Handmade Pottery + Ceramic Jewelry

The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

Raise your hand if you’ve ever read or even heard about The Artist’s Way. I finally read the book about a 1 1/2 years ago and actually worked through most of the assignments. It gave me a tremendous boost and pushed me to move forward in making art my full time career, let alone avocation. One of the assignments that I never did do very well, is the “artist date”, mainly because I feel like my time is so precious between being a mom, wife, sub, art teacher that whatever free time is left has gone towards making art. Well, I’ve come to realize that by not filling my creative experiential cup, that I am in a sense hurting myself. I’ve felt a little stagnant in the past few months, and sure, winter may have contributed to the feeling – but I think there was more to it.

2 weekends ago, I took my daughter to see the Colorado Ballet’s Repertory Series performance. (See the review here.) Now, I’m not normally a ballet attendee so I didn’t have high expectations. The Repertory Series is a mixed program of different dances and the first one, “Leaves are Fading”, left me checking the time on my watch, wondering how much longer I would have to sit there. After the first intermission, however, I sat in rapt awe at the next 2 contemporary performances, the last one, “Straight Line to Never”, being a ballet like I’ve never imagined. To an unschooled viewer, it looked like a cross between modern dance and ballet – I loved it. I left the Ellie Caulkin’s Opera House thinking that I should get out and experience new things more often. I even felt a little more creative and had an urge to run home and get some clay out. So, Julia might have something here in regards to artists treating themselves to new creative experiences outside of their normal routines.

Thank you to everyone who voted in my new studio shot poll! 25 people have voted so far and it looks like it’s a fairly close race between B&W and then same pose but in color. Many of you stated that you liked the sepia toned image as well, but that’s not really an option for me since I want to change it. I’ve been playing around with photoshop a bit to warm up the black and white images a bit.

Meanwhile, spring break has ended and my family is back to a routine of sorts. My third clay class starts today and school is back in session for my daughter. I’m making good progress in the studio right now and hope to continue. I almost have everything made for the “Fine Art of Craft Show” opening on April 25.

Have a good week,

~Cynthia