Thoughts about creativity, polymer clay, beading and life

Note from Libby:  I wrote this post several days ago, meaning to get back to it and revise a bit.  I have been hesitant to publish it because I don’t want this blog to come across as whiny.  Creativity has an ebb and flow, and while it is harder to write about, I think examining the ebb periods is important too.  This post really isn’t about any need for support or encouragement.  This is just where I am at right now.

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So, I suppose you could say that I have fallen more than a bit behind on my blogging.  LOL  The truth is I haven’t felt like I had anything to say lately.  For most of this fall my creative pulse has been very low, to the point that lately it’s been barely detectable.  It’s kind of like sitting on the sidelines.  I’ve been watching, soaking up some of what’s going on around me, but not participating.  Oddly enough, I’m not worried about it.  Deep inside me I know it will come back, but for now I am taking in the view from the sidelines.

I do think about projects I’d like to start, but most of my ideas have been the kind which require step “A” and “B” before proceeding to step “C”, and I am only really interested in step “C”.  For example, there’s a bead embroidered bracelet design I want to play around with one of these days, but I need to make polymer clay cabs for it, and I can’t quite visualize what they should be.  It’s interesting to note, though, that the farther I step away from my creative side, the fewer ideas I have.  The flow of design ideas has definitely slowed to a trickle.

Meanwhile, I’d like to thank everyone who commented on my post about whether I should continue the Studio Snapshot series. It’s encouraging that you’ve enjoyed the Studio Snapshot series as much as I have.  I’d especially like to thank the artists who have written me to volunteer their studios for a tour.  I will be sending out the interview questions soon.  I may wait until after the holidays since everyone is busy right now.

Tagged as: creative inertia, Studio Snapshot

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Artist name: Karen Park

Location: Massachusetts
Website: KarenPark.com
Blog: Art and Tea
Flickr: Karen Park’s photos

Do you have a dedicated studio/artistic space? Yes

Where is it located? I converted a downstairs family room in my home

Is it a large or small space? Medium, about 11 x 12′

What medium(s) do you work in? I’m a mixed media jewelry artist working with all types of beads, polymer clay, metal and fiber.

Do you have a separate area for each? I have 3 separate areas in my studio right now, one for beadwork, one for polymer clay work and one for metalwork.  The one for metalwork is a temporary setup until I can get a sturdier workbench.

What one word would you use to describe your studio? Sanctuary

What do you think is the best feature of your studio? I have space to spread out in.

What would you change if you could? The rug.  I’d rather have ceramic or wood on the floor.

Can you share an organizational tip? I save the rectangular sturdy plastic containers from our local Chinese restaurant.  They make great storage for individual bead projects and are also great for travel.  They stack well, too!

Describe the usual state of your work table? Organized chaos.  I’m a confessed neat freak but things can get pretty  thrown around and cluttered when I’m in the midst of an intense creative phase.  Then I do a major cleanup after my project is finished.  That helps me clear out my psyche as well to prepare for the next project.

Does your work table face out into the room or toward the wall? One faces a sliding glass door out into our backyard, one faces out into the room and one faces a wall.  So, I have variety.

What’s one drawback of your studio/artistic space? The lighting.  I’ve only been in the space 4 months so I haven’t set up proper lighting yet.  I’d like to install some shop lights that hang from the ceiling to really light up the space.

Do you have any studio mascots (pets, mannequin whatever)? Our black lab, Jack, comes and visits me often, especially if there’s a thunderstorm.  Then he’s under my worktable!

Do you have an idea wall or inspiration board? I just picked up a small bulletin board and would like to pin up some images for color inspiration.  I also have some beautiful needlepoint pieces my Mom created that are a great inspiration to me.

Do you listen to music in your studio?  What kind? Yes, I listen to all types of music.  Usually, it’s relaxing instrumental music but lately I’ve been addicted to listening to Josh Groban.  What a voice!

Do you display your own work in your studio?  Other artists’ work? I display some of my amulet bags along with an art doll that was created in collaboration with some very dear art friends.

What’s one quirk or unusual feature of your studio? I have a fireplace in the room, a very wonderful feature!

Any question of your own that you’d like to include? Not a question but a statement about how very blessed I am to have a creative room of my own.  I lived in a small apartment for the last 4 years with no dedicated art studio space and words cannot describe how spirit nourishing and empowering having this space is to me.

Tagged as: polymer clay, Studio Snapshot

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Susan Lomuto of Daily Art Muse has an amazing contest going right now.  There’s a $200 plus prize of crafty books and other wordy goodness.  Check out her new etsy shop too:  Text Messages.  If you are as fascinated by words and letterforms as I am, you’ll find some amazing treasures there.

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Thanks to Gerri Newfry for the link to this blog post by Alicia Tormey on the subject of creative motivation. It’s a fantastic post full of ideas I really need to take to heart.  It seems so obvious and yet, I have never really thought about the difference between inspiration and motivation.  While inspiration flows through me in varying waves, my basic struggle lies in a failure to motivate myself.

At some instinctive level, I know this.  I may have mentioned here that when I don’t feel particularly creative, I can jump start myself by going down into the studio and cleaning up a portion of the perpetual mess.  The act of tidying up my supplies connects me to them, and next thing I know I find myself sitting at my worktable or bench.

And I love Alicia’s idea of a creative power outfit!  Clothes have a power we don’t always recognize.  I know a really great outfit can boost my confidence and energy.  Now that I think about it, I realize that I have sloppy fall-out-of-bed-pajama type outfits that sap my energy.  It’s something I need to think about more.

Thanks for the proverbial whack on the head Gerri and Alicia!  Now if only I didn’t have to spend the day cleaning and cooking and generally preparing for the great family feast Thursday.

Tagged as: creative inertia, inspiration

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