Dina Wakley – Page 5 – Cath Sheard Art

Getting down the bones

Sometimes all I need in my art journals are the bare bones in order to remember an event or feeling. Other times I write a lot; how readable it is depends on the content. I’m generally very open with what I share, but there are times when I can’t have other people reading the text. The ‘feeling let down’ page was one of those rare moments, so the story behind the page is on the back of a tag. I can lift it up and read if I want to, but probably won’t. Getting it written down was enough. Cathartic!

confusions why food shush guard

May 20, 2020

Colour my world

Today’s journal page is in my Dina Wakley mixed media journal; there’s only a few pages left it in, and I can’t get a new one till lockdown finishes. This was done on a canvas page that I put a good coat of gesso on, then scraped on paints, and layered on mark making with my fav Tim Holtz stencils. I used a Dyan Reaveley mask for the person, then wrote round the edges with a Uniball white gel pen. The page was inspired by Niamh Baly, who I follow on YouTube.

colour my world 20200418

April 18, 2020

Art is good for me

Spending time creating is good for me. Sure, I can go for weeks without creating, but I’ll get a bit ‘down’ and restless. The solution, especially if I feel tired and like it’s all too hard, is to create regardless. Pretty soon I’m sparking again!

This weekend I have spent a lot of time at my art desk and it’s perked me up. I was feeling ok, but now I feel rested even though I’ve had no actual rest…

I won’t describe products, journal etc – it’s my usual mix of Dina Wakley, Tim Holtz, Dyan Reaveley and Ranger.

August 5, 2018

Connecting with old photos

I am using old photos that belong to Tony’s cousin Alison in my new Dina Wakley art journal. Alison has dementia and the photos mean nothing to her, and there is no one to pass them onto. By using them, I honour the memories and build a stronger (internal to me) connection with her, which will help as I take over more of the ‘pastoral care’ as her memory fades.

In December we helped her sell her home and buy a serviced apartment at Jane Winstone Retirement Village. Sadly, she is already unable to stay there due to her deteriorating capacity. Next week she will move into a room the resthome proper so she can be better cared for. Tony and I are working through the process of selling her apartment back to Jane Winstone, and then getting rid of excess furniture etc. It’s a sad process, and one that I have done before, with my own Aunt J.

I know this – tell people you love them, label your photos, write down your stories, do stuff you enjoy when you can. Life is short, and memories are fragile.

journal page 20180320 journal page 20180321

March 21, 2018

An anniversary, and some art

Yesterday Tony and I celebrated our 23rd wedding anniversary. We went to New Plymouth yesterday on the hunt for comfy shoes for both of us. Thanks to the wonderful staff at Fitzroy Shoes, and Ziera, mission accomplished. We did other bits and pieces too, and had dinner at Morrieson’s Cafe on the way home. After 26 years together, we remain each other’s best support. We’re fortunate…

I’ve also been doing some art; this week’s CMP18, a new page in my Dina Wakley journal, and a page starting to process my thoughts around having to move Tony’s cousin Alison from her rest home apartment to the resthome itself due to her rapidly deteriorating dementia. img20180318_09585057 week 11 alison 18 march