Friday 19 April 2013

Confessions of a creative!

When it comes to creativity, over the years I have probably immersed myself in every type of craft there is..from quilling to mosaic making, crocheting to candle making...the list goes on. It was always with joyful abandon ,excitement to learn and explore, that I would begin each project ....creativity = JOY!
 Having a mum that was the uber queen of creative nurturing as well as owning a craft shop as I grew up, really could not have been more perfect ..I mean how lucky?!

So with this in mind,  you can imagine the chats I have had to myself  when reading business advice which stipulates the need to create a brand, being focused , choosing your audience...key ingredients to making it as an artist. Blardy blar. I read these things alot! And I take on board what other people's knowledge and experience has been. I mean I'm grateful that they are even willing to share this...
     

But as soon as I read things like this my heart immediately crumples....because the truth is, if I can't fly with a whim to where creativity is urging me today , if I don't have room to learn  and grow, then I would be as well back working a 9 to 5 job where I felt restrained and unhappy. Really.

So I am here to say that I am creating my own recipe from now on!Working out my own ingredients that work best for me, where "happy" is the north point on my directional compass!

Why am I telling you all this? I guess to tell myself more than anything!
 Also because part of me feels I need to justify the things I keep sharing with you..the pencil sketches, the clay brooches, the fabric books, the paintings the stitches.....ALL the creativity that comes from me....and now my most recent experiment and learning...digital patterns and designs! :)
Last week I was chastising myself saying I really need to just choose ONE thing and STICK TO IT!..Oh my..who's voice does that one belong to?! Some draconian teacher from my yesteryears.
Today I am standing up and saying this is who I am, and this is all I will ever want to be....multi faceted and multi talented :) ......er well perhaps a little more practice on the pattern making first :)
It's very humbling sharing the beginnings but maybe it just may inspire you to experiment and follow your creative rumblings.... xx

19 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for sharing this post. I've being feeling exactly the same as you lately.The more you grow creatively the more you want to do and I find myself scolding myself for not focusing on one project at a time but for the moment that's what I obviously need to do.To be honest I think you have your own distinct style so your brand is you and all your work has your particular look.Really interested to see your new digital work(I've recently got a graphics tablet so have been spending lengthy periods on the computer.Love the feather design;it would make such stunning fabric:)Thanks for the therapy,Cassandra:Dxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Cassandra, it really is heart warming to know I'm not the only one that has this inner dialogue! The older I get the more "shoulds" I stumble upon and begin to question!Thankyou for your honesty and sharing..and for such lovely feedback about my work :)x

      Delete
  2. Oh Jenny, you read my mind. I don't think I could stick to one thing if my life depended on it. All my creative knowledge knitting, crochet, sewing drawing painting etc etc...collide together and make me very happy and are getting me to my goal. And all those "bloody" voices from school that told me I was not good enough and would never amount to much. Well they are beginning to be drowned out by the wonderful creative people I have met through blogging and my family. So go for it...your work is gorgeous and you have hundreds of admiring fans around the globe who are willing you onto success. :) xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Catherine! Yay! to drowning out those voices that say you can't! I've loved watching you bloom and grow towards your goal.And you are right, the community of creatives is such a strength to draw upon..so a huge THANKYOU for all your support and loving words...it means A LOT xx:)

      Delete
  3. Wayhey for creative rumblings! So glad you are following yours Jenny!
    Lots of your thoughts speak to me too!
    Love the feathers! Great embracing of new technology!
    Looking forward to seeing oodles more from your super creative multi faceted mind!

    Ali x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thankyou Ali, you can't beat a creative rumble ;)x

      Delete
  4. Oh yes! I actually told myself this at the begining of the year. Gave myself a good talking to. Stick to one thing. Focus on one thing. Get better at one thing. Admit others can do things you can't. Focus. Focus. FOCUS! Has it happened? Has it heck. Think we are like butterflies flitting here and there.

    I'm now narrowing it down - knitting and crochet I definitely cannot do. Can't get it to stay in my head - though my sister has offered to help with the knitting. But paper/paint/ink/art/ all that jazz - am just giving myself free reign now. Whatever my head feels like doing - do it. Otherwise, like you say. What's the point.

    My Dad gave me a £50 New Look voucher for my birthday - seriously considering selling it to buy a new art book that's out and a related online painting class. Who needs clothes right? I may not be able to sew well but I can darn up the holes in my tatty clothes ;)

    Thank you for this post Jenny! And I love the patterns so far!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Carmen..oh thats a great description..creative butterflies indeed!
      Glad to hear you are freeing yourself up to the joys of creating... even if you may end up semi nude ;)hehe!
      Thankyou so much for sharing your experience of this..turns out I am far from alone :)xx

      Delete
  5. Jenny, don't ever lose your multi-faceted love of creating... you are very talented. I love dropping in here and seeing your beautiful creations.

    I am really taken by these photos of your feather drawings. There is always something new and different to be seen here - it's the draw for me. :) :)

    Finally, conform only to your own desires - your journey, this go around, is to fulfill your desires, not fit into some mould someone else has set before you. It's all about being you... one of a kind you!

    Have a wonderful weekend - happy creating!
    Jenny @ PEARSON REPORT

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jenny, Thankyou so much! What amazing words of support and encouragment..and of truth too. They are to be treasured. Thankyou!:)x

      Delete
  6. Great post :) From what I have seen on your blog, your paintings, drawings, the clay objects in your last post, and these designs, all of your work looks very coherent and together if that makes sense, even though it is created using different media etc :D x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Chloe, thanks so much for your feedback and support. Its great to hear that what comes out actually fits together..maybe its because I know my thoughts are so fragmented that I project that onto the different things I make! :)x

      Delete
  7. I agree wholeheartedly Jenny, it is great to try new things, experiment and find out what works for you. I sometimes go off on a tangent and then get back to what I am doing. Creativity takes many forms and the new work you have created still has your identity on it, the colour palette you use is very distinctive. Follow your heart.. I love to see all the different work you create. Jayne x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jayne, thanks for all your support and lovely words...its great to hear I'm not the only one who goes off on tangents :)x

      Delete
  8. oh Jenny - i know exactly what you mean. in fact i work hard all day and then think, if only i'd worked harder i could have done that, and that!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. darn its a pest isn't it?! Glad to hear I am in good company though :)x

      Delete
  9. Your work is brilliant Jenny and you should experiment with various crafts I believe that is what keeps a crafter fresh and focused.

    Long may you continue to create such wonderful pieces. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tracey thankyou so much! Your support and cheerleading really means a lot :)x

      Delete
  10. i love all that comes from you...annnnd, i'm so excited with my new purchase this morning from your shop!!! eeeee! and sweetie, i am working on a new book that has WATER throughout it, so this piece is soul-perfect!!! thank you for intersecting your heart with mine. LOVExoxooo

    ReplyDelete