IFJM Post #6 - Me, Happier

Tessa is practicing lettering and uniformity in letter height and roundness. She sees improvement that makes her happy.

Thanks for dropping by!
♥ky

*International Fake Journal Month information can be found via the upper left dog button.

IFJM Post #5 - Improvement

So, Tessa is seeing some progress. It comes slowly, and she is very impatient. Her therapist, Lenny, encourages her, and her group of 6 using art journals as a therapy tool. Her drawing today is of Lissa, who is younger than most.

Lissa has a wicked sense of humor. She was injured in a car wreck. Tessa is noticing her drawing is coming back to her more easily than writing.

Ta!
♥ky

IFJM Post #4 - Playing Around

Tessa finally went home from the rehab facility and was reunited with her own studio supplies. I think it made her happy!

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The text reads "Finally home with my supplies. I still get tired very easily. I have missed my things. Still going to therapy. They have a little van that picks me up. Next week, I will have a home-care specialist come over to show me some tools to help. 4-11-11"

This page was made using Tim Holtz letter masks, Distress Inks, spritzed it all with water & bleach.

Thanks for stopping by!
♥ky

IFJM Post #3 - Reflection

Tessa is moving forward, but is still stuck in the past as the artist she will no longer be.

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Text: I used to love to doodle. Here's an example. I think doodling would be good therapy for my hand. I'm sure it will be awful to start. We walked about 200 yards today. I'm tired! April 9, 2011.

IFJM Post #2 - Out of the Dark

Tessa worked on her sketching skills after preparing a background of watercolors and inks.

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The text is Out of the Dark, 4-7-11; {she is} waiting patiently for her therapy with pride. Pen and pencil over watercolor.

Thanks for visiting!
♥ky

P.S. yes - I'm still doing this only with my left (non-dominant) hand.

Courage

This page was created while pondering what courage means to me. Suffering 10 autoimmune diseases, and recently getting a new diagnosis, courage means daring to get up every day when your own body seems intent on a different course of action.

{gesso, Neocolor IIs, watercolor}

I hope this inspires you to contemplate your own internal strength, however small the aggressor might be. You embody courage. Find it, capture it in your journal. You will need the reminder one day.

Creatively yours,
♥ky

P.S. Tessa will post some more work soon - just need to get some camera time.

IFJM Post #1 - Meet Tessa

Tessa is the artist I will be fake journaling for this month. A fake journal is a way to explore your own artist soul from a different perspective. Tessa was an accomplished artist before she had a stroke. Her very smart physical therapist enticed her to do her therapy using an art journal.

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I'm doing Tessa's journal completely left-handed (I'm a righty) and I find it generates even more empathy for folks who have to retrain their brains. Wow - just a short time working and my brain and hand cramp!

Thanks so much for stopping by. Tessa's work will continue to be posted here throughout the month. If you're interested in doing a fake journal, click the doggie button up on the left to find out more.

Ciao!
♥ky