Hello my friends and welcome back to Beginnings! I've been doing something that I haven't done in a long time. I'm going for walks and taking you with me! Yep! I've started a new series called Walk & Chat with Dawn, and I'm sharing one of these videos in this post in case you haven't seen this one already and/or if you aren't subsctibed to my YouTube Channel....

Today I start with a chat about the weather and then I share about how you, my viewers, are inspiring me and I share some video of my art journal spread progress plus more! So, do join me! 

And you're welcome to share either on YouTube or here in the comments what is inspiring you and what Small Step you're taking toward the things you want to be doing! I'd love to hear from you and Celebrate with You! 

Thanks for watching, subscribing and giving my video a thumbs up and leaving a comment if you're thus inclined! 

I appreciate your support and interest in what I have to share as an artist and creative; having you in community just makes it more fun, satisfying and meaningful to me. 

Journaling Prompt: 
Make a list of what is inspiring you right now. What small step can you take to make a move in the direction where your heart is calling you? How can you support yourself in that way? 

I wish you a delightful day and the very Best of Beginnings! 

Hello and Welcome Back to Beginnings. We are having Fun in the art studio creating a new art journal spread. We started with cutting fabric for a new design. This week we’re splashing paint on the substrate! I’m thinking in terms of negative space and how I want it to look organic and spontaneous in the way it shows up in the design. 

In the video I show what art supplies I used to make the fun marks, along with my plans going forward with fabric. I also share the positive aspects of following intuitive clues as I make my designs and have fun. 

It is my delight to be a source of inspiration to you in your own creativity! Do join me and leave a comment about what creative pursuits you are engaging in! I’d love to hear from you! 

Journaling Prompt: 
​Do you pay attention to the intuitive cues that come to you through your curiosity? If so, what was the result? Did you have fun following what you were drawn to? Do you want to do it again? Explain how this felt for you and why you want to go back. 

Thanks so much for being a part of my creative journey with me; I enjoy sharing it with you. 
And I wish you the very Best of Beginnings! 

Welcome back to Beginnings, where we talk about Fresh Starts, New Cycles, Exploration, Experimentation and Creativity! This particular post is in two parts. The first part is focused on my Illustration Pic of the Week. The Second part is focused on the video content above and what I am sharing with you from my studio space. If you're interested in my illustrations from my personal journal and/or you would enjoy an inside look at my art journal process, then this post is for you! 

Now on to the Illustration Pic of the Week. I create an illustration in my personal journal each evening as part of my daily journaling practice. So that's 7 illustrations to choose from for the Pic of the Week. This week I'm sharing "Prepping," an illustration to highlights the time I spent in my art journal, using a new tool for cutting fabric! I'm excited to experiment with using something other than a regular scissor to create a new design in my art journal. 

For this Part 2 segment, I am sharing a video of my behind-the-scenes activity in my Art Studio space, and I am showing some new cutting tools, my experience with each one, and I demonstrate how I am building a design for a new art journal spread. I'm excited to try new tools that might make my work with fabric easier, since I love using fabric as collage material, which I discuss in detail and show in the video. 

I decided since the Illustration and the video cover the same topic, I thought it would work well together to put them in the same post, so you can see the process of my art journaling and how it translates into something worth remembering from  my day! 

My goal and my delight is for you to be inspired by what you see that will lead to your own creative pursuits! It can be exciting to find a tool that really works to make creating easier and more fulfilling. I wish the same for you in whatever creative activity you enjoy engaging in. If you have recently found a tool in your creative trade that has made a difference for you, you are welcome to share in the comments below! I love celebrating with you in community! 

Journaling Prompt: 
What makes keeping your journaling practice easier? Is there a particular tool such as type of pen, journal or other accessory that you especially enjoy using? Why? Is there something you would like to experiment with that you have yet to try? How do you think it will enhance your experience? 

Thank you for being a part of my artistic journey. I appreciate your presence here. 
And I wish you the Very Best of Beginnings! 

Welcome back to Beginnings! We are having fun in the Studio making some decisions about Art Supplies; I have recorded a Behind-the-Scenes video showing you some of my art supplies and discussing what I have determined to remove from my art supply collection and why I'm choosing to. Get a peek at some of my rubber stamp collection and Alpha stamps, and a bit of history about my Art Journalig Journey (I reveal how long I've been keeping an art journal!).

I also want to give a shout out to my daughter, Sarah, who's birthday is today, 1/23/24! I filmed this on her birthday so I want to wish her a Happy Birthday! May all your wishes come true! 

Do you have any supplies that you have accumulated, whether art or otherwise, that you can declutter, that you aren't using anymore?
Let's declutter together!
It's perfect time with this being a New Year of 2024. Out with the Old, right? I'm cheering you on! 

Thank you for being on this artist journey with me; and for your interest in my Studio life! (And if you give me a thumbs up on my video and subscribe if you haven't already, I will be delighted!!)

Journaling Prompt: 
What do your art supplies say about you? What are your favorite go-tos in your studio and why? What have you been meaning to remove but haven't yet and why? Make a list and take action to make your space as inviting and relevant as possible. Happy Creating! 

​And I wish you the very Best of Beginnings! 

Hello and Welcome Back to Beginnings! For this post, I am sharing a longer form video answering a Question from Carrie, a viewer of my short video on how I do Family Updates in my journals. She wanted to know how I manage my time with these updates, especially with the various approaches I take. 

Thank you, Carrie, for this question and I am delighted to answer it! I did a short version of this video that you can view here on my Art of Journaling page. 

In the longer form video, I share more detail about my process with recording family updates as well as my overall approach to my evening journaling practice. 

One key takeaway: Brevity helps. And abbreviating makes it easier. 
I also discuss my illustration process in connection with Family Updates. 
My whole desire is to make Family a Priority, making time a non-issue since I see it as an investment in what matters most to me rather than an obligation. It’s my choice to record family happenings and why they matter. 

I also address the issue of being too busy to make a journaling practice a front runner in your daily activity. 

I trust this Q & A will inspire you to get started or to keep up with your journaling practice in a way that is relevant, meaningful and manageable for you. 

Questions and comments about journaling are always welcome; I am delighted to share my journaling experience with you! If you watch the video, please give it a thumbs up for the value it brings to you. And subscribe to my channel if you haven’t already. 

Your support helps more people find my content to help them in their journaling practice in 2024! 
Thank you so much!
And I wish you the Very Best of Beginnings! 
​
Journaling Prompt: 
How do you manage your time with journaling? Have you found a time, place and purpose for your journaling practice? How you found a way to keep it brief so you can engage with your journal that is comfortable and meaningful? You’re welcome to share below! 

Hello and Welcome Back to Beginnings, where we talk about Fresh Starts, New Cycles, Experimentation, Exploration and Creativity. And this is my first blog post for the New Year of 2024, and I'm excited to bring you my first completed art journal spread, which I have titled: Falling Apart in Order to Bloom. I did the majority of this spread in 2023, starting back in July, when I was in the throws of grieving my father's passing in January (1/8/23 will be a year). 

Now, what does that mean exactly? As of this writing, (1/5/24), I'm still contemplating. But in reflection, I think it speaks to the "falling apart," or breaking down phase when you are reckoning with a life changing event that correlates with some very deep rooted parts of your life experience that are foundational to who you are. And my father's passing certainly contributed to that experience. Somewhat of a metamorphosis, which entails a breaking in order to re-build and bloom. And this takes courage! And discernment of how to get from the beginning of this process to the beauty of transformation. 

So here is my art journal tool and supply list used in this spread: 
India ink
Gouache paint
oil pastel
water soluble pastel 
colored pencil, both water soluble and non water soluble
fabric in various prints
buttons
sequins
leaf stamps in various types and sizes
letter stamps
gel medium
matte medium 
magazine clippings 

Journaling Prompt:
Have you experienced a "falling apart" in order to bloom in a new place? What was that like for you? What did you learn from it? What new undrstanding do you have of yourself now that you didn't have before as a result? How did you take care of yourself in the process? 

Thank you so much for being a part of my journey as artist and creative. 
Your presence is greatly appreciated. <3 

​I wish you the Happiest of New Years in 2024 and the very Best of Beginnings! 

Hello and Welcome Back to Beginnings, where we talk about fresh starts, new cycles, experimentation, exploration and creativity! And I am excited to share with you a video that was originally recorded as a Facebook Live, where I shared all the new updates to my new website, plus new videos to celebrate the One Year Anniversary of Beginnings blog. And I played several songs on the piano which was a first for me, having never played LIVE before! So exciting! One of the songs I played has never been released before, titled It's Possible. I read the lyrics in the video. I also played the very first song I composed for the piano when I first got my piano keyboard almost 3 years ago. Of course, the melody has been upgraded so to speak, so I'm excited to share that with you today. 

Videos mentioned are my new Welcome Message which you can view here on the home page, A Re-recording of the Beginnings theme song which is at the bottom of the home page. Plus a In Real Time video of creating the new logo for Beginnings blog which you can viewhere. 

You're welcome to check out this Live Video (which has been edited) in celebration with me! 
Thank you so much for your support and interest in my content here at Refresh with Dawn Herring. It means a lot to me. 
Thanks for giving my videos a thumbs up and for subscribing to my channel. 

My goal is always to be a source of inspiration and encouragement to your own creativity. 
I wish you the very Best of Beginnings! 

Welcome back to Beginnings, the place where we talk about Fresh Starts, New Cycles, Experimentation, Exploration and Creativity. And in this special post, I am sharing a behind-the-scenes view of the Creation of my brand new Header Logo, Beginnings! I'm excited to chat with you about what Beginnings is all about and why it's important to Celebrate each beginning we encounter as well as how we can be Intentional about our Beginnings. In between chatting, I also share with you my art supplies, my color choices, and the reason for the steps I take to create this piece of art. 

I recorded the above video in Real Time so you can see and hear me as we create this art together...bring some of your own art to work on if that inspires you! And I'd love to hear about what you're creating. This piece of art/logo is actually a special one because I am Celebrating One Year of Beginnings, and I'd love for you to join me. 

I did record the creation of Beginnings Logo in several sessions so it's a longer video of 35 minutes, which includes introduction of what we are making and the action behind-the-scenes. It is my delight to share this with you and I trust you will be inspired with your own creativity and maybe learn something along the way. You're welcome to drop a comment, either on YouTube (and subscribe!) or right here at Beginnings, to let me know what you think, what your greatest take away is and how you've been inspired. 

And of course, I wish you the very Best of Beginnings! 

Hello and welcome back to Beginnings where we talk about new cycles, fresh starts, experimentation, exploration and creativity. For this post, I’m sharing an Art Studio tour (fresh start!) (still in the organization stage but progress is progress!) along with my busy illustration happenings (both commercially for blogging and personally in my journal). You’re welcome to come along with me as I show you behind the scenes including some antiques from childhood! Plus I chat about our friendly felines in the neighborhood. I hope to inspire you in your own creative pursuits! 

Journaling Prompt: 
What fresh start are you celebrating right now? Detail it in your journal. How do you feel about it? Are you excited, uncertain, disorganized or aligned? 
It’s ok to feel out of sorts with a fresh start; after all, you’ve entered some new territory. Try to take it slow and go gently. Don’t expect perfection from yourself. Where do you want to go with this fresh start? What would the ideal look like for you? 
Write the smallest step you can take in this new space to make it feel like Home. And then, do it! 

I wish you the Best of Beginnings! 

Hello and Welcome Back to Beginnings, where we talk about fresh starts, new cycles, exploration, experimentation and creativity. 

In this post, I will be sharing with you some Music I’ve released, including lyrics and my reflections on what the song means to me, as well as some journaling prompts for further reflection. 

I always get excited when I’m ready to release new music so I can share my joy with you, with the intention and hope of your spirit being lifted in some meaningful way as we traverse this world at the same time in history. 

The new song I’ve recorded is titled, I Believe. 

I wrote this song several years ago (I’m not exactly certain when, but it was within the past 4 years since I’ve been writing music for about 5 years, just to give you an idea.) I’ve had this song in my piano book for a long time, but recently it has really been speaking to me, and I’ve been playing it with a new cadence that is deeply meditative, with a supplications vibe toward Spirit, and for me, it is a deeply empowering message. 

Here are the lyrics below: 
I Believe 
by Dawn Herring

HIDE ME
SHELTER ME
KEEP ME SAFE
I BELIEVE

LOVE ME
PROTECT ME
I BELIEVE
I AM SET FREE

IT IS ALL 
DONE FOR ME
I BELIEVE
I CAN SEE

WHEN YOU SEE 
THE TRUTH IN ME
YOU WILL BE 
TRULY FREE

(Words and music copyrighted to Dawn Herring 2023)

When I wrote this song, it was in response to my scripture study and prayers in connection to my song writing, which is a natural outpouring of what Spirit speaks to me in the moment. 

In the process of writing the words, stanza by stanza, I sensed a supplicating essence that I could feel within myself. My desire to feel safe, secure, loved and heard was deeply resonant. And as I made my requests, I could feel my faith rising up, knowing I was heard and was not alone. Then a deep realization of what I actually truly have in Spirit came upon me, I felt more awake to what was alive inside. 

Then, in response to my faith and supplication, I sensed a reply and directive coming from a deeply loving essence of Spirit that shared the importance of vision, clarity and truth and how Waking UP to this reality brings Freedom. Yes! What a victorious response that lifts my spirit, bringing me hope that I AM FREE. 

In this world filled with so much uncertainty, we all feel the need to be protected and loved; we need that assurance that we will be ok. That we are not alone. That we can see. And with what we can see, we are Free. Free to be Who We Are. Not bound by societal standards but only the boundaries we set for ourselves, for protection and care. 

Spirit is there for us when we need Spirit most, during those moments of the deepest fears, doubts, insecurities, overwhelm, and uncertainty. 

As we reach out for what we need, as we seek, we will find. 
And when we seek together, we can support each other through the toughest of times. 
And experience freedom in community! 
Sounds like the Best of Beginnings to me! How about you? 

Below I provide some journaling prompts for further reflection. I trust they will help bring clarity, focus and freedom to your life in this moment. ❤️

JOURNALING PROMPT: 
Make a list of the times when you have felt most free, whether in childhood or whatever time comes to mind naturally. What is the common thread that you can see on this list? People? Places? Activities? Pick one from the list and detail it as much as possible, reliving that sense of freedom you felt. 
Do you feel that way now? What has changed or what is different? 

When have you felt the most protected? Was there someone who came to your aid, such as a good friend or mentor or a family member who really gets you? 

List times when you felt the most heard. What was the conversation about? Who was listening? How did this impact and change you for the better? 

What is your truth right now? What can you come back to again and again that grounds and centers you no matter what you’re facing? 
Write this down on an index card and keep it in a place where you can be reminded of this central truth. ❤️?

Disclaimer: journaling prompts are to be used at your own risk. If you feel overwhelmed or emotionally distressed, please seek out a counselor or therapist or call 911.