LIVIVIDLI LIFESTYLE BLOG

LIVIVIDLI LIFESTYLE BLOG

ART FOR YOUR HEALTH: CREATIVE ARTS, CANCER & SOLDIERS

THINK GIFTS. BUY HANDMADE. BUY ORIGINAL. BUY DIRECT.

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CHECK OUT THIS WEEK'S "ART FOR YOUR HEALTH" HEADLINES

Treating Cancer With Art: 5 Alternative Therapies That Heal Cancer Symptoms
http://www.medicaldaily.com/articles/15479/20130513/cancer-treatment-cancer-therapy-art-therapy.htm

Creative arts may ease cancer-related anxiety, pain
http://news.yahoo.com/creative-arts-may-ease-cancer-related-anxiety-pain-192641397.html

Soldiers' Art: What traumatic brain injury feels like
http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-504803_162-10016706.html

OTHER POSTS YOU MAY LIKE:
NEWSROOM: RAINFOREST ORIGINAL PAINTING VIDEO
SKETCHY IDEAS: FLOWER ILLUSTRATION
MADE YOU LOOK: A LOOK BACK AT PHOTOS

Posted by Laura Miller at 5/20/2013 6:19 AM | Add Comment

SKETCHY IDEAS: REPURPOSED BOOK AS SKETCHBOOK FOR FLOWER ILLUSTRATIONS

THINK GIFTS. BUY HANDMADE. BUY ORIGINAL. BUY DIRECT.

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USING BOOKS AS SKETCHBOOKS

I've decided to start to repurpose actual books as sketchbooks. Not only does the text of the book add an interesting layer to the drawings but it also saves a tree!

I also like that the books have hard covers and have weight to them. I don't plan on altering the outside of the book either. I think it would be fun to see someone open the book only to find colorful drawings inside...a little surprise.

There are so many books that are being thrown out or being sold for next to nothing. I found the book below on gardening for 75 cents...can't beat the price!

I'll use this book for all my flower illustrations. I'll still use blank sketchbooks depending on the end purpose of the drawing. I often give drawings in place of greeting cards (birthday, etc)and may not want to tear a page out of my book for that.

I intend to use other books for other topics so that they can be organized. I spend a lot of time trying to find a previous drawing that I needed to come up with some kind of system.

OTHER POSTS YOU MAY ENJOY:
SKETCHY IDEAS: FLOWER ILLUSTRATION
SKETCHY IDEAS: FEATHER ILLUSTRATION WITH NATIVE AMERICAN QUOTES
SKETCHY IDEAS: HIGHLIGHTER & BLACK PEN ART

Posted by Laura Miller at 5/14/2013 4:14 AM | Add Comment

ART FOR YOUR HEALTH: HEALING NEWTOWN, THE BRAIN & ART, HEALTH & AGING

THINK GIFTS. BUY HANDMADE. BUY ORIGINAL. BUY DIRECT.

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CHECK OUT THIS WEEK'S "ART FOR YOUR HEALTH" HEADLINES

Healing Newtown Schedules Week’s Workshops, Events
http://www.voicesnews.com/articles/2013/05/11/community_events/doc518d2b8290341530976802.txt

What the brain draws from: Art and neuroscience
http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/06/health/art-brain-mind-nov

The Intersection of Creativity, Health, and Aging
http://www.giarts.org/blog/janet/intersection-creativity-health-and-aging

OTHER POSTS YOU MAY ENJOY:
ART FOR YOUR HEALTH: KATE MIDDLETON, AUTISM & ALZHEIMER'S ARTS PROGRAM
ART FOR YOUR HEALTH: CATHY MALCHIODI ART THERAPY TEDx, HEALING VETERANS & PHOTOVOICE PROJECT
MADE YOU LOOK: COLEUS, NATURE'S BEAUTIFUL COLOR COMBINATION

Posted by Laura Miller at 5/13/2013 5:26 AM | Add Comment

STUDIO 411: ON THE GO SKETCH KIT

THINK GIFTS. BUY HANDMADE. BUY ORIGINAL. BUY DIRECT.

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ON THE GO SKETCH KIT

I like to keep my sketch kit pretty simple. These items aren't expensive so that if I lose them I won't feel too bad about it. Some items are "must haves" others are optional. One rule... I try not to take anything out of the kit so that I always know that I can slip it into my bag...so off I go.

I repurposed an iPad case to hold everything. I used thin plastic case before but like the iPad case because it's padded.

MUST HAVES:

case
sketchbook (any will do, I've been using the Strathmore Visual Journal)
black fine Sharpie
extra fine point Sharpie
black ballpoint pen (any will do, I prefer fine point and have bought them at grocery stores)
white Sakura Gelly Roll pen
Aqua Flo Brushes in plastic bag so water won't leak. These brushes have a water reservoir in the handle...brilliant idea!
highlighters...I bought these at a grocery store.
watercolor kit small enough to fit in the case. I use Winsor Newton Compact Set
towels to absorb excess water

OPTIONAL: These are more expensive items that I would hate to lose. Love them both!

OTHER POSTS YOU MAY ENJOY:
TUTORIAL: EASY TRIBAL ERASER STAMPS
SEASONS FOUR: SPRING THAW ON LAKE HURON IN MICHIGAN
STUDIO 411: "RAINFOREST" ORIGINAL PAINTING

Posted by Laura Miller at 5/10/2013 6:22 AM | Add Comment

SKETCHY IDEAS: MICHIGAN NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN TOTEM POLE SOUVENIR DRAWING

THINK GIFTS. BUY HANDMADE. BUY ORIGINAL. BUY DIRECT.

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When my grandmother passed away, I picked out a wooden souvenir totem pole from her belongings as a way to remember her. The totem pole indicates it was made by Native Americans, St. Ignace, Michigan. My grandmother enjoyed camping "Up North" so I believe she purchased it from the Totem Village Museum that has a collection of totem poles and souvenirs.

Ojibwe (Chippewa) Native Americans inhabited this Upper Peninsula area and have an annual Native American Festival.

I used black pens and highlighters for this drawing. I love the simple graphic nature of Native American totem poles...

OTHER POSTS YOU MAY ENJOY:
SKETCHY IDEAS: HIGHLIGHTER & BLACK PEN ART
STUDIO 411: PROGRESS OF A PAINTING BY LAURA MILLER AT LIVIVIDLI (LIVE VIVIDLY) STUDIO
SKETCHY IDEAS: FLOWER ILLUSTRATION

Posted by Laura Miller at 5/8/2013 4:58 AM | Add Comment

ART FOR YOUR HEALTH: KATE MIDDLETON, AUTISM & ALZHEIMER'S ARTS PROGRAM

THINK GIFTS. BUY HANDMADE. BUY ORIGINAL. BUY DIRECT.

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CHECK OUT THIS WEEK'S "ART FOR YOUR HEALTH" HEADLINES

Kate Middleton to meet young people helped by art therapy charity at National Portrait Gallery
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/kate-middleton-meet-young-people-1850586#ixzz2Sb8hmQfm

"Art Therapy" Real Look Autism Episode 11
http://youtu.be/Dc2J6WZvfUY

Alzheimer's Arts Program Enriches Life For Patients
http://www.courant.com/community/west-hartford/hc-west-hartford-fresh-canvas-0425-20130424,0,1785149.story

OTHER POSTS YOU MAY ENJOY:
ART FOR YOUR HEALTH: CATHY MALCHIODI ART THERAPY TEDx, HEALING VETERANS & PHOTOVOICE PROJECT
NEWSROOM: RAINFOREST ORIGINAL PAINTING VIDEO
ART FOR YOUR HEALTH: BRIAN ENO, ART THERAPY CHANGES LIFE & GLOBAL HEALTH & ART

Posted by Laura Miller at 5/7/2013 4:55 AM | Add Comment

NURSE'S WEEK: SCRUB TOP FABRIC WREATH DIY CRAFT

THINK GIFTS. BUY HANDMADE. BUY ORIGINAL. BUY DIRECT.

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CELEBRATE NURSE'S WEEK!
UPCYCLE YOUR SCRUBS!

We have lots of nurses in our family so there is no shortage of scrub tops. I made this wreath for my niece who is also a nurse as part of her wedding shower gift.

WHAT YOU NEED:

12" wire wreath frame
175 2"x6" strips of scrub top fabric (this wreath took 4 scrub tops)
yarn used as ribbon (I used green, teal & purple combo)
rotary cutting tool (makes the job EASY, scissors work perfectly as well)
patience as the tying can be a bit tedious

Cut 175 2"x6" strips. Don't worry about the strips being exactly that size. I just "eyeballed" it and cut with a rotary cutting tool. I cut off the sleeves first and then cut up the body of the scrub top. You will need to work around any pockets or buttons the top may have. Once I figured out a system of cutting I was able to cut up a top in 15 minutes with a rotary tool. Using scissors will add to cutting time.

I only tied the strips on 2 of the 4 round wires, the outermost and innermost rings. Keep tying on the strips with simple knots alternating fabric until the wreath is absolutely full with beautiful fabric. Sprinkle bits of yarn for some solid pop of color. I added extra yarn on the inner rings to add fullness and color.

Variety of scrub tops!

Rotary tool makes cutting EASY!

Stacks of cut fabric.

Another photo of stacks of fabric.

Alternate strips with yarn to get fullness and color!

Innermost ring being tied.

Finished wreath.

Beautiful on a wall or door! Would look great in a baby's nursery or teen room.

OTHER POSTS YOU MAY ENJOY:
NEWSROOM: RAINFOREST ORIGINAL PAINTING VIDEO
MADE YOU LOOK: A LOOK BACK AT PHOTOS
ARTISTIC PROJECTS: WHIMSICAL NUTS & BOLTS ROCK OWLS

Posted by Laura Miller at 5/6/2013 6:17 AM | View Comments (2) | Add Comment

MADE YOU LOOK: PILES OF STUFF PHOTOS

THINK GIFTS. BUY HANDMADE. BUY ORIGINAL. BUY DIRECT.

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bricks

logs

hardware

floor tile

rocks

garden hose

gourds

OTHER POSTS YOU MAY ENJOY:
NEWSROOM: RAINFOREST ORIGINAL PAINTING VIDEO
SKETCHY IDEAS: FLOWER ILLUSTRATION
INSPIRATION BOARD: MUSEUM TAPESTRIES & TEXTILES

Posted by Laura Miller at 5/4/2013 4:44 AM | Add Comment

ARTISTIC PROJECTS: COLORFUL KRYLON SPRAY PAINT EMBELLISHED DOORMAT TUTORIAL

THINK GIFTS. BUY HANDMADE. BUY ORIGINAL. BUY DIRECT.

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I want to freshen up my small front porch with some spring color so I decided to start with a doormat. I purchased a couple doormats (one for front and one for the back of the house) with the idea to spray paint them for added color.

NEED:

doormats
Krylon Indoor/Outdoor spray paint (I purchased at Hobby Lobby)
painters tape

Simply tape off the areas you want to paint. I applied 3 coats of paint and let dry between coats. I used Krylon Indoor/Outdoor spray paints in the following colors: