Is Looking Through Someone Really Looking Through Yourself?

I'M LOOKING THROUGH YOU - Collage

Change is the only constant in life. How often have you pondered this quote? We welcome change when we feel we are moving in a direction that is good for us. We resist when we are uncertain of what a change hold for our future.

"Looking" is the theme of the Journal sent to me as part of a round-robin Journal exchange. When it arrived, it was like opening a jewelled treasure. The completed pages were incredible, glowing with colour, vision and creativity.

I knew this Journal was on the way to me. Prompted by the theme, The Beatles song, "I'm Looking Through You" kept playing through my mind. The lyrics tell the story of Paul McCartney's relationship with actress Jane Asher. At the time, they were growing apart, each following their own path. They didn't see eye to eye on how the relationship was to move forward.

The substrate for the page is heavy white paper. Working my way through a few fashion magazines I had at hand, ripping out photos I liked, I arbitrarily glued them down to the Journal page. My Muse was with me, and everything just seemed to "fit". I got out an alphabet rubber stamp set in a font I really like. With indigo coloured ink, I randomly stamped the lyrics to the song. Stenciling metallic acrylic paint over the glued images completed the page.

Change. When we become aware of a transformation in others, doesn't it mirror a shift we are experiencing in ourselves? For good or bad, change will always be with us. How do you recognise the winds of change?

Women Are Inspiring...Who Inspired You?

Life Is A Song - ATC

Today is International Women's Day. The theme for the 2014 celebration is: “Equality for women is progress for all”. The day is a clear reminder of how far we have come...but yet we still have a long way to go. When I look back on the opportunities and resources available to my great-grandmother, grandmother, and mother I can appreciate there has been progress. But just not enough, not fast enough, and not globally enough.

"Life is a Song...Sing It", is a passage attributed to Mother Teresa I read in the Grand Circle Corporation book of quotes. It inspired this Artist Trading Card and I feel it is echos the spirit of today's celebration. We all have a unique voice and together we open doors for each other, not only on one day of the year, but every day, every year.

My life is shaped by so many women. I imagine my Muse to be a woman as well. She isn't a singular being, but rather bits and pieces of the women who have influenced my life. She has the business savvy of my maternal great-grandmother; the intelligence and forward thinking of my maternal grandmother; the fortitude of my paternal grandmother; the work ethic of my paternal aunt; the nurturing compassion and sound judgement of my mother, and finally the constant support of my partner.

My Artist Trading Card is a mixture of a vintage photo, Distress Inks, and acrylic paint stencilled and rubber stamped on to the illustration board substrate.

As International Women's Day draws to a close, show your appreciation to all of the powerful, influential women who make a difference in your life. Women are inspiring. Who inspired you?