New Beginnings for Shedding Light - 2013

Greetings Everyone -

It is time for new beginnings in a new year! Welcome to Shedding Light - New Beginnings. We will start this short session until the Spring one begins. All the sistahs who are grandmothered in are welcomed and for this session, we would like to invite more women to join us. Anyone interested in beginning the process of dropping ten pounds of weight, please read the Shedding Light Requirements and join. We want the over-all YOU to be all you can be in body, mind and spirit. We are a small group and are like family. Each member is supported by comments from the others..

In this short session, I would like each sistah to draw, paint, collage, carve a self portrait of herself. I know many have not done this in the past; however, the creative process will help one to open up new doors. There's lots of weight that may want to walk out of those doors. After you complete your face, write a poem or paragraph about your creation. I've been creating a face almost daily since my 63rd birthday in May and I want you to know, it feels good. I am loving the fun of flinging paint!

There is no right or wrong - there are merely surprises. Do not worry if this face doesn't look like you - mine rarely do. However, moods seems to show up in the colors. Be as crazy as you want. I use glitter and paste things on my faces as well as glue old earrings on the metal ones. Don't limit yourself to paper or canvas. Use metal, glass, wood, anything that has a surface. I will be happy to go through the basic steps with you - just ask. After all that, then write something about what you've made and don't be shy about that either. Have fun! If you have any questions, holler at me.

New members - go to www.springpounds.gather.com and join. Please make sure you are familiar with Shedding Light before joining. Thanks. Salud

sistahs, to encourage new members, please write how Shedding Light has helped you.

Comments: 22

William M. Feb 13, 2013, 2:37pm UTC

I'm in the wrong place. I'll try to remember this is for women.

Mariana T. Feb 14, 2013, 12:02am UTC

William - you and other guys are always welcomed to follow along and if you want to follow this step - put it in Salud - love to see what you come up with!!! Plus we like seeing your comments. Salud

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Priscilla P. Feb 13, 2013, 2:56pm UTC

Your faces are so inspirational and it is so exciting to see them as they appear in your posts. This one today is phenomenal, the bird, the glowing reflective cheeks as a mirror.
I only have watercolor pencils with me in rarotonga but maybe I can do something with those, or the sand, or the coral? Actually the old spend coconut blooms bear a great resemblance.
For any prospective members, I can only say that this group of 'sistahs' has changed my life from a fearful, squeezed, sad, mass to a live, confident, feeling being fill with joy. I lost pounds and fears with the support of these insightful, kind, wise ladies. I am beond grateful !

Mariana T. Feb 13, 2013, 9:02pm UTC

sand bones coral - a lovely beach portrait in the sand with coral and bones and shells for features and seaweed hair - then a picture - do it up good sistah - use whatever materials you have - that goes for everyone - I used to use old makeup to paint faces back in the day - coffee works too! Can't wait to see what you've done sistah Priscilla and thanks for the compliments! hugs, Salud

Stacey Mamasaid Feb 15, 2013, 11:49am UTC

I agree Sistah Priscilla - the confidence and joy I derived from this group are amazing. I took steps in my life that were daring. I also reached out to finally get answers about my health. I am finally on the right track. And Mariana's faces reach out to you, the work is incredible.

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Alison H. Feb 13, 2013, 8:37pm UTC

I will love seeing these portraits and seeing what shall come forth with my own. Thanks for the inspiration, Mariana.

Mariana T. Feb 13, 2013, 9:02pm UTC

Alison, I can't wait to see them all - I know Sistah Otelia is cringing but she has to do this lol ! Salud

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elizabeth evans Feb 14, 2013, 7:20am UTC

Only you could fling paint with such zest. Love your portrait, Mari.

Mariana T. Feb 15, 2013, 12:33pm UTC

thanks Sistah - do you want to join us for this brief season?

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Stacey Mamasaid Feb 15, 2013, 11:51am UTC

I love your face, the colors and eyes! This is stepping into ground I have not walked for decades. I loved art in school but then drifted away. I've done some charcoal sketches over the years but can't even remember where I left those supplies. I may have to take a trip to the store - I think I have some watercolors around somewhere. This will be fun - but my work is sure be amateur ;) I also did past waves and will enter them in the next day or so.

Mariana T. Feb 15, 2013, 12:32pm UTC

Sistah - loosen up - this is called New Beginnings - forget everything you've learned - yes, find some cheap oops house paint and a piece of plywood - cheap and most probably free from the lumber company. Use what is available - that is what I do - paint the plywood black - I do use a good gesso - black but use what you have - then you can draw with oil pastels on to this canvas if you want - that's a start - I usually start with an oval but round is good - but for starters - an oval - and put eyes half way down - they don't have to be round or even then the nose and mouth - I will post a Youtube later on today - I like painting in the mornings before I have to do the house painting and the sun is shining - ! Also, write about your art struggle or satisfaction - I'm Sure Sistah Sunshine will do one with you - should be fun! Salud

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Granny Janny Feb 15, 2013, 4:28pm UTC

This face is an incredible work of art. I love every aspect about it. I will work on it...and follow the prompt. I doodle faces all the time...but to do my own is another story. You come up with amazing prompts, sistah! You know I love this group.

Mariana T. Feb 16, 2013, 1:24pm UTC

Jan, paint your essence, not necessarily your image - your essence will come out automatically - just draw an oval and for a bit of movement have it catty cornered and not straight up forward - eyes half way down - other than that - eyes could be two different colors - we all see things in various ways - ie the way we put together our observations of beauty - the subconscious thoughts, the conscious thoughts - add zest to those lips - sometimes I use glitter - be wild - if you want half your face to be one color and the other another - go for it!!!! This is not a talent contest - it's to come out of any boundaries you may have drawn around yourself because of any reason. You probably had many artistic opportunities - so are a bit ahead of that game - but some of us (me) didn't so are making up for it now!!! Salud

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ChrisJerri S. Feb 17, 2013, 8:55am UTC

Nice, love all the color! I recently discovered art apps and have been experimenting with those. I think I've found my niche. It's portable and you can do versions on top of versions. I do lots of faces. My husband asks when am I going to start doing the bodies. I just signed up for a free figure drawing course on line. I've put a lot of them on my blog which I had gotten away from, but doing the ipad art started me back on it. I hope to check back and be inspired by all this art.

Mariana T. Feb 19, 2013, 7:55pm UTC

HI Jerri - I've always loved Adobe photoshop and use it often on various drawings - it's so much fun - are you joining us this season ? love to have you back. I will post other faces but for some reason, Gather isn't as user friendly as it once was! Take care and miss you! SAlud

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Otelia S. Feb 27, 2013, 4:10pm UTC

Average home- $305,900
Therapy session-$150.00
Shedding Light Sistahs and frequent visitors-Priceless
Shedding Light has meant the world to me. The women are as close as real sisters. The love is sufficient and the prayers and support received can be overwhelming at times.

Mariana T. Mar 7, 2013, 12:19pm UTC

Thank you so much Sistah - Otelia - you are the best. Salud

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Mariana T. Mar 7, 2013, 12:20pm UTC

Sistahs - I have tried to post and can't will keep trying - Salud

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Marilyn (PaintsOnSlate) S. Apr 9, 2013, 8:22am UTC

You are always such and inspiration - I love your words of encouragement and you art.

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Connie C. Apr 12, 2013, 5:35pm UTC

I went a head and applied for membership in this group. This way I can post my responses to your assignments and read others. I checked the link to know when posts were submitted.

Thanks for all you do in the gather community, Mariana

Connie C. Apr 12, 2013, 7:02pm UTC

I don't just want to lose weight, I want to begin a healthier lifestyle.

Mariana T. Apr 12, 2013, 9:21pm UTC

Connie - we only try to lose or keep off ten pounds of weight a season. Living a healthier lifestyle will help eliminate what causes weight. Try to start drinking more water for starters and if you can get some Bragg's Apple Cider vinegar - a bit of that in water twice a day would help in so many ways. I will try to find a link so you can read all that this will do for you. Just work on this for a week and see how it works for you. I'm glad you're part of our team again! Great bunch of women in here. Salud

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New Beginnings for Shedding Light - 2013

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