Unexpected observation

One more step closer to the "The Creativity Shop" happened today. My friend Christina and I have been dabbling in organizing and teaching creativity workshops for the past year and a half. We have led workshops around my dining room table; color workshops, watercolor exploration and creating handcrafted books.  Last year at about this same time, we organized and led a weekend get-away creativity workshop. Today we executed our most ambitious art undertaking an Art FUNdraiser. We partnered with a local church and provided an afternoon of art for women with proceeds going to a local charity.
Participants could choose from 2 different art sessions which were taught by myself and Christina and another friend Kathy- a REAL artist from Chicago. We had 21 women from our town involved in the art projects- Here is what I noticed:

• for 3 1/2 hours I saw a room full of people engaged with art and other people
• many, many smiling faces
• I did NOT see any form of technology (except my phone/camera taking pictures)being used-no text messages checked, no cell phone calls taken, NO TECHNOLOGY period!
• I noticed relaxed, calm and engaged humans - not particularly worried about the outcome -BUT very engaged in the process!
• the generosity of our participants allowed us to raise $417 for a local charity

These observations confirm for me that my desire to create a space/shop for ANYONE to create in is what I am called to do...SUMMER 2015 "The Creativity Shop" will open!

                                               Church hall before we set-up for the day.

Set-up

 

 Messy stations filled with creative inspiration

 

Participants intent on the process.

 

 

                                                                             Lots

                                                                                Of

                                                                               Smiles

                                                                At the end of the day!

 

 

I hope you are able to find some unexpected validation in your life...

 

Lucy

 

 

Inspiration...

I try to find inspiration in the everyday.  I try to look up and to the left and right to make sure I don't miss anything.  It might be just a color or a texture that makes my heart skip a beat but I try to capture these images on my phone to reference in a project later.  Here are a few inspiration pictures and the sneak peak of their process.


Saw this at a contemporary art gallery in Milwaukee

 This is a crows painted on luggage at Anthropologie

This is a necklace holder at anthropologie but look at those feet

This is where it has taken me so far.

Another inspiration from Anthropologie

Then salvation army

From a local antique shop

Found at a resale shop

Sorry, no progress so far.  I call this my "percolating phase".  I usually wake up several times during the night to figure out the next steps. I get so much thinking done at night, do you?

Stay Tuned...

Eileen

All things Hearts and Flowers

For Valentine's Day no words just pictures:

 

Happy, Happy, Valentine's Day!

 

Lucy and Eileen

Valentine's Cards-one of my favorite projects-

This coming Friday is Valentine's Day. I think it is truly my favorite holiday of the year. Not because I am terribly romantic-my husband is WAY more romantic than me- but that there are no expectations of food, gift giving or social obligations one must conform to.

I have been making individual valentine's cards for my family for years. This year I wanted to come up with a unique card to give to my students. Since I have 42 students this year, I could not do super detailed cards like I do for my family, but I wanted something unique. Here is what I came up with:

 I started out with water color paper and different colors of ink spray.

 I placed stencils on top of the papers and just started spraying. I repeated on both sides of the paper-I REALLY like color and I am not that fond of white!

 

 After the fronts and backs of each paper were sprayed once, I placed plastic webbing (from the wine bottles I got from Binny's) and OVER SPRAYED all the papers again.

 

The final step was to cut out hearts and write a note on each card.

 

The project was not difficult, but it did take time. I do like the multi-color unique paper I created for the valentines. I am not sure that my 3rd graders will appreciate these. BUT I had such fun making all of them.

I often go to school with ink or paint under my nails and crazy color skin. My students will not be surprised that they are getting hand-made instead of store bought!
                                                         Happy HEARTS Day!

Lucy

 

 

Finding Art is closer than you think

In the Artist Way book Julia Cameron stresses the importance of an "artist date".  You should take time to stop by a gallery, museum, see a live performance or visit some type of creative venue every week.  This will help fuel the creative fire and expose you to things.  Every week is hard to do right?  Even once a month can be tough when you are busy with what ever it is that keeps us busy.  At first I would try to go into the city and see as much as I can but that was not realistic for me.  I try to look in the places I go to everyday and search for the unexpected hand made piece of art.

Today I was at my local library and I decided to have an "artist date".  It was amazing the array of art they had on display.  Here are a few that caught my eye.

Local Art Leagues feature artists every month. They hang it right next to the stairs.  If you don't look up you will miss it.  Love the way the colors blend in this.

Lovely. Tells a story.

This was done by a local 7th grader. Very catching.

Love this Amelia Earhart found in youth services.  I wanted to take it home.

I admit I am a Harry Potter geek.  This is J,K Rowling.  Adorable

Love the use of the light bulb for the popes head. Kids are so creative.

Thanks for reading.

Eileen

The ART of letting go...

Transitions have ALWAYS been difficult for me. Change for most people is a challenge. I like to think that as I have grown older I have also learned a bit along the way and can deal with change and transition with more grace. I don't know that that last statement is true-I am still an emotional mess when faced with major change. BUT I have learned that I have to cope with change and most times I have found that my best defense is to create!

I believe that all humans are meant to create. Everyone's creative outlet maybe different; cooking, gardening, painting, sewing, knitting, dancing, singing, even organizing are different forms of creating. Once you find a creative outlet most humans get sucked in and it becomes a passion-and even a healing process to combat change and transition.

As I have stated before, all 3 of our children are grown and off on their own adventures. I am not responsible anymore for their day to day lives. Being "James, Virginia, and George's Mom" shaped my days for a LONG time (26 years.) Just the other day a neighbor who is in the thick of running kids around to sporting events, school activities...asked how it felt NOT to have to do that any longer-in some ways it is liberating-sometimes it feels sort of sad. It is a transition. Which I will embrace and struggle through...

The art displayed in our kitchen is a mix of our children's art, which they created during elementary school, and pieces created by professional artists.

George created this gnome on one of our art adventures just this past year. Our children humor me - I am not sure they would take art adventures on their own!

 Our Christmas gifts from James this year were these 2 portraits of myself and Billy. I LOVE that he is CREATING! While he was in high school I convinced him to take drawing classes at the Art Institute - I was hoping he would look into a creative career. After that class he decided he would not like to focus on art as a career...at least he has it as an outlet!

 

Coming (in some form) Summer 2015!

Virginia created this shoebox mock up of my dream...I am thinking maybe this is my new "baby?!"

 

Here is to creating-

Lucy

 

Playing with clay...

Living in the Chicago area is wonderful, except for January and February.  I usually don't complain but honestly, it has been a tough winter.  My little respite from the cold has been a ceramics art studio called Clay Space.  I am taking a ceramic sculpture class taught by John Pacheco. I have only taken a few classes before and I am a beginner.  We receive a lot of one on one attention and John is a very patient teacher.  I should have started in the beginner class but I have to admit I am glad I didn't.  John does not seem bothered that Fanny and I ask MANY questions and that we give him a hard time. The resident artists are friendly and always offering donuts (and advise).  A nice place to warm your soul on a frigid Chicago day.

Here is John, showing his eyes and ear sample he did for us (and hiding from the camera...)

Check out his ETSY shop.  He is one talented guy.  http://www.etsy.com/shop/PachecoMade

Here are a few of my pieces waiting for bisque firing...REMEMBER I AM A BEGINNER...

A little cottage. You will be seeing more of these.  I love small houses.

Eyes are difficult but John insisted we learn.  Could not decide if this is what I would look like stoned or  how I look in the morning.  Imagine I am sleeping on a pillow.

Noses are difficult.  Really hard for me. I don't normally notice people's nostril's or their bridge but I have a feeling I may be staring soon.  Did you know the indentation under your nose is called the philtrum? Just a little place to hold your finger while you are thinking.

Ears.  Dang.  Looks so much easier than it is. Remember I am only a beginner. It is lopsided, sorry I can't turn it around.  

A highlight of my class.  Fanny.  She is "coming out" as an artist and is very talented and sweet.  She even said I looked cute in the photo booth  picture from the 80's from my previous post.  What a kind woman.

Stay Warm and get messy!

Eileen