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CREATIVE SELF-CARE - 001 Calling all my creative friends! Let's talk about the power of creativity in our lives. Whether you're an artist, writer, or photographer, creativity can bring immense joy and fulfillment to your daily routines. Today, I say, let's tap into our imaginations and harness our unique talents to create something truly inspiring. Remember, creative self-care is creativity that is just for you. No need for 'perfect art' or feeling any pressure to create a masterpiece. What form of creativity truly makes you happy? If you don't know yet, what form of creativity puts a twinkle in your eye or invites the butterflies of your soul to flutter? My happy place begins with my camera. From there, I tend to dip my toes into journaling with praise, beautiful words, and my photos. I find I am then inspired to embrace all things mixed media and encaustics. (Sidebar - with summer coming I have an entire yard of gardens to cultivate and plant. I have always dreamed of immense flower gardens. We shall see what that does for my creativity! ) In the comments below I'd love to hear what creative self-care looks like for you. How has it impacted your life? PS - Did you know I have an online Facebook Community? Come join us!

{My FIRST Welcome video Circa 2020 - It is where I started and is paving the way for where we are going together! :) } The other day I was going through some old videos and I came across this little gem that I had yet to share anywhere. It's funny how life will steamroll your best intentions and dreams; hopefully not forever though. Yes, sometimes, obviously, the most important things need to take priority...like a second breast cancer diagnosis in 18 months and the subsequent surgery and loooong recovery. However, this deserves to be shared. My daughter filmed it as part of an assignment for her film class in March 2020. I added the audio and it is a tad quiet. Sorry. My editing skills and complete originality have improved since then. 😉 If I'm being 1000% honest, I am not the same person I was in this video. I am wiser, stronger, a little more tattered and worn, and more reliant than ever on Jesus. I'm beyond thankful that I STILL GET TO discover, embrace, capture, and create from the Beauty in it all. The month of April, Lord willing is going to be epic. I am currently finishing the filming of my first-ever online class. Eeeek!! More on that a little later. For now though I'd love to know dear friend, what is it that YOU STILL GET TO do? What brings you joy, hope, happiness, purpose, and passion? What is that THING you are here to do? PS - there is a cameo of my Moosey Babe at the end. PSS - If you don't know yet, I tend to collect rescue cats like art supplies. Well, close anyways. I was too heartbroken to share on all of the social media platforms, but last July my sweet Moosey crossed the rainbow bridge. He was fourteen years old and honestly was my soul cat. He was by my side through ALL of my surgeries and recoveries for breast cancer. Prior to that, he was my studio apprentice. He LOVED creating with me. When my art table was in the basement, he was allowed on that table. So, when we shot this video with all of the art supplies on the dining room table - we had to bend the rules if just for a few moments. I am so glad we did. It was an honor to love him.

Here's a little fun collage tag from last night. I was cleaning up and getting ready to leave my desk for the night when I saw the tag on the floor. I stained it and added the drywall paste at least a year ago. After also noticing my Artist Almanac 2023 (full of collage fodder) on my shelf as I picked up the tag, it was meant to be. For me, this form of creativity is so much more about the process than the end project. There is curiosity, there is peace, there is joy within those layers of texture and story. PS - yes, I also spent some time this afternoon painting and staining mini spools just for that gold thread. There is a reason I collect the things I do, even if I don't know it at the time. Maybe this is partially why I love collage. In the comments below, I'd love to hear what you love about collage. :)

"For our hearts are glad in Him, because we trust in his Holy name." Psalm 33:21 Happy Sunday! I'm loving this color palette. May the words, imagery, and colors bring you joy this Sunday in the middle of February. A FREE printable version is available below. Have fun using it in your journal or other mixed-media making. I've also included a few vintage Bible pages as well. Click the image below, enter your email (so that I can send you more color palette ideas in the future :) and other occassional updates), and your download will appear. Join my Facebook Group for more fun and inspiration! Melanie Fagan | Creative Community

Do you have photos that you love, ones that you when you snapped the shutter you just knew it created something magical? The magic being just for yourself and that is really all that matters; if someone else likes the photo that is a wonderfully blessed bonus. What then to do with these little gems? Yes, by all means print them! Do you print them, do you get them outside of the digital world? If you take anything away from this post, please print them. Besides printing them, for me I longed to spend more time creating with my photographs. I wanted those moments of beauty to spill over into other areas of my creativity. I wanted to use the images and create something with my hands as well. I have spent the past IDK - maybe three years discovering various ways to print my photographs in the most beautiful ways and I know I'm only just beginning. By spending time creating with and creating from our photographs, it allows us to become more in tune with our inner Guide. Whether you're creating art with paint, pens, pencils, or your journaling your heart out with words to match the beauty and soul of that orginal moment, I encourage you to spend more time with you photos beyond when you initially pressed the shutter. This little whimsical series of play and pure exploration answered a fun little creative question for me - if winter had a flower what would it look like? My favorite is this image. The watercolor flower looks so fluffy and ready to spill gold dust everywhere. Most winters we all need a little cheerful gold dust don't we? I'm in the process of encasing this in encaustic. I'll let you know how it turns out. The last image was a fun mixed-media piece with encaustic, plaster, watercolors, found words (inspired by @ella_and_rubys), vintage Bible pages (gifted to me by @theresa_kay_create ) and making three rusted nails with paint. I guess I'm impatient. 🤣 When the light hits the piece just right you can see it glow through the watercolor paper. Everything is a learning experience; an experiment and I am LOVING that part of the creative process.

It was December 2014 when I purchased my first DSLR camera. A gift given beyond the grave from my dad. <3 I was SO EXCITED to finally be able to learn this art form on a new level. There was ONE little catch in my mind at the time... it was winter in Wisconsin! Silly me! I took it as a personal challenge to find winter beauty in Wisconsin. Now, every winter I look forward to my photography adventures. The blue hues this time of year are unlike any other time. I've fallen in love with frozen weeds or weeds that have apparently served their purpose the previous season. But here they are in their own right looking beautiful. This cattail above is one of my all-time favorites. It reminds me of a dear sweet old friend, who during WWII would gather cattails to make lifejackets, pillows, beds, and even baseballs during the war. How cool and resourceful is that? Do you have a favorite season to photograph? Would you like a winter photography challenge? If so, just click the image below to download and print. Also, be sure to join my Facebook Group where we'd love to see what you capture and create. Melanie Fagan | Creative Community

Hi there. Leo and I wanted to pop on and say hello. I hope the New Year is treating you well. I also hope that you're easing into 2023 with a good amount of self-kindness and self-care. (I believe cat therapy is a form of self-care too.) For me, it was as if a switch flipped about a week in and I have been more intentional with listening to what my mind, body, and soul really need. We've all had some rough patches over the past three years at least, if not longer (it's been more like five for me). This brings me to the purpose of this post. ;) If you're here that means you already know a little bit of what I love to share…Beauty… in it's many forms. I feel that seeking and experiencing beauty is a not only a gift, but an invitation. An invitation to embrace and discover all the ways God loves and cares for us as well as new things about ourselves that we maybe didn't know. Or they've been buried or put on hold (guilty) due to many reasons…motherhood, chronic illness, being a caregiver, life, etc. I believe creativity combined with faith will shape and nourish us into who God has for us to be. I go about creativity, not as an end project that needs to be perfect; but as a process that can offer peace, joy, wholeness, and even healing. Ok, photographs, I have a thing for making photographs my kind of perfect, if I'm being honest. But all forms of creativity including photography are so nourishing and healing under the right circumstances. So here is my exciting and awesome news… I am finally at a point in my journey and healing (from the last five years), where I can move forward with my unrelenting passion to help you experience more beauty and joy in your days beyond the hard. I have lived this; I know these things to be true. Imagine what your days could feel like if you were able to add just a little more beauty to them; if you were able to find peace in the midst of the hard. What if you found something you loved doing that was creative in nature? What if your focus wasn't just making it through another hard day, but you had glimpses of beauty and purpose to nurture you as part of your self-care? What if creativity was the one thing you've been missing all these years? _____________________________________________ Imagine how it would feel to discover and embrace a part of yourself that God created just for you and Him? That invitation I was telling you about earlier, it will change you. This next part is really fun! :) If you could make a wish or would love to know more in regard to anything: Creative Art Photography Journaling Watercolors Painting Pastels Collage Mixed Media Etc… Helpful ways to cope with chronic illness Adding more of your faith to your creativity …what would those wishes be? Reply to this post and ask me anything. Here are a couple of examples: I have always wanted to try ____________, but I don't know where to begin. I would LOVE to be able to _____________________. How do I _________________? I am bedbound and would love to create. If I could try anything that I find interesting it would be______________________. I'm here to help guide you on a path of adding more beauty, peace, and joy to your days through faith and creativity. It is my passion and joy and I can't wait to begin sharing all of this goodness with you. I'm looking forward to your reply! :) Talk soon! Melanie or email me at hello@melaniefaganart.com

My word for the year, Intentional. In my Word for the Year download, one of my suggestions was aligning your word with an image. I chose this image for a few reasons. 1) I had these beautiful mittens from my daughter that someone hand knitted. The time and love that went into making them is inspiring. I want to hold that kind of intention with my creativity so that it will encourage and inspire myself as well as others. 2) To set the stage for this image I needed help. I could not take the photo of my hands in mittens holding a heart shaped 'snowball'. It was during that gorgeous snow we had a few weeks back where it looked as if I lived in a snowglobe. I want to always remember that afternoon when all of my family went out for a walk in the beauty of it all. ....and then hubby and I had a minor snowball fight. I want to be intentional with my time making and creating simple but fun and wonderful memories. 3) The warmth and softness of the gloves, I want to live this year in comfort and softness. The past few years have been anything but comfortable to me. I want to be intentional with allowing that space and comfort back in. It's become a habit to just accept uncomfortable. 4) Then there is the cold, wet, heavy, and yet beautiful snow. Even the coldest and most harsh of situations - there is always beauty because there is always God. I want to be intentional and purposeful in pusuit of Him, always. 5) I want to be intentional with my favorite medium - my camera. We are on day four of the New Year. I think I have images of intentionality for two of the four days. I am also being intentional with my expectations. If I only have a reminder image for one day a week or the month, it doesn't matter. The peace and growth come in the process and taking the time to think and journal... that is where He meets us too, in the pause. Doing something like this is just one way that God will use the process to help take our minds off of difficulties , if even for just a moment, for something nurturing and healing. If you'd like to share, please hop into my Facebook Group. We'd love to meet you and share the journey with you. Talk soon, Melanie

New Life Lavender & Cherry Farm E10766 County Rd W, Baraboo, WI 53913 When: November 19, 2022 9:45am - 12:00pm (Class will start promptly at 10:00am) Christmas Open House 12:00pm - 4:00pm Did you know, Baraboo's Christmas Lighting will happen this evening as well? Come and spend a magical day in Baraboo! Come join me for a morning of creativity, fun, and beauty. New Life Lavender & Cherry Farm is one of our area's most beautiful places to visit. While the growing season is over, the shop is a place of pure beauty and renewal. I'm so honored and excited to share this experience with you, your family, and your friends. Our Project: Hand-painted wood ornaments for any skill level. They honestly feel and look like mini pieces of art. 3 ornaments per person - these make great gifts and keepsakes! Mediums Used: Plaster, Encaustic (beeswax), Watercolors, & Christmas Stamps What else is included? Not only are we creating art, memories, and having fun, your purchase also includes: Private & Exclusive First Look at the Farm's Christmas Open House being held after class! Laura's Delicious Lavender Hot Cocoa and specially-made treats! Come and join us!! $45.00 per person Click below to purchase. Be sure to act quickly as space is limited! I look forward to seeing you on Nov 19th!

I’ve taken up bike riding after a sixteen-year hiatus. I’m over the moon excited that I can once again get on a bike and ride. Slow and steady is my pace. I do not want to hurt old hurts or injure something new. It is a gift I am giving myself at this time in my life. I even found a vintage bike on FB Marketplace with higher (than the now normal heigh) handlebars. I've already put on three miles this week, one mile at a time! I will gladly take these small wins. I used to LOVE to ride! To think I would have missed this evening sky if I didn’t get in my mile tonight. I'm also quite impressed with the photo, especially since I snapped it so quickly on the side of the road with my iPhone. Here’s to giving ourselves exactly what we need to nurture, heal, and grow. Are you setting any self-care intentions this summer? I'd love to hear in the comments below.

Today I had a moment of pure...grace. Yes, grace, I think that is what I will call it. I was a tad emotional. Motherhood in all of its beautiful transitions. New opportunities, excitement, change...all are very good things. One thing I find myself always turning to when I am say... overwhelmed or emotional is my camera. As I've said before elsewhere on this blog, I am never more intune with myself than when I have my camera in hand. I decided to have a little moment of solace for my soul this afternoon. Threw on my indoor lens and went on a very brief hunt for something, anything in my day-to-day, that could speak of my basket full of emotions. I have a wonderful collection of Willow Tree Angels, each one gifted to me by either dear friends, my daughters, or my hubby. I decided to take a quick snap...and then my breath was taken away. What appeared to me on my screen was this image. The juxtaposition of the little girl angel sitting holding the cat, to the young girl holding flowers, to the mother hugging her daughter.... to all three of their reflections on the glass, somehow representing in one image childhood to adulthood......and then letting go and letting God. Grace. Thank you, Jesus, for sharing this image with me today. It is exactly what I needed. PS - I did not arrange the angels into this scene. They were put here quickly by my hubby when the winter's cold condensation needed wiping off of the windows. --- PSS - I also decided today that I am going to try my best and capture more moments in my day-to-day. I know how nurturing this practice is for me. With all of life since 2018, I have forgotten to embrace (or haven't made it a priority) the wonder and the magic of moments like today. To think, if I wouldn't have picked up my camera and just continued on my to-do list, I would have missed this moment. One, I know was a gift.

A few years ago (more like five), I had the pleasure of visiting a new lavender farm in our area. Not only did I visit, but I was honored to photograph and capture the beauty and essence of such a lovely dream come true for the owners Laura and Aaron McReynolds. New Life Lavender and Cherry Farm has grown and expanded in so many amazing ways since my first visit. It is truly a gem, a sanctuary of peace and I highly recommend a visit if you're ever in Wisconsin. For me, the past five years have been filled with all the hard things, and that isn't even taking into account what the entire world has experienced since 2020. I am happy to say that I am finally able to start walking out my dream of helping others embrace beauty and creativity as a way through the hard, as a way of living that offers a little more joy, purpose, and peace. So, when it came time for me to finally get all of the things in order, and knowing that every single one of us is in need of a little peace and renewal, these beautiful lavender images came to mind. Can't you just smell the lavender? Sigh... This collection has been so inspirational for me to pull together and I am so excited to share it with you in many ways. Click on the links below and browse through all the lavender beauty. Fine Art Images | Orginal Art | Artist's Accessories | FREE Create with Me Video & Printable | In the Presence of Peace Mini-Class & Digital Kit Download

Hello Dear Friends. I am so honored and excited to share with you an interview I did with Tera Bradham DeNeui on her podcast Heal. I love her mission and website www.thehealministry.com. In our interview, we discuss chronic illness, chronic pain, God's healing, and how faith and creativity can add meaning and purpose to your life beyond the hard. Tera asked the most sincere questions and I loved every moment of our interview. Plus, it's the first one I've ever done and she made the process so easy and relaxed. Grab a cuppa of something wonderful, pop in the earbuds, and join us. :) May you be blessed and encouraged through the testimonies shared and inspired to seek God, seek and embrace the beauty within your life, and create. You can also connect with Tera on Instagram at @terabradham.

Dear friends - I started writing this guide last year as I recovered from a unilateral mastectomy. It was therapeutic on many levels. It allowed me to focus on what I know to be true, while also slooooowly healing. I'm happy to say I just passed my one-year mark on recovery. Praise God, it's been a haul. A few weeks back, I knew more than anything I wanted to wrap this up and share it with you in September. Little did I know what the state of the world would be when I was finally ready to hit publish. Today, I find myself with the heaviness of everything that is going on and I wonder, does any of this still matter? I mean it almost feels superficial to be talking about art, creativity, beauty at a time like this. For me, and for many that I know in the creative community, we know nothing else. What I mean is that we are always looking for beauty and creating is just who we are and what we do. As I stated in my book from 2017 Awakening to Beauty in Our Midst this is a way of life. It is how I cope and find purpose and meaning beyond the struggles, the sadness, and the disappointments, the hard. Because, when I look for beauty, I am also seeking God. For me, they are one and the same. When He shares a monarch landing on a flower at just the right moment for me to then snap that picture - that is a gift. It is nourishment for my soul and I want nothing more than for you to experience the Divine love of God in all areas of your life. I am here to say that He is indeed in your creativity and in your making as well. Please, go and download this little guide and workbook. May it encourage and equip you to move forward in these uncertain times with purpose and passion. Because, now more than ever, we need each other. We need encouragement, beauty, and small moments of solace and peace. Hugs to you, my friend. Honor what's within and embrace the simple.ordinary.beauty. in your day-to-day, beyond the hard.

{I am pulling this post out of the archives from April of 2020.} :) {Click Image to Download your FREE 5"x7" print.} What’s the saying, ” beauty is in the eye of the beholder?” When I refer to beauty, I’m pointing to the Divine. Let me explain a little more. I could spend hours sharing with you how grace and beauty have filled my life with glimpses of hope, joy, and purpose. It’s been twenty-plus years of “one thing after another” for my health, my husband’s health, and the situations we’ve found ourselves in that were completely out of our control, and at times traumatic. Yet, here I am to say we’ve made it through, Praise God. I know for me, I’ve made it through because somewhere along the way my heart was convicted to keep my focus on Jesus. Never-mind the chronic pain, brain surgery, debilitating pain, another brain surgery, seventeen surgeries for me (none of which were on my brain), breast cancer diagnosed twice within 18 months, and losing sixteen years of the life we had built (at that time) to a moldy house, which has forever changed my health. This has been the past eighteen years my friends. My creative journey started as a way for me to cope with chronic pain from a car accident that happened over twenty years ago. Something that started out as debilitating has taken me on such a journey of awe and discovery. Creativity for me has always been about healing. I want more than anything to encourage and enable you to experience the beauty that is part of your everyday life and express it creatively. My love of beauty started with a gratitude journal after months of agony following that car accident I mentioned above. Pain and depression tried to monopolize my days and quite honestly take over my life. So, I began writing out five things I was grateful for each day. The changes in my heart were almost immediate. Physically, things took quite a bit longer. However, I added purpose to my days, which was to find and document what I found as a blessing or beautiful and to also create in some way every single day, if possible. I documented with words and images and I cut and pasted photographs and papers together. Eventually, this led to my rekindled creative joy from high school – photography. One afternoon in 2014, while playing with a borrowed DSLR for the first time, the moment below occurred. When that monarch fluttered into my viewfinder and landed, allowing me to capture him sitting there so gracefully, it took my breath away. I was completely in awe. It was at that moment that I connected the action of taking that photograph with the experience of … {When you download the image you'll learn a little more about how nurturing and healing this image is for me personally. } Beauty is far beyond the physical, beyond the things we can see. While seeing is an amazing gift that enhances our sense of it, beauty is felt. It’s an experience, an invitation to notice the Divine in our lives. Beauty is: – in photographs of people, places, memories, moments, and the dreams of our future. Some of these are enhanced by the feelings they invoke, supporting my thought that beauty is more than the eye can see. – in art. We see, touch, and experience art in many ways and on many levels. Sometimes art isn’t meant to be pretty or beautiful, but to get a response or emotion, sometimes even a negative one. It’s the opposite of beauty, which is a positive response. The standard of measure and comparison begins or ends with beauty and our reaction, whether it’s conscious or not. – in the process of creating. Whether it’s art, photographs, a meal, a home, a card, joy, laughter, beauty is part of creating on various levels. – in our words, thoughts, actions, moments, laughter, sadness, emotions, fear, kindness, unconditional love, love of others, love of self, the music that we make, or the music that moves us. I’m writing this post in the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The number of things that are now much more meaningful and beautiful than before is immeasurable. However, I’m going to share a few thoughts below. Imagine – – a hug from a friend, a sister, a cousin, a neighbor, a brother, a parent, a grandparent, an aunt, an uncle, a niece, a nephew, a granddaughter, or a grandson. – going out for a cup of coffee or tea in a quaint little cafe. – going for a walk in your favorite park or garden. – going camping and being out in nature. – sharing a smile with a stranger. – showing kindness to a stranger, just because we’re all human and we need a little extra love and kindness right now. – sharing laughter with a group of friends or family. – sharing a meal out in your favorite restaurant. Every single one of these last items I mentioned is not based on just something we see. The beauty is in the moments, the experiences, the joy, the laughter, the hope, the normalcy. It is from our reservoir of noticing and documenting the beauty that we enrich not only our life but the lives of those we love and care for. My hope and my purpose is to encourage and share the ways in which we may behold, embrace, experience, and share beauty; through all aspects of our creativity, our art, and our lives. Beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder and right now all of the world needs each one of us to notice, share, and create from the beauty that is gifted to us each day. Part of the experience is slowing down and taking notice. Would you agree that for most of us, we’ve been forced to slow life way down? May you be encouraged to behold the beauty in your day-to-day, embrace it, and allow it to fill your days with purpose. PS – It is my joy to share a 5"x7" copy of the butterfly image below as a reminder to seek beauty. You may download it by clicking on the image. May it be a simple reminder to stop and notice the beauty in the everyday.

Once upon a time, I created a very in-depth quiz to help my readers discover and embrace their key artistic personality. Since then, I have updated the site and have put the quiz aside for now. However, the rest of the content in the video has really nothing to do with the quiz results. I mention it briefly. May these five steps (plus a bonus) encourage your creative journey. This is the first video I ever made where I am talking to the camera. ;) Enjoy!

Windows & Wildflowers Welcome to my very first collection! I’ve had these photographs for a few years now and I am excited to finally share them with you. I also have created a few pieces of original art from the collection because, well, I like spending more time with some of the photographs. This collection Windows & Wildflowers, is a tribute dedicated to three of the many women who have blessed and encouraged my life along the way. Let us start with my grandmother. Due to my parent’s divorce, I did not see or speak with Grandma from the age of 8 to 18. By the time I was 19, I found myself living with Grandma and my aunt. It is amazing to me how quickly we made up for lost time. I only had a year with Grandma before she passed, but I will always treasure that time. My aunt remained one of my closest and dearest friends until her passing in Sept of 2021. My heart is full of gratitude, love, and admiration for these two women who loved family. One afternoon I remember Grandma sharing a fun memory with me. When she was younger, she loved to go out driving in the evening, in the city. Back then, you could see the families in their homes through their front windows and get quick glimpses of their gatherings. I was touched by this memory. I also imagine the vintage 1920's car she would have been in at the time. How cool is that? Fast forward 27 years later – I am in Eleanor’s Garden. Eleanor is a dear, dear friend, and an artist in many ways. She is a great, great grandmother who was born 20 or so years after my grandmother. Her love of gathering those she loves around a simple meal where we joined hands in grace before we ate, and where laughter and sometimes the hard filled the room with love and faith; this is exactly what Grandma was talking about. The wildflower and window photographs in this collection are from Eleanor’s Garden. We had just finished a meal as described above when my photographer's heart was inspired to grab my camera and head out to the garden. . The wildflowers were so poetically planted with their colors balancing just right against the aged cabin, the sugar shack, and the massive old barn, oh the stories and memories they must hold. Windows & Wildflowers is also about gratitude, precious memories, joy, family, hope, faith, and acceptance of self. Eleanor has always, always encouraged my creativity, especially photography. I am forever grateful for the influence and love that these three wonderful women, as well as many others, have shared with me and my family. This image, Sunset in the Garden, is one of my all-time favorite photographs. Last week as I prepared to release this collection the sentiment for it came to me. I also have to point out the gift of that sunset shining through the vintage window from the 1880’s – that light is one of Majesty. Always remember the Light and Beauty within. In the comments below, I'd love to hear about those that have blessed and encouraged your life's journey and those that have encouraged your creativity.

A couple of weeks ago I set out to find flowers to photograph. It was my first outing of the year and I had high hopes. I even left the house by 6:30a to get the beautiful morning light. When I arrived at my destination there was one flower in the entire park. At first, I was disappointed because I love my flowers. But then I realized there was so much beauty to take in besides the flowers. I sat and listened to the birds, took in the sounds and scenery of the small lake, and then photographed that one flower, a purple iris. Yesterday, I was looking at the photo on my screen and thought to myself, maybe I have lost my touch, maybe I need to hang up the camera, etc. Really ridiculous thinking, I know. But that is what procrastination and resistance try to get us to believe. On a whim, I decided to print the photos out... and then I fell in love with the art of photography all over again. There is something so amazing to me about holding a photograph in your hand. Maybe it is the digital age we live in. Maybe it's because I have forever wanted to make art with my photographs. I want to get them off the hard drives, print them, share them, and also use my hands to create art with and from them. I am happy to say that my 6:30a venture out into nature with my camera in tow was the best thing I could have done for feeding my creativity. It was just me, my camera, the birds, God, and Iris. Thinking about the solitude of my experience that morning, how peaceful it was, and then only finding one flower to photograph, the simplicity of it all fills my soul. Do you need a little jolt of beauty? Grab your camera or your phone, find nature, and take a few pictures. Next, pay attention to what your other senses are telling you about the experience. Have fun! I'd love to hear about your moments of solitude and beauty in nature. Comment below and also come share your experiences in my creativity group on Facebook.

One thing I absolutely l.o.v.e. about the creative process is the alchemy of it all. The experimentation draws me in, it invites me to play and make, regardless of an outcome. This morning is a perfect example. I’ve had a bit on my plate this week/month with all of the new blog goodies I am working on as well as videos, course ideas, and getting ready to open my new online shop. It’s all very exciting, but today I realized I was letting my to-do list run a little too much of my day. I’m also taking Renee Mueller’s current portraiture class, Collected Stories. It is about portraiture with a "nod to classical art, collage, and fun". It is a wonderful class from what I have watched so far and the work coming out of the group is simply amazing! I hope to spend more time in the classroom this weekend. All of this to say, one of the lessons discusses making your own marks. I decided to grab a few scraps of tracing paper, a vintage clothespin, and some India ink. Then, because I'm fascinated with experimentation, I had the idea to dip the papers into encaustic medium. There is something so romantic and inviting when working with encaustics. While at times it is like taming cats, it also allows for so many opportunities to learn and grow. I was smitten the moment I pulled the papers out of the wax. Sitting on my encaustics table was this little 4x4 cradled board, which happened to be a fallout item from a session that just did not go as planned. I now understand why. Once the wax cooled and I fused the layers together, I brought the piece up into my very bright and cheery dining room to reflect on it a little more. I knew it needed something more. Why not dry roses? I added the roses and later in the evening, I added the wire stems to the roses. I can not begin to tell you how much fun it was to just play and experiment. Today’s little creation has inspired me already in some other areas of work and I cannot wait to play and explore. Beauty is Everywhere – Create with It! The Beauty for me today - Working on this piece took my mind off my to-do list and allowed me to just be, play, experiment, and enjoy the process. I’m also very partial to encaustic wax, even when it is messy, the fragrance is beautiful all by itself. Add in the roses, which I also used to create a cup of Earl Gray tea…sigh… it was delicious!! The alchemy alone in mixed-media art is a thing of beauty in its own right. Supplies Used: Black India Ink | Encaustic Medium | Panel Board | Tracing Paper | Vintage Clothes Pin | Dried Roses | Jewelry Wire Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you click through to them and make a purchase I may earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and know that they may help you with your creating adventures. Thank you for your purchases and support.

Here are twenty fun and random things you may not know about me. Do we have any in common? 1. I love the sound of waves crashing on the shore, 2. And fog horns out at sea. 3. I love the smell of the fresh Lake Superior air. 4. I love chocolate – with sea salt. 5. Flowers always make me happy, always. 6. I have two wonderful daughters. 7. One incredible and handsome hubby. 8. Three rescue cats run our home. 9. We love to RV #catscamptoo. 10. I enjoy cooking, but I have many limiting food allergies, so I am always looking for something new. 11. Coffee & Tea – Hot or Iced – (decaf) with coconut milk and maple syrup. 12. Once upon a time, I was a travel agent. 13. Classical music, the 80’s, and Contemporary Christian Music. 14. I met Mercy Me once! 15. Hummingbirds are the cutest. I was 27 years old when I saw one for the first time. Now every May, I am so excited for their return. 16. I collect heart-shaped rocks which started with one as a gift from hubby, a long time ago. 17. I also collect photographs, 18. and art supplies. 19. I love getting together with friends. 20. This creative life was an answer to prayer. Twenty years ago, I prayed for help in dealing with chronic pain and those answered prayers led me on an amazing journey of faith and creativity.

{October 2016} A handsome fluffy orange fellow by the name of Moose holds my heart captive. He’s a rescue and has lived the last seven of his eight years elsewhere. He is such a love, really; a big teddy bear most of the time. There are moments that the unknowns of his past surface as he becomes quite grumbly for no apparent reason. He’s quite the talker, his languages of choice are purring, growling, and/or hissing. The warnings of his displeasure often end up with him in a kitty time out. One afternoon a few weeks ago, I decided that instead of isolation he needs the opportunity for greatness. As his owner, I need to allow him the chance to work through his unhappiness in a healthy and rewarding way. Since practicing these moments of peace-loving growth he’s learning to relax and trust us a little more each day. In doing so our relationship flourishes. What if God does this with us? The opportunities for greatness are constant, aren’t they? Grace is always unfolding, allowing us to trust and grow in His love and care. How are you allowing yourself some time-outs today so that Jesus can take your heart captive? {July 2020} This post was originally published in October of 2016. Reading it once again made me smile. What a great reminder of how far we can go with just some patience and love. I am happy to say that Moose has FLOURISHED in his domesticated life. He is a momma’s boy, SO loving, and so happy. {Updated April 2023} My sweet, sweet boy crossed the rainbow bridge last July. I hardly shared it because it was and still is so heartbreaking. While he lived for fourteen years, it will never be enough. He was my soul buddy, really. He was my best pal during all of my surgeries and cancer recovery. I miss him so much every day still. He was also a HUGE part of my creative practice as you can see in the image above. He loved to lie on my art table and keep me company. In the past week, I discovered this photo of him as well as his cameo appearance in my first welcome video for this website. Seeing him after all of these months, makes me smile more and tear up just a little less. It was an honor to love him.

Here I am again, playing with the nest. It’s such a fun and inviting project. This time, I followed Renee’s teaching in her course Graceful Muse on Jeanne Oliver’s Creative Network. There is an abundance of wonderful teaching included in this class. Seriously, head on over and check it out. Graceful Muse on Jeanne Oliver’s Creative Network Renee Mueller Art.com Building the layers for the background I think was my favorite part. Combining and creating to get just the right shades of blues randomly throughout the piece was so much fun. I literally finger painted with acrylics, gesso, and pastels. The pink is representative of love within the home, which was Renee’s inspiration. I just kind of gave it wings and had it weave and flow throughout the nest as my wish for my daughters as they spread their wings. I created this on a 9″x12″ wooden panel with acrylics, pastels, and charcoal. I loved combining the pastels and the acrylics with my fingers. I found it very meditative and relaxing. Video Music – Bensound.com – A Day to Remember and A Piano Moment.

It’s a beautiful thing how inspiration works. I have a few artists that I really admire. I love their style, the mediums they use, there is just something about their work that draws me in. I’m sure this is the case for most of us. Renee Mueller @reneedesigns is one of those artists for me. She posted a series of nests over the weekend that are just so charming. I knew at one point I would want to play and make a few of them myself. That being said, let me get to the ‘rest’ and my story behind this nest that I created last night. I’ll save you all of the details, but let’s just say it was a super hard few days physically. I was in literal tears by the time I made it to my studio last night and remembered my table was gone. A few days ago, I had the ambitious idea of removing my big art table and returning it to the deck. I painted the frame and now it has rained for two straight days. My hopes for art outside were temporarily stifled. All of this to say, I have yet to replace said table in my studio. I have a very small one, maybe two feet by four feet. Leo and I made that one work last night, we needed it to. Back to the tears. I needed art. I needed an escape from what my body was going through. I felt dark, I felt out of control, yet I know art is my comfort. I decided to try mixing mediums and colors of pastels and acrylics. The next thing I knew it was 10:30 pm and the pain had subsided. I’m telling you, it’s like the most amazing peace that surpasses understanding! Thank you, Jesus, when something as simple as creating takes the edge off. I view this as a gift, an invitation even, to create and to lean into and on our Creator. Today, I hand-stitched the gold thread and named the piece REST. The entire thing is mostly painted with my fingers, a mechanical pencil, and a Stabilo All. This was actually a scratch piece of paper where I was mixing colors and then it just turned into my nest of rest. It’s messy and I think that also adds another layer to my story and the representation within. The gold is for hope, always. May this little post encourage you to rest. One of the greatest ways we can nurture ourselves in life and as artists is to allow rest. For me, I allowed my mind and my body rest by creating. I had no expectation, just some supplies and a sweet little idea from Instagram. This is where we begin to nurture ourselves and the artist within us. We never know where inspiration will lead and how it can help us rest in one way or another.

A couple of weeks ago, another artist, Susan McCreevy (@susanmccreevyart) posted in a group her homemade version of little trinket bowls, to hold her pastels. I LOVED the idea! Of course, at the moment most of us are unable to go antiquing to find such treasures already in existence. Times like these call for resourcefulness. I decided to dig out some air-dry clay and a few ramekins from my kitchen to shape the bowls. The napkins I decided to use have such a sweet story, I knew they had waited for just this project. A few years ago, a very dear friend of mine went to Paris. I asked her to please bring me back a few napkins. She knows me so well, she brought back a lavender themed print. These little beauties made their way from Paris to Virginia, to North Carolina (where we met up last fall), and then to Wisconsin. So fun and very meaningful. I love how we can weave meaning and story into our creative process with small, intentional choices. Here is a quick summary of how I made these. The less I handled the air-dry clay, the fewer cracks the finished piece had. The one bowl where I rolled it out, cut my circle, and formed it to my mold was the nicest and cleanest looking. The other two that are cracked, I really worked with the clay trying to figure out how I was going to shape it, etc. I let them dry for probably four days, turning them every day or so. If I had Sculpey Clay, I would have been done sooner because I could have baked them. Before you begin any napkin decoupage, remember that most napkins have THREE layers, not two. My mistake here. I pulled off one layer and thought I was done, so one of my trinkets is a little lumpier than the others. (Quick tip to remove the layers, use a piece of scotch tape or masking tape on the back corner and then pull it away. It should grab the layers. If it only grabs one layer, repeat.) I use Liquitex Fluid Matte Medium, I love this stuff! It has SO many uses and is one item I always want in my studio. Mod Podge will also work. I covered the bowls in a couple of different ways. At first, I tried covering the entire bowl in one try and that ended up with torn napkin along the rim; which isn’t a big deal, just layer over top of it. However, if you’re watching your design/print that could cause a problem. I then tried covering the bottom of the bowl first and letting it dry before I did the top side and inside of the bowl. Also note, I peeled away a layer of decoupage because I didn’t like how clumpy it was. This was before I realized there were three layers to the napkin, not two. Because it was still wet, I was able to do so without it ruining the piece. After they were completely dry, I used a gold metallic dimensional fabric paint to decorate the rim, easily. Once that was dry for 24 hours, I sealed the trinkets with an acrylic spray sealer. At first, I did the inside, and then once dry (overnight), I turned them over sprayed the bottoms. The additional sealer also will help if you want to change what colors of pastels you place in the bowl. They tend to leave a beautiful mess, but I wanted to be able to at least wipe them to somewhat of a clean surface. Have fun. Let me know if you make these, I’d love to see. Notice: This post contains affiliate links. If you follow them and make a purchase we may receive a commission. Thank you for helping to support this website and our creative endeavors.

Hi there. Below you’ll find a few ideas on how we can share kindness and #sprinklejoy during this time. They are reminders of how we can nurture others and ourselves right now. We all need grace, beauty, and love. May we come out the other side of this with a deeper understanding of how important it is to love each other well and to take care of ourselves well too. 1) Show Some Love Choose someone to reach out to every day or every couple of days. Send them a card, call them, send a text, or send pictures from your favorite times together. Talk about the wonderful memories of the past and the ones you’re going to make in the future. 2) Pray Choose someone to pray for, someone who you know needs a little encouragement right now. Honestly, who doesn’t? Keep a journal of your prayers. Also, reach out to this person, just because. 3) Project Pick a task or a project you’d like to accomplish around your house that will make you happy. Something fun for your home or for yourself. Think – bubble bath, organize your art area, or something bringing you closer to a dream. 4) Nurtured by Nature Go for a walk if you can, even if it is just around your yard. Go with a new set of eyes. Look at the details in the flower petals, the veining in the leaves, or the bark of the trees. Notice the rocks, pinecones, or the dried weeds leftover from winter. 5) Daily Gratitude Start with writing down three blessings a day. Enter them in a journal or start a family tradition where everyone writes something they’re grateful for and then place them in a jar or a box. Open them up at Thanksgiving or when this pandemic situation has calmed down. 6) Feed Our Mind Well A) Spend time in God’s word. Look for scripture on how to deal with fear, God’s provisions, or on God’s love for us. Write them out on notecards or on cards you make for others. Keep a journal of the Word and how it spoke to your heart. B) Inspirational quotes. Keep a journal of your favorites or write them down and place them all over the house. 8) Music Play your favorites on repeat! I have certain songs I listen to depending on my mood. Tune into your mood and then play accordingly. Stay safe and be well, my friends. <3

Sacred moments are the little blessings in the day-to-day, that allow me to pause and take notice of the Divine or the Beautiful. For me, these moments are a gift from God. They may present as any of the following: (this list is not all-inclusive in any way) – Quiet Moments – Peaceful Moments – Moments in time when my mind is open to receive new thoughts, inspirations, and guidance. – Moments when my body is calm and able to experience peace through the experience of the moment, via prayer, and other relaxation modalities. {Did you know that creativity may offer some relief to chronic pain and illness?} – Hopeful Moments – Beautiful Moments – Inspirational Moments – Moments to Cherish – Moments of Joy – Moments of Laughter – Moments of Learning Something New – Moments of Answered Prayers – Moments of Happiness – Moments to Learn From – Moments Remembered I encourage you to look for and allow these opportunities to be a part of your day-to-day. I find that these moments move me in a way that is nurturing to my mind, my body, and my soul. I want to remember them. I also want them to inspire my creativity. It’s important to keep a record of them. Create notes on your phone or carry a mini-journal around with you to jot them down. Printing a beautiful photo out and adding your memory to it gives the moment a visual reminder. When we long to embrace a beautiful life, we need to establish and honor what inspires and moves us. There is no better inspiration for authentic creativity than our very own experiences and observations. Three Ways to Get Started 1) Print out my free set of mock Polaroid images. Use them to add to your journals or write on the front and back a sacred moment. Placing them in a tray or bowl in your studio space is another fun way to have them easily accessible. Click on the image below to access the and print them out. 2) Make time for the sacred to be a part of your day. Allow time for prayer, inspiration from nature, or from the beauty in your everyday experiences. Go for a walk, visit a park, spend time observing nature in your backyard, create a lovely meal, add fresh flowers to your dining room table, etc. Allow yourself to be moved by simply joy. Jesus is always with us, we need only to slow down and take notice of all of the beauty He shares with us constantly. 3) Create. Play with art supplies or bake a loaf of bread. What brings you joy? That is where you want to spend your time developing your creativity. If you’re not sure yet, that’s okay. Guess what? Creativity and an artist’s life is an ongoing, ever-evolving process. Start to notice what brings you joy. Keep notes and records no matter how random they may be. Trust me, it will come together in the way it’s supposed to.

Homemade journals are very inviting and in this instance, this one offered me a path towards healing. There is something very nurturing about taking pieces of art, paper, scraps, material, photographs, etc, and turning it into a place for your heart and soul to be accepted just as they are. When a journal is handmade, I find it easier to keep intimidation at bay. It helps with the fear of a blank page or a large empty journal waiting for what should be ‘perfect art’. Handmade is somewhat imperfect and I LOVE that. In fact, the more imperfect they are, the more inviting and reflective I believe they become. Most of us have an accumulation of various papers and scrap pages. I also have a love of fabrics, Once upon a time, I made quilts. For this journal, I thought it might be fun to add fabric pages for a pop of color and texture. More than anything, I’m discovering the representation, the reminders, the idea of peace and healing, even joy, that I want the pages to remind me of. That’s the beauty of art journaling, it is what we make it. It’s not about a beautiful and perfect piece of art every time. It’s about the growth and the process of self-discovery through Truth, God’s truth for me, maybe for you too. I came across this quote. As I read it, I felt every word making it’s way deeper within my mind, my soul. This is something I never want to forget. The truth within it, the fact that it made its way in front of my eyes at the time it did. Creativity and art have always been about the process of healing and seeking a form of physical peace through the making. I am not a licensed art therapist by any stretch. However, I choose to combine my faith and creativity as a way to draw closer or to be in further awe of our Creator. When I remain focused on art or creativity in this way, there is peace. This journal is far from complete and I think it will be one that is going to take some time for me to finish, if ever. However, within its pages I have this beautiful quote as my compass and guide. I also have little pieces of art that I’ve created and I use them in various ways on the pages and the photographs. Oh, the photographs. There’s a story there. I knew I wanted to incorporate those beautiful little photo sleeves and allow the fabric to show through some of the windows as a background. I’d say it worked! The day these photos were taken, it was a super cold Saturday morning in late January, I believe. My daughter and I made our way to one of the gardens in Madison, Wisconsin with hot coffee and doughnuts. (Doughnuts are not a common occurrence for us.) I was bound and determined to get some beautiful winter shots. It.was.so.cold.! When I made it back to the car, it took quite a while for me to feel my hands again. Oh, the memories! The pages of the journal are made from a mix of fabrics, watercolor paper (glued to pages within the binding), mixed media paper dyed with rust, photo-sleeves, painted canvas (drop cloth), collaged pages, collage scraps, and painted book pages. The binding that holds it all together is a soft wire used in jewelry making and that Eeyore is from a friend. I believe he was a pendant or a charm of some sort, but he’s broken at that point of connection. He is wrapped into the binding and I find him to be a perfect reminder of joy. -- Update -- May 2020 Here we are a couple of months later and the world has completely changed. In fact, how we live our lives going forward has most like changed for the foreseeable future. Whenever I look at this journal I smile. When I first created it, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with it. Now, when I hold it and look ay my entries I find peace and joy. I look forward to filling in more of those blank spaces with purpose and slow, beautiful, healing. If you create a handmade journal, I'd love to see it. Post your creations on Instagram and tag me @melaniefaganart and/or join my Facebook Creative Community - Melanie Fagan Creative.

Once upon a time, a few years ago after the passing of my dad, I wrote a book.  Never in a million years would I have thought that I would self-publish a book.  However, when creativity strikes in all of its various forms, it does one good to listen and follow the promptings.  Awakening to Beauty in Our Midst is a series of testimonies where I share how God worked in the most beautiful ways in my life, through the hard.  I was just beginning to realize and articulate into words the connection between creativity, faith, healing, and coping.  Below you will find my free eBook version to download.  In addition to the free download, you will find a few excerpts from the book as well as other posts on this website that discuss chronic illness, faith, and creativity. May they encourage and bless you on your journey. "Do you go through the trials of life still searching for beauty? Even amidst chronic illness, debilitating pain, and grief, Melanie Fagan insists there is still hope, healing, and peace. “What if I told you the noticing is as meaningful as air; that we’re constantly invited into a deeper communion with our Creator?" Join Melanie as she takes you on a journey of faith where the Lord led her through some of the hardest circumstances by transforming them into moments of grace and beauty. Awakening to Beauty in Our Midst guides you through ten key steps using story, scripture, and prayer that will spark your creative spirit in a solid Biblical way. In each step, you may discover a calm peacefulness, and purpose within your soul; altering the way in which you cope and honor God with your, your struggles, and your gifts. Take the journey of claiming the Joy of the Lord as your strength and guide through whatever life brings your way." Read the first two sections of the book by clicking on the links below. :) https://www.melaniefaganart.com/post/awakening-to-beauty-in-our-midst-introduction https://www.melaniefaganart.com/post/awakening-to-beauty-in-our-midst-02-chapter-one-true-beauty-the-art-of-noticing

In March of 2019, my daughter and I set out on an afternoon of photographic opportunities. At the time, I had just finished radiation treatment for breast cancer, where I had endured three surgeries in a row, one every other week in December of 2018. During this time in March of 2019, my husband was in agony dealing with Trigeminal Neuralgia and there was nothing more the docs could do for him. Talk about prayers of hope. As my daughter and I strolled the grounds of this county park, I was so drawn to the ruins, the fence post, and the wire within the fence post, but I didn’t know why. I just took the pictures. Months later, I scrolled through the photo folder on my computer. I came across these three images and I knew I had to print them out. Next, I created a journal spread using them and I typed out the following text and printed it on vellum to place over the photos in the journal. I took these photographs back in March of 2019. I didn’t know at the time why the post, the ruins, and the fence wire meant so much to me. A few weeks ago, I pulled them up and began really thinking about them, on God’s word, and what the meaning behind the imagery was for me. After this past year, the meaning they represent has many layers. First off, I’ll note the ruins, the weathered post, the curly-cue wire, the close up of the wire into the post, the colors of the weeds, the sky, and the time spent with my daughter taking them, all hold special meaning. The ruins are beautiful and represent that even in chaos and ruble, there is still grace and beauty. The weathered post has stood through many storms and the aged color and texture are quite beautiful. The close up of the wire going into the post reminds me of Jesus on the cross and how through that He also holds everything together, perfectly. I love curly-cues in nature and in natural elements, they remind me of whimsy and make me smile. They also represent simplicity and joy to me. The weeds—I have a thing for dead weeds, either in the fall or in the very late of winter, just before everything blooms again. The subtle browns always contrast so well with a blue or gray sky, as if God knows all about color theory. I write this out on December 2, 2019. This past year has been one of difficulty, but also one where those difficulties were turned into miracles. To sum up the imagery represented here, I feel it’s a reminder that even in the rubble of circumstance, God does indeed hold us and all of it together for His glory. I’ve learned over and over again that His ways are not my own, but in His ways, there is so much beauty and grace all I can do is try and share glimpses of that beauty with the world. “He is before all things, and in Him, all things hold together.” Colossians 1:17 — My husband underwent a miracle curing surgery in May of 2019, praise God. I’ve had another biopsy, and all is well, praise God. I encourage you to grab your camera and take some pictures. Create opportunities for beauty to touch your soul. I had no idea why I loved these subjects so much, I just knew they had a purpose and some sort of meaning when I took them. In time, I discovered that meaning for myself and I am so thankful we allowed the opportunities for pretty photos and great memories. Update 12/28/2020 – Well, little did I know what 2020 was going to look like. On the breast cancer front, I ended up with a reoccurrence in Aug, which resulted in a unilateral mastectomy. I am still processing and healing. Praise God, once again everything was caught very early. Thoughts on 2020 – LOVE those you love, WELL.

Getting creative is really quite easy, just begin. Below, I list 45 suggestions to help get you started. Have fun and enjoy the process! * Text = online suggestions during times of isolation, such as the Covid-19 Virus or for other reasons, such as chronic illness. {Click HERE for printable version} · Obtain an Art /Photo/Sketch Journal *If you don’t have one at home, make one from found materials. I know the thought can be intimidating, but it’s a simple collection of how God can and will use your creativity to draw you closer to Him, and possibly bless others. Collect and document beauty, hope, and joy. · Create an Inspiration Station/Board Google ‘vision board’ and you’ll get the idea. However, for our purposes, we aren’t looking for a vision, but rather inspiration, hope, beauty, creativity, God’s Word, whatever we find beautiful. Displaying items from within the journal mentioned above allows subtle progress towards purpose. The word inspire comes from the Latin word inspirare, which means to breathe into, to excite, to instill. · Notice Color Pick a color a day and then look for it as you go about your life. With this simple exercise, you are planting the seeds of noticing beauty, everywhere. · Collect Images that Stir your Soul Whether you have a favorite magazine, Instagram feeds, Pinterest boards, Flickr – go to the sources of your creative bliss and study. Take it in, think about what you love and what you would like to create in your way. · Go to the Water *Keep your distance or search for webcams or Youtube videos. Visit area lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams. If you’re lucky enough to be near the ocean or Lake Superior, please take in the sights, the sounds, and the beauty for me too. · Play with Watercolors · Visit a Garden *Visit online, in books, in magazines, in your own photos. Most cities have beautiful public gardens. I love experiencing beauty in this way. Being surrounded by God’s creation and then seeing how others combine the elements to create such awesome settings, is very inspiring. · Daydream · Have Courage to Try New Things · Visit a Zoo *Look up Zoo Webcams to watch the animals. Notice the animals, the plant life, the people, the children. Yes, magical moments of beauty are present at your local zoo. Whether it’s the animals or the joy in children’s faces, or mother’s loving their babies, inspiration is present. · Create Backgrounds Play with color, lines, shapes, shading, abstract, texture just for the fun of it. If you don’t have any idea of what you’re going to make, that is ok and actually very freeing. Just play with whatever medium you like and with whatever size and shapes you have available. Cardboard boxes, cards, canvas, paper, metal, wood, – the options are endless. · Play Classical Music · Learn about a Composer Read about his art, his faith, his life. Beethoven story is one of inspiration and overcoming. · Notice the Birds Watch them. Pay attention to their comings and goings. Listen to their calls and songs. Notice the vast colors within their feathers. Just amazing. If you can, put up a bird feeder. · Do Life Different Take a new path home, walk in a new place, shop at a new grocery store, get up early, stay up late, just be open to new experiences. · Watch a Sunrise · Learn Photography Most of us have cameras on your phones or a quick point and shoot. I recommend taking pictures as often as you can. They are an excellent way to capture inspiration and spark creativity. With a DSLR, this is a whole new world of learning and capturing. The possibilities for creative, artistic expression are endless. That is the beauty of photography, it’s always changing, and there is always more to explore. · Watch a Sunset · Visit a Museum or Gallery * Online Access to Virtual Tours · Look for Shapes and Notice their Role in Design and Nature For example – the triangle sections within a round orange when it’s cut in half between the stem and the bottom of the fruit. · Explore Black and White Photography Learn about Ansel Adams. Take some of your own black and white photos. “Sometimes I do get to places just when God’s ready to have somebody click the shutter.” – Ansel Adams “No man has the right to dictate what other men should perceive, create or produce, but all should be encouraged to reveal themselves, their perceptions and emotions, and to build confidence in the creative spirit.” – Ansel Adams · Doodle with Colored Pencils · Try Origami · Play with Lines Notice them in life, everywhere, literally. Sketch or photograph lines in nature, the city, your home, your work. Draw them just for fun in various sizes, thickness, length, and curves. · Make Paper Flowers · Discover and Play with Alcohol Ink Alcohol ink is about color, in my opinion. How you get them to flow where you would like or to see what designs and combinations appear, is so cool. · Choose a Psalm per Day and Create from the Beauty of God’s Word. · Take a Photo a Day for One Week · Spend Time in Nature Relax and enjoy the sounds of the birds or the trees blowing in the wind. Allow the warm sun to warm your bones, similar to a cat ( use sunscreen ;)). Observe all the activities you usually wouldn’t notice. · Texture Examine the texture of things. Take pictures and/or sketch the designs that appeal to you. Learn macro photography which will expose you to a tiny, secret, world by magnification. · Have Fun! This doesn’t have to be art related in any way, although art is quite fun. However, giving yourself permission to have a little crazy fun now and then is perfectly healthy and good on so many levels. There have been many times in my adult life I’ve had to make myself stop and have some fun. I honestly couldn’t remember what it felt like to have a good time. It was hard for me to let go and enjoy much of anything. The life of turmoil, pain, strife, etc., almost robbed me of all joy. Now, watching an episode of I Love Lucy gets me every time. · Make a List of 5 Ways to Nurture your Creative Spirit · Learn About Impressionist Era Artists Two of my favorites are Claude Monet and Pierre AugusteRenoir. Study their work, life, and where they found their inspiration. · Read a Book *Order a book or two from your local bookstore. See if they ship. A different kind of book. If you love fiction, read non-fiction or a biography and vise-versa. · Gather & Collect Textiles One of my favorite discoveries as I grow as an artist is my appreciation for textiles. Beautiful fabrics, threads, lace, ribbon, old clothes that now have a new purpose in mixed-media art, the possibilities are endless. It’s so fun to use them in journals, mixed-media, and collage. · Listen to Hymns as you Create · Visit a New Art Store * Browse them online and shop if you can. Every business needs our support right now. I have my favorite, one-stop art store. However, I’ve discovered that each of them offers a better discount on certain items and they each have their strengths in particular mediums. · Make Homemade Cards · Observe Insects After admiring butterflies and dragonflies, there has to be a painting or a sketch waiting to happen. · Work with a New Medium Try something new, just for the fun of it. Do not stress about perfection; simply enjoy the process. · The Four Seasons Create the same scene in each season or create something from each season as inspiration. Think about mood, color, and the feelings each season can evoke. · Play with Clay On your own or with some friends at a local Paint It Pottery store. · Go for a Walk Explore nature – inspiration is always there. Fill your soul in awe of our Creator. · Be Kind to your Creative Self Just have fun and enjoy. · Be a Kid Again Through Art The Bible tells us to remain child-like in our faith, always looking towards the Father for guidance. Do the same with your creativity. In whatever you do and no matter how insecure or silly you may feel, try new things. Find what stirs your heart towards beauty and trust He has a plan. The plan could be ways in which your hurting body discovers moments of peace or how you may bless others with your creativity.