How cute is this poster from ManMade DIY? Download this free printable on Chris’s Site.
Until next time Swellions!
How cute is this poster from ManMade DIY? Download this free printable on Chris’s Site.
Until next time Swellions!
by Alexa 4 Comments
I’ve been struggling at blogging this past week. I guess I would call it something like losing my mojo. Every idea I had, I didn’t want to execute and all my ideas just seemed kinda stale or kinda lame. Nothing excited me.
I guess I see a blog kinda like a blank canvas, you have to come up with content that you feel is worthy of reading. Personally, as a blogger, I feel like I have to come up with content that ilicits comments or page views. I don’t know that this is a healthy means for blogging, but this is what I do. I put a lot of pressure on myself to come up with good and original content. Most of the times it is something I find satisfying to write about, but sometimes it’s not.
So, I feel like I’m at a point where I need to push past this fear of the blank canvas and move forward. And how am I going to move forward? Part of it requires me thinking outside of myself and taking on another perspective. I hope this helps me, and I can help you too when you feel in a rut, cause I know we all go through these moments as creative people.
Anyway, here are my thoughts…
Set a Challenge
One of the things I think I do well at is being faced with a fun challenge. For example, there’s a group called Iron Craft that do weekly craft challenges. The other night, I was about to participate in their “Gold” challenge, but I fell asleep before I could get to the project (that’s another story). The thing is this: I would never approach a topic like Gold if I wasn’t challenged to do so. It’s not something I would gravitate toward, but the minute that the option of a challenge presented itself, my head was spinning with ideas all relating to Gold. So I guess I was going for the gold, huh? Sorry, bad pun. By exercising my brain in challenge form, I think outside the box of what I normally do and flex those muscles. Even though, I didn’t do the challenge, I think it would be cool, if I maybe kept a challenge jar of ideas for me to pull out when I’m in a rut on a variety of topics. It could help spark an idea!
Do SOMETHING rather than NOTHING
Ya know? I do this all the time! I think, “Oh, my readers won’t like this” or “That’s not original enough!” Sometimes it doesn’t have to be the most original idea, but at least you are doing SOMETHING rather than NOTHING. I had this very thought tonight when I took pictures of my cat. I thought, “Hey, I can post these!”, but then I decided not to. I don’t think I go crazy with the cat stuff on my blog and I’m not even sure you’d mind. It was me overthinking rather than just posting or acting on the idea. It’s better to just get that idea out and onto the page than to worry about not coming up with the “most grandest idea ever!” Sometimes the little things work cause they are short, sweet, and simple and what others can connect to!
There’s always more canvas to fill
So if you don’t make your mark and that canvas goes empty, then that’s just kinda sad. True story, the canvas I’m holding above is one I bought 3+ years ago and I have yet to paint/draw/glue anything on it. Fear is holding me back cause I’m afraid I won’t create something amazing. Sometimes you just have to realize that yes, you will have less than stellar stuff to say. More than likely, though, you will create something that will lead to something that is really stellar! It takes several tries to get to that masterpiece. So fill that canvas and the next and the next! It will be much more satisfying! It just sometimes takes that initial leap!
OK, that’s about all the personal self help I can give myself tonight. I’m exhausted. Heehee.
Let me know what you think and if you deal with this problem too! I may just have to come back to this post from time to time to learn from my own advice!
Oh, and I have a real canvas to go fill! Expect that in the next blog post! I promise!
Until next time Swellions!
This building a part of a community art initiative in Rio de Janeiro…via Favela Painting blog.
This poster from Telegramme Studio. I love the off registration. And of course the colors.
Art Selden’s Vintage Children’s Illustrations. I wish I had this talent! Via Tales of Whoa’s Flickr stream.
This dramatic door photo from my friend Chris. I love the depth of field and the amazing textures!
This pixel wrapping paper by Lagom Design makes my heart pitter patter! Oh the crafting possibilities!
Until next time Swellions!
Alexa
I don’t really have a set style for what I create, but I do love a good project that is easy, stylish, and something that is timeless. Here’s a few projects I compiled tonight that I think you might enjoy too!
This jewelry stand is so pretty. Painted twigs like this remind me of my biological mom. She painted a twig white and hung it above the bed as well art. She was so crafty and ahead of her time. (via Centsational Girl)
I so need to write more letters and send cool evelopes like these!!! (via Jes Sprkles on Flickr)
These letter crafts from Country Living add emotion to a room. Sweet.
(found via Poppy Talk’s blog)
I love this tissue paper canvas project so much! The colors speak to me (via Prudent Baby)
And I adore these Amy Butler gum drop pillows. They are such a feel good! (Found via Jupiter Button’s blog).
Well, off to bed!
Until next time Swellions!
Alexa
by Alexa 2 Comments
This photo and glamourous Derby fascinator from Chamberry Cherry’s shop. It makes me want to go to the Kentucky Derby. I lived there for 30 years and never went once, though I did go to Churchill Downs. Woe is me.
DIY Decal Headboards found on Decor 8’s blog by Blik.
The Celebrity Junk Drawer artwork of Jason Mecier. Yes, it really is made from personal junk from celebrities. Awesome little vid!
I’m very much intrigued by the texture and imagery in this pretty SEW collage found on Wendy Rago’s blog.
This masking tape installation art by Rebecca Ward is so amazing! I wonder how many times she got the tape twisted or stuck to itself! It would be a nightmare project for me!
Hope you enjoyed these fun inspirations!
Until next time Swellions!
Alexa
by Alexa 5 Comments
A few inspirations I found today…
This sketchbook page from Alex Eben Meyer. I love black and neons together!!
Marcus Walters new take on brand identity for Coca-Cola. So colorful.
And this sign photo from Public Design Center
Hope you have a great Wednesday!
Until next time Swellions!
Alexa
by Alexa 7 Comments
Yeah, I find tons of inspiration online for things that influence my projects, but getting out and shopping and actively looking for stuff can be super inspiring as well.
Case in point: This canvas from World Market is soooo pretty. I love all the shapes (it kinda looks like doilies) and the colors as well as the use of texture that rose off the canvas. To me, it looks like it merges a modern look with an abstract/organic look and I love that. That’s what I would define my overall style being.
I love the abstraction and metallic paint used on this shirt from New York and Company. The beads give it an artsy/layered look as well. I think this look could easily be replicated using your own Soft paint and beads. Maybe not on a shirt, but perhaps on a pillow or canvas. If you see an idea you like, you may need to think of it in a different way…maybe you may not WEAR it, but you would love to have that look as a décor accent. Keep an open mind when you are out and about.
I love these retroesque kitchen sets at Target. The colors are just so bold and fresh. Of all the pieces, I’m tempted to buy the red bread box. I don’t know what it is lately, but I can’t get enough of red! I also need a paper towel holder as well, but I spent over $150 at Target today and that was way over my limit! Anyway, what I take away from this is that a retro look can be upscaled to have a more contemporary flair. Just by adding that little side pane window on the canister set, it made it much more modern. If you love making retro art or accents, how can you give it a twist that will make it totally different? I think that’s always a challenge to us artists. By taking it to that next step, you can make something totally new and inventive and it just takes a small tweak. It really will make you stand out from the crowd if you are able to make your look different!
I’ve been busy cleaning up my studio. It’s a lot of work cause it was super unorganized, but I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. YAY! I bought some cool new IKEA wall shelves, desk, and some other fun accents I plan on sharing real soon!
Hope you have a great week!
Until next time Swellions!
Alexa