Entries Tagged as: body
Creativity & the Body with Jamie Ridler
January 8th, 2010, Comments (25)
I'm so grateful that i was able to have this conversation with Jamie Ridler about creativity and the body! When I first asked Jamie to chat with me about this theme, I wasn't sure exactly why. I knew she taught Nia and loved to dance, but Jamie's work doesn't center around the body. I just had a feeling that she'd have some particularly juicy things to share on the topic and boy, was I right! I hope you enjoy our chat below, which you can listen to here or right-click (ctrl-click on a Mac) to download and listen to later.
Some juicy things to think about: What's one thing about your body that you're feeling grateful for today? What's one, tiny thing you do every day that you can do today with awareness and pleasure?
You can find out more about Jamie on her website where she blogs, leads groups (like the Full Moon Dreamboard groups Wishcasting Wednesdays, and super fun Next Chapter book groups), has a great podcast, and offers beautiful products (like Your Creative Spark and the brand new Soul Reflections course.) She's on Twitter too as @starshyne. Thank you, Jamie!!
Update: Sorry about the recording snafu! It's all fixed now!
Body Shadows In Progress
January 7th, 2010, Comments (12)
So, yesterday I shared a video of me using body shadows to trace shapes on a piece of paper and today I began playing with paint and gel medium in those shapes. I had to stop at one point when I managed to splatter purple paint all over myself. Doh! I've been letting it sit like this and noticing what I see in it now. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a whale shape at one point. But when I turned it around, that same shape looked just like a bird's head.
Where's this going? I don't know! It might go nowhere at all. But I enjoy playing in this way, letting things happen, and then looking to see what comes up as I work. It's a fun, intuitive process that leads to interesting things that I wouldn't necessarily come up with if I planned it all out. I'll keep you updated as it progresses.
And be sure to check in tomorrow for an interview with the fantabulous Jamie Ridler about creativity and the body!
Body Shadows
January 5th, 2010, Comments (16)
Yesterday, Daniel (@Highmoon on the Twitter) posted a pic of his shadow while he rode his bike into the sunset (and he managed to do it without falling down. Bonus!) It got me thinking about using body shadows as the beginnings for a piece of art. Fun! So, I made this little video (with a cat cameo by Sadie) of my shadow tracing. I plan to paint and play with the shapes I created and I'll post those soon.
Most of my creative energy lately has been spent on a private commission, entertaining guests, and learning a new skill (vector art, fun!) And a lot of my free time has been spent adding all the fabulous new participants to the Creative Every Day Challenge list. I'm blown away by how many have joined in this year, over 600 of us so far. I have a feeling that by the end of the year, we'll be over a thousand. And I love it because I feel like the energy of us all focusing on creativity together is a beautiful thing.
I wish I could get around to see what each one of you is up to every day, but I will do my best to visit when I can and I hope you'll continue to visit and support each other. A little bit of support goes a long way for each and every one of us!
I've also got some interviews to share with you this month with some amazing creative women. Among other things, we'll be talking about the ways in which the body and creativity intertwine. So very exciting. In the meantime, happy creating everyone!
Written on the Body
January 2nd, 2010, Comments (22)
Having a little fun with the Body theme for the Creative Every Day Challenge today, I wrote on my hand in red lipstick and took this self-portrait. That was fun. 
I love the idea of writing inspirational words on the body. Years ago I created a mixed-media painting that featured a poem I'd written, tattooed on a woman's back. If you could write a word or words on your skin, what would they be?
I've got my in-laws visiting to celebrate the holidays this weekend, so I may be a little quiet, but I'm already loving all the beautiful creations everyone is sharing. I'm adding sign-ups to the list of participants (nearly over 500 600 now!) as quick as I can, so if you've signed up in the last day and don't see yourself up there yet, hang in there, you will be soon!
Remember that this is a low-pressure challenge and to celebrate whatever you do instead of beating yourself up over what you don't do. It makes it so much easier to maintain a creative lifestyle when we are able to let go of the self-judgment. (I know that one from experience!)
Happy New Year and Happy Creating everyone!
Creative Every Day Theme for January 2010: Body
December 28th, 2009, Comments (52)
At the end of each month I will be announcing the totally optional theme for the following month. January 2010's theme will be: Body.
As always, the themes for the Creative Every Day Challenge are totally optional. Use it if it sparks you, continue being creative every day in your own way if it doesn't, or do something in between. For the theme of Body, I'm thinking in terms of the human body, a body of work, a body of water, etc... There are endless ways you can play with the theme and I'm open to any interpretation.
I'll be posting about the theme throughout the month on the blog to help keep you inspired. You can use the posts here for jumping off points or interpret the theme in your own creative way. If you need some suggestions, here are a few ideas to get you started. You could:
- *Put your whole body into your creating. Move while you work.
- *Make work based on the human figure. Take a life drawing class or draw yourself.
- *Create a body of work on a common theme.
- *Try body painting or have yourself painted with henna designs. .
- *Incorporate daily movement into your life and see how it impacts your creativity.
- *Write a love note to your body.
- *Focus on your favorite part of your body and create something inspired by it.
- *Make body prints: Finger prints, foot prints, or whole body prints!
How to use the CED themes:
If you're feeling creatively stuck or blocked at any point during the month, use the theme as a source of inspiration to get you moving.
Using the theme is entirely optional for CED participants. Use it if it inspires you, ignore it if it doesn't. I'll be sharing posts throughout the month around the theme (among other things) to get you thinking about how to incorporate it into your life. I'd love to hear how you use the theme in your creative world.
Feel free to focus on the theme in your creative activities for the entire month or as much as you'd like.
And have fun with it!
p.s. The art I adapted for this post, is from my mixed-media piece, titled Eve, which is available as a print here.
The body never lies. ~Martha Graham
