"Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures."
Henry Ward Beecher
This quote is not about fine art. It is about the art of creating. It doesn't matter if you are painting a painting, raising a child, or building an antique car - you put a part of yourself into your work when you are creative. I really like this quote because it kind of goes along with my definition - where you make part of yourself eternal.
"Don't think. Thinking is the enemy of creativity. It's self-conscious, and anything self-conscious is lousy. You can't try to do things. You simply must do things." ~ Ray Bradbury
I love this quote because it's all about flow. When I am in flow, I'm not thinking. I've tried to explain it, define it, heck, even remember it clearly. It is a state of mind where you create without thinking - there is no criticism, no worries what others may think.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Creative Classroom
At the end of Monday's class, Penny asked us to close our eyes and think about a creative classroom that we were in. I was very luck to have many creative teachers during my education and can still remember their classrooms, projects we did, and friends who were in my class. However, the first classroom that came to my mind was my 2nd grade classroom - but to understand why, I have to start back at 1st grade.
My first grade teacher ran a tight ship. I can still remember the staccato of her high heels as she walked up and down the perfectly straight rows. She wasn't mean, but she was loud and her yelling at someone (not even me!) was enough to send me into a panic. I cried, I screamed, I refused to go to school. My mom brought me to the doctor and he said I was suffering from "school phobia". I also knew how to read so I was not allowed to sit in the class during reading - I was sent to 2nd grade, then 3rd. I actually didn't mind leaving the class because at least I wasn't bored, but then Buffy and Mack came and changed all that. You may ask, who are Buffy and Mack? Buffy and Mack were a panda and a bunny on the front of the first grade reading books. Two people came to our class one day dressed as a giant panda and a bunny to talk to my class about reading, and the teacher sent me out of the room to go to the 2nd grade classroom for reading. I wanted to stay and see what the giant panda had to say, but I was being punished for being smart and had to leave.
2nd grade saved me. 1st grade was such a nightmare that I'm sure my mom was ready to medicate me. My 2nd grade teacher had a colorful room and we sat at tables. In the corner of the room, there was a rug with pillows where we could read. Instead of sending me out of the room for reading, my teacher had me read "The Borrowers". I loved the idea of these little people living unseen! My teacher inspired me to write books - which I wrote and self-published at home. I'd write and then illustrate them for hours after school and on the weekends. My teacher also had 'crazy pages' - weird lines drawn on a piece of paper and you had to finish the picture. Sometimes I'd tape 10 pages together to finish my drawing.
I had creative teachers after 2nd grade, but I think if it hadn't been for my 2nd grade teacher, I would have been a goner. After such a rough start in 1st grade, I needed someone who could help me develop my social-emotional and creative side, without making me feel like a freak.
My first grade teacher ran a tight ship. I can still remember the staccato of her high heels as she walked up and down the perfectly straight rows. She wasn't mean, but she was loud and her yelling at someone (not even me!) was enough to send me into a panic. I cried, I screamed, I refused to go to school. My mom brought me to the doctor and he said I was suffering from "school phobia". I also knew how to read so I was not allowed to sit in the class during reading - I was sent to 2nd grade, then 3rd. I actually didn't mind leaving the class because at least I wasn't bored, but then Buffy and Mack came and changed all that. You may ask, who are Buffy and Mack? Buffy and Mack were a panda and a bunny on the front of the first grade reading books. Two people came to our class one day dressed as a giant panda and a bunny to talk to my class about reading, and the teacher sent me out of the room to go to the 2nd grade classroom for reading. I wanted to stay and see what the giant panda had to say, but I was being punished for being smart and had to leave.
2nd grade saved me. 1st grade was such a nightmare that I'm sure my mom was ready to medicate me. My 2nd grade teacher had a colorful room and we sat at tables. In the corner of the room, there was a rug with pillows where we could read. Instead of sending me out of the room for reading, my teacher had me read "The Borrowers". I loved the idea of these little people living unseen! My teacher inspired me to write books - which I wrote and self-published at home. I'd write and then illustrate them for hours after school and on the weekends. My teacher also had 'crazy pages' - weird lines drawn on a piece of paper and you had to finish the picture. Sometimes I'd tape 10 pages together to finish my drawing.
I had creative teachers after 2nd grade, but I think if it hadn't been for my 2nd grade teacher, I would have been a goner. After such a rough start in 1st grade, I needed someone who could help me develop my social-emotional and creative side, without making me feel like a freak.
Monday, June 4, 2012
Response to quote
"The key question isn't "what fosters creativity?" but it is "why in God's name isn't everyone creative? Where was the human potential lost? How was it crippled? I think therefore a good question might be not why do people create? But why do people NOT create or innovate? We have got to abandon that sense of amazement in the faceof creativity, as if it were a miracle if anybody created anything" ~ Abraham Maslow
This is something that I often wonder about some of my friends. Why do they not have the innate passion to make something, to create something, or why do they stand by and assume that the status quo is the way to go. It's interesting that they seem to think I have so much energy but it does not take much energy for me to create something. I think back generations to when people HAD to create things - clothes, homes, etc. Even with college degrees, many of us could not accomplish what our ancestors did without formal education.
This is something that I often wonder about some of my friends. Why do they not have the innate passion to make something, to create something, or why do they stand by and assume that the status quo is the way to go. It's interesting that they seem to think I have so much energy but it does not take much energy for me to create something. I think back generations to when people HAD to create things - clothes, homes, etc. Even with college degrees, many of us could not accomplish what our ancestors did without formal education.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Back!
It's been a few days...sorry... :)
I went to this amazing workshop that was held at my district for summer professional development. The workshop was about energy healing and using meditation and Raki to balance yourself. I definitely have some great strategies to use with my students (cross brain, relaxation) and myself.
On a creative note, a few of my quilts are finished, and just need the trim! I made this t-shirt quilt for my dad and I just love it. It is all of his old tshirts put into a quilt. It turned out really nice and I can't wait to give it to him. I also have a ton of new fabric and I can't decide what to start first. Its funny that I hate parts of the quilting process but love others. I love picking out fabric - I don't buy "kits" because I want to pick out my own fabric. I want my quilt to be an expression of me, not something I buy in a ziplock bag and put together. I am happy as a clam in a fabric store, matching fabric, and looking around for inspiration. Then I bring my treasures home...and I hate cutting stuff out. Blah. Boooorring. But once it is all cut out, I can't wait to sew it. I love piecing it together. I used to hate the "binding" or trimming process, because half is by sewing machine and half is by hand, but I've actually started to enjoy the hand sewing...its relaxing!
I went to this amazing workshop that was held at my district for summer professional development. The workshop was about energy healing and using meditation and Raki to balance yourself. I definitely have some great strategies to use with my students (cross brain, relaxation) and myself.
On a creative note, a few of my quilts are finished, and just need the trim! I made this t-shirt quilt for my dad and I just love it. It is all of his old tshirts put into a quilt. It turned out really nice and I can't wait to give it to him. I also have a ton of new fabric and I can't decide what to start first. Its funny that I hate parts of the quilting process but love others. I love picking out fabric - I don't buy "kits" because I want to pick out my own fabric. I want my quilt to be an expression of me, not something I buy in a ziplock bag and put together. I am happy as a clam in a fabric store, matching fabric, and looking around for inspiration. Then I bring my treasures home...and I hate cutting stuff out. Blah. Boooorring. But once it is all cut out, I can't wait to sew it. I love piecing it together. I used to hate the "binding" or trimming process, because half is by sewing machine and half is by hand, but I've actually started to enjoy the hand sewing...its relaxing!
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Quote
"Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun." ~ Mary Lou Clark
I love this quote! Especially the part about breaking the rules - that is a must for creativity. Creative people are rebels, can be outcasts of society, but all dance to the beat of their own drum. W\hether their creativity lies in the realm of music, art, sciences, or writing, a creative person must take risks and go beyond "sane" and "normal". The "having fun" part is also key - creativity should bring you joy!
I love this quote! Especially the part about breaking the rules - that is a must for creativity. Creative people are rebels, can be outcasts of society, but all dance to the beat of their own drum. W\hether their creativity lies in the realm of music, art, sciences, or writing, a creative person must take risks and go beyond "sane" and "normal". The "having fun" part is also key - creativity should bring you joy!
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Writing a Book
Last night I stayed up late, wrote some poetry, and looked through my computer files to see if there were any unfinished pieces that caught my attention. What caught my attention were a few finished children's books I wrote - I have no idea what to do with them. A few years back I searched online for some publishers that accepted manuscripts and I sent my stuff in, and never heard anything back. It would be so amazing to publish a children's book, but I honestly do not know where to start. Maybe I'll put it on my list of things to do for this summer (which is rapidly growing).
Monday, May 28, 2012
Late Night Creativity
Article critique....DONE!
Lesson plan...DONE!
Reading...almost done!
Standards Paper for internship...DONE
Now for some fun! So one of the best things about summer break, is getting back into my night owl routine. I think I'm a night owl by nature, but I have to force myself to get up at 5:00 a.m. during the school year. At night, I feel most creative. I'm not really sure why it is, but late at night I write by best poetry, sew my best quilts, and just feel so creative. It makes for an interesting morning (yawn), but the night is young...I think I'm going to write some more poetry...
Lesson plan...DONE!
Reading...almost done!
Standards Paper for internship...DONE
Now for some fun! So one of the best things about summer break, is getting back into my night owl routine. I think I'm a night owl by nature, but I have to force myself to get up at 5:00 a.m. during the school year. At night, I feel most creative. I'm not really sure why it is, but late at night I write by best poetry, sew my best quilts, and just feel so creative. It makes for an interesting morning (yawn), but the night is young...I think I'm going to write some more poetry...
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