Summer Greetings Everyone!
We had marvellous weather for Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa this year. Even though the world seems increasingly crazy right now, our national celebration gives one pause for thought and the thoughts lead to gratitude that we live in a wonderful country!
"Creativity takes courage" is a timely message a statement made by the famous artist Henri Matisse.
So often we fall into creative ruts and feel unsettled. This happens to all of us at some point and there are many ways to move forward. Here are some ides:
- Step away physically and mentally. Seek inspiration by doing some nature walks, visiting a beautiful garden, going to an art gallery and/or engaging with your creative community.
- Consider that the creative slump is an opportunity to try something new: Learn a new technique; explore new colour combinations; join a new creative group. This can be a time of personal renewal.
- Maybe this is a time to let go of automatic routines.
- Try reorganizing your materials and tools. This often opens up new ideas.
- Think back to what motivated your in the first place. Is there anything in that memory that can be re-captured to helo you move ahead?
- If your creative rut is caused by comparing your efforts to others, remember you are unique and will have different approaches to your creative efforts. We often give too much importance to our self critic.
- Sometimes fear of failure discourages us from trying. One doesn't have to fear failure as one learns from things that don't work out the way we want. With beading, usually the cost of failure is minimal; some stringing material and some time counterbalanced by the benefits of what you have learned.
- Maybe you have too many ideas and can't choose where to start. Write them down and then choose one to start!
- Set a daily schedule and create consistently. Being self-disciplined engages you with your materials and ideas and stilumates motivation.
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" was an idea spoken by an ancient Chinese philosopher and is such a useful idea to think about when trying to get out of a rut. Just do something! :)
Very best wishes,
Meredith, Brent and Carrie