Reboot, Renew, Revitalize

Have you noticed the growing number of entertainment reboots currently making it to the big and small screen?  If you listen to the radio, you’ve not doubt heard Weezer’s remake of Toto’s Africa.  Broadway is always reviving musicals and plays with new spins.  I figured I would join the crowd and I’ve just become the president of Front Range Contemporary Quilters (www.artquilters.org) for the second time.   I was president ten years ago, and now it’s time for a reboot.

What is it about a reboot, or in my case, a new term that’s so appealing?  First and foremost, I’m familiar with the job.  There is a minimal learning curve.  I know when the newsletter article is due.  I’m familiar with the recruitment practices for membership. I understand the selection process for speakers.  On the flip side, over the past ten years, the membership has changed.  The use of technology has skyrocketed.  I’ve gotten older.

I believe any organization, business, even our own lives need revitalization on a regular basis. Boredom is one of the key components to sadness, lowered productivity, and the numbing of our emotional lives. It dulls our creativity, and as artists, creativity is our lifeline.  I’m not suggesting throwing the baby out with the bath water.  What we know has been working we keep.  Those ideas, practices, and themes not bringing joy to your life gets sent to the trash, literally and figuratively.

I’ve spent the last year regrouping and revitalizing my educational goals and my art practices. I recently completed a graduate certificate program in Health Humanities and Ethics.  This program gave me the energy and impetus to get focused about the art I want to create.  I’ve been in health and healing for thirty years.  Now, with further study I’ve become entrenched, engaged, and energized by the possibilities of the stories I want to tell.  I’m more focused.  My art has a sharper narrative.  My studio time is about storytelling and spiritual practice.  The two combined allow me to serve my community by speaking my truth about the gaps I witness in the world.

My creativity is a way for me to stay connected to my heart and soul.  If I hadn’t delved deeper into my interests, my passion, my purpose, I wouldn’t have achieved this new direction in art.  I feel renewed, I feel revitalized, and I feel reinvigorated.  I believe you will too!  Give it a try and let me know if I can help.  Renewing your vows to yourself improves your creative process!

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Express Yourself!

Last night I went to the monthly meeting of Front Range Contemporary Quilters (FRCQ), (www.artquilters.org) the textile art guild I call my creative home. Every month we have a speaker on some aspect of textile art and last night it revolved around wearable art. I tried to create a vest once in my textile career, but I need further instruction on clothing construction.

The meeting started with a fashion show presented by the wearable art special interest group. The main event was Lynda Faires (www.lyndafaires.com), noted textile artist and wearable art creator extraordinaire.  Another one of my favorite wearable art creators is Kate Cox (www.katecox.net). Her work is magical and evokes feelings of mystery and wonder!

Kate Cox, Water Coat, In Private Collection

What we wear can be another way we can express ourselves. Everyone who works with me knows that I have an extensive wardrobe of shirts. The shirts are striking patterns and colors. I don’t shy away from shocking colors and designs because I think they’re striking. They allow me to sing with clothing.

I find that I select what I wear based on my mood and wearing something colorful puts me in a good mood. It’s interesting because people may not say anything about a painting or sculpture, but because clothing is such an integral part of our consciousness we all make comments about it.

Think about shows like Project Runway, a reality show for up and coming fashion designers. The judges always make a point of asking the designers about their design aesthetic and point-of-view. Fashion is a means of expression and can reflect how we’re feeling and thinking. It creates a personal experience when we put on an item of clothing that makes us feel good or stand out in a crowd.

Our creativity doesn’t have to be exhibited in a gallery. It doesn’t have to show up on a canvas or emerge from a piece of stone. It can simply be something as personal as your favorite shirt, your favorite purse, or a piece of jewelry. However you choose to express yourself do it with gusto! Let your inner artist shine through your clothing!!

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