The path to a creative life isn’t as easy or seamless as one
might think. Okay, there was a moment where I thought if I could just win the
lottery, inspiration came at a snap of a finger, and everyone loved my work
then all would be great but that daydream could be filed away under “Never
Going to Happen”. Responsibilities such as earning a bill-paying paycheck and
keeping an orderly house as well as necessities like sleeping and exercising, which
are not optional as my insomnia and body aches might like to disagree, tend to
interfere at the most crucial creative times.
Who will help me bag up all these
leaves?
When the moment of creative inspiration hits and I’m not
fortunate to be in my home studio, I am grateful to have my artist journal in
my possession. Yes, this might weigh down my purse and gradually move my spine
out of alignment, but I’ll deal with that every time I stretch after my
exercising. This is a needed item in my possession just like my wallet and when
I’m without it, it feels as if I’m missing a part of me.
No small purses for
me.
When I’m working in my journal, the world around me
disappears and nothing exists except what is brewing in my mind and how I’m
going to interpret it first into a drawing concept and then to an actual
tangible object. I love my journals not just because of all my thoughts,
inspirations, and ideas captured but mainly because I made the journals.
Just a few more pages and this one will
be full.
My first concentration was bookmaking and while I honed my
skills with binding and book design I also began to quilt. Eventually these two
adventures combined and then diverted but being a “surface designer” is
something I can be proud of in both arenas. I then developed a particular need
for the kind of papers I desired in my journals. I needed graph paper along
with my blank pages. I thought long and hard, oh say about 1 minute, whether to
include lined paper sheets for writing and decided a blank page gave me more
freedom of my ramblings and I’ve never looked back.
There’s a vibe of exciting possibility
on every page.
So this creative life of mine isn’t well defined, presented
on a silver platter with collegiate degrees, or a cookie cutter resembling anyone
else I know. It is as unique as I am and I plan to utilize this to the best of
my ability.
The path of possibilities can be a fun
one.
What a great post Megan. I can relate! My creative life has followed a twisting path with many diversions, and various creative forms have merged to create my own unique style and story. I think this is the gift of being an artist isn't it? I carry my creative journals or as I call them, my idea books, everywhere with me too. No matter the occasion, even if I only have a tiny sequined clutch I manage to fit one of my tiny idea books and a pen in! Very enjoyable to read your blog. I will be back...
ReplyDeleteThank you Ginger, Red Pear! I always have a pen and pencil on hand in every purse no matter the size too. Inspiration rarely happens while in the studio.
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