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February 08, 2017

Creating a Tam Dreamboard

By Tamara Laporte  |   in mixed media  | Tags: affirmations , creative self care , dream board , self connection , mixed media art , willowing , Willowing Arts  

Hey wonderful creative friends, here a little blog post about creating a (Tam) Dreamboard that helps you manifest your dreams and call into your life what you want more of. My version of the dream board is a bit different from the more traditional one (where you mostly and only cut out collage pieces and glue them together onto a board). By contrast I like including my own face, paint, collage, doodles, affirmations and quotes too!! :)

This is one of my favourite type of paintings to create. Whenever I create a painting like this I go into a ‘zone’ of gentle, soothing self care. As I paint & decorate my face, surrounding myself with affirming imagery and words, it’s like I lovingly caress and care for myself.  

In this particular painting I first do an acrylics transfer of an image of my face, I then collage the background and layer over/ paint my face and background, adding imagery and positive affirmations + words & quotes that help soothe/ affirm me and call in the things I want to manifest. It’s a healing, sacred process, really. :) 

My February lesson for Life Book 2017  has just been ‘aired’. I demonstrate in depth how I create the Dreamboard painting below. People are already loving it and sharing their beautiful versions of the painting! If you want to join Life Book 2017, you still can and you’ll get access to all previously posted content. Hope to see you there! 

thesongofme-lowresWM

Here’s a work in progress shot: 

16251565_1747154398644049_4845431310788838015_o

Here are some close ups:

thesongofme1-1500WM

thesongofme3-1500WM

thesongofme13-1500WM

thesongofme18-1500WM

thesongofme14-1500WM

thesongofme9-1500WM

You may also like:

  • Embracing Yourself Fully

  • September Spotlight with Cat Caracelo

  • Do you need a little boost? Free Self Love Collage Sheet!

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Tamara Laporte

willowing

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Mixed media artist, teacher and author. I don’t see all IG msgs. For enq pls email hello@willowing.org - Join Creating Cuties:

When I was a teenager, I collected elephant statues; by the time I was 18, I must’ve had hundreds. I’ve always adored elephants. There`s something about their grounded presence and quiet wisdom that feels profoundly comforting. I love that they’re matriarchal, that they mourn their dead, that they move through the world with a seeming intelligence and heart.

When Andy and I lived in Sri Lanka for three years, we visited an elephant sanctuary and it was honestly one of the most magical experiences of my life. Watching the gentle connection between carers and elephants moved me deeply. They had a beautiful closeness I silently envied!

So it’s no surprise that elephants have wandered their way into my art again and again. I love painting them both whimsically and realistically. Their shapes are so satisfying to work with: cute chonky feet, soulful eyes, those expressive trunks and giant ears; it’s like they’re built for art! šŸŽØšŸ–Œļø

This piece, painted back in 2014, is a special one. I was exploring how to bring more ā€œgrungeā€ and texture into my work; layering deeply, playing with contrasts. The rough, earthy background felt like the perfect contrast to the milky-white skin of the elephant, who gazes out with such a soft, knowing expression. Even here, she seems to whisper: be gentle. be wise. be still.

I hope she brings some of that same quiet comfort to your day, too. šŸ¤ 🐘

This is day 16 of a ā€˜gentle return to social media’ read more about this practice here: http://bit.ly/3IHFxir 🌱

Open
When I was a teenager, I collected elephant statues; by the time I was 18, I must’ve had hundreds. I’ve always adored elephants. There's something about their grounded presence and quiet wisdom that feels profoundly comforting. I love that they’re matriarchal, that they mourn their dead, that they move through the world with a seeming intelligence and heart.

When Andy and I lived in Sri Lanka for three years, we visited an elephant sanctuary and it was honestly one of the most magical experiences of my life. Watching the gentle connection between carers and elephants moved me deeply. They had a beautiful closeness I silently envied! 

So it’s no surprise that elephants have wandered their way into my art again and again. I love painting them both whimsically and realistically. Their shapes are so satisfying to work with: cute chonky feet, soulful eyes, those expressive trunks and giant ears; it’s like they’re built for art! šŸŽØšŸ–Œļø 

This piece, painted back in 2014, is a special one. I was exploring how to bring more ā€œgrungeā€ and texture into my work; layering deeply, playing with contrasts. The rough, earthy background felt like the perfect contrast to the milky-white skin of the elephant, who gazes out with such a soft, knowing expression. Even here, she seems to whisper: be gentle. be wise. be still.

I hope she brings some of that same quiet comfort to your day, too. šŸ¤ 🐘

This is day 16 of a ā€˜gentle return to social media’ read more about this practice here: http://bit.ly/3IHFxir 🌱

You are the light. āœØā­ļøšŸŒŸšŸ’«

Open
You are the light. āœØā­ļøšŸŒŸšŸ’«

Hello my lovely friends, a quick reminder that my friend Ida Andersen Lang is running her FREE retreat called ā€˜Art Soul Gathering’ again this year aaaaand … YOU are invited! 😃 Yay! šŸ„³šŸŽ‰šŸŽŠ

Celebrate the Wonders of Nature and the Beauty of the Human Spirit with 12 days of artmaking.

Come, hear the winds of your intuition whisper, and let the waves of blissful nature infuse creativity into your art. šŸŽØšŸŒæ

In the Art Soul Gathering 2025, you’ll enjoy free lessons from 16 celebrated artist teachers. Each are gifting you with their beautiful visions and artistic techniques to inspire your creative journey with Nature and Spirit.

For my lesson I want to teach you how to paint a beautiful happy dolphin that is jumping out of -what can only be called- CONFETTI OCEAN. šŸ˜‚šŸ˜šŸ˜†

Look how joyful!

You will become part of a worldwide community of creative souls and get to know the teachers. And oh, there will be plenty of art bonuses, give aways and surprises all the way through the gathering.

This free event is suitable for creatives of all levels - beginners, intermediate and experienced. The lessons are designed for you to enjoy, from just where you are in your creative journey. As we move through this experience together, we will lift each other up and hold creative sacred space. āœØšŸ™āœØ

I hope you’ll join us there! @followers Join us here: https://bit.ly/4lhZYjy ā™„ļøā™„ļøā™„ļø or link in my bio/ story/ linktree

Much Love,
Tam šŸ’•

Open
Hello my lovely friends, a quick reminder that my friend Ida Andersen Lang is running her FREE retreat called ā€˜Art Soul Gathering’ again this year aaaaand … YOU are invited! 😃 Yay! šŸ„³šŸŽ‰šŸŽŠ

Celebrate the Wonders of Nature and the Beauty of the Human Spirit with 12 days of artmaking. 

Come, hear the winds of your intuition whisper, and let the waves of blissful nature infuse creativity into your art. šŸŽØšŸŒæ

In the Art Soul Gathering 2025, you’ll enjoy free lessons from 16 celebrated artist teachers. Each are gifting you with their beautiful visions and artistic techniques to inspire your creative journey with Nature and Spirit.

For my lesson I want to teach you how to paint a beautiful happy dolphin that is jumping out of -what can only be called- CONFETTI OCEAN. šŸ˜‚šŸ˜šŸ˜†

Look how joyful! 

You will become part of a worldwide community of creative souls and get to know the teachers. And oh, there will be plenty of art bonuses, give aways and surprises all the way through the gathering.

This free event is suitable for creatives of all levels - beginners, intermediate and experienced. The lessons are designed for you to enjoy, from just where you are in your creative journey. As we move through this experience together, we will lift each other up and hold creative sacred space. āœØšŸ™āœØ

I hope you’ll join us there! @followers Join us here: https://bit.ly/4lhZYjy ā™„ļøā™„ļøā™„ļø or link in my bio/ story/ linktree 

Much Love,
Tam šŸ’•

SALE Ends Tonight: Last Chance to Save ā¤ļø ā³

Hey Beautiful Creative Souls! āœØšŸ™ŒāœØ

Final Chance to take advantage of this sale! Deals like this don`t come round that often! Grab your deals before midnight, otherwise they`ll all be gone! A big thank you to anyone who has picked up a class or two in the Summer Sale. I hope you have a wonderful sunny experience creating your artwork!

Here are the codes again:

40% off Kaleidoscope 2024 - Use: SUNSHINE40 - https://bit.ly/KS2024Tam
40% off Watercolour Wildlife - Use: SUNSHINE40 - https://bit.ly/WILDWILLOWING
40% off Expressive Soul Portraits - Use: SUNSHINE40 - https://bit.ly/ESPTAM
30% off A Year of Light: Use: SHINE30 - https://bit.ly/AYOLTam25
30% off ALL Self Study Courses - Use: SUNSHINE30 - https://bit.ly/willowingss
15% off Tam’s Books: Use: SUNNYBOOK - https://bit.ly/willowtsb

If links don`t work pls go to my stories/ bio/ treelink (accessible via my stories). ā™„ļøā™„ļøā™„ļø

Happy shopping my amazing artist friends!

Much love,
Tam šŸ’•

Open
SALE Ends Tonight: Last Chance to Save ā¤ļø ā³

Hey Beautiful Creative Souls! āœØšŸ™ŒāœØ 

Final Chance to take advantage of this sale! Deals like this don't come round that often! Grab your deals before midnight, otherwise they'll all be gone! A big thank you to anyone who has picked up a class or two in the Summer Sale. I hope you have a wonderful sunny experience creating your artwork! 

Here are the codes again: 
 
40% off Kaleidoscope 2024 - Use: SUNSHINE40 - https://bit.ly/KS2024Tam 
40% off Watercolour Wildlife - Use: SUNSHINE40 - https://bit.ly/WILDWILLOWING
40% off Expressive Soul Portraits - Use: SUNSHINE40 - https://bit.ly/ESPTAM
30% off A Year of Light: Use: SHINE30 - https://bit.ly/AYOLTam25
30% off ALL Self Study Courses - Use: SUNSHINE30 - https://bit.ly/willowingss
15% off Tam’s Books: Use: SUNNYBOOK - https://bit.ly/willowtsb

If links don't work pls go to my stories/ bio/ treelink (accessible via my stories). ā™„ļøā™„ļøā™„ļø 

Happy shopping my amazing artist friends! 

Much love,
Tam šŸ’•

While reflecting on the meaning and challenges of life, I stumbled across this old painting of mine from 2014, titled You Shine. It reminded me of a song I once wrote as a teenager, also called You Shine; inspired by a boyfriend I had when I was around 17 or 18. I remember how touching it was to witness someone’s inner light, to catch that quiet glow when they were truly themselves; smiling at something simple, gazing dreamily into the distance, or lost in their favourite hobby.

The phrase `You Shine` (or Shine Your Light) has long been part of my art, and to me, it speaks to the pure, radiant core that lives in all of us.

Sometimes that shine is hard to see; hidden beneath the layers we build to survive, to function, to belong. Life, with all its pressures (especially the grind of capitalism...), can leave us weary and dulled. It can feel as though our shine has been chipped away.

But here’s what I believe in my bones: the shine can never be destroyed. It is eternal. Untouchable. At most, it gets buried beneath a little dust and soot.

This painting is a gentle nudge; a reminder that your shine is still there, no matter what you`re facing today or tomorrow.

How is your soul doing these days? How is your shine?

Mine is still here… a little tired, yes, but glowing quietly, and always ready to rise again.

✨ You shine, my friend. Don’t forget. ✨ ā™„ļøā™„ļøā™„ļø

This is day 15 of a ā€˜gentle return to social media’ read more about this practice here: http://bit.ly/3IHFxir 🌱

Open
While reflecting on the meaning and challenges of life, I stumbled across this old painting of mine from 2014, titled You Shine. It reminded me of a song I once wrote as a teenager, also called You Shine; inspired by a boyfriend I had when I was around 17 or 18. I remember how touching it was to witness someone’s inner light, to catch that quiet glow when they were truly themselves; smiling at something simple, gazing dreamily into the distance, or lost in their favourite hobby.

The phrase 'You Shine' (or Shine Your Light) has long been part of my art, and to me, it speaks to the pure, radiant core that lives in all of us. 

Sometimes that shine is hard to see; hidden beneath the layers we build to survive, to function, to belong. Life, with all its pressures (especially the grind of capitalism...), can leave us weary and dulled. It can feel as though our shine has been chipped away.

But here’s what I believe in my bones: the shine can never be destroyed. It is eternal. Untouchable. At most, it gets buried beneath a little dust and soot.

This painting is a gentle nudge; a reminder that your shine is still there, no matter what you're facing today or tomorrow.

How is your soul doing these days? How is your shine?

Mine is still here… a little tired, yes, but glowing quietly, and always ready to rise again.

✨ You shine, my friend. Don’t forget. ✨ ā™„ļøā™„ļøā™„ļø 

This is day 15 of a ā€˜gentle return to social media’ read more about this practice here: http://bit.ly/3IHFxir 🌱
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