How art has helped me grow over the past year...and beyond.

The last year has been a struggle for me on a personal level, and as I've gone through this season of heart change, I've been thankful for the lesson's I've learned through my art practice. I often say that "watercolour lessons are life lessons," and this has borne out as I've faced some truths I'd been avoiding, and let go of some baggage I've carried for too long.
I'm thankful for the gift art has been in teaching me to be courageous and willing to be vulnerable. It's a growth process that will be continuing, lifelong.

[@lesliewaite4316]

My goodness Angela..I am 22 years older than you, you are my second daughter's age. Anyhow...this past year had been a year of growth for me also..growth through pain also, through fear also. I foundvyou in 2016 when I began my watercolor journey. I have learned so much from you, about art, and about the connection with our feelings through art...once again, I thank you. And thank you for sharing what you have been doing this past year..You are amazing..so am i🩵😘🤗🖌

[@stevebernihansen1190]

Thank you so much for sharing. I too use art for healing. I recently lost my sister who died quite suddenly. She was only 52. We left right from her service to a trip to Hawaii that had been booked over a year ago. God knew I would need to take time to heal. I took along my journal and my watercolours. I spent two weeks pouring out my heart into both and to God. He did an amazing healing in me through this process and continues to do so. Also I have an amazing gift of my time in Hawaii as I look back through my paintings.

[@angelfehr]

What a beautiful way to process her life and loss! Thank you for sharing that.

[@sheilaredford3217]

Thank you for sharing such personal feelings. I look to God who has been so good to me, to guide my next steps. I teach a small class at my church, with the premise that watercolor will wash away so much pain, replacing it with friendships, laughter at ourselves, and true Joy. I am so grateful. And to your encouragement and teaching. You are a special lady.

[@DianeAntoneStudio]

Painting is a great healer and when we finally allow ourselves to express what we are feeling through painting, rather than slavishly copying what we see on Pinterest (and your art is a good example to inspire people) many more of us will begin to heal. We all are living in a broken world, and surviving is going to be a challenge. I’m glad you are feeling stronger. I know painting saved my life, I’m sure it’s saved many others’.

[@laurahale5774]

Thank you for sharing this, not an easy thing to do, but an important one for all of us.

[@Diane_McDon]

“Feeling my pain didn’t mean I was going to be stuck there forever“ these words almost made me cry -🙏🏻🌸

[@lauriecrosby2906]

Thank you for articulating your process and sharing it with us. I have used art for healing too. I am grateful for your teaching and words of wisdom. They helped me get through the pandemic relatively sane.

[@fiddler1252]

When I first found you, on KZbin, Spring of 2018, I loved, adored, trusted, and respected you. You as a women, a mother, a wife, an artist, and now my teacher for some seven years. I was lead to jump into my own art during that time, and so thankful I took your Watercolour Mastery Course. "Heart-led' art resonated with my creative journey as a soulful and spiritual journey. I'm a Quaker, practice yoga, meditate, which all brings to me share with you that Heart-led is truly God/Spirit-led for me. Warm gratitude for taking your year for self-care, healing, and learning. I greatly appreciate your honest, vulnerable, heart-led, life that most definitely emerges in your watercolour creations. Hugs, from Jan in Sointula, BC.

[@larrymisiak915]

You have received and you have given.

[@maryjrodriguez1210]

I really appreciate your sincerity about your deep feelings.

[@gracet3705]

Thank you for your generosity. Thank you for sharing your healing with us.

[@Ann.shecopeswithhope]

You continue to encourage me at every turn! A soul sister in so many ways… not only in the Lord, but in interrupting oneself as well 😂. A beautiful ceiling indeed! Thank you for sharing. Art has been a healing tool in my life also, living with the both/and of pain/sadness and hope/joy. God bless you and keep you for blessing us SO!

[@kristinbrennenstuhl6520]

I’m traveling thru a season of loss and grief. I haven’t chosen or forced myself to pick up my paint brush. I don’t want to do anything. After hearing you message today, Angela, I’m thinking that painting may help me to move forward in the healing. Thank you for sharing.

[@Diane_McDon]

I hope it helps you

[@annemorgan2928]

Thanks for sharing. I can relate totally. It has saved me.🇨🇦

[@chatterbox2]

Wow. Thank you, Angela, for sharing your vulnerability. It brought tears to my eyes, feeling your hurt and strength to carry on, using your amazing gifts of art and communication. I found you on KZbin four years ago when I started painting, and have been moved by your art and the sharing of yourself in the years since. Praying for your continued healing and peace.

[@l.nelson3093]

And pour into us you have! God bless you for this open, honest, brave message that broken isn't forever, healing is possible and that we are not alone! It's a privilege to be a student/friend with you🤗

[@dianewillard4269]

Thank you for sharing your personal journey and how Art has helped you. Thank you. Diane

[@judithompson558]

What a sweet, honest, heartfelt message. I appreciate you so much for that. You influence people so much more than you know! Thank you so much for sharing!❤

[@gillyslikejillysart7458]

Hugs to you Angela. Thank you for being so brave and sharing your healing journey. It is an inspiration to us all. I have been doing some deep healing this past year as well. Thank you for all your lovely videos and heartfelt words!❤❤❤

[@marcyshannon2607]

Thank you for sharing. This is another step in recovering ❤

[@MsMoniqueWilson]

Thank you for your vulnerability and sharing your journey. Art has had similar effects on me. It allows me to think and process on a subconscious level - making it easier to work on thing consciously. If that makes sense,

[@Sueevans152326]

Angela, as always you are an inspiration. I began painting to work thru the loss of my dad who was an oil painter. I was drawn to watercolor and fell in love with it immediately. Yes, art does heal😊

[@kjrobinsontelusnet]

Art has got me through some incredible dark dark days. It kept me alive when I didn’t want to live. And it saw me through to the sunshine I thought I would never see again on the other side.

[@angelag9346]

Hello Angela....I can relate with your comments. Art has been a big part of my healing journey as well. Thank you for sharing

[@mariagiombarrese9877]

Thank you for being so open and honest about your journey & your feelings. I believe art is like medicine & can help to soothe both body & soul. Thanks again.

[@lauriecrosby2906]

So brave of you Angela. Healing is hard work 💪

[@cecileegeorgeson_artist]

Heart felt and heart led….. thank you. I am enjoying relearning with you while diving head and heart back into watercolour all the way from Downunder.

[@robyncanning7441]

Thank you for being an honest and open person Angela. Sharing these thoughts for me, helps to broaden the benefits that art and being creative can give. We don't always recognise that, so when someone puts it into words it's really helpful. It gives me a new perspective to think about for my situation which is a healthy thing! Always interested in your thoughts and art, see you on Sketchbook Revival, looking forward to your tutorial! Best wishes Robyn

[@ms_chigger]

Yes your ceiling is beautiful. I have always thought so when I’ve caught glimpses of them.

[@taylordonaldson490]

This time of sharing really spoke to me and my heart! Thank you for being 'you'. ***As an aside, indeed, your ceiling is beautiful❣

[@IamSpectre2020]

I'm 67 and my grandfather invented the metal cieling tiles when he was 20 mid to late 1800's. He also invented the standing seam roof made of copper used on steep roofs like churches and actually invented these copper seams to re-build the Ottawa Parliment roofs after the great fire in the 1920's. If ever you come to Ottawa check the West Block and you will see a large copper hand made plane / weather vane that my Grandfather made out of Copper from the old roof and gifted to the then Prime Minister of the day. The plane/weathervane is still intact just a little over 100 years later. Those metal tiles were stamped right here in Ottawa and shipped all over the world. They were originally made of light gauge tin. Now those are replaced in plastic. Nice Cieling Angela.

[@maryshank7825]

Great message!

[@hilaryvanderwater2839]

Thank you for this message, and for sharing so generously of yourself. You speak the truth, as I've experienced life, and you articulate it so well.

[@walker449d]

Loved your video. I have trouble feeling my feelings but art has been a way that they somehow come through. At first I don’t see it and then a few weeks later, there it is right in front of me. Thanks for sharing your process. All the best , Carol from NH. ❤

[@ralphchristianson]

I agree, you have a wonderful ceiling, it is gorgeous. You have been blessed with the gift of getting rid of the garbage that holds you back. Tony Bennett who just passed was an example as well of someone who overcame much adversity when it looked like all was lost and came back stronger in his 60s and brought joy to the whole world with him music and his art. You have done it much younger and art is such a healing tool that fills our soul with colour. God will bless your journey as you continue with the ups and downs.

[@nancyhuss6653]

It takes courage and vulnerability for you to share your journey with us - a huge community of watercolor junkies who love you for who you are. I'm so grateful to have found you when you were in the first years of sharing with us. You captivated me with your thought provoking comments, mindfulness in creating and just you being you. I was also motivated by you to start my own spiritual healing journey with art because you shared how much it has helped you. I wish you all the best in your journey and may you find strength, peace, love and grace everyday. We are here with you - I see you and hear you. Many thanks, Angela!

[@micalagoerke1528]

Love this transparency

[@daylightSWW]

Angela you are definitely vulnerable and BRAVE! I have never met an instructor of any kind that gives of themselves so much and lets us know who you really are. Thank you!

[@KginVT]

Angela, Thank you for sharing your personal story. It resonated with me as I’m sure it did with so many others. Art allows us to be our true selves. It doesn’t matter what level of skill we’ve reached, although I feel I’m always reaching to get better at it. Thanks again.

[@trudy3637]

Thank you for being so open, honest, and vulnerable, Angela! You are such an inspiration to me and so many others. 💕

[@patriciamartin19]

Your ceiling is gorgeous!

[@janclark3203]

Your lovely ceiling looks like a Zentangle pattern! I love to water color with Zentangle pattern into it!

[@delphinewood7519]

💙💙💙

[@lmiller853]

Yet again, you make such profound connections! BTW, I love your ceiling! Is it stamped tin?

[@angelfehr]

Thank you! It's not actually, it's a pressed fibreboard that we painted to look like porcelain enameled tin. 😊

[@aidasoto2936]

I like your ceiling it use in the antiques ages to be made in cast iron you can restore and enhance and improve with resin or fiberglass. I can see there is a trim around the wall and touching the ceiling pattern beautifull. You an paint or keep original probably was white? Use to clean uv lights mines tiny ones use cotton to wet with baking soda and vinegar with water mor water than vinegar 60% water and 40% vinegar or just 100% water put cotton wet with thats soda and water and a hint of vinegar and tray to keep with tape and us aluminum paper so the very light weigh of the little uv lights with the reflection of aluminum foil increase and let that for one or two hours then you will see they turn white. If not just paint the trim in the conection of wall and ceiling is a nice option but is not accurate with the pattern of that beautiful ceiling . I will take a picture to find a nice or good visual solution and restoration.

[@aidasoto2936]

I like your earrings you design them?