Tag Archives for art journal

Gratitude and Creativity: Even When…

I’m grateful that even when I’m not feeling great I try to do something creative.

Since becoming ill six and a half years ago, I’ve learned and understand how important it is to do things—especially creative things—to shift my focus, even temporarily, from constantly thinking about my pain.

Doing creative things reduces my stress and worry and adds to my sense of well-being. It makes me feel as if I’m accomplishing something with each page I fill up with lines and colours. Most importantly, doing something creative makes me happy.

Reconnecting with my creative abilities might be one of the best things that has happened to me because of my illness.

If you live with a chronic illness or chronic pain, what do you do that helps you cope with it?

 

 

Blue Bay Lines

I used to live a very active life: running, hiking, riding my bicycle, skiing, swimming, and trying extreme activities on a whim—think skydiving. Now, even when the weather is gorgeous, like it was last weekend, I need to stay away from too much activity. As tempting as it was to be in a boat on the water for long stretches of time, or to go swimming in the middle of a deep bay to cool off, I had to spend time in solitude resting my body to avoid another pain flare up.

Thankfully, because the weather was so beautiful, I was able to sit outside in the sun as I drew. The surrounding scenery influenced the colour I chose to start filling in my line drawings. I’ve been using lots of blues and greens in the things I create this summer, probably because I’m spending so much time outside.

This page isn’t finished yet, but I think I got off to a good start while enjoying a sunny afternoon…

 

 

 

Bright Pain Angles

It seems that whenever I set out to illustrate how my pain feels, I draw sharp angular lines.

Although I keep a ton of art supplies close by—literally in piles next to me on my sofa—, I tend to reach for my pencil and ruler and start mapping out lines.

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