This becomes most obvious to us when we experience an inner conflict of desires. Perhaps our desire for a more creative life feels like it is in conflict with our desire for financial security. Or our desire for a more contemplative life conflicts with the part of ourselves that loves to get everything done. One of these desires is not necessarily better than the other; at its root each desire teaches us something about ourselves and our deeper longings." <br />
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I read right through this part two years ago when I first read the book. It did not stand out as it did during this second reading. I do have those exact internal conflicts. And more. Sometimes I struggle with them so much I can't decide what is most important to accomplish and become paralyzed, doing nothing at all.<br />
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My inner naturalist wants me to dedicate my time to drawing botanically correct floral specimens and scientifically correct insects, twigs, and pine cones. The inner child doesn't have patience for this and wants to work with messy paints and color with markers. The inner historian wants me to get all my family photos, letters and heirlooms organized. The inner hopeless romantic says there are too many things to experience today that I would miss if I spent too much time focusing on the past. The inner artist is torn, not knowing what to do, but longing for some sort of creativity, spends her time looking at other people's art rather than making her own. <br />
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Wanting more information on archetypes, I searched a bit online and found this wonderful, easy to understand guide <a href="http://www.soulcraft.co/essays/the_12_common_archetypes.html" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
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In an attempt to get to know myself better by learning more about my inner heroes or archetypes, the next step in this Identity Art Journal is to list the strengths and weaknesses of each. I will also add words, symbols (if I have any) and possible colors that I connect to them as well as any literary characters I am aware of who share these characteristics. (Archetypes are discussed at length in regards to literary works from what I've seen online.)<br />
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It will take some time to complete this, but I do plan to continue posting what I am doing and discovering daily here. This exploration will undoubtedly come to an end once spring arrives and it is warm enough to be outside again. Then my inner gardener, who has been patiently waiting, will take over!Susan Ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07711663371096722391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683138193271534821.post-24286518583801597792014-02-14T06:00:00.000-05:002014-02-24T10:25:04.736-05:00My Inner Hero: The Historian<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My inner historian loves learning about the past. She enjoyed listening to her mother, grandmother, aunts and uncles tell the stories of their childhoods, homes, neighborhoods, friends, pastimes, teen years, crushes, cars, how they met their spouses, etc. All good family stuff. Many aspects of her family members' lives remain a mystery since they passed away before the questions could be asked and the stories told.<br />
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Studying the <i>History of Western Civilization</i>, <i>American Literature</i> and <i>Art History</i> in college was fascinating. So much of who we are today can be traced to all the events that occurred before. My inner historian loves knowing the details. What time of day was it? What expression did he have on his face? Where did that person live and what was life like when they wrote that hymn? A stickler for accuracy, it is important to the inner historian that everything is organized and put in chronological order.<br />
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Susan the Historian appreciates articles of the past. She has rescued many family heirlooms and ephemera that others viewed as trash. She enjoys estate sales, thrift shops and <a href="http://www.history.com/shows/american-pickers" target="_blank"><i>American Pickers </i></a>on the History channel.<br />
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Also known as The Scholar, this inner hero treasures books and libraries. Conducting research on many topics is important to her. Much forethought, information gathering and planning goes into decisions that are made.<br />
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A valuable lesson she learned from her <i>History of Western Civilization</i> professor is not to read history through our modern lens. In order to understand why events took place, we need to understand the people of that time period. What did they value? What were their belief systems? What was the prevailing culture like at that time?<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-svQue5QZYFM/Uv0xnlM_WCI/AAAAAAAAGUc/JL9od88YxWU/s1600/IMG_0005.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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All very interesting food for thought for this inner hero!</div>
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<i>Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren. </i>Deuteronomy 4:9Susan Ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07711663371096722391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683138193271534821.post-36230556967996155892014-02-13T06:00:00.000-05:002014-02-24T10:25:04.746-05:00My Inner Hero: The Gardener<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The gardener has been the main character/persona/role that I have played in my life. Longer than the roles of mother and wife. I have never regarded gardening as heroic, but in retrospect, I see that it is. Firstly you need strength and stamina to create and tend a garden. I developed upper body muscles from all the digging and cultivating I've done in the past twenty years on this property. It takes imagination, creativity and faith. And perseverance. Gardening has taught me so many life lessons. There are so many parallels between spirituality and gardening. There as so many references, parables and metaphors in the Bible related to gardens. So much to write on this topic. Glad I have that full blank page! It will be completely filled in before too long.<br />
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<i>I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.</i> 1Cor 3:6Susan Ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07711663371096722391noreply@blogger.com0