Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Truth Collage

There's a lot of talk going around about what the truth really is these days. I won't get political on you here but in my experience of discussing political topics with others I often find that it is hard to get people to accept truths about problems for which there is no easy answer. Many things I know to be true are things I wish were false, so I completely understand the reluctance of people not to accept them. The problem with that is that it makes them susceptible to pretty lies which I believe make things worse for everyone, if not in the short run then definitely in the long run.

In our personal lives too, there are a lot of problems we would rather not face because we don't see a solution. However, in my experience, if we can find the courage to face the truth, the solution often emerges - maybe not immediately or all at once, but over time we gain the clarity we need when we are willing to see things for what they are.

You can't trust or believe in anyone who lies to you, even when that someone is you. The truth begins with being true to ourselves.

Note: If you want to share my collage below on Facebook, please do so from my I Believe In Art Facebook Page post. If you share it elsewhere, I hope that you will credit me, Victoria Lynn Hall and link back to this page if possible. Thank you.

Knowing the truth starts with finding the courage to be honest with ourselves.
- Victoria Lynn Hall

Stock Photo credits:

Woman looking in mirror by NIKITA SHIROKOV

Green leafed plants by stephen packwood

Lion Photo 103837860 © Isselee | Dreamstime.com

Kindness Is Beautiful
by Designs By Victoria Lynn Hall

Monday, November 29, 2021

A Collage for George

I generally don't like to dwell on the anniversary of someone's death but having just spent the last few days watching and re-watching The Beatles Get Back documentary, George Harrison has been on my mind even more than usual and today marking 20 years since he left us seems poignant to me.

I remember that day 20 years ago very clearly. It was not a good day to begin with and then when I heard the news...I was a mess. But I'm not a mess today, at least not in the same way I was then. I am much more at peace with myself these days and I realized that I have George to thank for much of the peace in my heart.

The Beatles all went through several stages of their careers, the early Beatles, the later Beatles, the solo careers and their various other projects... and John and George have lived on through posthumous releases and remembrances and their enduring bodies of work. And all four of them have been with me through all the stages of my life since I was 10 years old.

These last 20 years, just as in the 22 years before them, George has been with me through his music and his words, his faith strengthening my faith, his seeking inspiring my search. I even had a dream about him not long ago that gave me such peace, I turn to the memory of it whenever I'm in need of comfort.

Of course, I didn't know the "real" George and I can't imagine the pain that those who did felt when he died. But today I just feel like he is very much still here and I'm grateful for that and for all he was while he was living.

Here's my collage for George, with sources listed below it, Feel free to share it but I hope you will credit me, Victoria Lynn Hall, and link to this page. Thank you:

Thank You George - Victoria Lynn Hall

George Photo by Richard Avedon

Sky Photo by Ritam Baishya - Unsplash

Flower Heart & Hands by Amy Shamblen - Unsplash

Foilage by Kittichai Songprakob | Dreamstime

Rock & Roll T-Shirts
by Designs By Victoria Lynn Hall

Saturday, November 27, 2021

Don't Give Up

Perseverance can be a blessing and a curse. It would be accurate to say that, at times, I don't know when to quit. Then again, I always know that I've given something my all and in doing that I have developed strength and resilience that I may not have otherwise.

I still don't know when to quit but I have learned that sometimes I need to take a break or adjust my plans or re-evaluate my goals or let go of certain expectations. I've learned that not giving up doesn't mean banging your head against a brick wall or forging ahead to the point of exhaustion. Sometimes not giving up is giving up on things working out just like you wanted them to or with who you wanted them to work out with. Sometimes not giving up is giving up just for the night and trying again the next day.

But not giving up is always not giving up on yourself and what you love.

If you give up in the middle of your struggle
You will never know what it is like to fly
- words & photo collage by Victoria Lynn Hall

Photo sources:

Portrait of fit woman by Olenka Kotyk

Man lying on floor by Žygimantas Dukauskas

Butterfly wings from photos by Kathy Servian

Please credit Victoria Lynn Hall and link to this post when sharing this collage.

Butterfly Collage Tote Bag
by Victoreeah

Photo Collage Therapy

Some of you may have noticed that I'm not the kind of person who sticks to one art form or expression of creativity. My muse seems to be quite fickle and I always want to try and learn new things. I really wish I would remember this more often when it comes to investing in art supplies. Then again, I never know what I will need!

However, my latest creative projects have not involved any art supplies at all. They are completely digital photo collages I am making from royalty free stock photos. They grew from my ongoing obsession with making memes for my I Believe In Art Facebook Pages and for other projects I am collaborating on with others. At first I was just combining other people's quotes with other people's images but then I found myself combining and layering those images and adding my own words.

This has become my art therapy, which was especially therapeutic for me this last week during the Thanksgiving holiday, which I chose not to celebrate.

The images that I made (below) may seem sad and lonely but they are really just an acknowledgement and an acceptance of the space that exists between me and certain other people in my life; some people can only love us from afar and vice versa and that's okay. It doesn't mean there is anything wrong with them or with me. It just is what it is and accepting it allows me to devote energy to myself and to those who are closer to me or to whoever or whatever most needs it.

I have some more images in the works that I plan to share soon. Though mostly I am doing these for my own catharsis and enjoyment, I hope they can bring comfort and encouragement to others as well. Feel free to share them with your circle but I hope you will credit me, Victoria Lynn Hall, and provide a link to this page or blog as well. I've listed the sources and linked to the photographs I used below each collage.

Here's my 2 Thanksgiving therapy images: