As I was organizing files near my computer desk I came across the above letter, which I wrote to myself during my JournalFest trip last year. It was a pleasant surprise and inspired me to drop the current task at hand and open my art journal instead. As I placed the finishing touches on, I realized there are only 2.5 spreads left until this journal is completed. For some reason there’s a feeling of intimidation to finishing this journal. I suppose it’s because I feel these past few pages should be exceptional. But in truth, this journal is only the beginning.

As previously mentioned, lately I’ve been experiencing one of the worst creative blocks. So, to help work through it I started to look for other journaling sites for inspiration, which is when I stumbled upon Journaling Saves by Kristin. Coincidentally, I received a newsletter from her regarding the very topic of feeling stuck. She suggested creating and keeping a list in one’s journal for the things you are grateful for. I’ve never been one to take many things for granted, but it seems over time I may have overlooked certain parts that have always made me appreciate this life. As I started to think about my list and put things down on paper, I realized that I soon had a list of items that were simple, significant, and everywhere in between. I’m hardly finished with the list and this stems from my belief that there are things I can only appreciate with each day that passes. Best of all, this list has helped in allowing me to feel a little back to my old self. I’m even writing my morning pages again – and for that I’m grateful.

Lately, visions of vibrant color have been making their way into my daydreams. In my mind, paint splatters all around me. Intense colors of magentas, reds, and oranges gush, swirl, and surround my body. My hands dip into buckets of varying hues. The color coats my skin and drips from my fingers. It’s a huge mess, but in these thoughts I’m happy.  I’ve felt creatively blocked for some time – probably the longest “dry spell” I’ve had in years. It feels unnatural and foreign. I feel out of my element.  “Work through it,” say all my books on creativity. I’m trying. I only hope my efforts can restore some sort of normalcy.

This week’s dip back into the Artist’s Way has made me realize:

1) I really missed the unpredictable results of my film shots.
and
2) It’s taken maybe a good 2 years, but all the color print film I had has finally been used up – with the exception of one Lucky roll that I just loaded into my Canon AE-1.

Let the shooting commence!

(Samples of a few journal page backgrounds I did over the weekend.)

Over the long weekend I spent some time re-reading through The Creative License and came to a page containing a quote from Patti Lynn Gregory, Danny’s wife, that I found to be especially helpful in taking on my next creative endeavor:

I’ve decided that after I finish my current journal (just a few more spreads left!) I will make the leap to an illustrated journal. Personally, it’s a huge step since I’ve toyed with the idea of creating an entire journal filled with sketches and doodles from everyday life. Despite the excuses I’ve used to prevent me from just doing it, there’s never going to be a “good” or “ideal” time to start this journal.

Time to jump in, feet first.

Too often have I found myself getting into a creative rut, so when I came across a post on Make and Meaning about Rutkickers, I felt a little better knowing that I’m not alone in this department.

In the past some of my favorite rutkickers have been:

- Stream of conscious writing
- Cleaning
- Exercising
- Singing out loud
- Calling a friend to talk
- Playing with Riley (our Beagle)
- Searching for new music
- Lighting candles all around my creative space

But even some rutkickers need a shake up, which has made me work towards new ones including:

- Enjoying a cup of lemon ginger tea
- Sitting on the patio and making shapes out of the clouds
- Mailing a friend a note just to say hi
- Flipping through a recipe magazine
- Doodling
- Taking a walk

While journaling last night, I remembered that I also set up a live video feed last week just for fun. Most of my journal pages are very private to me, but I figured a short flip through of the pages would make a good introductory video:

(Background music is courtesy of Ella Fitzgerald.)

It’s already April; when did that happen? I suppose I was shocked when I realized how fast February and March have gone by. Truthfully I barely even recall January. But in these past few months I’ve accomplished two of my main goals; to cook more and lose weight. But I’m a firm believer in the idea that we are always a work in progress. So, I’m always looking for something new or different to do, which leads me to the Creative Experiments list from Daisy Yellow’s blog. Her posts are always intriguing and full of inspirational quotes and words of encouragement. And although I don’t have kids of my own, I think it’s great she includes her two daughters in a lot of her creative projects.

After reading her post this morning, I immediately decided to accomplish a few of her challenges/experiments this month. I’ll be documenting each of my experiments as I complete them.

Here’s to a fun month of creative challenges and everything in between!

Constantly a work in progress

Blank pages reveal their true colors

Cutting and pasting themselves into existence

In this state of mind, perfection doesn’t exist

But its yearning never ceases

Closing my eyes I see everything

Flaws hidden from others

Now beautifully on display

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