I notice that I never had long phases in which I wasn't creative in some way, even as I child I have always been doing some creative stuff of some kind. As an adult my artist was often very committed to something for a couple of years and worked very intensively on this thing, wanted to know everything about it and tried out materials and techniques almost endlessly. It really put in a lot of hard work and got very good at what she was doing. Then at some point, it was somehow over... no longer interesting.... Like a light that got switched off... That way she really got done quite a lot in quite good quality. Impressive, I think I may be proud! And I also enjoyed those time my artist was head over heels for something. That was really fun.
Now I'm into drawing and painting and I'm slowly getting rid of that old pattern. There's so much healing happening through drawing and painting. What I also notice there is that when I don't have a project I can work on I often struggle finding a subject to draw or paint. I have all the materials ready and there are tons of ideas floating around but not having a plan just makes it hard to get started. Having a plan all ready makes it easier for me to just get going and enjoy the process. Interesting!
Sometimes though I fall back into old patterns and restart checking things out and wanting to get better at xyz. But I also realise that I don't like doing everything that I would like to be good at. The things I love the most are not necessarily the things that involve being good at xyz, and so I don't like practising the things I want to be better at. I guess I'm going to make a choice there... Courage to leave some gaps vs. closing those gaps... :-)
Wow, what interesting insights already... :-) I'm really looking forward to get continue with the next session tomorrow :-)
Oh gosh, I would have so much to list. I have done this at the end of many years and I'm always surprised by how much I have gotten done. And how much I have done that was private or unfinished, which is also great to acknowledge and useful and full of learning!
Yes! I want us to acknowledge those private or unfinished projects, too. We dedicated ourselves to them and they deserve appreciation too. We learn something from everything, right?
My goodness, I surprised myself! I have always thought of myself as a writer rather than an artist but when I look at my list I can see that my urge to create in a wider sense has meant I have MADE lots of things I'd forgotten about. The thing that surprised me the most was the projects that made me happiest to think about. I am stupidly proud of my books, but the thing that gave me more joy than anything was spending a lot of quiet time last year making a customised "ugly food" pack of playing cards for my hubby. I've recently discovered collage and it is something that brings me great joy to do, just cutting out bits of paper and sticking them to other bits is so much fun. No monetary gain but it is definitely something that makes my inner artist happy. This was such a lovely exercise to do, Cynthia. It made me very happy and I can't wait for the next one! x
Isn't it the best when you can surprise yourself? I love this for you, Jenny.
When we pause to take inventory like this, it really can make a difference in how we see ourselves.
It's great to have creative joys that are not monetized. I think that's where our widest, most expressive selves are free to play. Your card deck sounds wonderful.
You should be smartly proud of your books! Writing a book is a big deal. I get how much goes into it and I am proud for you.
After taking the inventory, I noticed I always find some way to express my inner artist. I've done writing, music, photography, acting, directing, dancing. I see that I enjoy creating in a group. I also noticed that I get a deeper satisfaction from doing than achieving acclaim (though this is nice). And I notice that the last statement is hard to take! It goes against our modern-day societal expectation that everything must be done for public consumption.
I think what you said is true for many of us - it's more satisfying to do it than to try to get other people on board with our creative work.
And, per your last sentence - I think that's the role of creative people, to not be in line with 'expectations'. So you are right on track as a creative there.
It will be fun to see what your artist wants for you now. A reset to discover your creative joy!
Heh, I do occasionally make Big List of certain facets of my artist-activist life. It's fun and generally reminds me how amazing I really am. You are so right that now is a great time to do one of these again.
I love that doing a list like this reflects back your amazingness, Patricia! This is one of those processes that takes only a bit of time and has a big impact.
Even the unfinished or abandoned stuff we may feel ashamed of is worth looking at, perhaps to reframe it.
I tend to take on a LOT. It can be overwhelming and I am the kind of person who has a very active mind. I don't get bored. I don't have the time! I have many projects, many obligations and responsibilities (though none are caregiving any more - which is a special set of circumstances I won't delve into now). The act of settling down to review my accomplishments, forays into experimentation, skills I want to learn (or have begun learning), etc requires a certain kind of focus on the mental exploration to recall it all.
All other concerns and stresses fade out, my mind becomes calm and my focus meditative. If I measure success by what I've done rather than by how much I've earned, I again understand that I am a success and I am inspired to get back into the fray.
(On the other hand, one can't avoid paying one's bills, so I do wish I had some of that monetary success as well. LOL)
Thank you for sharing this Patricia. It's helpful to see the role your creativity is playing/has played in your life. It's not necessarily about making money but about feeling good and having a place to be you without stress from life and work. I am so glad!
I'm looking forward to taking inventory. I've had a long and varied career and I wanted to document it (with images), but I wasn't sure how. This is a non threatening, easy way for my artist to begin.
I notice that I never had long phases in which I wasn't creative in some way, even as I child I have always been doing some creative stuff of some kind. As an adult my artist was often very committed to something for a couple of years and worked very intensively on this thing, wanted to know everything about it and tried out materials and techniques almost endlessly. It really put in a lot of hard work and got very good at what she was doing. Then at some point, it was somehow over... no longer interesting.... Like a light that got switched off... That way she really got done quite a lot in quite good quality. Impressive, I think I may be proud! And I also enjoyed those time my artist was head over heels for something. That was really fun.
Now I'm into drawing and painting and I'm slowly getting rid of that old pattern. There's so much healing happening through drawing and painting. What I also notice there is that when I don't have a project I can work on I often struggle finding a subject to draw or paint. I have all the materials ready and there are tons of ideas floating around but not having a plan just makes it hard to get started. Having a plan all ready makes it easier for me to just get going and enjoy the process. Interesting!
Sometimes though I fall back into old patterns and restart checking things out and wanting to get better at xyz. But I also realise that I don't like doing everything that I would like to be good at. The things I love the most are not necessarily the things that involve being good at xyz, and so I don't like practising the things I want to be better at. I guess I'm going to make a choice there... Courage to leave some gaps vs. closing those gaps... :-)
Wow, what interesting insights already... :-) I'm really looking forward to get continue with the next session tomorrow :-)
Oh gosh, I would have so much to list. I have done this at the end of many years and I'm always surprised by how much I have gotten done. And how much I have done that was private or unfinished, which is also great to acknowledge and useful and full of learning!
Yes! I want us to acknowledge those private or unfinished projects, too. We dedicated ourselves to them and they deserve appreciation too. We learn something from everything, right?
My goodness, I surprised myself! I have always thought of myself as a writer rather than an artist but when I look at my list I can see that my urge to create in a wider sense has meant I have MADE lots of things I'd forgotten about. The thing that surprised me the most was the projects that made me happiest to think about. I am stupidly proud of my books, but the thing that gave me more joy than anything was spending a lot of quiet time last year making a customised "ugly food" pack of playing cards for my hubby. I've recently discovered collage and it is something that brings me great joy to do, just cutting out bits of paper and sticking them to other bits is so much fun. No monetary gain but it is definitely something that makes my inner artist happy. This was such a lovely exercise to do, Cynthia. It made me very happy and I can't wait for the next one! x
Isn't it the best when you can surprise yourself? I love this for you, Jenny.
When we pause to take inventory like this, it really can make a difference in how we see ourselves.
It's great to have creative joys that are not monetized. I think that's where our widest, most expressive selves are free to play. Your card deck sounds wonderful.
You should be smartly proud of your books! Writing a book is a big deal. I get how much goes into it and I am proud for you.
After taking the inventory, I noticed I always find some way to express my inner artist. I've done writing, music, photography, acting, directing, dancing. I see that I enjoy creating in a group. I also noticed that I get a deeper satisfaction from doing than achieving acclaim (though this is nice). And I notice that the last statement is hard to take! It goes against our modern-day societal expectation that everything must be done for public consumption.
Karen,
I think what you said is true for many of us - it's more satisfying to do it than to try to get other people on board with our creative work.
And, per your last sentence - I think that's the role of creative people, to not be in line with 'expectations'. So you are right on track as a creative there.
It will be fun to see what your artist wants for you now. A reset to discover your creative joy!
Heh, I do occasionally make Big List of certain facets of my artist-activist life. It's fun and generally reminds me how amazing I really am. You are so right that now is a great time to do one of these again.
I love that doing a list like this reflects back your amazingness, Patricia! This is one of those processes that takes only a bit of time and has a big impact.
Even the unfinished or abandoned stuff we may feel ashamed of is worth looking at, perhaps to reframe it.
Yes, and in a way, it can be very relaxing as well as invigorating.
I love that, Patricia, and am curious. Want to share more about how it's relaxing for you? Only if you feel like it.
I'd love to share!
I tend to take on a LOT. It can be overwhelming and I am the kind of person who has a very active mind. I don't get bored. I don't have the time! I have many projects, many obligations and responsibilities (though none are caregiving any more - which is a special set of circumstances I won't delve into now). The act of settling down to review my accomplishments, forays into experimentation, skills I want to learn (or have begun learning), etc requires a certain kind of focus on the mental exploration to recall it all.
All other concerns and stresses fade out, my mind becomes calm and my focus meditative. If I measure success by what I've done rather than by how much I've earned, I again understand that I am a success and I am inspired to get back into the fray.
(On the other hand, one can't avoid paying one's bills, so I do wish I had some of that monetary success as well. LOL)
Thank you for sharing this Patricia. It's helpful to see the role your creativity is playing/has played in your life. It's not necessarily about making money but about feeling good and having a place to be you without stress from life and work. I am so glad!
Thank you!
I'm looking forward to taking inventory. I've had a long and varied career and I wanted to document it (with images), but I wasn't sure how. This is a non threatening, easy way for my artist to begin.
So glad this feels easy to do, Pamela! It doesn't have to be fancy at all. Even starting with a list you can add to later will give you benefits.