This is the first year I’ve designed a really good ornament. I’m loving these sea nettles (that would be a Charlie Brown tree they’re hanging on…really: that’s it’s name). I credit committing to Art Every Day Month for this burst of creativity. Just in time for the last 3 shows before Christmas: Dec 4 Market Days at AnnMarie Garden, Dec 10 First Night at SeaScapes in North Beach and Dec 11 Prince Frederick Art Walk where I’ll be at Bead Boutique (who sells my ceramic focals and perhaps, now, my sea nettle tops for other beaders – would work for me!). The great thing about these nettles is that they are not only an orgnament but also a lovely little year round sun catcher! How’s that for value?!
Today I’m going to share some Patti Digh with you. I am reading her book Creative Is a Verb
So I hope you enjoy this excerpt!
(from Creative is a Verb by Patti Digh)(also serving as today’s Wylde Women’s Wisdom)
….People will laugh. They will tell me their children could do better. They won’t buy it…
Each of these is a story we are busy telling ourselves about ourselves. They are all stories of comparison, perfectionism, or lack. Not good enough, must make better, don’t have what I need (time, money, space, materials, ideas).
Which ones are your story?
Do you want that vast, fabulous canvas called your life to be a story of comparison, perfectionism, or lack? You could, but that would keep you out of happy, fulfilled, creative fun. Instead do you want your life to be a rambunctious story of uniqueness, imperfect beauty, and abundance?
Underneath all these deflections is a belief that our lives are divided into two parts:
The Real Part, and
The Creative Part
Maybe those shouldn’t be separated in the way we’ve been taught.
Maybe the Real Part is the Creative Part. and maybe, just maybe, the Creative Part is the Real Part.
Maybe there’s no real separation between them.
Maybe we shouldn’t have to lumber through algebra to get to art class. Maybe algebra class should be more artful.
Imagine that [my note: indeed! Please DO imagine that and how our schools, still striving for industrial work lines, might look if we not only imagined that but put it into practice!]
…What if what keeps us out of that deep, rich, redolent source of longing for creative spirit is our either/or way of seeing the world?
…What if life is both/and, instead?
…I can write poetry on the backs of insurance claims, on Post-it notes at my desk in my cubicle. I can post a new quote on my computer screen every morning to buoy me. ‘Write it. Write. In ordinary ink on ordinary paper,’ begins a haunting poem, “Hunger Camp at Jaslo” by Wislawa Szymborska. What if we just write in ordinary ink on ordinary paper on each ordinary day?
What’s the alternative, really, if you don’t want to die with your song inside you?
8 Comments
[…] Don’t laugh. Or get snarky. Remember, I’m one of you. I am not sitting on a golden cushion of money that gets me through this. I am sitting on 11 years of working at my art experience and the knowledge that I have made it before and can continue to make it my own way: working for myself, doing something I love. If I have to make $10/hour, let it be paying myself to make art! […]
T – I already found you!
Hi again, Tammy – came back to let you know, pg 134 for this book. Started to reply on my page, then thought you might find it faster if I came over here to let you know. Thanks for stopping by – and thank you for all you do to bring the magical spirit of light and beauty to the world!
Tinker – wait, what? How did I miss you! Now I have to go back and look – or you could tell me the page….
Sue – they are definitely light catchers – I’ve worked crystals in amongst the stone beads.
Julie – that’s another thing that has really worked for me for Art Every Day Month – I’ve had to write every day. There’s something about that which brings out ideas and crystalizes them. And makes you pay attention to what your reading for days that are a bit….slower.
Virginia -absolutely treat yourself to that book. And her others too. She’s great to have around to browse – you don’t have to read through. The chapters can stand alone.
Hi Tammy! Stopped by to wish you a happy (if belated) Thanksgiving. I’m finally starting to find my way back around bloglandia, again.
Your sea nettles look lovely (we have a Charlie Brown tree too).
How cool to find you’re reading Patti’s latest book – I’ve been loving it (and not just because I have a little bit of art in it too ;). There’s a lot of inspiration to be found there, methinks – in both her words and exercises, and especially all the art (I love Leah’s!). The whole concept is one I truly believe in – if you’re alive, you ARE creative, whether you realize it or not. I think we were all born to be creative.
Wonderful to catch up with you a bit. Will poke my way around again, soon. Meanwhile, happy holidays to you and yours!
There are so many people who say they are not creative. We know that is rubbish. Not only are we all creative, so many of us have many songs inside of us. Some have a lot of left brain talents, some right brain and a few can work both sides of the fence.
I don’t have this book yet but I may treat myself.
great thoughts… and what I aim to do, everyday. Simply, purely, write.
i know your sea nettles will be so lovely on a twinkly christmas tree