I had hoped to spend this break working on artwork, writing and expanding my creative experiences. The mojo and the inspiration just hasn't been there. Believe me, I have tried to clean my studio, organize my supplies, journal, anything to spark a flame....but sometimes the creativity and the passion isn't on the surface.
The things I that I have attempted to put together are embarrassingly under par. Looking at blogs, doing simple drill and practice art activities, examining artwork and design, shopping for new supplies...nothing has worked.
So, I have been on the couch, watching movies like Music and Lyrics, and Survivorman, trying not to think about it.
I am sure this will pass.....Once I am back to my normal routine. I like being out of school and I really need this time off to recoup...but sometimes I wish I could pick when I take my breaks and vacations. I hate it when I am really motivated and there aren't enough hours in the day to complete everything that I want to do.
And now that I have the time, the days are passing me by and nothing is getting done, nothing is even making it onto a to-do list.....in fact, there isn't even a to-do list...and I hate that. I like crossing things off. I like being productive. If there is no to-do list....no immediate goals, then long-term goals are certainly not going to be scrawled on a steno with the nub of a pencil or scribbled into the margin.
Embracing my routine, stepping back from the day-to-day to noticing the sunset....I guess that is where romance exists for me. And without some sort of structure to my days (I haven't had any coffee the entire time I have been off) I have trouble appreciating the beauty of a red mug surrounded by ink pads and buttons. The red mug doesn't get noticed because it doesn't exist.
Making time for art and love, it has to be a priority, and I make sure that those things are on my agenda every day. Perhaps that is why I am having such a mental block now...no agenda.
RESOLUTIONS.
Okay, now lets get down to business. I have the normal resolutions, save more money, live healthier, show more love and appreciation to my friends and family, scrapbook more photos, send more card (remember more birthdays), be more organized, lose fewer earrings.
INSPIRE.
I have also selected one little word for the year. A word on which to base my decisions and my focus my attention. I put a lot of thought into this. One of my favorite scrapbookers, Ali Edwards motivated me to select a word for the year. "A single word can be a powerful thing. It can be the ripple in the pond that changes everything. It can sharp and biting or rich and soft and slow." ~Ai Edwards
To help me select one little word, I thought of an experience with one of my students.
We were working on a project and she kept saying "I hate this, mine is ugly, can I please be done?" She was frustrated and so was I. Finally I just said to her, "Vanessa, I am here to inspire you. I am sorry if you do not like this assignment. I can't guarantee that you will love everything that we do in art. But what you do with what you are given is up to you." She responded, "You do inspire me Mrs. Mitchell."
I do not know if she said that just because she was embarrassed by her attitude or if she really meant it, but reflecting on this made me want to use this experience to jump start my year.
I want to start off the year with a desire to inspire.
My word for 2009 is INSPIRE. It is my goal this year to live a life that will inspire others. I want to inspire my students, friends and family members to follow their creative ambitions and do things that make them happy. I hope that I can do this through my blog and my scrap books.
If you want to start out your year with motivation from one little word, you can look here for a list of words that other people have chosen.
Okay so I can't say that my time off has been completely unproductive, I did make the page and cards above and I participated in some color inspiration challenges. I even started a December Daily Album to remember the entire month (photos coming soon). It has been a very busy month with weddings, funerals, New Year's and Christmas. I haven't even gotten to participate in my favorite challenge: Cinema Saturday!!!
Anyway, hopefully you will be inspired by my blog. I am very optimistic that it is going to be a great year.
2 comments:
Enjoying your blog!!
I love your blog and please know you are an inspiration. Don't be so hard on yourself...after 30 years of teaching, I've learned that sometimes it's ok to just "be" on your time off. It fuels you for what lies ahead. You've been through a lot this month and this is probably exactly what you've needed. Looking forward to your inspiration in the year ahead.---Lisa
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