JoDee Luna's Blog, page 29

The Dance of Depression

I’ve heard it said that depression is anger turned inwards, but I wonder whether depression often blankets my soul when change is in the air. Perhaps I’m out of sync with my Savior and the darkness of mind is an indication that I need to listen more intently. Maybe my path needs to alter and I would miss this movement if I stayed perpetually joyful.

The challenge I face when depressed is to resist the desire to numb the pain. It isn’t easy to embrace depression and to relax in the arms of One greater than all of the galaxies. No, God does not cause depression, but He can surely use this uncomfortable emotion to get our attention…if we will but let go and glide with Him.

We do not need to be afraid of the moodiness that causes malaise. Imagine yourself swept into the arms of the Lord as He whisks you around the room. He can keep your limp body in hold and take you where your mind cannot conceive of going. In time, the dark clouds will part and the way will become clear.

 

 

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A Mermaid’s Fantasy Mixed Media

Enter the enchanting underwater world of a mermaid who fantasizes about flying with my daughter and my latest mixed media creation. I created this piece from Elya’s collaged background and mermaid outline.  She didn’t want to finish the piece, so I did.

The background is collaged from the paper stack, “The Once Upon a Time Stack,” by DCWV.

I used Golden’s Coarse Pumice Gel added to paint to create the mermaid’s tail.

The grainy mixture enables you to create a 3-d effect.

Here is a close up of the underwater world. You can purchase the leaves and gold leafing from Michaels. The sea shells are collectibles from beach visits and the brown sea weed is from my garden flowers, dried with silica gel crystals.

I used ready-made scrapbook lettering.

The mermaid’s wings, made of feathers, symbolize the desire to escape from one’s circumstances; she has a tail for swimming in the sea but longs to fly in the winds.

You can purchase “A Mermaid’s Fantasy” at my Etsy store.

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Surrender: Bird of Paradise

Yesterday, I awoke with the desire to create. What a magical moment it was when the muse returned.

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You see, lately I’ve struggled with finding a place for my personality. I’m certain a contributing factor was the abrupt ending of my career as a classroom teacher. In June, I applied for and was hired as a Middle School Support Specialist. The whirlwind of getting rid of and packing up twelve years of teaching jolted my sense of self. I knew that I needed to surrender to these changes but found it difficult to do so.

Then the summer swept me into the frenzy of my stepson’s wedding and a mini book tour. During those in-between days, I found myself befuddled over my lack of artistic desire. I struggled to find my muse and fight off the sense of impending doom (as my friend Mona puts it).

Then yesterday I decided to finish some mixed media pieces. During the process of working with a piece I’d titled “Bird of Paradise,” I surrendered.

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As I re-read the poem, a sense of comfort washed over me. Sure, I’d wanted to soar in the winds of change, even fantasized about becoming a sought after writer, yet my poem reminded me that surrender’s beauty isn’t in my lofty dreams. Surrender grows along the path where I walk, every day, one step at a time.

For I strongly suspect that my muse inhabits this magnificent bird of paradise I call surrender. When I stop trying to flee my uncomfortable feelings, surrender is there, in front of me, re-awakening my artistic identity.

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The Making of “A Mermaid in the Making”

Here’s a DIY post to demonstrate how I created the mixed media piece, “A Mermaid in the Making.” I began with the backing of a frame I had from a picture frame that wasn’t of any use. The paper is from “The Once Upon a Time Stack” by DCWV. I printed my poem onto the paper.

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Next, I used Mod Podge to glue the paper onto the frame backing. I like matte finish.

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Take an old credit card and push the paper down to clear the bubbles.

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After pressing down the paper, apply Mod Podge to the top of the paper and spread evenly. Use your finger to press out the bubbles.

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For stubborn bubbles, make a tiny slice in the paper and then press. The frame backing had some metal pieces that attach the support piece. These make the paper appear three-dimensional.

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Next, I painted some metal leafing adhesive to the corners and outside edges.

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Take pieces of gold leafing and press them into the adhesive.

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I decided to only frame half of the piece with gold leaving to communicate the idea of the mermaid falling into dark water on the right side of the piece.

[image error]Lastly, use an assortment of acrylic blues and greens and mix with Golden Gel Medium Coarse Pumice Gel for the main part of the tail to create a rugged 3-d effect. For the fin area, mix the paint with Golden Gel Medium Clear Tar Gel to create a stringy look. Finish the tail with glitter glue for an added sparkle. Place a piece of a rhinestone earring at the top of the tail by the midriff area.

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Add some of the tail paint and glitter to the undersea plants and bubbles to complete your magical undersea world. Here’s the finished product.

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Refrain Book Tour Musings

I just returned from four days of speaking about creativity and my book, Refrain from the Identical: Insight and Inspiration for Creative Eclectics.

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These three luncheons, hosted by Women’s Connection (affiliated with Stonecroft Ministries), were located in the Central Coast region of California: San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay, and Paso Robles. I was the feature speaker who preceded the guest speaker, so I set up a table to display samples of my artwork along with my books, book brochures, and business cards.

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I gave helpful hints on how to enhance and manage creativity and explained how to make masquerade masks, floral centerpieces with rusty springs, oil paintings with the use of a projector, and mixed media pieces with oil painting and poetry.

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I combined the mini book tour with a girls’ time. My sister, Gina, her best friend, Mona, and my sister-in-law, Susan, had a wonderful and relaxing stay at the Apple Farm Inn.

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We enjoyed the picturesque surroundings…

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Apple Farm Mill

and feminine decorations.

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I must do a part two post to include more pictures of the Apple Farm Inn, Restaurant, and Gift Shop.

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Susan and Mona did some spontaneous recruiting for me by sharing about my book with a reporter/author who was staying at the Apple Farm. He wanted to meet me and we had a wonderful chat about the book. I also gave him a couple of copies and my media kit. Ironically, while they were talking with him, I was nestled in a chair writing these words about marketing my book: “I don’t know which way to go from here.”

So what an unexpected surprise it was to have the reporter give me helpful hints on how to share my book with reporters.

I also met a local artist and his wife, both former educators, who now host art shows with local artists at the Apple Farm in the fall and spring. He invited Gina and I to bring our artwork to these shows and join the fun. He also creates and sells apps for IPADS, and so we talked about some future possibilities.

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I also sold a book to a woman who overheard me explaining my book to a hotel employee. She called from behind: “Hey, can you come over here and tell me about your book.” I retrieved a copy from the car, and then we had the most enjoyable chat about writing and creativity. She explained that she is also writing a book and is certain that she is also a creative eclectic.

So all in all, the mini book tour was a success. The experience expanded my vision of the various ways I can market my books, while providing an enjoyable vacation with my family and our friend.

 

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Be Still and Know that I Am God

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I didn’t know how to name You then

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But I see it was You

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Always You were calling me

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And you said to me

READ THE ENTIRE POST…

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Refrain from the Identical Mini Book Tour

I will be speaking about my book this week at three SLO Women’s Connection lunch engagements at the following central coast locations:
Tuesday, July 10th: San Luis Obispo group meets at 11: 30 am Embassy Suites 333 Madonna Rd. San Luis Obispo, CA
Thursday, July 12th: The Morro Bay group meets at 12:00 pm at Rose’s Landing 725 Embarcadero, Morro Bay, CA
Friday, July 12th: Paso Robles Golf and country Club from 11:00 to 1:00. at 1600 Country Club Drive

Select the Refrain Media Kit link to learn more about my book that is for sale on Amazon.com. For Kindle version.






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A Mermaid in the Making

“My dove is hiding behind some rocks, behind an outcrop of the cliff. Call to me and let me hear your lovely voice and see your handsome face.” Song of Solomon 2:14

I wonder whether there are times, spiritually speaking, when the Bridegroom hides. My mother’s recent comment on my post “Embracing Emptiness,” reminded me of this:

“My sweet girl, no one can fill the emptiness of soul but Jesus Himself, reminds me of Song of Songs, the groom hiding from the beloved. He may seem like He is hiding but be rest assured He has you in his sights. Love you.”

We might have just enjoyed moments filled with epiphanies or heard heaven-breathed words of encouragement through the parted lips of a friend.

Perhaps a dream visited when nightfall cloaked our mind with peace. Yet in the morning, we opened our eyes and panicked, teeth grinding on the day’s anxieties.

I recently encountered one of these uncomfortable seasons of soul. I felt like I was drowning…in my own self-pity, despair, and darkened understanding.

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No matter how much mental muscle I put into it, the sensation of falling far below the surface of sensibility kept occurring. During these days, the only relief I found was when I tried to form my feelings into words and art. And so “A Mermaid in the Making” was born.

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Now every time I look at this piece, I’m reminded that nothing can separate me from the love of God.

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

So if your life’s circumstances drag you to the bottom of the deep, remember that God will help you to grow a spiritual mermaid’s tail. Not only will this help you to swim back to the surface, but propel you to explore the treasures that settle in the sand far below where our eyes can see.

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Song of Solomon 2:14 Scripture quotations are taken from The Living Bible copyright © 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Romans 8:38-39 Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.

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Pressed Flower Mixed Media Collage

This is a great mixed media project for beginners that need a little help with creating a background. Begin with a frame. You can see how to crackle a frame by accessing this post: Mixed Media Collage Recycling Project.

[image error]For the background, I used “Pure Joy” Art-to-Borrow by Rachel Emilie Jackson that was included in the Somerset Studio Magazine’s “A Somerset Summer” issue.

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You can use the window as a light box to determine which part of the paper you want to center. Just place the paper over the frame’s back piece and align.

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Next, trim the paper around the frame backing.

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Apply Golden Gel Medium to the backing and then press the paper onto the backing.

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Use an old credit card to smooth the paper.

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Brush gel medium on the front of the paper and press your pressed flowers onto the gel. You can press flowers by placing the blooms in between either wax paper or paper towels and then stacking books on top of them. The drying time is about a week depending upon how dry the climate is in which you live. Place them in a warm area of your home or garage so they don’t mold.

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After your mixed media is dry, place the frame backing into the frame.

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Lastly, adorn the frame with embellishments such as ribbon and butterflies.

[image error]Here’s a close up of the mixed media. By using paper created by an artist with a mixed media look, you can easily create a simplified version with just a few additions. In time, you might decide to try your own mixed media background that contains similar elements as the paper has in photo form.

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Check out these posts that features mixed media with other mediums such as oil painting, masks, nests, buttons, twine, feathers, jewelry etc:
The Evolution of a Mixed Media Collage
“Oh Little Sparrow” Mixed Media Collage
Mixed Media Recycling Project
Pretend until you are!
Find your Voice
Oh to be Queen






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Embracing Emptiness

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Yesterday, I decided to buy Ann Voskamp’s book, One Thousand Gifts. This decision was an act of desperation; one spurred by five days of post wedding blues. You know the kind, those uncomfortable times of silence and soul ache that occur after being surrounded by family and friends in a festive atmosphere.

Yesterday, my mother mentioned how much our cousin was enjoying Ann’s book. “Donna said that she reads a few pages and then sets in down and cries.”

Those must be good tears. I hoped. Maybe even tears that wash away loneliness of soul.

So last night, I bought the book at Barnes and Nobles and brought it home.

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This morning I finger the soft crème pages and notice how the content comes quickly. No introduction but just an acknowledgement:

“For the Farmer,

who tended and grew my soul.”

The page blurs, even though I haven’t yet read enough to put the book down and cry. I find myself hoping the Farmer will grow my soul, if I embrace this indescribable emptiness and longing I feel inside. I turn the page.

Chapter 1

an emptier, fuller life

 

“Every sin is an attempt to fly from emptiness.”

Simone Weil, Gravity and Grace

The quote stops me from reading further. I decide I must spend a lifetime pondering these words. The lens through which I see those times of separation from my Savior changes color to an iridescent blue, the kind of blue you see when gazing into your reflection in a crisp mountain stream. My heart quickens and my mind swirls.

A couple of days ago, I finished a mixed media piece that today I loathe. The end product agitates me for many reasons. My initial message morphed into how I really felt and I didn’t like it. I began with this:

Sweet peace awaken the dawn

And shake dew off my folded feathers

Readied for flight

But I wasn’t ready for flight. I wanted to soar, but my soul felt bottled up, contained, and forced to sit in emptiness. I found myself fashioning the bird into a bottle. It was as if someone kept turning up the heat until my depression boiled. I wanted to shatter the bottle and escape, but I couldn’t.

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A portion of the paper used is "Pure Joy" Art-to-Borrow by Rachel Emilie Jackson

Then this morning as I read, and re-read, Simone Weil’s quote…

“Every sin is an attempt to fly from emptiness.”

my bottled up soul finally bursts forth and forms feelings into words.

A fast from fulfillment for five days

Depression not of my choosing

Drives me deeper towards Him

In search of relief from this pain

Wings of soul once batting the inside of the bottle now calm. I sit and embrace the burn, the emptiness, the hollowness of soul. I read a few more pages of Ann’s book, set the book down, and weep.

 

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