Coneflowers in the Snow Oil 8" x 8:
I'm thinking the weather today is just about the best it can get in January - lots of melting with just a bit of snow cover to put an icing on the ugly winter bits. And lots of sun!
January is International Creativity Month!!! And today is a good day to talk about the creative process. One of the first helps to creativity is "Inspiration". Whereever do we find that! Often in the words of another. And we are so blessed in living in an age when we have words and video so readily available.
In any class, when students are assigned a painting, there is a momentary 'gulp' and an uncomfortable silence while everyone searches for something to paint. Just as, in the studio, I often have that empty feeling when I don't know what I'm going to do next. At this point I know where I'm going but that's only momentary until I run out of 'daily paintings' and 'sisters'. Then I'll be right back in that 'what next?" mode. And this is where creativity comes in. How can we be more creative?
I'll be adding new strategies and new 'inspirers' throughout this blog to help make you more creative.
So here's the first installment: I'm quoting from Harvey McKay. And I love this one!
"New evidence suggests that you can boost your imagination by just getting outside and spending some time in nature....Nature is a place where our mind can relax, rest, and let down those threat responses. Therefore, we have resources left over - to be creative, to be imaginative, to problem solve - that allow us to be better, happier people who engage in a more productive way with others."
I'll be adding other thoughts from this author but for today - your assignment is "Get outdoors!" It's going to be beautiful and in the 40's and 50s for the rest of the week. If you can, take pictures of anything - don't even worry about framing - just click! We'll use what you find in class.
January is International Creativity Month!!! And today is a good day to talk about the creative process. One of the first helps to creativity is "Inspiration". Whereever do we find that! Often in the words of another. And we are so blessed in living in an age when we have words and video so readily available.
In any class, when students are assigned a painting, there is a momentary 'gulp' and an uncomfortable silence while everyone searches for something to paint. Just as, in the studio, I often have that empty feeling when I don't know what I'm going to do next. At this point I know where I'm going but that's only momentary until I run out of 'daily paintings' and 'sisters'. Then I'll be right back in that 'what next?" mode. And this is where creativity comes in. How can we be more creative?
I'll be adding new strategies and new 'inspirers' throughout this blog to help make you more creative.
So here's the first installment: I'm quoting from Harvey McKay. And I love this one!
"New evidence suggests that you can boost your imagination by just getting outside and spending some time in nature....Nature is a place where our mind can relax, rest, and let down those threat responses. Therefore, we have resources left over - to be creative, to be imaginative, to problem solve - that allow us to be better, happier people who engage in a more productive way with others."
I'll be adding other thoughts from this author but for today - your assignment is "Get outdoors!" It's going to be beautiful and in the 40's and 50s for the rest of the week. If you can, take pictures of anything - don't even worry about framing - just click! We'll use what you find in class.
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