Greetings, Folks!
Thank you for being here.
We had an excellent start to our 2020 monthly MN Visual Journal Collective meetings with a presentation on developing a creative habit. Molly Anthony of TheFoundArtWalk.com is the new co-facilitator with me this year. She has participated in many art challenges, both hosted by other people, and ones that she has come up with on her own. Molly generously shared her journals with us, as well as a whole slew of tips on how to get going and maintain a creative habit.
Molly's main mediums of expression are writing and collage. She posted consistently on Instagram about her life and journaling process for a entire year or more. She currently is giving herself permission to slow down on her IG posts, however there is still much to see in her Instagram feed @mkranthony. I highly recommend you go and take a look!
Are you wondering how on earth this busy mom of two could be so productive? Here are some of the main tips Molly shared with us:
First, acknowledge what obstacles are preventing you from creating. Some common obstacles are: time, low energy, perfectionism, not feeling good enough, space/mess, too many supplies, too many ideas, etc.
Next, decide to try something until you find what fits for you. Molly says, "Anything can work for creativity. (You) just need to do something. Start finding possibility."
If you are looking to try a monthly art challenge, CreativeBug is a great resource. Doing a challenge with a community of other people is one way to stay accountable and keep it up.
Going for a walk can be a great way to kick start your creative ideas. Molly used her daily walk with her dog as a way to find inspiration.
Molly suggests finding or creating a space to be your work area. This can be a corner of your dining room table or an entire art studio.
Have your favorite supplies within arms reach in this work space.
When you are starting to build a creative habit, use supplies that are familiar to you. Later on, you can bring in new supplies.
******Set realistic expectations for yourself.******
-Perhaps begin on a small surface, as that often takes less time.
-Or let go of the idea that you have to "finish" something. Just do something.
-If you miss a day, don't worry about it. Forgive yourself and move on. Any day can be your Day 1. Who says that a 30 day project has to be in consecutive order?
-Set a timer for 10 minutes. You will be surprised how much you'll get done over a month's time, if you create for only 10 minutes per day.
Molly also talked about themes and prompts.
-Find something from your day
-Do a Google search for art journal prompts
-Set your own theme, i.e. draw the food you eat.
-Choose a supply to focus on for the month
-Collect colors
-Use the lyrics to songs or quotes
-Use things from nature
As far as accountability, here are a few suggestions from Molly:
-Do a challenge in a community of other people, i.e. on CreativeBug or Instagram
-Set reminders on your phone
-Use Post-Its or Index Cards
-Use a habit tracker
When you keep showing up, you are training your brain.
Some final thoughts from Molly on developing a creative habit are:
Be gentle with yourself.
Let the project evolve with you.
Know why you are doing this work.
It does not matter what other people think; do it for you.
Make it sustainable so you can keep going.
Group Sharing
After Molly's presentation, some group participants shared what they've been creating. (I apologize that I did not get a good photo of everyone's share. I tried!)
Sue has been walking around her house and creating mandalas. She said she clips her paper to a piece of foam board for stability. This one pictured below was inspired by Lynda Barry's drawing exercise.
Heather created these collages during our meeting when Molly set the timer for 10 minutes and had us create with a paper kit she put together.
Lynn also shared her 10-minute collage on index card. She also shared that her word of the year is "Now."
Kari shared her 10-minute collage card with us, too.
Carol talked about adding color to handmade papers she buys at Wet Paint. She also showed us her newly done journal cover.
Margit shared the doors she cut into her journal pages.
Angie is just getting back into doing watercolor in her journal after taking about a 10 year hiatus.
LisaMarie LMNOP shared her progress on her tiny accordion book. After her mother passed away, she found it really difficult to keep going. Something did shift recently, and now she is giving herself less restrictions, and more permission to create what she wants and when she wants. She also shared that she has found herself using a gold pen, which feels to her much like the Japanese practice of Kintsugi.
Ann shared how she likes to save the little envelopes that hold the "extra button" when you buy clothing. She included one on her 10-minute collage.
Molly shared her 10-minute collage with the word "Peace" on it.
Nell shared her 10-minute collaged index card.
Jenny shared her smaller journal she is using for an online program called The Painted Diaries. Molly Anthony happens to be a guest teacher in this program, too!
Here is the 10-minute collage card that I created last night at our meeting. This is to be used as a loving reminder and motivator for my creative practice.
A big thank you to Molly for sharing so much with us about what has worked for her and how to develop a creative habit.
We strongly believe in the power of creativity. Thank you for being here and part of the MN Visual Journal Collective.
Another big thank you goes out to Wet Paint in St. Paul, MN for hosting our monthly meetings.
Upcoming Classes and Workshops with Briana
I am so excited to share that I have many in-person classes coming up in 2020.
I have updated the LEARN tab on my site so you can view my teaching calendar.
What: Gelli-Stencil-Stamp-Love
When: Sunday, January 26, 2020, 10am-1pm
Where: Wet Paint, St. Paul, MN
Fee: $60
What: Abstract Alcohol Inks
When: Saturday, February 1st, 2020, 10am-12pm
Where: Wet Paint, St. Paul, MN
Fee: $56 (includes inks and paper)
What: Mixed Media Heart Art
When: Sunday, February 2nd, 2020, 2pm-5pm
Where: Wet Paint, St. Paul, MN
Fee: $53
What: More Visual Journaling Inspirations
When: Three Tuesdays-Feb.11, Feb. 18, and Feb. 25, 2020, 10:30am-1:30pm
Where: Wet Paint, St. Paul, MN
Fee: $126
What: Visual Journaling Retreat
When: Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 15 and 16, 2020, 10:30am-1:30pm
Where: Wet Paint, St. Paul, MN
Fee: $84
What: More Creative Inspirations: Abstract Alcohol Inks Continued
When: Monday, March 2nd, 2020, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Where: Wet Paint, St. Paul, MN
Fee: $32
What: Mixed Papers Junk Journal
When: Sunday, March 15th, 2020, 10am-4pm
Where: Minnesota Center for the Book Arts (MCBA)
Fee: $108 + $25 supply fee
What: Magic Lives In You Art Workshop
When: Saturday, March 21st, 2020, 10am-12pm
Where: Olivet Congregational Church, St. Paul, MN
Fee: $35 per person
(This is where my art show and sale is currently on display until April 5th, 2020. I will be there on Sunday, April 5th, 11:15am-12:30pm. Come buy some art and pick up your purchased art! Thank you! I am ever grateful for your support.)
Thank you, you blessed being, for making it to the end of this post. May you create some art, take a class, or simply find inspiration for viewing this post.
With Gratitude and Love,
Briana of OrangeSpiralArts.com
