Art Archives

I’m an art studio voyeur…are you?

May 17, 2019 by Heather Filed Under: Art, Art & Design, In the Studio, Inspiration & Education, Organize 2 Comments

I don’t mean this in a weird way! I just enjoy being an art studio voyeur…a bit of a peeping tom, ogling and sneaking a peek into artists studio spaces! Art (both the making of and viewing) can be a cure for stress and it’s certainly something I turn to when I need a break.

These photos are from a trip back in 2016 to Athens where a friend (MFA candidate at the time) gave me a tour around UGA Lamar Dodd Studio’s. I had the chance to wander the classrooms and studio spaces of students while it was virtually a ghost town.

We visited the whole textile school, including screen printing, the dye lab, weaving studio, paper making and the ceramics classrooms. There’s something intriguing about looking at work in progress, an artist space, their inspiration boards, materials, and equipment.

There’s so much possibility in the process of making, seeing ideas bubble up and dance across the surface with no idea of who’s behind it and where it’s headed.

UGA Lamar Dodd Studio’s

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This is what I mean by being an art studio voyeur. It brings me pleasure to see the possibility of creative dreams on the horizon. In my organizing work-whether in a home, business or studio space, I hope to help others realize how important it is to recognize our creative voice. To create space for our creative dreams brings us one step closer to realizing them.

In the slideshow above, I don’t know who made the work, their background, their inspirations, their process and because no one was around this really did feel like I was art studio voyeur! Taking a peek into a moment of creative birth is a gift!

I celebrate the creative spirit with camera in hand and often questions for the maker. I am happy to capture a glimpse of that spark, inspiration, and creative dreams yet to be fully realized.

This curiosity led me to launch the Inside the Artist Studio series (which I will bring back!) and that thread led me to embark on a whole new adventure where the process of studio work, my interest in why makers make and digging into the cultural implications of our current “makers movement” have led me to return to Graduate School this year.

Starting in July, I will be attending Warren Wilson for my MA in Critical and Historical Craft Studies. I realize that a lot of people might wonder why a professional organizer might be embarking on this path and my answer is, because I’m a Weaver and I see connections where others may not. I am extremely excited to explore the intersections between making and organizing, artist process and observation of that process. There is a certain energy that emanates from both the maker and the objects/materials being used and being in that space to observe, pick up inspiration and carry it forward.

There is Chaos and there is Order in all creative cycles…what do you see when you peek into the creative process?

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Cultivate the 3 Ps of Creativity

May 1, 2019 by Heather Filed Under: Art, Inspiration & Education

I love working with creative clients — both those who recognize their creativity and those who may not realize it when we begin. I know in my heart that we are all born as creative beings. That’s why we all need to learn to cultivate the 3 Ps of Creativity!

Somewhere between childhood and adulthood, many of us are taught that we are not creative or that creativity is not as important as other skills.

Oh, how wrong this is!

This is not true! But I can relate to not feeling creative…I would even go so far as to say I have experienced “Falling out of Love” with my creativity. This happens when we try to be creative; we pressure ourselves into thinking we have to do, create, or invent something specific.

When it comes to creativity, remove the words TRY, DO, and INVENT from your vocabulary.

Replace them with the three P’s of Creativity below…

I experienced creative burnout after 15 years of working in commercial design within the textile industry. I chose to leave because I wanted to fall back in love with the creative process and rediscover my creative voice, which I’m still in the process of finding — a journey that may take as long as the rest of my life.

I recently had several ah-ha moments about my creativity…one was while I was meditating. It’s something I’ve heard other people talk about but at this moment it clicked for me and I realized I am not responsible for my creations, I do not own them, my ego doesn’t get to be proud of them or disappointed by them…my creations move through me-they do not come FROM me. I also realized that I can let go of any labels of who I am (artist, designer, craftsperson, etc.). What a release! I felt a huge burden had been lifted from my shoulders.

I am now truly free to use and further cultivate the 3 P’s of creativity. These are the aspects of creating that I cultivate, and without them, I am lost:

Practice-I practice creating, creating is my practice!

Patience-I am patient with my creations-they can not be rushed or judged!

Play-Creativity is Play-release the outcome and experience the playfulness of creating again, like a child!

There’s one more P I think I should mention here…Perfectionism. This one thing can KILL creativity faster than a hard freeze on a tender plant so PLEASE don’t hold your creativity to any type of perfectionism. Learn from your mistakes, keep it playful, keep your patience and keep practicing!

The Benefits of Personality Testing

February 23, 2018 by Heather Filed Under: Art, Art & Design, Inspiration & Education, Organize, Organizing Projects, Photography, Systems & Techniques, Tips & Resources, Uncategorized, Wellness & Mindset 1 Comment

We are all born unique and with different personalities. Are you curious to know more about your personality and how it can affect your day-to-day life? If so, the benefits of Personality testing include giving insight into how we think, handle stress, how we process information and make decisions.

Personality tests are very popular, with many employers requesting a candidate take a personality assessment during the job application process. If you were to Google ‘Personality Test’ you would be flooded with many claiming to be the best. I will showcase a few here that I believe are the most accurate and helpful when we want to learn more about ourselves. No personality test is the same, just as no person is the same.

Myers Briggs

The most popular and well-known Personality Test is Myers Briggs. It gives you insight into many different personality traits and identifies the 16 most distinctive personality types. It is a 15-20 minute assessment that asks you about the way that you think, how you process information, how you make decisions, how extroverted (or introverted) you are, and how you perceive information.

Once you have taken the assessment and receive your result you will also be given information on your personality type and how understandings your type can benefit you in your daily life. You can further research your personality type to help you connect you with like-minded individuals or understand those with strikingly different personalities.

Predictive Index – PI Learning Indicator

The Predictive Index, better known as the PI Learning Indicator is the go-to personality test for employers. It gives a fairly accurate insight into your personality and working style focusing on four main elements; dominance, extraversion, patience, and formality.

The PI takes anywhere from 5-25 minutes depending on how thorough you are with the test. The results might look a bit confusing at first but there are always professionals for you to speak with and a detailed breakdown on their website.

While the PI is very accurate, it is also important to take it every 6 months to a year, depending on the personal changes you are experiencing in your life. Everyone’s personality changes throughout their lifetime and it is good to recognize these changes and adapt to them.

Kolbe

Kolbe offers a variety of different tests for their users including a youth test, finance test, and a relationship test. Kolbe is also unique as they don’t measure your intelligence or your personality but more how you naturally do things in your life.

Kolbe focuses more on your motive, goals and what drives you to achieve these goals. It is a great test to help you recognize what motivates you, and how to achieve your goals.

This test is also very beneficial for business owner’s outer managers who have lost motivation, direction or are looking for ways to keep their success going. The test dives into your creative instincts and showcases how best to utilize your personality.

These tests take 20 minutes and it gives you an in-depth look at your personality and driving factors to your success. Kolbe offers a lot of information and a clear breakdown of their methods and results on their website.

Different Personalities

There are often misconceptions among people that take personality tests. On the surface, it may seem that if we don’t have the correct personality for a job, relationship or friendship that it will never work. On the contrary, personality tests can be taken to learn more about yourself, your strengths and challenges and how to better relate to others in work and personal life. They should never be considered negative. After all, it’s better to know best to have these helpful insights into future challenges before you begin new relationships or ventures!

There are many criteria that personality tests don’t measure specifically including; work ethic, kindness, interests, and ability to learning style (more on this soon!).

I recommend that everyone take at least one personality test in their lifetime. The Benefits of Personality Testing include not only knowing more about your personality but to learning how you can use it to create success in your life. It takes so little time, less time than a favorite TV show, yet can supply both new and reinforced information about yourself. Please share what personality tests you have tried over in our Facebook group.

Trying to cram in as much as you can…

April 13, 2017 by Heather Filed Under: Art, Art & Design, Inspiration & Education, Productivity, Wellness & Mindset Leave a Comment

We all have more ideas, hobbies, dreams and wishes than we may realistically ever be able to achieve. Though if your like me your trying to cram in as much as you can! In the past week I’ve taken some time off of work to do something I always love to do at this time of year, garden and garden related volunteering (I’m a Master Gardener!).

I value the freedom and flexibility of owning my own business so that I can shift gears when I need to and escape to pursue a passion or hobby that may not be related to Organizing or even my Art! But we creative’s can be very tempted by bright shiny objects, new ideas, new materials, the latest gadgets and tools…and they don’t necessarily help us execute our creative ideas in a more fulfilling way.

Sometimes, more is just a big distraction and excuse to not get to work on our own making and art.

I am totally guilty of this as my brand new sewing machine sits in my studio barely used and a warp is on my loom, only barely begun with a new weaving project. There are also times when stepping away from what we work on daily to “Take a Beauty Break” (as my friend Lisa would say), is a great way to reset the soul and give us clarity and focus again!

I’m not suggesting that we should not ‘invest’ in new tools and materials when we need them but as any gardener, quilter or knitter knows, sometimes you have to use up the stash before buying more!

Casting our ideas and creative focus in too many directions can leave us scattered.

Having too many creative pursuits, ideas and materials around us can be a distraction. A tip I often suggest is to pack up one or more different materials (supplies) and put them away for awhile (a few months or longer). Allow yourself to focus on one or two burning creative ideas! If your a writer, you can collect thoughts for future writings into a “NEXT” folder (the suggestion of a great PR person I recently met). If you find that you are not called back to these supplies, then donate them, sell them or give them to a friend. They may be just the inspiration someone else needs to set their ideas on fire!

By setting some of our ideas and creative pursuits aside, we make space to focus on what we really want to be creating. We distill our creative energy to be more potent and concentrated. Have you ever had to say no to some of your creative ideas for awhile in order to focus on your current creative direction?

In The Studio:: 2016 Artist Studio Round Up

December 29, 2016 by Heather Filed Under: Art, Art & Design, In the Studio, Inspiration & Education, Organize Leave a Comment

A Look Back at 2016’s Artists and Their Studios

It would be no exaggeration to say that 2016 has been a roller coaster of surprising loops and turns at every corner. But, as always, in all the hubbub we can find organization among the chaos. Through the In The Studio Artist Interview Series we have been introduced to a spectrum of creatives in Charleston, Gatlinburg, New York and NC. These 15 artists work in a range of media from ceramics artists, painters, jewelry makers, and taxidermists to name only a handful. In every studio, we learn something new about the creative process through the eyes of the artists and their innovative, unconventional, or surprisingly conventional ways they craft the spaces they call home. Read on for some of this year’s highlights as you take a stroll through the 2016 Artist Studio Round Up.

“It’s a benefit of working from home, getting to be around things that inspire me, including my dogs and my collection of taxidermy and artwork.” – Becca Barnet

“I realized in my 30’s that I had been one my whole life.” – Joanne Davis-Woods on when she realized she was an artist

“I feel as though an awakening has begun in me as an artist since the day I moved in. I wish I had known what playing well with others was like years ago.” – Stephen Elliott Webb on working at Redux

“It all evolved organically, my new studio was so different than my past studio, so it did not influence my new space; a new vision, a new label, a new space – liberating!” – Leigh Magar

“I do have a little altar and I keep several talismans which have meaning to me and tiny objects d’art I like, the green daughter goddess, Tara, and fabric patterns designed by William Morris. I also hang quotes that represent concepts I want to digest. It’s just a little corner but it has lots of meaning for me. I keep fresh flowers around, too.” – Mary Carol Koester on the inspirational oddities in her studio

“I have a lot of rocks and books and records, but this is part of my journey. It’s my home so none of it overwhelms me. I like to be reminded of my family and my past, even if it’s painful.” – Lala Abaddon

“I didn’t know I was an artist until maybe last year. It’s always a question in my mind, but lately I stopped judging whether I am an artist based on my output and realized that it’s a state of mind and a permanent fixed part of my existence.” – Tim Hussey

“Limitations and discipline are essential to success more in the outside world in terms of exhibiting. In the studio I have a pretty focused aesthetic so projects are paused immediately when I see them going a different direction than the original intent.” – Andrew Guenther on limitations to fuel the creative process

“I use true classical dyes and processes that have been used to color fabric throughout history. The plants I use In my process are ones that have been proven over time to to age beautifully and with integrity. It is also important that the body of work I leave behind was made without harming the planet.” – Barbara Zaretsky on leaving behind a legacy

“I felt like people saw me as an artist, or the guy who made art, from an early stage, but I didn’t fully embrace that until I went to Italy for the first time. It was a gut punch in a good way.” – Case Jernigan

“Everything is in sight. I find materials to be very inspiring and having them in sight is important. In fact, when designing the space for the fiber studio at the college I teach at, I specifically requested yarn shelving that was visible and accessible from all locations of the room. ” – Amy Putansu on studio organization

“I have always found comfort in objects, and that’s a huge part of why I make functional pottery. I collect vintage melamine dinnerware which I have in my studio and find constant inspiration in. I am a sucker for old rusted tin and metal objects. These objects have such an incredible embedded history through its weathered surface, a surface that I seek within my own work.” – Austin Riddle

“I don’t like to limit myself to any certain material, but I typically work with a lot of paper, fabric, and other easily accessible and relatively inexpensive supplies. I try to be conscious of my footprint when I make, so I really enjoy reusing things and turning ordinary found objects into something a little extra-ordinary. ” – Emily Schubert

“I like covering my working surfaces in butcher paper and then writing notes and lists on the paper. I can also section off pieces on different parts of the paper and write notes or sketch around the piece. ” – Maia Lepo on keeping the process in check

“I do tend to wander for two or three days before getting to work when I have been away from the studio. I call it the “dog bed-making process” – circling several times before settling in!” – Lese Corrigan on personal artistic rituals

Each studio visit leaves us with a new perspective and appreciation for artists and their work. As 2016 comes to a close it is wonderful to be able to look back at the wonderful artists who were so gracious with their time and space. This compassion and energy excites me for the studio visits to come in 2017. Stay tuned for even more inspirational artists as we gear up for the In The Studio Artist Interview Series for 2017.

Know of an artist that you think should be featured in the new year? Perhaps it’s you! If so, drop me a line. And, of course, happy holidays and see you in the New Year!