Dealing With Stress

This week was extremely hectic for me.  Not only did I have long workdays at school all week long, but had to go in to work yesterday and have been dealing with a bad case of laryngitis since Thursday.  Although I fell into self-pity a couple of times, I worked hard to gain a positive attitude through plenty of prayer, spending some time with loved ones, and working on my artwork.  I'm still sick, but have been able to appreciate all the blessings that the Lord has bestowed upon me.  Thank you, Lord!

Hosea 6:3
Watercolor and Pen Self-Portrait Art Journal Page
Order of the Opus Guei: Challenge #168
Eva & Kristin's Paint Party Friday (Week 33 - Year 3)
Jenn's Artist's Playroom #81
Alexandra's Sunday Sketches
Word Art Wednesday #104
It's not a trick… your friendship is a treat!
Paper Collage, Stamp and More Cards
Simon Says Monday Challenge - Spooky
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Halloween
Try It On Tuesday - Halloween
Take a Word Challenge - Green and Purple
Craftitude Challenge #51 - Spooky
Collage Obsession - Día de los Muertos
Ranger's Halloween Crafting Contest
Faux Leaf Tag
Mixed Media on Kraft Paper
Tag Tuesday - Autumn
Manon's Paper Saturday's
ABC Wednesday P is for Paper Crafts
Monarch Butterflies 2013 in Del Rio, Texas
Digital Photography Collage
Maria's Orange You Glad It's Friday #61
Lorik's Mandarin Orange Monday #65
Ramona's Inspire Me Monday - Week #95
My Daughter's 18th Birthday Meals
Digital Photography Collage
52 Photos Project: Gallery 27 {Someone You Love}
Jen's In the Studio
Julia's What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #230
May your week be filled with blessings, and no matter what you're going through, "Praise the Lord anyhow!"

Comments

Rika said…
two spooky cards!
Jez said…
So sorry to hear that you are suffering from laryngitis, and hope that it improves soon - helped by your positive attitude. All your artworks are so beautifully crafted, and I particularly like the first one and the original idea for the leaf tag. Your script on the journal page is lovely.
How marvellous to see Monarch Butterflies, and to compare their apparent fragility with their long journeys.
Lorraine A said…
Fabulous card Arnoldo :-) I love the dancing skeleton, very cute and the leaf tag is gorgeous too !

Hope you feel better soon xx

thanks for joining us on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge
luv
Lols x x x
beautiful photo of your daughter too, she is gorgeous ! :-) Happy 18th to her :-)
Leovi said…
Sí, una bonita foto, felicidades para su hija, muy guapa!
Valerie-Jael said…
Sorry you have been ill, too and hope you soon feel better! Lovely artwork again! Hope you have a good week, Valerie
Get well soon Arnoldo!
wonderful artwork .. especially the faux leaf tag catches my eyes!
xxx
Susi
Christine said…
Lovely work this week Arnold, sorry to hear you have been ill and hope you get better soon!
Debbie said…
your daughter is so pretty! I liked the self portrait and the cards, the tags are really cool. I would love to know how you made them? I hope you feel better soon, and keep praising God!
Victoria said…
Hello Arnoldo..hope you are feeling bright and sparkling real soon! Gorgeous collage of your daughter's b-day..so lovely. I love the self-portrait you did..very peaceful and touching..beautifully done! and wowness.I am in love with that faux leaf...very striking and magical..looks vintage-y too! Blessings friend!
Victoria
Lin said…
Now that's a skeleton that's not so scary! Thanks for sharing this fun card with us at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge!
Bee and Dee said…
Hope you are feeling a little better. Great card, love the layout. Thank you for joining us on the TIOT challenge. Hugs Bee
Rita said…
Fabulous work Arnoldo. Sorry to hear you have been poorly. I can sympathise as I have a bad lung infection and its affecting my breathing. Hugs from me to you. Rita xxxx
Deann said…
Love your dancing skeleton wonderful artwork.
Anonymous said…
beautiful! Feel better soon!
HansHB said…
Nice post for the theme!
Wonderful pieces and really like the first one. I'm sorry you've had such a stressful week between work and not feeling well. Sending up prayers for you.

PS I added you to the Mr. Linky list just now.
Candy C said…
Arnoldo...thank you for the very nice comments you've left on my blog. I appreciate your thoughts. And now, I would like to thank YOU for your always positive and uplifting posts ... of hope and salvation. :) I am so sorry that you are going through a stressful time and not feeling well to top it off. But, your art piece is such a wonderful reminder that God takes care of His own. Your piece is beautifully done. <3 Candy
Especially like the leaf tag! Hope you feel better soon!
Linda Kunsman said…
sorry to hear you haven't been well; and it certainly doesn't help to have a stressful week along with it. I hope this week brings your good health back and a much smoother week. Love your autumnal post-and those Halloween cards are FABULOUS!!
peggy gatto said…
I just love dancing skelies!!!!
GalleryJuana said…
Hope your laryngitis clears up.
I so love the faux leaf tags!
Joy Murray said…
I really love that Hosea verse and have not thought of it in a long time. What a comforting thing and thanks for reminding me. Lovely work. Your voice will return soon, but it's nice how your art keeps speaking for you. :)
Bill said…
You certainly are prolific in creating art despite being sick and having to deal with work. I love the first one. It's very comforting!
Jen Price said…
Yummy birthday food! I hope you're feeling better! Being sick is never fun.
Cameron said…
I love the cards! The sentiment on the inside is perfect~

So much to see on this post....love the leaf tag, too :)
Barb Cady said…
Lovely post Arnoldo, but I'm so sorry you are unwell. I always find art a good medicine too! May you recover really soon. As you always so beautifully put it, Blessings my friend! X
Winnie said…
Glad you are feeling better! This time of year so many are sick. I was sick and in bed for 3 days this weekend. I think the weather change up here is not helping. 30's one day, and 70's the next. Your watercolor is amazing. Those leaves are so awesome too! What a beautfiul picture of your daughter, so glad she had a special day! Rest up!!
Paula (PEP) said…
So sorry to hear about the laryngitis - that can make you feel very rought indeed. I pray that you will make a quick recovery & that you'll have peace midst the stress.
My favourite is your first piece - the way you drew it using the deep russet & then shaded the features. Your daughter looks like she had a super day & enjoyed her special meals.
Paula (PEP)
PiaRom said…
Ahhh you are so busy even you have had stressfull times....my favorite are the photos with the butterflies...they look like leaves ;) so gorgeous! and your first painting is beautifully and full of hope and certitude...love it ♥ Conny
Piaroms Art Journaling
pauline said…
beautiful artwork Arnoldo... i do hope you're feeling better. (your daughter is very pretty). Thanks for sharing & take care of yourself. xox
lorik said…
Love the view of that bright blue sky looking through the leaves. Very uplifting. Hope you are feeling better soon...and thank you for your comments on my blog. I always appreciate them.
And thanks for sharing on MoM#65:)
Lisabella Russo said…
I love your Halloween cards and the fall tags are gorgeous! I hope you feel all better really soon!
zandra said…
Spook-tac-u-lar! Great take on the challenge. Thanks for playing with us at TIOT.
Hugz, Z
FABBY'S LIVING said…
Oh my friend, I do hope you get better son and I can understand you feeling sorry for yourself, it's so uncomfortable to be sick like this! I love your adorable spooky artwork and the first one is great too...fabulous wáter colors, you are talented even when sick, lol... Your daughter is such a pretty girl! Thank you for coming dear friend, you do make my day!
Blessings to you and feel better soon!
FABBY
Electra said…
Always inspirational art, Arnoldo, I love your leaves especially. It always gives me a smile to see you name over at Opus Gluei and you never fail to delight me. thank you!
Oh no! Hope you are feeling better soon! But the good news is that even with laryngitis, you can still create masterpieces! Your blog is always such a wonderful mix of photography and art. Thank you for the inspiration and for reminding all of us to be positive!
Jackie said…
Sorry to hear you have not been well hope your getting better now!
Happy 18th to your daughter, family are precious and we are blessed to have daughters
Love the spooky cards very Haloween
Jackie 27
Karin said…
Your dancing skeleton looks fun.
Happy Wednesday, Karin #54
Francesca said…
Sorry to hear you are not feeling too bright. But you don't need a voice to do your art, which is fab. My Mum is still in hospital, so blessings to all of us. Francescaxxx
Unknown said…
Those leaf tags are awesome! Hope you feel better soon. Happy Wednesday.
Karen no.51 x
You are a crafty one!
Feel better.
ROG, ABCW
Carver said…
The cards are great. Carver, ABC Wed. Team
Ritu Dua said…
You were right when you said Great minds think alike :) The art is absolutely beautiful and the words touched my heart.I loved your leaf tags too. Hope you are hale and hearty now.
Indrani said…
Take care friend. Get well soon.
Mrs.B said…
Hi Arnoldo, Hope you're feeling a lot better now. Love the bright colours for these Halloween cards, and such a fun image.
What a beautiful daughter you have, hope she had a great birthday.
Thanks for sharing with us at TioT
Avril
I like your leaf-tag very much as well as your Halloween-cards!
Hope you feel better soon, your way of working for a better attitude is inspiring!
Ilona
Julia Dunnit said…
lovely post, feel better soon! isn't it always the way that you fall I'll at a time of super-busy work.
maria said…
Beautiful work as usual. So sorry to hear about your laryngitis. I hope you are feeling a lot better now. Hope to see you again on OYGIF this weekend.
stefanie stark said…
Oh Dear Arnoldo, I am so sorry to read about your laryngitis and I am sending my best get-well-soon-wishes to you from Germany. Despite all your stress and hectic you prepared a wonderful birthday for your daughter. I love the photos you took from her 18th birthday so much. (And I am a bit jealous too. My father would never have done such lovely preparations for me). And I also love your leaf-tag!) Your posts are always so inspiring :)
Daniella said…
Wow! Beautiful work! I love that leaf tag!
Happy birthday to your daughter!!
Daniella#4
Hi Arnoldo, hopefully you'll be felling much better by the time you read this...love your journal page and the dancing skeleton card is fun, A lot of work has gone into your leaf tag :) I think last year you shared that amazing set of photos of these butterflies... and our children, where does the time go, hope you all had wonderful memories made of this special occasion... unfortunately we have all had the bugs doing the rounds in my house, my daughter and I are front line workers, me in the community and Dani in A&E, so I have complete empathy with you....thank you for your kind words on my blog :)x
Rosemary said…
Wow, you've been quite creative, but I'm very sorry you have been ill. I hope that you are already feel much better because it means you'll create even more. The spiritual aspect you bring to your work is evident, even if the words are not there - although I love how you incorporated the Scripture into your self portrait. The sense of awe at art, beauty, and love for your family influences your work wonderfully. Thank you for always considering our challenges at Opus Gluei! God bless!
Thank you for playing along with us this week at Word Art Wednesday, Arnoldo! It's always a blessing to have you play along with us. Have a blessed week!
Karen
Word Art Wednesday

I have BLOG CANDY!
www.karen-mycuprunnethover.blogspot.com
manomij said…
I hope you have started to feel a bit better. Blessings Manon
Anne Manda said…
Love your Halloween card! Wonderful tag and photos, too and your daughter is so very beautiful!
Claudia N. said…
Love your joyful skeletons, Arnoldo! And awesome colour too!
Thank you for joining us at TIOT!

Claudia x
Giggles said…
Hope you are feeling better this week! Love the artwork and especially the photo of your beautiful daughter...and her meals....first one looks like eggs toast and yogurt...but the dinner is that fried rice and fried bananas? I wasn't sure what that one was but it sure looks good!! Happy belated to her!!


Hugs Giggles
Create With Joy said…
I hope you are on the mend Arnoldo! Y our daughter is lovely! I featured your art this week at Inspire Me Monday - thanks for contributing your creative talents to our party each week at Create With Joy!
Stephanie said…
I hope you are feeling better by now. What a great reminder that when things are tough, we need to not wallow in self-pity but look for ways to remain positive. Thanks - I needed that today. :) Thanks also for your faithful support of Word Art Wednesday.
peggy aplSEEDS said…
Our family is also having a rough time these days. We are praying for my Mom's healing. Thank yuo for your encouragement to just remain grateful all the time!