The Artist's Way

So, I am undertaking The Artist's Way, a book/12 wk self-directed 'course' in....I'm not sure exactly what. Creativity? Finding a voice? Acting on creative ideas? All I know is that people who have done it recommend it highly, and it just feels right to me at this point. I wanted to make sure I got some good creative time in
1. AFTER I applied to schools (first thing's first!)
2. BEFORE I attend school in Fall 2010 (so I don't feel like I've let my 'time off' go to waste)
(side note-- and this is a BIG side note-- I got in to my program of choice! But that's a different blog post altogether)

I just happened to hear that a good friend of mine is doing The Artist's Way out in California along with a group of others. They're meeting once/week (I think), but I have been invited to follow along and join in the ReplyAll email messages of the group, along with a couple other participants who live far away from the group.

It's only been a week, but I am really really enjoying the group nature of this. My personal work hasn't been mindblowing, or too much different from my normal life yet. The 3 pages of writing we're supposed to do each day is only slightly longer than the journal I already keep, though it does require a bit more discipline to maintain. The "artist's date" seems to be something that I already did, but just felt guilty about because I assumed that time spent inspiring myself or enjoying alone time was equal to procrastination and/or waste. It's really relieving to know that it's GOOD for me. And allowing myself the structure and awareness of this time means that I am diminishing the 'wasted' or 'procrastinating' time because I don't share that time with negative, guilty thoughts that inhibit my productivity. Anyway, hearing other peoples' experiences as they struggle with or achieve the tasks assigned to us in the book make me feel like it's a more interesting, valid and worthwhile endeavor.

So, I already posted this picture on facebook (I try not to double post things too much) and already sent it to the group of Artists Way friends, but this is exciting enough to me to want to post it here too.

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Just wanted to share... on my 2nd week's artists's date this morning, I found this metal tool box/tackle box/artists' box (and some other goodies for future use in creativity). I posted it on facebook with this caption: "SCORE! Found this box for $1.50 at the goodwill. Just what I was looking for, and already broken in (well loved) (aka nice patina on the outside) but in perfect structural condition. Here it is already in use. I think it is a serendipitous reward for spending time this week to actually MAKE the little eyeshadow cases (seen in the bottom, with the japanese print fabrics) I've been imagining for months."

The eyeshadow cases were what I made over the course of several artists dates during the 1st week. One thing leads to another! Even though I don't believe in cause and effect in a superstitious way, I am psyched that these followed each other (o: I have to add that I have never been much of a make-up wearer except that I'm a performer, and have thus learned that good make-up is an art into and of itself, and one that I have come to enjoy quite a bit over the years. Having a proper place for all the right tools feels like giving the thumbs up to that aspect of my creativity, rather than the "shove it all in a box and ignore that you're actually good at make-up" attitude I've had for so long.
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Every time I see this picture, I get really excited. I've always had a penchant for boxes and pockets and organizing things...but this is MINE! It has my own stuff that I use regularly in it! I only spent $1.50 for it!!! (Similar boxes, also used, I found for $18-34 today, across the street from the goodwill in antique stores) I don't have to dig for anything, it's all easily accessible and visible. It condenses the many make-up bags I was using, and makes it easily portable. Plus it is so pretty.

I kind of can't believe that me, Alyssum, is excited about this. But also really happy that I'm letting myself be.