SCHOOL SUCKS

Ok... maybe to some a controversial way to start ... however this is part of my journey and know some of you have had similar experiences.

School isn’t for everyone. I went to school in the late 70s to late 80s. I was a ‘good’ kid. Never rocked the boat, sat on Bs and Cs and the occasional A (bizarrely for accounting!). I had friends, I wasn’t bullied, I kinda even liked some of the teachers. But school was never where I felt I was meant to be. 

I gave up art in year 9 as my ‘art teacher’ told me I was ‘doing art wrong’.... WTF! Even at the tender age of 13 I felt that was very unfair and remember saying out loud (not to the teacher as I was far too much of a ‘people pleaser’ back then) ‘I thought art was individual and there was no right or wrong’. Bugger that! I’m outta here, end of art for many years!

The school system can leave you with confusion at times. It doesn’t fit everyone and I know things have changed in the past 30 years since I attended but sometimes us ‘creative types’, the neurodiverse, the quirky ones, even the people pleaser ones, we really just don’t fit. 

My experience was... school sucked. I couldn’t wait to leave as it was ‘just wasting my time’ and as soon as year 11 was over I did. I got a job in a graphic design studio the rest is history.

Do you have any ‘art scars’ (the beautifully coined term by Brene Brown) from your school days?

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Choose creative freedom and have a beautiful day.

SICK OF WHERE YOU ARE?

Do you ever feel like you are just sick of where you are artistically?
It might be the physical space or some emotional ‘stuckness’ you’re feeling in your life which is holding up your creativity.
If you can articulate what it is you are ‘sick’ of, then ask yourself....
‘What would be one tiny step I could action today that would bring me closer to being away from this ‘sick’ feeling?’

For example:
Statement: I’m sick of procrastinating about making my art.
Q: What do I want to do with my art practice?
A: I would like to be more consistent with time.
Q: How can I do this?
A: Start by setting aside a 60 minute time slot once a week at a consistent time. It’s not negotiable time for art creation.
Q: When can I start?
A: Next Tuesday at 8-9pm

Making sense?

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Choose creative freedom and have a beautiful day.

FREEDOM TO GROW

Sometimes we get stuck where we are in our art practice (and life!).
We almost feel like we are waiting for permission to grow. To grow out of this old skin that’s now tight, uncomfortable and just isn’t us anymore.

How do we grow our creativity?
The way I started was to give myself permission.

It might sound weird but as an ‘artist’ where creativity is limitless, sometimes we get stuck in a rut and unble to try new things because... well, this is the way we’ve always done things!

Creative freedom to grow starts with the desire, then permisssion from yourself, then going for it!

Try something new... not just 'art' new but something new in your everyday life. It all overlays... art is not separate from life, it is just a way we choose to express ourselves.

To fire up our creative brain to grow here are some things to try…
- Mindful observation - look more closely in a focussed way
- Change of environment - inside all day? go outdoors!
- Exercise - go for a walk in nature
- Fire up your curiosity - ask how something was made
- Brainstorm without limitations - write down as many ‘crazy ideas’ as possible
- Creative problem solving - what’s the problem and what are mulitple ways to solve it?
- Do something creative - just begin! without boundaries
- Daydream - sit still and allow your brain to wander by itself
- Surround yourself with creative things - create a Pinterest board of your favourite artists. Buy art and bring nature into your home.

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Choose creative freedom and have a beautiful day.

PLEASE YOURSELF (NOT OTHERS)

OK, so that might trigger some of you but really... is pleasing others (people pleasing) working for you?

I am a recovering people pleaser. It started as a child and it’s a bloody hard habit to break! However... when I do and say things that are authentically me without worrying about what others think, nothing bad generally happens... infact generally everything better. 

I did it with my art for a long time too. ‘I will paint like this as that will sell’.... bla bla bla.... not anymore peeps! 

It may not be easy at first and start with baby steps but go with your heart, your beautiful authentic self and I promise you will find more peace, joy, happiness and freedom in your world.

Want to chat or know more about what I do? EMAIL me?

Choose creative freedom and have a beautiful day.