Today's topic is The Creative Process. Do read to the end of this post for a full list of carnival participants.
**********
Wow, sometimes I don't think I even have a creative process. Time for painting is comprised of short, stolen moments- more stops and starts punctuated by innumerable interruptions. Somehow the school nurse always calls the mother. Why is that? I have all kinds of fantasies of being surrounded by fragrant tea, paint, and paper in my sun-filled spacious studio. I dream about working from sunup to sundown and being interrupted by only by interruptions of my choosing.
I look on with a mixture of awe and envy at other artists who are also mothers who manage to get it done, to get up before dawn to create, to keep true to themselves, to know what their goals are. I know it isn't all seamless for them either, but it does seem that they have things a bit more "together". So I practice getting things done in snatches. I sketch and read and find inspiration whenever and wherever I can. I try to relax more when I am painting instead of waiting for that next phone call or knock at the door. When the call does come, I take a super duper deep breath. I get a lot of oxygen that way. I try getting up earlier in the morning, despite my night owl nature. Some days it works out and other times not so much. It is good to know it's not my fault that I am a night owl. Apparently, it's my brain structure.
It seems that I am in the process of making peace with my creative process-as raggedy as it seems. I am pleased that I am learning to create decent work in snatches. That is one beautiful thing about watercolor. I am learning to be even more organized. Sometimes I forget that I achieve a fair amount only because the to-do's are so many. I am learning to take autism in a little more stride-most days. I am learning to not take on other people's emotions as my own. I am learning that it isn't helpful to compare my beginning with someone else's middle or end. This is an especially challenging lesson. I am thankful for my little closet that is my studio-that I have a place of retreat, a place to work when I can't work at home. I am thankful that I have other artist mothers to look to and learn from as they forge their own trails. I am thankful for people who enjoy and are touched by my work. So finding my creative process is a process in and of itself and maybe, just maybe, that's the point.
How do you get comfortable with your creative process or are you already there?
be well,
Angela
**********
- 10% off - use code TRW10
- exclusive access to a private Facebook group for creative mothers
- a vibrant greetings card and book-mark of one of the author's paintings.
Amazon.com
Book Depository, Barnes and NobleOr order from your local bookshop.
- Carnival host and author of The Rainbow Way, Lucy at Dreaming Aloud looks at the common lies we tell ourselves about creativity in The Eternal Summer of the Creative Mind.
- Caitriona at Wholesome Ireland - from start to new beginnings.
- Hannah M. Davis writes about Unleashing Your Authentic Voice. So many of us would love to write a life-changing book. How do you get over the blocks and barriers that hold you back?
- Sylda from Mind the Baby compares her creative process to a maelstrom of weather warnings.
- In "As an Artist", Lucy Pierce at Soulskin Musings offers a poem about how the creative process beckons her through many of the archetypes of womanhood.
- Jackie Stewart at Flowerspirit.co.uk talks about how creativity is opening up a space for the unknown to reveal itself to you in 'Creativity Flourishes in the Sacred Unknown'.
- Alex at Art of Birth shares some practical tips on how you can unlock your creative goddess within!
- Nicki at justlikeplay shares a love letter to her muse.
- Marija Smits has a conversation with her muse and reflects on the difficulties of catching and creating from the Goddess of Inspiration.
- Zoie at TouchstoneZ reflects on her creative process.
- Licia Berry, Illumined Arts "Creativity and Healing are Ideal Partners". The creation of visual, musical, or expressive arts is the quickest, most effective and painless way to heal.
- Kirstin at Listening to the Squeak - My creative process and how to break creative blocks.
- Ali Baker talks about connecting with the call of the wolf when she cries to us to do so means giving our time and permission to honour the creative process within all of us.
- Mary at The Turquoise Paintbrush reflects on her creative process.
- KatyStuff thinks that projects need time to mature, that is why she is a fabric and craft hoarder.
- Aimée at Creativeflutters goes into her creative process and looks at what makes things tick or flop in "Spontaneous She - How to Keep Your Muse at Work".
- Kae at The Wilde Womb muses about her common creative blocks as a parent and how she systematically breaks through them.
- Angela at Peach Coglo tries to get comfortable with her own creative process.
- Biromums write about their creative processes.
- Dawn at The Barefoot Home believes the creative process can't be taught it has to come organically and at its own pace.
- Tara at Aquamarine Art began uncovering her lost inner artist over 5 years ago and shares her experiences and inspirations in "From Spark to Bonfire: The Evolution of A Creative Process."
- Georgie at Visual Toast explores what the creative process looks like for her.
- Creative Woman at Creator's Corner is not concerned with the end product or the outcome but with the process and all the richness that it brings.
- Jennifer's Art Blog explores what the creative process feels like for her.
- Fiona at Sunny Spells and Scattered Showers reflects on her creative process.
- Sharron at Adventures on the mindful path writes and creates in between (and sometimes while) chasing two little boys and a puppy.
- Trying to discover her own methods to the creative process, Jasmine at Brown Eyed Girl, digs deeper to find what it is that really triggers her creativity.
- Jessica F. Hinton shares why finding creative spaces as a mother is important and what her space looks like.
- Laura at Authentic Parenting reflects on her creative process.
- Ingrid at My Peace Tree says Creativity as a living thing - and examines ebb and flow, expectations vs. realities (our own and other people's), inspiration and how to find it.
- Darcel at The Mahogany Way examines her own creative process.
- Woman's Art celebrates her own creative process.
