Cinnamon Pink

Ideas & Sam Harrison

I subscribe to Sam Harrison's inspirational Speaking of Ideas e-newsletter list. Harrison is a speaker, writer and coach on creativity-related topics. His mission is: Helping People Express and expand their Creativity. 

This week's newsletter topic asks readers: Are You Stopping Too Soon with Ideas?

Here is Harrison's view on the topic in his own words: "We often need to go past obvious, expected answers. Likewise, we usually need to keep going and dig deeper when we're coming up with ideas for projects. Otherwise, we'll tend to have predictable solutions and ordinary ideas." 

 "When facing a new project, try putting aside the first idea that pops in your head. That's likely the same idea everyone else would have. And it may be the same idea you've already used for similar situations. Instead, keep going. Brainstorm by yourself or with others to find fresh ideas and bolder solutions. When we go past the ordinary, we move toward the extraordinary!"

Check out Harrison's Web site, ZingZone, for more information about him and his books. I'm sure you'll come away inspired.

You might also be interested in this article written by Harrison: Putting Lines Around Ideas.

 

 

 

Beyond the First Idea from Sean McCabe

I recently discovered the site (Seanwes) of Sean McCabe who is a Hand Lettering Artist, Type Designer, Illustrator and Musician.

I like what she says in her post entitled Beyond the First Idea:

"As designers, it’s our job to pursue a unique direction that effectively enables the project to stand apart. The quickest way to get to this point is to hurry up and have that first idea. Once you’ve got it, throw it out. Completely toss your first idea. If you can do this, you’re one step closer to making something distinctive and notable."

I believe her suggestion could also be applied to mixed-media art projects. What do you do with your first ideas for art projects?

 Read the rest of Sean's post andcCheck out the other interesting articles on her site.

 

To Do the Impossible...Quote

I just came across this quote by David Murdock. The quote really spoke to me - so I chose a template on the Recitethis site and created this image.

What quote inspires you?

Work Is Not a Job Manifesto

Via Swiss Miss, I discovered this great manifesto on WorkIsNotAJob. I like the creative energy of this manifesto.

The site is hosted by Catharina Bruns, Founder, Designer and Believer in Human Potential - and Sophie Pester, Designer and Creative Partner.

What do you think about your own work?

Jumpstart Your Art Career - Tips from Lori McNeed

In the past, I've highlighted posts from other blogs on Jumpstarting Your Art Career.

Here's another article, from professional artist Lori McNee who is founder of Fine Art Tips, entitled, How to Jump Start Your Art Career.  You will surely find a plethora of valuable tips in Lori's post that you can use to promote your own  art career.

 Here are a few ideas from Lori that I especially like:

• Make creative time a habit. Just like you make time to exercise, make time to create!

• Start producing finished, frame-worthy pieces of art.

• Document your artwork

Set aside time to read Lori's complete post - and then go forth and Make Art.

Change Your Space & Enhance Your Creative Potential

Are you ready to kick your creativity up a notch? Then begin making some changes to your Art Studio. 

• Add more light to your studio by pulling up the shades, removing the window curtains or investing in an OttLite. The latter offers artists the ability to see the true colors in their art work and clear details. The light also reduces glare and eyestrain. I have been using an OttLite for many years for painting, bead embroidery and reading.
• When was the last time you changed your Inspiration Board? If you look at the same images day after day, they soon blend into the background – and become unnoticed. A revamp of your board may improve your focus and increase your creativity. Surrounding yourself with images and objects that have positive associations can also stir up happy and soothing feelings. As you can see, I just redid my own Inspiration Board.
• .Clear the clutter from your art table and room and you’ll feel more calm, organized and in control. If you can’t devote an entire day to clutter control, set aside ten minutes each day to tidy up your studio.
• Depending on your individual preferences, set a tranquil or energized atmosphere with your favorite music choices.
• Create a comforting ambiance with soft cozy chairs, pillows and thick rugs.
• Paint your walls in your favorite color. Scientists claim that creative tasks are performed most successfully when people are surrounded by blue walls. I think that wall color may depend on the individual. I function best and feel calmer when my walls are white.

What changes will you make to your Art Studio today?

Capturing Your Ideas

Let's say that you're out for your morning walk and a creative idea for an art project suddenly appears in your mind. And darn - you don't have a pencil or paper. You decide to note the idea down in your journal as soon as you arrive home. It's such a novel breakthrough - You won't forget it.

But when you come home - the idea is gone - floating around in the atmosphere somewhere - out of reach. Does this ever happen to you? Then check out these articles for tips on capturing your ideas.

• How Do You Dissipate Your Creative Energy? Part II written by Rice Freeman-Zachery
• Capture Creativity written by Aviv Shahar 
• How to Turn Ideas into Action written by Adarsh Menon

How do you capture your ideas?

Art & Spring Cleaning

What does Art have to do with Spring Cleaning? Well, I like to declutter my home when the Spring season arrives. I was in the middle of cleaning when I came upon this box filled with old copies of Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion magazine. (I do hope Mary publishes this magazine again.)

I began leafing through the magazines. Soon, I quickly became engrossed in the inspiring articles and photographs. I had always enjoyed the magazine's stories about artists and their studios. Before I knew it, I was coming up with some new ideas for my own art work.

Why not take some time to dig into the boxes in your attic, basement or storage area. Check out those overstuffed drawers and cupboards in your home too. Your next idea for an awesome art project may be only a few boxes away.

Roundup of Links from the About.com Painting site

Today, I was trolling around the Web specifically looking for information on creating real world Inspiration Boards. During my search, I came across the following interesting posts on the About.comPainting site. I'm always amazed at how the lure of countless subjects and sites on the Internet can take a person down so many different browsing paths.

Regardless, there is some good information in these posts so take a few minutes to check them out.

• Ten Techniques for Painting More Loosely

 

• Seven Techniques for Creating a Painting

 

• Techniques of the Impressionists: How to Paint with Broken Color

 

• How to Beat Artist's Block

Nurture Your Ideas

In Bernadette Jiwa's book, Make Your Idea Matter: Stand Out with a Better Story, she offers Twenty Ways to Nurture Your Ideas. 

Here are five of my favorite suggestions from Jiwa's list:

• Understand your creative process. Be aware of what drives you. Reflect on how you make things happen.
• Use tools that inspire you - leather journals, coloured pens, scrapbooks, green ink....
• Be on a mission. Why does the idea excite you? Why this idea, why now? What difference will it make in the world?
• Don't set goals. Just Go!
• Practice blue-sky thinking. Ask "what if?"

How do you nurture your own ideas?

Consistently Come Up with Great Ideas from the Lifehack site

Image from Lifehack site

If you regularly read my blog, you know that I'm always seeking information on enhancing creativity, innovation - and increasing ideas. I came across a post entitled How to Consistently Come Up with Great Ideas written by Tapha Ngum on the LifeHack site.

Tapha offers an insightful quote from Steve Jobs:

“Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while. That’s because they were able to connect experiences they’ve had and synthesize new things. And the reason they were able to do that was that they’ve had more experiences or they have thought more about their experiences than other people.”

Tapha suggests a step-by-step process for consistent idea generation. I like Step 4 in the process. 

Every day, challenge yourself to create an idea quota. Take about 45 minutes to an hour and do nothing but write down ideas related to the area that you have chosen to work on. If it’s ideas for generating innovative blog posts, come up with 50 ideas on unique blog posts within that time frame.

Don’t judge the ideas. Just write them down. Do this task consistently for about ten days. After the ten days are up, analyze your lists and choose the ten best ideas. Check out Tapha's post for more details.

I believe this Idea Quota tool could also work when you want to come up with new ideas for mixed-media art projects.

 

30 Things to Start Doing for Yourself from Hack Life Blog

Via the Marc & Angel Hack Life Blog (which focuses on Practical Tips for Productive Living), I discovered this inspirational post, 30 Things to Start Doing for Yourself.

I especially liked these two points:

• Start giving your ideas and dreams a chance. – In life, it’s rarely about getting a chance; it’s about taking a chance.  You’ll never be 100% sure it will work, but you can always be 100% sure doing nothing won’t work.  Most of the time you just have to go for it!  And no matter how it turns out, it always ends up just the way it should be.  Either you succeed or you learn something.  Win-Win.

• Start believing that you’re ready for the next step. – You are ready!  Think about it.  You have everything you need right now to take the next small, realistic step forward.  So embrace the opportunities that come your way, and accept the challenges – they’re gifts that will help you to grow.

Take a few minutes now to read the complete post. Then later, poke around the rest of their site for more inspiration - and informative tidbits.

 

Finding Inspiration for Your Art

Vintage Books 

Need a little jolt of artistic inspiration? Then take a look at these ideas – and challenge yourself to start making marvelous and magnificent art today.

• Search the Web and Google Images for historical and contemporary fashion styles. Study color combinations, patterns, fabric textures and costume style. Attempt to incorporate some of the ideas you find into your own mixed-media art projects. The Fashion-Era site contains 885 content rich, illustrated pages of Fashion History, Costume History, Clothing, Fashions and Social History.

•  Check out Style and Design blogs to keep up with the newest trends, leading edge ideas and upcoming fashions and interior design. These trends usually eventually trickle down to the art world. As you study these different styles and designs, try to adapt them to your own art work.

• Take a trip to the downtown area of your nearest city. Study the architecture of historical buildings – and make some quick sketches or take photographs. No time for a trip downtown?  Check out books on architecture in your town library – or your own personal library. Pay attention to the shapes, forms and decorative details of the buildings. Can you make an  assemblage art piece based on the buildings that you admire?

• Poke around in Flea Markets and Thrift Shops looking for vintage fabrics, old photographs, retro jewelry, metal findings, unique china, old board games, puzzles and ephemera. Later, decide how you can incorporate these finds into a new art piece. 

• The next time that you reach for your breakfast cereal, check out the packaging design on the box. Seriously, you can learn a lot from studying the package design on the food products, or other items, that you purchase. Rummage through your refrigerator or cupboards and see what ideas you can come up with. Create a collage with the designs that call your name. 

• Traveling to new destinations can jumpstart your creative juices. Plan a day trip, a long weekend or a vacation if you can fit it in. Tourist spots near your home can offer inspiration if you visit them as if you were seeing the attractions for the first time. For example, I live near Colonial Williamsburg. Simply walking around the manicured grounds helps me gain new insights and a heightened sense of awareness. Revisiting areas that you haven’t been to in years may offer you a fresh perspective too. Snap some photos, purchase a bunch of local area postcards for later review - or make a few quick sketches. These tactics may help fuel some innovative artistic ideas for your next art studio session. 

• Vintage children’s picture books are often filled with amazing visual art that can inspire your own work. Do study the illustrations but also check out unusual typography; use of color and fonts. Find these old books at used book stores, thrift shops, antique stores, your local library, Google Books or online stores (e.g., Abe Books). I especially like collecting children’s picture books from the 1920's and 1930's. 

Make sure you capture all of the inspiring sources that you do find during these exercises in your Art Journal, sketchbook, hard drive or on Pinterest. Then begin to create inspiring art today.