random or not

There are some people who are able to meticulously add minute details to things in pursuit of perfection so their vision matches their artwork. I look at such things with awe and admiration and some anxiety. I know that I do not have that kind of patience and I do not have visions at that scale. So when I compare my visions and my art to that I wonder if I am worthy. But then I have the chance to do something like this right off the bat as a first time practice piece and I can be calm again because I remember detail and scale do not matter if the creation brings joy and those who see it have joy, it is all good.

Engaging in your arts community

For many reasons creativity should not be limited to the act of creation.
Creativity is really just a sharing of perspective as often as not. One of the things I love about a group of people trying to solve a problem is that someone will always say they have no creativity and they can't add to the solution, but as often as not these are the practical folks who pull reality into the conversation. "But what if..." are often the first words they have in response to someone else's ideas.
   Sometimes they get a reputation for the being the pessimist or the buzz killer, but as everyone stands around admiring the new stained glass window, they are the folks who ask important questions like how to protect this work of art and is there a way to avoid sacrificing the energy loss of not having a double or triple pane window there.

Getting involved in the creative aspects of your community doesn't mean you have to be an artist, or a novelist, or musician to still bring your presective to this world.
Serving on advisory panels, responding blogs, letters to the editor are good. So it taking the time to get to know your local art community by taking classes, visiting galleries and bazaars and art shows, what about teaching a class. maybe on something more mundane like basic book keeping, building safe and economical displays, or the ins and outs of particular computer programs.
You can become part of an artist's endeavors through support for your local arts council. Even if you are not an artist and don't have money for donations, maybe you can volunteer at an event.
As a consumer of art you are a valued member in the art community.

My creativity doing the hard work

I seem to have these almost separate worlds of creativity. One is this ideas gallery that is in constant flow through my brain. Then there is the world where I actually make or attempt to create some of those things.
Almost everything I make I do it with an I on marketing it. But this ends up creating a whole new set of creative challenges. Packaging and marketing also take creativity. its not enough to throw something in a plastic bag, hand letter a sale sign and throw a blanket on the ground.
Now its attracting customers through packaging and presenting items to potential buyers through as many venues as we can afford.
The important thing is to keep these costs in time and materials reasonable. It makes no sense to have the part the consumer throws away to have more value than your craft.
So I may start making this blog in part about the marketing of my projects.

It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that zing.

     An artist friend told me the other day that he has been surprised by the effort it takes to display his art. The time to mat and frame all his original work takes almost as much time as creating it. And as I take that in I realize that there is value in packaging as well as marketing. Because without an effective package or marketing scheme your chances of selling go way down. 
     So to that end I have been focusing on the packaging of my painted skulls. I am creating some nice, but low cost wood stands for them that make them stand out as works of art rather than just that cool thing that sits on a shelf getting dusty.
     This process is taking much longer than expect however as I have to dig my tools out of storage, buy the materials needed, wait for warm weather so I can do glue ups in my unheated work space and just generally find an hour or two where I can focus on this. It is the drudgery that we all detest, but I have hopes that it will help the sales.
And considering that buying a similar display would cost $35 when I can make it for $5 I can put in the effort.

stimulating creativity

There are several cooking shows that demonstrate a method of stimulating creativity.
For example there is one where contestants are given an odd selection of ingredients and must use all of them in creating a dish.

As I put together baskets for the school silent auction I am reminded of this. taking odd bits and pieces and turn them into some kind of cohesive themed package that will persuade people to spend money and even compete for the privilege of doing so.
So
A hand made pillow in shades of blue, green, purples
a colorful basket in purple and yellows
an empty grape vine wreath
will become a house warming home decor package. I sure hope folks like this color scheme.

Fostering creativity in others

How to foster creativity in others:

As our school district faces huge budget cuts, classes in art and music are being sacrificed. In some ways I think these kinds of classes teach you to reach beyond the scope of the teaching far more than any other classes.
 They help you understand the tools of creativity:  pastels, the nomenclature of music, wood carving, how to play instruments, use a potter's wheel, rhythm, the emotional connections to both sound and colors... These are all tools like protractors and dictionaries are tools for math and English. But they are not valued at the same level. There are no standardized tests for art of music.
So as these kinds of cuts go forward it is more critical that our art community step forward to help fill these gaps.
 Offering classes and exhibitions and concerts and even setting up an easel or opening a guitar case in a place where you will be seen and heard can foster creativity in others. But to do these things take some bravery and willingness to share at a different level than when we join and orchestra or have pieces in a gallery.
Take part in street fairs and weekend markets and let people not only see your work, but interact with you. Be positive and encouraging to others. Think of them as part of the family and not as competitors. Soon you will be the person others look to for guidance and advice and you can help others find the creative voice they will no longer be able to find in their schools.

Day three sort of

Life has a way of getting in the way of a clear plan.
 Yep I went the thrid day and picked up a bit more material in some added colors. I put these in the bag with others to be washed and salvaged and used for the next big project. And then...
My life got a little hectic and other things took priority. 
I have to let that little project sit neglected for awhile and trust that one day when the mood and desire strike me it will be waiting. But I am ephemeral like that. I drift in and out of my passions and plans. 
I have been busy with a couple of small wall quilts that will be donated to a bazaar at the school where I work. 
And then...
 I decided to marble some clay pots to turn into herb planters for the bazaar. I started with 6 figuring it was a sample to see if I like the technique. I did. The next day I did 24 more. Surely this would be enough. Nope. Bought another 20 pots and then in a fit of lunacy and because hey there was still a coupon I bought the last 5 pots they had in the store. Plus one more larger pot to give as a gift. 
So I got those painted and the original 30 now have basil seedlings growing in them. I still have to seal the 26 pots and plant them out all before the bazaar at the end of the week.
Then perhaps this latest fit of creativity will pass and I can drift on to my next big thing. I did just get a few boxes of elk skulls...