NAKED TRUTH ABOUT CREATIVITY

In his book, The Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell examined the lives of people that achieved high levels of success - people like Bill Gates and groups like the Beatles. It is a fascinating read, and put forth the theory that in order to become successful at what you were born to do, you need to put in about 10,000 hours doing that activity. So, whatever you want to be successful at, you will need to actually practice your craft, and build your skill through actually DOING many hours of your chosen work. 

Now, that may be a bit daunting or even discouraging for many, but the truth is, you can accumulate hours by putting together smaller bits of time. One naked truth about creativity that I give to friends and students alike is use even small amounts of time for creating.

As an artist there are many ways to do this. Here are just a few:

• have your materials all set and ready to go on your table so that you can spend 15-20 minutes working on a piece at any time
• clean up and reset your materials so they are ready to go the next time you have a few minutes to spare for your art
• think of the investment of time in your chosen work NOT as discipline, but rather as devotion to your art
• work on small pieces, or a small area of a larger piece, so that you can see progress over the small bits of time you are able to devote to your art
• take a small sketch book and pencil/eraser with you everywhere you go; USE THEM!
• cut a full sheet of watercolor paper into smaller pieces and use with a small "in the field" set of watercolors to do studies when you are away from your workspace

These are just a few suggestions, but the naked truth about creativity is that you need to put in the time actually being creative to achieve the results you see in your mind, and the level of success you desire. So choose to spend those few minutes every day being creative. Just go and do it! Today. :-)

A NEW WAY OF SEEING THINGS...

It always astonishes me when people look at things in a new way, and discover such wonderful things...such as you see here!
"Reading a newspaper one morning, Jarbas Agnelli noticed a picture of birds perched on electric wires. So he got the idea to cut out the photo and make a song using the exact location of the birds as notes." (Mobiledia)

BALANCING LIFE AND CREATIVITY

I never thought that I would be a "runner", rising early in the morning to run the streets in the middle of winter. But that is just what has happened, even though I don't really like running. What I DO like though, is that I feel like I have accomplished something for my fitness level when I make sure to exercise, and since my husband needs company when he runs...well, that's how it all began. 

I also never thought I would join a hiking group! I am really not a "club" person. But because it is a good way to get to know people when one has just moved, we joined a "newcomers club", and within that group we have joined the hiking group. Every Friday there is an approximately 6 km. hike which you can go on if you choose - and we have chosen to do so every week but one where we had a prior commitment. 

Two weeks ago, we went to the Little Qualicum Falls, which looked like this on that day:

It was a very frosty morning as you can see by the snow/ice on the sides of the rock. It is a beautiful falls, and the hike to get there was through amazing forest which takes your breath away with its beauty.
















Last week we went along French Creek and then deep into forested land to see a tree which is a giant. It took 14 people to circle the tree, holding hands around its base. It towers so high in the forest that you can't see its top.

I am not just running and hiking though. We bought some plants (Rhododendrons and Heather) to plant in the beds which are at the front of our house, and they are going into the ground as I sit here at my computer. We also visited an organic farm this week, and bought some herbs, strawberries and lettuce to transplant into pots on our deck just off the kitchen. It is so exciting to be able to do these things so early in the year! 

And I have been a busy person in my studio. I am getting close to finishing a watercolor commission, and I have begun a new half-sheet watercolor. And....I have been doing work on my taxes (blech!). Only another day or two to finish those up (double blech!).

So, with running, hiking, gardening, as well as all the normal stuff like meals and laundry, life seems full. In the midst of it all, it is great to walk into my small space, hide myself away and create. Painting is what keeps me in balance. It fills my sails, and gives me wings to do other things - running, hiking, and so on. :-) I really encourage you to find your way to be creative. Here is an article which explains how "creativity breeds happiness", written by Tom Jacobs. I think you will enjoy reading it! And happy creating!!! 

new piece started

  

Called to be creative!

I am rereading the book, The Creative Call, by Janice Elsheimer. I first read this book when it was published in 2001.  It spoke to me then about possibilities, and about which comments from my past I actually listened to and have built my limitations upon. (I am sure we all have those negative voices which have influenced our self-perceptions!)

Back in 2001-2002 , I was in a position to move forward in one of several directions, and I chose the one which seemed to be the right one for that time and place. Choosing that course has given me some truly amazing experiences over the last 7 years or so, and has brought me to the space and place I am currently in. 

This is the start of a new year, full of potential and new decisions to make. Since having my brain surgery almost 4 months ago now, I have been doing a lot of thinking (LOL - using my brain!) and dreaming.  Picking up this book has been one of the things that is pulling me along in the process of thinking deeply about my life - about purpose and direction.  I am actually highlighting phrases and sentences which resonate with me, and which speak louder than the "common-sense" voices from my childhood and past. I have been journaling for years, but I have determined that this year will be different. My journals will also include dreams of my heart, goals to aspire to, and possibilities and outcomes recorded in one place to encourage me when life seems to be difficult. 

Although I am only a third of the way through the book, here are a few of the phrases which have become "gold":

• Caution and fear of failure kept me (the author of The Creative Call) from believing 
• Creative people know that not only are they missing something important when they aren't exercising their creative gifts, but they are also shrinking from the responsibility they have to develop those gifts.
• ... practicing one's art is a spiritual matter
• ... the flow of creative ideas is much more constant and insistent in creative, divergent thinkers
• When we try to live without exercising our artistic gifts, we may feel restless and empty. Life lacks fullness. Something buried deep within longs to emerge.

I have been reminded that being creative is a "calling". I don't know what that word might mean to you, but for me, it is a very powerful word, and has many concepts attached to it. It requires courage to answer your calling in life - no matter when it comes, and no matter what form it takes! So my focus this year will be to be "strong and courageous". If you know me at all, you know that for me to take risks, to move into unknown waters (ie. unsafe, untested, may be filled with crocodiles) I need to be courageous!!! I guess we will see where this takes me, and what adventures will happen along the way.

The first adventure this year is that my husband and I are leaving tomorrow morning to fly to Vancouver Island, and then take a ferry to Salt Spring Island to spend 5 days on an island next to the ocean in winter. I am taking my camera, and the hopes of getting some excellent pictures - both for painting and for my photography portfolio. We debated going to some place warmer (like Mazatlan, Mexico), but we only have a few days, and limited finances, so this is the compromise. I am also taking my new Moleskine sketch book and my traveling watercolors, with the hope of filling some of the pages. It will be wonderful to be away from everything, and be able to work out some more ideas as to the future direction of our lives. I will be setting some 2009 goals - things to work toward, but not be bound by - all with the overarching idea of being strong and courageous.

Of course, since we will be away from "everything" (including computers, phones, TV, etc.)  that means no posting for a week or more. I will catch you up as soon as I can once we are home.

Till then, I wish you all many wonderful experiences,  enjoying your calling in 2009.