Pushing Through Creative Blocks

a gentle day with kinfolk magazine....guaranteed to inspire.

I've been hearing a lot lately from creatives who have hit a wall, a dry-patch, a slump, a creative block.... Many say it hits hard in the winter....others for no reason at all. I get it! I've been there, done that.... many, many times. My longest block lasted almost 2 years. 'ugh'.... I mean, seriously.... can you imagine? Thankfully, that was my last major dry spell...and it was almost 3 years ago now!! Woo hooing here!

I have found a little 'trick' for knocking down the wall...crushing it.... kicking it to the curb..... before it takes over my creative life.

It's simply, showing up .... I push through, keep creating.... soon I find my way to the other side of the slump.... re-inspired and fired up again!! I push by changing things up. I focus on learning something new, trying a different technique, pushing my limits.... Or I switch over to something a little dreaded.... like file organization... my weak link.... Or bookkeeping...another weak link or organizing my studio. If that doesn't work I give myself a gentle day..... a day to relax, regroup.... and just be.... But just one day, maybe 2.... Then I move forward...do the work, make the art.... do.

Let's talk about inspiration.... slumps, droughts, blocks... How do you push through to the other side? What works for you, what doesn't? Share with us today.

Quick Snaps

Winter frost...  Oh my it's pretty. The photo possiblities are endless.

The other day I took the puppy dogs to the lake. I also took my Nikon. I was very excited to capture the pretty frost. Unfortunately I left the battery at home on the charger. Ugh. Thankfully I had my Olympus Pen in the car and I was able to snap away during our walk.

I just love this shot of Ben. The focus isn't great, his legs are cut off, but he looks so handsome with the frosty tress in the background. By the time the walk was over the frost had fallen. I'm so glad I had my Pen close by and I was able to capture it. How about you? Do you keep a small camera or maybe your camera phone close by to capture the beauty life offers up?

Share a quick snap with us today.

on my windowsill

I bought a dozen roses at the super market the other day. I divided them into 4 bottles. I have them sitting throughout our home. It's always nice to have a little touch of pretty in different rooms. Don't you think?

This sits on our kitchen windowsill.... right by the sink. It's lovely to see and smell as I do the dishes.

How about you? Share a little touch of something pretty with us today. 

He Posed for Me

Finally....  one of my boys agreed to pose for me. Perhaps it was a weak moment. Really it doesn't matter. What matters is he posed for me.  Woo hoo!

I've been wanting to take Bryce's photo forever. But he always has one excuse or another. The truth is, I am not much for taking people pics, so maybe I'm not that persistent. I'm way more comfortable setting up still lifes or photographing Ben. Probably because they don't talk back. 'smile'.

The other day I thought, darn it, I'm going to demand he let's me do it. I casually walked into the living room....all calm, cool and collected. 'Bryce, I need to take your picture in the white room. Can you please let me? I need to practice with this new lens.' I was prepared for resistance, so I had a whole speech ready. But he simply stood up and said 'sure....as long as I can keep my toque on....' I could not believe it.... I was almost speechless.....

I didn't waste a moment... Up we went.... and click, click, click... He didn't complain, he followed 'direction'...which is somewhat unusual... And we captured some fabulous shots. Then we popped into the studio and did a little post processing together. The whole experience was perfect.

This is our favorite shot...I think it really captures who Bryce is. He's a deep thinker... quite serious and I often catch him looking just like this.  

How about you? Are you met with resistance when you try to photograph your family? Any tips for me?

Share a family photo with us today. 

I shared on my site several times after Camp SS, that I fell hard for California. When I arrived home after that amazing trip I struggled with my surroundings. Everything looked so dull and lifeless, and quite disappointing after the beautiful scenic beaches of California. It took me weeks to get back in the groove...settle into my world, appreciate the beautiful open space of this place we call home.

Then the winter cold hit fast and hard.....it was really shocking.....walking on the treacherous ice made me uptight and just plain cranky..... But winter seemed to settle, soften, relax....and we've sinced been blessed with so many amazing days, allowing us to soak up the crisp air and just enjoy the beauty around us.

Thank you winter for your gentle spirit this year....

Today I share a shot of our 'winter'.....  the open lake we walk each day..... Winter's snow, frost, starkness, solitude, it's all truly poetic..... Don't you think?

I'd love to see your winter... perhaps you have no snow, a little snow... or maybe even tons.... Share with us a little peek of your world today.....