This is what I learned: that everybody is talented, original and has something important to say. Brenda Ueland
As part of my new blog vision, I'm rolling out a few new posts/features you'll be seeing around here. By now, you've probably realized I'll be posting a LOT more -- daily through the week -- with more journal pages, step-by-step instructions, and fun links. I'm also going back to providing downloadable resources each week, some as pages, or "homework" assignments, or wallpapers. All things you're meant to PRINT and view and use to help you out.
One of the reasons I held back was that I wanted to make money off my journaling and lessons. I wanted to get everything together into one book or download or class, and then sell that. But within the last few months, I realized that isn't going to happen. Not that it couldn't, but that I kept putting it off for a reason.
Creativity and excitement comes from a deep longing to create. The 'zine gets compiled when I have this yearning to print and publish. Journal pages flow out when I'm reflective or need to write something out. Paintings come from a desire to let loose on the canvas without the clutter of words. When you create because of a deep compulsion in your soul, everything comes easier, almost automatically -- Julia Cameron sees this flow as the Creator working through you, and I agree with her idea. Sometimes, it does feel as though it's not me that's working; my brain goes blank, my body begins to dance in the chair, and the brush moves like the pointer on a Ouija board.
When you're doing something you don't want to do, it doesn't flow. You procrastinate. Put it off. Decide it can wait. Now, this attitude happens with important things -- doctor's appointments, phone calls, etc -- and then you have to push through. But with creative ventures, you only end up hurting yourself. Every time I've fallen into a dry spell, it's because I was forcing myself to do things I didn't really want to do. When I decided to stop doing art for any kind of livelihood, my well filled and I couldn't stop creating. I even started painting, something I've struggled with before.
So I'm putting it all out there to do so. Any time I receive a comment or email thanking me for my videos or tutorials or blog, I glow -- that is why I do all this. I could create and never go online, never post to a blog, and be happy. But something inside of me whispers, "Teach them," and I'm powerless to resist. One comment makes the time spent taking photos, scanning things, filming videos, etc completely and utterly worth it. That is why I was put on this Earth, lead to this path -- to give confidence, ideas, and inspiration to others. I can only hope to continue to do this for the rest of my life.
This summer's workshop will be by donation only. I will always post videos and tutorials. I will always answer your emails. And starting this week, I will always respond to your comments. I want to create a community of strong women artists unafraid to express themselves. Live without regrets and to your fullest. The quote above is true: we ALL have something unique to say, a talent no one else has, and have something important to share with the world.
When I sat down, I never intended to write this much, or decide this much -- when you allow yourself a moment to just WRITE, you surprise yourself with what your soul has to say. And this week's downloads are intended to help you do just that -- write in your journal without worrying about the art part. The following are two complete art journal pages just waiting for you to fill in the blanks. Click on the images to get the full-sized hi-res versions. Print them out. Write your heart out. Let me see what you come up with -- post images to the Journal Girl (formerly Page by Page) Flickr group and I'll come visit 'em!
as always,
love, kira
