Living Creatively.

full circle

Almost three years ago, I received this original and personalized piece of art from my favorite artist, Kal Barteski.  It's more than just a painting to me.  It speaks to me.  It encourages and inspires me....to embrace ME just the way I am.  To some, that concept may seem easy....a relatively unconscious action.  But not to me. 

I have posted about Kal here, here, here, here and here.  I consider her a teacher and a kindred spirit.

Later, I received the print above as a gift from Kevin.  My tiny lady piece reminds me to love myself and this reminds me that I am loved+adored by someone else...just the way I am.  aaahhh....how refreshing!  I cherish all these bits of wisdom that I have found in my "older" age. 

>>>>>>>fast forward to the present>>>>>>>>>

I am taking Kal's follow up class, Nuture your creativity 2 and things are coming full circle. 

I started this blog a little over 4 years ago, as a way to document this new journey of self-discovery.  As my marriage was falling apart, I was forced to face the truth that I had been defining myself by those around me and how I thought they perceived me.  I was a mother at 18 and a wife at 19....long before I was able to discover who I was.  Needless to say, I valued myself for being a good mother and thought I needed to be superwoman {I'd show them I wouldn't become another statistic...an unwed, teenage mother...I could do it ALL}.  And don't get me wrong...my greatest accomplishment to this day is being a good mama to my two wonderful children.  BUT, children grow up & husbands can break your heart and spirit and then what?  You're left with YOU.  And you are left asking yourself "What do YOU want to do?"  "What's important to YOU?"  "What do YOU want to do with your life?"  and most importantly, "Do you love YOU?" 

I started really, honestly looking at myself.  The things I liked about me.  The things I wanted to change.  And along this road, I discovered some great things.  That I really like who I am but I had some deep set insecurities that would take awhile to work out.  But you can't grow unless you are willing to take an honest evaluation of YOU.  As uncomfortable as it can be....it has all been worth it. 

Life is GOOD! 

get out of your head and SCRIBBLE

 
The next step on my creative journey was to visit my inner child and learn how to SCRIBBLE again!  Sounds easy, right?  Not for me!  I wanted to plan out the colors and the vision of what I was about to create.  But that wasn't the assignment.  I was supposed to STOP THINKING and just scribble.  FAST.  AIMLESSLY.  MESSY.  And when I was done covering one piece of paper...put it aside and keep going. 

Once I was out of my head, I loved it!!

 

artistic insight

Choosing my favorite art supplies is easy...but when I was asked to narrow it down to just a few...now that was hard.  But here it is.  I used the following supplies {my faves} to create the project above.

PRISMACOLOR PENCILS

PAINT

WATERCOLOR PAPER

SHARPIES...AND ALL PENS

 

MY COMPUTER

PICTURES

 

I'm still going strong with my creativity class...and loving every minute of it.  In the past few years, I had literally silenced my creative "voice".  I thought I had to in order to cope with the stress of my divorce and the pain I was going through.  I mean, how could I be focused on meetings with my attorney, running a business and being a single mom when I was focusing on doing something that was fun and an escape for me?  Isn't that selfish and frivolous?  Absolutely NOT!  I wish I had let that voice speak regularly during that time.  I think it would have helped me process things faster and possibly with less pain.  I can't go back in time.  But in exercising my creativity again...I've learned a very good lesson.  This is me.  It's part of who I am.  When I'm not creating....I feel like there is something missing.  I will never let that part of me be silenced for this long again.  Stress or no stress....I will work through it with color, photographs, paint, pencils, words and music.

It feels good to find that part of me again.
I will never give anyone the power to silence me again...creatively or otherwise!

Now this is living!

i am bulletproof::

Really quick post today because I have A LOT to do.  Lauren & Blaine's wedding is tomorrow so we are all getting ready for the rehearsal, hair & make up and then the big day.   We successfully moved Tyler into his first apartment yesterday and today I have to scurry into the office before I can go into wedding mode.

BUT, I did have my second assignment for the Nurture Your Creativity class.  It's my quick version of my "I AM BULLETPROOF" statement.  This chalkboard is right where I can see it every time I come or go.  A great place for a positive reminder! 

***gotta run***

my definition of creativity::

I am IN LOVE with Kal's class.  Yep....after just one day!  I am stretching those creative muscles again and damn it feels good. 

Defining creativity was easy for me.  I think CREATIVITY is an action word.  When it just lives in your head...it's called IMAGINATION.  Creativity puts your imagination in action.  Doing something to express the ideas you think about.  I LOVE music and relate to it on a very deep level.  Although I'm not a musician or a singer, I FEEL music.  So my definition of creativity had to do with music. 

"Creativity is the song of your imagination.  (sing your song}"

The only way to hear that song is for you to SING IT!  For you to work out those amazing ideas you have.  Draw them.  Paint them.  Sing them.  Create them.  Make them a reality.  And don't be afraid to do it.  Just go for it.  No mistakes.  Everything you do is a lesson learned. 

Did I mention that I LOVE this class?  yeah....i'm pretty sure i did! 

nurture your creativity

I'm so excited for this online class to start!  It's taught by one of my favorites....KAL BARTESKI!  I just love her.  Her work and her attitude!  I've posted about her a couple times before....HERE and HERE.  She inspires me!!!

This class is just what I need right now.  Something to jumpstart my creativity again.  What can I say??  I'm counting the days until September 10th!!  If it sounds good to you...check out the details HERE!