Archive for December, 2008 Newer »

Paint Happy Session 1

Thursday, December 4th, 2008 by Alyice

Remember my post about the Paint Happy! book that teaches you to find your inner-child and to paint with happy abandonment? Well, here are the results of my “inner-child”.

Now, I did not follow any of the lessons/demonstrations given in the book, per se. What I did follow was her advice to take what I learned from the book and to paint with complete abandon.

I just sat down to blank pieces of paper—with no plan in my head—and started creating whatever came to mind, picking up whatever colors were in reach. I wasn’t sure what would come from the process or if I’d even like the final project, but I knew that if I didn’t like something I could simply gesso over the whole thing and start again! It was liberating and fun!

In the book, Cristina says, “With practice, your innate sense of design and personal style will develop” and emerge. And that’s what I am hoping these Paint Happy! sessions will do for me.

Keep Creating.

Posted in Artist's Life | 4 Comments »

Thanks For The Music

Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008 by Alyice

This is a photo of my daughter listening to her iPod. On most days, you can find her on the computer listening to music through venues like Yahoo! Music or blaring her radio. You’ll also find her crafting lyrics to new songs—in which she hopes to set to music one day—and practicing dance moves. She says that as long as there is music in the world, she’ll never be bored.

According to the American Music Therapy Association, music is very therapeutic. Music helps us manage our stress levels, release pent up emotions, express feelings, and even exercise our brains to retain memory. And I couldn’t agree more.

I know that on the days when I feel extremely happy, old hymns just pour out of me and on days when I’m feeling really down and on the verge of tears, I tend to sing through my emotions. And I am discovering that when I am really stressed, music calms my insides, helps me focus on the here and now, and keeps me rational and sane.

Then there’s my husband. On days when my husband is really ill-tempered, I can put in a particular Christian CD—dedicated to men and their struggles—and his mood slowly begins to transform back into the man I love.

My family and I may not be able to carry the best tunes in the world but I can honestly say that when I hear someone in my house humming or singing a capella it instantly puts a smile on my face because I know that at that very moment they are happy and content with life.

Give thanks…

Posted in It's Gratitude, Dude! | 11 Comments »

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AlyiceEdrich.com
I'm a freelance writer, mixed media artist, SMVA, and the owner of The Dabbling Mum.

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