5 ways to re-discover creative mojo

"What happened to my creative mojo?"

Have you ever found yourself wondering this?

I have....There have been times when my creative mojo did not flow...It can happen before one realizes. One day we wake up, and we just aren't feeling it....no zest, no zeal, nothing that makes you smile and happy to wake up and create that day...How does that happen? But, what is more important...is how do we get that mojo back?



1. Decide to: if you don't choose to have the mojo, you won't. No one is going to walk up and hand you a big plate of mojo...it would be nice...but it is not going to happen. _creative mojo is something you have to choose to claim for yourself...creative mojo can easily be crushed so it is up to you to decide to claim it, and do what it takes to keep it....


2. Look: take inventory and recall when the last time you felt excited.  about creating or being creative...picture it in your mind. See all of the details. Smell the smells, think about the place, time, people were or were not with....do you even remember?


3. Recall: what were you doing?  Were you walking the beach? Were you driving with the windows open? Was the sun out? Were you in nature? Were surrounded by people you love, admire, and who inspire you?


4. Question:  Why were you excited?  What exactly was it that gave you that overwhelming surge of joy that made you feel alive?


5. Take action! Now do more of that! It is that simple....do,  be, surround yourself with that which gives you joy....anything that takes your joy away will crush your creativity....find the joy...choose to seek joy...choose to be full of joy...and let it appear in everything you do.

March Art Journal Challenge

Art is all around you...

Whenever i feel a bit overwhelmed i find that taking a moment to breathe and simply become aware of my surroundings helps to bring back that sense of peace in understanding the presence of art in every single thing.Sometimes it is just a matter of looking closer and seeing the lines, textures, and workings of nature to help inspire me to action.

When was the last time you sat on the ground and really looked at blades of grass?

This is my dining room table. The lines in the wood are history that has been in my family for ages..this table inspires me....

And when i feel inspired...it is time to draw again....

Have you started your Art Journal yet? I made you a list of ideas for March here.

And here is how to get started..

http://bradshawmeadows.blogspot.com/2012/03/how-to-get-started-on-your-art-journal.html

 Happy Art Journaling!

daily quote

“We are what we repeatedly do.
Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit. "

Aristotle

Art Journal Challenge- Green

from the March Art Journal List...

Did you get started?

http://bradshawmeadows.blogspot.com/2012/03/31-art-journal-topics-for-march.html

How to Get Started on Your Art Journal without Freaking Out

You are starting a new art journal. 

Nervous? 

Don't be. 

You may have never tackled something like this before. I have, and I still feel a little overwhelmed. But, just like any project, it comes down to having things broken down into steps, and being somewhat organized. 

If you know me, you may have just busted out in laughter. The reason being that if you have ever seen my studio or any areas where I have worked, you know that my true life theory is "Organized Chaos".( another story for another time) But having said that, i have to have a certain amount of organization in order to handle the chaos around me or that i think i am about to face. Hopefully, the next couple of posts on art journaling will help. This is how i do this.

1. Choose your journal:  i have a stack of journals that i tend to collect....spirals, composition books, drawing and sketchbooks...i even have old books that may have seen the end of their public library use and will take on new life in the form of an art journal (also, another story for later). And if, i am feeling REALLY industrious...i MIGHT make a new journal...(third story for another time...stay tuned) But, the point is to find SOMETHING to work on. You don't have to spend a lot of money on something fancy. That is nice...but not necessary...Your artwork is going to make your journal fancy enough...that's the truth.

2. Write down the theme on each page. In my previous post, there is a list of simple themes to use for each day of the month of March. I find that if i have a theme, it simply helps me get focused and start the project, there are no set guidelines for using the themes. It simply helps me save time and focus my energy on the actual act of creativity and get me started.

3. Bag-o-Stuff: What is a Bag-O-Stuff? I used to tell my students to gather a plastic disposable bag (or your choice of green, sustainable, container that fulfills the same purpose, and please send me a message on that, because i would seriously like some information on good ideas for this, i know you have great ideas to share) and fill it with stuff, that could be used on future altered books or collages...I like to do this, because it means that i have everything i need in one spot. It limits me to the point that it keeps me within the guidelines of creativity...I'm not wasting time thinking about what supplies i have or could possibly use...i have everything in one spot...i use that, and only that. It has to fit in the bag, and i use it up.

4. Have a place to create: I'm not telling you to clean out the garage and turn it into your new art studio...which would be amazing...but, that isn't what this is about...you just need a place to work...is it the kitchen table? Is this your favorite comfy chair? Is it a folding table you set up in the corner of your bedroom?  All i know is that you need a place to work....i tend to move around while working, so my work has to be portable and easy to handle...(my 4th story to touch on in another post)

5. Make time for creativity:  Ok, this part, may or may be tricky....i for one, am dictated by the napping habits of my youngest...so, if i'm lucky, i can do a little bit during that time, sometimes, i have to get up early and work on it before anyone else is away in the house, sometimes, it is while everyone else is busy getting ready for the next day...sometimes it may be while we are driving to visit family...but, the point is, i have to make time. We are creative beings. We have ideas that need to be expressed. We have to make time for that and honor that within us.

6. CHOOSE TO NOT FREAK OUT! that's pretty much it...you get to decide if a little ol' book is going to overwhelm you or not...it's just an art journal...no one is judging it...it is yours and it is about creating and feeling joyful...that's it...NO FREAKING OUT ALLOWED....get to it...sheesh...

31 Art Journal Topics for March

You are so fortunate! 

There are 31 days in March! That means, there are 31 days that you have the opportunity to be creative this month! That also means, you will have an amazing art journal and may discover that March was a month of great change in the world, and in your life. It usually is for me!(hindsight and whatnot)

March means, the world is waking up. Things are starting to turn green, the sky is changing, and Spring is in the air. (of course i am sneezing a bit more, but i get go outside and play!) That's right....

GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY! 

Don't forget to honor your childlike spirit.

When you were a child, you were always creative. It is only when we get older that we squelch that part of us...the part that seems to be our most creative part...

ALLOW yourself to be creative..

.NOW GO GET THAT JOURNAL!....

Write down this list! For the next 31 days, Attempt to make a mark, splash some paint, or glue something down in your art journal. Your journal won't be perfect. That isn't what art journaling is about...It is about allowing creativity to flow and grow within you...Allowing your creative spirit to awaken...and remember that you are a creative being.

1. color: all shades of green
2. Ides of March
3. St. Patrick's Day
4. Joy
5. Spring
6. Renewal
7. Birth
8. growth
9. childlike spirit
10. blooms
11. birds
12. soaring
13. grattitude
14. peace within
15. calm
16. pollen
17. sunshine
18. grass
19. wind
20. play
21. smiling
22. laughter
23. planting seeds
24. dirt
25. boundaries
26. determination
27. courage
28. the beach
29. sand
30. vitamin d
31. being in nature