Author: Jamie

March 6, 2016

Finding Shapes in Your Neighbourhood

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As a novice drawer, it’s been good for me to find simple creative practices for encouraging myself to draw. One fun and easy exercise that I’ve come up with (and one that encourages my photography too) is to collect shapes when I’m out and about and then draw them in my sketchbook or journal.

This week while on a mail run for Give a Girl a Journal, the window of this church caught my eye. It inspired me to pull out my camera for one block and see what shapes I could find.

One neighbourhood block. Five pictures. Lots of inspiration.
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One of the gifts of drawing is the way it inspires us to actively look at the world around us. When I first noticed this window, I saw only the simple pie shapes. When I got closer, I noticed more detail. When I started drawing, I noticed more detail still!

As well as opening up our vision, drawing invites us to practice decision-making. Now that I had noticed all these levels of detail, what did I draw? Would I realistically render every bit of what I saw? Would I pick the simplest shape? Something in between?

Each of us will make different choices in different moments with different subjects. Drawing gives us the opportunity to exercise those muscles and in so doing discover something about our creative voice.
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One of the first things I realized when I started to explore drawing was that I had a really small visual vocabulary. In truth, it was still the vocabulary I had as a kid, which makes perfect sense because that was the last time I had drawn very much at all.

With reading and writing we are constantly expanding our language vocabulary, our facility to comprehend, create and recreate letters, words and sentences. We can do the same with our visual vocabulary. Getting out and collecting shapes is a fun and unintimidating way to expand your range, right on your own doorstep!
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This expansion of our visual vocabulary can come from looking at the world around us but it can also happen when we look at art. In many of the drawing books and classes I’ve encountered, artists have depicted trees and plants with lines that are dotted with little circles. The first time I saw this I thought to myself, “What plant actually look like that?” When I went out looking, apparently many of them! LOL!
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It’s fun to discover what you can create by looking for the simple shapes in whatever is in your line of sight. Starting to see objects as combinations of circles and lines and squares and curves can suddenly make them seem possible to draw.

As you discover these simple shapes, experiment with different ways that you can create with them. These life-inspired motifs can become embellishments for your art journal, simple symbols for your doodling or the beginnings of interesting backgrounds and textures!
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You can start with a basic representation of what you see and then riff on that shape. Let yourself expand the possibilities and your range with a little bit of playing. You never know what you’ll discover! (As a Sagittarius, I’m surprised I haven’t played with arrows more!)
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And you don’t have to limit yourself to line. You can add colour to the mix too. Play with different colour stories – realistic, monochromatic, random. It’s just a little doodle in your sketchbook or journal. There’s no way to get it wrong!

Whether you find drawing as intimidating as I do or whether you’re looking for a fresh way to play, I hope that collecting shapes becomes a fun way to expand your visual vocabulary as a part of your creative practice.
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Pick an area in which to look for shapes. It can be a block when you’re out for a walk or it can be a corner of your own backyard. It can be the top of your dresser or the inside of your purse. It can be the subway car or the waiting room. Everywhere you look there are shapes to be found.
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If you have a sketchbook, a journal or a sheet of scrap paper (basically, anything to write on) you can go directly to it and with a pencil or a pen (or anything you like to write with) gather the shapes you see. If it’s easier, take some photos. Gather as many as you like and then transform them into simple shape drawings later.
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Notice what catches your eye. Notice what shapes your hand enjoys. Have fun, enjoy the process and trust that as you look for shapes and draw them, you are growing your visual vocabulary, practicing your mark-making and strengthening your creative voice.
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March 3, 2016

Studio Diaries: 3

It seems like every day in the studio there simply must be a kitten story and today is no different. In fact, I have a breakthrough moment to share. Last night, for the first time ever, Escher dropped a ball at my feet. Half offering, half invitation, it was all amazing, a big social step from our most reticent rescue. You’ve come a long way, Escherpants!

This morning I settled into writing and had a wonderful time digging into some thoughts about our creative lives and how they develop. I was noodling how our creative expression can be a kind of manifestation lab for our life. Whatever we want to bring more of into our life, we can start experimenting with in our art. Wanting more courage in your day to day? Start with being more courageous in your art! Want more spontaneity? More focus? More fun? How can you allow that energy to permeate your creative work no matter what your medium is?

If you’re on Facebook with me, you’ll know I was also getting curious about why it is we never judge our creative efforts to be enough. “I studied dance but only at the local community centre.” “I’ve never really done art, except for summer painting classes.” “I draw but it’s not any good.” Do you find yourself diminishing your creative experience this way? What would it take for you to consider your efforts enough?

Let me follow that up with the fact that I have signed up for a class I feel wholly unprepared for: Summer Pierre’s Writing & Drawing Comics E-Course! Ever since the kittens came into our lives I’ve been drawn to the idea of creating a comic.

Though I feel tentative about my drawing, I find myself wanting to capture all of the wonderful moments they give us. I find myself filling my fauxbonichi with moments like this.

My hip is feeling much better today. Thank you, everyone, for the well wishes! I’m still moving slowly and being gentle with myself. Readying more packages for Give a Girl a Journal seemed the perfect way to spend the afternoon. As I read the little notes that people often leave when nominating a girl to receive a journal I was blown away by all of the love. It is life-affirming to witness a tribe of women looking out for girls with such love and care and deep belief in all that is possible for them. May every girl experience such love and care and belief.

As I wrote, immersed in this circle of love, a song came on that always stops me in my tracks. I’ll close today’s diary by sharing it with you: Lament for Phaedra by John Tavener, performed by cellist Maya Beiser.

Prompts for Your Studio…

Inspired by Escher, where might you expand your comfort zone and come out of your shell?
What do you want more of in your life? How can you experiment with that in your creative expression?
What will it take for you to consider what you create to be enough?
Capture a moment of your day in a drawing (even if you don’t think you can draw) (especially if you don’t think you can draw!)
Look out for someone today.
Nominate a girl or sponsor a journal at Give a Girl a Journal.
What’s a song that stops you in your tracks?

March 3, 2016

Creative Living with Jamie: My Studio Diary

This Podcast is: 10:46

This Week on Creative Living with Jamie:

Jamie shares her studio diary

Things are changing in the studio. With the close of the Behind the Scenes, I needed a creative outlet this week for all of my musing and inspirations, so I experimented with keeping a studio diary – as audio and a blog post. I hope you enjoy hanging out with me this way!

Connect with Creative Living with Jamie…

Subscribe: You can subscribe to Creative Living with Jamie here and also on iTunes (Note: this link will ask to access your iTunes and then take you to the podcast. You can also simply open iTunes and search for “Creative Living with Jamie)
Email: You can email your feedback, questions and suggestions to Jamie.
Share: Spread the Magic! If you loved this show, please share it with other creative hearts!

March 2, 2016

Studio Diaries: eps 2

Over the past while, I’ve found myself not moving as much as I normally do. I’ve been stretching and strengthening my creativity more than my body and now it is time for a change. To kick-start my return to moving and grooving, I thought I could use some structure and support so off I went yesterday on an exploratory mission to a local fitness spot.

The experience was great and as I recounted to the director how I’ve been tending (and not tending) my well-being, I knew this was just the right move. She gave me some simple tips for making a good start, from having a protein and a produce at every meal to getting up from my computer every 2 hours to do some simple but effective hip and lower back movement. Perfect.

As I walked home, I was planning a new structure to my day, imagining early morning workouts and then time in the studio for writing. I was feeling encouraged and motivated, ready to make a fresh start right away, when I slipped on a thin covering of snow on the sidewalk. For a moment I caught myself and almost stayed up. Then I lost control again;my feet slipped from beneath me and I landed hard on my hip, a hip with deep memories of old dance injuries and pain.

Ouch.

After that, tending myself looked very different yesterday. I lay down gently and rested, rested, rested, allowing everything in the studio to wait. I get pretty grumpy when I can’t get to it but I had to giggle when my friend Bridget responded to my plight with “My body also tries to injure itself when I mention the gym!”

Today I’m creaky but my hip is improving. I thought it wise to have another gentle day in the studio but managed to get a few things done, like cuddling with the kittens.

One of the best new routines in the studio is morning cuddles with Scout. As soon as I get my coffee, he bounds in before me and jumps on my chair, waiting to crawl into my lap for cuddles. It’s amazing to remember that just 8 months ago he was so skittish we couldn’t get close to him at all. I think he’ll always be high-strung, our Scout, but he’s also a total lovebug.

It was exciting to spend some of the day packaging up journals to send to girls around the world. Today I prepped parcels for girls in Florida, Minnesota, Virginia, Ontario plus India and Australia! There’s nothing like sitting down with a cup of tea and a dream come true!

My husband, Justin, also has major changes occurring in his work life and today was a pivotal day. That made it the just-right day for cookies. Thank you to my sister Shannon who just happened to leave a package of Pillsbury chocolate-oatmeal cookie dough in our fridge!

Cookies, journals, change and cuddles: all in all a pretty good day.

Today’s Prompts for Your Studio…

What is your body hungering for? How can you give it more of what it needs?
If you sit a ton at the computer, set your timer and ever 2 hours get up and move.
Cuddle with kittens, if you can. Puppies are good too. (PS “Kittens” and “Puppies” can be terms of endearment for your grown-up furry friends!)
Participate in Give a Girl a Journal
Bake cookies.
Take or make a picture that shows today’s weather.

March 1, 2016

Sharing Our Journal Stories: Ronna Detrick

In support of Give a Girl a Journal, I’ve invited some dear friends and colleagues to share their personal experience with journaling.

Today I am delighted to share with you the journal story of Ronna Detrick. I’ve watched Ronna’s video several times now and each time it brings tears to my eyes. Ronna has a way of getting to that deep core. Perhaps it is something she learned from experiencing her own truth on the page.

Thank you to Ronna for sharing her story. You can find her at RonnaDetrick.com.

Give a Girl a Journal and watch her world split open.

February 29, 2016

Today in the Studio

PS. Originally we had a bit of a problem with the audio but now it’s all sorted! Thank you for your patience.

This morning it was the oddest thing to wake up and not step right into preparation for the BtS. I didn’t choose my earrings or my sweater with thoughts of how recently you’d seen them on the show. I didn’t brush my teeth thinking about what we were going to talk about today. I felt a little at a loss about what to do with all of these ideas and wonderings as they emerge. You know how I love to share. So today I’m writing you a little note from my place to yours, a “studio diary,” if you will. I’m recording it too, in case you prefer to listen. I hope some of today’s little tidbits will inspire something in you and your studio.

Since one of the things I’ve wanted to make room for is my writing, when it came to the time when I normally record the BtS I thought, I damn well better write! I noticed that I quickly got all tangled up in: how should I write, what should I write, where should I write? I started on the computer and it just felt too brainy and so, instead, I pushed the keyboard away and pulled out my current “work in progress” book. I opened to the first free page, set a timer and for a half an hour I wrote. With joy in my heart I wrote.

The quote on the cover of my Work in Progress Journal:

“She is proud and wild and beautiful. Her anger is terrible to behold.”

H is for Hawk quoting Humphrey ap Evans’ Falconry for You

I hung out with Escher a bit this morning. He is starting to spend more time relaxed and open to cuddles and less time running away and raising his paw (though he still does plenty of the latter). Today as I sat with him in the seat by the bedroom window, I felt dreamily like a 16-year-old girl communing with a wild animal, in complete wonderment at the connection. I feel like I am learning a new language with Escher. I think he is the very definition of a highly sensitive being. When he finally does allow you to pet him, he feels so excitable it’s like he’s gong to jump out of his skin. When he simply can’t take it anymore, he runs away. How are you with receiving attention? How are you with holding pleasure?

At lunch I bundled up and took a walk to the post office to put more Give a Girl a Journal journals in the mail. They’re starting to know me at the post office now. They know the mission that I’m on and they try to help me make sure I’m shipping the most affordable way possible. I so appreciate their magic.

And speaking of magic. I couldn’t believe the art I saw along the way! Clearly this sidewalk blessing is a sign for us and our journal girls to reach for the stars! And I plan to do just that. I love looking for blessings and signs! I also love looking for shapes. I’m never without my camera and shapes are one of the things I love to gather as I go. Here’s one I love that I found today.

I think this caught my eye because I have been talking to several clients about the “pie” that makes up their business and that was the shape I saw when looking at this church window from a distance. I keep a sketchbook journal that I fill with drawings of shapes like this. I just load them up on the page and enjoy the randomness of how they come together. Leaves and a boat. A window and a whale. The number 3 and a poppy and a dog. I love looking back over them and drawing and redrawing shapes that I love over and over again.

And speaking of love…

My sister Shannon has recently moved into a new place and this past weekend she had all of the things she’s had in storage for two years brought to her new home. She’s been letting go of some things and enjoying being reunited with others and is letting her decisions on what to keep be governed by what she loves. Today she posted this vibrant shot of an in-use candy bowl and I could just feel the happy. It’s motivating me to look at all of my own things through the same lens.

What a rich day! And here are a couple of odds and sods, as my dad would call them.

Excited About…

As I find new channels for my creative work, I’m excited about:

Writing a Book (or two… or four)
Starting a Journal Club in March. (Join the studio if this feels like something you’d be interested in)
Offering a new class about Uncovering (or Recovering) the Story of Your Creative Heart (watch for that in April)

Thinking about…

“Art, especially the stage, is an area where it is impossible to walk without stumbling. There are in store for you many unsuccessful days and whole unsuccessful seasons: there will be great misunderstandings and deep disappointments… you must be prepared for all this, expect it and nevertheless, stubbornly, fanatically follow your own way.” Anton Chekhov

Today’s Prompts for Your Studio…

Set a timer for 30 minutes and write.
How are you with receiving attention?
How are you with holding pleasure?
How will you reach for the stars today?
Look for signs & blessings.
Gather shapes with your camera.
Gather shapes in your sketchbook
What are the pie pieces that make up your business? Your life?
What if you went through your things and decided to keep and use only the things you truly love?
What are you excited about?
What are you thinking about?

February 28, 2016

Sharing Our Journal Stories: Hali Karla

In support of Give a Girl a Journal, I’ve invited some dear friends and colleagues to share their personal experience with journaling.

Today I am delighted to share with you the journal story of artist Hali Karla, who has found journaling to be a life-long friend and a life-long healer and a live-long infusion of empowerment.

Thank you to Hali for sharing her story. You can find her at Hali Karla Arts.