Art Journal Peek and Taking/Making the Time

by | Jul 27, 2010 | my creative journal

Even though I’m busy as a bee, I always find time to get a bit of art journaling in here and there. It’s helpful to just leave your art journal open and do what you can, when you can. I was just listening to the latest Creative Living with Jamie podcast where she interviews Stampington & Company’s Editor-in-Chief, Christen Olivarez. Christen mentioned how she has her art journal and supplies in the office, so whenever she has a moment or even more importantly needs a moment – she can go at it! I think that’s a great idea and although I didn’t consciously set that up for myself, since I have my journals and supplies littered around my room – I get the same benefit.

I started thinking about the notion of taking some time out because we need it, not only because we would like to. Maybe even the yearning to do something is really the body and soul crying out for that kind of time? I guess we have to twist the words a bit and not say that we are taking time – as if taking away from something else – rather making the time. So much more positive, even if it’s just a little mind trick on yourself perhaps. It sure has a whole different connotation to it. It might only be 5 minutes, but let’s all go make time for ourselves! You can see below that sometimes I go my journal in the midst of working, when something goes awry! Afterwards I always feel better 🙂

Law of Attraction and Success Thoughts

by | Jul 16, 2010 | my creative journal

TGIF…in both the Thank Goodness It’s Friday and Trust, Gratitude, Inspiration Friday aspects. At times I’ve been feeling really good and on a roll…thankful for inspiration and how lovely life is. Then I hit a block and suddenly the view is so much grimmer. I keep feeling like I don’t have enough time and so worried that I won’t get to do all and really become successful. I know it’s so drama-esque-sounding.

It got me thinking about the Law of Attraction, that somehow our thoughts could influence actual events. Personally, I struggle with the topic because I want it to be true but at the same time think that it doesn’t make sense. I’m a worker bee type and there’s satisfaction in hard work leading to success. I know that I often feel it’s proper to do things from scratch, to earn it through toiling away, even if it wasn’t necessary. There was discussion of the Law of Attraction on the Spring Inspiration site and they also mentioned David Neagle’s Art of Success talk. I don’t know what came over me, but I suddenly thought perhaps I needed to seek guidance from an outsider.

Instead of watching TV, let’s say, should I invest a couple hours in his talks? At first it seems like it could be a bunch of hooey… and the fact that it’s all free makes me wonder if there is a marketing ploy at the end. Has anyone ever listened to his talk or perhaps similar motivational, sort of philosophical talk kind of stuff? Do you think pep talks are helpful? Perhaps the Law of Attraction simply means that we have to believe in the possibility, so that our mind is opened up to opportunities? Something like believing in  yourself?

To top it all off, Creative Thursday just posted a podcast about being a winner and success. More to think about. My mind is just swirling around these theories, thoughts and conflicts about success, winning, making it…I’ll be taking the weekend to ponder away. Have a good one yourself…

Break the Rules

by | Jul 14, 2010 | my creative journal

My sewing machine’s manual specifically warns against sewing leather, canvas and thick materials. I decided to break the rules and do it anyway. Sewing up some scraps of leather, sort of a reverse pieced applique thingy…

I would like to proclaim to the world with fisted-hand, “Oh yes I can sew leather – muhahahah!” Perhaps a bit dramatic, but it really got me thinking about breaking the rules. I don’t mean to put yourself in harm and if I break a needle and it flies into my arm I will be kicking myself, I’m sure (eek!) I mean for us to break the rules we’ve created artificially and to not follow the regulations just because it’s the norm. To go beyond expectations…that’s the only way we will grow and learn, right?

I want to thank everyone for commenting on my post yesterday – I was frustrated with a little drawing that didn’t go as planned and going along with today’s thought of breaking the rules, I realized that I created a random expectation for myself and going out of that regulated space made me feel uncomfortable. I like to draw little cute subjects and create a fantasy optimistic world of smiling little girls. Of course, that’s not the only subject that comes out of me and at times I can get angry and feel a bit down as well. There isn’t a rule or regulation about subject matter that should be directing my art…why did I insist on wanting to be the same? Break out of your own rules, I say! Funny how we box ourselves in at times…but thankfully we can also ponder ourselves out as well.