Creative Every Day

Art Every Day Month Check-In: November 9th

2009-11-09T00:25:06Z

Today is the 9th day of Art Every Day Month. Already it seems like the month is flying by. But I love this connection I make with myself each day when I sit down to create. It makes the month of November feel sacred to me. And I'm so grateful to be sharing it with all of you!

The box below is a widget that I provide each day as an optional place to share a direct link (blog post or flickr image) to that day's creation. If you don't have something to share today, don't worry about it! Share when you can. In the meantime, be sure to check out what other participants are creating! Check out the links from today's post and the links in the sidebar for instant inspiration. You can also see lots of great work in the AEDM flickr group. Feel free to share your work there too!

If you use the widget, please link to a specific blog post (or specific image if you're linking to a flickr page or other website) instead of your main blog page or website. If you want to share, but don't have a specific page to link to, feel free to use the comments section of this post to share what you're working on. If you're posting less than once a day, no problem! Simply use the latest one of these posts to share a link to your creation. For some, it's too much to keep up with posting every day, but don't let that get you down. Do it if you can and if you can't, just keep on creating, that's the most important part. If you get off track and miss a few days of creating, don't let that freeze you up either. Just pick up where you left off and keep moving forward. One foot in front of the other. You are making your life a more creative one with each step.

If you're new to Art Every Day Month, check out the AEDM info page for all the details, then send me an email to sign-up before you use the link widget to share your creations. (If that email link isn't working, you can email me at leah at bluetreeartgallery.com)

Instructions: Please see the Art Every Day Month Instructions post if you have any confusion about how to post your link or how to sign up.

Twitter: Are you participating in AEDM and you're on Twitter too? I'm on there as @leah_art and I've been using the hashtag #aedm to mark Art Every Day Month tweets. I also started a Twitter list for AEDM which can help you easily find Twitter folks who are participating. If you're not on the Twitter list yet and would like to be, send me a DM (Direct Message on Twitter.)

The call to create is a calling like no other, a voice within that howls for expression, shadow longing to merge with light. ~Jan Phillips

I read this quote in an art piece that Gina created for Art Every Day Month. I wanted to find the source of the quote and discovered it here in this article. So inspiring!

Itty Bitty Kitty Art: White Cat

2009-11-08T23:53:59Z

I've been thinking of doing a series of "itty bitty kitty art" for so long, so I'm glad that Art Every Day Month has prompted me to give it a go! I've done small cat art before, but I'd like to do a whole bunch of them. Plus, I like saying "itty bitty kitty." Hehe.

This little white cat is acrylic and ink on a 4"x4" cradled board. Oh so cute. I needed something light today after the busy weekend of having house guests over night and hosting a baby shower. Phew! It's been busy. But I'm so glad I carved out this art time. It's amazing what we can do when we set our minds to it, isn't it?

And now to kick up my feet and relax a bit. I'm a tad behind on emails, but will return to them tomorrow.

Art Every Day Month Check-In: November 8th

2009-11-08T03:01:51Z

Today is the 8th day of Art Every Day Month. Happy creating everyone!

Instructions: Please see the Art Every Day Month Instructions post if you have any confusion about how to post your link or how to sign up.

Creativity is a mindset, an attitude. Regardless of how we feel - low or high or in between - creativity is always there. ~Nikki Coulombe

Thought Ghost

2009-11-07T16:21:45Z

This one's a little spooky! Reminds me of a Dementor (from Harry Potter.) Like yesterday, I worked intuitively on this one. The initial paint shapes took the form of a large hand on a woman's chest and a ghost-like figure. I brought them out more in paint and a bit of ink. I think this has to do with waking up with racing thoughts.

It was good to do my art first thing this morning. The hubster was even there for the beginning. He drew me his own version of a bear (a cartoon bear with a bowtie and a jar of honey.) Hehe.

We've got family visiting later today and I'm hosting a baby shower for my bff tomorrow, so I won't be online much, but I'll still be posting my art here and I wish you all a fabulously creative weekend!

Art Every Day Month Check-In: November 7th

2009-11-07T01:05:10Z

Today is the 7th day of Art Every Day Month. Holy cannoli, a full week of Art Every Day is under our belts! No matter where you're at in the process, no matter how imperfectly it's going for you, give yourself some props today. You're doing beautifully.

Instructions: Please see the Art Every Day Month Instructions post if you have any confusion about how to post your link or how to sign up.

When we open the channel of creativity we invite the flow of a greater power in and through our lives. - Dana Lynne Andersen

Red Bear

2009-11-06T23:29:08Z

red bear

Today was frustrating, not because of art, but because of other stuff. And I'm glad it's Art Every Day Month because it gave me a great excuse to get out some of my feelings in paint. I had no clue what I was going to work on when I started. I put some water on watercolor paper and then dropped black ink onto parts which made the ink spread out like dark stars or upset blowfish.

I let that dry, then went forward with red paints, squirting directly onto the paper, moving the paint with a brush and my fingers, then a touch of yellow, turquoise, and purple. Then I let it dry across the room, looking at it occasionally while I did other things. The first thing I saw in it was a bear face at the top. I tried looking for other things, but the bear was so clear, I had to paint it. It was an angry looking bear. I looked up images of bears running to get some inspiration and then I dove back in, adding legs and belly to the bear. And claws. The yellow around the black ink spots looked like dandelions, so I gave them stems.

Somewhere along the way, I noticed a figure in the bear, just a face and shoulders, sort of like a bust (see detail above.) I could have brought her out more, but I decided to let her stay there. I like how she resides right in the spot the heart would be.

While the difficult stuff is still there, I feel so much calmer in my body. And I'm grateful to the bear that showed up today to help me out, and to myself for showing up at the page.

Art Every Day Month Check-In: November 6th

2009-11-06T04:20:27Z

Today is the 6th day of Art Every Day Month. Can you feel it? Can you feel the creative buzz? I love the fabulous energy that is being whipped up from all this simultaneous creating going on. It's amazing! And even though I feel it every year I do AEDM, it always knocks my socks off.

Instructions: Please see the Art Every Day Month Instructions post if you have any confusion about how to post your link or how to sign up.

"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, because the world needs people who have come alive." - Howard Thurman

Elephant Love

2009-11-06T00:44:28Z

Well, hello little blue elephant! Isn't he cute?

I drew this guy in my sketchbook a couple months ago and today felt like the right time to bring him to life in collage, paint, and ink. I went back and forth about whether or not to paint the elephant or the sky behind him in a warm color, like the bottom. But I like that the elephant is blue. I went back and forth, putting little pieces of paper on the piece to see how a different color might look and then putting the painting in different parts of the room to see it from different perspectives. And then I realized I like it for now and I can always re-visit it.

I work fairly quickly when I make art, but when it comes to processing things, I move slow. It's helpful when I get in that processing phase to let the art sit for a day, leaving it somewhere where I'll see it as I go about my work. After a day or so of doing this, I usually know what the next step is or if it's done.

If you're feeling stuck or unsure about something you're working on, give yourself permission to stop. Either move on to something else for awhile or just stop for the day and come back with fresh eyes the next day.

Happy creating, everyone!

Art Every Day Month Check-In: November 5th

2009-11-05T04:45:21Z

Today is the 5th day of Art Every Day Month. I'm so thrilled by the way everyone is creating and connecting and sharing. I wish I could visit each of you every day, but there's so much great creating going on, I can't see everything. I know we're all busy creating, but when you can, please visit a few folks who leave their links below. Maybe visit a mix of people you know and people you don't. Spreading the love helps us all stay motivated and inspired!

Instructions: Please see the Art Every Day Month Instructions post if you have any confusion about how to post your link or how to sign up.

Creativity is an essential part of being human, a vital force without which we can exist, but not truly live. ~Ann Cashman

Sleepwalker

2009-11-04T22:24:30Z

I've been focusing on self-care a lot today, noticing when and how I can do those little things that make my day sweeter... like eating a warm lunch (instead of something cold and quick), getting some exercise, taking a break to drink hot chocolate and watch So You Think You Can Dance. It's all laying a good foundation to help carry me through Art Every Day Month.

Last night I took some time to doodle in my sketchbook before going to sleep. This is one of my favorite idea-generating tools. In my sketchbook, I just let loose, playing and drawing whatever popped into my head, doodling, and having fun. One of the things I drew last night was this sleepwalker, I think she expresses some of the blah energy I was feeling yesterday. I really enjoyed bringing her to life in collage, paint, and ink. And thankfully, I'm feeling much more energetic today.

I used to sleepwalk as a kid occasionally. Once I woke up in the hallway with all my sheets and blankets in my arms. I'd stripped the bed in my sleep and carried them out to the hall before I woke up. But this sleepwalking woman is less about actually sleepwalking and more about feeling that sleepwalking feeling when you're awake, like you're there, but not. Not a fun feeling. When I was able to check-in, I realized I needed some rest, some time to doodle and play, and some good self-care. Being able to check-in with yourself, find out what you need, and get those things (or ask for help) is so important to maintaining a creative lifestyle.

I'm glad to be fully awake again today, enjoying the creating and the creativity that's surrounding me. It's a beautiful thing!