Woman in Charge

“The Woman in Charge”

A creative task I really enjoy doing is what I call “text page art”. Starting with a page from a paperback, read through it, find a few words that catch your eye. Use that as the title for an image that you can either sketch directly on the page or look through magazines for something.

The image above: I used a text page from “The Gifts of Imperfection” by Brene Brown. The image on top of the text was borrowed from art director Andrew P. Kner, Print Magazine cover 1979. I had a postcard with that image and I believe subconsciously the title and image came together well before I decided they would.

2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing and protecting women's constitutional right to vote. I did not realize that when I created this in my notebook.

I love how the magic of creativity works. But is it really magic or is it that when we are prepared, creativity is more readily available? I’d like to think that it’s a combination of both.

~Maria

In My Own Words

I love quotes! I collect them, I read them, I post them on social media as well as physically on my inspiration board above my desk. Throughout the years I have written words and thoughts of my own in my notebooks. This is just one of the 52 in my book/workbook, Project 52. Today I was encouraged to begin sharing these with my audience. Let me know what you think?

Not All is Lost

“Renewal requires opening yourself up to new ways of thinking and feeling” Deborah Day (author of Be Happy Now!)

Kenwood Inn & Spa, Kenwood, CA

Hello friends,

Recently I lost all my document files on my computer and wanted to share this with you. My tech-savvy guy had offered to take care of something for me and I never checked back on it even though I had small clues now and then that I should have paid attention to. I won’t mention names but I live with him. This taught me a big lesson. After losing my mind and getting angry, I calmed down and asked myself “so what should I do now?” I began by looking through thumb drives and found a few files there. Everything else was gone for good. Which led me to the next step.

First I decided to make this a new start. Meaning that maybe it was time to let go of what I lost and begin a new way of teaching, documenting, and simplifying my notes. After all, nobody can take from me what I know and love in my heart. To live and breathe creativity is a big part of me!

Next, we took a vacation to the Sonoma Valley in California. Yes, I forgave him and took a trip with him. In the scheme of things, I told myself they were just files. Although I had to repeat that to myself several times, eventually and after a lot of great wine, I felt much better.

And the biggest thing I learned was that I alone am responsible for tech support results and learning yet another computer lesson was a good thing in the end. So back up your files, ask questions, and get help when you need it. ~Maria

My Personal Manifesto

my personal manifesto

Hello Creatives, I get ideas from many other creatives I follow. I was inspired to write my list for my personal manifesto by Todd Henry, The Accidental Creative. I had fun creating it like this and look forward to sharing this project with my creative circle. Have you written your personal manifesto?

Nothing is Original

“Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic. Authenticity is invaluable; originality is non-existent. And don’t bother concealing your thievery - celebrate it if you feel like it. In any case, always remember what Jean-Luc Godard said: “It’s not where you take things from - it’s where you take them to."
― Jim Jarmusch

The Creative Brain

Hello Creatives,

I enjoyed this Documentary on Netflix and found so much common ground with what I preach and teach in my creativity workshops. Neuroscientist David Eagleman taps into the creative process of various innovators while exploring brain-bending, risk-taking ways to spark creativity.

“Creativity isn’t about just one region of the brain. Every experience you have is raw material for your brain to play with—raw material for new ideas.”

Watch it soon and be inspired! ~Maria

A Clean Slate

“If you are not afraid of the voices inside you, you will not fear the critics outside you.” Natalie Goldberg

Hello Creatives,

In my process of simplifying and eliminating excess, I am closing my WordPress blog site which I’ve had for many years and picking it up here. It’s always a little scary staring at a blank canvas, a blank page, and wondering which of all my insane thoughts that run through my head shall I share with you today.

Thank you for your time, attention, and comments. ~Maria