It's that time of year

My annual Holiday Open House took place last weekend. It was festive and fun. The weeks before were crazy with preparation.

Part of the preparation was to decorate the house. I love this time of the year when Christmas decorations appear and creativity abounds. I have a few ideas I want to share, things I have done here in our home.
I have a collection of stuffed Santas. Some of them are old, some new. Though I did not have any of them as a child, when I look at them they recall my childhood Christmases. I have them lined up on the back of my sofa in my studio. I love how the red curtain of the painting behind makes the perfect Christmas background.

In the dining room, we have a white feather tree. I have hung a print of my painting "Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow" next to it. The ornaments I found in many different places and chose them because they look like something I would create. The whole scene seems very personal and colorful. What is behind the tree is as important as what is on it.

On the dining room table I have placed a large glass vase and filled it with glass ornaments. Again some are new and some are old. I have placed evergreen boughs fanning out at the top. It is a little play on the idea of ornaments on boughs or boughs on ornaments.

On the mantle in the living room I have a collection of old glass tree toppers. I have placed them in candlesticks surrounding them with pine branches and a string of 'candle' lights.

These are a few of the Christmas displays I have at my house. I would love to see some of the things you have done. Please send me pictures and descriptions. I think it could be fun to share them.

Be good,
Scott

Art is Personal

I have been working on an interior design project. My friends Nancy and Mike have moved from Boulder to Seattle. They have rented a house and have hired me to help them make it a home. At this point, the furniture is chosen and situated. The rugs, pillows and accessories are carefully placed. All that remains is the art. Nancy really (really) wanted to create art. Though Nancy is a highly creative, beautiful dancer/choreographer the visual arts are still fairly uncharted territory for her.
We began with a trip to the art store where we purchased two canvases. In this case they were 30"x40" each. Then we hit three different paint stores. The goal was to see what was available in the mis-tinted section. It was fantastic, when, at the first store we found 5 different gallons of paint with colors that would work for us. At $3 each it was truly a steal. We rounded out our color palette by having 2 more colors mixed in the quart size. With seven colors, I felt we were ready to procede.
After laying the canvases on a drop cloth, I had Nancy do several quick sketches for me. These were no-thought-initial-reaction drawings. I gave her a word and she drew. I chose words that I knew were important for Nancy and Mike and their home. "Calm.... happy.... life..... growth... love.... celebration... connection.... " She drew and drew and drew.
I took her simple drawings and painted them (much larger) onto the canvases as an outline in the darkest color we had, which happened to be a blue.
It was then her turn to fill in the outlines, very much like in a coloring book. I gave a little direction in color placement, blending and balance, but mostly it was Nancy and her unbridled willingness.
While the paintings dried, I painted a white rectangle on the dining room wall to frame our bold art piece.I think it turned out beautifully. What I loved most about it was Nancy's reaction. She was almost beside herself with how much fun she had had and how lovely the painting is. "That was such a high. It's so beautiful." she told me (again and again and again).
This piece of art is very personal. Not only did she play a part in creating it, but it holds hopes and dreams and ideals in her own expression. Art is personal.
Be good,

Scott

Light Up My Life

Last summer I was walking down Queen Anne Avenue on my way to getting a haircut. I passed by a shop I had not noticed before, a lamp shop. I felt a pull to go inside. I kept walking.

I kept walking but I couldn't stop thinking about the shop and my draw to it. The window was full of unique, beautiful and creative lamp bases and shades. I appreciated the immaculate artistry but couldn't understand why I was so attracted to the place. I decided that once I had a fresh new haircut I would stop in on my way back.

I came to the shop, admired the window display and, well, kept walking. I caught myself and turned around and entered the store.

I met the owner/artist Kathi Mullaney. I introduced myself and explained that I felt pulled into her shop. She was kind and gracious. I told her that I was an artist also and we shared stories of living as artists. I loved meeting her looking at her lamps. I left her with one of my business cards. I felt bad that I had questioned my initial attraction. It was such a gift to meet her.

I think by the time I got home she had sent an email saying she had visited my website, loved my work and wondered if I would be interested in painting a lamp base for her. I went back the next day to get the wooden base, my blank canvas. What to paint, what to paint?

There had been a delay in finishing the base as the wood had been seeping sap. I let it sit in the sun for several weeks giving it a slow drying. I am trusting that it is done seeping now and have once again started painting. Here is a sneak look at what I am doing. I am excited to see it done but even more excited to see what kind of shade Kathi will design for it. Stay tuned to see the finished lamp.

Oh, yeah, check out Kathi's website. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. www.kathleenmullaney.com

Be good,
Scott

Season of Color

This morning as I was writing, or supposed to be writing, I found myself staring at the table by the window. The Christmas cactus happens to have bloomed at Halloween and the glass pumpkins I bring out every fall. I love the little squirrel-candle-holder as he is a reflection of the food-gathering-squirrels outside. The combination of colors is so vibrant, so beautiful and I wanted to share them with you. Surprisingly, (I didn't plan this) it is a study in the secondary colors: purple, orange and green. Okay, that sounds a little art-nerdy, but I am a little art-nerdy sometimes.

I hope you are surrounded by color (primary, secondary, tertiary....) especially as we embrace fall and enter winter.

Be good,
Scott

They're both...

I invite you to take a little time to do this creative exercise. For each pair of words write down as many things in common as you possibly can. You can even do it with someone.
There are no wrong answers. Have fun.

summer service
tshirt cloud
five luxury
happy squirrel
hat thermos

I would love to see what you came up with.
Be good,
Scott

Happy Halloween

For the last 15 Halloweens I have gone to Fernwood Elementary School to carve pumpkins in Mr. Martorelli's classroom

The first year, I had all of the kids bring their pumpkins in. We covered the floor with newspaper and jumped into gutting the 19 orange jack-o-lantern's to be.

We only had to do that once. The mess, the smell, the chaos. It was all enough to truly make Halloween scary.

Since then it is a prerequisite to have only clean pumpkins brought into school. The mess, the smell and the chaos can stay at home.

Every year I carve between 18 and 22 pumpkins. (over 15 years that's about 300). This year it was 19.

I spent the entire day carving. Each student was invited up individually and we had a brief conversation about what kind of pumpkin they wanted. That first year after struggling through Pokemon characters, super heroes and family pets, I decided that naming a feeling was much more effective than giving me specifics. Now the options are goofy, funny, cute, scary, very scary and really, really scary.

It was as fun and exhausting as ever. I love that it is my Halloween tradition. In a way, it is my version of going trick or treating. I get to create goofy, funny, cute, scary, very scary and really, really scary, after all. Happy Halloween.

Be good,
Scott

With and Without

I call this painting "With and Without". Enough said.

Be good,
Scott

Somewhere Over a Rainbow

Cathy, The Pastor of my church left to move to Montana.

When I was presented with the opportunity to create a festive yet meaningful setting for the Godspeed service I began by asking Cathy "Which of the past settings have you liked?" There had been many over the years. She recalled the large floral arrangements that another church member creates. She also mentioned some banners I had painted and several large creations - from fabric rivers to greenery jungles. Then, as if it were a footnote *"I like rainbows" she casually threw out to me.
I knew then that a large (it needed to make a statement) rainbow of some kind needed to fill the space. I initially thought I would paint a rainbow on a fabric banner. It was a fine idea, but I wanted something that wouldn't completely hide the beautiful stained-glass window at the front of the church. I also wanted something that would have more interest. So, I put it into the mix of 'things waiting for inspiration'.
I'm not sure when it hit me, I think when I was running one day. I would create a ribbon rainbow. By using various shades and sizes of ribbon I would hang them from red to orange to yellow to green to blue to purple.
The final banner ended up being about 7 feet wide by 16 feet tall. The ribbons hang over a pole and are taped to stay in place. The part of the ribbons that hang in front I cut in a large arch to represent the bow. It had a much greater impact than even I had imagined. It did end up being festive and meaningful.

Outside In

I am home now. My time at the cabin in Wisconsin was restful and fun. Well, as restful as could be. My parents are do-ers. My father, Ron, is happiest when there is a project to be done. For this last visit the list of projects included: pulling in the dock, getting the boat ashore, finishing the floor trim, and splitting wood for the fireplace. We accomplished all but the wood-splitting. My mother, Pat, spent hours piecing a quilt, doing laundry and preparing meals.

I can relax for only so long and then I, too, need to find a project. I blame them.

When I realized that the one blank wall in the cabin needed to be painted, it became my project. Now, just painting the wall one color wasn't going to be enough for me. In fact, Ron is a painter by profession, so that would be a job he could easily do (almost with his eyes closed). I figured a mural would work beautifully.

It didn't take much, if anything, to convince Ron and Pat. I didn't even need to describe what I had in mind. I figured that this blind trust is partially a result of my teen years. I had my own bedroom and my parents allowed me to paint and paint again whatever I wanted on my walls. Since then I have painted several murals from the simple to the ornate.

I wanted to do something simple for the cabin, yet something that echoed the surroundings outside. The result was this hazy hilly forest scene.

The process is fairly easy. First Ron prepared the wall and painted the base coat using the lightest color. Starting with the next lightest color I painted the ground and trees in silhouette. Once that dried, I took the next slightly darker color and painted the next hill and tree silhouette slightly larger on top of the first. I repeated the process each time getting darker with the color. The fifth and final layer contains no trees, just ground and a bit of brush and grass.

You can create a similar mural. (I know you can) You may want to sketch each layer or not depending on your confidence.To start select a paint chip at the store in the color that you want. There are often 4 or 5 colors on a chip that go from dark to light. Use them as your gradation. Use the lightest color as your base color and layer from there, lightest to darkest. If you want to be a little more daring you can chose colors from different chips within a color range. I used varying greens from light mint to olive to pine green to brown. They should still move from light to dark.

Try mountains, or rolling hills, or pine trees, or just tree trunks without the foliage. You can add as little or as much detail as you want. It is a nice, simple way to add depth and interest to a room without being too distracting. Have fun. It's only paint!

Be good,
Scott

Expanding my Repetoire

I am spending time at my family’s cabin in northern Wisconsin. It is a quiet, secluded, pretty little spot on the far end of a lake called Potato (we all wonder why).
Over the weekend my entire family gathered for my father’s 70th birthday. This little cabin was bursting at the seams with people and dogs. There is something so complete and so warm about having that kind of gathering. My family does this about once a year. We like each other and get along very well. I think at some point we all silently decided to focus the things that bind us and agreed to respect our differences.
Since I see my siblings and nieces and nephews only once a year, I tried to come up with something that I could do or give as a connection point. I decided that my art for the weekend was temporary tattoos. I packed a set of permanent markers and went about offering one-of-a-kind-at-your-request-tattoos. It was fun for me to sit with each of them and draw the image of their choice. It was a personal interaction requiring little words.
My hope is that, especially for my nieces and nephews, it is something they can fondly remember.
I don’t think that I am going to venture into true tattoo artistry, though it was suggested.
For now, I’ll keep it as “Remember when Uncle Scott …”

Make your own 'tattoos'. Use a set of permanent markers, the multi-color fine point set. With the black marker outline the desired design and then color it in as you would a coloring book. It's that easy. And remember kids, it would be a good idea to get permission before jumping into this project. Have fun.

Be good,
Scott

The brushstrokes of my writing

Each morning I get up, make myself coffee and sit down to write. I find the calmest place I can. On warmer days I sit outside in the morning sun. On cooler, darker days I sit at the front window where I can see the tunnel of trees lining my street.

I have been doing this for 12 years, or so. Originally, I struggled to integrate it into my everyday. There were many fits and starts. Now, I can't imagine starting a day without writing.
The act of writing, for me, serves several purposes. It settles the whirl of unsettled thoughts. It chronicles my life. It captures my ideas, questions and inspirations.
I have found many paintings in my writing. Though, often colorful, crisp and careful my pieces are responses to my ideas, questions and inspirations.

For a while I was wondering about organized religion. My reflection of that wondering ended up as the piece "It's About the Grapes". Everything in this painting represents something. All in the name of religion.

Then there is the whole idea of freedom. I have written and written and written about what it means, or could mean to be free.
Here in America we have much freedom. I recognize that freedom. I am intrigued by spiritual freedom, emotional freedom. What would life be like if I was free from judging? Or, what if I was free from fear? It's that freedom, the freedom to be be guided simply by love, without the influence of judgment or fear.

The zebra (Freedom) and it's birds have their 'inside and outside the cage' message.

The bird cages in the forest (Les Cages des Bois) show one empty cage, suggesting one free bird.

The floating woman held delicately by the string from a hand below (Holding On) expresses the idea that freedom is a choice.
In writing about experiencing life through the heart of a child, I have painted the red ball several times. I like the graphic impact, but I also like the blatant reference to play. My greatest creativity happens when I play. Sometimes the red ball shows up in a playful place like "The Play Date".
Sometimes the red ball shows up in a more unsuspected place. "Life in a Gated Opportunity" shows my desire to take things less seriously.

Each one of these paintings, and several others, have been born in my writing. In a way, they are the neat, tidy, organized version of my meandering journal.

I will continue to write. It is my quest, my curiosity, my striving to find truth. My truth.


Be good,
Scott

Clearing the Way

Little Mary Sunshine

I have just finished another painting. I call this one "Suddenly, Little Mary Sunshine".

A few years ago, I did a painting called "As If". It is a woman holding a mask, by the strings, in front of her face as she floats above the ground. It was based on the concept that one can achieve personal change by acting as if you are already the change. For me, it meant 'acting' more patient and open and confident in order to actually become more patient, open and confident.

This painting has a very similar sense to me. It's about putting on a happy face. I have a friend , Addie who has a friend, Char. They have known each other for many years and had been through a lot together. They even ended up working together.

When Addie got a new job, her dream job, with a different company, she was very happy. Char was not.

They had many conversations about it. Char felt abandoned, alone and envious. Understandably. It was during one of these conversations when Char, slightly upset, said to Addie "...and you are, suddenly, little Mary Sunshine". It wasn't meant to be a compliment. I liked it. This idea that"Little Mary Sunshine" as undesirable was fascinating to me.
Immediately, I saw this little girl on stage holding a cardboard sun around her head. Her dress shows cloudy skies, the detail has blue beads of raindrops. Her face is in the style of the old sun illustrations - all round and full. The detail in the sun itself is to exaggerate the 'happiness' of it.


All of this exists in each of us, the clouds, the rain, the sun, it is all there and often we have a choice as to which we are wearing. Very much like "As If", once you choose to wear something for a while, it actually starts to become integrated into who you are. It's true whether (or weather) it is rain or sun you choose. I'm hoping that "Suddenly, Little Mary Sunshine" loses her 'suddenly' and just is 'little Mary sunshine'.

Be good,
Scott

What is 'creative'?

This past weekend I went on a whale watching excursion. I would like to say that this was my doing-something-different date. However, I have been whale watching several times before. Even so, it is still an adventure in the break-of-routine realm.

Beth, Scott, T, Cameron and I set out early in the morning. It was a full day. To get there it takes an hour and a half drive and an hour ferry ride, (which actually was a little longer as the ferry stopped so a family could drop the ashes of a deceased loved one into the water of the San Juan Islands) Once we arrived at the boat it was a four hour outing. When whale watching was over it was two hours on the island waiting for the return ferry, another hour ferry ride and finally the hour and a half ride home.
It was on the ferry ride home when I decided to use my friends as creative subjects. I would imagine that they would be used to it, but, I can also see how there is a certain amount of uncertainty involved. With my video camera aimed at each of them I said "Name one word to describe yourself" which they did. Then "Two more words...." they were great, going along with me, well, humoring me. So I thought I would ask the big question "What is the most creative thing you've ever done?" It was met with silence, then protests of how difficult a question it was. At that point, Scott asked "What do you mean by creative?" What? I thought. "What is 'creative'?" he asked again.

What is 'creative'? It's a question I have been asking myself for many years. I don't know what the dictionary says and I have not seen a definition. But somewhere within me I had figured out what it means to me. I surprised myself when I heard myself say "Creative is when you use the resources you have to produce something that seemingly surpasses anything you could have anticipated." Using this definition, my friends answered the question. I figured I had bugged them enough, so I stopped.

It was a good day. I spent time with people I love. I witnessed a sweet intimate memorial. I saw whales, perhaps even inspired to start a whale painting. And, I ask myself, and you:

What is 'creative'? What is the most creative thing you have done?

More different

omething undesirable is 'ishy', it is customary to end a sentence with 'then' and if you are unsure of something, well, it is 'interesting'. To say "That's interesting" is one of the many ways that 'Minnesota nice' plays out. Even though it can be read as 'I don't really like it', most of the time it means 'Give me a little time to adjust'. It is an opening, an openness (ever so slight) to something different.

As I invite you to experience different by breaking your routine, or setting an inspiration date, my hope is that you can see things as 'interesting'. Interesting in the slightly open sense. Just give yourself permission to be open. Let your openness be the lens through which you see and experience.

That's it. Let me know how it goes. I love hearing your stories of inspiration.

Be good, then.
Scott

Results of Different

I came across this chalk drawing in a cul-de-sac. Artist unknown. It felt simply welcoming, the open arms, the smile and the star on the apron. So, welcome.

I have to admit that I am used to doing things different. I am not one for routine. I mean, I do have my routines: I brush and floss, write in my journal and run daily. But, whenever there is an opportunity to experience something new, I am right there. I often feel like the dog that hears the engine rev and jumps into the back of the pickup truck, not knowing where it's going. The excitement of 'going' and 'adventure' overrides any fear of uncertainty. (I try not to pant and lap my tongue or drool with anticipation.)
Still, it was difficult for me to break a routine. I did put a new head on my sonicare toothbrush. My teeth feel cleaner. Therefore, I feel cleaner. Therefore, I feel clearer. Therefore, more room for inspiration. All from a new bristly brushing. A boy can hope anyway. One routine broken. Kind of...

On the weekends, Cameron and I will try to go for a long walk in the neighborhood. We live on the "Queen Anne Boulevard" parkway. The boulevard is a 5 mile loop along the crest of Queen Anne hill. It is a spectacular walk as it has vistas in all directions. We can see the Olympic Peninsula and it's mountains, downtown Seattle with it's shiny buildings and Mount Rainier backdrop, the Puget Sound, the Cascade Mountain range, and several other Seattle neighborhood hills. This is the walk we usually take. It is the walk we know. It is the walk we like. We were all set to walk the loop when I heard the little voice inside say "Break out of your routine."
"Alright, shut up, quit nagging." was my reply, which really wasn't fair because the voice was actually very polite and not nagging at all. I apologized and we turned and went another direction. I am so glad we did.

We happened across this house. We stood there going over every detail. We were mesmerized by the colors, the mouldings, the tiles, the gargoyles, the carvings. Every little bit has something to say for itself. In graceful calligraphy the turret proclaims "Quo Amplius Eo Amplius Est". This house is amazing. The photo doesn't show that the garden is as lovingly created and colorful as the house itself. This is living in a work of art. This is a living work of art. Life is Art. The homeowners must feel special every time they come home. Can you imagine?

It left such an impression that when my friend Beth came over later in the week I had to show her. We walked over, stood in front and once again went over every detail. While we were there a pickup pulled up, the driver got out, sat on the back of his truck and watched the house. We figured he was, as we were, gawkers. We started to talk with him to find out that he was the contractor who did all of the work on the house. From him we learned: originally built in 1906, this restoration has been a 15 year project, it's still not finished, it's a true Victorian (all details taken from historic Victorian homes), the owner is an author of Victorian history, the inside looks like the outside, and it's fairly well known. The contractor sent us to his website to see detail photos.
http://www.jimdochertydesigns.com/Restorations/Brians/Brians%20index.htm
I love that we were able to talk with him and see the passion and dedication and art behind it. It truly is a labor of love. Thanks to the little nagging (just kidding) voice I not only got to see the house but then meet the artisan behind it. If you are ever in the area I hope you have a chance to see it in person.

What have you found in your broken routine?

Be good,
Scott

Oh, and "Quo Amplius Eo Amplius Est"? "More is more"

Welcome to my blog!

Hello.
So, I have been wanting to have a blog. You see, I set up a blog site quite a while ago and then never posted anything. It didn't end up being very effective. A blog with nothing to read or look at, well, it's rather boring.
I want to be able to share with you my latest paintings, ideas, happenings, and weekly video series "The Creative Life". And, yes, you'll be able to find all of those things here. Amazing, I know.

I would also like to know your feedback, thoughts, ideas and questions. And, I hope you are inspired to live a little more creatively.

This week I finished two new paintings. This is a miracle. Well, not quite a miracle because they didn't just appear, poof, here's a pretty painting!? I was there, hour after hour painting, so not quite miraculous, but this year has been filled with commissioned pieces. I am grateful for the work and the relationships that were created in that process. Now, September, I finally found some time to put brush to canvas and bring to life my own ideas.

This first piece I have titled "I'm just a Delicate Flower". This is a phrase I use to express my own delicacy (or others) when 'whining' happens. "I am just a delicate flower, after all." The inspiration came one day when I had gone hiking in the mountains and came across these sweet little flowers. I looked at them and immediately saw a row of women, like bridesmaids all dressed alike and waiting. The ferny detail in the background is my favorite part of the painting and, not surprisingly, has a word or two hidden in there.

This second piece hasn't been given a title yet. I am playing with "Amber Waves of Tail" but, I am not quite sure. More often then not, I get the title before I start painting, but every now and then the title comes while painting or, as in this case, after it's finished. (If you have any ideas, I would love to hear them.) I have always wanted to do a series of plants as animals. Last year I did "If Porcupines were Flowers". At this rate, it will take me 15 years to get the series done. It is a start, however.

Now, for something completely different. Okay, not completely different, but different. Lately, I have missed facilitating creativity groups. It has been a couple of years. I found that I stayed inspired when I was working with others who were striving to be inspired. TaDa, my video series: "The Creative Life". Each week I will invite you to participate in an exercise to help promote creativity in your life. Selfishly, of course, I am wanting to promote greater creativity in my own life as well. I hope you are willing to give it a try.

I look forward to hearing from you. Don't forget to subscribe. I wouldn't want you to miss a thing.

Be good,
Scott