Episode 3 of "Therapeutic visual journaling" takes on the journey of unfolding- once we open up to creativity and make first marks we are faced with...well let's say "reality of our own creativity". We start seeing first attempts of images, first layers, things are emerging and we do not always like what we see. This is the moment that many can decide to give up and do not continue, others will be faced with disappointment or just frustration. In visual journaling this is the initial stage, the first layer that despite how much it seems be difficult, in the end is rarely visible - still though very crucial to the process. It is the catalisator, an initiator, the kick that we need to accept and move on...

 Art journaling, visual journaling or simply personal, creative diary- many names but also many people who can confirm that that form of art has a massive healing capability. Books are and have been the personal thoughts collectors for centuries. From written forms to more expressive ones- journal is always the trusted companion. Gradually my art journaling practice took me on this journey as discovered more and more that it can heal, reveal, tell me so much that is beyond possibility of expressing with words. Inspired by work with others and guiding them on this self-discovery journey I decided to release new series on You Tube channel. After the initial “Subconscious collage” followed by “Behind the journals” series this time I am taking a plunge into a strongly therapeutic aspect of visual journaling. Join me!

 So after almost killing my family, hitting my PC with some seriously heavy objects, going crazy and yelling at video editor program I decided to release this perfectly imperfect Intro Episode to Subconscious Collage for Art Journaling. This is the welcome and beginning showing you my uneven nose, meeting my duck, talking about messiness, randomness and some more randomness. We are entering the area of doing something from our soul and heart and showing what is not always obvious...Entry if you dare...

I got really inspired by somebody's comment on one of my art post saying "This is maybe not what you wanted to create but it is something that needed to be expressed". This is all about standing open to your own creativity. Are we fully honest with ourself and our art in whatever shape it takes? There is that trust deeply rooted in a creative process, in order to make it possible to take over our human desire to control, expect and approve.

I feel like art has a strong ability to create a sense of hope. Hope not only in terms of artistic growth but hope in general when we see beyond challenges and circumstances, beyond limitations and obstacles of life. Creating is being open to failure, being ready for painful slap when you do not meet your own expectations. Despite that why do we return to creating because of hunger for expression, need of creativity? Yes but the most importantly we return because of..hope.

I would like to let you know that I am one of the contributing artists to a digital, interactive e-book creative experience created by Susan Nicolai. "Art to heal your soul" is a collaboration of 20 artists who prepared for you 30 days art journal prompts. It is a mixture of style, art and digital expression. It can also be purchased as a gift for a creative friend or just for yourself indulgence:) So let's look what included in the project? And...I am giving away one free access to this course!

I have to confess I am guilty of a solitude indulgence in art. Yes I am that type that locks themselves in a studio for hours and love that sacred intimacy of own creativity. However daily life and some roles we take in life not always support my idea of heaven. Often I try to create when my other duties are off. So preferably when the lovely family is at work or school. So it has not been a surprise that summer school holidays are a bit challenging for appearance of my muse...

Somebody made that assumption once that the process of making art should be only "relaxing”. That vision of the painter with a smile on his face when paining another bunch of flowers or sunset…Well not so much in my case...

My core belief is that the creative process is a form of sacred and personal dialogue that takes place between the artist, her/his heart, mind, ego and the miracle of art process. Something so fragile but so strong at the same time. Art process and just the process, is what attracts me in creativity more than the finished product. That moment that is timeless and exists in a different reality, that short glimpse of seeing beyond and truly inwards, listening to silent voice of your heart. Emerging the personal art talk is more what people like to call "therapy" - it is the way of communication and way of functioning- being creatively authentic to yourself...

I am getting more and more interested in exploration of psychology of creativity and its connection with inner growth as well as self-awareness. For some people creativity is just about "making" art, the painting, the sculpture or whatever form it takes. But for those involved in creativity on regular basis there is something more once they let it take a core centre of their life. There is that power of creative life that goes beyond "making" and affect our cognitive skills. The creativity can teach us to be humble, self-accepting, face the failure and growth- all on regular basis and even at the same time! Creative cycle is the way creativity comes back to us and want us to move on, step outside the comfort zone and learn, learn and learn again...