an artful blogging party
Artsy Mama is hosting a virtual party in honor of the current issue of Artful Blogging and to celebrate artful bloggers. She invited people to share an artsy blog post and maybe a tutorial as a way to participate in the party. There are already some incredible links to posts over on her site.
When I first started blogging, I did not realize how the medium itself and the inspiration I found from others would invite me to dive deeper into a more creative path. Within a few months of beginning my blog, I went from someone who knew which show she watched each hour on the hour during primetime television to someone who spent a lot of free time sewing, sketching, writing, taking pictures, and filling up idea journals.
Being an artful blogger gives me the chance to share what I learn on my journey; my blog is a place to record my observations, my joys, my sorrows, my growth, my not-so-great moments, my truth …It has become a place where I can just sit down comfortably in my favorite pajamas, take a breath, and be me.
So….Welcome to my little corner of the world!
Oh! I am so glad that you are also wearing your pajamas. Meet Millie, just beware, she will try to get in all your photos. Also meet Betty; she is currently wearing a work-in-progress apron. Please, make yourself at home and have a cup of tea. There are pumpkin muffins and chocolate chip cookies. Just help yourself. Please, pretend you don't see...the mess. (Whispering: You see, I am getting ready for my first time at crafty wonderland this weekend and my studio has found a way to move parts of itself to the kitchen table, back porch, and…well, everywhere really. Oh please, just move that over, yes, you can sit right there.)
The music line-up is, of course, The Weepies followed by some Paul Simon, then a little Indigo Girls and some other favorites. When you hear the first few bars of Tina Turner's "Proud Mary" get ready because we are all going to stand up and dance, dance, dance. Yes, that means you over there too.
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Kari invited all the party-goers to share a tutorial. I am going to share a little meditative "get those creative juices flowing" exercise that you can take home and use whenever you need it:
A Walk with the Senses
Block out a certain amount of time just for yourself, from 10 to 45 minutes (or longer if you like). You are going to spend this time outside. You could simply take a walk near your home, spend time in a neighborhood park, walk downtown, along the water, in the woods…anywhere.
You aren't going to take anything extra with you. No sketchbook or journal or camera or cell phone. Just you.
As you walk, simply notice the following:
What do you hear?
What do you smell?
What do you taste?
What do you (want to) touch?
What do you see?
Feel free to touch things and notice that as well.
If you find your mind wandering away from these things to grocery lists and what you "should" be doing and other things that pull on you, pause in your walk. Close your eyes and take a breath. And then another one. Allow yourself to just notice your inhalations and exhalations. After a few moments, begin to notice your senses again and open your eyes when you are ready.
After you have finished your walk, head back to your creative space. When you get there, spend time creating, writing, journaling about your experience. You might want to create an art journal page or a color palette of what you noticed. You could write about each sense and what the experience was like for you. You might want to write a poem. It is all up to you. Simply allow your senses walk to be a springboard into creating.
I recommend that you head back to your creative space at home so that you won't be distracted by new senses experiences while you are creating. Meaning, if you went on a walk near a lake and then decided to sit down and journal about it near the water, it becomes a different exercise. While you are writing, your senses will notice new things and so on. That is a valuable exercise as well, but this one is centered more on observation and then removing yourself from what you observed. If home might be too distracting, you could head to a café to journal/sketch about your experience. Shape this exercise to be whatever you need.
Finally, as you reflect on your observations, sit and think about what I call the sixth sense: know. (If you have visited me before, you might have seen my "senses" posts. I always include this sixth sense.) Reflect on what "you know" from this experience. You might want to journal about this.
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Thank you for stopping by! I can't wait to visit your corner of the world as well today…
To visit other folks participating in Kari's party, check out the ever-growing list of links at the end of her post.
creating
Reader Comments (20)
you are such an inspiration.. so happy to meet u .. hugs this day,
This was delightful! I enjoyed the party and especially the little meditation.
thank you for reminding all of us to stop and pay attention.
i am so glad to find you...your spirit shines...i will return...blessings, rebecca
Thanks for partying and sharing your artfulness
What a great post! Thank you for being so hospitable. The chocolate chip cookies were delicious. ;) Have a beautiful day!
I have been reading your blog ever since i found you a few months ago..love it. looking forward to more!
That post has a treasure trove of links! Wow!
I just got my issue of Artful Blogger at the book store a few days ago and have been reading a bit each evening.
I clicked your link for crafty wonderland and, sure enough, the little room is there! Just wish I lived close enough to come see you there.
Hi Liz...what a fabulous post. Thank you so much for all the thoughfulness!
Love your music line up and ironically, I saw The Weepies when they were in Portland at, ironically, the Doug Fir Lounge!!! Speaking of Doug Fir, best of luck at the Crafty Wonderland! I'm out of town this weekend because otherwise, I'd be ALL over that!
Cheers,
Michelle
I like how every so often in Kari's list there is one to rest a while before going back in the dazzling whirlpool of ideas... thanks! and love your textiles!
Hi! Thanks for stopping by my blog today! I'm glad I got the chance to stop by - I love your style.
Sarah :)
Thanks for sharing. I will come back time and again. You are very inspiring!! Happy Blogging
What a great read. Thanks
What a wonderful reminder to take time to step back, slow down and as you put it so well "know". Thanks!
Hi Liz,
I really enjoyed your party/post. Thank your for giving us a glimpse of your space. And for the little senses exercise.
Fabulous party, I think you should have a little place where you accept hostess gifts? It couldn't hurt.
Hey Liz! What a fun party and what a gorgeous blog! Love your post, gosh, just all the photo's on your blog are beautiful and calming. Thanks for stopping my blog during the party, cause now I found you!
cindy/yappingcatstudio
I love a walk with the senses ... I love the detail in which you suggest how this walk will be most conducive to the best creative outcome ... what great advice! Peace, JP
What a wonderfully inspiring post! I've not been outside yet to follow this tutorial but I find it inspiring and eye-opening all the same.
Also glad that you played Tina Turner's version of Proud Mary. Isn't it just wonderful?
xo,
Karen Beth :)
Starting to blog had a similar effect on my life, too. It put me in touch with so many inspirational people and made me keep tabs on what I was doing with my time, with my life. I am so thankful for the awareness that it brought to me, so that I could make some changes that needed making.
And, side note, I'm really looking forward to this weekend. See you at the Doug Fir!
I love meditation, but I don't do it enough, and I don't walk enough either! I will try a walk tomorrow.
thanks for sharing this!