Creative Experiments (Part 5)

"Twelve significant photographs
in any one year is a good crop."
~ Ansel Adams

Amsterdam, summer 2009

We've calculated year-to-date creativity points; time to start something new and chock up points for the rest of the year!

How to expand into new creative activities (details in Part 1):

1. Use familiar materials in a familiar way in a new environment
2. Use new materials in a familiar way
3. Use familiar materials in a new way
4. Explore a new art or craft
5. Use familiar materials to create something different

Whether you take the ideas from creative experiments and expand/alter/delete/modify them, or you develop new ideas from scratch, just one idea per month = 12 creative experiences each year! Wouldn't that be cool?

How to select a new project:

1. Decide what you wan to try next, considering your financial situation, workspace, physical capabilities & wishes.  Ideas in A Summer Project List and A Project List for You.
2. Break down the project into reasonable steps.
3. Figure out the bare minimum art supplies you'll need to buy, and what you already have
4. Google the medium and get a feel for the basics. You don't need to go to 47 blogs to figure out the best way, you don't need to buy a book (although you might want to check the library for reference, free is good). You typically don't need a class to try out the medium. OK maybe if you are trying glass blowing, welding or hand-dying fabric in bulk, you might need some extra instruction.
5. Get together what you need, put it with the information from your searches, and put it in a box or zip lok... ready to go!

How to find time:

1. Find 7 Reasons to do Art in the Margins
2. Got 20 Minutes: Find Creativity
3. When you do art, really do art. Don't multi-task your art time.

Check out the entire series of creative experiments to earn creativity points based on your creativity in 2009.

Comments

[Terri @ Pringle Hill]

Tammy, I had to chuckle when you talked about learning to embroider. I remember my Grandmother trying to teach me when I was about nine years old. I didn't "get" the diagrams either. Someone taking the time to "show" me did the trick. However, whenever I just look at thread (of any kind!) , it tangles!!! :) I truly enjoy seeing other artists' fiber arts work. Enjoy your creative journey! Hugs, Terri xoxo