Seasons of Creating

A friend and I were recently talking a lot about what we wanted from our art, what our hopes and dreams were, why we created, etc. It seems both of us hit a "slump" or a slow-down at the same moment. As I began with The Artistic Mothers group my creative juices were in high gear and doing art for 30 minutes a day was an easily attained goal.

Then a new "season" arrived... in my life it's not just spring, summer, winter, fall. When I think of seasons of creating I actually think of the different ways that creating or art looks at different times.

• From the gut ~  a project "makes itself" in my head and I literally get no rest till the project is completed

• From the heart ~ a project is born in my head, but may take months or longer to evolve into a finished piece. It may start one way, then morph a bit, then get worked on, then laid aside to view and mull over and then worked a bit more

• For a need ~ someone's birthday or special event comes along and I know I want to make something for that person and start pulling out "stuff".... lace, ribbons, folios, postcards, buttons and seeing what happens. Funny story. When showers come along in our church, generally bridal showers, I guess there are a few who expect (Not sure that's the correct word.), or hope, I'll make a card. I think that's fun, but it also makes me nervous. I don't want to let pride become the reason I create.

• Art Show ~ so I've only done three shows, but when I find myself making art to fill space on a table I wonder if it's art or if it's craft... Anyone know the difference? I'd love to hear about it.
• Because what I'm doing is what God wants me to do ~ this is the place I want to be all the time. ALL THE TIME!

While I know that I "can" create things that people enjoy or that people will even buy I want to create because that's where God wants me RIGHT NOW. So, some days I don't do my thirty minutes a day. Or, I do it, but others wouldn't recognize it as art.

The other day I spent hours helping to create something... a family... as I was their doula and assisted them during their delivery. To me that is art in pure form. Art is creating to serve God... I was creating moments for them, pictures of the delivery, helping a new family to begin. So, my season right now is "Expectation"...waiting to see what God wants of me. I have tasks... three necklace orders, finishing a banner I started, finishing a collage which has been a "From the heart" project and hopefully I will get back to TAM.

But, the actual season of spring also means creating beauty out of doors, finishing up another year of homeschooling and simply praising God for the beauty He has created all around me.

What are your seasons of art?

Blessings!
Kim

p.s. Don't forget the giveaway! See the post below, or click on the link on the upper sidebar.

~New listings!~

As promised I'll be posting new listings here. And, don't forget, if you see something you like but want it "tweaked" just a little bit (you know, a special order), please don't hestitate to ask. I love a creating challenge!

"Lilies of the Field" a tote

Art Fire

$15      

A sweet canvas tote embellished with one of my very own photos. Across the top is printed a verse from Matthew 25 about the lilies of the field. Embellishing the upper edges you'll find a cheery ribbon and co-ordinating ric rac. Grouped at each corner are vintage buttons and lovely paper flowers adorn the center. Please spot clean only!

"Cherish" a birthday memory box

Art Fire

$11.00

(other variations also found at "Lola Rue" downtown Bloomington)

I love to say this is perfect for those who want a way to easily save memories from a special day without having to worry about scrapbooking. The outside of this vintage cigar box is covered with a cheery red heavy duty scrapbook paper, trimmed in vintage ribbon and centered around a gorgeous vintage postcard from early 1900s. Inside when you open the lid you'll see a sweet birthday fairy collaged on the inner lid and the base is lined with felt and sprinkeld with fairy dust. What a sweet way to savor those birthday pictures, cards, candles, flower petals or other small trinkets

~Faith Bottles~

"All That Leads a Heart to Knowing"

Art Fire

$ 30.00

Quantity: 1

A vintage bottle is carefully adorned with a mix of fibers, some simple and some ornate. The closer we get to the heart the simpler things become. All fibers are affixed with layers of encaustic wax medium. Added on are vintage scraps reflecting upon what leads a heart to knowing... further embellished with a brass word tag reading "inspire" topped off with some simple, yet elegant, beadwork.

Inspiration / Story behind this Product:

When I opened up the box of bottles I won at auction I discovered this little bottle with a heart already affixed. No matter what I tried I could not remove the heart. While looking and thinking I realized this is much like faith... our heart must be rooted and grounded. However, even the most stalwart human heart is not forever fixed, only one heart is that strong. That heart lay within humble "wrappings" but the heart itself was the heart most worth knowing.

 

 

"King of Kings"

Art Fire

$ 30.00
Quantity: 1


A lovely vintage bottle layered with cloth and encaustic wax medium. Embellishments include scraps from a vintage book of poetry, crushed silk ribbon, a vintage crown brooch, word tag, and lovely glass bead.

Inspiration / Story behind this Product:

Upon bringing home a lot of jewerly purchased at auction I found the crown brooch used on this piece. I knew something special had to be created and set it aside waiting for inspiration. After purchasing cloth for another project I dumped it all in a pile and saw the possibilty of a royal setting... the only king I know deserving of such is the King of Heaven.

Hope you enjoy these latest listings!
Blessings, Kim