Creative Spaces

I have a note by my desk that says, "I have a comfortable, organized space to do arts and crafts." It has been posted for several months and I haven't made any progress toward it. My artistic endeavors these days are more uncomfortable with boxes precariously perched on my stool while I am trying to lean in awkward angles to actually do the art. Reality is about two extremes. On one hand, you have a space that is comfortable and organized. On the other, you have something disorganized and in a sense, a space that works against trying to create art. I don't like trying to create in a disorganized space but I realized today that the other extreme isn't right for me either. For me, at least in my current creative mindset, art is elusive. It is a muse that comes to call occasionally. In the best of times, I can invite her in and give her a cup of tea while I create. In the worst of times she gets ignored and the creative urge leaves with her. But the thing is, even if she comes, she doesn't always stay until I am finished. Some times she leaves me mid-project. I think I will forever be the type of person that has projects in a variety of stages. And I feel ok with that reality. Now, I still would like to have a more inviting space that lends itself to creativity, but that vision has yet to reveal itself to me.

What about you? What type of space do you create best in? What is your idea space? Do you currently have projects in various states?

Creation Halt vs. Creation Spot

I have been musing about how I now have two blogs* (sort of accidentally) and how the names are, in my mind, totally opposite. I started Creation Halt because I was overwhelmed with stuff and with the burden that comes from creating something. You put your time and energy into making something and that gives weight and meaning to those things. For me, this makes them very hard to get rid of and hard to give away to someone who must then bear the burden! I know, not everyone looks at stuff in the same way I do but still...I was having a crisis. My solution was just to stop creating. No more art, painting, pottery. Nothing physical.

It didn't turn out to work quite in that way. In the past year I have sewed a gold lame dress for my daughter, reusable gift bags, and purses. I have created collages. I wrote a book. I wrote many blog posts. I knitted a scarf. But through it all, I was very conscious of what I was creating. I am no longer creating just for the purpose of creating. Instead, I am creating with purpose.

But I am so drawn to creation!!! It feeds my soul. And that is why I think it is interesting that Creation Spot has come into my life. I was telling W that when our basement is finished being remodeled, I would love to have a monthly craft night with friends. I think it would be fun to have a spot for creation where a group can get together and have fun creating something together. I am still nervous about creating more "stuff" and I have to work my way through that but maybe, just maybe, I can find my way back toward creation.


* In reality, I have a total of 7 blogs that I contribute to - two public and 5 private, internal work blogs.

Guitar makers seek to save trees

I was blown away by an article I found entitled, "Saving Trees Is Music to Guitar Makers’ Ears". Guitar makers are banding together with Greenpeace to save the forests because if they don't they will have no materials to build guitars. Imagine that, no trees or small trees mean no wood or not the right kind of wood to make guitars. I honestly can't imagine a world with no guitars. Can you?

Sugar Snap Pea Tee Pee

Here is a great thing about my marriage. I will say something like, "I really want to create a bamboo tee pee for the kids where we grow sugar snap peas up the bamboo." And voila! Here it is:

It is very well designed. W just has the skills to makes things happen! We got the bamboo free from our next door neighbor whom is "bamboo rich" (thanks Colleen!). The whole family participated in making the soil ready for planting, planting the sugar snap peas and watering. I cannot wait until we can hide away inside. I think the whole family will fit...we shall find out this summer!

The need for creation

While I started this blog to work on my mixed feelings about creating things, stuff, I still yearn to create. Recently I was invited to participate in a class called SoulCollage. I didn't really know what the class would be about but I had a feeling that it was something I should do. I had received several other invitations to participate but never had the will to make it happen. When I found out that this would be the last class that this particular teacher would be teaching before she moved, I decided I just had to take the class.

Yes, it turns out that I will be creating my own personal deck of SoulCollage cards. But after going to the first class (in a series of five), I am so happy to be getting back to creating. However...the first, and only, card I created scared me! It is very intense. There are four suits in the SoulCollage deck. One suit is called the "Companions" which are animal guides which represent the chakras. In class we did a guided meditation to pick and animal and its related chakra. My animal guide appeared right away...and she was pissed! Don't let the cute mama part of the card fool you, there is a lot of emotion that needs to be released. This card is for my "root" chakra in which the primary functions are instinct and survival. Perhaps a fierce polar bear mama trying to survive in the wild aren't that far off.

On the website you can have a personal reading. This is a fun way to see some of the cards that others have created and possibly gain a little insight along the way.

Halt Creation Halt

What I really wanted this blog to be called was "Too Much Stuff" but I someone already got that one. I have been wrestling with the concepts of "stuff" and "art" recently. Since I was young, I have been an artist. I have enjoyed jewelery making, pottery, sewing, and painting. Recently, though, I realized that I no longer wanted to create things anymore. Emphasis on the word "things". I have come to a "creation halt". Handmade things are wondrous but also carry baggage. What to do with all the pottery that was left over after I gave pottery to all my friends and family? What to do with the paintings left over from my big show? What to do with art other people have created for me? These are not things that can be parted with easily. Or at least I am not easily able to part with them.

You may be thinking as you read this...but she is creating something now! Yes, it is true, but writing a blog isn't a thing so in my mind I am safe.