Melody,
Please consider teaching a class on fusing... I know you are retired, and I do respect that, but maybe as a hobby or something you could show some of us how to be creative and help us make some small, bright, cheerful, free-spirited wall hanging using your techniques.
Um, I don't know how to teach How to Be Creative.
I am sorry that I don't have a roadmap or list of steps to take that will make that happen, guaranteed, for everyone.
I am looking for it right now, and can't seem to locate it.
Here's what I do know...
You'll need a place to do this, that is clean and well lit. You'll need supplies of some kind, and comfortable shoes or a good supportive chair, and a table of course.
You'll need to be able to just play.
And you'll need to delete all your expectations of perfection or being as good as so and so. You'll have to give up worrying about being original, and copying someone else. You'll have to focus on having fun.
And then you have to do this all regularly. Don't put away your stuff, keep it handy for tomorrow's try.
The more you do this, the easier it gets. Do some everyday and soon you will have learned a lot about what it is you can do and if you really like it.
That's all I've got. I hope that helps.
PS Jane Sassaman has a new blog which is to die for! Go here and I swear your eyes will jump for joy.
Great advice, especially the "don't put away your stuff" and "just play". Your work space shouldn't be ready for company (white glove ladies), it should be ready for play.
ReplyDelete"...your eyes will jump for joy." This is what it's all about!
ReplyDeleteI feel blessed every day that I have a "playroom"--one night while I was sitting there painting or gluing or drawing or who knows what, I suddenly felt almost giddy with delight and had a flashback to when I was kid and didn't worry about whether something was good or whether the colors matched or whatever--if it was pretty and I like it, that's what counted! I love your blog and have been enjoying reading through it!
ReplyDeleteTo the reader who asked for a class:
ReplyDeleteMelody shows us how SHE is creative everyday right here on her blog. She has also gone into incredible detail on HOW she does what she does - look over to right on her blog page and see all those helpful links. And she has now told you that last thing you needed to hear - go play!
I for one am incredibly grateful that she shows us her process - she has demystified what it means to be an artist. But ultimately, we each have to find our own way to be creative. I do think that one road to creativity is to just create! As Nike says: "Just do it!"
Of course, I can say this a bit smugly, because I've had 2 weekend classes with Melody, and they were great! But when it comes down to creating, I'm making things that give me a rush and just look right, and nothing I learned from Melody makes that happen.
Good luck on your journey - it's sure to be a long one! I know mine is ;-)
Candy in CA
I think being creative is all about "giving yourself permission"--to dream outside the box you've created for yourself, to make mistakes, to not have an agenda or specific outcome in mind, to allow yourself to be in the "flow"--without thinking too much!
ReplyDeleteHi Honey! I'm in the throws of thrilling fun times....The scrap pieces are like potato chips-you can stop at one....come see. It's not great art but it sure is fun. I feel so liberated and can't thank you enough. You inspire such fun.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great piece of wisdom your response is! And I totally agree! I have been having such fun this past year, and do have that room where I can leave it looking like a tornado and close the door if I need to. Sorry, Mom... no time to clean up! And I'm breaking rules, and coloring outside the lines... what a wonderful way to spend the rest of my life! Thanks for putting my feelings into words, Melody!
ReplyDeleteJudy Sall
I can't tell you how much fun I am having watching you make this transition from teacher to full time studio artist...it is wonderful! You are doing things for yourself and are doing some really nice work. With the way the pieces are selling and leaving your home, you don't need to teach anymore!
ReplyDeletecongrats on some more wonderful work!
Liz Berg
Great words of wisdom - and how many times does someone tell us to just play? I, too, have loved looking at your Tennessee work.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I love in the playroom - an iron with a nonstick soleplate. It's on my mind because I just wore mine out.
Connie
Thanks, Melody (and everyone else) for the advice. I'm learning lots from your demos. Your clear instructions and great photos are so inspiring. However, I would love to watch you do it in a class some day! In the meantime, I'll just head on into the sewing room and start playing.
ReplyDeleteRegina
Hi Melody,
ReplyDeleteFirst I want to let you know that your blog is one of my favorites, I hope you don't mind, but I've tagged your blog on my own blog.
(Look at http://margeeths-blog@blogspot.com)
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