Today: The Studio Forum on Creative Habits is this Thursday and I am starting a new habit myself! Plus, my response to a request about creativity and self-compassion.
On Sundays, my sister Shannon and I try to get together for Art Day. We work through classes or projects together, maybe try new materials or play in our journals. The real key is setting aside a couple of hours to hang out with our creativity and one another.
Our focus this Sunday was drawing. Each of us chose a subject to work with. Shannon’s was so sweet and small she could easily put it in her pocket to bring it over!
We did some scribbling.
And blind contours.
And what Carla calls cheater blinds.
We had fun.
To be honest, I still can’t quite believe that I can have fun drawing. It’s been the hardest of all the arts for me to get comfortable with. I’ve finally started to let go of my attachment of the results. I’ve stopped using everything I draw to assess whether I am capable of drawing. Instead, I have come to appreciate the way that drawing gives you the gift of a deeper relationship with what you choose to draw. With every thoughtful line, you are a witness to its character.
What a perfect way to spend a rainy Sunday.
PS If you’re looking for some drawing inspiration, Shannon’s currently enjoying Intro to Realism with Karine Swensen offered through Carla Sonheim.
Today: I spent my creative energy this week and I’m thinking about the way we creatives are in the journey together.
By the way, if you have taken a class at the Academy, you have access to the Wisdom Core series, which includes conversations with Kim and with Tanya. You’ll find the series in your locker.
Discover what author and illustrator Janice MacLeod says is the multivitamin for your creative life! This practice led her from her job writing advertising copy to her life as an artist in Paris – and it’s one you can start today!
Janice MacLeod, the illustrator and author of the New York Times best-selling book Paris Letters, was born in Canada and worked in advertising for many years until she decided to slip away from corporate drudgery and spend time abroad. During her time in Paris, she painted letters about her travels and mailed them to friends, who encouraged her to sell the personalized illustrated letters on Etsy. Since then, Janice has sent out thousands of letters to fans worldwide. She has also released a second Paris-themed book called A Paris Year, an illustrated journal of her life as an artist in Paris.
Website: janicemacleod.com
Etsy Shop: Janice MacLeod Studio
Books: Paris Letters & A Paris Year
Facebook: Janice Macleod
Listen in for how to win! The contest deadline is October 22, 2017.
Whether this is the first episode that you’ve listened to or we’ve been hanging out for years, I am so glad that you’re here. I love knowing that we’re hanging out in your studio, folding your laundry or that we’re hanging out while you’re walking your dog or going to work. Wherever you are and however you listen, I want you to know, I cherish you. And if you cherish this show, if it has been a blessing to your creative life, please spread the magic! Take a moment to leave a positive rating or review on iTunes. Share the podcast with your friends! You really can make a difference by shining a light on the show so that it can be found by other creative hearts just like you.
Today: Thinking about the threefold way of creative listening and its similarity to honouring the work and practice, projects and performance.
When we discovered the three abandoned kittens that would come to be ours, they were the quietest cats we had ever encountered. It seems that wild cats don’t meow. In fact, the meow seems to be a sound that is specifically for communication with humans. Having been alone most of the time, our three didn’t develop that tendency. The occasional mew would erupt at dinner time when they were kittens, particularly from Shibumi but generally, they were quiet.
Honestly, it was a blessing!
Now each of them seems to be developing a language of their own.
Escher has this sweet chirrup that bubbles up when he’s full of excitement, running up the stairs or getting the kitty crazies.
Scout has this languorous, dare I say, whine that is generally a desire for attention and a little meh-meh when he wants to play.
Shibumi has rather a harsh meow, being the bruiser that she is. More recently she’s adopted a kind of adorable breathy grumble when she brings her ball and says, “Playtime!”
Even though we thoroughly enjoyed our years of quiet (especially after our late Jinx’s insistent early morning meows), it is actually nice to see that they are trying to communicate. Our relationship is building every day. Meow!
Today: One of the studio principles is “Honour the work.” So what exactly does that mean?
