Oh my! It’s been a hot minute!
Well…
Despite best intentions, life keeps happening around us and priorities must be chosen. In my case, family, work, study, exhibition & volunteer work, creativity & fun - I’m fairly sure I remember what fun is …. mostly . . . probably . . . ummm . . . ?
Okay, so it hasn’t been that bad, but some days it feels like a big weight on the shoulders trying to get everything done, pick the best order of priority and finish it all so you can have fun. Free time. Space. Rest. Don’t get me wrong there have been many fun elements whipping up art lessons on the fly, supporting colleagues to exhibit class/school artwork to Sculpture on Shore in Nov, and helping family move and set up their new space - especially their craft room . . . Handy to know what they have (Hi sis!) but when it’s not the fun you want to do, and when you want to do it . . . it becomes hard. It feels like a chore to get done. Another ‘thing’ you have to get motivated to do again, but why bother because you know something else will come along to disrupt it and take away the priority? But wait! I am NOT going to preach that you make just 15mins a day a priority for yourself and your creativity.
A.) Because everyone’s life is different, sometimes other priorities are just instantaneously more important in the moment.
B.) Because I haven’t found the motivation to stick to that for myself!
But if you want to try - please let us know how it is working for you! I would love to be able to do just 15mins every day but my brain is not wired like that. When I start, I just want to kep going until I naturally pull out of my zone of creating. But being pulled out after just getting started . . . oh boy! Let’s just say it’s not one of my favourite things. However, I will recommend, creativity by proxy. Watch Youtube tutorials and or blogs - the wealth of information, inspiration and community out there is immense (and free). Try sites like Skillshare and Craftsy - (no sponsorship here but there is information abound and likeminded people willing to share their knowledge). Collect materials that you think you might like to use in a project BEFORE you sit down to try it. And if you don’t end up using it? Keep it for something else or pass on to other creatives, students, grandkids, nieces & nephews, neighbours and friends. You never know what YOU may spark in others just from a little simple generosity.
All that to say - my personal creativity has been a little lacklustre lately. My art school is having an exhibiton for onsite and distance delivery students next month. I was unable to participate when I first started last year for several reasons but I will be sending down a piece of work that I have been working on since starting my Diploma of Creativity. The little time I have had has been spent on adding the last little touches. I am at the point where I am asking “have I gone far enough? or have I gone too far?” I’ll leave a sneak peek of the piece as my thumbnail image for now. And I will be adding a Work in Progress page soon where I will have more pictues of the things I am playing around with. But for now, I’ll leave you with this thought - creativity is not just about doing or making, it is also about imagination and wondering. It’s ok to just sit and play with ideas too - it’s creative, it’s meditive, it’s part of the process - but don’t forget to come back to the making, playing and physical creating too.
I hope you are all taking care out there.
Hugs & love to those who may need it at this time 💕
Tracye