Creative Intentions for the New Year

December 29, 2009 by 1 Comment

As this year winds down, I’ve started thinking about my intentions for the New Year. Like most years, my intentions in 2010 center around bringing more creativity into my life. But like a lot of ideas, intentions don’t mean much unless you have a plan to back them up.

That’s why I’ve signed up for the Creative Every Day Challenge. This challenge allows you to do as much or as little as you like, expressing your own personal creativity. The fun part is that each month has a theme to inspire you, plus there are ways to connect (via Twitter, Flickr, Blogs) with others also completing the challenge, so you feel supported.

In addition to the challenge, I’ll also be writing my new columns for Creative Perch – another way to keep me motivated to pursue my intentions! I’ll be following The Creativity Book: A Year’s Worth of Inspiration and Guidance and encourage you to join me.

  • What are your creative intentions for the new year?
Filed Under: Creativity, Inspiration

Benefits of Being Everyday Creative

December 14, 2009 by 3 Comments

One of my everyday creative habits involves checking out the magazine rack at my local library. Quite frequently, you will find me there picking up magazines that catch my eye, especially magazines I would not normally read.

This weekend, intrigued by the cover story Everyday Creative, I stumbled upon the latest issue of Psychology Today. The article begins by debunking, probably, the number one myth of creativity and that is that if you are not a creative genius then you are simply not creative and have no hope of ever being creative.

Instead, the article focuses on the fact that too many people fall for that myth and don’t even see all the creative potential and successes in their own life.

Another myth, debunked in the article, is that creativity is intrinsically linked to the arts. Not so, say these authors, who concede that true creativity begins with problem-solving skills and that we can all learn and master these in our everyday lives, whether that means coming up with a new recipe or simply another way to get the kids to go to bed!

So how do you begin being everyday creative? Well, first you have to believe that you are creative, then you have to discover your problem-solving style and use it to innovate in your own daily life. Before you know it, you’ll see some of the benefits:

  • Increased observation skills
  • A more collaborative spirit
  • Better coping skills.

For more on being everyday creative, check out my new column starting in January on Creative Perch. I’ll be following Eric Maisel’s Creativity Book to enhance my own creativity and encourage you to join me.

  • How are you everyday creative?
Filed Under: Creativity, Inspiration

Switching to a New Medium

November 16, 2009 by Leave a Comment

Through this blog, I have encouraged you to explore all the facets of creativity and the various forms that it takes, whether it is the visual arts, music, fashion, theater or writing. Plus, I’ve even tried out a few for myself.

But what I found the most challenging and rewarding was switching to a new medium, within an already established artistic domain. For me, the switch was moving from collage and paper arts to beach glass and jewelry.

I’ve learned there are actually quite a few similarities to both. First, each requires a certain amount of collecting and organizing. This is a natural passion of mine, which I tend to attribute to the time I spent working in museums. Then there is the creative aspect of putting together disparate parts to develop something new, whether it is a collage or a pendant.

Finally, there is the growth aspect, not just as an artist but as a creator. If we are constantly creating in the same medium, we may not see the areas where we need to grow and develop. I believe by simply switching to a new medium, you become more aware of your growth and maybe you’ll discover and develop a passion you never knew you excelled at!

  • Try creating in a new medium.
Filed Under: Collage, Creativity, Inspiration

Design a Pattern

November 5, 2009 by Leave a Comment

Regular readers to this blog know that I love to share online resources where you can create your own art. The intersection of technology and creativity has been a gradual fascination for me. Plus, many of these sites provide much needed online exercise for your right brain.

The latest site I found, actually via Twitter, allows you to create a design, using pre-created black and white patterns, by adding your own color and imagination. The pattern I completed earlier this week is entitled, “Ode to Autumn” and is filled with random dabs of rich oranges, reds, and browns.

  • Create your own or search for mine and rate it at Altair Design.

Image Altair Design

Filed Under: Creativity, Imagination, Inspiration

Art in the Park

July 20, 2009 by Leave a Comment

Yesterday, I had a fabulous day strolling around the square in Medina, OH for their annual Art in the Park sponsored by the Medina County Art League. If you are a regular reader, you know there are two things that I absolutely adore: art fairs and inspiration. Well, Art in the Park did not disappoint and provided me with both.

I am not sure how I have missed this art fair in previous years, but I am glad I found it. Set in a charming town square, this art fair had plenty of arts and crafts to delight the eyes and a performance stage in the town’s gazebo to add some musical flair.

One of the artists I discovered, Kathleen Green, won an arts prize at last year’s fair and this year did not disappoint with her gorgeously painted renderings of county life, including colorful clothes drying on a clothesline.

Image Medina County Art League

Filed Under: Artists, Inspiration

Creative Check-In

July 6, 2009 by 3 Comments

I am not a person who sets goals on January 1. I’ve tried. Actually, people who know me have heard me talking for months now about writing down my 2009 goals. Well, now that 2009 is almost half over, I’ve created a better technique for setting goals.

It’s a mid-year creative check-in. I did it this weekend with the extra time I had to relax and reflect. I find the sun and the warmth of summer more hopeful and inspiring than the dreary winter when the real new year starts, which was why a mid-year check-in worked for me.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

    1. How am I feeling creatively?
    2. What creative projects have I completed in the last 6 months, 3 months, 1 month
    3. What creative projects have I started that need to be put aside or completed?
    4. What new inspiration have I found? Where?
    5. Have I tried to create in a new medium? If not, what can I try?
Filed Under: Creativity, Inspiration

My Favorite Creativity Blogs

June 22, 2009 by 4 Comments

People always ask what creativity blogs I read on a regular basis. So I’ve put together a brief list to answer that question.

Creative Perch
Dee Wilcox is the author of this blog that has the simple goal to inspire creativity and encourage innovation. I love Dee’s ability to balance practical creativity tips with real life examples of public art, especially guerrilla art.

The Fertile Unknown
This blog written by creativity consultant extraordinaire Michelle James explores the process of creative emergence and what that looks like in life and work, especially business.

Applied Imagination
This is the blog I go to when I want to know what’s new in creativity. Steve Dahlberg does a wonderful job of sorting through the latest news on creativity and posting some of the most interesting ideas out there.

Creativity at Work
Looking at the intersection, or interplay, as author Linda Naiman refers to it, between art, science and business is the focus of this informative blog.

Life Unfolds
Jennifer Lee is a self-described Certified Coach, Writer, Leader, Artist, Yogini and Musepreneur. Her colorful and always creative blog chronicles her personal journey of creative expression.

  • Check out my bookshop for more of my favorite creative reads.
Filed Under: Books, Creativity, Innovation, Inspiration

Creative LA

May 18, 2009 by 2 Comments

I’m no Richard Florida, but I think LA is one of the most creative cities. After my latest trip there, I am now further convinced by this. Why?

1. Location: Not only does LA have inspiring warm weather and beautiful light, but the ever-changing landscape of this metropolis is simply breathtaking. Whether you travel to the beach and become mesmerized by the ocean, drive through the awe-inspiring mountains or simply admire all of the colorful flora, LA is a feast for the eyes and imagination.

2. Attitude: The vibe in LA changes from community to community, but for the most part there is an underlying casual attitude that encompasses the entire area. Such a vibe can only foster the creative spirit and encourage you to take creative risks.

3. Diversity: Not only is the landscape diverse, but so are the 10 million+ residents that inhabit Southern California. Everywhere you travel, you see evidence of cultural diversity and often hear another language or two spoken nearby. There is such an assortment of inspiration around every corner.

  • What’s your favorite creative city?
Filed Under: Creativity, Imagination, Inspiration

Waking Up Your Inner Artist

March 12, 2009 by 1 Comment

Spring is a great time to wake up your inner artist after a long winter. This year, I pulled out my Everyday Creative Cards for 30 Ways to Wake Up Your Inner Artist by Eric Maisel, a tool I have never used, despite them sitting on my bookshelf for years.

Since each card has a different inspiring message and activity, I decided to start by randomly selecting one from the deck. The card I chose happened to be one on growing creative by creating today. A quote at the top declared:

“Today is the best day to create. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow isn’t here.”

I had a little difficulty with the first task, which was to do some creative work. I thought about creating a mini collage, but then realized I didn’t have enough time to pull out all of my images and supplies to complete one, so why start it in the first place?

Instead, I decided to focus on the second activity: respond creatively to life. It seemed like something I could fit into my busy schedule. So that day, I focused on observing as a creative tool. I really paid attention to even the smallest details throughout my day. I noticed the colors of houses and looked at the clouds in the sky comparing patterns. It made me appreciate my surroundings in a creative way. It turned out to be even more fulfilling than creating an actual piece of art.

  • Look for artistic connections as you respond creatively to life.
Filed Under: Artists, Creativity Techniques, Inspiration

When Are You Most Creative?

December 31, 2008 by 2 Comments

So, when is your most creative time? I’ve discovered that mine is at night. More like the middle of the night. I’ve found that I do my best thinking and come up with more ideas when I wake up in the middle of the night. It’s not then that the ideas percolate, but rather during the time that I am tossing and turning, trying to get back to sleep.

In the past, like most people, I would lie awake worrying. But then last year, I started to use that time more productively. I began actively focusing on ideas I was working through and that’s when the real creativity started.

I’ve come up with some of my best ideas during this time. And of course, I get up and jot down notes, because I know that once morning comes, they might be gone for good.

  • Read this article to find out how to maximize when you are most creative.
Filed Under: Creativity, Ideas, Inspiration
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