Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Creative Reflection and Dreams



“There is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost.” — Martha Graham

As 2011 comes to an end, I thought it would be nice to reflect on my creative adventures. So what have I learned from all the drawings, collages, and doodling?


1. You never know where inspiration is going to come from. Always have an open mind. This composition came from a random photo I snapped at breakfast while on vacation. Just continue to record (with a camera, with words, or through doodles). You never know when the experience will inspire your creativity later.


2. Oftentimes, art can be found in everyday objects. It takes a commitment to being still and present to find beauty in the ordinary. I think we oftentimes try to make art bigger than it really has to be. I think art has helped me slow down and be a better observer in the things around me.


3. Trying new things can be fun. I was a little intimidated by the surrealism assignment that I was given a few months ago. But, a willingness to try and a passion for learning new things just help us grow in our creativity. Eventually, I was inspired my love for hot baths and rubber duckies and was able to make an imaginative playground in a tub!


4. Indulging in color has been a big challenge for me. It's so weird. As a newbie artist, it's hard for me to draw what I see. It's so simple. Whatever you see is whatever you should draw. I think we oftentimes think way too hard when it comes to art especially as adults. The greatest thing we can do for ourselves is the let go, be open, and just dive into it - no judgements. Just leap into creativity.

So...what's next?
Creative Dreams in 2012

1. I was very inspired by an artist's trunk show this past fall. I often think that being an artist is foolish, indulgent, or pointless. But, it was amazing to see an artist teaching women sewing skills in Africa and selling the accessories in the US. It was creative social entrepreneurship. I hope to indulge in this kind of do-gooding work in the future.

2. I also have visions of creating a space for Creative Discovery. I'd love to launch a series of art journaling classes in 2012. I've been working on a business plan and would love to share what I've learned from my own art journaling experiences. We all have the need to be creative and I'd love to share that with others.

3. More creative and crafty parties. With the help of friends, we had a couple of craft parties - just like-minded creative people getting together, talking, and working on crafts. It was beautiful and simple. I'd love to connect with more people in this way. I think the secret to a good event is being able to attract people who create beautiful things, share their thoughts authentically, and have fun.

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