Artist's Way Week 1

BASIC PRINCIPLES
When I read the Basic Principles, a couple of things came to mind. The church in which I grew up was not very creedal. I do not have the Apostles' Creed memorized like most people I know who grew up going to church every Sunday. I guess you could say I went to a "Hippie" church. Anyway, we had our own creed that said, "Affirming our belief that God created the world, and is creating the world, and is calling us to be co-creators with him..." Imagine having grown up saying that and then reading in this book, "We are, ourselves, creations. And we, in turn, are meant to continue creativity by being creative ourselves." That principle is very powerful to me. And it affirmed, as Teri was saying, that it is very easy to view this book with my God as the spiritual force. So that made me want to keep reading.

Then I read reasons people give for being creatively blocked. Two really were like looking in a mirror:

1. "Stop telling yourself, 'It;s just my ego' whenever you yearn for a more creative life."
2. "Stop telling yourself that creativity is a luxury and that you should be grateful for what you've got."

Since I left my job two years ago, my husband has been very supportive of my fabric habit. However, a little while ago he asked me if I really was making anything or if I was just collecting. I mean, I make things; but the things I am excited about are few and far between. I finally said, "I don't want to make other people's stuff anymore. I want to make my own." Then I thought, "Wow, that is kind of egotistical of me."

And one more thing, I am so thankful that the author said "what you've got" instead of what U got, which is how people write and talk these days and it really drives me nuts.

Filling the Well

I am filling the well by reading a great book and listening to great music. Now I don't think all great music was written in Europe hundreds of years ago. I think listening to REM can be valuable, too. However, I have been turning off the radio and listening to a better selection of music, which I think is also great for my kids. The great book I am reading is A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain. I am cheating a little here because I am reading it parallel to my son who is reading it for school. However, I am enjoying it immensely and talking about it with him is incredible.

Artist's Date

Ok, I haven't been on one yet, and I have not figured out where to go or how to do it with no children in pursuit. But I have made a commitment and my husband has made one, too, so it will get done. I am thinking of going to the High museum of Art in the city. Or maybe down to the zoo. I have only been to the High once, when an exhibit of art from the Pushkin in Moscow was there. So it would be nice to go see the rest of the museum. So I am going to do my best to work that in this month.

On a completely different note... Is the author married to Martin Scorsese? Is that something I should know and don't because I just don't pay attention?