Journal Bliss: Creative Prompts to Unleash your Inner Eccentric by Violette

Just over a year ago my nephew Adam was paralyzed in a tragic Rugby accident – he was only 19 years old at the time. You can imagine how something so terrible like that would affect his parents, sister and family not to mention my young nephew.

Waiting in the hospital with my distraught sister while a team of doctors inserted a metal rod in my nephew's back was surreal. Words could never convey the feelings of intense grief that flooded the waiting room for several hours.

My nephew was in the hospital Spinal Chord unit for a while and then was transferred to the Rehabilitation center for a few months.  I was trying to think of doing something for my nephew to buoy his spirits while he was in rehab.  I decided to create a line of cards or mini pieces of art which were laminated and called "Inspiration Nation".

Every time I visited Adam I would bring him an Inspiration card and tape it to the wall. After a few weeks of this the wall was plastered with these little positive messages. I like to think these cards helped buoy Adam's spirits a bit. They did make him smile.

On a completely selfish level I guess creating these cards helped to channel my feelings into something positive and hopeful. Time and time again art has stepped in to “save me” or help morph feelings of helplessness into something concrete and outside of myself.

 

In an odd way I think of feelings as having shape and substance that live in our bodies. If they don't have an outlet, are never spoken about or channeled at all they will sit and fester inside of us. Doing something creative around these feelings whether it be writing a poem, creating a quilt or making a drawing gives these feelings an outlet – a life of their own. Ultimately I feel better and more at peace after creating something when I feel grief, sadness or anger. The next time you encounter strong emotions which have no place to go then try your hand at creation – you get to pick the method as long as you put your heart, soul and emotions into it!

 

 

NOTE: THIS GIVEAWAY IS OVER.  WE WILL BE ANNOUNCING THE WINNER SHORTLY.

BOOK GIVEAWAY:  Post your comments on Violettes entry and we'll draw a winner for her newest book Journal Bliss.  Winner then has the option of sending in their original journal page and story about their own healing journey and we'll post it on Craft For Health.  Good Luck! 

 

About the Book and author:

Journal Bliss: Creative Prompts to Unleash your Inner Eccentric By Violette Clark

“Be inspired by pages and pages of artistic inspiration and prompts designed to embrace your inner eccentric. In Journal Bliss, join author Violette as she shares her illustrations, fonts, doodles, and soul-searching prompts - freeing you to start your own visual-journal journey. Express yourself openly in a style that is uplifting and fun!”

Violette a Canadian Artist born in Casablanca, Morocco to Spanish parents, Violette is a compulsive painter, who paints with the color and warmth of Mediterranean Sunshine

Comments

[Brandy]

I love personalized inspirational cards. We all need to be reminded of the gifts we receive and can pass to others. During dark times it is way to easy to forego the little treasures of life and get mired down in the muck. Your cards are beautiful and cheerful and I'm sure they are treasured.

[Luv2Create]

I love Violette's artwork and her inspiring story. So thought provoking.

[phillipa]

I absolutely agree that once one's feelings/emotions find an outlet that they are 'released' - I find that too in my work & craft. This story is inspirational & I love the cards that Violette created...wonderful.

[Bev]

Thanks for sharing this amazing story. I am finding that I am finally finding a place to voice and share my creativity. It is like taking baby steps, but this blog journey has been healing.

[Judie]

Many times I have been uplifted by Violette's art and by her words. Numerous times, especially in the last year, I have gone to her website and come away with a more positive outlook on whatever life had tossed to me that day. She has been like a rope thrown to me when I've gone "overboard". She is always wanting to be an inspiration in someone's life, and she certainly has been in mine. Not just art, because I was an artist before I "met" her in cyberland, but her ideas about life have filtered into my own being and carried me along. She is a definite influence in my art journaling, which I think everyone should try. Many times I've gone to her website feeling eyore, and come away feeling like a smiley face. These small pieces of art she did for her nephew reveal what is truly in her heart.

[Donna Finnell]

Violette is my daily inspiration. The first thing I do is to read her blog to give a positive start to my morning. She shows that everyone has art within and just needs to dump the fear of uncertainty and go with your feelings.

[Rhonda]

will u know that i think your work rocks!!!

In Artistic Solidarity;
Rhonda

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More & more people know that blog are good for every one where we get lots of information any topics !!!

[violette]

Thank you to everyone who posted and for the kind words! I truly do believe that art heals!

Don't be shy....post a message and win a book! There is still time!

Love, Violette xo

[Belinda Robards]

I would love to win Violette's book. I found Violette's website about a year or so ago and it inspired me to create my own blog and to experiment more with different kinds of art. Happy Giraffe - Belinda

[Michele Stall-Wright]

I would be tickled glittery pink to win this wonderful book.
I too read Violette's blog daily for inspiration for what I create & just life in general. I truly appreciate that Violette lives out loud & inspires so many to do the same.

[Katina]

I am so sorry to hear about your nephew and I can only pray that he has a remarkable recovery. I am sure that all the cards you made for him will help him on his journey.

And Happy Birthday!!

I use art to "heal" myself, usually when I'm feeling sad or depressed. The last time I made something that I knew was specifically for "art therapy" was a little quilt about some of the people in my family. If I win your book you'll get to see the project and hear the entire story! Needless to say, the entire time I was working on the project I was practically "cackling", it was that funny to me. And boy, did I feel great when I was done!

[tinker]

Violette is an inspiration! I'm not sure if I'd have had the courage to share my own sketchbook/art journaling pages,esp. ones like my most recent ones showing my husband on his walker, if I hadn't been blessed with finding Violette's blog. All her lovely art and encouraging words there, about doing your own art your own way, and sharing her stories about the healing power of art, and just sharing her daily struggles as an artist - her blog continues to inspire me and so many others, everyday. Art can be so healing - for both the artist and the viewer. I'm so glad Violette's artwork and Journal Bliss book are in the world - the world can certainly use all her positive inspiration!

[Phentermine]

Your website is really cool and this is a great inspiring article. Thank you so much. All there details are made with lot of background knowledge. I learn with all activity. Thank you

[Jamie]

I wish to win Violette's book.

[Paxil]

The quality of medical care in Florida is the primary responsibility of our medical doctors (MDs) and the educational mandate for our state's medical schools. This is a big issue for those MDs who specialize in the medical and surgical practice of ophthalmology. It should equally be a big concern to the citizens of our state. If we permit our legislators to expand, by legislative fiat rather than education accomplishment, those professionals who can legally treat medical diseases, it portends inferior care. When applied to non MDs, such as optometrists, naturopaths, ARNPs, psychologists and pharmacists, more concern for the quality of health care clearly lies ahead. Perhaps, the focus for our legislators should be the quality of medical care, rather than the dollars available to them from the political action committees.

[Amanda]

Its just incredible how much you can take away from something simply because of how visually beautiful it is

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