quiet is the muse: within the familiar

Wintery Mix

NYC

Is it like this at the start of every new year with the need for a new challenge?? Or is it because the groundhog saw his shadow and I have a gnawing desire to be outside again in a green world of uninterrupted sun? or both? Whatever it is.... a re-boot is needed.

I have spent the last 3 weeks in NYC - working. The city, for me, is filled with memories, the youthful adventures and naiveté of my past. It is the first home that I created for myself and it is where my dreams were built.

It is the foundation of me.

“Return to old watering holes for more than water; friends and dreams are there to meet you.” African Proverb

But being there was more reflective for me this time. I felt like I was on the outside looking in at the industry that has employed me for the past 6 plus years. Taking a bird’s eye view I saw the need for a new order. The system is broken and I felt the shell tearing away. I do not know who will replace the “garmentos” or what the new business model will be….. but like the change in how we get our music today….. from whom, how and where we get our clothing is also going to change.

All of which promoted me to re-look at my art and what I am doing/not doing. I have been feeling quite stuck creatively since after the first of the year and the need for a re-boot has been in order. A new approach, some new challenges, and a watering hole…..

First - I signed up for an online class that begins on February 24th!! So excited! The class is out of CaLARTS and is called "Live!: A History of Art for Artists, Animators and Gamers!". It is through an MOOC (massive open online course) called Coursera and, best of all, it is free! I have been wanting to see how online classes actually work and it will be even more interesting to see how a class that requires a sketch book and museum visits uses the tools available. Hoping this class brings a new dimension to the way I "see" things.

I have also been seeing a number of blogs recently where creative people have been sharing weekly drawing challenges.... sounds so cool.

Patrice A.:

Stefanie Seltner

I like the idea of a challenge. Random.

And, finally, I have once again gone back to “The Artist’s Way”, Julia Cameron’s book about the path to creativity.

One way or another - we begin.