Create because you want to…that’s all the reason you need.

by Linda | May 28, 2010 | my creative journal

This week I’ve been thinking a lot about the process of creating and the reasons why I do what I do.

Whether I’m taking photo, altering them, doodling, painting, creating digital graphics or randomly making whatever I feel like at the moment… it’s something I enjoy doing and feel that I must do in the moment. Often I’m inspired to make something because I see someone else do it – a cool project or idea that just has to be tried. However, most of the time it’s about channeling ideas out of mind and feeling good through the process.

Making stuff makes me happy. Isn’t that enough reason to create and do something?

It just feels good to keep my hands busy and the process of creating art and crafting seems to take me into a relaxing zone. It’s not work mode, when I have a game-plan in mind on how to tackle the problem in the most efficient manner possible, etc etc. My creative time doesn’t come from a plan and even when I think I have a plan – it turns out completely different.

I semi-finished the little binder book I started yesterday and decided to use it as an address book. The pages are made of kraft paper folded into pockets, so it can hold business cards and tags. I suppose at some point it might get really bulging, but I actually like how it fans out anyhow.

After making that little book I immediately felt the urge to create more…I wasn’t done bookmaking perhaps. I automatically went to folding papers and cutting leather to make another classic journal. I just did it without much thought or planning… it felt so satisfying in the end.

I don’t really sell much stuff at all even though I’ve put it out there online, but I just keep doing it anyway. Why is that? Shouldn’t I be discouraged and give up already? It’s bizarre, but I have these internal debates with myself sometimes. I’ve realized that sales doesn’t equal satisfaction for me. It would be great to one day be a self-sufficient artist, but either way I’ll be creating. I just like it. It’s fun! I want to be happy and enjoy life, so I just have to do these things.

Perhaps it’s moving to Italy that has changed my perspective as well. Previously it was all about satisfying social norms and being that “perfect person” that I thought people wanted me to be. The successes that I thought were imperative ended up being pointless in the end. No satisfaction, no happiness, no feeling. I’ve changed so much and my priorities have completely shifted. I feel like life is so much simpler now.

Am I oversimplifying it? I feel like I’ve stepped back from the whole “scene of life” and now I can see the big picture more clearly. I’m sure there’s still much to learn, but I’m so happy and grateful for the life I have – gosh, I can never gush enough.

Sigh…all this to really say that I wish everyone would create because they just want to. Don’t let fear hold you back. You do it because you want to. Because you love the process, because it’s fun and feels good to express yourself. Because you have to just create. That’s all the reason you need, right? I hope you all have a happy weekend and lovely holiday in the USA…until next time my lovelies 🙂

Art Journal With Me – Just Drawing

by Linda | May 25, 2010 | my creative journal

Hi everyone! Another week of art journaling with me, thanks for stopping by as always. I thought I would continue with drawing my funky ladies in the black journal of watercolor paper. When I go to draw, there’s no plan or picture in my mind. I just start with round eyes and go from there, whatever my hand happens to do on it’s own really.

This time I ended up with an alien-looking lady and the writing says “swirls, it’s magic now” – musings that just come forth from within. It’s nice to just draw and not really care about how it all ends up. It’s the process and act that is wondrous and rewarding. I think that art journaling is really about that exactly – the free creative process. Sure it’s nice to be able to share a beautiful result, but first and foremost art journaling is about you and your expression. You can pour yourself out and whatever comes out or doesn’t come out – it’s all good for the soul in the end. It doesn’t matter if you want to draw or collage or splatter paint. Creative therapy for life I suppose? Hope you have a lovely week and if you like art journaling consider joining the ning communities Milliande and art journaling – I’m on there, so look me up. Ciao ciao!

Learning From Turtles and A Frog Girl?

by Linda | May 21, 2010 | my creative journal

When we start to eat lots of strawberries, our turtles subsequently get fed all the strawberry tops. We know they love ’em and I’m always mesmerized watching them chomp away. They get all red around the mouth like lipstick…so funny!

Doesn’t he look like he’s hoarding the strawberries? Mine, mine, all mine – muhahaha! In the end he couldn’t finish them anyway. It made me think about the way I hoard materials. I instinctually want to “save the good stuff” and wait for the “right project” – even though we probably all have our stashes still stashed away. How bizarre! My mother-in-law has been cleaning out house as well and we keep finding treasures hidden away. At least, treasures if you are a fan of antiques! It got me thinking again about posessions and how we like to pack things away. In the end, we might have never used or enjoyed those wonderful things we stashed. It’s all very weird when you think about it, right?

Shouldn’t we use more often the things we love and enjoy them to the fullest? Shouldn’t we spend the most time and money on those everyday things that make a difference in our lives…instead of that super expensive something we hide away for fear of “ruining.” Enough of the insanity, right? Perhaps it’s the warm weather making me feel free and wanting to break out! My husband and I are going on another IKEA run this weekend and I will take the opportunity to get even more organized with my own crafty supplies. Wish me luck on organization, it does seem to be a constant endeavor.

In other news, the lovely journal I made yesterday has its first drawing inside now. I did a little sketching with my niece and she actually helped me color this girl in. Of course, she’s a frog girl because that’s what my niece said the face looks like. You can see from the close-up that I have a thing for round eyes. Maybe that looks froggish? My style is definitely not realistic, instead I like the whimsy fantasy style because you can make-up whatever you want. I suppose it’s okay she looks froggy. I still have to work on expressions and making my ladies not so generic. It’s true that often the female faces we see appear to be quite benign…

Something for me to work on with my new journal. Well, enough updates on my random musings and thoughts. Thanks for stopping by as always and happy friday! BTW, if you want to check out more photos of our turtles, see them on my Flickr photostream. Otherwise, have a lovely weekend, ciao ciao!