Orange Spiral Arts

New Online Class Announcement-Self-Care and Visual Journaling

Greetings!

If you have been reading my blog, you may know that I recently presented at our monthly MN Visual Journal Collective meeting on the topic of self-care and journaling. 

There were so many people who wanted to attend, yet the Minnesota weather got half the group to stay at home. That choice was good self-care! 

However, I feel there is a need, especially with all that's going on in our world, for a vehicle to practice self-care. A visual journal is a wonderful tool and companion to fill this need.

I am excited to announce that I am working on my next online class on this very subject.

Read all about it below and get in on the early bird price!

With Gratitude,

Briana

 

Welcome! You are invited to take a deep dive with me into the world of visual journaling as a self-care tool.

Self-care is not something most of us were raised learning about or had modeled for us.

It's up to us as adults to learn how to give ourselves the self-care that we need for our own health and well-being.

Let's do this together. You are not alone!

What solutions can a visual journal provide?

Q: Do you need one place to collect all of your ideas and inspirations?

A: A visual journal is a great solution.

Q: Do you need a place to track your physical, mental, or emotional ups and downs?

A: A visual journal is wonderful, as you have space to draw a human form and label what hurts, including your heart.

Q: Are you new to visual journaling and need a space to play and explore with mixed media supplies?

A: Your visual journal is just the right spot. You may want a larger size journal so you have the freedom to play.

Q: Do you long to document more about your life?

A: Open up the pages of your visual journal and start writing your observations, thoughts, gluing in photos, etc. Your life matters.

Q: Do you need a safe space to get to know yourself better?

A: A visual journal is the safe place that fulfills that need for self-connection.

Q: Do you need a place to write down your wishes and dreams?

A: A visual journaling practice helps you name, acknowledge, and potentially manifest your dreams!

Q: Would you like a safe space to connect to something greater than yourself?

A: Through writing and visual imagery work you have the opportunity to tap into the subconscious, as well as the often mysterious spiritual realm.

The visual journal is a safe place to love yourself, your whole self, all parts of yourself.

Self-compassion, self-love, self-acceptance, freedom from criticism, and non-judgment is self-care.

Self-care is also participating in activities that enhance your well-being.

If it's new to you, visual journaling for self-care may feel challenging at first, yet it can also feel kind of like a party. We are here on this planet to celebrate our lives. No, life is not easy, and yes, there are beautiful gifts hidden throughout our time here. Many of the gifts come through challenges and difficulties that we face and work through. Your visual journal is an amazing tool and companion to help you make it across the threshold.

Ultimately, I want to help remind you that you are valuable, your life matters, you have wisdom within you, and love around you.

“Self-compassion involves wanting health and well-being for oneself and leads to proactive behavior to better one’s situation, rather than passivity. And self-compassion doesn’t mean that I think my problems are more important than yours, it just means I think that my problems are also important and worthy of being attended to.”-Kristin Neff, Self-Compassion: Stop Beating Yourself Up and Leave Insecurity Behind

What You'll Get in the Self-Care and Visual Journaling Online Class:

• More information about why you want to use a journal for self-care
• 8 Videos that guide you through various exercises on how to use your journal for self-care    
• Additional resources including links to websites, books, quotes, videos, and recommended art supplies
• Up to 2 email exchanges with me over the 6 week period
• Plus lots of support and encouragement to trust yourself, love yourself, and believe in your worth

The online classroom opens on Tuesday, February 25, 2020.

Videos will be released over a period of 6 weeks (Feb. 25-March 31, 2020)

Once all videos are posted, the course will run as a self-paced online course.

Policy Note: NO REFUNDS

Important: PLEASE BE SURE YOUR PAYPAL EMAIL ADDRESS IS YOUR CURRENT EMAIL ADDRESS, AS THAT IS HOW I WILL SEND YOU THE ONLINE CLASSROOM LOGIN INFORMATION. Please allow 24-48 hours to receive your email confirmation upon registration.

Thank you so much for saying yes to yourself and for helping to support my small business. I am truly grateful.

SIGN UP HERE!

$75

Suggested Supplies:

Note: Below I am using my Amazon affiliate links. The cost to you is the same, and you are helping me get a slight kick back for referring you to buying on Amazon. It's a win-win. I only list items that I believe are listed at a fair price. I am a bargain shopper, so I won't send you to something that is way over priced.

Canson XL Mix Media Sketchbook 11 x 14 inches for freedom of expression

Royal Talens Ecoline Brush Markers

Prima Marketing Confetti Watercolor Set with Waterbrush

Crayola eXtreme Colors Twistable Crayons

Acrylic paints -Inexpensive 2 oz. bottles of Apple Barrel matte craft acrylic or acrylic paint from Target-use what you have

Paint brushes

Simply Simmons ong handle set of 5

or

Simply Simmons short handle set of 4

Ball Point Pens

Paper Mate or Bic

We'll go over more supplies in class. This will certainly get you started!

Thank you!

You and your creativity matter!

With Gratitude and Blessings,

Briana of OrangeSpiralArts.com

Self-Care and Visual Journaling-February 2020 MN Visual Journal Collective Meeting Summary

Hello Folks!

Thank you for being here.

In case you don't know me, my name is Briana, and I co-facilitate the monthly meetings for the MN Visual Journal Collective held at Wet Paint. My co-facilitator for 2020 is the amazing Molly of The Found Art Walk.

Together we plan, coordinate, and facilitate the monthly MN Visual Journal Collective meetings.

The meeting topic for February 2020 was Self-Care and Journaling. You can see the rest of the 2020 topics listed here.

If you are an adult interested in keeping a visual journal, you are welcome to attend a meeting when it meets your interest and your schedule. We ask that you pre-register via the Events link on the Wet Paint site. Here's the registration link for the Monday, March 16th, 2020 meeting.

February 17, 2020 Meeting Summary

Meeting Topic: Self-Care and Journaling

Facilitated by Briana of OrangeSpiralArts.com

We started out the meeting by introducing ourselves and how long we've been participating in the collective and/or keeping a journal.

We love it when new people attend the meetings. Welcome new folks! 

Briana prepared a handout about self-care and journaling that was given to participants. If you are in the MN Visual Journal Collective Facebook group you can also find the handout in the Files section.

Briana went over the idea that most of us were not raised to know what self-care is or how to bring more of it into our lives.

Self-care is ultimately doing the things you need to do (and understanding what you need to do) to maintain your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health, and participating in activities that enhance your well-being.

Self-care is also . . .

self-compassion

self-acceptance/self-love

AND

self-connection

A visual journal is a wonderful tool and resource for connecting with the deeper parts of yourself, and your somewhat mysterious inner world.

Journal page by Lisa Marie (LMNOP)

After Briana went over the handout, she also shared some peeks into a variety of her visual journals kept over the past 18 years.

Photo credit: Jenny Maroney

Next, the group participants were invited to share how they use their journals for self-care.

We were so delighted to see so many brave souls step up to the camera and share their journals with us! Thank you, thank you!

Above is Jenny Maroney and her journal

Above is Lisa Marie and her journal

Above is Sue Rowe sharing her journals

After this initial sharing, the group had a chance to create a journal page around the subject of self-care.

We had a second round of sharing after our work time in our journals. Again, thank you to everyone who shared, created with us, and listened so well as others spoke from the heart.

Jodi shares her page (below)

Catherine (below) bravely shared her current struggles with health changes and challenges. (Thank you, Catherine! We hear you!)

Beth shared her page spread from the night with us, too. (Viva la Frida!!)

Ann shared how she is feeling called to get out in nature.

Here's Heather sharing what she did in her journal, leaving boxes to later fill in with some journaling. People in the group really liked this idea.

Jodi shared her lovely page (below) that included some notes from the evening. She even cut part of the handout and collaged it onto her page! Great idea, Jodi!

Kari shares her journal page. A couple of people shared how they find solace by being out in nature.

Louise shared her journal page (below), featuring a photo of her and her husband from awhile ago, as well as her grandchild, who is now 12.

Angie back for a second meeting, sharing about how she was inspired by the flaps in other people's journals. Also, I loved how she wrote "This is for me."

Altered calendar planner by Margit (above)

Journal page by Sue (above)

Isn't it just so wonderful to see these peeks inside of people's personal journals? I feel so, so lucky that I get to do this once per month at the MN Visual Journal Collective meetings.

Thank you to everyone who came out to the meeting in person or in spirit! 

Visual Journaling for Self-Care Tips

Why use a journal for self-care?

• A journal is a safe place to express and process your feelings
• A journal is a space to work in without judgment
• A journal is a tool that can help you relax and feel a greater sense of calm in your mind, body, spirit, and soul
• A journal is a place to take a break from the challenges in your life, and have a little fun!

How to use a journal for self-care

• Do stream of consciousness writing exercises; writing longhand connects your heart and brain like no other activity, and has a healing effect.
• Make a list of things you can do when you're feeling overwhelmed.
• Document what brings you joy.
• Make a gratitude list.
• Make a simple collage of words and images from magazines you love.
• Write words of affirmation and encouragement to yourself.
• Doodle and make repeat patterns to get yourself into a meditative state.
• Scribble to release difficult emotions you are holding inside.

That's the summary, y'all! I hope you found something inspiring or helpful from this post.

Take a class with me! (Click here)

Briana has several upcoming classes happening around the Twin Cities, as well as online.

Your participation is how I make my living. I would be so, so honored and grateful to receive your support.

I also offer small group sessions for you and a few friends. You provide the space and snacks, I will bring all of the supplies and inspiration. Send me an email to set something up!

With Gratitude,

Briana of OrangeSpiralArts.com

 

21 Secrets Super Sale Starts Today

Greetings Everyone,

I have been both a participant and a guest teacher in the 21 Secrets online classes. I absolutely love them! They have taught me so much about how to use mixed media art supplies, how to break open to new ways of working, and much, much more. It is really inspiring to watch other artists work in their journals or with their chosen supplies. I am so grateful that these 21 Secrets workshops exist. 

If you are interested in learning more about mixed media art and art journaling, I highly recommend you check out 21 Secrets! There is a super sale happening right now on the following editions:

 21 SECRETS Just Add Water
 21 SECRETS The Great Outdoors

 21 SECRETS Summer Studio 2018 Bundle

21 SECRETS Paper, Glue, Scissors

 21 SECRETS Playful Experiments
 21 SECRETS Capturing Moments
 21 SECRETS Summer Studio 2019 Bundle

21 SECRETS Face Time

NOTE: You need to ENTER THE FOLLOWING CODE AT CHECKOUT to receive the 40 percent off discount: SUPERSALE

I am sharing my affiliate link here, which helps me get paid as a 21 Secrets guest teacher. I am so, so grateful for your support.

I hope you have tons of fun with your mixed media supplies!

Sending Blessings and Creative Vibes Your Way!

-Briana of OrangeSpiralArts.com

 

February Visual Journaling Classes for Adults at Wet Paint

Greetings, Everyone!

Thanks for being here.

I am teaching two different visual journaling classes in February at Wet Paint in St. Paul, Minnesota.

I would love for you to attend one or both of them!

Here's the info:

What: More Visual Journaling Inspirations

When: Three Tuesdays-Feb.11, Feb. 18, and Feb. 25, 2020, 10:30am-1:30pm

Where: Wet Paint, St. Paul, MN

Fee: $126

What: Visual Journaling Retreat

When: Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 15 and 16, 2020, 10:30am-1:30pm

Where: Wet Paint, St. Paul, MN

Fee: $84

Click on the class title to read more about each class and to register via Wet Paint's site.

Thank you so much!

-Briana