Task 1:

When you were a child, how did you express your creativity?

Based on the date I was 3 years old.

When I was little, I really loved arts & crafts at school. And luckily, I had very supportive parents who encouraged and nurtured that talent. Even before I started school I had begun drawing. I always believed that I was gifted & loved to doodle. One of my moms favorite crafts I ever made was the book I wrote "My Room is a Mess" in 3rd grade where each picture had me looking up into the thought bubble above my head. My eyes were huge, and my mom laughs every time she sees it. I'll have to figure out a way to scan that in someday. I used to get entered into Art Shows with the school & I remember when I received a blue ribbon for this bird collage. I was really proud.

This is me and my pet cat: kittypurr. I was not very creative with names.

I love how on the bottom right I drew Nightmare Before Christmas

Aside from my drawings, I also loved music, singing, dress up, etc. I love these photos my mom sent to demonstrate my darling little creative side:

I loved having blankets, towels, and frequently my brothers pants draped across my head because to me it felt like long hair. I think that its quite clever to drape pants over my head!

My mom made me this darling little play dough doll, and as you can see I came from creative roots.

Finally, I really loved to sing. Unfortunately I don't know how to play an instrument, one of my biggest regrets. (I know Mom, I'm sorry about those Piano lessons that I wasted)

Task 8:

Create a self portrait, draw or photograph yourself. What do you see?

I was reading about celebrities who look beautiful all natural, so I decided to post a photo of me sans makeup!



I love this picture. I look very clean. I had just washed my face of all make up and put on the gobs of lotions, eye creams, sunscreen, etc that I use to keep my face looking lovely. I just felt soft.

In answer to this tasks question: What do I see?
I see someone who looks very much like both of her parents. Someone who has beautiful white skin (even if she sometimes wishes she could tan). Someone who has been blessed with a proportionate face. I think this person looks kind and sweet. I think this person has strengths she does not even know about, and fears she has yet to face. I think this person is beautiful!

Task 26:

Write, draw or paint something with your non-dominant hand.

Which is my left hand! It was difficult to draw, but it was even harder to color it in.

Task 12:

Look at a child. See how connected they are to their creative self? Pretend you are a child and make something.

Jon's dad recently told me about when Jon's brother Adam was in about 2nd grade and they were having their Parent Teacher Conferences his teacher brought him a picture Adam had drawn of a tree, and it wasn't your average brown & green, it was filled with every color the crayola box could allow. The teacher very seriously said she was concerned because "trees aren't blue and pink." Mike really didn't think it was that big of a deal, but later asked Adam why he had drawn the picture like that. He said, as only a sweet little child can "when I squint my eyes, there is color everywhere."

I love that story! Children have such unique, yet such perceptive views of the world. Here is my tribute to making something through child-like eyes, completely colored in crayola!

Task 19:

Do you keep a creative journal or have an inspiration board? Share!

I believe I already posted about this challenge here. Its my journal! I feel the most free and am able to doodle whatever I please in those pages. Plus, what is creating without dictating the motivations for your work. Journals are wonderful and I definitely suggest them.

Task 24:

What is your "Creative Bucket List"? List 12 creative things you want to learn more about or that you want to do to inspire your creative soul.

1. To really know the Human Body - It is remarkable how many muscles are beneath the skin, and understanding how they bend, flex, and sit will help me draw fuller and more life like beings

2. Oil Painting - I want to learn to properly use this medium

3. Water Colors - I want to learn all the techniques so that I know my options when designing a picture

4. To go to the Louvre Museum in Paris and be surrounded by all my inspiriations

5. To illustrate a published book

6. To be in a magazine, either as the focus of an article, or possibly the author or design artist for the page.

7. My own Studio - just a room, nook or cranny to call my own that has a desk and some drawers.

8. Paint my children's bedroom walls with larger than life murals.

9. Open a booth at a local fair to do face painting.

10. To learn to play the piano - at least one song!

11. To make a demo CD of myself singing, preferably lullabies.

12. Direct a play.

Task 3:

What words or phrases do you find inspiring and why?

Some of the phrases I have posted on cards around my desk are:








What inspires you?

Task 29:

Photograph your favorite feature.

My tootsies


I have a love for my feet. They get me everywhere, been through everything, and seem to be able to keep on walking even when I'm tuckered out. I believe it all started from my amazement with movent when I was little. My parents tell me countless stories where they caught me running, face down looking directly at my shoes, about to run into a wall. They didn't always catch me unfortunately. But I honestly remember why it amazed me so, because how on earth did my feet know to walk without me actually thinking "right foot move, now left foot, etc." I couldn't believe I wasn't cognitively thinking up the commands, and would test it, thinking "stop walking" to see if they would. Of course, to my little brain it was in much simpler terms. But still, I love my feet. Maybe the love came from all the times my mom told me I had the most beautiful baby feet, with little "fat parts" on the toes. I think thats why I love chubby feet, like mine. Or maybe I learned to love my feet after my first pedicure, when I looked down at my newly tipped toes and realized that they were beautiful. Anyway, I love other parts of me too but I think tootsies are one of the odd cute parts of me that don't get much attention.

Here is to you feet, for carrying me through this sometimes difficult life.

Task 15

Do you like to try new things? What about trying something new do you like or dislike?

In theory I LOVE trying new things! New make-up, new clothes, new food, new movies, new books. I love to try something new... with the exception of art. When it comes to art, I'm mostly afraid to try something new (i.e. oil painting). Mostly, because I start to psych myself out. I worry that it'll turn out horrible, and then what? What if it looks awful? Does that make me an awful artist, and then all that time I spent on it is wasted, and the supplies are now used. It overwhelms me. I can't let that keep psyching me out!


I have the sweetest husband ever.

He looked up art classes in Provo & found me this awesome list of classes and I think I'm going to sign up for some of them. Secretly, deep down, I want to do art forever! So I think that training would be advisable.

But tell me, do you like (or dislike) trying new things?

Task 4:

Do some doodling... share it and write about it!


Please excuse my lack of scanner, I have to take photos of what I create. But I love this doodle. Its so happy. Just some mermaids enjoying a sunny day. I plan to watercolor this & then display it! I'll be excited to show you as it progresses.

Task 5:

What artists do you seek out for inspiration?

Mary Blair
Julia Denos
Charles Santore
Trina Schart Hyman
Lorelay Bove
Scott Gustafson
P.J. Lynch

Create a small something based on your source.



What I love most about these artists is their childlike appeal. It feels like as a child this is the world I would have been transported to. Still working on it, but I want to be able to portray that colorful & fanciful imagery that was apart of every day make believe when I was little.

Task 10:

Create something today inspired by nature!

I am loving all the beautiful tulips that are blooming everywhere! There are even some above our window. These tulips are from my Michael, my father-in-law's yard. Jon & I planted these last fall.


So here is my something inspired by nature! Just a quick doodle & some watercolors. Total time: 30 minutes. And I'm feeling good & creative.

Task 25:

Write a simple Haiku.

Radio plays from my car
Voice rising with each turn
Performing for me

You wouldn't think writing a Haiku, only 17 syllables, would be that difficult. I've been staring at the computer screen for 2 hours. Poetry is not my strong point. My favorite Haiku's are:

An old silent pond...
A frog jumps into the pond,
splash! Silence again.

by Basho (1644-1694)

Over the wintry
forest, winds howl in rage
with no leaves to blow.

by Soseki (1275-1351)

In my old home
which I forsook, the cherries
are in bloom.

by Issa (1762-1826)

First autumn morning:
the mirror I stare into
shows my father's face.

by Kijo Murakami (1865-1938)

Task 9:

Make a list of creative people you are grateful for today.

Walt Disney
By now it should be no surprise that I admire this creative individual!



Michelangelo
I love his art. I believe he has such a reverence for the human body. I also love how the bodies have substance, curves, and even rolls in the skin. I love that. Plus, look at the fingers on his statues!

Michelangelo said about sculpting:

"Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it."

Ernest Howard Shepard
Who doesn't love the creator of those iconic Winnie the Pooh and the Wind & the Willows illustrations. I just love how he gives animals such human emotions/expressions.






Lord Frederick Leighton
I love his romantic & beautiful way of depicting women. And I love the way he draws noses. Like real, imperfect noses because there is beauty in them.






Mary Blair
I love Mary Blair, she worked with Walt on so many concepts for the parks & movies. She has such a sweet child like flair to her images. I feel so happy just looking at these.






And there are a ton more I can't even begin to think of. I tried to narrow down this from creative people, to creative artists. Otherwise there would have been quite a few more of these talented people. Tell me some of your favorites!

Task 2:

What colors are meaningful to you and why?

WHITE:
This color, scientifically speaking, amazes me. How can this be a combination of all the colors? That just blows my mind. White is not a lack of color, it is when all colors come together to create this. White is also able to be split into every known color in the world! I know I'm not properly explaining it, but thats because I don't fully understand it.




GREEN:
Springtime is my favorite, and its because of the beautiful green you see everywhere. I love how it just makes me think of beautiful smells & fresh new growth. I can't help looking at a lush green hill side & imagining sitting on it, feeling the cool breeze, and just looking at the sky or reading a book. It makes me wish to never work again.




PURPLE:
My favorite color. I think it is the most feminine color to wear and compliments almost everyones skin, hair, & eyes. Plus, purple springtime flowers (like the ones I have in the basket near our door) are just stunning.