52 Week Creativity Challenge, Week 13- Out of the Blue

"Out of the Blue" Gauche painting on an oyster (?) shell.
By S. Clark

I dabble in many different art forms and as a result, feel that I haven't really mastered a particular medium or technique.  I have very little formal training.  So, I rely on intuition and what "feels" right.  Sometimes that gets me where I want to go and sometimes I fall short of the image in my head.  

For this week's creativity challenge, I felt like painting.  I didn't have any canvases around, though.  I rarely have canvases because I don't really know what to do with them.  Usually, when I feel like painting, I paint on drawing paper or an object.  I thought I might paint a rock, like I did here.  None of the rocks felt "right" but in my hunt around the house for a suitable rock, I found this shell.   

I am pretty sure we found this on the Puget Sound when we were camping a few summers back.  It is worn smooth by waves.  I think it is an oyster shell because they were plentiful on the beach where we were investigating the tide pools.  

This shell felt "right" for my project.  The phrase "out of the blue" evoked thoughts of the ocean, which also fit painting on a shell.  I had originally thought that I would paint a sea turtle, but the shape of the shell was better suited for waves and some star fish.

This is one of those projects where I feel like the final product reflects the feelings and images in my mind.  I am always grateful when I can translate an idea into a piece of art!  

52 Week Creativity Challenge- Week 12, Eye

"Eye" taken on a Lumix Camera, edited in Google Chrome
By S. Clark

This is a needle in a small wicker sewing basket that belonged to my husband's Grandma Jones.

I knew Grandma Jones only for the last two years of her life, when she was severely disabled by a neurological disease.  She could barely speak and the last word I ever heard her say was "darling" when she first met my daughter.  Grandma Jones passed away three months after her great-granddaughter was born.  My husband was her only grandson and I like to think that she stayed with us until he had a family and she was certain he would be okay.  

I am drawn to the belongings of my husband's grandparents and my grandparents. I have little things scattered here and there; a harmonica, a pocket watch, a recipe box.  Simple things that wouldn't be worth much if I tried to sell them. They remind me of a different time, when we moved at a slower pace and had less things competing for our attention. These belongings keep me rooted in what is important.  I believe my grandparents and my husband's grandparents left a legacy of love.  It is my hope that I do the same. This little sewing basket and its companions lead the way.    

52 Week Creativity Challenge, Week 11- Conclusion

"There Are No Conclusions."
 Poster paint on a file folder, edited in Google Chrome
By S. Clark

The creative prompt for this week's creativity challenge is "conclusions."  I pondered this word for several days and came to the conclusion that there are no real conclusions in life.  The end of one phase is simply the beginning of another.  We are never really "done."  Even in death, the legacy of our impact on others lives on.  

Often, when I believe that I have come to a final conclusion on some aspect of life, I find more information that leads me to change my conclusion.  Consequently, I decided to use "working hypotheses."  I will approach life similar to a research science approaching a new area of study. I hold my beliefs as always tentative, awaiting more information, either to strengthen my stance or weaken it.  If the preponderance of information suggests that I am incorrect, I will change my belief.  

In this way, I remain open to growing and learning.  Nothing becomes absolute and I do not cling to unhealthy thoughts or behaviors.  This can create some anxiety as it requires that I am able to tolerate uncertainty.  Humans prefer black or white, not a spectrum of color.  Black and white feels secure but doesn't allow for correction.  And the ability to correct creates good mental health.  Tolerating anxiety while I learn more about myself or a situation is ultimately worth it.

This painting represents the growth and change that is possible when you live in the spectrum of color.  

52 Week Creativity Challenge, Week 10- Jump

"Jump Into Spring"  silk flower wreath
by S. Clark

When I was rounding up supplies to make this wreath, I realized that I didn't have enough glue sticks for my glue gun. My glue gun is my weapon of choice for nearly all crafts.  I have wielded it to make countless wreaths, Christmas ornaments, Easter decorations, birthday cards, miniature furniture, puppets and I can't even remember what all.  I need my glue gun.  It has been my constant companion for about 10 years when I unearthed it in my boyfriend's house, where his ex-girlfriend abandoned it.  My glue gun needs me, too. 

The panicky feeling that accompanied this realization is probably a very mild version of how it feels to run out of cigarettes.  I can't say for sure though, because I am a non-smoker and my only addiction is caffeine.  I can say that my sense of desperation upon realizing I didn't have any glue sticks was equivalent to being unable to access a caffeinated beverage, but without the headache.  

I determined to forge ahead and decided that I would use stick pins to hold everything together.  This worked pretty well for the ribbons.  The panic resurged when it came to attach the flowers.  So, I decided to get out the glue gun in the hopes that I could squeeze out a few precious drops of adhesive.

Imagine my delight when I saw a brand new glue stick protruding out of the glue gun!  Evidently my husband had found one more lurking around the recesses of my crafting cabinet.  Angels were singing as I glued the flowers to the wreath.

It is hanging in the entryway of my house and it makes me smile when I walk by.  

52 Week Creativity Challenge, Week 9- About Time

"About Time" taken on a Lumix G camera, not edited.
By S. Clark

If you were to ask the flowers about time, 

what would they say?

Would they fuss and worry 

about having too little time?

Would they try to bloom in a rush, 

to meet a deadline?

Does spring arrive and the flowers grumble

"Well, it is about time"?

No, they turn their happy faces to the sun, 

or the rain.

No, they go as they will,

time for blooming is when the petals open.

No, the flowers simply say 

"Things unfold in good time."

Ask the flowers about time,

listen to what they say.