It's been a while since I last posted anything, and frankly I've had a severe case of writer's block. Not so much in regards to this blog (I really enjoy posting on here even if I do wish there were more comments to further the conversation), the block has more to do with my doctoral thesis. As some of you know, I've been working on my dissertation and sometimes the ideas and words don't quite flow as smoothly as one would like them to. In fact, right now, the whole thing is at a complete standstill and a hot poker wouldn't get it to move. I suspect this happens to many people in many different situations - when it doesn't seem to be working right, when the pieces aren't coming together, and all those loose ends are just out there fluttering in the wind. So maybe this is a good time to work on an art project?...
One of the remarkable individuals I interviewed during my research said something very interesting to me. She said that when she works on a drawing (her preferred medium) she loses herself completely in the task at hand. When she focuses on whatever it is she wants to represent on her paper, all she thinks about is that line, that mark, that drawing. It's during this time that her worries, her concerns, and her ailments all disappear and by the end of that art making session, she feels recharged and relaxed.
So I decided I'd try that. Last month was Halloween and although I've never decorated for this holiday, this year, with the realization that there actually might actually be a trick-or-treater or two at the door, I decided to get into the spirit and give my brain a rest from worrying about writing. Now I know that for many of the people who work in the arts (educators, teachers, teaching artists, etc.), creating something based on a holiday theme makes them shudder in horror, and rightly so, considering some of the craft-kit projects I've seen in the past. But when you need a little push of encouragement, what better way is there to motivate one's self to create than by making something you would want to share with others? And if it happens to be a holiday wreath, a festive table runner, end of the year note cards, or even a painted pumpkin, so what? Do it! Just be sure the project will allows you to put your own special touch on it, whatever that may be.
With some extra sheets of white felt, I made miniature ghosts. I cut the rectangular pieces down to squares and rolled the excess into a ball. I placed the ball in the middle of the square and tied white yarn around the outside to secure it. I glued googly eyes (I mean, who doesn't have a bag of these lying around the house?) to the bulbous "head" of the ghost and added hats, scarves and smiles using extra pieces of different colored felt. After making one, I was hooked. I ended up making 17 before I ran out of white felt and placed them all in the tree outside. Even though they were only up for a day (I only thought to make them on Halloween eve), the result was just what I needed.
So I ask you, other than sleep, what helps to quiet your mind from the worries of the day? What do you do to feel rested and to relax your brain?...
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