12 Ways to Motivate Yourself – In Art & In Life

 You will learn to enjoy the process…and to surrender your need to control the result. You will discover the joy of practicing your creativity. The process, not the product, will become your focus.                                                                                                                                                                                                    Julia Cameron

As Spring tries to overtake Old Man Winter’s attempts to show us all that he won’t leave without a fight, our thoughts try to see past his handiwork to the green shoots pushing through the snow.  After our incredible winter, it seems selfish to complain….but we are human, and complaining is what we do.  It is our nature to see the downside rather than looking for the bright yellow daffodil standing tall against the skiff of snow left overnight.

Spring Struggle

The struggle of the garden against winter’s icy grip makes me think of how we struggle to find ourselves in our art….or in life for that matter.  Our insecurities and our negative talk often overwhelm any positives we find and it is a constant struggle to motivate ourselves to see that it is really about the journey —- not the destination.

In my favorites I have saved on my computer, is a blog post by Alicia Tormey entitled 12 Ways to Motivate Yourself in Art.  I believe that that old saying *Art Imitates Life* is apropo in this case as each of these steps, while meant to be applied to our artistic endeavours, can be applied to our own lives as well.

So whether you are an artist, a potter, a weaver, a gardener, a photographer or just yourself……..these 12 steps will give you the motivation you need as you move forward in your own Spring Struggle.

The following 12 steps are geared to the artist, however it is extremely easy to see how they can be transferred to all art forms, including life.  Please check out Alicia’s post (link above) for the complete write up.  I have summarized her 12 steps below.

1. Show Up – In order to make art, you need to show up.  Set aside time to get into the studio.
2. Set Goals  – Set goals – immediate (gathering supplies); short term (finish one painting); long term (complete 5 pieces for the Art Show)
3. Dress The Part – Find some comfortable clothes, a funky apron.  It is much easier to make great art if we are not afraid of *getting dirty*
4. Connect with Community – Join a club. There are lots of sources to learn more about your medium…online communities (blogs, online forums, online classes); Community Clubs (Taber Arts & Craft Society offers support and mentoring in painting, weaving & pottery)
5. Make Yourself Accountable – Share your goals and artistic aspirations with someone.  Artists love to share their goals and encourage others.
6. Lower Your Expectations – Fear is our greatest adversary.  We all set ourselves up to fail by expecting to produce masterpieces every time we put that piece of clay on the wheel, or dip our brush into that paint.  Instead…look at those failed pieces as learning experiences teaching you what works and what doesn’t.
7. Open Your Studio – Invite friends and family to look at your art.  Take them on a tour of the Taber Arts & Craft Building or if you are lucky enough to have a home studio, invite friends for lunch & a tour.
8. Apply for Calls – Deadlines motivate us…plan to show your work at the annual TACS show and sale. Look for other opportunities to display your work in the community.
9. Take a Class – Sign up for classes offered in the community…or further afield.  There are courses, workshops and classes for all levels offered all over.  Challenging yourself in a workshop can be a great motivator.
10. Host an Art Exchange – Throw an exchange party.  Swapping work is a great motivator to up your game.
11. Trade Critiques – Ask for feedback and don’t be afraid of it. A critique is not critisism.  Other artists often see things that our closeness to the work misses.  You can learn alot by just asking for critique.
12. Give Yourself Permission – This is perhaps the most important rule.  Give yourself permission to be who you are, where you are in your artistic life.  Give yourself permission to accept where you are right now. Allow yourself the time to create art, whether it is one hour or a whole day, schedule time to work in your medium.  Giving yourself permission is a gift to yourself.

Making art is about finding the true self – not who everyone has told you that you are, but the person you are truly              Birgit O,Connor

See you in the Studio!

Art Is All Around Us

“A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.” ~ Maya Angelou

Spring is  in the Air!

After our incredible winter, we can now look forward to warm breezes (or as it is known in Southern Alberta  – WIND), flowers popping up to bask in the sun and the opportunity to spend time outdoors.

So many of us forget that art lives everywhere – the beauty of nature is the ultimate canvas, always surprising and awe-inspiring, even in the mundane that we take for granted.  How many of us know people who live in the mountains who no longer notice the incredible views.  Or those who live in the rolling hills of Central Alberta who take the stands of trees for granted.  We have all done it, stopped noticing the incredible palette of colors and texture and light that is all around us.

Art influences us all – even if we don’t consider ourselves *artistic*.  We can all be inspired by the beauty of what we see when we look out the window, just by pausing for a moment in our busy lives to take notice of it – use our senses to take note of the smell of the moist soil, the sounds of the birds or the colors of the evening sky.  It is all art and it can make a mark on your soul if you let it.

Southern Alberta Sunset

Our club president sent me the following story from a radio broadcast which speaks to the inluence - and the importance of art in our lives.

“The Influence of Art“

Beautiful art is good for the soul. It can lift and inspire; it can calm and soothe; it can inform and enlighten. Art improves our quality of life and has been shown to stimulate brain function, reduce stress, and help us focus on things that really matter.¹ Those who take time to appreciate art—in its many forms—understand its remarkable effects.

Years ago, a man purchased his first home and, with his limited budget, set to the task of furnishing it. But rather than buying a sofa, a nice kitchen table, or other pieces of furniture, he first bought some modest but inspiring artwork. He knew he would eventually need a place to sit in his new home, but he felt he needed art on his walls even more.

When friends and family came to visit, they admired the beautiful prints and paintings that adorned his walls, but they wondered why he did not have much in the way of furniture. He explained that he was working on saving enough money to buy better furniture, but he was afraid that if he did not place a priority on art, he might never be able to justify its purchase.

John Hafen, a noted artist from a hundred years ago, explained what this man seemed to know about art. He said: “The influence of art is so powerful in shaping our lives for a higher appreciation of the creations of our God that we cannot afford to neglect an acquaintance with it. We should be as eager for its companionship. . . as we are eager for chairs to sit upon or for food to sustain our lives, for it has as important a mission in shaping our character and in conducing to our happiness as anything that we term necessities. Life is incomplete without it.”²

Indeed, art makes life more meaningful. Whether a painting or a poem, a sculpture or a song, wholesome artistic expression lifts us from the everyday and helps us see beyond the here and now.

from Music & the Spoken Word – broadcast March 4 #4303

JOIN US!

source Pinterest

Happy New Year.  It is so hard to believe that my last post was almost a month before Christmas and here we are, almost a month after.

So far, this winter has been wonderful!  If THIS was what winters were like every year, I wouldn’t complain about them.  So we should grab ahold of this gift and be thankful for it.  Each day, the sun moves a smidge back to the north, stays a bit longer and warms us a bit more with every new morning.  I am already thinking of deck sitting and flower planting and of course new artsy fun.

The poster above has all the little affirmations that we should take into our hearts and our souls as we start out on the new year.  New Year’s resolutions seem passe, I like affirmations – they seem less daunting, more insightful and retrospective.

As our club starts our new year with our Annual Meeting, we extend an invitation to come Join Us.  Our members are open and willing to help and mentor new artists to find their own inner artist, whether it is throwing a pot, creating a painting or even weaving some cloth.

There are so many benefits to being a member of our club.  Not only do you have access to a studio atmosphere, but also gain inspiration and mentorship from our experienced artisans.

Plan to come to our meeting – it is open to any and all interested artists, whether you know where you want to go with your craft, or are wondering if you would fit in with our gang. – please come.

ANNUAL MEETING 

10 AM - Saturday, Jan 28 

Taber Arts & Craft Building

4830B 50 Ave – beside Skate Park/behind Parkside Manor 

Pot Luck Lunch

Please share this information with friends and neighbours.  We would love to see you!  

Come find your inner artist with us! 

Follow Your Heart

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma—which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become.  Everything else is secondary                                                                                                                      Steve Jobs

DECEMBER 4!!!  It has been almost two months since I last posted here.  Time certainly does have a way of flying by.  The past two months have been busy ones at the Taber Art Centre.  We had a flurry of classes – clay pots & bowls were built, paintings were created with a variety of mediums and all in all, our fall classes were a great success. 

And so we are now a mere three weeks from Christmas.  Seems so hard to believe that another year has come and almost gone.  Looks like old man winter finally found us here in southern Alberta, hopefully he is gentle on us this year and goes away quietly in the not too distant future. 

In the meantime, winter is a great time to light that creative spark.  And Christmas is the perfect time to connect with family over some art projects.  The internet is a wealth of information with Pinterest being my latest addiction to finding interesting ideas to add to my “why didn’t I think of that” file.  Or try out Zentangle (what’s that you ask) – Zentangle is the meditative art of doodling and there are amazing things you can create with a 3 x 3 square and a fine sharpie or micron pen.  Check out this website for “how to draw” lessons on a multitude of patterns.  It will become something to fill your time sitting in the Dr. office or driving in the car. 

With Christmas coming – art supplies make a great stocking stuffer or put together an art kit for your child.  There are some great fishing tackle boxes that make perfect totes for storing pencils, pastels, paints or even clay tools, brushes, mark making tools, papers, glues.  This gives the artist the freedom to grab the box and create art whenever they want.  Art gift certificates for art supplies or even a membership to the Taber Arts and Craft Society would be something the artist could use throughout the year. 

Our club is working on some great new ideas that will encourage more participation from families and children in the new year.  So stay tuned – you won’t want to miss what we have planned. 

In the meantime, Taber Arts and Crafts Society wishes you all a Very Merry Christmas and look forward to creating with you in the new year. 

Come On In – We’d Love to See You!

“The great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving”   

Oliver Wendell Holmes 

I have come to realize throughout my life that opportunities are presented that we can either grab on to (which often opens doors that we didn’t even know were there) — or we can continue to move along telling ourselves that we will don’t have time right now, tucking that part of our lives away for another day. 

source Wet Canvas Image Library

One of the many art books I have on my groaning bookshelf is  “Taking Flight” by Kelly Rae Roberts.  Kelly Rae is someone who longed to find her creative spirit, but work, family and life kept stepping in front of opportunity.  When she made that decision to acknowledge that creative need, opportunities came bounding through that door.  If anyone is interested in reading her story, you can check out her blog here.  

In Kelly Rae’s words,

 ”our creative spirit is asking us to let go, to embrace the idea that all moments are key moments in the big picture of our creative lives”. 

One of the first posts on this blog was the “Artist’s Creed” -   which  encourages you to “believe in yourself”.  This is the time of year that clubs and organizations wind back up again – classes start up and members shake off those summer cobwebs and get back to work. 

The Taber Arts and Crafts Society  open our doors to welcome you – whether you want to take a class with us here or you want to join our club to learn to pot or paint or weave or you want to continue your artistic journey, we are waiting to help you take that next step…to help you find your inner artist. 

So come on in —- we’d love to see you.   

Contact us here

  

Fall Class Update

“Art washes away from the soul, the dust of everyday life ”                                                     Pablo Picasso

We are very excited with the response to our Fall Classes and Workshops and know that those of you who signed up to take part in one of the classes are in for a fun and interesting learning experience. 

If you didn’t sign up yet, there is still time so download a registration form here .

The following classes will go ahead and there is still room in them, so if you missed registering earlier there is still time. 

ADULT CLASSES

Oil Painting with Alex Bakk

October 6 – November 10   (Thursdays)  1 – 4 pm 

(note the change in day to Thursday afternoons and the date to October 6 start date – there will be no class Oct 13)

Watercolor & Beeswax  with Donna Hanson 

 October 13  (Thursday)  9 am – 4 pm 

Clayworks with Karen Dormaar 

 September 28 – November 2 (Wednesday) 6:30 pm – 9 pm (one spot left)

KIDS CLASSES

Mud Pies with Jennifer Gullage

Ages 3 – 5  September 27 – October 18 ( 4 Tuesdays )  5 – 6:30 pm

Clay Expressions with Jennifer Gullage 

 Ages 6 – 10  September 29 - November 3  ( 6 Thursdays )  5 – 6:30 pm

(Note corrected time for Clay Expressions – time printed in brochure was in error)

The following classes still need more students in order to go ahead so if you are interested, please register as soon as possible.  Cancellation will be made one week ahead of class time if sufficient registration is not received. 

Art Imagined Workshop with Shirley Marlatt

Fri eve – Oct 14  7 – 9 & Sat – Oct 15 – 10 – 4

Watercolor & Beeswax with Donna Hanson 

 Sat. Nov 19 – 9 am – 4 pm

Fibre Arts – Silk Scarves with Celeste Pryde

 Sat – Oct 29 – 1 pm – 5 pm

 Teens & Kids

Beads on a Wire with Alyson Turcato  

 Fri. Oct 21 -  1 -4 pm

Silk Screened Shirts with Celeste Pryde  

 Fri – Oct 28 – 1 – 4 pm

An Artful Journey – Introduction to Art with Donna Hanson 

 Tues/Thurs – Nov 15 – Dec 1  5 pm – 6:30 pm

Please check the link  Taber Art Club Brochure (updated)   to find out more about what these classes are all about.  Come find your inner artist with us! 

Still Time!

“…the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too.  All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred” 

Mark Twain  

We had a great turnout at the Registration Night for our Classes last night.  Hopefully everyone who came out is excited to begin the creative process in whatever medium they have pursued.

To that end, most of the classes still have room and we encourage anyone who missed coming out last night to get your name in for the classes you would like to take.

Classes still open to registrations are as follows.  Please note some of the date changes -

   ADULTS 

Oil Painting – (class changed to Thurs Aft 1 – 4 pm) Sept 22-Oct 27

Clayworks – Pottery – ONE SPOT LEFT – Wed. 6:30-9   Sept 28-Nov 2

Art Imagined – Abstract Painting -  Oct 14 (7-9)/Oct 15 (10-4)

Watercolor & Beeswax - 9 – 4 – Thurs     Oct 13 OR Sat Nov 19

Microwave Silk Scarves – 1 – 5 – Sat – Oct 29

CHILDREN  

Mud Pies (pottery) – Ages 3 – 5  Tues 5-6:30     Sept 27-Oct 18

Clay Expressions (pottery)- Ages 6-10 – Thurs 5-6:30      Sept 29-Nov 3 (note time correction)

 An Artful Journey – Intro to Art – Ages 8 – 12 – Tues/Thurs – 5 – 6:30  Nov 15-Dec 1

 Kumihimo Silk Screened Shirt – Ages 7-11 – Friday 1 – 4      Oct 28

Beads on a Wire (Jewelery) – Ages 12 + (changed to Oct 21) – Fri. 1 – 4

You can download a registration form and mail it as noted on the form.

CANCELLED CLASSES 

Unfortunately, some of the courses did not have the enrollment to move forward given the start date of next week - these will be put on the shelf to be offered again at a later date.  The cancelled classes are below.

Sketching and Drawing 

Art Unleashed – a Personal Journey

Those who registered for these classes will be notified of their cancellation – hopefully we will be able to offer these again in the future.  We would encourage you to explore some of the other classes to see if there is something you might be interested in taking.

Discover the Joy of Creativity

    “You will learn to enjoy the process…and to surrender your need to control the result. 

You will discover the joy of practicing your creativity. 

The process, not the product, will become your focus.”                         

                                                        Julia Cameron

CORRECTION – PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CLAY EXPRESSIONS CLASS – AGES – 6 – 10 HAD THE TIME INCORRECT.  CLASS TIME WILL BE 5:00-6:30 NOT 6:30 – 9 AS NOTED IN THE BROCHURE. 

Registration Night

THURSDAY – SEPTEMBER 15, 2011

5 PM – 7:30 PM

TABER ARTS & CRAFTS CENTRE

4830B 50 AVE (behind Parkside manor/beside skate park)

Are you ready to take that leap into creativity? 

Ready to find your “inner artist”?

Have you ever wanted to try your hand at pottery?

 learn the basics of painting or drawing?

find out just what  “mixed media” is really all about?

Have your children expressed a desire to find their inner artist?

do they have a flair for drawing?

shown an interest in trying to make their own jewelery?

or maybe they would love to work with clay?

or create their own silk screened shirt?

Come Join Us!

If you haven’t had a chance to check out our brochure – you can click on the Classes and Workshops header on the top of the page or click on the following link

  2011 Fall Class Brochure updated

Come and visit us on Thursday, check out the class samples and sign up for a class

AND

Consider becoming a member of the Taber Arts and Crafts Society. 

Membership does have it’s priviledges starting with reduced class costs.  We would love to have you. 

See you Thursday!

Come Find Your Inner Artist!

The title of this post has become our motto – of sorts.  Because we believe that inside all of us there is a creative spirit sitting there, waiting to find their way.

With this in mind, our Fall 2011 Classes are now set, we have classes for adults as well as for teens and children.

Check out what we have planned here – Taber Art Club Classes Fall 2011.

The instructors are excited and ready to guide you in finding your own “inner artist”.

We are holding a registration night and open house at the Art Centre on Thursday, Sept 15 from 5 – 7:30.  Plan to come down – see what some of the classes will entail and meet some of the instructors.  Registrations for classes can be done that night, however you can also register by downloading a registration form here, filling it out and mailing it as instructed with your fee prior to the registration night.

We hope you find something in our classes brochure to spark your interest and plan on joining us this fall.

If you would like to join our club, we are actively seeking new members – To coin an advertising phrase – Membership has it’s priviledges!

As a member of the Taber Arts and Crafts Society, you will benefit by

• having a studio atmosphere in which to practice your art.
• learning new skills through interaction with other artisans and crafters
• having the opportunity to share your skills with other members
• having the opportunity to take part in each of the artistic mediums offered by our club
• receiving discounts on classes and workshops offered by the club.
• having access to the studio 24 hours per day.

You can download a  TACS Brochure to find out more about our club.  Plan on joining us this fall either by taking a class with us or becoming a member of our club.  We would love to help you find your own “inner artist”.  We will be accepting membership registrations at our Registration night on the 15th so consider joining us!

 For more information about our club or our classes please email us at taberarts@gmail.com

A Sneak Peek

Shhhhhhhh…don’t tell -

here’s a sneak peek at the classes we are planning for Fall 2011 for Kids, Teens and Adults through Taber Arts & Crafts

Kids & Teens

• Mud Pies - 3 - 5 yrs – this introduction to working with clay will allow your child to express themselves while having fun playing with mud.
• Clay Expressions - 6 – 10 yrs  – Your child wil gain confidence in self-expression and exploration through working with clay on the pottery wheel, hand-building and glazing.
• An Artful Journey – 8 – 12 – your child will learn the basics of drawing, watercolor and mixed media – a great basis for finding their creative spirit
• Fibre Arts – 7 – 11 – Working with fabrics, your child will be able to express themselves through fibres.
• Jewelery Making – 12 and up  – Your teen will learn the basics of this up and coming craft.

Adults & Teens

(Teens will be welcome in some of the following classes – watch for the brochure)

• Oil Painting  - Painters of all levels will gain techniques that will improve their skill
• Drawing & Sketching – The basis of any painting is a good drawing – teens 16 and up welcome
• Art Imagined – Create a textured canvas with acrylic paints and a palette knife – great for the beginning artist
• Watercolor and Beeswax – Using beeswax and watercolor on rice paper – a fun and easy technique for the beginning artist
• Art Unleashed - a Personal Journey - Learn how to work with mixed media and find yourself in the process
• Fibre Arts – Silk Scarves – A fun and easy workshop making silk scarves in the microwave
• Clayworks – an opportunity for the beginner potter to learn how to work with clay through both handbuilding and on the wheel – experienced potters will learn new techniques and tips to enhance their art

Details, dates and information on how to register for classes will be available later this week – brochures will be available at the Art Show and Sale on Aug 27 at the Taber Arts and Crafts Centre – come on down – check out the great works by local artisans and pick up a brochure.

Come find your inner artist!