Today’s exercise in surrealism. What have you made lately?

The origami crane holds a significant place in Japanese culture, with a history dating back to ancient times. Legend has it that anyone who folds 1,000 paper cranes will be granted a wish, a belief rooted in the story of Sadako Sasaki, a young girl affected by the Hiroshima atomic bombing. Sadako's pursuit of folding 1,000 cranes while battling leukemia became a symbol of hope and peace. Today, the paper crane serves as a universal symbol of peace, resilience, and the power of hope in the face of adversity. Here are step-by-step instructions for making a paper crane, a classic origami craft: 1. Start with a square piece of paper, colored side down. 2. Fold the paper diagonally in half to form a triangle. 3. Fold the triangle in half again to form a smaller triangle. 4. Open up the paper and fold the top point down to the bottom point, crease, and unfold. 5. Fold the paper in half horizontally, bringing the top edge down to the bottom edge. 6. With the open flaps at the top, fold the left and right corners diagonally towards the center crease, forming a diamond shape. 7. Fold the top flap down, creasing at the bottom of the diamond shape. 8. Fold the left and right corners of the top layer inward, aligning with the center crease. 9. Flip the paper over and repeat the previous step on the other side. 10. Fold the bottom point of the diamond up to create a head. 11. Fold down the top flaps to form wings. 12. Gently pull the wings apart and adjust the shape to form the wings and body of the crane. And there you have it—a beautiful paper crane!

I made this today, show me what YOU made!

Join me for today’s project- a Jackson Pollock style painting! Gather Your Materials: Canvas or large sheet of paper Acrylic paints in various colors Paintbrushes Palette or paper plates for mixing colors Drop cloth or old newspapers to protect your workspace Apron or old clothes to protect your clothing Prepare Your Workspace: Lay down the drop cloth or newspapers to protect your floor or table from paint splatters. Put on your apron or old clothes to avoid getting paint on yourself. Set the Mood: Play some energetic music to get in the creative zone, just like Jackson Pollock did. Start Painting: Dip your paintbrush into the acrylic paint and flick it onto the canvas or paper. Alternatively, you can pour small amounts of paint directly onto the canvas. Experiment with different colors and techniques. You can drip, splash, splatter, or even drizzle the paint onto the surface. Don't worry about making mistakes or having a specific plan. Let your intuition guide your movements. Embrace the Process: Allow yourself to get lost in the act of painting. Focus on the sensations of movement and color rather than trying to create a perfect image. Feel free to use your hands or other tools to apply the paint if you prefer. Explore Texture and Depth: Layer different colors on top of each other to create depth and dimension in your painting. Experiment with varying amounts of paint and different viscosities to achieve different textures. Reflect and Interpret: Once you feel satisfied with your painting, take a step back and observe it. Reflect on the emotions and thoughts that arose during the painting process. What does the artwork evoke for you? What do the colors and shapes symbolize? Share Your Experience: If you feel comfortable, discuss your artwork and your experience with a friend, family member, or therapist. Art is often about self-expression and exploration, so there's no right or wrong way to interpret your creation! Clean Up: Dispose of any leftover paint properly and clean your brushes and workspace according to the instructions on the paint packaging. Allow your artwork to dry completely before displaying or storing it. Enjoy Your Creation: Display your Jackson Pollock style painting proudly as a testament to your creativity and self-expression!

Let’s try a journal prompt this morning! Write about a moment when someone extended a helping hand to you without expecting anything in return. Reflect on how their kindness impacted you and the gratitude you felt. Consider how this experience has humbled you and inspired you to pay it forward in your own life. Carry these feelings of gratitude and humility with you throughout your day, and if you’d like to share some of your writing in the comments, I’d love to read it!

On Saturdays, a nice long walk in nature can really clear the mind and help ground you. While out walking, look for 3 or 4 interesting leaves with different shapes and textures. Be sure they’re relatively flat and not too thick, because I’m going to show you how to make some leaf print art with them! Besides the 3 or 4 interesting leaves you find, you’ll also need some heavy-duty paper, acrylic paints in various colors, paintbrushes, and paper towels. Be sure to cover your work surface with newspaper or a protective covering, too. Squeeze a small amount of acrylic paint onto a palette or paper plate. Select the colors you'd like to use for your leaf prints. Using a paintbrush, apply a thin, even layer of acrylic paint onto the underside of each leaf. Ensure that the entire surface of the leaf is covered with paint. Carefully flip the painted leaf over and place it paint-side down onto the paper. Gently press down on the leaf to transfer the paint onto the paper. Hold it in place for a few seconds to ensure a good transfer. Slowly lift the leaf off the paper to reveal your leaf print! You should see the outline and texture of the leaf left behind on the paper. Continue making leaf prints using different leaves and colors until you're satisfied with the composition. Experiment with overlapping prints, varying colors, and different arrangements to create visually interesting designs. Add texture or details - If desired, use a smaller paintbrush to add extra details or texture to your leaf prints. You can enhance the prints with additional paint strokes or patterns. Let your acrylic paint leaf prints dry completely before handling or displaying them. You can use a hairdryer on a low setting to speed up the drying process if needed. Once dry, your leaf print art is ready to be displayed! Frame it for wall art, use it as a greeting card, or give to a friend as a handmade gift. And as always, I’d love to see what you made today, whether it’s leaf prints or a piece in your medium of choice. I’ll always be here to admire your creative output! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Today’s Chillout Craft is Mindful Mandalas! All you need is a piece of paper and something to draw with. I used colored pencils while drawing mine, but you can use markers or crayons too. You can also grab a ruler or a compass if handy, but they aren’t necessary to complete your Mindful Mandala. Set up your workspace in a quiet, comfortable area with good lighting. Begin by drawing a small circle in the center of your paper or canvas. This will serve as the focal point of your mandala. From the center circle, start drawing patterns, shapes, and lines outward. You can use geometric shapes, swirls, flowers, or any design that comes to mind. Let your creativity flow without worrying about making mistakes. Take deep breaths as you create each section of your mandala. Focus on the present moment and let go of any stress or tension. Continue adding layers and details to your mandala, working your way outward from the center. Experiment with different colors and patterns. If you're feeling adventurous, try incorporating symbols or imagery that hold personal significance to you. As you work, stay mindful of your thoughts and emotions. Use this time as an opportunity for self-reflection and relaxation. Once you feel satisfied with your mandala, take a moment to admire your creation. Notice how the colors and patterns come together to form a harmonious whole. Consider displaying your mandala in a place where you can see it regularly, as a reminder of your creativity and mindfulness practice. Remember, there's no right or wrong way to create a mandala! The most important thing is to enjoy the process and let your imagination guide you. Let me know what you think of today’s Chillout Craft! What mindfulness skills did you practice while drawing your mandala? Any thoughts or emotions come up that you’d like to share? 😊

multimedia collage, 3.27 What did you produce today?

Today’s experiment in Impressionism- bluebonnets swaying in a field, their hues of blue and white blending softly. Sunlight filters through the flowers, casting a golden glow. Did I capture the essence of a Texas spring? What did you create today?

Spent some time in the studio this morning channeling my inner Rothko. What did you make today?