Ode to Creativity - excerpts and errata

As I muse through my day, I often read a dozen blogs and emails that nurture my creativity and sense of well being. While daily there is a gem sprinkled my way, every week, there is a hum-dinger that causes me to jump up and down with excitement, OR even inspire me to blog!

Today Madelyn Mulvaney's "Ode to Creativity" was posted on an etsy blog (etsy is an on-line store featuring millions of artists and crafters and their creations for sale, eg. http://www.etsy.com/shop/rosescreativity). Ms. Mulvaney had all the chimes and holiday bells ringing in excitement and anticipation. Yes! yes! Yes! I agree from the bottom of my heart. Please enjoy this excerpt:

"When I am in the midst of "the making," my soul literally vibrates, time is timeless and I have not a thought nor a dream of the "sky-aiming" outcome. I am so in the moment and I am here, I am present in a way that is so beautifully alive and beguiling for, oh, all sorts of reasons. Really, even when I have the most stunning photo or lyrical piece of writing as proof of my creative outburst, it can never replace the wonder of creation. After all, my makings also compete with each other, elephants and El Greco.

Creativity for me is a foray of wandering, wondering, gathering and bringing home different things — my ways of beholding the invisible dragons or chimera around me. It is intensely spiritual, and my rooted connection to nature (where would I be without the sea?) is a vast wellspring of poetic figments and inspiration.

Make room, I am reminded, make space, gather time for yourself and your art. It is necessary."

Yes, yes, let us all make room in our lives to collect that which makes our heart sing and then create that which is uniquely for our own pleasure of discovering our true selves - our hearts at last open and free to love ourselves. Yes! Yes. Let's!

Spring Flowers

As I move through the mundane, I take note of what sparks me. Lately it has been the flowers. It is spring in the Rockies and there are little dancing fairy-like flowers on those rugged trails. "Hi there!" I chirp to them as I snap their pictures. They're a metaphore to the cycles in our lives. It is spring. What is blooming in your life - purple or golden trumpets or little white daisies? Maybe that' why flower earrings have been pouring through my hands...

Reaching through the blocks for the Top

Today I hiked to Mt. Manitou ... up the Incline Trail! I needed to do something to break through the creative blocks. I forgot how much I LOVE a good hike and even used to relish in hill climbs. Had it really be over 12 years? It was really hard to get my breath comfortable for a good while. But once I felt my wind and was at ease, we hopped from Barr Trail onto the Incline. The Incline used to be the tram way; that closed down due to maintenance problems over 20 years ago. They've left the beams and it is now a training route for marathon runners and other fitness trainers. ... or folks like me who needed a kick start over a hurdle.

For a month now I have been working on my mission statement and working Tara Gentile's "52 Weeks to Blogging Your Passion." The first step is to write and post your mission statement during your first week. As you can see ... I've been dragging on that mission.

I have done a heap of other things, like I updated my web page. Got scheduled to exhibit my "store" at a couple of shows, met lots of folks and am scheduling classes (oh yeah, I need to update my calendar ...). But I have been stalling on posting my mission statement. Why... there is still a little fear that "you" won't accept me. Well, ya just gotta admit that not everyone is going to accept everyone, so that's a good stall tactic to just "get over!" I accept me, and that's the important matter here. So here goes:

My Mission: "Creativity is my compass. I am establishing Roses Creativity to offer classes and artworks to inspire, validate and help others experience joy and well being. The practice of the creative process can establish a wonderful sense of well being, and in sharing this practice, we can share that good feeling and explore creative "soul"-utions."

There! I did two hard things today. I just posted my mission statement and I walked up the Incline to Mt. Manitou. Whew!

Exploring Colorado

Trying out new territory and establishing my "Roses Creativity" in this area. I'd met a few folks last fall and have found many friendly and receptive people since I've been here. Needless to say, it's still a bit unnerving to re-establish oneself.

I've been balancing re-working my mission statement and brochure and how I view what I'm doing with going out and meeting at least one new business a day. Persistence pays off and I am grateful for the slow, but definite, re-establishment of a community and place to express my creativity.

Sophie and Mariea in Manitou Springs are the Best! Both are hanging one of my quilts in their stores and always have an encouraging word.

And there are all the others I am just getting aquainted with, Ahriana of EcoSpirituality, Kathleen of Range Photography, Clara of Organica, Lisa of Envi and many others who have been very friendly and welcoming.

Here's a picture of Sophie hanging my quilt outside her shop. Thank you Sohpie!

Another Inspring Artist - Natalie

Natalie is another inspiring artist with whom I deeply resonate. Her art works evoke large Bolivian landscapes -- artistic space. It was seeing the land from above that initially made me want to quilt and when I saw Natalie's artworks, I felt that deep rumble of excitement and recognition. And Natalie's peaceful smooth vibe sparkles through. Ah Yes! Enjoy.

New Moon Beads - A feature on Cindy Hines

No one has inspired me more than Ms. Cindy of New Moon Beads.

When we first met, she was operating Sun Center Bead Emporium in downtown Gainesville. She had the sweetest bead shop full of vintage items for making your own jewelry. She also made and sold original cool jewelry. Over time she taught me how to make my own jewelry, and how to find unusual jewelry supplies. Now she has supported me in becoming my own jewelry maker.

My last trunk show was with Ms. Cindy at Maudes in March. We had a lovely morning together. She was selling her vintage bead supplies. I'll keep you posted on her creative evolution. Thank you Ms Cindy!!! xoxo

Creativity as a Compass

Norma, a lovely young social working, approached me one evening at Art Walk to give a presentation to a group of Foster Grandparents. “Ummm,” I mused, “what would you like me to present?” “Share with them what you do,” she replied with confidence. I believed in her believing in me and said, “Yes.”
Norma Berger, the Coordinator for the Alachua County Foster Grandparents program, works with over 100 low-income grandparents who help at-risk children at schools and day care. In exchange for a very modest stipend and lunch, these kind elders spend an average of 25 hours per week with one or more children whose problems start with loss of a parent and escalate from there. Norma wanted me to share how they could use creativity with their children.
I trusted the creative process and a delightful program unfolded. I had one-hour to work my magic. Powerpoint software allowed me to share my ideas and images in 20 minutes. Since mandalas are one of my favorite mediums to explore creativity, I created a simple compass mandala for them to color. I gave them the basic meanings of colors and had them focus on their foster grandchildren. I emphasized stretching outside the box of “normal” and to try their hand at using creativity as a form of bringing healing in the lives of their foster children.
These foster grandparents loved to color. They chirped and cooed as they passed the box of crayons back and forth along their tables. While mostly an understated group, there were lots of mmmhhmmms and unhuhs and they ALL colored a compass. Many of them colored two and many also took home a blank one to make copies and have their kids color it with them.
I set an idea in motion. When we think of a person in need and color an image with that person in our heart using colors intentionally – that is representing a healing wish – we can bring a blessing into that person’s life. And now it appears over 100 foster grandparents have colored compasses on their fridge. An idea that can only do good!
Ahhhhhhhhhhhh. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I am grateful to Norma Berger for extending the invitation to me. I am grateful for the inspiration to use colors as a healing vehicle and to create a compass for these lovely elders to color. I am grateful to the 100 foster grandparents who colored along with me with love in their hearts for their foster grandchildren.
Creativity inspires. Creativity guides. Creativity heals.