#restidency

My favorite invention during my Virtual RESTidency this winter with @blueridgecommcollege was this landing board I made to help make engaging in a virtual spaces more fun. 🎈Like, let’s explore my studio! Or have a one minute dance party! 💃I’ll be using an even BETTER version of this next week in my virtual comics camp—Which still has room for a couple more campers, just sayin…😉 If you’re curious about what a RESTidency is (or wanna learn more about my summer art camps) check out my latest blogs, link in bio. 👈 . . . #restidency #artistrestidency #residency #artistinresidance #artistinrestidance #blueridgecommunitycollege #lauraleegulledge #alwaysinventing #creativeexperiments #artnerlove #artnerinrestidance #selfcare #restasresistance #healing #whimsy #mentalhealthmatters #zoomfatigue #virtuallearning https://www.instagram.com/p/CQi1A-OlVf4/?utm_medium=tumblr

Here’s a look at my completed “Rest (and Recover) in Power” #blacklivesmatter portrait series plus some of the previously unseen backsides. 👀I feel like it would be appropriate to follow this up with another #blm portrait series called “Live in Peace” celebrating inspiring living icons rather than victims of brutality...but first I need to figure out what to do with these??👉 So if you know of a GROUP that may want to carry these protest-style signs at an upcoming event OR a windowed public SPACE that might want to display them (especially) before the election, PLEASE let me know! 🙏You can also check out my latest blog to see my full recap of this #restidency project. (Link in bio.) . . . #portrait #art #protestsigns #lauraleegulledge #artivism #georgefloyd #breonnataylor #ahmaudarbery #elijahmcclain #sagesmith #tamirrice #sandrabland #tonymcdade #marcusdavidpeters #toyin #michaelbrown #jacobblake #saytheirnames #restinpower #blacktranslivesmatter #blackwomenmatter #nojusticenopeace #handsupdontshoot #defundthepolice https://www.instagram.com/p/CFQR8NhFEbC/?igshid=19e8yfjt8loh

CEREMONY is helpful to mark transitions and honor intentions, so I planned a handful specifically for my Rest*idency.⭐️Here’s a peek at what these included: Making an offering/ cutting off the past & future, 💇‍♀️oceanfront gratitude/ ancestor ritual with body painting, 🌊river water gratitude & healing blessing,💙burning/ releasing old thoughts & patterns x7,🔥burning/ mourning the old world vision (more fire!),💥joining a new awesome organization @naacp #allyship ,👍 making a pilgrimage to visit world family @adamaleksander #artnerlove 🚙 AND to visit biological family. 💘We can easily forget to schedule such moments for release & commemoration in everyday life, so if you could use such ceremony I ARTNER DARE YOU to set the intention & make it happen!🙌 . . . #restidency #artistrestidency #residency #artistresidency #ritual #ceremony #healing #worldfamily #pilgrimage #burning #release #witnessing #gratitude #lettinggoofthepast #goodbyeoldworld https://www.instagram.com/p/CEm_9ckF_c3/?igshid=6up4ohmnn7iq

Today marks the end of my 2 month self-imposed Rest*idency, which has been a nourishing & revealing experiment.💫✍️💡😴✨I needed a punctuation mark between what once was and what is yet to become...a release & reboot to help better manage myself moving forward in these turbulent waters we swim in.🧜‍♀️💦I know it’s an immense privilege to be able to make space to try new healing practices and creative explorations. I’m just grateful I could give myself the permission & compassion to do such deep diving.🙏✨I’ll do my best to share the gifts I discovered with you all as I continue to weave the Rest*idency spirit into my work & life moving forward!🎁❤️(Including those silent days...)Thanks @thebonnetmaker for helping with the photo📸 . . . #restidency #artistrestidency #residency #artistresidency #artistlife #restasresistance #rest #reset #reprioritize #pause #stopgrindculture #worth #selfworth #naps #healing #release #thrivenotsurvive #quietthechaos #slowdown #pandemicpause #endofsummer https://www.instagram.com/p/CEkaSfGFHyp/?igshid=1jlfbndsnrrtw

Years ago I would write a dozen words on myself to help reprogram the inaccurate stories I was telling myself. ✍️I even had Mona write half of these words on herself in The Dark Matter of Mona Starr to model this practice. 🌠I’m happy to report that I’m down to only ONE WORD which I’ve been writing on myself daily during my Rest*idency: WORTHY. 💓 It’s amazing how many different “issues” really boil down to self worth, giving me a clear target to focus my energy & attention on. 🎯 If YOU have inaccurate labels for yourself in your head, I ARTNER DARE you to identify the more accurate label & write it on yourself daily and see how long it takes to sink in.🙏 . . . #thedarkmatterofmonastarr #lauraleegulledge #graphicmedicine #restidency #artistrestidency #narrativetherapy #selfworth #selftalk #worthy #worthiness #reprogramyourmind #healing #writeyourstory #changeyourstory https://www.instagram.com/p/CESYPDIFPU8/?igshid=lx975bprf8z0

My favorite experiment of this Rest*idency has been doing a SILENT DAY each week. 🤫 Inspired by the benefits I discovered at a silent retreat at @yogaville108 and Gandhi’s practice of “silent Mondays” I’ve adapted it for #reallife with varying degrees of success these past 7 weeks.🦋It’s allowed me to do some deeper diving within, be more intentional when I DO speak, and deprogram some urgency. More meditation & less stimulation. 💙 I will probably continue this as a monthly practice moving forward (because weekly does present logistical issues) so if you see me wearing my “observing silence” sign please don’t think I’m a freak. I’m just a sensitive girl trying to find balance in this overstimulating world...even if it might make me look silly.🙏Side note: This is the longest my hair has been my entire life!!👀 . . . #silentday #silenceisgolden #silence #restidency #artistrestidency #hsp #highlysensitiveperson #hspproblems #mentalhealth #balance #overstimulation #slowdown #gowithin #quiettime https://www.instagram.com/p/CEKq2U7Fgoj/?igshid=hl1pqj50j497

Another Rest*idency prompt...✍️ Part of “dating myself” means making a list of all the things I would want a partner to give me...and then start learning how to give those things to myself. Like permission to rest, flowers, and patience.❤️One example of such self love is when I leave myself notes when I pack things up to be discovered by future-me. 💌(I used to always do this when I packed up my kit for a show or school visit!) 📦 Like these moving boxes here from a while back—I always forget about the notes so I’m always surprised & grateful to past-tense-me for reminding present-me I’m worthy & loved.🙏💕 . . . #restidency #artistrestidency #selflove #selfcompassion #datingyourself #loveyourself #youwillbeokay #selftalk #positivevibesonly #thankspasttenseme #movingboxes #moving #lovenotes #iartnerdareyou https://www.instagram.com/p/CC67isplo0p/?igshid=1l4nnevozqdk9

Another Rest*idency activity you can try: write yourself a LOVE LETTER to be opened on your next birthday!✍️💌 Part of dating myself is showing my self such worthiness & compassion. Figuring out what I need and giving it to myself. Making space. And yes, taking myself on dates I know I’ll enjoy. (Like spontaneous hiking and milkshakes!)💘 . . . #restidency #artistresidency #artistrestidency #residency #worthiness #selfcompassion #loveyourself #selfresponsibility #healyourheart #alonetime #datingyourself #roses #hiking #sweatyselfie #loveletters #iloveyou #howdoilovethee https://www.instagram.com/p/CCmN2vHls1-/?igshid=tuma31gdeefy