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| Spectacular color on this pansy! |
I think modern day living makes it easy to become isolated - especially when one has the luxury of working from home. With the click of a mouse, I can be be (virtually) anywhere in the world I choose, learning and/or watching and listening to anything my little heart desires.
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| A stormy sky at dawn |
The thing is, "real" life evolves around us as we sit hunched over the keyboard, in front of the easel or buried in a journal. As we become engrossed in our own thoughts and ideas, we miss the beauty and wonder of the outdoors as well as the interaction and unique perspectives of other people.
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| Keynote Speaker for the annual Lakeland Community College Woman of Achievment Award ceremony, Ohio State Senator, Nina Turner. (And an awesome talk it was!) |
Let's face it - a stagnant life leads to stagnant art. Stagnant art is boring art. To paraphrase Julia Cameron from the book, The Artist's Way, we have to "feed the well" (of creativity). We need fresh ideas and new experiences in which to fill the well that is the source of our creativity. We need the interaction with people and nature.
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| Woman of Achievement 2012 recipient, (and my adoptive Mom!), Tina Bishop |
Go exploring in a local park, the woods, or the beach. Take a stroll through the city where you usually only travel by car or other transportation. Take a camera. Notice architectural details and surface textures. Take note of creative endeavors made by others.
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| A pyramid sculpture on the beach at Headlands State Park |
Really look at the beauty and mystique of the things you walk past every day. (If you're lucky, you may even find some new treasures!).
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| Large pieces of beach glass collected by Keith and me. |
So get out of the house. Get out of the studio. Get out of your rut. Go outside and get some fresh air and some new inspiration for your creative well.
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| A little blurry, but this is a praying mantis cocoon waiting to hatch (soon!) in our forsythia bushes |
Go outside in the early morning and listen to the birds. Go outside after dark and look up at the sky. We live on a pretty spectacular planet with some pretty amazing people. Get out of the house and have an adventure!
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| Did you see the great allighnments of the moon, Jupiter and Venus this past month? Photo: Keith Thompson |
CELEBRATE * LOVE * CREATE
You are so right Angelia! Also, being outdoors is sooo good for the mind as well. Being inside for too long can give rise to depressive feelings. My therapist says to get out at least 30 minutes every day. The sun will help stir up good vibes within you and you'll be amazed at how much better you'll feel. Even if you just walk to a park and sit, even if you just go sit in your garden and watch the birds. You need to stir up those endorphins! Youll feel so much better, and like Angelia says, it will help stir up your creativity as well.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Peggy
I absolutely agree with your therapist, Peggy! It's amazing how much one's mood is elevated just being outside for a little while. Blessings to you also!
DeleteBy the way Angelia, and I forgot to say it in my other post, I LOVE your sea glass. Beautiful! How about doing a journal page using those colors?
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea, Peggy. I just love those soft blues and greens together. I wonder if I can exert that much self control? LOL
DeleteI soooo agree with your post!
ReplyDeleteI've started to take long morning walks with my camera and soak up the sun and nature everyday. It really improves my day and my creativity.
I get exercise, sun, creativity and peace all in the am!
I absolutely agree! I like the "three-for-one" aspect! :o)
DeleteYes, yes, YES, in this day and age as a someone who works from home it is SO easy to become a homebody! Add in the isolation of being an artist and it's even easier! But you're right to grow as people AND artists, we must include the outside world in our daily lives......Thanks for sharing these thoughts- great post!
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Stephanie
P.S. I LOVED watching the progress of the planets this past month! I'm subscribed to spaceweather.com, and they send me info on all the upcoming sky events!
Thanks, Stephanie! I'm glad you enjoyed the post. I try not to get to "preachy", but when I KNOW something really great, I'm compelled to share it with EVERYone! Thanks for mentioning spaceweather.com. I'll check it out :o)
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