I love this. Especially #3 on your list. It's taken me a long time to understand and accept (and gleefully embrace, even!) that my creative cycles and seasons might (and likely will) look different from other creatives' cycles and seasons, and even different from year to year.
These are wonderful lists! I would add one that is key for me: Move your body every day, preferably outdoors!
Walking, swimming, cycling, and kayaking are my preferred ways of moving my body. They are physical "working rest" that energize me, body, mind, and spirit for the focus of attending and seeing in my art practice.
I love having a daily practice and have learned so much over the years from them, especially with my photography and later, my origami. So here is my list:
Thank you for sharing this! I'm a big believer in daily-ish practice (per Oliver Burkeman), so I definitely want to see if I can boil it down to five short lines.
BTW - Carolyn is now offering her Rules to Live By in a digital format. So it is still available, just not in paper.
Also thanks for the interview with Carolyn. I kept my day job, even though I'd have preferred to be in the arts (I was creative at work, but in a different way). But I was sole support of my family and it was more important to have a stable job and income for all of us. I'm awed that you, Carolyn, Madonna Yoder (my origami mentor), and others were able to develop it into a business. It's a lot of hard work!
Like Kerri Anne, #3 on your list really resonated for me too. There's something about the freedom to NOT have to create something perfect or excellent or laud-worthy that I find incredibly liberating. And counter-culture in a vital way. Just expressing for expression's sake like a child does. Thank you for the reminder.
Love this. My list as of this moment:
1. Follow you curiosities.
2. Let other people decide if it's good. Just keep making.
3. Choose the idea that lights you up.
4. Take breaks. They're good for you.
5. If you're not having fun, change something.
This is solid. Definitely need #2 written in bold above my desk.
I think it might be from Andy Warhol. Maybe #6 should be from Austin Kleon - Steal like an artist.
1. There are no rules (always and forever the first rule)
2. Use what is in front of you
3. Keep creative tools handy
4. Enjoy creative chaos
5. Please yourself
Yes, these are excellent!
I love this. Especially #3 on your list. It's taken me a long time to understand and accept (and gleefully embrace, even!) that my creative cycles and seasons might (and likely will) look different from other creatives' cycles and seasons, and even different from year to year.
It has taken me SO long to understand this and I still need the reminder fee again and again!
Love the list(s), and love learning about Carloyn - thank you!
These are wonderful lists! I would add one that is key for me: Move your body every day, preferably outdoors!
Walking, swimming, cycling, and kayaking are my preferred ways of moving my body. They are physical "working rest" that energize me, body, mind, and spirit for the focus of attending and seeing in my art practice.
Yes! That absolutely needs to be on the list, excellent addition.
I love having a daily practice and have learned so much over the years from them, especially with my photography and later, my origami. So here is my list:
5 Rules for a Daily-ish Practice
1. Set a micro goal of what you want to learn.
2. Keep the session short.
3. Missing an occasional day isn’t a big deal.
4. The same time and place helps make the habit.
5. Enjoy your accomplishments!
Oh I really like #4!
Thank you for sharing this! I'm a big believer in daily-ish practice (per Oliver Burkeman), so I definitely want to see if I can boil it down to five short lines.
BTW - Carolyn is now offering her Rules to Live By in a digital format. So it is still available, just not in paper.
Also thanks for the interview with Carolyn. I kept my day job, even though I'd have preferred to be in the arts (I was creative at work, but in a different way). But I was sole support of my family and it was more important to have a stable job and income for all of us. I'm awed that you, Carolyn, Madonna Yoder (my origami mentor), and others were able to develop it into a business. It's a lot of hard work!
Like Kerri Anne, #3 on your list really resonated for me too. There's something about the freedom to NOT have to create something perfect or excellent or laud-worthy that I find incredibly liberating. And counter-culture in a vital way. Just expressing for expression's sake like a child does. Thank you for the reminder.