Embrace your Differences

I have a very very dear friend, not just in the art world, but in the real world, who loves art as much as I do, and trying new techniques and classes if it means she will walk away learning something new, or finding out more about herself through the art. I love this about her. I highly suggest visiting her at her blog, Irreversibly Moi if you get a chance! 

Anyway, a while back, we had been chatting about classes, and had both discovered Tamara Laporte's work.... but neither of us really had taken her classes, nor done that kind of whimsical work. Nor were either of us comfortable doing faces on girls that we drew. However, Susan, my friend found a free class of Tamara's called Art, Heart & Healing. This journal page is from the first lesson of the class. There are four total lessons and all are long and detailed. Totally worth taking if you get the chance!! 

In the first lesson this is the journal page I ended up making.... 

My girl is actually very reminiscent of my childhood imaginary friend, Bemissa. Yes, Bemissa. At least I think that is how she would have spelled her name. I don't know, I was like 4 or 5 years old. She was a purple girl who had purple everything from her head to her toes. All of her clothes, home, car, etc were purple as well. I guess we know what my favorite color was. :) As I made my own adult Bemissa, I realized what I had learned about myself during the lesson. It was that I needed to start embracing what makes me different instead of fearing it and pushing it away. It was a lot for me to take in, so I didn't do the next lesson for quite some time. But I will share all of that another day. :) 

If you get a chance, please check out the lovely and inspiring Tam's work. It is well worth it.

I am currently enrolled in her yearlong Life Book 2014 Class... it is fantastic! As I get more of the prompts complete I will share them with you!