I've looked at clouds from both sides now

I swear I will not post daily! Come fall I hope to post weekly! But I had some thoughts I wanted to add.

In my classroom I have a quote on the wall - "To think creatively we must be able to look afresh at what we normally take for granted." George Kneller. I find this so true. When you learn something new, you see the world differently. That's why we should never stop learning!

I love it when I teach a class on painting clouds, and a student says "I've never really seen clouds before!" or, "I can't quit staring at clouds now!"

I've looked at clouds from both sides now,
From up and down, and still somehow,
It's cloud illusions I recall,
I really don't know clouds, at all.-Joni Mitchel

My friend Rich Clem has a signature for his emails that has a quote I like. "Look at life with the eye's of a child" Henri Matisse. That's what we must do to free our creative self! Look at life as though we've never seen it before! Really look at it.

So, this week, slow down. Really look at what's important, what enriches your life. (a lovely dinner Al fresco with a good glass of wine? A walk in the evening when the light is long?) See if you can find time to really look at your muse. This week, schedule time to indulge in your passion and feed your creative self. Take time to savor the moments we have here. Make the most of the time you have to devote to your creativity!

Next week, I'd like to explore what thinking creatively really means. What does it mean to you?

yours creatively,
Michelle

in the beginning

In the beginning God CREATED!! And aren't we made in his image? Therefore, we are created, creative beings. I figure if it's good enough for Him (or the "Big Guy" as my friend refers to God) it's a worthy endeavor. OK, no more of my spiritual philosophy! Well, for now anyway!

For many years I felt my art was an extravagance, a luxury, something that was not as important as just about anything else. There was much reinforcement for this way of thinking. Back in the day, art school was something few could afford. And I don't mean people couldn't afford to pay for an art education, I mean because you just couldn't make a living at it easily, so why would you spend the money on the education in the first place? With computers came graphic art, and of course there was illustration and other money making art avenues. But fine art was and continues to be a struggle for the large majority of fine artists. You've heard the term "starving artist"? Many of us then find a way to make money and pursue our passions on the side.

What have you put on hold because you needed to eat? There is nothing wrong with that, we need to eat! But I found there was a need in me to create that could not be silenced. I was not whole or happy without it. It took a long time for me to get that. And really, like I've said other places, what would the world be without the arts? I ask you, do you own art for your walls? Of course you do. Do you listen to music? I'm sure you own Cd's of artists who's music speaks to you. Do you read, or see movies or the theater? Life would be very bland without those artists who followed their passions regardless.

So, I titled this "the creative life" because I think we cant have one without the other, really. I'm interested in how we can enrich our lives by embracing our creativity. I'm interested in what you create and your thoughts on creativity. Lets share the creative life.