art – The Next 38

New Year, New Me?? Probably not

February 14, 2025Posted in travelTagged art, creativity, writingLeave a comment

Ok, it’s not the new year. It’s February. mid-February specifically. And once again I’m trying to work on making some practices a regular habit. I’m not really trying to do a new year, new me thing complete with 10 goals to accomplish. Instead I’m continuing to add in more reading, writing, and being creative. I was actually very successful at making reading a habit the last few years. I ended 2024 with 45 books read, I think. Forty something for sure. This year I made a goal of 40, just to leave some leeway. And I am already on book 5 for the year.

Writing hasn’t exactly been a strong habit in quite a few years. But last fall I joined a group doing the Artist’s Way-which is kind of atypical for me. A group activity? No, I tend to spend more time doing things alone. The Artist’s Way, written by Julia Cameron, encourages practices to get back to creativity. In the book The Artist’s Way, the author encourages writing morning pages. It’s supposed to be first thing in the morning and about 3 pages in a stream of consciousness fashion. I started doing that, and with the exception of days I work, I have been pretty good at sticking to it. But doesn’t usually end up being 3 pages and often is a review of what I need to get done for the day. But it is a pretty regular writing habit.

Being creative is another aspect of the Artist’s Way. Every week, you’re supposed to make an artist’s date for yourself and do something creative. Maybe you go to a museum or paint or sew or take a dance class. That’s been an activity I really needed more of in my every day. Sometimes I make a little craft like a holiday wreath. I often make it an actual date between my husband and I where we go to an art centered thing.

2025 has begun in a kind of depressing whirlwind of events. It’s been a lot. And pretty overwhelming. I think it’s just the right time to reach for the tools that help me which just so happen to be things I mentioned here.

So here’s to blogging occasionally, reading a lot and trying to enjoy my inner creativity.

Creative Inspiration: how making things makes me think of making more things

March 8, 2023Posted in creativityTagged 6 months of art, artLeave a comment

A little late but I finished my crochet blanket.

I was late in finishing because I ran out of yarn and was waiting for a delivery. But now-it’s done. This month, I’ve found myself thinking up ideas for embroidery projects while doing the crochet work. I have a few ideas for projects that I think would be fun to make.

This month is audio storytelling. I’m a bit behind because of the delay in finishing the blanket. I have some ideas sketched out, but I think I need to start with research. A few months ago, I thought I would make a multi episode series on a topic but I have realized over the last few months finishing is consistently a challenge. So I think I will do research and work on a particular story arc or story I want to tell. And from there I will begin with episode 1. It might be the only episode.

One thing that has been interesting is the moving from one creative project to the next, while still thinking about the last one. Or the one before. Hopefully I will come back to these other ideas. The experience has definitely generated creative thinking.

The Comfort of Repetition

February 21, 2023February 21, 2023Posted in creativityTagged art, creativityLeave a comment

I am almost to the end of crochet month and the other day I was thinking about the art of crafts. A lot of times when you say you want to make art, perhaps what likely comes to mind is painting, drawing, sculpting, or something like that. You don’t often see an art school that focuses solely on crafts like weaving, sewing, or knitting. Sewing is for fashion design schools. But I feel like most art schools focus on visual arts. But I find that I really enjoy these crafts that create some kind of useful household product. Items you can wear or use around the kitchen but also enjoy how they look. Maybe I am wrong about this. Maybe there is a big movement in becoming master knitters and I just don’t know about it. I know through the pandemic, we really started to enjoy shows like Blown Away and The Great Pottery Throw Down along with British Bake-off. All of these shows highlight crafts that a single person does that can be functional and very creative. Beautifully decorated cakes that the family can enjoy. Lovely coffee mugs or dishes that have color and design. And for me, so far I’ve enjoyed embroidery and crochet for those reasons.

Obviously, I am no great craftsperson. I am just a beginner in both of those. Right now I am working on a blanket. It’s small and intended for a baby or toddler. But I am still practicing trying to get the crochet work even. I like how repetitive it is. I like how I can work on repetitive loops of yarn and listen to music or watch a show or have a conversation. It’s kind of soothing that it doesn’t need intense concentration.

And honestly after the intensity of the last several years- the pandemic, the political issues, everything-its taken a mental toll over time. A lot of times mindless television or scrolling can be what I turn to in order to relax. But it’s not nearly as satisfying as semi-mindlessly creating a blanket that I can actually give someone in the end. So far I’ve made a kind of sad scarf that I don’t think anyone will want, a hot pot pad to give to a friend, and now this blanket. I am not sure who I can give it to, but so far I like the work. I used to love writing and would think of things to write all of the time. I don’t know what it is about the last few years. I find myself less able to string together a coherent narrative. Less able to organize a piece of writing. So I find it very soothing that creatively I can sit and do some small activity over and over until it turns into a lovely functional gift.