Archive for February, 2010

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Melanie Sklarz, February 2010

Last month I wrote about why I was starting this challenge and this month I want to give you a status update on how I am doing. Going into this, I realized I wouldn’t be perfect, because humans like creativity can be messy and inspiration can often follow a non-linear route. Nonetheless, I am proud to say that I stuck with it (ok, most of it anyway) this first month.

The first week began by making creativity my religion. It doesn’t matter if you already have a religion because this is an addition to your current religion. Like religion, creativity is a way of life that also has rituals and ceremonies. Actually, one of the first exercises is to craft your own rituals for creating. I settled on starting my creative work with a positive invocation and affirmation statement and also working on small sketchbook collages to rev up my creative energy before tackling a big project.
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Image by Cassie Beck Simply Hue is a beautiful blog full of inspiration for creatives of all types. Last November, author Vicki Dvorak posted an engaging “Spotlight on Artists” series, and earlier this month, she posted a new series called “Spotlight on Photographers.” The images in this spotlight series are absolutely beautiful. In respect for … Continue Reading

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It’s been nearly a week since I last posted here, and I am so sorry about that. I know it’s bad blogging manners to apologize for late posting, but I owe you for hanging in there with me.

It’s been a long couple of weeks. My days have been up and down, and I’m still unpacking. I finally finished unpacking our guest bedroom tonight, just in time for my brother to visit tomorrow.

I’ll be honest and let you know that throughout this transition, I haven’t had much time (or made much time) for purely creative work outside of my day job. Most of my art supplies and three quarters of my office are still packed, so I honestly haven’t known where to begin.

However, I have made time here in there to get my self back in a creative groove. Life is busy, and when it is at its craziest, it is incredibly easy to put creative work on the back burner. Here’s what I am (trying to) do to avoid that pitfall.
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This morning Elena, whom I know through Twitter (@TickledPinkKnit), shared a link to a short story in the latest issue of The New Yorker. I’ve been hooked on short stories lately, so I clicked over and decided to read it. Claire Keegan has written a beautiful story titled “Foster,” and you can read the full … Continue Reading

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Every Monday is Tip Day! Grab a cup of coffee and get over the Monday morning bump with tips, tools, and inspiration from Perch.

This Week: Instant Inspiration

One of my favorite creative outlets is instant film. I have a Polaroid 600 that I bought when I was 16 and a Fuji Mini Instax from my husband that I use regularly, as well as a Diana Instant Back that I have yet to try out. (One day, soon, when I figure out which box it’s packed in).

Sometimes the best way to break through what we call creative block is to find a way to get over ourselves. We pursue perfection in our craft – of course, right, because we want to produce quality work. Graphic artists have digital tools at their disposal that take away the pain of making mistakes. Photographers can modify their images to negate poor lighting effects. Even recording artists can digitally correct pitch, re-record instruments, and add vocals as needed.
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