inspiration

It has been a good summer for small boat sailing, here in New England. There are a lot of factors that affect the decision to sail:

• the wind speed and direction
• the timing of the tides
• and for me whether my brothers are willing to drag the boat over the beach to the shore.

Creating is like sailing. Some days are better than others, but even on a “bad” day I can find something good about it.

I do the best I can given the conditions. Sometimes:

• It is hard to get started, but after I do start I find myself enjoying it
• The conditions are not ideal, like the studio is 90 degrees, so I print in short bursts of time.
• There could be factors beyond my control and I just need to take a day off from creating.

I have created little travel kits, so I can create at home, in my car, or at the beach. This way I increase my chances of finding the time and energy to create. I can roll with the ebb and flow of my energy.

My travel kits are nothing special, just a baggie of markers, a pen, some small stamps and a journal.

I have tried the more complex sketchbook kits, with watercolors and such, but they were too much for me and I never used them. We need to try lots of options and then do what works for each of us individually.

I find taking an art class can help with the ebb and flow of creation. I am following a couple of classes right now. I don’t always do the lessons as assigned. I try to take what is offered and tweak it to my style.

For example, the assignment was to collage in found images, as a background.  I adjusted it and collaged in photocopies of my own images. This feels more meaningful to me.

So I encourage you to:

• be open to the ebb and flow of making stuff
• try a small travel kit specific to you
• maybe take a class and tweak the lessons to your needs

If you like self paced online classes, then check out the classes I have to offer. Enjoy!

How many ways do you use your phone in your art practice? I know we are advised to limit screen time, but our phones have so many features that can be a challenge.

Maybe we could limit mindless screen time? Go back to rotary phones??

I use my phone:

• to photograph art work and inspiration constantly
• to shoot video of processes
• to time exposures – cyanotypes
• to listen to soothing music
• as a timer to get things done
• to create reminder lists
• to make slideshows
• to capture before and after clean studio pictures
• to check the time or weather for making plans
• to check out art friends social activities
• find free clip art
• Screenshots of internet ideas/instructions

With all of these uses, I can see why it is a challenge to reduce screen time. I am okay  with many of those activities.  And I know my black holes, Netflix, Youtube and Freevee.

I am giving up feeling bad about using my phone and will be looking for more creative uses for this studio tool. I invite you to try some gentleness around your phone use and art practice.

Check out the online classes available now.