Illustration Friday (Worry)

Art Journal page spread for Illustration Friday.  Mixed media and collage in a journal made from a reclaimed hardback book.

The design on the upper right hand page is a piece of painted paper made by brushing, smearing, and brayering excess paint onto freezer paper.  I'm always amazed at how these random, unplanned scraps turn into such great collage elements.

As for this week's theme, worry is something I am very intimate with.  I hold a PhD in Worry.  I believe this the flip or shadow side of having an active imagination.  I am grateful for my imaginative mind for its contribution to my creative life, but as I can imagine wonderful things, I can imagine dark and scary things as well.

This page speaks to my worry about Mr. P's absence.  The hardest thing is worrying about his safety.   Years ago, a well-intentioned friend told me not to worry because it would become a self-fulfilling prophecy. 

Well.

THAT was not helpful.  It scared me half-to-death. 

I turned a corner this year in my thinking.  I am still worried about and afraid for Mr. P., but I also [finally!] understand that my fear is not truth.  My fear is not reality. The fears I have are legitimate and understandable considering the circumstances, but now when I start wandering down the worry path, I can remind myself that the feelings of fear and worry are just that.  Feelings.  Not truth.  And certainly not a crystal ball on the future.  My imagination, even the part of it that worries, does not have that kind of power.

What a relief.

Comments

[kiri]

i like the colours used on the right hand side they make my worries go away

[Paula Bogdan]

It's very hard not to worry, isn't it? Worry is one thing I can do very well. I try to remember something I once heard: "Worry is like a rocking chair. There's lots of motion, but you never really get anywhere." Doesn't always work though!

[willie]

It's eclecteriffic!!