Art Slam

I so enjoyed my time in Chicago for BlogHer. While I did not attend as many sessions as I did the previous year, this year was all about connecting with old friends and making many new ones. My voice is just now returning to normal from all of the screaming and yelling and laughing I did this weekend. This will be the first of many posts about my time there and sharing images of the kindred spirits and women who truly touched me with their words and generous spirits. I know there are a number of posts out there already about the issues with swag and babies not being allowed at the parties at the bars and so on, but you won’t find that on my blog. There is no need to add to what is already out there and honestly, it goes against what I stand for and the spirit of the Art Slam.

I have to tell you, I was so humbled and surprised by how many people I met who come to the Art Slam frequently to be inspired. I had no idea, but this weekend, I understood what my purpose is with this medium. You don’t always know how or when something you say will touch someone when they need it the most, but hearing people tell me that what I have started here matters to them and the reasons for it, made me understand that this is not all about me. The Arts are always the first thing to be cut from our schools when funding is low and artists are sorely under represented at conferences like BlogHer. That being the case, I know that my presence there brought some exposure to how critically important self-expression is to our souls. So, I have some ideas and many people to talk with about how I can grow and continue to inspire. That thought just thrills me!

Early, early, early tomorrow, I will be headed to Chicago with four other ladies for BlogHer. While I am excited about going, as I have not been to Chicago before and seeing new and old friends, the preparation for traveling makes me nuts. I like to prepare for things and even though I know I will be able to buy whatever I may leave, I really don’t want to be stressed. My intention is to go to the conference, make some connections, gain some clarity about a few things that have been on my mind and shoot some awesome photographs. Otherwise, I have no agenda. I want to see where those feet in that picture take me. I am looking forward to that.

Since starting back running, which I am enjoying more each time I go out, I have a few things that have made my new fitness routine a lot more enjoyable:

• Running Skirts. Just found this website recently after wanting to find more running skirts. I love them because they look great, they do not get in the way of my walking or running and they feel amazing. Runningskirts.com is a sister run business and their skirts are too cute for words.
• Nike+ sensor and Nike+ website. Love, love, love my Nike+ sensor and the website. I can track my runs, calories burned, set up challenges and goals and makes notes about the conditions of each of my runs. It also helps me keep track of my personal bests for a 5K, mile and so on. Love it.
• Slimperfect Swimwear & Activewear. I am in love with this live of activewear, which fits nicely into my obsession with running skirts. Slimperfect is running a BlogHer promotion through August 1 of 50% off already reduced prices. Make sure you enter the special code, “BlogHer” at check out.
• Runner’s World website. Great resource for beginning runners and those who have been doing it for years.
• Nike Air Track Star 2 Running Shoes. These are the shoes I wear for my workouts. It feels like I am wearing nothing when I have them on.

Other 5 Fab Faves Posts:

• Eco-Friendly Art Supplies
• Food Edition
• Inspiration Faves

I have been noticing a theme in my journal pages lately. Lots of yellows and reds. After doing some research, I found that yellow is associated with joy, energy and happiness. All things I have been feeling a lot of lately. Red is associated with energy, strength, determination, passion, desire and love. Again, all things I am feeling right now. So, I understand how and why they keep showing up in my journals and my paintings. Colors and the energy behind them show up in your life when you need them the most. Kind of like people. These are also qualities I want to radiate outwardly. Being passionate is something I own proudly and I don’t try to hide it. Without passion, there is no purpose.

Another theme that keeps showing up is Change. This particular journal entry sat blank for months. No words and no title, just the background. Then one day, it came to me and I journaled quickly, almost to the point I could not read what I had written the thoughts were coming so fast. Yesterday, while reading Foolsgold by Susan G. Wooldridge, I came across a passage in the book where she speaks to change:

“It can take courage for us to realize we’ve had the wrong idea and made wrong decisions and need to change midstream. We might be in the wrong city for us. The wrong relationship. The wrong life. Writing the wrong book. If we have to be right about everything, we won’t allow ourselves to change, and to free our creative natures.”

Well now! That speaks volumes, doesn’t it? Change can be scary for a lot of people and because of that, we would rather be miserable and right, then admit we were wrong. We think it too late to make a change, using our age, current circumstances or society’s views as reason to stay in our situations. What I would like to know is, when do your excuses start getting on your nerves enough that you are willing to be courageous and say, “Hey, I was wrong about this,” and try something new? Failure is not failure if you learn from it. I tell it to my kids, I tell it to myself because I believe it. I would rather make a mistake than be stuck in a mistake wishing I had simply taken a chance. So, don’t wait. If all of these recent very public deaths remind you of nothing, it is that life is short and you should live it fully every single day. No regrets.

Related Posts:

• How to Focus Your Creative Energy
• Monday Positivity
• There’s Hope

For a few weeks now, I have been at a crossroads. Knowing that one choice brings me closer to my authentic self and the other choice is basically following the path I always have. So, what is one to do? Keep on doing what I have always done, knowing it makes me feel stuck and unfulfilled or take a chance and follow my heart. Ultimately, I am going to go with my heart. When I am open to all the possiblilities, it has never led me wrong and right now, it says I need to grow into who I am becoming. That thought alone, ignites a fire in me.

Be inspired by these Posts:

• Today, Expect Greatness
• Your Blessing & Your Curse
• Love Slam

I am really excited to share the wonderful work of Diana Trout with the Art Slam community. Seriously, this woman does it all. She has a book on one of my favorite subjects coming out soon and she teaches art classes to kids and creates the most interesting sticks. After reading her interview, I hope you are as inspired by her creative soul as I am.

Diana, I love the idea of the art classes for kids and the teen journaling. When did you start these and why?
When my kids were young, I received requests to teach children’s art classes. Since I have two room studio, I started my business right there. It was such fun to work with kids that I just kept going.

The Teen Journaling was an outgrowth of summer children’s programs at my local library. I really enjoy working with teens, although it does get a bit dizzy-making during those weeks when I go from teaching 6-10 year olds to teens to adults.

I see you have a new book coming out later this year called Journal Spilling. What is your book about?
I’m very excited about this book. Northlight was a dream to work with and I feel that the editor, photographer and the designers really caught my easy-going and encouraging style of teaching. In a nutshell, Journal Spilling embraces the idea of art journaling in a very open way; the concept of spilling words, colors, line and images as they occur, rather than going in with a plan. Techniques included working with watercolor, resists, gesso, creating eraser carvings, sewing, more and more. I tried to make art journaling more accessible for busy adults – both in terms of time and techniques. The book will released October 9, 2009.

Where do you get your inspiration for making art?
Oh boy! Inspiration comes from anywhere and everywhere. Pods, leaves, birdies, flowers, tree branches, japanese fabrics and papers.

Most recently, I’m working with imagery inspired by traditional Japanese Kokeshi dolls (they look kinda like those little Fisher Price people).

You can find Diana’s paintings in her Etsy shop.
Whose work inspires you?
My friends and my students!
Mid-century design, Klimt, Matisse, Emily Carr. Ask me next week and it may be different, though.
The wabi-sabi nature of the natural world is a constant inspiration.

What is your favorite piece of work you have created recently?
Without a doubt: My stick.

It was done during an extremely busy, stressy time; both in my business and in my personal life. It felt almost rebellious to take time to decorate a stick and I was really glad that I told the critic to take a hike. There was a lot of meaning wound up (yes pun) in the process because I was thinking about my kids. One graduated from high school this spring and the other graduated from college. Decorating my stick allowed me an area of peaceful reflection. It made me think of those childhood hours spent letting time flow along and going from one thought and action to the next. A walk around the block could take an hour and might actually be a trek through the Alaskan wilderness. This is a lesson I learned from being a mom that has served me well as an artist and a human being.

I realized I had not done a 5 Fab Faves in a while and what better day than today for a little inspiration.

• Washi Tape Frames, Kitschy Digitals – Danielle never disappoints with her color digital designs. I am going to enjoy playing with these frames.
• Tiny Bunting Banner, Katie.Cupcake – Now I have something to do with all of that ribbon and scraps of paper. Love this and the pinwheels.
• Inspirational Pantene Commercial – I saw this and was blown away by the spirit and the message of the commercial. I have been getting all kinds of inspiration sent my way lately.
• Brave. Know. Love., post by Liz Lamoreux – Besides the beautiful soul mantra necklaces, this post really touched me.
• Practice Kindness Window Cards - Everyone can use a kind word every now and then.

Other 5 Fab Faves Posts:

• The Food Edition
• Eco-Friendly Art Supplies
• Art Journaling
• Kids Crafts