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I find that when I am feeling a little off and am uncertain about what it is about that this tool, altered text, is by far one of the most powerful tools that I have.  It's simple really...you sit down with an old book (I get them at thrift stores for very little money).  You rip tons of pages out so that you have room for art and embellishments...keep ripping even when you think you haven't ripped enough.  Once this is done, you always have a text available to work in.  I usually open to a random page holding my befuddlement (yes,this is a real word) in my mind.  I look over the page and take note of words and phrases that jump out at me. 
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To begin,  I paint over the page with Acrylic Gel Medium.  This protects the page and allows you to mask off the words that have spoken to you.  Let the medium dry completely!!!!  Hair dryers work wonders!  Then use masking fluid to mask off the words you selected.  Again, let it dry completely.  The masking fluid allows you to paint over the page while protecting the print that you want to come through.  Once dry,  create your background.  Paint is one of my favorites as it allows me to create all kinds of textures and feels to the page.  Let the paint dry and then peel off the masking fluid.  You will be able to see it because they look like paint raised blisters.  Peel them off just like you would skin on a sunburn.  Kind of gross image, sorry!  Now embellish the text and background.  Let your imagination soar. 

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Finally, spend some time with the page reflecting on the gift of the words and the art.  This does take some time and other times it hits you pretty square in the eyes.  The images in this post reflect a wide range of pieces for me, each one reflecting where I needed to go next and how I needed to shift my energy.  Ahhh, the power of altered text!

 
 
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This piece grew out of a hike at a nearby trail.  I set out one early morning with my daughter to enjoy our "mountain" and to connect with nature.  As we headed out on the trail I looked down and saw this root in the trail.  I knew that I had to create art with it so I picked it up, left a gift in return and carried it with me throughout the entire hike.    

The next day was a group day at the teen center where I work.  We were working on the idea of recovery and what it felt like, looked like, etc. in our lives.  I was using a technique called "object art", in which you choose an object as a symbol of, in this case, your recovery.  Once you select the object, you begin to create around it.  You can use paint, fabric, collage, whatever moves you.

I was really clear that this root was a critical symbol of my recovery.  A word here on recovery...I am using this word very broadly.  It is my belief that we are all in and out of recovery all the time.  It doesn't mean that all of us use and abuse a substance but it does mean that we all move in and out of our balanced and complete states and any time we are attempting to return to our original state we are in the process of recovery.  So it is with this definition in mind that I began this project.

What I learned is profound.  It was the classic roots and wings conversation.  In order to fly, I must be rooted in truth, the earth, who I am, my principles and then and only then can I fly, like Prometheus, close to the sun. 

I love this piece.  It is simple but is filled with motion and truth and hope and is a reminder of what I need to remember to return to my original state.


 
 
I have just returned from a week of traveling.  I spent a few days backpacking on Mount San Jacinto with my family and then met my lovely sisters in the Napa Valley for some fun and relaxation.  Here is what I am exploring today....can this set of experiences be considered a form of expressive arts?

While it may seem trivial to even consider such a thing...I love the idea of playing with this question.  As I climbed the mountain and breathed in the chilly air,  I felt an incredible sense of restoration and healing.  The trees, the soil, the granite that surrounded me represented the absolute perfect expression of peace and serenity that so many of us seek.  As I required my body to exert itself and climb, I felt the release of stress and anxiety that builds up from day to day life...the mountain is easy...YES,  hike away and spend time in nature,  it is an absolute expression of healing and release.

Okay, on to Napa Valley...
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The journey began with this lovely meal laid before me.  My sisters and I chose a place called Hurley's for lunch.  When this sandwich arrived,  I was astounded by its beauty.  I considered...could eating food beautifully prepared and presented be considered an exercise in Expressive Arts....I did not create the piece BUT eating it brought me tremendous joy and community and frankly, happiness!  It isn't unlike sharing a piece of art in community and everyone who hears about and sees that experience grows because of that person's creation....so....YES, eating food beautifully prepared and presented is an expressive arts experience as well.

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A beautiful entrance to a winery...just had to stop while on the bike ride to take this shot...photography is a form of expressive arts!

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An amazing cluster of cabernet grapes...perhaps drinking wine is not an expressive arts...although, I am clearly open to hearing any argument supporting it....the photography of beauty such as this brings great benefit to one's psyche...If we could look at all the photos I took I wonder what it might teach me about all that I noticed on this trip...perhaps a gift there?
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And then, of course,  there is the benefit that comes from community while traveling....These are  my sisters.  I am on the left and my sister Cindy sits beside me and Tere on the far right.  BTW, it is important for you to know that Cindy isn't happy with this picture as it doesn't capture the depth of happiness that she felt at this moment in our travels nor does it reflect the joy that she felt in being together with us so pretend she looks that way!  In any event, here I am having a new experience at an amazing winery, steeped in community, immersed in beauty and generally, feeling as restored and balanced as I feel when my hands are in paint, clay or collage...My conclusion,  yes, travel is a form of expressive arts and I strongly advise you to go out into the world, open yourself up and experience the joy that comes from finding beauty, community and great food all over the world!