I am a Facebook friend with a dedicated and giving artist who got me thinking about process and creativity. This week she posted:
“I believe process, and an awareness of process, are two of the most important tools a creative person can have. With an understanding of our own process we can start to tweak it in productive ways, removing bad habits and building in good habits which will help us achieve the artistic goals we’ve set for ourselves.
“Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.” Rainer Maria Rilke
Last week I put one of my watercolor paintings in a local exhibition. I received many great comments from people and I have to say I was happy at the outcome after working with yupo paper and watercolor and lots of texture. Someone made a comment, “Awesome, you are really onto something.”
When I was young we would visit with my out of town grandparents. It was a trip that always held the anticipation for having good times, being spoiled, and a change from the home life routine.
After a week, as most kids probably discover, it became not as much fun. My bike was at home, friends were missed, and the few toys at Grandma and Grandpa’s were minimal. However, there were a stack of Arizona Highway magazines.
Yesterday I had a phone call from a friend and we spent a lot of time just catching up with news of our jobs, family, and winter plans. Toward the end of our conversation my friend asked for some advice about going back to school and picking up a technology certification to compliment his music education degree and add depth to his resume which already included a MEd. He had been considering this idea over a period of time.
Like everyone I was busy last week with my “To Do List” for getting ready for Christmas. I made it through the holiday with gratitude for my family and for all the times spent with them and with friends. It was a wonderful week. I did not post a blog, preferred the reading of other “blogs” that came into our home as The Christmas Letter.
As I say good-bye to 2015 and look forward to 2016 I have come to the realization that a new year presents a dangerous perception,