Creative Wisdom: baby steps

Today - Taking Care of Business.
You know there is at least one thing on your list of stuff to do that isn't the fun stuff. That stuff hangs over your head and gets in the way of your creativity.

Take one business related activity you've been avoiding - and do it. 

(I'm setting up my new projector and live demo equipment. I've had it for months and haven't turned it on. It's about time - I've got to get a handle on it before heading out to teach in Houston next month.)

Creative Wisdom: baby steps

Today's creative baby step - find another pile or mess that is in the way of your creative space and clean it out.

While you are there take a peek at a few materials, play with them, put them together, take a few pictures of your options.

 You might find that this opens a few windows to an idea. Or perhaps the floodgate opens and you just can't stop... flow with it!

So how has it been going this month? I hope you've been gently nudged into that creative place in your soul. I've done a little bit here, a little bit there... nothing dramatic. My studio is still half buried in piles of junk. But - half of it is useable again. That's a good thing. I didn't get any great works of art done, but I'm close to getting back into that creative place - where before the door was shut. I was burned out. I'm working on it.

Creative Wisdom: baby steps

Today's baby step toward that creative place...

MAKE A DATE

Find a time, choose a place, and put it on your calendar.

I chose the Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh and invited another artist along for a few hours of sketching.

It was blissful.

Creative Baby Steps from Jessica Porterfield

This just in from Jessica as a result of yesterday's creative baby step.

"Wanted you to see what I completed after I sewed two pieces of fabric together. Am pleased because I have never tried a pieced border before this. Am a novice free motion person and not sure what designs to use but I will figure it out.  Thank you." - Jessica Porterfield

You GO girl!!!

Creative Wisdom: baby steps

Todays creative nudge: sew two scraps together - then two more.That's all.

For Your Inspiration: the Tuba Exchange

I had my horn in to "the guy" who does the best brass work in the area.

His shop happens to be part of the Tuba Exchange in Durham, NC.

It's a lovely little place - if you are in the area it's worth the trip.

Creative Wisdom: Baby Steps

I've just spent the entire day at the middle school, working with their horn players - and recruiting a few new ones. I'm completely exhausted. No wonder my kids don't want to get their homework out of the way right when they walk in the door.

Alphonse Mucha

So - since it's almost time for the rest of the troops to come in and get food before we rush off to various sports - today's baby step is very small.

Choose a piece of art you love. Look at it.
Analyze what it is about it that you love.

Mucha? I love, love, love his use of pattern, the sinuous lines hat lead the eye on a journey up and around and back again. In the print above, there is a repetition of the round shape and the organic but angular branching forms.