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Kellie Jo Art

Self-Care That’s Pure Grit, Not Glitter

A woman stares at the image she created in her art journal and her face tells us it wasn't an easy process; ai generated image

Shadow Seekers’ Dispatch, Ed. 6

This newsletter edition sparked a more detailed exploration of grit-based healing rituals on the blog. If you’d like to dive deeper into the symbolism behind each practice—and learn how to apply them regularly—read the full article here.

Hello Seeker!

Awareness months are in full bloom this April, shedding light on the darker aspects of human nature—and their impact on those of us unfortunate enough to encounter them. If you face the aftermath of trauma or experience mental health concerns, remember that healing is a process that you can nudge along on your own and with the support of professionals. Help—real, meaningful help—is available.

Check the end of this email for a list of agencies ready to provide support and guidance.

So, in the spirit of fostering resilience and inner strength, let’s dive deep into how tapping into your inner artist can be a pathway to processing emotions, nurturing healing, and encouraging transformation—but with less glitter, more grit.

Self-Care That’s Pure Grit

Forget the fluffy towels and whale song. Let’s dive into self-care rituals that actually feed the creative beast within, not just placate it with bits and drips of fodder.

These rituals are fierce, intentional practices of deep self-care. Use them to release trapped emotions, confront your shadow, and connect deeply with your creative healing spirit. Ready to get your hands dirty?

Ritual of the Flesh

Choose the part of your body that holds the most emotion right now. Maybe it’s your clenched jaw, your eternally hunched shoulders, or that scar that whispers a story only you understand. Paint it. Draw it. Collage the hell out of it. Don’t censor. Don’t pretty it up. Let the emotion pour out. Embrace the body’s truth.

The Body Keeps Score

Got an old injury or physical memory lurking in your cells? Translate it into art. What colors, textures, and symbols does it demand? Is it screaming for release? Is it begging for forgiveness? Listen to your body, not your mind. Your body holds more truth than your thoughts.

Shadow Work Aromatherapy

Diffuse a blend of clary sage (for unlocking intuition) and patchouli (for grounding in the present) while you journal about your fears. If you can’t put anything into words, doodle or sketch letting your gut guide your hand. Think about: What are you afraid of exposing to others? What lies are you telling yourself to keep your Shadow hidden? Burn the paper holding those damn fears and lies once you’re done.

Gemstone Gridding for Creative Flow

Create a crystal grid surrounding your creative space using carnelian (for motivation), amethyst (for intuition), and clear quartz (for amplification). Visualize the energy flowing through these stones, entering through your feet, commingling and traveling swiftly to the top of your head then blowing out the top, igniting you with creative fire and banishing procrastination, perfection and any other little demon blocking your flow.

Herbal Tea of Transformation

Brew a potent potion of ginseng for strength, dandelion for releasing what no longer serves you, and rosemary for clarity. Sip it slowly (sipping without sugar qualifies this act as fierce!). Use your art journal to meditate on what it will feel like when your hurts and pains blow away in the wind.

Ginseng, dandelion and rosemary together are guardians for your sacred spaces, so in your gut, they become guardians of your truth and intuition.

I hope those active imaginings help you reclaim your power, one tough, honest act at a time. We could empower ourselves every day, so let’s do that!

A woman in a field of dandelions with the seeds wisping through the air. Doesn't look like self-care that's pure grit, does it?

JoJo’s Oddities: Your Ideas Plus a Touch of Carny Magic

Introducing JoJo’s Oddities—a quirky twist on my traditional You-Do-You Voodoo™ art dolls, specially crafted to bring whimsy, wonder, and a hint of delightful strangeness into your world. But here’s the fun part: JoJo’s Oddities need your inspiration!

Got an idea for a doll that’s charmingly offbeat or delightfully peculiar? Here’s your chance! Contact me with your most imaginative suggestions (contest ends April 26, 2025).

A Plague Doctor

A plague doctor charm to hang from your rearview mirror

One lucky Seeker will be chosen at random, and your unique doll idea will come to life—and then find its way to your door to live with you!

Need some inspiration to spark your creativity? Consider ideas like:

  • A pair of small “Lizzie Borden” dolls—one innocent, the other a murderer
  • A doll representing your favorite character from literature or movies
  • A “Jekyll & Hyde” doll that reveals its dark side when flipped around
  • A tiny family of worry dolls to soothe your daily anxieties
  • A doll modeled after a notorious historical figure
  • A macabre doll to float under your rearview mirror
  • Zombies, vampires, that thing that hides under your bed
  • I will try animals. I haven’t done any before so outcomes will surprise us all
  • Any little soul that is delightfully creepy or mysteriously odd

Let your creativity run wild. I’m ready for the challenge. Whatcha got for me?

Early Examples of JoJo’s Oddities Art Dolls

Worry Doll Pendants

Little worry dolls dressed in green, brown, black and copper. Their heads are wood beads.

Day of the Dead Dancers

Day of the Dead dolls, dancing the night away; male and female are a set.

Natural Energies for Healing & Empowerment

Tap into the powerful synergy of agate, aquamarine, and rosemary—an intentional trio crafted to help people who desire healing, emotional control and a brave voice.

a tumbled agate with rich brown, cream, gray and black bands.
A tumbled agate. Agate comes in a beautiful variety of colors including red, pink and blue.
A rough aquamarine gemstone. This one is greenish, but the colors range from a bright green to a bright blue.
A rough aquamarine specimen, ranges from very light blue-green to intense teal.
rosemary looks beautiful in the sunshine
Rosemary has soft green leaves that are beautifully fragrant and helpful.

Agate grounds and protects, harmonizing emotional balance and resilience.

Aquamarine inspires courage and clear communication, encouraging you to speak your truth confidently.

Rosemary complements these stones beautifully, enhancing your intuition, infusing positivity, and surrounding you with energies of love and compassion.

Together, they offer balanced support for a healthy and strong system: body, mind, and spirit.

Together, these elements nurture deep healing, bolster emotional strength, and empower authentic self-expression.

Just an idea…

If you were to choose this trio for a custom You-Do-You Voodoo™ art doll for healing and empowerment, it would include base colors of blue, gray and brown with any colors under the sun for complexion, hair, jewelry, trim, and other decorations.

Of course, all colors would be your choice (but I would definitely hide some shades of blue, gray and brown under those clothes!).

From the Shadow Seekers’ Journal

Living in Bipolar Disorder and the Grayness of Mental Illness
The Art of Shadow Work: A Creative Path to Integration
The Shadow Line Exercise: What Does Your Inner Self Have to Say?
Letting Go and Renewal: Embracing Change, Creativity, and the Shifting Nature of Balance
Transform Your Creative Space: 7 Magical Ways to Unlock Your Flow
The Renewal and Transformation of Frida Kahlo and Georgia O’Keeffe

Sources

April is Paralyzed Veterans Awareness Month, Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, National Counseling Awareness Month, and National Minority Health Month. Please share these resources with someone who could use the support.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline: Provides 24/7 support to anyone experiencing domestic violence, offering confidential assistance, safety planning, and resources.

The VA (Department of Veterans Affairs): Offers a wide range of services to veterans, including healthcare, mental health support, and assistance with Military Sexual Trauma (MST). The VA provides free treatment for any mental or physical health conditions related to your experiences of MST. You don’t need documentation of the MST experiences or a VA disability rating to get care. And you may be able to get MST-related care even if you aren’t eligible for other VA services.

RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): The nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, operating a national hotline and providing support to survivors of sexual assault.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: A national network of local crisis centers that provides 24/7 free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis, emotional distress, or for anyone worried about a friend or loved one.

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): A grassroots mental health organization that provides education, advocacy, and support to individuals and families affected by mental illness.

MHA (Mental Health America): Focuses on prevention, early intervention, and wellness, addressing the needs of those with mental illness and promoting overall mental health.

SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration): A federal agency that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation, reducing the impact of substance abuse and mental illness.

‘Til Next Time

I hope you enjoyed this edition of the Shadow Seekers’ Dispatch. Hit reply and share your honest thoughts—I’d love to know what worked (or didn’t) this month.

Remember to follow @kelliejoart on social media for updates throughout the month. The buttons to click are right below my signature. I’ll see you next time.

Warmly,

Founder's signature, in part. Says "Kellie Jo"

Kellie Jo Close
Artist & Author
Transforms Shadows into Light
https://kelliejoart.com |
https://linktr.ee/kelliejoart

P.S. How has your mental health affected your creative projects in the past? Is the effect any different these days? Contact me and let’s compare notes.

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