I've been thinking a lot about creativity lately. First, I had my daughter, M, in art camp last week, and she came home with all sorts of inspiration. Second, I've been following and loving this series by Sandra and Jen on Creativity (go over and get inspired, while you nod your head at all the points that hit home!). Third and fourth, I'm an art major (I wear that badge proudly more than a decade after college), and soon and very soon, I get to talk about art, family, and creativity over at Classic Play!! Oh, sorry, too excited. More about that on Wednesday.

One of my favorite college courses was entitled Art as a Response. Art can be such an amazing way to express all that is good, challenging, confusing, and wrong with the world. Around here, summer is the time to respond. Granted, it's always a busy time, too, with kiddo camps and classes, friend gatherings, and extra professional stuff for me. Nevertheless, the art student in moi still thinks of summer as a time for projects and doing. Did you make a potholder from the loom or the latch-hook run over the summer like I did as a child?

 

As a grown-up, I try to go to the art as a summer treat. As I mentioned yesterday, we visit local museums and take in art fairs wherever possible. Sometimes this warm inspiration has to keep me going through the long, gray months of winter here in the Midwest.

I have big hopes that I can turn inspiration into creation this summer...likely in August when professional life calms down a bit. I have my calligraphy pens ready to work some hand-lettering goodness on a few prints that have been in m brain for way too long. And my once-termed "living room" really wants to just shout out its new title as the ART ROOM but it needs a creative wind to blow through it with some touches of whimsy and organizational structure.

While I wait to dig into those, I'm succumbing to the best kind of peer pressure with a blog DIY date. I'm totally delighted to be meeting up with Louise and a dozen other great bloggers on a fun DIY date. If we lived anywhere close to one another, we'd have a crafternoon over at Louise's house, like all of her besties get. But, instead, we'll enjoy it via the blogosphere.

And our inspirational material: Washi tape. I'm still craftering away on this, and I can't wait to show you the results!!!

How are you taking in the art this summer? XOXO, MJ

ps. I'm still trying to figure out how to transfer my Disqus comments, and I really want to talk back to you...please know that I'm working to get them up ASAP. In the meantime, I'm having a lovely discussion with you...in my head.