I have had spring fever and very little has been accomplished in the studio!…Not that I have done nothing at all, because I have been gathering and thinking about new ideas–the incubation stage of thecreative process.
While creative activities such as writing, painting, or quilting need this time, for me there can be a fine line between this stage and procrastination. I have a tendency to generate many ideas without moving on to the next steps of a) selecting one or two ideas, b) experimenting with new designs, techniques, and materials, in order to gradually follow through to c) a final design or piece of art.
As in art, in life we can do the same–think about ideas, research possibilities, and make lists but have trouble taking the next step of trying out one or two options. Our hesitation may be due to a busy schedule, low energy, or fear of past failures. Finding the right timing or motivation can prove to be a challenge. When creating art or writing, I may first put on music, grind coffee beans to make a pot of coffee, and find a comfortable spot. The rhythm and routine of these small actions move me forward…toward the task.
Perhaps in life, we also need some small steps of activity to bring us out of being in limbo. Finding the things which work for you as a unique individual can take some time,
But surely there has got to be a cure for this spring fever! 🙂
A trip to the countryside can yield manyruralart objects. These are visual delights, made from whatever is around…such as old tools, wood, flowers, or rocks. It is an informal process of taking ordinary items and giving them a new purpose or meaning.
Spring Blossoms & a Rusty Pump, (c)2012, Joni Beach.
Spring flowers + a rusty old pump…
Where's The Herbs?, (c)2012, Joni Beach.
A piece of wood with scratched on letters–on a fence…
Tree Limb Bench & Twig Basket, (c)2012, Joni Beach.
Limbs from a tree nailed together and twigs woven into a basket… And, scraps of wood, bolts, rod, and paint mounted on a post.
Flying With The Wind, (c)2012, Joni Beach.
How many times in our lives and families are we required to do the same? Take what we have on hand…certain resources, opportunities, or situations…andimprovise and adapt responses and ways of living to meet a challenge? For example, when a person’s dreams and job goals do not develop exactly as planned after school, a person may find creative ways to make a living, earn income, or begin a business. Or, when a loved one develops a chronic illness, families find new ways to meet the normal daily schedule, while at the same time adjusting to a “new normal”.
In life, as in rural art, creative solutions require improvising, adapting, and designing novel outcomes…
A blog milestone has been reached this month–ending the first year withover 4,000 viewson my site!! Wow, it is difficult to believe how many people have visited and viewed my writing, ideas, art, and inspirations this past year.
Human Complexity, A Common Thread,(c) 2003 Joni Beach.
The unlimited scopeof the internet is unique. In my experience teaching, school classes are never large…when writing, articles may have a limited audience…and when publishing, time is slower. Blogs are a creative outlet for writers, photographers, and artists and a new way of social connection for many people. The creativity shared daily inblogsis quite fun to witness! And, there is an unlimited number of possible readers.
The changes due to technology in the recent past years have been international with aglobal reach. Readers to Lifeweavings this year have been from more than 70 different countries! Blog viewers may be in the US or from around the world. The international reach ofsocial mediahas seemed to shrink our world, making connection and communication instantaneous. This technology will continue to influence change around the globe.
Social change is always difficult to predict. With the internet as with all inventions–some changes were predicted, others were not. Who knew what the impact would be on family interaction and social relationships? Who knew how instant communication could influence changes in a classroom, or a country? While some things are very slow to change, it has been an interesting time to live and witness the rapid speed people have embraced newtechnologicalinnovations.
So, during the second year of this blog, it will be interesting to see what changes I make in my own direction, to continue to explore other blogs, and to adjust to the rapid changes in technology…andtheinternet with its scope, global reach, and social change.
To all visitors of my blog, Lifeweavings: A Creative Journey, this past year, I have been honored by your visit!
Thank You…
*It’d be fun to hear the ways that blogging, or other social media, has impacted or changed your life! ?
Joni Beach 