Making Creativity a Priority

Video: Warm Up Art Journal Process “It’s Your Road”

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Happy Monday!

I am sitting in the studio-a fresh cuppa has just brewed and I have another art journaling process to share with you all.

At the time I am writing this I haven’t quite finished the page. I needed to let things dry a bit so it seemed like the perfect opportunity to have another cup, sit in the cozy chair, and write to all of you.

How is your week starting off? I hope it’s going well, that it’s gentle but fulfilling for you. And if your day is less than how you would like it then I hope sitting here with me for a bit, over a cup of your favorite, offers you a respite. A little oasis for you to come to, relax, take care of yourself and recharge.

My week is starting off well-if not exactly how I planned. Schedules have been moved a bit at home and it seems I will get some early morning studio time each week. It’s a really nice addition and a dream I have been having for years now. I am meeting a friend for breakfast a little later but having the early morning to be a time for me to get my work done is really exciting for me. I had hoped to wake early and go to the gym alas I didn’t drag myself out of bed in time. There is always next week to try again.

My hope is to get up, gym, studio and then back home for homeschool and all things family. The really exciting part is that I can, starting next week, offer my creative coaching sessions during the day-something I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to manage. So if you have been looking to schedule a day session you can visit the scheduling page today and see the new available hours.

So now, in the midst of journal pages drying I thought it would be fun to tell you a bit about what I was doing in my warm up journal.

First I should say I have never had a warm up journal before. I created this journal last year and the idea of having a place where I could start off my studio sessions was appealing to me. I wanted something that would give me a place to lay down some color or journal a few words and not feel pressured to make anything. If I am honest, most of my art journals are becoming a space where I have freed myself from the need to make anything in particular. Where I can just create in a free way that feels like me.

Even though I have given myself permission to not make amazing art-I do like a theme for my journals. I love a container that holds the plans, dreams, fears and intentions I have around a certain project or area of my life.

(This concept is something I have learned mainly from Andrea Schroeder at The Creative Dream Incubator-if you would like to learn more you can click here to see her work-tell her Michele says “hi!’ 🙂

Right now I have a home journal, a business journal, my word of the year journal and my warm up journal. Each one is a place where I come to dream, plant seeds and work out what may be holding me back from taking next steps. I am a believer that these sessions don’t need to take long and I often plop down at my desk at home for 2 or 3 minutes to add color or collage to a page before going back to whatever I was doing. Letting the ideas mull over in the back of my mind as I go about the day.

My warm-up journal is where I start when I come to the studio. Today I got to the studio and realized I forgot my planner-then realized I left all my memory cards at home-so back off I went. I was trying to not add to the frustration with the thoughts of, “and you didn’t do the gym like you planned….” and realized I was feeling rushed and as if I was falling behind-and it wasn’t even 9am yet!

So I made my coffee (the first thing I do when I get to the studio) and decided to play in my warm up journal as today’s video.

I had no plan. I was going to start off with my tempura paint sticks (have I ever told you how much I love these?) but then I saw some colors in my Neo Color II that I wanted to play with so I just started scribbling.

My first scribble started to look like a heart so I decided to just go with it and make it a heart. This brought me back to being a kid where I would doodle hearts and stars all over my notebooks so I decided to add a star.

From there I was pulling colors I liked. I did grab my tempura paint sticks and use the peachy color-one of my favorites-to start tying things together. I added some tissue paper as collage and just kept going. I was looking for some neat paper to draw on thinking I wanted to cut it out and add it to the page but found a quote I decided to add instead. Then I noticed the scribbles at the bottom left looked a bit like a river going through a field so I played with some loose scribbles to enhance what I was seeing.

I took a break to start this blog post and then I went back and it’s always fun to see how differently things appear when you come back to a page. I decided to use one of my small rough brushes to add a pathway representing my own road. Then I added lots of trees to either side because if it’s my road-it needs to be lined with trees.Surrounded by them I would say.

I tried to apply this last layer in a way that would allow the previous textures and colors to come through but I always get heavy handed when I start to feel like I am coloring. Learning restraint in art making is still a skill I am developing.

Or maybe not.

I added some sky and enhanced the look of the river and embankment I saw earlier. I loved the sketchy look it had where you just had the illusion of it being there but it didn’t go with the other page so I added some paint. I think I will be exploring some sketchy type scenery in the future though.

So that is my video share for you this week. I hope you are able to take a few minutes today to do something fun for yourself. Regardless of your creative medium just 5 minutes can really help improve your mood or give you a new look on things. If you would like to take some time now-why not join me? You can see my process emerge on screen by watching the video below and play along. If you do create along with me-comment below and share what you made-I would love to hear!

Until next time…

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante

Music by Saint Stephen – 50’s Milkshake – https://thmatc.co/?l=352EAE2D

Music by You ME and the Piano – Merry-Go-Round – https://thmatc.co/?l=4B20EFD1

Video: Studio Art Journaling Session

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How is your midweek going? Mine feels productive but if I were to be honest I am itching for some people time. I feel as if I am working up towards some real shifts in my life-good shifts-but I am getting a bit impatient.

It can be hard to move towards something new while still sitting with the old on a daily basis and it is in the times of feeling uncomfortable or anxious or worried that I do two things: pray and art journal.

Of course that may look different for everyone but when I create in my art journal it allows me to connect sometimes in a more meaningful way. It clears out the noisy thoughts and reminds me to be a bit more aware of what is. And I don’t know about you but it’s much easier for me to focus on what is when there are colorful paints and collage materials around me.

Would you like to have a little midweek creative time with me? You don’t have to work in your journal but maybe 5 minutes with your favorite creative outlet will help you through your day or to unwind from it. I created a little video for you to watch below. If you do join me please comment I would love to hear what you created during our time together!

 

Until next time…

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante

Music by You ME and the Piano – Merry-Go-Round – https://thmatc.co/?l=4B20EFD1

Music by Julia Pauletti – Yesterday – https://thmatc.co/?l=06E3D048

Video: Early Morning Art Journaling: Let’s Make Time

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Good morning!

I hope that whenever you are reading this (morning or not) that you are having a beautiful day.

I wanted to share with you my art journaling session from this morning. Recently I have been trying to get up earlier (if you have been around for a bit you know mornings are not my default happy place) and to make time for a few things that really support me through my day. They are:

Journal Writing: I sit down with my writing journal and just write it all out. Julia Cameron called these “morning pages” in her book “The Artist Way” (this is an affiliate link and you make a purchase using this link I earn a small commission but it doesn’t cost you any more) and it’s one of my favorite practices. When I sit and just let all the words out-let my feelings out, my worries, fears, anxieties, excitements, hopes, wishes-when I make time to let that all out I always feel so much better. I don’t set a number of pages I have to write (Julia recommends in her book 3 pages each morning first thing) but instead I write until I feel better or feel I have come to a stop.

Prayer: I make time for prayer. This past year I have become more and more reliant on my relationship with God and as I am dreaming and seeing things I long to shift and change, I find that dedicated prayer time in the mornings helps remind me to make talking to God a part of the whole day.

Art Journaling: I also spend a little time with paints and paper and my art journal. I mainly work in the mornings in my special focus journal where I just work on capturing not only the energy I’m trying to be but also how I currently am. Yes, I am trying to bring something amazing into my life but that can feel scary at times. In my art journal I can be real with where I am and use the words and paint and glued images to help me let go of fear and embrace trust.

Would you like to join me?

Regardless of the time day can you spend 7 minutes making a little in your journal? If you don’t have an art journal what about a piece of paper and some colored pencils or crayons? Yesterday I just drew on some pages in my writing journal (I had inadvertently skipped 2 pages when writing so I decided to doodle on them instead). There are no supplies needed to just get some creative time in. You can join me by watching the video below.

I would love to hear what you create-please comment below and share your blog if you have one so we can all come see what you are making.

 

Until next time…

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante

Doing What I Shouldn’t

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I am doing what I shouldn’t be doing.

I am spending my time doing things that I love. I am making things that excite me instead of the things I should be making.

I’m ignoring the to-do list in favor of the bucket list.

I’m not working on being what I think I should be and focusing much more on what I know I am.

I’m being creative, I dreaming big and I am making things that cause me to giggle like I’m 5 and squeal with excitement.

I’m breaking away from schedules in favor of authentic sharing and collaboration.

I’m not hustling, bossing, fixing or wearing a crown in favor of being my unique self instead.

It felt wrong at first. Like I should be doing my homework before I go play outside.

Why did I believe I had to do that now?

I didn’t do it then.

I was happy then.

I was free then.

Here’s to making a mess and leaving it.

 

Until next time…

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante

Creative Input Detox: An Idea Has Started

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I am inundated with thoughts.

It’s as if the voices of all I have been reading, watching and learning are in my head chattering away about everything. They have lots of opinions. I have conjured up lots of pretend scenarios that go with them and as a result they offer a never ending, running commentary on all I do (or don’t do) throughout the day.

I think it’s time for another detox.

I do not mean a detox of the physical variety such as a juice cleanse but rather a detox of consumption.
I have done this before, back when I was first re-starting my blog and I found it to be very liberating.

Over the past few weeks I have been losing my focus. I am easily distracted with new ideas and as a result I am starting and stopping a lot. Normally I love having lots of creative ideas but when they interfere with the goals I have and result in my bouncing around from one thing to the next, I think it’s time to simplify.

To offer some examples, over the past week or so I have come up with lots of things I want to create. Paths I want to go down and while they are fun prospects I haven’t completed any of the projects I already started. Instead of seeing through my “in progress” works, I am being distracted by the next shiny thing.

I do embrace change and I can easily move on from projects that are no longer working. This is different though. I am so flooded with the “new and shiny” I almost can’t remember what I was working on. It’s similar to walking into a room with the intention of dusting and instead you end up sorting clothing-half way though leaving it still spread all over the floor because you went downstairs for garbage bags and are now cleaning the garbage can but you left that outside because the leaves needed raking….

You get the idea.

As a creative the new ideas are exciting and tempting. Sometimes, they point out what we want to add to our existing projects or what we need to let go of. Other times they do nothing more than keep us from completing anything.

So I am planning a detox and here is what I mean.

Last time I think I called it “No input.” Not a very catchy title but I was trying to share the essence of what I was going through. Basically for the designated time I didn’t read anything (no books, blog posts, newsletters, emails etc.). I didn’t listen to anything so no audiobooks or podcasts. I didn’t watch anything-no TV, videos etc.

I think I still listened to music and I went online for the purposes of paying bills and such but that was pretty much it. I focused instead on output. I used the time I would have spent consuming more information to sharing what it was I already had. Instead of learning a new mixed media technique I played around with the ones I already know.

Instead of reading a new book I worked on writing my own.

Instead of reading blog posts, I worked on writing my own.

Instead of listening to podcasts, I worked on making my own.

It was pretty wonderful.

Once in a while I allowed myself a video here and there when I just really wasn’t into doing anything and I think that’s grace. It’s also the difference between resistance and self-care so I was very aware of every time I did this.

I love having lots of projects but I also want to start finishing some. I want to feel I am gaining traction on my creative business and I want to start seeing some tangible results. So I think a bit of a detox is in order.

I haven’t worked out the when and the how and the how long. Part of me thought it might be good to have set days where I don’t have any input and then other days where I can. I think it might support me better to have some disconnected time through out the week rather than just not having any for a month and going back.

So maybe that looks something like only reading, watching and listening 3 days a week and the other days I focus on creating. I do like this idea because it becomes a regular practice of being intentional with each day rather than just pushing through a month of no content only to return right back to where I was.

Like giving up all snack foods for a month versus limiting what you eat through out the week.

What about you? Do you feel overwhelmed sometimes with ideas? When you sit down for your creative time do you not know where to start? I would love to hear any ideas you have. It might be a fun journey to take together.

I’ll be talking more about this in this week’s podcast and I will let you know next week what I’ve decided.

Until next time…

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante

Finding a Groove

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Is it really just a few days until Halloween?

Halloween is a favorite around our house and we have been watching our Halloween videos. Tonight the kids and I watched “Nightmare Before Christmas” which we all love. Our drives usually involve at least one go of “This is Halloween” played over the radio. Tomorrow we are thinking “The Haunted Mansion” and then wrap it all up with “Hocus Pocus” over the weekend.

I have been busy creating a really fun Halloween project for what is my soon-to-be launched Patreon Page. I don’t have a deadline yet, I have just been wanting to make content and upload it so there is something already there when people sign up. I have some really fun ideas and am enjoying creating content.

I also plan to return to YouTube and maybe even work out a regular schedule. I think I just need to get over myself and stop taking it so seriously and just enjoy making videos. It’s so easy to make something a lot more than it is and I’m trying to just relax and enjoy doing what I love to do.

One of the projects I am working on right now is a miniature kit for Halloween. It’s a shoe box scene of a Magic Emporium. I have been construction a few pieces each night at the studio and filming it as a challenge to share with Patrons. It’s been so much fun especially since I haven’t really created anything like this. I started a kit last year but didn’t really get far and when I was a kid I made a piece of dollhouse furniture from a kit. I talked a bit about that in this week’s podcast.

It’s a bit of a lofty ambition but I am hoping to have the piece done by Halloween. We will see how I get on. In the meantime here is a sneak peak of some of the pieces I have created.

I changed a few things up in the studio. Moving my desks around to make way for my new printer and my Cricut machine. I have been working hard on my sticker creations and hope to launch my new sticker shop soon. Mastering the Cricut is part of that plan but I would really love to have it up and going in time for holiday shopping. I won’t rush it though, things happen in time and I am determined to enjoy the process and to make products I am excited about. I have come up with my shop name and just need to purchase the domain and set up my shop. If you want to stay in the loop on that you can subscribe to my newsletter here. I’ll be sending out a newsletter with shop updates and coupons but only once a week. I hate receiving daily emails so I won’t be sending them out 🙂

I am also going to be launching my digital download shop. I thought of having everything in one spot and I’ll probably do that here on the site but with my Etsy shop it seemed best to keep everything cohesive and theme based. I have been having lots of fun creating planner downloads and inspirational signs. It would be great to launch both shops at the same time but again, trying to keep the fun in everything but also taking advantage and harnessing the creative energy when it’s here 🙂 If you like digital downloads and want to sign up for updates about that you can do that here.

I know it may sound like a thousand projects but I am really learning how to make everything work in manageable chunks and making the most out of my studio time. I am excited to share more content with you here on the blog as this is my home base to connect with my fellow creatives. I would love to hear about the projects you are working on so please do reach out.

In the meantime I wish you a lovely weekend and a very Happy Halloween if you celebrate. I will be back with you again next week. Much love.

Until next time…

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante