Art & Soul Insider 2023 January

ART

Improve your Artistic Skills

Learning about art can be rewarding and enriching experience. It can also be a great way to improve your creativity and well-being. There are many different ways to learn about art, including taking art courses, practicing on your own, and exploring different art styles and techniques.

Here are a few tips for learning about art and improving your artistic skills:

1. Practice regularly: The more you practice, the better you'll become. Set aside time each day or week to work on your art.
2. Experiment with different mediums: Don't be afraid to try out different materials and techniques. This will help you discover what you enjoy most and what works best for you.
3. Take art courses: Enrolling in an art course or workshop is a great way to learn from experienced artists and get feedback on your work.
4. Find inspiration: Look for inspiration in the world around you, as well as in the work of other artists.
5. Take care of your health and well-being: Good physical and mental health are important for creativity. Make sure to eat well, get enough rest, and find ways to reduce stress,

By incorporating these tips into your art practice, you can improve your skills and develop your own unique artistic style.

SOUL

Happy New Year!! I hope you had a restful and enjoyable holiday season! Mine was very quiet, as we stayed home. Despite the quietness, a little spice was added by taking in a stray from outside. He had been coming around our house since the summer and, as the days became cooler, we even had a little heated (floor) house for him. However one day (December 19th), he showed up at our house when it was -25, and was covered with a thick layer of snow. I tried to wipe the snow off him, but I made matters worse, as his coat then became wet. So, wet and cold equals freezing, so we brought him inside. It now has been a slow melding of new (cat) with old (our cats), as SCARS (the rescue society) is full and turning strays away.

The Benefits of Taking in a Stray Cat

There are many benefits to taking in a stray cat and giving them a forever home. Some of the benefits include:

1. Companionship: Cats make great companions and can provide love, affection and entertainment.
2. Stress relief: Caring for a pet has been shown to reduce stress and improve overall mental health.
3. Exercise (kinda): Playing with a cat or taking them for walk (if the are trained to walk on a leash) can provide an opportunity for exercise and improve overall physical health.
4. Responsibility: Caring for a pet can help teach responsibility (for younger people) and provide a sense of purpose.
5. Love and affection: Cats provide unconditional love and affection, which can improve overall well-being and happiness.
6. Pest control: Cats are natural hunters and can help control pests in the home.
7. Socialization: Bringing a stray cat into your home can also provide an opportunity for socialization and interaction with others, especially if you adopt from a rescue organization or shelter.

Overall, taking in a stray can can provide many physical and emotional benefits and can be a rewarding experience for both the pet and the owner.

Take Care. Light & Love, Barbara

I hope you're having a great week so far. Just wanted to remind you about my LIVE play time, with art supplies in my FaceBook group, Art & Soul Insider, every Wednesday and Saturday at 10 am (MST). If you love creating art and trying out new supplies, then you won't want to miss it! 

I'll be bringing my art supplies and would love for you to join me and bring yours too. It's a great opportunity to try out new techniques, share ideas, and just have some creative fun together. So mark your calendars and don't forget to join Art & Soul Insider to join in on the fun. Can't wait to see you all there!

My World Rocks

• Get confidence with acrylics paints – Learn 19 techniques
• Step-by-step instructions
• Have some ‘me time’
• Have a sense of pride and enjoyment
• Get colourfully painted rocks with short worded intentions written on them
• Go at your own pace - self-paced
• Weekly access to the teacher (me) via Zoom
• Participate in Guided Meditations
• Have a collection of rocks can be picked for daily intention

To sign up for the course, just go here,  https://www.barbaralynnburns.com/my-world-rocks , and start your fun and relaxing journey now.