Last month I made several creative commitments after I returned from the BlissDom 2012 Conference in Nashville. See below.
- To embrace my visual voice with digital photographs and videos that record authentic moments and tell stories.
- To affirm my visual voice by sharing what I create on my blog, Animoto, Facebook, Flickr, Google+, Pinterest, Twitter, Tumblr, and YouTube.
- To nurture my creative spirit weekly with journaling, artist dates, and reading time (articles, blogs, books, and online creative communities).
- To affirm, fully claim, and respect my creative journey as an artist in a professional manner.
- To seek and pursue ways to expand my professional career as an artist.
- To respect and treat my creativity as a business.
Here’s the good news! I was able to take action on all of my new commitments.
- I started carrying my digital camera with me every day. That helped me capture my favorite Springtime moments.
- I was able to share my digital photos on my blog, Facebook, Flickr, Google+, Pinterest, Twitter, and Tumblr. It felt great to receive positive feedback from my social media friends.
- I created three videos with Animoto that featured my photos from BlissDom and artwork. The videos were posted on my blog, Facebook, Google+, Twitter, Tumblr, and YouTube. Posting the videos helped me see the value in sharing my work with others. It also gave me much needed feedback.
- I started reading Kelly Rae Roberts’ book, Taking Flight: Inspiration And Techniques To Give Your Creative Spirit Wings. The book’s journaling exercises helped me get in touch with my creative spirit. I also took a walking tour of galleries in my neighborhood: Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery, Morton Fine Art Gallery, and Hamiltonian Gallery. Seeing new art created by a diverse group of artists was inspiring.
- I took a HUGE leap of faith to expand my professional career as an artist when I submitted my application to the Hamiltonian Fellowship Program in DC. The application process required me to write an artist statement and artist CV, and prepare a digital portfolio of ten pieces of artwork (see photo above of one of my paintings that was included in my digital portfolio). After I finished my application, I decided to post my artist statement and CV on my web site. Doing that helped me affirm my professional career as an artist and respect and treat my creativity as a business.
This month I am using Marney K. Makridakis’ new book, Creating Time: Using Creativity to Reinvent the Clock and Reclaim Your Life, to nurture my creative spirit as I move through my Digital Sisterhood book writing journey and take small steps each week to embrace my visual voice. FYI – I am also reviewing Makridakis’ book at her request. Her PR team sent me a free copy to review a few weeks ago.
What’s going on with your creative spirit?
How are you nurturing your creative spirit this month?
Have you made any creative commitments this year?
Ananda Leeke 