Riding The Creative Waves
It's been awhile since I have taken any everyday photos. My Flickr account has been quiet since the beginning of June.
I ride creative waves. They ebb and they flow.
I went to the Farmer's Market yesterday and had every intention of taking my camera with me. I was about half way there when I realized I had left it on my desk (most likely because my arms were full of laundry for the cleaners and a package for the post office). I didn't turn around.
I am perfectly ok with this break.
In fact, I welcome it as a chance to open my mind to new things, new experiences, new possibilities. Sometimes we have to set aside pieces of our lives (even those pieces that seem so much a part of ourselves) to be open to something new that will inspire us, challenge us, and take us in a new direction.
My perspective has always been that it is the sum of the creative experiences that matters rather than where I am creatively from one moment to the next. It's all part of my personal evolution.
There are other things that are different around here right now. By this time in the summer I usually have hanging baskets exploding on
my porch. This year, with a bit more travel than in the past and a different work schedule, I decided
to skip the baskets because it is just too hard to keep them alive when
I am gone. I am missing them but even when I took a break today to go pick one out I came home empty handed with the thought that I just really didn't need it.
Instead I cut a few blooms off my hydrangea and brought them inside and have them here on my table. I am delighting in their amazing beauty.
This summer has been full of work. A good kind of work. I have been creating a bunch on digital/hybrid elements for Designer Digitals each week (new stuff comes out every week over there - this weekend is Christmas in July). My creative talents have been challenged in new ways (some have been awakened after a long slumber) and it has been good for keeping me on my toes. I think I needed that sort of a creative shake-up.
I have been making some significant changes work-wise where more responsibility now lays on me. I am embracing this change with open arms and am really excited about a variety of things that are coming up both this year and next. Some of these things have been occupying my mind lately to great extents. Pre-occupied is almost an understatement.
This blog continues to be a big part of my everyday work. I am looking for (and working towards) that balance between professional and personal and hope to continue to grow this site in a variety of ways in the coming months.
Today I am changing up the bulletin board over my computer. Everything is coming down to free up space for new stuff. New thoughts, new challenges, new ideas, new inspirations, new chapters.
I am riding the wave. Ebbing and flowing and being open.
Forge forward into the frontier!
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Thank you, Ali. It is a good lesson for all of us, especially those of us who also feel the need to modify or alter what we do. Your message touched me but not because of the shift in creativity. It is because of a change in my personal relationship with one of my brothers. I am experiencing an epiphany of sorts, much like yours. It is "all good" as you say. Again, my appreciation for all you do for us not only as an artist but also as a person who grows and processes and helps us do the same.
Terri
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Ah, artful surfing. I love it! Good things always come and even when it's hard work, the journey there feels so good, doesn't it?
Wishing you a lovely weekend, ali!
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i hope you know how inspirational your blog is.
it is evident how much work you put into it and it truly is a highlight of my day to read your thoughts and see your amazing work.
love what you shared today...it is so true that the creative process ebbs and flows!
have a lovely weekend!
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This was a really good post.
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I love this post. I was feeling guilt over the fact that I have been taking a scrap break of sorts. I realize now I am just adjusting the way I create. It's not that I have stopped being creative, I am just doing it in a different way.
I go through phases of creativity. Sometimes I feel obsessed, I can't make enough fast enough. And other time, like now, I feel almost burnt out. Like my mind needs to reboot and rest.
Thanks for letting me know once again that "Its all good."
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It's interesting how our lives cycle through a long series of changes. I'm so curious to hear what some of these work-responsibility changes are. I hope you will get to share some of it with us.
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Ali
Just want to say how much I enjoy your blog-
I know you put alot into it.
Thanks!!
{vicki}
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My board came down this week as well. When it begins to feel more like just another source of clutter and no longer something I can draw from ... it's time to go.
Sounds like good stuff on your horizon. We're all so happily along for your ride as it unfolds. Happy weekend, Ali.
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Thank you for reminding all of us that life does ebb and flow. We are all a part of that river called life.
Sue
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Ali, Thank you for being so real!!! It is comforting to know this. I believe as woman we put so much pressure on ourselves and I like what you have said.
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Thanks for the reminder! Sometimes, I think it feels like (to me) we are abandoning things if we change our focus or move on to newer horizons. But I appreciate the reminder that it is healthy and that people that I admire go through the same creative process!
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Great honest post Ali! Life is a big cycle full of ups and downs.And I think it is great that you are exploring other creative options. The worst place is to be stuck doing the same thing we always do. Life is about growing and changing and finding new things. Just continue to share all you great new finds with us blog friends! Thanks for the continual inspiration!
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As you are taking things down off your board I am adding new things to mine. :) Thanks for this post. I've been going with the flow the past week or so and just been enjoying it. Glad to see others are too!
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Oh did I need this reminder today. I'm riding an ebb and now I'm going to relax and enjoy it!
Thanks.
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I hope your ebbs and flows always include your blog. No matter the content, I start my day with your blog, for one. I miss when you leave for creative escapes but always feel the sense of renewal when you come back. I am enjoying the work you are doing at Designer Digitals although I have yet to purchase anything (always purchase on the first of the month), but have several things bookmarked. Would love to see you branch out a little into more digital elements. I know you can!
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Change is always good for the Soul!!!
Enjoy the ride.
Nicky
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Ali, your post was a breathe of fresh air today...thanks for reminding us to be flexible and open....reminds me of something a friend said to me once when I was starting a journey...to have my arms open wide for all to come...
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wonderful writing-refreshing and a good reminder for all of us! Erin :)
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love your thoughts ali!
go you!!
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Ali, what an exciting Blog for me to read. I actually just posted in my own on Scrapwords about change and embracing that part of yourself...that REAL part of yourself. It's all about being true to you. Sounds like that is exactly what you're doing. Life gets so busy and we want to fit it all in...being a mom, a wife, a creative soul...I love the challenge and am up for it. Sounds like you are, too!
BTW, meeting you at CHA was one of my highlights. You are so sweet just like I thought you'd be. Thanks for the book, too. LOVE IT as I love everything you create. You are one talented soul, Ali Edwards.
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I can relate totally to the ebbing and flowing...and after digging and digging on the internet for CHA releases...my creative juices are bursting. Too bad I am soo swamped with work right now to enjoy them.
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I related with your comments about the hanging baskets. I usually have a vegetable garden, but this year it didn't get done. No big reason for it, just a lot of little things, bad weather every weekend this spring, other projects from winter that we were finishing up. So I didn't get pots planted to hang in my gazebo either. I ended up buying some artificial geraniums and 'planting' them in my hanging baskets. They are far away from the street, so no one will really notice, and I love the color! Problem solved and I may do it again next year.
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Change is such a good thing - We went to Wild Waves this week and I forgot my camera. At first I was so sad that I was going to miss such a great photo opportunity but as the day progressed - I read an entire book, took a nap and went into the water and on rides myself - I came out okay !!! Such panic when the camera is not at my fingertips - but all is well and the day progressed into a fun experience for all !!
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Ali,
All of this is just another facet of vitality. It is vital to let things happen, it is vital to be and do and live and breath. Without those things the definition of the word itself would have no merit. It is a wonderful thing to just accept what's in your path right now and not force the things that don't just happen. Eventually you will start taking your camera simply because you'll find you cannot leave the house without it. Eventually you will tend to the garden because that is rejuvenation. It will all be okay. I read something yesterday that made me think, so I had to write it down and put it somewhere to remind me everyday of its powerful message: "Just do what you want; if you mess up, the sun is going to rise tomorrow anyway."
So Ali, here is to vitality and simplicity.
peace.
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