Keeping Creative

Work, work, work

2009-03-15T14:36:00.003Z

Today is a personal blog to tell you how life is with me :)

I am currently preparing for an exhibition. This is taking up much of my time and I probably won't be writing on here for a little while.
You can keep up to date with this progress here at my personal art blog

I am also preparing for an interview to apply to do the Fine Art (BA Hons) Degree, which also takes up a lot of my thoughts!! Its is an exciting time!

While this is all going on, I am still teaching part time to raise money for all these wonderful activities :)

Anyway, here are a few of my favourite paintings so far for The Silent Landscape exhibition:

On Reflection

2009-02-08T10:58:00.007Z

Definitions of reflection on the Web:

contemplation: a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
the phenomenon of a propagating wave (light or sound) being thrown back from a surface
expression: expression without words; "tears are an expression of grief"; "the pulse is a reflection of the heart's condition"
mirror image: a likeness in which left and right are reversed
the image of something as reflected by a mirror (or other reflective material); "he studied his reflection in the mirror"
(mathematics) a transformation in which the direction of one axis is reversed
the ability to reflect beams or rays

I am going to talk about reflection, in terms of the time you spend giving things your intent consideration. To narrow it down even more, I’ll concentrate on reflecting on your creativity. I am, as you may have guessed, convinced that creativity is essential to everyone’s life in one form or another. But today I want to focus on those who are creative for most of the time and who may even make a living from it.

It is important to be reflective throughout your life. It’s probably a subconscious practice many of you already do, but there’s something about bringing it into focus that makes it even more valuable. It makes you really SEE where you’ve been and what you’ve learnt so you can move forward in a way you want to control. I hear many creative people who say they’re stuck, blocked, at a crossroads, or even lacking in confidence. These things can all be kicked back into motion in a direction that suits you. I’m going to suggest one way in this article. Alongside the mental exercise you will need some physical exercise to pump the circulation of not just your blood but your thoughts and ideas. This is really effectively done by just walking. It works wonders!

So onto the mental exercise. I’m going to set out some questions below which are best answered on paper so you can see where you’ve been. One-liners are all that’s required, but reams are just as welcome – whatever suits you. This exercise is for you alone.

I invite you to ask yourself some honest questions:

What do you enjoy in your creative pursuits?

What don’t you enjoy?

What would you like to do differently?

What skills have you learnt?

What have you learnt about yourself?

How have your creative pursuits had an effect on your life areas?:

Home
Family
Work
Career
Leisure
Health

How has it affected your Self?:

Mental
Physical
Emotional
Spiritual

If you identified things you would like to do differently, now knowing which parts of your lifestyle and Self are affected negatively, how could you do it?

If you identified things that were positive, could you improve them?

How do you feel now that you have completed this exercise?

Would you do it again?

If you came out of this exercise feeling that you would want to do it again then consider making this a regular practice. Reflecting openly about your creativity, work, life and leisure can keep you on track and help to change anything that is stale or not working for you. I would think that a monthly, 2 monthly or even 6 monthly reflective sessions would be effective. Keeping up with walking and journaling in between would see you on a very healthy regime.

I hope you found this useful. I know that I can’t live without these formal processes as they keep me focussed and truly happy with my life.

Warm Leaves of the Earth © Deborah Eileen Burrow 2009

available at http://www.deboraheburrow.etsy.com

If You Want to Walk on Water, You Have to Get Out of the Boat

2009-01-02T17:11:00.008Z

No, this isn't a religious blog...its a brand new year blog designed to help you with your heart's desires!

It is a wonderful statement that is food for thought, and a great analogy for taking responsibility for miracles in your own life.

It all comes down to what we want out of life and how to make it happen. Life really is what you make it, and waiting for that most wanted thing to come in to your life just isn't enough. We have to make a contract with ourselves to go out there and get it!

Lets use an example:
You are a very talented ceramicist and your spare room is full of your creations. You really want to show them off to the world, and maybe even sell them. Or at least you'd be happy with them being so admired so much you'd get commissioned to make one just like it for someone if you can't bear to part with that particular one(funny how the human mind works!). You and I both know that allowing the pieces to sit there doesn't get your work known or appreciated by a wider audience. Are you waiting for someone to discover you? Are you thinking that you just need the right opportunity to come along and change everything?
You could be waiting a long time...
To rely on someone or something in this way is just putting your skills in the closet and hoping someone may open the door one day and find out that you are an amazing artist and they will promote you.

The analogy, "If you want to walk on water, you have to get out of the boat", implies taking responsibility for your own destiny, risks and all.

Whats the worst that could happen? Someone says they don't like your work? Well I don't like liver and bacon, but a chef doesn't take offence - he knows we all have different tastes. You may think people will laugh at you and your work. That's every artist's fear - of being judged and laughed at - that someone will say, "Don't give up your day job!" The truth is that the negative voice in your head will try to convince you of these things. What is actually the case is that art is art and a personal creative journey. Talents are meant to be shared and we all share a purpose in life - to build bridges, architectural ones or ones that bridge gaps between people through audio and visual communication.

So in order to "Walk on Water", that personal miracle, we have to take that brave step outside of our comfort zone and see what we can do! Keeping your focus on your goal will prevent you from sinking and you'll be surprised how much you can achieve!

Write a New Year Plan today. Start with your desire and use the following SMART technique to get you on your way:
S - Specific - set a small goal first
M - Measurable - make a plan and evaluate regularly
A - Attainable - break it down in to manageable steps
R - Realistic - keep it simple and achievable
T - Time Frame - set a sensible time limit for each step

For example:
Goal - to have an exhibition.
First Step - to let people know you exist!

Specific - Make contact with other artists and let friends and family know what you are doing
Measurable - make a plan on how(through local clubs/having a party/making business cards/website)
Attainable - gather information by researching on Internet and local publications
Realistic - Dedicate 2 mornings a week
Time Frame - 4 weeks from now you'll know a few more people and will have made some headway on how to get promoting yourself

Don't forget to keep your journal up to date so you can document your progress. Its great to look back and see your achievements.

I hope this food for thought gives you a boost for the start of this new year!
Best Wishes for a Creative 2009.

Trees of Winter © Deborah Eileen Burrow 2008

Happy Holidays :)

2008-12-21T17:23:00.001Z

Today is Winter Solstice and it always makes me feel better knowing that the nights will slowly start to get shorter now. :)
Christmas is only a few days away, and this warms my heart as I know we'll be with people we love and eat and be merry :))
Whether you're religious or not, it doesn't matter as there is enough love and peace in the world to go round for everyone :)))
To top it all we have a New Year on its way which can only inspire and bring new opportunities.
Peace and Love to you all - Warm Wishes for a Very Happy Christmas and a Great New Year.
Debs x x

Blog Vacation

2008-11-12T23:42:00.003Z

Hi everyone.
I'm just popping up a note here to say that I will be taking a vacation from this blog for several weeks. I am having major surgery and I will need some recuperation time. I will be back though :)

I am currently preparing for an exhibition of new artworks, and I'm keeping a creative blog at wordpress - The Creative Life of Debs. I invite you to follow my progress there as I go through the ups and downs of the creative process.

I highly recommend any of the listed books in the right hand column if you need some inspiration for problem solving whilst I'm away.

Also visit Megan Chapman's Studio Blog for artist life and business insights.

Meanwhile, as cheesy as it sounds, Keep Creative!! :)

Clear Your Mind with a Journal

2008-11-01T19:00:00.006Z

Last time I suggested giving yourself a break from your nagging worry voice by sending it to your Big Toe. I hope this technique was able to keep it at bay while you got on with your creativity.

This week I’m going to tell you about Journal Writing to help you tackle that voice face to face. If you’ve done this before, or even still do it, then this will be a revisit to how valuable keeping a journal can be.

That voice obviously needs attention, and whilst sending it to your big toe is helpful when you need a break from it, it ultimately needs to be addressed. You can talk it over with friends and professionals if you need to. Meeting that voice face on is daunting! But a really great way is to write it down. In that process some of the heightened emotions are dispelled straight away. Then comes the telling of the story, the expression of the issue, and an exploration. You don’t have to write in your journal everyday, but I can tell you that once you start, you’ll want to share your thoughts and feelings with this journal more often than you think.

Keeping a journal is an ancient practice and has lots of benefits. There are 100 benefits listed on this page I found online here at appleseeds

You will soon feel the benefit. Once you clear your mind by writing it all down, there is room for problem-solving and in due course, a peace of mind :)
You don’t have to just write in your journal by the way – you can draw, paint, add collage and photos to help. Whatever helps is the right way. And when, one day, you look back through it, you will be amazed at how things have changed – for the better!

So journal yourself to peace and a clear mind. It really works. Its a good way of Keeping Creative...

There’s even an online tutorial on how to make your own personalised covers for your journal / notebook - find it here

Send it to your Big Toe

2008-10-19T19:42:00.005+01:00

"It sits on my shoulder, whispering sceptical things into my ear that make me stop and question my path as an artist. Its comments are condescending, spiteful, and convince me that I'm wasting my time. "Who's going to like, let alone buy that?!" - it chants each time I get close to getting anywhere with anything creative."

How many of you have had this little demon voice in your ear? I know I have. But I have learnt to banish this voice on command in recent years. It no longer gets to me quite as often. How? By sending it to my Big Toe!! Sounds crazy but it works!!

This is a wonderful technique for dealing with that nagging and doubting voice that threatens to hamper your creative spirit. I’ve talked about trusting your intuition many times, but I’m well aware that training yourself to do this takes time. Today I introduce to you a way of cutting off that voice who tells you that you’re wasting your time following your dream.

When that annoying chatter is removed from your head area to your toe it is weakened and physically as far away from your creative brain a possible. It’s so much better to have a clear mind, and while it’s away in your toe you can concentrate on your creative pursuits. You will have to be determined to keep the pesky voice at bay, so each time its starts again, send it packing - back to your big toe.

This little trick is so powerful. Trust me when I say that it releases you from your fears, and helps you overcome the difficulty of focussing on your artistic journey.

I hope you and your big toe find success!

Sketching and Doodling

2008-10-06T10:53:00.017+01:00

Keeping free and easy in your creativeness is probably the most important issue to overcome and maintain. This is what I have learned myself, yet again, just recently. Yes, I say again, because we are constantly on a learning curve all through our lives. The difference is that we are usually at a different place when we come up against the same issue. You could visualise this as a spiral. We often go full circle with things, but we’re probably the next level up, even if we’re at the same issue.

It is well recognised that we can get bogged down by pressures and restrictions, (external and internal). We can be working on a particular theme or project and lose ourselves in it so far that we’ve forgotten how easy it used to be to create the way we used to outside of that particular project.

Enter the doodling and sketching exercise. At first it may seem trifling and irritating. It may be hard to loosen up. In fact it is hard to loosen up – I found this really hard, and in the first sitting I was a disaster. Why? Because I was trying too hard! The only way I could overcome it was to remove myself from the studio and sit in front on the tv.

So, here is the method:

Step outside of your studio or usual creative space.
Find somewhere else to set up with paper and pens (or whatever) as a temporary space
Put on the tv, the hifi, your ipod, or the radio…
Take 3 deep, slow breaths. Relax your shoulders.
Clear your mind of its clutter.
Get ready to doodle, or sketch.
If you need a subject, find some household, fridge, larder, objects, or some photos of something you like such as leaves, flowers, trees, landscapes.
Don’t think too much as you sketch. Let your eye guide the hand, with light concentration. Try to keep the style simple and free. It doesn’t have to be strictly representational – you can just fill in areas of colour, or just simple shapes.
Enjoy the process. Don’t produce anything for anyone else to see – this is your personal exercise.
Remember that if it doesn’t work, put it to one side and come back to it, or start again.

When you have finished your session, however long it takes, put it all to one side and leave it for at least half and hour. When you return to it, look at it objectively, if you can. Can you still see restrictions or barriers to the freedom you’re trying to achieve? If so, can you solve it?

I’d love to hear about your experiences – feel free to share. You may have a different way of loosening up, if so, let me know. I also welcome suggestions for issues to tackle in this blog - keeping creative is a universal subject and there’s so much to explore!

Thanks

Debs

above sketches:

both of these sketches are for sale at etsy.com

Taking a Break

2008-09-23T14:45:00.003+01:00

I have come to observe, both in my own behaviour, and other creative people around me, that one of the creative person’s greatest pitfalls is not taking a break. Most people will book holiday/vacation at regular intervals during the year. But, somehow, the self-employed, and in particular those working in the arts, don’t give themselves time off. Many reasons behind it are financial, but mostly it’s the perception of loss of momentum and control in productivity.

My blogs are always written when something resonates with me, and this week is no exception – I write from personal experience.

Working towards a goal, like my exhibition, has suddenly kick-started an old habit of mine – extreme drive. This drive is my enemy and my saviour rolled into one. I cannot achieve without it, but it is one of the most difficult things to turn off. Even when I am tired, frustrated and burnt-out, my drive will keep me up late at night, and fill every waking moment with obsession over the project in hand.

I wrote, produced and released 5 CDs as a singer-songwriter between 2001 and 2007. That was a highly driven time for me. Not only was I in the studio recording a lot, but I was performing live at least once every week. The only thing that stopped me in the end was serious illness. Our bodies are wise and will always let you know when you’ve been overdoing it. In the first year of my self-employment I gave myself 1 week off. In the following 2 years I gave myself 2 weeks off per year. After I became ill at the beginning of the 4th year I was forced to take 16 weeks off. I survived better than I thought I would, both financially and in productivity. No surprise to me looking back on it, but I wouldn’t have believed it before then. So since then I’ve given myself a week off after every 8 weeks of work! It has been truly beneficial – I feel better, and I’m more productive! Only occasionally now, do I find myself in overdrive – but I recognise it straight away, and I pull myself away from the project – even though I’m mentally kicking and screaming! I also have great friends who remind me that its time to take a break. My resources are strong these days, and they come in many forms – friends, family, pets, internet, books, relaxation, exercise, spiritual nurturing, students, the outdoors, music, films, and more.

I know I’m not alone, and each one of you reading this will identify with some, or all of the above. There will be those who deny this is the case, even though it is – please reflect on your own behaviours – we are often our own worst enemy.

My message to all of you is to write in regular breaks into your schedule, and into your working year. It may seem odd to suggest that to keep yourselves more creative it’s essential to take more time out, but it really does work.

Above photo, "back up to the dunes" © 2008 Deborah Eileen Burrow

Setting the Inner Creative Child Free

2008-09-03T17:02:00.004+01:00

Inside all of us is a creative child. Its that child we remember who dabbled in the sand and rock pools on the beach, drew crayons marks on the walls, pressed flowers and leaves, built hideouts in the woods and generally explored and experimented.

Over time that child gets a bit quashed and re-shaped into adulthood. If we are lucky we may go to college or university and re-learn, re-discover and encourage the creative child to create new things within a structured and well researched course. Hopefully the child remains part of our move into the professional world of creating and making a living from it, or just keeping the creativity as a hobby and finding a lot of pleasure in it.

Some of us will identify with the above. Others will identify with a different scenario – that of being someone who has lived a life without creativity since they were young. They may feel either that they have had no opportunity to express their creativity, or they feel that they are not creative at all.

Here is the truth – we are ALL creative in one way or another. Whether we express this through cooking, baking, home making, decorating, gardening, building, landscaping, sewing, writing letters, organising an office, the list goes on. The fact is that everyday living is creative – we have to use that part of our brain to function on a daily basis.

Here comes the fun part! I would like to invite you to do something different today, tomorrow and for the rest of your life. What is it that burns a hole in you? Is it writing, painting, dress making, interior design, pottery, drawing, photography…? Something will be desperate to be expressed. To start your personal creativity desire journey, indulge yourself in fifteen minutes a day of something you love. Don’t set yourself restrictions, just let that inner creative child free and express your heart out. Even dancing is creative!!

Even we seasoned artists can benefit from this freeing up of ourselves. When I started the journey I allowed myself to play with clay – it was liberating and really inspiring. I set aside all my long-held beliefs in not being able to do something, and the fear of being laughed or sneered at. It changed my life, and even though I didn’t carry on with ceramics, it had an impact on my painting. Through lots of self-indulging I found my true self and now I am proud to be who I am. Now I constantly remind people that creativity is a part of everyone’s life, not just mine.

Celebrate one of your deepest instinctual drives and please help others to do the same. You may be the one key to enriching another’s life by reminding them who they are.

Encouragement from Professional Artists

2008-08-23T10:23:00.006+01:00

I read the following words just when I needed the encouragement to continue with my efforts. Today I’ve decided to share them with you - I hope they bring you the same comfort and sustenance. Enjoy!

“Create a supportive group for yourself.” – Christina Acosta
“Maintain a daily connection with your ideas and your personal mark-making. You can achieve this with just one thirty-second drawing a day.” – Jen Bradley
“Trust your instincts and find your own way. Learn from artists you admire personally and professionally. Don’t be too hard on yourself as you discover who you are and how to best express it.” – Cynthia Britain
“. It’s never too late to be what you should have always been.” – Robert Burridge
“If you’re painting your emotions, it’s your visual self.” – Bonnie Casey
Collect samples of everything you like, things that move you. Take them home and analyse what it is that moves you…look for the ‘Aha!’ Then do it your own way.” – Cheri Christensen
“You need a dedicated space where you paint, even it it’s a corner of the living room. When you put things away, you put your art life away. Make a space for your art.” – Connie Connally
“Take classes from people who are technically gifted. Get a profound grasp of the technical side.” – Brian Davis
“Talent is helpful, but it is the constant working that moves and artist to a new level. Also, don’t fight your true self.” – Rhonda Egan
“The most important thing is not to worry about selling your art. Just play. Play with all the materials. So much of what makes a painting beautiful are the accidents.” – Anne Embree
“I am interested in painting the sublime, that aesthetic experience of being overwhelmed and filled with awe at something so majestic that it evokes a sense of the eternal.” – Nicora Gangi
“Just stick with whatever looks and feels right to you. Try lots of things and see what might fit you best.” – Vince Gasparich
“I stress the value of simplicity. That one clear response, the message behind the painting, should sing out loud and strong. Select the essence of what you are painting and leave out all extraneous detail.” – Jean Grastorf
“I believe that every artist has his or her own vision of the world; our job as artists is to find and express that vision. The most important thing is to keep exploring, yourself and your materials.” – Carole Katchen
“Time to paint isn’t something you find, it is something you need to make.” – Linda Kemp
“Accepting yourself is where you find your fufillment.” – Liz Kenyon
“The best tool for good composition is one’s instinct. Painters must be loose and nurture confidence in themselves.” – Madeline Lemire
“Remember that you are not painting a picture, you are creating a painting.” – Peggy McGivern
“You paint your heartbeat. You have to follow what you respond to, not what you think someone else expects from you.” – Joan McKasson
“Paint often and joyfully.” – Helaine Mclain
“Don’t worry about being influenced by others, because it is natural. But you need to make it your own so you can go on.” – Carla O’Connor
“Keep a book of clippings of paintings you really like, such as unusual compositions and good designs.” – Camille Przewodek
“Try to stay out of your own way. The biggest Challenge is this.” – Barbara Rainforth
“Your nature should dictate how you paint. You may love a painting and a painter, but it might not be you. Everyone has a certain greatness; your greatness is your uniqueness developed. So you have to discover you uniqueness.” – Susan Sarbeck
“Work hard and get the basics.” – Marilyn Simandle
“At times, put yourself in uncomfortable situations with your artwork. Enrich your life with experiences.” – Shawn Snow
“You have to make yourself uneasy at times to make a painting successful.” – Leslie Toms
“Learn to love nature and love life. If you appreciate life and nature, your paintings with show this.” – Lian Zhen

Words of encouragement indeed!
Keep Creative and Happy,
Debs

Above painting, "Wheatfield View" © 2008 Deborah Eileen Burrow

Lateral Thinking to Earn Cash

2008-08-07T14:26:00.001+01:00

How many times have you sighed with despair at your bank statement because not enough money is coming in from your main creative job? How many times have you also had little wacky ideas that you have brushed aside as, “silly” or, “too distracting”?

I’m going to suggest you recall these little ideas and put them into perspective - then a little time spent on thinking of things you haven’t thought about before.

The most effective way to do this is with a kind of mind map – this can be fun and most revealing!

Start with a small circle in the centre of a piece of A4 paper. In the centre of this circle write, “Ways to Earn Cash around {my Creative Job}”. Then proceed with adding arms that hold ideas, which then split again into related ideas and so on.

It’s a brain drain first, then the details can be added on further stems.

To find an online resource to further help you with this, try Tony Buzan's site.

Brighten up your page with colours and symbols too :)
To help convince you, I already know of people who do reviews, make key rings, small prints, CD covers, teach, coach, and take photos, to supplement their professional artist’s income. I can also vouch for the unexpected joy and satisfaction that is possible by spending a bit of time away from the easel / computer/ sewing machine / craft table etc. Sometimes we get too close to our work, and this is ideal to make you take a break, but still earn some money.

Let your brain run away with you and get creative with new ideas. When you have written it down, get researching on the net for what you might need. For example, you may be surprised to know that you can make 100 fridge magnets for £39 (sterling). Selling them at £2 for example would be a profit of £160. At your exhibition, local craft shop, online shop etc. selling these could quickly earn you extra income. Another much more lucrative example would be giving demonstrations or running workshops – you can earn several hundred pounds a day! We all have skills we should make the most of besides our creative job.

Good luck and I wish you all the best with your ideas.

Being Resourceful

2008-07-26T23:46:00.009+01:00

Last time we looked at the definition and personal perception of success. This time I’m going to talk about resources and how important it is to our journey.

The successful creative person is reliant on a pool of resources. These will be wide and varied, including inner resources of talent, determination and discipline, and external resources of tutors, family and internet. Wherever you are in your life, you will always have resources to draw upon. Sometimes these will be obvious and sometimes they’ll be ones you hadn’t considered before. In order to get in touch with all of the resources available, try out this exercise to bring them together. This will be eye-opening and also useful for future reference.

Using a spider diagram, or in a list, write down the resources available in your life. Consider the following life areas where those resources might be:

Health & Fitness
Home & Family
Career / Work / Business
Wealth
Relationships / Romance
Friends
Leisure
Spiritual

Once you have completed this exercise, which may incidentally take one or more sittings, go through your groups of resources to highlight the most important. There will be one or two major resources that are critical to your success and enjoyment of your creative pursuit. To give these major ones priority, write them out on a card and pin them to your dreamboard, or notice board. They will help you continue your journey with peace of mind, and will be there when you’re faced with a challenge and need to know where to go for advice. A visual reminder of your resources will always help you feel supported and connected. Perhaps you could extend this to adding photographs – people, places, books, computer etc etc. Be as creative as you want!

All the best with getting creatively resourceful. :)

Next time I'll be looking at practical issues of earning cash while working on your bigger projects...

A Different Perspective

2008-07-13T12:34:00.011+01:00

The article this week is inspired by a chat I had with a fellow creative, self-employed person. It’s all about work and how we view it. As a creative person we can find it hard to adjust to our creative jobs on many different levels. The two main symptoms are where the person feels that being paid for something they love doing is fraudulent, and where the person becomes a workaholic because they just can’t get let up on the drive to be perfect. Sometimes there’s a convoluted mix of both of these issues. These issues are often deep seated and can sometimes be detrimental to our overall success. Basically though, most of this comes down to our personal definition of success and what it means to us.

Today I invite you to see it from a different perspective, and work on defining your meaning of success in your career and life. I am confident that this will help a lot on your way to achieving your ultimate goal. Our perceptions can be changed to work better for us.

The Encarta Dictionary definition of success is:

The achievement of something planned or attempted
Impressive achievement, especially the attainment of fame, wealth or power

Does this ring true with you? Of course it does - it does with me too. But, what distorts the path of success is how the prospect of being successful sits with us emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually and environmentally.

Here lies and exercise for us – to do some serious thinking and balancing of our ideas of success. Write down on a big piece of paper these 5 life element headings - Physical, Mental, Emotional, Environmental and Spiritual. Under each heading, write down a list of words or sentences that describe the effect that success would have or does have on that area of your life. When you have done this, have a good look at what you have written. The aim is to have a good balance of things – and mostly positive. You may however discover some imbalances and negative effects. These will need to be dealt with.

I strongly believe we can find answers to any arising issues ourselves, but we may need to enlist the help of family, friends and even a coach to overcome any problems.

I know I have only touched on this subject, but a different perspective is all I wanted to prompt in you. From here I know you can go forward and make progress and realise that fighting with yourself is disadvantageous to your success. Hold on to the fact that even at rest your contribution is undiminished – your creative works still exist, and if you’re a professional, your work is still out there working for you all the time.

Next time, in 2 weeks, I'll be talking about Being Resourceful. In the meantime, feel free to comment, and or share your experiences.

Overcoming Avoidance

2008-06-29T13:05:00.008+01:00

Creative Avoidance is a normal part of the creative person’s life. It presents itself in many ways, and until we get to know ourselves well in the creative process, we may not recognise it very well as it can be quite subtle! Mostly though, we can identify our avoidance tactics by realising that we haven’t got on with our project as we planned and we can’t see a good reason why.

But it’s ok because once we are aware of our tactics, we can choose to say no to them, and get on with our plan. By the way, these tactics can range from re-sharpening your entire colour pencil set to taking up a job you said you’d never do!

This main thing to remember is that avoidance in creativity exists, and we should allow it to exist because from time to time you will be able to analyse it to find out what exactly you are avoiding. That reason could be anything from boredom to a particularly difficult problem. Once the self awareness is switched on, you can take steps to resolve the avoidance issue. Things that help are:

Patience with yourself
Allowing, not forcing the project to grow
Nurturing your creative side
Keeping attentive to your environment
Keeping in touch with other creative people
Understanding your personal concept of success
Allowing yourself free time
Walking through the experience
Feeling the fear and doing it anyway

Whatever happens, be resourceful so that you can find solutions to problems at every stage. Often the life of a creative person can be isolating and it’s important to remain connected to the community of your speciality. Remember, most of all, we all have the answers to our difficulties at our fingertips and it’s up to us to choose the path of solution. Working SMART (previous blog) will help you to self-coach your way to the answers and method to achieve your goal.

Good luck, and I'll see you in 2 weeks, where we'll tackle a tricky subject - the perception of success.

Express Yourself!

2008-06-15T08:28:00.008+01:00

This week I draw upon artist Ian Roberts’s wisdom and vision. I can’t put it better than this so I'll use direct quotes. Enjoy his words of truth and encouragement.

In a great book entitled Creative Authenticity, artist Ian Roberts (Ian Roberts website) talks about just jumping in, fears and all, to express ourselves.
"Ultimately, it doesn't matter to the world whether you paint or dance or write," says Roberts. "The world will probably get by without the product of your efforts. But that is not the point. The point is what the inner process of following your creative impulses will do to you. It is clearly about process. Love the work, love the process. Our fascination will pull our attention forward. That, also, will fascinate the viewer."
Roberts explores a number of principles essential for creative authenticity.

Searching for beauty. Beauty is something that seizes your attention, stops you in your tracks, and silences you. It can be the way light filters through the trees in your backyard or the magnificence of a fifteenth century Italian painting. The subject is irrelevant; it is only a vehicle for your attention, to engage the intensity of your feelings. That intensity is what viewers ultimately respond to.
Communication. Creativity fundamentally involves expressive power; it is the catching of the "gleams of light" that flash across our mind and forming that vision into something.
Your home turf. It could be a garden. Or a studio. But you need a creative home base that always stays open for your arrival and bestows on you a readiness to begin your work.
The Van Gogh syndrome. Don't buy into the myth that creativity is the province of tortured geniuses.
Your craft, your voice. Practice, practice, practice your craft. It gives you fluency in the creative process and in technique. It's technique that gives life to your creative ideas. Learning your craft opens the channel for your voice to flow.
Showing up. "Nothing determines your creative life more than doing it," says Roberts.
The dance of avoidance. Starting is always a psychologically messy process, because there are no rules surrounding what you want to do. Setting up a dedicated space for the practice of your craft helps you shift gears directly into your creative process.
Full-time or part-time. You can't expect to fly consistently at a high level of inspiration.
Follow something along. If you are going to say something authentic, you need to stick with an idea for a while, an idea that has personal resonance.
Wagon train and scout. Creativity involves the interplay between where you are and where you see yourself going to keep your expression growing. Always be on the lookout for new paths, and observe how others solve the problems you face.
Working method. Creativity is in the process, not in the finished results.
Limits yield intensity. Unrestrained freedom is a myth, and it's not productive.
Being ready to show. Don't spend your time marketing your creations. If you spend it creating, you are investing your work with the authenticity that will draw others to your efforts...
You are more than creative enough. The question is not whether you are creative enough but whether you will free yourself to express it.
Finding poetry in the everyday. Develop the power to see the ordinary as poetic.
Holding the big picture. Always keep a sense of the whole. That commits you to making the moves that will ultimately represent what you see.

Expansion Not Distraction

2008-06-08T09:18:00.008+01:00

Ok, so now you’ve taken a fancy to something extra to your usual creative projects and a sense of guilt or confusion sets in…Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Be reassured that you are expanding your creativity, not being distracted from your main focus.

Today’s blog comes in response to something Richard, my hubby, said this morning that rang a bell in me, and I know it will strike a chord with many people reading this. He is a very talented man - he is a great bass player, sound engineer and IT project manager/coach. He recently left the IT world to concentrate on being a live recording sound engineer, but also got into 2 cracking live bands and is also interested in teaching bass. Now he’s concerned that not focussing on one of these activities will be a detriment to the others. NOT TRUE! Some people are best at living a highly varied life, and some are better concentrating on just one thing. Unfortunately, we are ALL socialised to concentrate on one thing!!! We are encouraged in school to streamline and become the best in that field. That is just fine of course, but we have to be open to being just as able to do more than one thing and do them all really well too.

While you are doing something else you are expanding on your current expertise and natural talents. Other types of creativity and studies will almost certainly rub off and even help you solve problems better in your main centre of attention. It can really help encourage a sense of wholesome satisfaction in your life when you expand your horizons.

The key is the understanding and being honest with own self. Creating a sensible life balance, time management system, and realistic goal setting is also essential of course.

Next time you take a fancy to trying out something new remember to say to yourself, “This is expansion, not distraction.” You are then giving yourself permission to explore this area freely and without guilt.

Go for it!

Have a good week :)

PS....now this is taking a risk!!!

Scratching the Itch

2008-06-01T11:05:00.008+01:00

When something we desire keeps reminding, demanding attention, of us on a frequent basis, we often say, “I’m itching to do so and so,” Often we will put barriers up to scratching this itch by making excuses – many of them perfectly legitimate. But if we really analysed the reasons not to do something, we will find that a large percentage are to do with fear, insecurity and lack of confidence. The power of the mind is great and works in many positive and negative ways. Sometimes we can easily rationalise reasons for not pursuing something, even if it’s dear to our hearts. When it comes to creativity, we often deny ourselves of something really special without realising it.

So my message today is to really think about scratching the itch to do something. Put aside the reasons not to do it, and just do it. No-one has to know that you’ve just taken up knitting, patchwork, painting with oils, clay modelling, paper mache or anything else creative. It may be that you’ve been a watercolour artist for years and years and fancy taking up sculpture – there’s never a good time as the present! We are never too old, too silly, too uneducated, too busy or too scared to try something new or even re-take up something old. If you need practical inspiration, read some of my older posts for some ideas about how to get in the right frame of mind. Research some of your deeper questions on the internet or from valuable books (I have listed a few in the right hand column).

You deserve to scratch that itch and make yourself feel better. Adventure on out of your bubble to experience new enthusiasm, creativity, happiness, satisfaction and peace of mind.

So go on – Scratch that Itch!

Creative Blessings

Getting Reconnected

2008-05-25T16:16:00.005+01:00

It will come as no surprise to most of you that a good walk in the countryside is relaxing.

How about we took that one step further and actually treated a five minute meditation outside in a park or even your back garden as a way of reconnecting with our creative roots? Getting reconnected can bring us back to our inner creator and remind us of our inspirations. It is the natural world that first teaches us about colour, texture and pleasing views. We will use words like, “stunning”, “beautiful”, “calming”, and “serene,” when we sum up a fantastic view in the natural world. How easy we forget that there lies the fundamental answer to all our creative blocks and weariness. A five minute retreat into the right outside environment can really revive and re-inspire us. Once we find the right place for us we can use it to “top up” our inner creator’s reserves on a regular basis.

I am lucky to have my studio situated in a remote back garden that has trees and shrubs and most of the time all I can hear is birdsong and see greenery. (Apart from when the neighbours are strimming!) While this little haven is wonderful on a daily basis, I still crave for the open countryside or coastline and big skies. I tend to get re-connected in these places and then keep topped up in my garden. I can assure you it really works and it makes a difference to my painting.

So, find your spot today and use it wisely. Once you have frequented the place enough it will be possible to take it even further and just find a quiet spot at home and close your eyes to visualise it. This can be just as effective!

I hope you have a place near you that you can find your creative self in the open air, and I wish you all the best with this technique of getting reconnected. :)
above painting: Suffolk Summer Dusk © 2008 Deborah Eileen Burrow

Today We Make The Clock Redundant

2008-05-18T00:15:00.006+01:00

Wouldn’t that just be bliss?

But I hear your resistance already and I understand completely!

How can you possibly have a day without a clock when everything you do revolves around schedules and deadlines?

Well here’s a step by step way of achieving it – I promise you won’t regret it. The aim is to reset yourself back to your basic creative state – and it really works!

Look through your diary and identify a day where you have no commitments. Mark it in NOW as a “clockless day”.
The night before your clockless day, go around removing clocks from sight from your space.
Allow yourself to wake up naturally and gently.
Throughout the day, give yourself as long as you need to complete tasks.
Eat when you’re hungry and rest when you’re tired.
At the end of the day, reflect on how liberating it has been to take all the time you wanted and how you listened to your body’s natural rhythms.
Make a date to have a clockless day again!

Remember the only limits are the ones we set ourselves...

On a personal note this week, I have had a rollercoaster of one! I confess that even though I'm a Life Coach, I am just human and I find it difficult to coach myself. So I have to read my own blogs and personal journals to remind myself how to cope! There you are, you are not alone and I am not invincible.
I feel like this One YellowLeaf painting sometimes - isolated and just floating with a loss of purpose. But trust me when I say that with some of the coaching tips I have given you on this site, the very least you can glean is that off-days are transitory and the universe always rewards a forward vision. So make that clock redundant today and feel the benefit of "you" time - you, and I, deserve it.

Have a good week,
Debs

painting above right, "One Yellow Leaf" © 2008 Deborah Eileen Burrow

Keeping Curious

2008-05-11T16:15:00.009+01:00

When we are children we are constantly asking questions. When we are grown-ups we listen to children asking questions and are amazed at their curiosity about everything around them. Somewhere along the line as we grow up, answers about everyday life are answered and we tend to ponder over bigger questions. Sometimes, however, we get so bogged down in our daily routine that we forget, or don’t have time for, the bigger questions. In fact, the chances are we forget how to be curious all together, especially about our creativeness and how deep it goes.

Even as working creative people we can get stuck in a rut. Are you still curious about your creative works, or are you caught in a routine with it?

Keeping yourself curious means you allow yourself to step out of your creative comfort zone and get that child-like wonder back. For each of us this will be different, but getting in touch with the reasons behind our creative choices is a good start. If I was to say that I’m curious about your art – how do you do it and why? …could you ask yourself the same question and answer it?

I’m hoping you can, and you will remember how curious you were about your chosen art when you first started out. You’ll remember how inspired you were and how easily you asked questions.

Truth is, to remain fully and deeply creative we must continue to be curious ~ it keeps our creative brain alive and functioning with an eagerness to try out new things to keep us fresh.

My last curious search led to a profound change in my attitude to my painting. I discovered something about how it worked and I discovered even more about myself. Without that intrepid step I would still be stuck. Now I am enjoying myself more and I’m still curious because new questions were stimulated and I need to find the answers to those too.

There before me lies an interesting path. Is yours greeting you in the same way?

Keep positive and assertive,

Best wishes :)

Following the Visual Voice

2008-05-04T09:40:00.010+01:00

What speaks to you when you see another piece of art / sculpture / craft?

For me it’s colour and texture. Obviously it’s a huge influence on my own painting. However, it doesn’t come naturally that just because I see something that takes my breath away that I can reproduce something of the same ilk!

What tends to happen is that artists, through experimenting and understanding of themselves and their work, develop a recognisable style – the visual voice. The conveyance of the artist’s meaning through inspiration, subject matter, art elements, composition and the process.

“[The visual voice] is the piece of magic inside ourselves - the amazing actuality within us.” – Cristina Acosta

Luckily for me as an intermediate discoverer, there were artists who are willing to share their experiences and advice, and since taking note of them, I am making a more focussed route to my desired approach to creating. (A quick mention is deserved here of Megan Chapman – she has been amazingly helpful through her blogspot and review.)

The resulting understanding of what was within and how to express it was the catalyst to beginning to find my visual voice. Then came the sifting out of what was working and what wasn’t. Before that I had spent most of my life looking at art and experimenting with different media and had already built up an inner connection with certain styles. I admit I'm not there yet, but I'm well on my way :)

It’s never too late get in touch with yourself again, and I suggest that a reminding of your original source of inspiration is very important to your creative path.

How to do this?

Well, keep visiting galleries / workshops / museums / art shops and the like. Make a date to visit events when they pop up. It’s too easy to get bogged down in your studio. Even a walk along the coast or nearest nature reserve can do it. I own a dog and it’s a great way to get outside and see things as they change with the seasons and light. Even if I’m not painting what I see, what I do get is a refreshing of my connection with my creative self. Stepping out for a few hours blows away cobwebs and allows new inspirations in.

So you see it’s vitally important to keep the passion alive for your art. Without it our works won’t be inspiring to others or have any authenticity to them. The spirit in your work will be evident through the response of the viewer.

Good luck with your journey – there’s always something to chase away the blues and get in touch with your visual voice.

SMART working

2008-04-27T19:19:00.007+01:00

Working as an artist is tricky – the right brain is creative and emotional while the left brain is logical and practical. Keeping a balance is essential, because without a bit of business/organising savvy, the career of the artist is elusive.

So, if like me, you’re faced with a body of work to complete (without it, I can’t earn any cash…), then a very simple, memorable acronym can help you a lot with your goals….SMART

The acronym SMART has a number of slightly different variations, which can be used to provide a more comprehensive definition for goal setting, so you can tailor it to suit you:

S - specific, significant

M - measurable, meaningful, motivational

A - agreed upon, attainable, achievable, acceptable, action-oriented

R - realistic, relevant, reasonable, rewarding, results-oriented

T - time-based, timely, tangible, trackable

When you are next faced with a project, take a moment to consider whether your goals are SMART goals. Then set it out on paper and pin it to your Dream Board.

Be open to change. Goal posts shift all the time, along with motivation. Face the changes head on, and set new goals to deal with them. Perhaps set a regular appointment with yourself to check your goal setting. Taking 10 minutes once a week would be acceptable for short term goals, and once a month for longer term goals.

If you find it hard to do this by yourself, enroll a friend you can trust to help you keep on track.

Good luck, and watch your success grow with pride.

Keeping a Dream Board

2008-04-20T19:29:00.010+01:00

You may be new to the concept of keeping a Dream Board, but I can tell you its one of the most useful tools to keeping your career and life in focus and in balance.

Basically, it is a visual support for your goals, hopes and dreams. It is a notice board filled with representations - you can use magazine cuttings, drawings, postcards, writings, badges, stickers and anything else that helps you keep your dream in focus. You may have smaller dreams to complete which act as stepping stones to the final vision.

How do you start? Well, the most important thing is to know what your dream is. Spend a few minutes with your eyes closed and picture in your minds eye your perfect working day. Starting with getting out of bed in the morning through to getting back into bed again at night. In just a few minutes you will have a pretty good idea of what to put on your dream board. You will include your ideal home, workspace, job/occupation and the people around you. It should also include positive affirmations, and in the centre should be a photo of you when you are smiling!

I put together a Dream Board 10 years ago where I clearly visualised my desired house, studio, hours of work and the people sharing my life. I had achieved 90 percent of it within 6 years. So yes, it’s a long term dream to bring into focus, but without my dream board I would have lost heart, lost my way and probably sabotaged most of my dream. Each day was a step in the right direction and I was determined to get my heart’s desire! Now of course my dream board has been updated and I’m heading toward more happiness as a visual artist.

You can add things to the board over time. For example, a postcard of a fantastic holiday destination, adverts for successful events, and big ticks and smilies where you have achieved something significant. Everything is personal to you – these boards are not to impress others, or to feel ashamed of. Just keep your dream alive!

The only limitations are those which we set ourselves... :)

Coping with Bad Creating Days

2008-04-13T19:35:00.007+01:00

Thanks to Nicky (www.myspace.com/nickyclarkestudio) for inspiring my subject this week.

I know you will appreciate what I’m talking about when I tell you of days when the paint won’t work for me and the subject gets lost and the brain is in a state of frustration.

What is the best way to cope with these days where clear flowing creativity eludes us?

Well, here goes:

Step away from the area!! Take 3 deep breaths and go and make a cup of your favourite drink. Relax!
When you are in a state of calm, decide whether you want to go back to the project or take some time out.
If you decide to take time out, remember NOT to beat yourself up because you’ve had a bad session – creating is creating, and there are no mistakes, only experiments. You are still talented and deserve to be an artist. Your contribution is undiminished, even at rest.
If you decide to go back to the project, ask yourself 2 questions. Will you feel better if you carry on with that project, or is it time to move onto something else for now?
Whichever you decide, do the 6 phrase breathing exercise (from my previous blog, “Stopping Before We Work??”).
Next, remind yourself of your basic elements to your art. Are you following these? For example, colour theory, subject matter, personal statements…
If you are trying something new, do you have too many changes happening at once? Do you need to do some research?
Is the light good in your work space, and is the music right? Or do you need to turn it off? Is the room the right temperature?
Now I’m getting you to think about this process, is there anything else to consider?
Finally – keep your mind open to allow flow at all times. Allow yourself an extra break or two today where you get some fresh air.

Oh yeah, and Nicky reminds me that sharing with a friend always helps to dispell the negative frame of mind :)

To finish I have a small challenge for you!

With your favourite music on, doodle with your 3 primary colour pencils. Remember, this is fun, not a test of your ability! After 5 minutes, swap hands and doodle with your other hand. Carry on for another 5 minutes.

What can you see?

How you feel?

Write it down beside your doodle and pin this up on your notice board.

Thanks for joining me this week, and I wish you fun and happiness in your creating.

It’s what you were born to do :)

Stopping Before We Work??

2008-04-07T11:19:00.003+01:00

Most of us probably don't realise that to get 'present' ready to work at our next creative project, we need only take a minute to prepare. When I teach, I spend a minute or so taking my students through a breathing exercise which without fail brings my students to focus and in a relaxed state. Eric Maisel takes this one step further by adding some positive affirmations to the breathing process.
Try the following example - you can use a different phrase if you please whereever you like, except that it should be in the same theme.

Breathe in slowly on the first part of the phrase saying the words in your head. As you breathe out, mentally say the second part of the phrase.

I am completely....stopping
I expect....nothing
I am becoming....a real artist
I trust....my resources
I embrace....this moment
I return....with strength

This really works! Try it now! Do this exercise whenever you have a creative task ahead of you. I'm using it as I sit with the canvas in front of me at the start of my time in the studio.

Let the exercise make you stand out from the crowd like the brightly coloured nasturtium above - its really possible...

Keep shiny,
Debs

Seven Ways to Keep Joy in your Creative Life

2008-04-05T12:13:00.010+01:00

How many times have we felt so clogged up with worries, negative thoughts and disillusionment? As creative people we are sensitive and often driven by emotional responses to even the smallest thing.
We need to guard against the negative spiral of these blocks to our creativity and treat ourselves like precious objects to keep us strong.
You may read this and dismiss the "psychobabble" as nonsense and a waste of your time. But trust me when I tell you that I teach singing, and one of the most powerful methods I use to get my students to improve their performance, is visualisation of being in their most favourite place in the world when they sing. The results are amazing. So if a small thing like that can make a difference, why not try the Seven Ways...
I found the following in a small book on my shelf called, "Your Psychic Pathway to Joy"by Sonia Choquette PhD :

When you wake up in the morning, give yourself three loving compliments.
Before you go to sleep, think of three good things that happened to you that day.
When you brush your teeth in the morning, look into your eyes and say, "I love you," and mean it.
During the day, pay attention to any subtle energy shifts, and ask your heart for guidance when anything is off balance.
Put a white loving light of protection around yourself every day.
Every three hours think of at least one thing that makes you laugh.
Appreciate yourself for making at least one creative choice a day.

My greyhound, Jaz, knows how to chill - maybe we should take a leaf out of her book!

Happy, relaxing, self protecting time to you :)

sketch above: Jaz 1 (c) 2007 Deborah Eileen Burrow

Maintaining Creative Mental Energy

2008-04-03T12:32:00.006+01:00

Eric Maisel's book is an inspiration and helps you to develop a self-coaching mentality about you as a creative person.
One of his exercises is about maintaining creative mental energy. He tasks you to ask 3 questions of yourself:

What generates mental energy?
What saps mental energy?
What replenishes mental energy?

Because I felt so inspired by this exercise, I will share with you my answers from my journal:

What generates mental energy? For me its a good night's sleep. It's also being inspired by other artists' work. I spend time on the internet every day at the moment and I always see something I really like. I'm also inspired by nature - I look for abstract designs and colour combinations. Reading creative books. Good feedback gives me the energy to continue.
What saps mental energy? Being in demand. Or thinking I'm supposed to be doing something when I really don't want to. Being very tired. Feeling anxious or overwhelmed. Putting pressure on myself. Feeling confused. Overeating. Lack of exercise. Fear. Worrying about something. Distraction. People being wierd. Not being supported.
What replenishes mental energy? Reminding myself that I am talented and deserve to be an artist. That I can make my own destiny. Eating well and getting fresh air. Love. Support. Good feedback. Relaxation. Letting go of niggling voices that are negative. Allowing myself to heal. Resting. Reading. Looking at other's art work. Reading success stories - particularly of un-formally-educated people. Letting things "be". Turning up at the canvas.

Its a fab exercise and I encourage you to try it. Its particularly good when you feel stuck. Knowing what's going on in your head can help you solve the problem.

Good luck with your creativity, and remember that trees start as saplings :)

Quotes to Keep You Creative

2008-04-01T11:21:00.007+01:00

Here are some of my favourite quotes that keep me sane when I am creating:

Beatrix Potter: Thank goodness I was never sent to school; it would have rubbed off some of the originality.
Buckminster Fuller:There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it's going to be a butterfly.
Eric Fromm:Conditions for creativity are to be puzzled; to concentrate; to accept conflict and tension; to be born everyday; to feel a sense of self.
Franklin D Roosevelt: Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort.
Pablo Picasso:All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.
Scott Adams: Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.
Sharon Welch: Injustice can be eliminated, but human conflicts and natural limitations cannot be removed. The conflicts of social life and the limitations of nature cannot be controlled or transcended. They can, however, be endured and survived. It is possible for there to be a dance with life, a creative response to its intrinsic limits and challenges ...
Virginia Woolf:Odd how the creative power at once brings the whole universe to order.

People who have had a very restricted vision, with hindsight their comments can be used as powerful examples of what can happen if you don't allow creative thoughts to flourish:

"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers." --Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943
"This 'telephone' has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of no value to us." --Western Union internal memo, 1876
"The wireless music box has no imaginable commercial value. Who would pay for a message sent to nobody in particular?" --David Sarnoff's associates in response to his urgings for investment in the radio in the 1920s.
"We don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out." --Decca Recording Co. rejecting the Beatles, 1962.
"Drill for oil? You mean drill into the ground to try and find oil? You're crazy." --Drillers who Edwin L. Drake tried to enlist to his project to drill for oil in 1859.

People who have had a much more creative, open view of life:

"There is no such thing as a failed experiment, only experiments with unexpected outcomes." -- Buckminster Fuller
"Standing still is the fastest way of moving backwards in a rapidly changing world. Imagination is the highest kite one can fly" -- Lauren Bacall.
"Instead of pouring knowledge into people's heads, we need to help them grind a new set of eyeglasses so that we can see the world in a new way." -- J S Brown.
The opposite of creativity is cynicism. -- Esa Saarinen
"Problems cannot be solved by thinking within the framework in which the problems were created." --Albert Einstein.
"Go some distance away because the work appears smaller and more of it can be taken in at a glance, and a lack of harmony of proportion is rapidly seen." -- Leonardo da Vinci.
"Creativity is the ability to see relationships where none exist." -- Thomas Disch
"If you can dream it, you can do it." -- Walt Disney.
"Never forget that only dead fish swim with the stream." -- Malcolm Muggeridge.

Then if that all makes you feel tired and needing a break then the following is for you:

"My contribution is undiminished, even when I need to rest."

Happy Creative Days to you :)

painting in a personal manner

2008-03-30T22:12:00.003+01:00

I've been reading this fab book by the artist Mary Todd Beam. I'm finding it really inspiring. When I bought it last year my first creation from her wisdom and creative exercises was the piece of abstract art, "Sunset over the Estuary".

I've picked the book up again to read as I'm feeling like I'm treading water sometimes with my paintings. I feel like I get stuck, bored, irritated and feel like I've got cotton wool in my head, and I stand back from the canvas and think, "You've got to be kidding...it looks like I did it at school 30 years ago!!"
She has a brilliant list of things for painting in a personal manner (that means in your own style and not what you think people expect of you):

Paint flows freely from your brush in a relaxed manner
The subject matter comes from your everyday life experiences
Each painting grows from your previous work
Each painting contains a measure of personal symbols
You are sensitive and responsive to developments in your work
You are willing to change preconceived plans when changes are offered

Now, when I read that tonight, I though, "Yes...I can do that. That's what happens on good days." So now the answer is to remember to be relaxed and incorporate something personal and let the creativity flow.
Julia Cameron, author of "The Artist's Way", takes this one step further and suggests asking the universe to provide, and if we remain receptive, we will be answered.

So with that all in mind, its Monday tomorrow, so I can paint to my hearts content ( I have to paint Sat-Tues cos I teach singing on Wed-Fri in the same room - gotta clear up the clutter).
I will go to the studio armed with Mary Todd Beam's list and see what happens :)

Toodle-do

Debs

New Chapter

2008-03-28T11:24:00.006Z

Hi Everyone
I decided it was time to blog in a more structured way. Quite a few of my friends have blogspots and I thought I'd give it a go too.My intention with this blogsite is to share some creativity coaching and some significant events from my own creative journey.
Hope you enjoy the read, and continue to log in to read my regular postings.

I've just read, "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron, and it has got me back into writing more. I keep a daily journal, and its very effective at highlighting the positive changes that come about in my life. I've moved from being unconfident about my ability as an visual artist, (with periods of real creative sabotage), through to a clear mind with amazing creative flow.
I am now comfortable with turning up at the easel in my studio and seeing what happens. The results are really showing the shift in my state of mind.

A few other things have helped. Julia Cameron helps you explore what makes your inner artist child happy. It involves switching off the little voice that goes, "That's not how you do it....thats not very professional....nobody does it like that....you don't need one of those...." and so on. I got my hubby to treat me to a full length large wrap-around, thick cotton apron (handmade in Norfolk UK). When I put that on I am ready. The second thing that helps is my favourite music. I listen to Peter Gabriel, Incubus, Radiohead and Foo Fighters mostly. The music is emotive and this helps with my creation on the canvas.
Being a singer/songwriter myself I am in love with music as much as art. Now I can combine the two and I am a happy little soul. Find my music at BlueCat Records
People on my art myspace have been really supportive too. Particularly Megan, Nicky, Debra, Bill, Sue, Quincy, Steve, and others who leave such encouraging comments.
The support I've received from my special family and friends, and myspace friends, has been really important, amazing and inspiring. I have just completed my PearTree Gallery site and it has really made my thoughts and desires concrete at last.

I am also planning a "Best Of" type album to celebrate my 5 CD releases over the last 7 years. I am going to choose 10 songs and have them remixed as chill-out songs. I am quite excited about this idea. Al is going to help me with this - he is a very talented musician and producer.

Well thats it for now,
Peace and Creativity
Debs

abstract painting above: More in the Reflection (c) 2008 Deborah Eileen Burrow