I've recently began a new e-course called Creative Courage. It's being led by Stephanie Levy and my goal in taking the course was to start creating again!
Before moving from Tampa, I was going to Ybor Art Studio about 2-3 times per week and was actually creating and finishing a lot of art projects! I felt that I was starting to develop a direction & voice in my work, and was I dedicating the time without feeling guilty. I enjoyed painting there, but I was also experimenting with collage and alternative materials... and I LOVED the creative and supportive environment I was working within!
After moving to California, even though I have a studio in the house...I find myself not wanting to spend time alone up there painting and drawing. I briefly hired an art instructor to come over and then I decided to use my creative energy in other ways...photography, blogging, running my Etsy shop, etc. While I recognize all of those things ARE in fact creative, I feel a bit unsatisfied for not putting "Hand to Paper"and not actually spending time in the studio. I really do enjoy getting lost in the creation...so why don't I actually do it?
By working through a few of the exercises of the e-course today, I began to Map it Out.
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| Though it may not look that way, I cleaned off my desk & made a place to Play. |
While my creative interests are abundant, I know that I have to give myself a few parameters during the course. There are so many inspiring ideas and advice that have been presented already, it would be easy for me to get lost. I've decided to stick to a collage based approach for the workshop activities, and I'm going to incorporate the pages of this old Atlas into all of my projects during this series.
My first collage started as a combination of an unfinished drawing that I found in my studio, along with our 1st Activity in the e-course...Why am I Here?
I tore out a page from the Atlas and began mapping my the Ideas and Statements from the activity.
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| I've started my Search, but where will it Lead Me?... |
It's certainly a humble beginning & a fun start, and that's where I'm at so far. Though I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by the abundance of amazing content and a tad intimidated by the highly talented artists in the group, I'm also excited to be sharing the journey with such a phenomenal and inspiring group of women!
Cheers ~ Lara
Great for you Lara - lovely blog post and I love your approach to mapping everything out, that is a great idea! Sometimes working through our ideas in a visual way is the best way of all! Thank you for sharing and I'm delighted that you are in the course :) xo
ReplyDeleteI love your space and your thoughtful approach to 'mapping' out your ideas! It is nice to 'meet' you and I look forward to seeing more of your work and
ReplyDeletegetting to know you through the course! xokp
I'm totally with you - the hands-on-paper-thing, and how satisfying it is to get lost in the creative process; AND that it's sometimes hard to get to it, even when you KNOW all that!
ReplyDeleteLove your use of actual maps in the mapping out of your ideas! Putting it all on paper, 'out there', can make it tangible, more true and sort of easier to grab it by the ears and shake it ;) Run with it!! xx
I agree with the above comments! What a great idea to use a map to make a mind map! As well, I like the end result - very nice.
ReplyDeleteValerie Brown
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