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