Discipline, Productivity and the Creative Life or "Thanks, Adderall!"

New York-based artist Stan Munro recreated the Sagrada Familia Church of Barcelona using 35,000 toothpicks. Good for him. Seriously. Good for you, Stan!

In ones creative life, much work is done solely in the realm of mind and spirit. Maybe that's why it is so difficult to put a monetary value on "design" or assign billable hours to a project. For me, it's all one big swirling thing; each project and idea influencing the other. (Recent swirl: kindness, book, struggle, parties, Rocky Mountains, parents' 50th, genocide, Africa, entitlement, housecleaning, bracelet, fashion, garden, God) Actual concrete expressions of thoughts and ideas seem to manifest themselves unpredictably and with no apparent rhyme or reason. Aha! The key word there being "APPARENT." Are there concrete actions that, when put into regular practice, enhance productivity? Nurture inspiration?

These are the sorts of questions I have been thinking about in regard to the role of discipline and creativity. My answers? Nothing to write home about. They have revealed a lazy, lackadaisical approach to creative work with the rationalization that waiting until inspiration strikes is the super artistic geniusy way to be....planning out work time like some hack churning out pages to meet a quota is not going to produce the special, special work of which I am capable. Are you gagging yet?

At the end of this post are some questions that came to mind as I wrestled with this topic. Of course I would love to hear anything and everything you have to say - leave a comment or tweet me @chezsusanj.  Before going on to the questions, skim the following paragraph. It might help you in getting to the heart of any matter you face.

Many years ago when I was in therapy, I once asked my counselor if I had to be completely honest about something horrible it was time to be real about in group that week. She told me I did indeed have to be truthful but I could tell the group, "I prefer not to have feedback." That was a great thing to tell me. I could be truthful but set a boundary to keep me safe from the judgment and response of others. So, my creative compadres, answer away. Ask for feedback or set whatever boundaries you need to feel safe. Just be honest as you look at the questions before you.  xo Susan

Do you have ideas you'd like to execute but for which you lack the technical ability?

How would you remedy this? A class? Practice? Input from others?

What keeps you from seeking this remedy?


What role does perfectionism play in your day?

Do you give creative expression respect? Do you believe it deserves your time and attention?

What "shoulds" or "shouldn'ts" do you assign to your creative life? (i.e. I should get domestic chores done first, I shouldn't spend money on this, etc.)


What external forces influence your creative life?

Is a new way to be creative revealing itself? How will you pursue it?

On a scale of 8 to 10, 8 being "awesome" and 10 being "super amazingly wicked awesome, " how awesome are you?

Simple Seasonal Style Updates

SJD "Four Seasons Scarf" Light but lush with texture and layers.

In July, I began thinking about designing some new accessories and jewelry for Fall. What I make is guided right away by my personal style and design philosophy. For me, style principles are the same whether for an outfit or a room: make the main pieces neutral but bring in lots of personal style with accessories. This way, one is less likely to tire of the items that are expensive and difficult to replace while still satisfying the eye's desire for what's fresh and new. To be more specific...

Embracing Current Trends of Stripes & Lace

For a room, the main pieces to keep "neutral" would be costly items like a sofa, area rug, draperies, woodwork. Room accessories that are easy to switch out with your mood or a favorite trend: pillows, throws, lamps, art, picture frames, a fun chair. 
For an outfit, the investment pieces would be a cashmere sweater, winter coat, boots, little black dress, great jeans. The accessories, of course, would be scarves, jewelry, shoes, hats, belts, hosiery, or even a fun watch or bag.

I think it's important to get at least one little something at the beginning of each season that you really love. It doesn't have to be spendy, but it should be something of the moment and maybe even a little risky! Just that one splash of color or edgy bracelet or nail polish color straight from the runway makes everything feel fresh and updated. Take your cues from your environment. Glance through Elle or More. Look at your style heroes. See what you're drawn to and keep your eyes open for the translation that works for you. You'll know it when you see it! 

New at The Market in October
"Tennis Bracelets for the New Millennium"  
Susan Jacoby Designs
My obsession with contrast continues! I found broken rhinestone/bead bracelets in my stash and lashed them together with leather and linen cord.The result looks sort of post apocalyptic/Mad Max. I am loving this armful of bracelets. I'm wearing them constantly!

 

Body or Soul? Can We Value Both?

Recently, a local philanthropic organization made a very generous gift of a gorgeous illuminated Bible text to our community. This art will be displayed in turn at two (competing) area hospitals. This idea itself, the idea of sharing the sacred text, is inspired and has already brought out a sense of unity between the two facilities. Of course, there are some murmurings. The most concise opposition to be found in a well written letter to our local paper. You can read it here. I wrote a response to him and it follows below. I sent it in to the newspaper but who knows if it will be printed. With me in possession of the password to this blog, I know it will be published! I'd be interested to know your thoughts so feel free to comment away. 

I strenuously disagree with the comments made by Mr. Maierhofer regarding how monies spent on art should be going to the "poor." I'm going to assume that at the time of writing his letter, he was unaware that the bible was ostensibly a gift from private individuals whom already donate sacrificially to The Free Clinic and other local philanthropic causes. I hope this fact alone softens his negative attitude. Secondly, I respectfully ask that the writer would recall an experience in his own life where he was inspired by art. Like it or not, man is a spiritual being with a soul that seeks care and feeding. That's why humans are attracted to music, learning, nature, even Netflix. Should all these "extras" be banished from our lives until every physical need of our fellow man is met? Absolutely not! Art ennobles the soul. Great art causes the soul to look beyond its own chaotic, selfish concerns to focus instead on timeless truths, beauty, the human condition. Art reveals truth, and art almost always requires a response. Without art, the inspiration to give and contribute to causes greater than ourselves would disappear. Then we would experience true poverty.

 

Learn more about the St. John's Heritage Bible here.

Yikes! Next Market: October 13, 14, 15

Scout and Skander are ready....are you?

Thursday October 13th  12 - 8pm

Friday October 14th  11am - 7pm

Saturday, October 15th  10am - 4pm

A brisk snap in the air signals autumn's arrival. We're already getting ready for the next market, "Harvest & Halloween!" Sneak peek photos coming soon.

In the meantime, here's a creative exercise to hone those mad cat drawing skillz. This graphic looks like a worksheet a substitute teacher might mimeograph and give to the class at the end of an cool, sunny October afternoon. 

After getting the call that Mrs. Spahr's 4th grade class needed some one just for the day, the 68 year old sub dug around in her files looking for something fun; a treat for the children. She knew she wasn't a favorite. Her teaching style skewed more authoritarian than Magic School Bus. And yet. It seemed important to her that she not arrive completely empty handed. She wanted to bring something of herself - something the children might enjoy.Something that left them with the impression that she wasn't all schedule and discipline.Ahh...here it is. Under "A" for Animal. She initially searched the "H" file. For "Holiday". Sub file "Hallowe'en." She would hand it out 15 minutes before dismissal and the children would run home through papery leaf filled gutters, eager to show their mothers a perfectly drawn cat. It would be a good day.

What Do You Do With Failure?

Redemption piece in process

Yesterday I failed. My inability to understand what a client wanted trumped the several earnest attempts I made to meet the objectives and goals described. Nine hours in, I made the call to quit. I was simply unable to see what I was doing wrong. I began to realize that I'd never understand his vision and what I was supposed to do. I admitted defeat.  I admitted that the task exceeded my skill set. It was embarrassing for me, irritating and disappointing to him. And he let me know that. I apologized.

SO. Today is a new day, n'est ce pas? Mais, non. I awoke with a killer emotional hangover - the incident consuming my thoughts, boring a hole in my stomach. I prayed. I talked with people who love me. I did all of the stuff that I know usually works when trying to get my mind off something that makes me feel sad, mad, bad, and inadequate. Then I reflected on something that I truly believe. Art heals. Creativity helps.

I began a "Redemption" painting. I have done this in the past to great effect. It helped. As I wrote my thoughts on canvas, I began to get some objectivity and by the last few inches of space, I had the lesson. AT LEAST I FAILED TRYING. I took a risk. I didn't mean to misrepresent myself or deceive anyone. I thought I could do it, but I couldn't. At least I tried. That's the kind of person I want to be. I can't wait for perfection. I work with what I have and who I am now. I'm going to fail. To disappoint.

Now I have a big canvas with black and red writing on it. Time to paint. I can be free with a Redemption piece because anything I do is going to make it more beautiful than what I have on it now! Isn't that great? Washing beautiful color over the stark text is meditative and soothing. Tension ebbs. Spirits rise. Even if the finished piece is not wall worthy, the process of covering a stark failure with gorgeous sweeps of color is worth everything.

What do you do when you fail? What do you do with disappointment? Once the initial finger pointing and blame game is over and you leave the table with your "winnings", your part of what went wrong, what do you do with it? How do you let go? How do you move on? It's easier to say, "Be gentle with yourself" or "At least I tried" than it is to actually take hold and believe those statements.

Try a redemption piece. Put it all on paper or canvas. Then cover it with images and colors that please you, that you find beautiful. Use collage, paint, paper, pencils, crayon or all of the above. Don't focus on the result. Your transformation comes during the process.

August Dates and Hours

Using Themes to Spark Your Creative Engine

 A theme is an idea that acts as a giant bouncy springboard to creativity! Here's a glimpse into the process of how having the discipline of a theme triggers creativity. Try it!

1.Pick your theme, word, idea. Let's pick "reflection." Define it.

Reflection (the noun): the image of something in a mirror or on any reflective surface

Example: In Greek mythology, Narcissus fell in love with his own reflection in a pool of water.

Reflection (the verb) : to think carefully, especially about possibilities and opinions

Example: She reflected that this was probably the last time she would see him.

 2.Pick the creative medium of your choice. Fr'instance: pencil and paper for writing or for drawing, wire and beads for jewelry, paint, collage materials, the musical scale and your piano or guitar, some dance steps, your camera, cooking ingredients, fabric, clay.....

3. Ponder: What about the word "reflection" jumps out at you? (Justine is being inspired by the shiny light of mirrors - can't wait to see her take on this idea) Anyway. How can you communicate that idea and feeling through your chosen medium? Give it a try. 

4. Important: Don't toss your "mistakes." SERIOUSLY. Your first attempts often contain the freshest, strongest reaction to the theme. Also, early work is honorable and brave; not to be minimized or hidden away like an unattractive photo you'd like to forget. No one would be anywhere without their first try. This is especially important for you writers out there. "Word processing" makes deleting and backspacing too easy. If you usually write on your laptop, write in a journal for the rest of the summer. Outside even. With the physical tools used by writers since time immemorial. Even a Hemingway-esque Underwood typewriter leaves sheaves and sheaves of proof that words were typed. Some embarrassingly melodramatic, some restrained and sublime. Keep it all.