Seriously,
get something done. Make something awesome, or not awesome, so you know what not
to do next time you try. Put the time in even if you don’t feel like it if you
want a creative life. Let me share my first piece of advice on my creative
realization, "Do the work" All of the pictures in this post are a result of at least one of the techniques listed in this post.It is important to cultivate creativity through reading and researching.
1. To accomplish a task
2. To waste time
If I haven’t
made something in a while, I set boundaries for myself. Distraction is easily confused
for creating. Both part of the creative process, but sometimes, I have to take
charge of my process. To get myself past the distraction part, I limit myself.
It takes mental discipline, but on those days I want/need to make something, if
I set a boundary, I get something done. If I am truly at a loss, I set more
boundaries. So my mental task ranges from “I will only be online for 10 minutes”
to “I will find a card sketch using hearts in 10 minutes.”
How do I
decide on boundaries? I look for the easiest fit. Theme, medium, supply, size,
or recipient all work well. Setting boundaries often lets the little voice
inside speak up. “I don’t want to make a card with hearts on it. I want to use
my new stamp.” Setting boundaries essentially bullied it into speaking up, kind
of like when I try to pick a restaurant for dinner, nobody cares until a
suggestion is made, and then real opinions come out. The maturity in it all
comes from knowing when I am truly working, and when I am doing something that
appears as if it might apply to work.
I am guilty
of having a gazillion ¾ completed projects about. Right now, I have a super cute door sign I
need to finish, and it has been that way for probably 4 months. Pathetically,
it is in the assembly state, all done, it just needs rings and a hanger. I have
no idea why I haven’t finished it other than I think that maybe I would like a
little chain better than a ring, or a ribbon, or something. For four months I
have let one detail of a project derail the whole thing. Enough already.
Using the
excuse that something has to be perfect to be finished is a great way to never
be done. I am learning to figure out where good, and even great are on the
spectrum to perfect. I have also learned to allow trying a technique to be a
good reason to make something imperfect.
I have had
some hot mess projects when I am playing with new materials. Alcohol inks are a
good example. I have messed up an incredible amount of junk with alcohol inks.
I have nothing to show for it, but I was able to allow the learning to be good
enough. Sometimes, there is nothing more gratifying than throwing something
away. Or burning it. Seriously, if it makes you feel better burn it. (Safely,
any fire creativity experiments you begin are your own responsibility.)
Finding new
challenges is a great way to do the work. This is one of the most fun ways for
me. I like online challenges, because many sites offer prizes, you get instant
feedback from peers, and there is a built in due date. I feel it is important to
mix it up, so I try to move beyond just one or two challenge sites, and look
for something I have never seen before occasionally. I also like books, because
they are good places for inspiration.
Here are my current inspirations…
There are a ton of other
places and people, but these are the ones that I have most recently used.
The most important thing about doing the work is valuing my
creative life as something that deserves priority, just as any other necessary
part of life. I don’t take away from family time, or work time, but I do plan
creative time with the same reverence. This attitude is something my husband and
children acknowledge, and honor.
What can you try to help you do the work?
Next week: Find a group of critical friends
Next week: Find a group of critical friends
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