My Creative Process BLOG TOUR

Hi Everyone,

I was invited to be part of a Writing and Creative Process Blog Tour by my Creative Girlfriend Ann Butler

1) What am I working on? This is a loaded question because I am preparing/packing for a long-distance move to Niagara Falls so I have had to adjust my routine. Right now I am working on 4 projects: one for my design team post this month;creating a project using Ann Butler Designs products and Tiffany Windsors Cool2Cast for a special blog hop this month: a DecoArt project and article; and a mixed media canvas using Pebeo paints, wax, and resin.

2) How does my work differ from others in the same genre?  I guess I better pick one of my genres since (like many artists and designers) I enjoy creating in multiple media. In mixed media I always try to invoke humour so you will always find a bit of whimsy or a humourous comment accompanying my work.

3) Why do I create what I do?  I wasn't always this way and in school my artwork was 'average' at best. Growing up, my mother supported and encouraged me to try different creative media. She took me to ballet and piano lessons and played opera on the car radio or on the stereo in our home. She introduced me to  painting, mosaics, clay, drawing and set up a room in our basement where I could experiment. I loved creating but I wasn't really very good. I abandoned most of the crafting and turned my sights to business and finance. 

Fast forward 30 years to when my mother died. The strangest thing happened. The day after we finished shiva ( Jewish mourning ritual usually lasting 7 days) I felt like I was hit by a lightning bolt and I could swear I could feel my mother's presence. 

I felt a warmth envelope me and all of a sudden I blurted out to my husband, " I have to create!" I was not only filled with this need to create something, but I also had the confidence and belief that I could actually make something.  I feel my mother has guided me and continues to be with me whenever I am creating.

4) How does my creative process work?                                                                                                 Sometimes I'm not sure. An idea will hit me or I spot an interesting object and immediately my brain starts thinking of ways to use it. I don't do a lot of sketches. My process is very organic and very 'touchy-feely'. I like to work with 'my white' bins' (purchased from the Dollar Store) where each one is devoted to one project. I will gather items I like, as if I'm shopping and keep everything needed in that one bin. eg. papers, ephemera, embellishments, paints. Once satisfied with my hunting and gathering I will dump the bin on my desk and start pulling the project together; eliminating items along the way. I prefer the variety of working on several things at once, so the bin method works well for me. 

Thanks again to Ann Butler for inviting me to be part of this Blog Tour!  Theresa Cifali , and Beth Watson will be sharing on their blogs in the next week so be sure and check out their post and see how their creative process works for them!