Get Creative!

I finished unpacking and reassembling my studio this past week. After I’ve had a break from the studio, I’m raring to get back to the slabs of clay and start creating. I’ve got some custom orders to complete to get me started. Time away often inspires new ideas and shape variations to conquer. Some new texture rollers arrived in the mail. Let the fun begin!

The public feedback I received from the art show in Huntsville was positive and up-lifting. Attendees entering my booth mouthed the words I often use to describe my pottery: “happy”, “colorful”, “whimsical”, and “useful” were some of the words I heard. An artist couldn’t ask for any better commentary than that! My pottery creations successfully reflect and communicate the fun I experience making each one. 

Creativity is contagious. One of the best parts of participating in a show is experiencing the vast amount of creativity other artists bring to their own art. It is inspiring.  I love creating with clay and am lucky to have this wonderful outlet for self-expression. I’ve heard people say, I can’t make art, I’m not creative. That’s false. Creativity can be conveyed in all sorts of ways besides making art. Think about the ways you express yourself -- your own personal creativity factors into that.

Garden bells with lots of fun texture to decorate are in process. It will be up to you to finish them! Click here to sign up for the class and express some creativity!

A Rested Development

Learning to step back and take a break from an overworked project is hard to do. This is the case for any creative idea. Working with clay has taught me the importance of this lesson (repeatedly)! Rest renews and rejuvenates creativity.

The rocks of this circular bricked area will be replaced with one of my clay creations. It was good to see the space in person, get a sense of scale and experience the blooming surroundings. I've got a few ideas brewing!

I visited Huntsville, Alabama this past week to spend several days with my daughter’s future mother-in-law. I was invited to acquaint myself with a garden clay project she has in mind and spend some fun time together. This relaxing break from my typical routine, proved to be rewarding in numerous ways. 

This small Lisa Neimeth dish is one of the treasures I purchased on my Alabama trip.

Travel is an opportunity to recognize our shared commonalities as well as appreciate unique local traditions. We spent time visiting art galleries, area shops, historic sites and tasting regional food selections. I gained a sense of the community through all these encounters and look forward to future visits to supplement my first-time enjoyable experience.

I made these 12-inch tall planters I've been commissioned to create. An additional 15-inch tall planter will complete the set. I had a general idea of what I wanted to make but had not quite figured out some of the design details. Once I got back in the studio this week, the plan all came together!

Rest from routine has its rewards. When I returned to my studio, it was easy to jump into several of the custom projects I have on my plate. Ideas that may have been stalled seemed easily accessible. This is the beauty of rest.

Creativity

Often when I meet people and I reveal the fact that I am a clay artist, I hear a response something like this: “You must be so creative, I am not creative at all.” Of course I take that as a compliment and usually reply, “we all have things we are good at and clay is one of the things I can do.”  I’ll also add, “even if you can’t make art yourself, it’s good to hear that you appreciate creativity.”

Here's how the pots of flowers looked in my imagination. I was able to transfer that idea and image into an artistic result. 

I have a strong creative muscle. I’m aware of it and try to exercise this attribute on a regular basis. It is relatively easy to access my creative mind. On the flip side, I think I’m naturally weak in many math-related functions. I know my “I just can’t do this” attitude plays a role in blocking some of my success with this analytical part of my brain. 

For me, creativity flows for numerous reasons. I recognize I’m good at turning an artistic idea into a concrete item. I set aside time and built a dedicated space to practice my clay-making skills. I’m not afraid to take risks and accept failures as a learning curve. And hardest of all, I try not to judge my results or compare what I’ve created with that of others. 

Look what I found at a local flower shop. I did a double-take! I love this idea and want to make a version of my own. That's how my creative mind works. See something, makes something!

Creativity is a skill that requires nurturing. Even if it’s not your strong suit, I think everyone has a creative streak. Maybe a simple attitude adjustment will help you access your creativity. Make time and space for a creative activity. It might not be art,  it might be gardening, cooking or writing. Maybe it’s even participating in or appreciating the creativity of others. Go to a museum. Attend a concert. And I promise I'll work on my negative attitude about math skills. 

Monkey Mind

I first heard the term 'monkey mind' in yoga class and could relate right away. This Buddhist expression is an apt description and humorous visual of a racing mind. I’d guess most people are afflicted with this syndrome at one time or another. Some people probably experience it more often than others.

Here are some new (to me) texture stamps I made at a friend's clay studio while I was away from my own.

After a month away from my studio, my chattering creative mind is in full swing. It’s exhilarating and paralyzing at the same time. So many ideas swirl in my head, it’s hard to know just where to start. What I’ve learned from past manic creative episodes is to just get in the studio and begin. The ideas will settle and begin to organize themselves as I get back to the routine of clay. Writing a reference list of new ideas is helpful as well!

Stepping away from routine can be hard and rewarding. For me, new environments give time and space to think of alternate creative expressions.

Monkey mind can be tamed and made useful. Yoga’s practice-ending savasana is a fantastic reminder that letting go of racing thoughts is restorative. I think mindfully practicing meditation provides similar results. My daily knitting habit is one of the ways I conquer my own monkey mind. It is meditative and active at the same time. Do you have an activity you use to help you settle those racing thoughts and 'to do lists'?

Here's the project on my knitting needles right now. I'm trying to use up some of my left-over yarn, so this interesting shawl project is perfect! The jumble of colors (monkey mind) will result in a useful expression of creativity (meditation)!

When All The Stars Align

Not all artists are fond of commission art. I happen to like the challenge of creating a new, one-of-a-kind piece and have learned through experience that continual communication usually makes the outcome a success. I want to make sure my adaptation of the client’s vision will meet and hopefully exceed their expectation.

I met this customer many years ago in a dog training class, so this 'pooch' inspired totem was especially meaningful to create. My inspiration started with several ideas the customer suggested resulting in a final collaboration that brought us both to tears. 

Usually, when I’m asked to make a special order, the person is familiar with my creations and style of clay art. I like to send photos of previous pieces I’ve made along with color choices to help reinforce the words I use to describe new visions. Sometimes I’ll prepare a rough sketch to show my interpretation. Ultimately, it’s a matter of trust. The purchaser must believe I can create a ClayByLaura item to their satisfaction and I must rely on my clay experience to produce a piece that meets their approval.  I've found good communication and frequent status report updates helps smooth this process. It's up to me to relay the nuances of clay and my ability to manipulate it into a final product. When I am successful at this, the results are usually good. 

These toad houses bring a pop of color to this beautiful garden area!

My feelings range from panic to euphoria when I finally share my creation with the new owner. By the time the design is set in clay, I’ve spent abundant time thinking about, planning and executing the project. And when the stars align, and the piece is welcomed with joy, well, there‘s no better ego boost!

I was given immense creative freedom and good initial guidance to create this outdoor clay project.  I think that's one of the reasons it turned out so well. The customer trusted I would interpret their ideas with my artistic sense and create objects to satisfy their desire. This symbiosis is special and when it happens, it's magic!

Here are more detailed photos of this commission project.

The dog tags add a personalized touch to the dog collar!

The address numbers are easily recognizable on this totem stack.

Each flower creation represents something meaningful to the owners.

Color Outside The Lines

Creative time has become a natural part of my daily routine.  I probably take this for granted. When I taught a class this past week to a group of students, it reminded me of the value of this instinctual exercise and how creative time is important for everyone to practice.

Students used acrylic paints to decorate the clay and then sealed each one with a glossy finish.

Even though each student chose similar shapes from the same pile of pieces, each potsticker evolved into a unique personal expression of their own creative making!

For me, hours disappear when I am in the studio. I get caught up in the clay process so ideas flow and the natural stresses and strains of daily life melt away. The relaxed atmosphere helps me problem solve a unique clay problem and often translates to challenges I encounter outside the studio.

This week I pulled out the sewing machine and made pillows for a birthday gift. It's good to change gears every once in awhile and create something with different 'materials!'

I’ve read about the resurgence and popularity of ‘adult coloring books’ lately. There are all kinds of theories about why and what this means. I think it shows the universal importance of art and creativity for everyone. Creative time develops personal expression; it gives the brain time to reboot; it provides meditative qualities helping a person live in the present moment; it allows time to think, time to forget and time to remember.

Creativity is personal and can be expressed in limitless ways. Writing, knitting, playing music, singing, woodworking, puzzle assembly and yes -- filling in a coloring page, are all ways to access imagination. There is no right or wrong way here and you don't even have to stay 'within the lines' to let creativity flow. Make time to create.

I did get my hands muddy this week. I'm developing a dog-themed custom totem.

Summertime

Summer is the perfect time to channel your creativity and try something new! Join me in Frederick, Md. July 15 to create a fun adornment for your garden or indoor plant in a craft party hosted by The Muse. Click on the photo to register. Space is limited! 

Yesterday was the longest day of the year. And even though that means the daylight will now incrementally begin to dwindle, it’s just the beginning of my favorite season! I am energized by the warm sun, lingering daylight and freedom of schedule this time of year invites. I absolutely experience a creative surge this time of year in my clay studio and daily living. I wake up early and stay up later. Time seems generous. So I try to stay open-minded to new ideas and ‘ride the wave’ while it lasts. 

Do either of these photos evoke any summertime recollections for you? One of my favorite memories of summer is going to our neighborhood playground. The county provided counselors to organize daily activities for the kids that lived nearby. You could drop in anytime. Two of my favorites were playing 'carroms' and arts and crafts projects like a 'gimp key chain.' Summertime meant no shoes (we walked barefoot everywhere), no set schedule and tons of freedom to create our own fun.

This 'splash' pool-themed totem is part of a series I've created for a private backyard in Virginia.

I had fun repurposing these grill utensils in to a flower shape for a BBQ-themed totem for the project.

It's summertime! Enjoy a break in your schedule. Get outside and play a little. And tap in to your own creative juices. I bet they are flowing in you now too!