This week's Write on Wednesday asks:
How about you? How do you cultivate creativity in your life? Have you found the things that make you come alive? Are you doing them? Shouldn’t you be?
Boy, does that hit home! This week I've been away -- lazing on the beach, frolicking in the waves -- big, ocean waves! Now, I'm sitting on top of a mile-high mountain. Sea level to mile-high in a short time! TIme to sit on the beach, read books, clear my brain.
I realized as I saw the prompt for this post, that this kind of relaxation is not typical in my life. Is it in anyone's? Do we all run from task to task. Go to work, work incessantly and leave. Pick up the kitchen, mow the lawn, do the laundry, get the groceries... sometimes it's difficult to cultivate creativity when you're on a treadmill of sorts.
(In fact, it would almost be easier on the literal treadmill -- at least you are walking without having to worry about traffic, lights, or what you'll be doing when you get to your destination!)
Yet, I do find myself trying to cultivate creativity whenever I can. I'm sure Rick thinks I'm crazy. Even when it's just the two of us, I like to set the table nicely, perhaps pull together pretty flowers. Sure, sometimes it's to be romantic, but more often than not, it's for the pleasure of creating something lovely and different.
I'm always looking at things. Can I use this thing in a project? Tweak this idea so it works for me? My brain doesn't seem to stop, even when my body does. I "think" phrases. I can't seem to stop looking around me for inspiration.
What DOES make me come alive? Warmth, happy things, The Marmelade Gypsy, of course! Color, color and more color! Laughter. Texture. Beauty. The ocean. And, I'm discovering, the mountains. My lake. Being home. Doing art. My family and friends.
Those things make me come alive. Incorporating them into my work is sometimes a challenge. But I try. On blog, through photography, through art projects, by making things to share.
Check out Write on Wednesday for more great thoughts on this topic, or share your own!
How about you? How do you cultivate creativity in your life? Have you found the things that make you come alive? Are you doing them? Shouldn’t you be?
Boy, does that hit home! This week I've been away -- lazing on the beach, frolicking in the waves -- big, ocean waves! Now, I'm sitting on top of a mile-high mountain. Sea level to mile-high in a short time! TIme to sit on the beach, read books, clear my brain.
I realized as I saw the prompt for this post, that this kind of relaxation is not typical in my life. Is it in anyone's? Do we all run from task to task. Go to work, work incessantly and leave. Pick up the kitchen, mow the lawn, do the laundry, get the groceries... sometimes it's difficult to cultivate creativity when you're on a treadmill of sorts.
(In fact, it would almost be easier on the literal treadmill -- at least you are walking without having to worry about traffic, lights, or what you'll be doing when you get to your destination!)
Yet, I do find myself trying to cultivate creativity whenever I can. I'm sure Rick thinks I'm crazy. Even when it's just the two of us, I like to set the table nicely, perhaps pull together pretty flowers. Sure, sometimes it's to be romantic, but more often than not, it's for the pleasure of creating something lovely and different.
I'm always looking at things. Can I use this thing in a project? Tweak this idea so it works for me? My brain doesn't seem to stop, even when my body does. I "think" phrases. I can't seem to stop looking around me for inspiration.
What DOES make me come alive? Warmth, happy things, The Marmelade Gypsy, of course! Color, color and more color! Laughter. Texture. Beauty. The ocean. And, I'm discovering, the mountains. My lake. Being home. Doing art. My family and friends.
Those things make me come alive. Incorporating them into my work is sometimes a challenge. But I try. On blog, through photography, through art projects, by making things to share.
Check out Write on Wednesday for more great thoughts on this topic, or share your own!
14 comments:
I definitely agree with what you are saying. All too often we don't sit back and smell the preverbal roses. Inspiration is everywhere! Of course we get wrapped up in life but true artists are never happy unless they are being creative. Unfortunately not everyday could we be on vacation in paradise, so it is paramount to the creative psyche to find our inspirations where life is taking us at the moment. But I think we all forget how important it is to enjoy life and not walk through it as if we were on a treadmill. Find the little things like setting the table nicely, or picking beautiful flowers could do wonders for a creative attitude.
Personally my inspiration comes from changing my frame of mind. If I am not having a great day I change it. We don't have control over everything but this is one thing everyone can change! Currently it is raining outside and to most they get a dreary feeling but not me. I love the way the colors look when it rains, I love the smell of the grass, but the point is even things that aren't beautiful (like gloomy days) can be strikingly beautiful and inspirational in their own way. So inspirational in fact that when I get home I am going to do a rainy day mixed media! Finding beauty and happiness in little things it makes time much more pleasing!
Have a Wonderful Day!
Steph
Good for you for working to make creativity a part of everyday life! I don't do that nearly often enough, but it's worth the extra effort, for I always feel energized by even the little things, like flowers on the table, or music playing when I'm cleaning house or cooking...small stuff, but it adds up, and pays off later.
Great post! I'm glad you're enjoying your vacation!
My artistic release comes in decorating my house. Right now, it's a total mess, which thoroughly throws off my mojo. The hub comes home tonight, so I best get this thing cleaned up! I haven't done any ATCs in months. Blogging is a release, I feel. Oh yes, books and mags on the beach, always gets the creative juices flowing.
Hi Jeanie,
I wanted to let you know you won the Christmas in July Give-away I was having...go to my blog and email me your address and I will send it along...Congratulations!
Ronda form Ronda's Rants
Another great post!!! I love how you talk about doing little things like setting the table with flowers and making it pretty and romantic. I love to have fresh flowers on my table when ever I can. I sure did enjoy my surprise package in the mail. And boy did I need that book. Your such a wonderful friend and I will always be grateful for Artella for bringing us together!!!
(going to post about package this week-end when I actually have a few spare moments)
Keep having fun!!!!
xoxooxoxoxoxoxoox
Exactly my sentiments. The smallest of things can make my creative juices flow.
Creativity
Doing things that makes me relax gets my creativity flowing. From reading to being with animals to pulling out every craft item I have and start making things to see what happens. I also like to just grab my camera and try to take pictures using unsual angles of everyday things.
Great post!
Sandra
Hmmm- I sure can relate to treadmill feeling- I always have at least more thing going on than I can comfortably handle- but I pick what I do, so I guess its a choice I'm making0 whether I'm aware of it or not.
I could have written every last word. We think so similarly it isn't even funny. I'm on a proverbial treadmill much of the time while walking on an actual treadmill is something at the top of my mental to do list. I do try to eek out every ounce of inspiration a day can provide. I stop to watch my chickens taking a dirt bath and watch the sun set as a pink haze takes over the sky. I try! I try to see the wonderous in the simple things. Hugs to you!!!
Love and hugs
Sparkling August wishes
and sunshine kisses
Love Jeanne
hope you had a great time on the beach.
have a lovely week.
i get a lot of inspiration from my friends blogs. it's amazing to me that it can be that simple. if i spend a little time exploring i will come away with more ideas than i can try in a lifetime and plenty of excitement. sometimes i get overwhelmed and need to STOP. everything. then i read a novel or listen to a book on tape. or make the house as silent as i can. i can have a bad attitude and fight the everyday chores that can feel like they are restricting me but i try to be grateful and remember that i can find good things in the small moments. and it is about being alive, awake and present anyway isn't it. actually if i just did that on an ordinary day for 24 hours no telling what creative sparks might fly!
I so identify with this, Jeanie. I try to keep flowers and pretty things around. Our lives are so hectic so I think it's all the more important that we try to put a little beauty into our lives. I know having flowers around makes me happier and more creative. Here's a quote I love. "When you have only two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one, and a lily with the other." ~Chinese Proverb
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