what IF and little bird on a branch...

This ended up being far more collage than anything,

but it was still fun to do

and such a relaxing way for me

to end the day.

That's my new motto. 

Is it fun?

Great!

Then do it!

Does it help make the day just a little better?

Great.

DO. IT.

We spend far too much time

justifying art.

It is what it is

and if it makes you happy -

do it.

So i spent over an hour last night

in my little blue room,

with good music,

a glass of wine on the left

and brush water on the right ;-)

and I played.

I've realized in the past year or so

how essential this playtime is for me.

Twyla Tharp calls it The creative habit.

I sometimes call it play but in reality, it's work.

It is my life's work

and it is no less important

than anyone else's life work.

And sometimes...

while painting and collaging...

when your mind is free,

and you no longer hear the chatter

you may even find answers

to some of your own questions.

little bird wishes you all a wonderful day...

filled with more color than you can handle.

:-)

sketchbook project

This is part of a page spread for the 2012 Sketchbook project. It'll be sent out in a few weeks

(end of January) to "tour the world"! and then to its permanent home in NY. 

Part of me thinks "wow!! this is great!! I can share my actual work with so many people around the world!" and then the other (pessimistic) part thinks "oh, come on. There are probably millions of sketchbooks like yours. If 3 people get to leaf through your sketchbook, you'll be lucky". 

But maybe - just maybe... one of those people will relate to something in the sketchbook,

and be inspired to do something themselves?

That in itself is worth it for me.

I'm currently reading a great book by Twyla Tharp called THE CREATIVE HABIT.

A reminder that we are creatively connected in more ways than we think, and that we are all,

in one way or another, like Pavlov's dog. :-)

When i sit myself down in my room, light a candle & turn on some music, there's a switch in my brain that turns itself ON & sends the message to my body that it's time to paint, or write. It's an evening habit for me, but i know people who get up at 5am to honour their creative habits. It's whatever works for you.

Do you have a creative habit? 

Do you tap into your own creativity with rituals or routines?

Are you more creative in certain rooms in your home, or in certain places outside?

Wherever it is you happen to tap into it - go there.

And make the world a more beautiful place,

in your own little way.

xoxo