Inspiration & Education to keep you curious!

Wednesday’s Word::Authentic

April 6, 2016 by Heather Filed Under: Inspiration & Education, Wellness & Mindset Leave a Comment

I’ve been thinking a lot about the word authentic lately. It seems to have become a trendy business marketing term which makes me want to shun the use in that context. On the one hand I love the idea that we might be entering a period in business and society that accepts more diversity and wants people to truly be uniquely themselves…on the other hand I look at some of the businesses, coaches and organizations who throw this term around and I just want to roll my eyes because all I really see them doing is the same thing as the next guy/gal in their category of business. Am I being a total skeptic?

The dictionary definition of Authentic is a bit contrary!

worthy of acceptance or belief as conforming to or based on fact
conforming to an original so as to reproduce essential features
made or done the same way as an original
not false or imitation (real or genuine)
true to one’s own personality, spirit, or character-My Favorite!

We have one definition that says to be authentic you are in some way imitating “the original”-but who is that in the context of your authenticity?

What does authenticity mean in terms of business, in terms of spiritual practice, in terms of self?

Can we use authenticity to check in with ourselves and not as a basis for comparing ourselves to “others” in our personal, spiritual or business practices?

I’ve been thinking a lot about this as I’ve been facilitating a weekly gathering with artists reading Walking in This World by Julia Cameron. So many triggers have been discussed, jealousy, comparison, guilt, fears etc…None of them directly (so far) identify with or dive into the topic of authenticity but it’s been a buzz word flying around my head that I’ve been swatting away at until I read my friend Carrie’s latest post on this topic (here).

“Some people’s version of “authentic” may not seem very nice and may miss the boat when it comes to being self aware and open to change. And even if people do honestly feel they are being their 100% authentic self—you still may not line up with it.” -Carrie Jolie Dale

Carrie brings up the issue of being “triggered” by other peoples version of authenticity and that made me realize I am kind of missing the whole point of being authentic! Being authentic means you can accept when others ideas, visions, words and ideals don’t align with your own. You get triggered when something they say brings up a little resistance in you, perhaps a subject or topic that you need to do some personal deep investigation of. I have long been guilty of identifying myself in comparison to others. For some years now I have worked to undo this tangled web. I find this spider a mighty quick weaver, often before I realize it she has re-spun the web and I am caught up once again!

We do not become authentic by imitating others. We do not become authentic by imitating others best qualities! None of us can authentically imitate anyone else. When we can reflect who we know our best selves to be, then we become the authentic version of ourselves. (Click to Tweet!)

Maybe it’s just a word I am hung up on (are you?) and that’s okay because it’s really made me examine my reaction to how it’s used. Our awareness of exactly what triggers our reactions is the real gift. Someone else’s authentic isn’t your authentic! (Click to Tweet) Worry about your own authenticity but please, don’t go throwing this word around lightly! One of the fundamental principals of my organizing business is to help people find successful results on their own terms, not by trying to recreate what “organized” looks like for someone else. In every aspect of our lives we can look for authenticity and try to better understand what we can do to break the comparison/imitation habits that are instilled in many of us from an early age.

Spun from my roots

March 29, 2016 by Heather Filed Under: Art, Art & Design, Inspiration & Education, Museums & Galleries 1 Comment

What do textiles have to do with Organizing? Well nothing really on the surface but textiles are a part of the tapestry of who I am both creatively and professionally. I’m also fascinated by how many recycled textiles, other “found objects” and collections of “stuff” are making their way into the fine art world. I’m not sure if this is merely a trend or a theme that is communicating something about our relationship with “our stuff” as a culture. On my recent trip to NYC I found a tremendous amount of inspiration and specifically sought out exhibits that included textiles in one way or another.

My first stop was at Museum of Art and Design aka MAD where in the main stairwell a site specific installation of woven fabric had been threaded through the architectural elements of the building. It kind of reminded me of yarn bombing but on a more sophisticated interior scale…like huge dramatic drapes.

In addition to Museum, MAD is an educational resource for children and adults. They have an artist residency program including open studio times for artists and workshops all overlooking their location on Columbus Circle. Boy would I love to sit at that loom and weave while overlooking the hustle and bustle of the city!

Closing this Saturday is the exhibit Ebony G. Patterson: Dead Treez which was rich in layers of textures, found objects, recycled textiles and meaning. I’m a little obsessed with how textiles and recycled materials are making their way into fine art these days and this is one of the reason’s I really wanted to see this exhibit.

My next stop was the National Academy Museum, nestled between the Guggenheim and Cooper Hewitt. This was my first visit to this museum and school. I found myself drawn to exhibits at locations that favored the promotion of art through education, a coincidence perhaps but my mind is nothing if not curious to continue learning! I sought out this specific exhibit of Miriam Shapiro after her recent passing last year. She’s an epic, visionary artist who happened to work with textiles-once thread of her multi faceted life’s work. Below is one of my favorite pieces in the show, one of her “femmage” works that includes scraps of fabric.

And finally, the exhibit Beauty-Cooper Hewitt Triennial. I almost skipped this museum (although it’s one of my favorites) because I didn’t think I would have time. I’m so glad I didn’t since they recently re-opened after a major remodel. This expansive exhibit explores various themes of Beauty in multi- disciplinary works of art and design. One of my favorite aspects of the renovation is their use of technology. Along with each ticket sold, visitors are given a large stylist pen to “collect” images and text from throughout the exhibit. When they return home they can log into their specific user account (save your ticket!) and learn more about each piece of interest. I love that you feel like you are bringing home a little piece of the exhibit and there’s less pressure try to read all the exhibit info while visiting.

Over the weekend I hung out in Brooklyn and took a trip to see the Textile Arts Center. I’ve been wanting to visit this “maker-space” for several years now and am envious of such a wonderful resource for learning about all things textiles! This is the place to go if you live in NY and want to learn about textiles in your spare time…a great way to find out if you really like something before investing too fully into a lot of expensive equipment (space is a premium and having a floor loom in NY would be a luxury for some!).

Short Organizing “Resource” books

March 15, 2016 by Heather Filed Under: Books, Inspiration & Education, Organize, Systems & Techniques, Tips & Resources, Uncategorized, Wellness & Mindset Leave a Comment

Recently there have been a lot of new organizing books published

Many people liked The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up (which I reviewed here) but there are some other wonderful new small Organizing Books and here are two, both excellent and quite different in their layout and approach of the same subject matter: Clutter Clearing!

Never Too Busy to Cure Clutter (More than 365 Tips to Maker Room for What’s Truly Important) by Erin Rooney Doland

I kind of feel that if I were to write a book on organizing it would be similar to this in many ways. Erin’s tone here is not one of preaching or stating that in order to successfully banish clutter you must do things in A—>B—>C order. Erin explains for some people priorities may be different, with a different emphasis on areas of the, some being more or less critical depending on your lifestyle. I love that this book is broken down by area of the home, identifying the ‘everyone’s use’ spaces and those that are more ‘private’. This brings me back to my days of doing hospitality work and maybe it would be helpful for you to also think of your home in terms of ‘Public’ and ‘Private’ spaces. Public or everyone spaces such as Entry, Living Room, Dining Room Kitchen and Bath are addressed first and more private areas in the second section. Each section (chapter) is broken down into tasks you can do in 30 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes or 15 minutes. In this manner she successfully makes it clear that living clutter free means always maintaining your home by doing small tasks with regularity. She reminds us that tasks will take each of us a different amount of time so to be aware of what task you choose and record it right in the book if it takes you more or less time. What I think works well about this book is that by repeating the same format of steps throughout the house but with tasks specific to those areas of the home she illustrates that there is a certain mindset behind living clutter free and she helps you to begin to identify what steps you need to take in each room on a regular basis to make lasting changes in your habits. In breakout sections through out the book she gives hints and tips on resources and tools (techniques, storage, apps, programs). Finally she concludes with some great examples of sample habits and routines including tasks and estimated time that can help us identify what we need to do on a regular basis. Maybe it helps to think of routines as rituals…like our morning ritual, house cleaning ritual, travel rituals etc. I’ve read quite a few small organizing “resource” books and find this one to be jam packed full of excellent practical advice and useful information.

Clear the Clutter, Find Happiness (One-Minute Tips for Decluttering and Refreshing Your Home and Your Life) by Donna Smallin

This book is almost what I would call a “Pocket Guide” to clutter clearing. Open it to the front and you won’t find a chapter index…she dives right into small tips and motivational words to get you clutter busting any time you are in the mood. The book has a warm and cheery energy with orange and gold hues throughout …(I love a books that have creative layout’s that are different!) The whole book is loosely organized by certain areas of the home but open to any given page and on each page you will find a motivational tip, quote or thought provoking mindset topic. In a very lighthearted way she probes into the “why” behind our clutter habits. Along with mantra’s and time savers like “Don’t Just Put it Down, Put it Away” there are a variety of organizing tasks to do within one minute (aprox). By the end she is really helping you to develop new healthy habits that will keep the clutter clear for good. In summary she ends by sharing that clutter comes from our bad habits, setting things down where they don’t belong, not having permanent homes for certain items, not making decisions that will keep us clear of clutter. It really comes down to two things…Commitment to Change and repeatedly following through by acting on these clutter clearing tasks. This is a great book for anyone who struggles with small day to day clutter tasks and keeping in the mindset of changing bad habits.

What Clutter Clearing books have you read or found helpful?

Do you ‘Feel’ Organized?

March 8, 2016 by Heather Filed Under: Inspiration & Education, Organize, Tips & Resources, Wellness & Mindset Leave a Comment

The other evening I was at a community event and someone came up to me and we began chatting. The conversation started discussing a common interest then turned and she was asked what I do. I said I’m a Professional Organizer and Artist and she asked…

“What do you organize? Do you work with people who are already organized or people who are not so organized“?

I loved the way she asked this and my answer surprised me because it was so simple and applies to all my clients.

I help people who have been more organized at another time in their life and want to feel organized again. This perfectly sum’s up almost all of my clients (and will become my new 10 second ‘elevator pitch’)! Some of them were organized before the got married, started a job, a family, moved, downsized into a smaller place, got divorced etc. What each of them have in common is that they KNOW what it feels like to be more organized but at this point in their life they just can’t keep up with the process, strategies they have tried or may not have the time or physical energy to do it themselves. I don’t just serve my clients in their state of dis-order or how they have felt in the past. I serve my clients by looking at who they are becoming!

NO shame in that right? I am really interested in airing out the shame side of this process…and am so tired of people making others who work with an organizer feel ashamed. It’s not fair or right and the people who are making you feel ashamed? I bet they might just be a little bit jealous:)

Feeling organized is relative from person to person but it’s a feeling we can each measure internally. Do we feel better or worse about our “State of Organization” now then we did at another point in our life? Using our own life as a gauge rather than others is the best way to determine if we feel good about where we are. Once we know how we feel we can choose to take action and change it, either on our own or with a little help.

In the Studio with Joanne Davis-Woods-Part I

February 18, 2016 by Heather Filed Under: Art, Art & Design, In the Studio, Inspiration & Education, Organize, Photography

Today’s feature interview is the first half of Art Studio Organizing with Joanne Davis-Woods who I met through mutual artist friends in Asheville. I visited her studio (which she recently moved into in the midst of a metal fabrication studio) and interviewed her while in Asheville last month. I’m thrilled to share this sneak peek into Joanne’s studio and her process and creative space in this interview. These photo’s are not styled in any way, in fact she was not totally settled into her new studio so this is typical of what her working studio looks like on an average day.

Art Studio Organizing with Joanne Davis-Woods Part I

HKPS::When did you suspect or know you were an artist?

JWD:: I realized in my early 30’s that I had been one my whole life.

HKPS:: What materials do you work with? Do you find it challenging to locate certain things when you’re ready use them and do you store things frequently used in highly visible locations?

JWD::Mainly I work with silver, copper, in both wire and sheet, and semi-precious stones–since my work space is contained within a larger business space; materials need to be locked up at end of day. For the last several years my challenge was the need to store in 2 different location–I never had all that I needed in one place! Now, in this new spot I have higher hopes for efficiency. While I like the materials I use to be handy, they do not need to be visible. What I do want to see conveniently arrayed are my tools.

HKPS:: Where do you make your art, how big is your studio and how long have you been in this space?

JWD::I have recently moved into a new space within a fabrication business. They have all the permits needed for using fuels. I have about 300 sq ft on a platform above the main floor—rather quirky but it works.

Looking into the foundry from Joanne’s studio platform

Joanne’s Studio ‘platform’

HKPS::How many projects are you usually working on at once? Is this due to space constraints, creative process, organizing systems or other influences?

Projects in process and stones

JWD:: 2-3 at a time…I read more than one book at a time also! If I am worked on a new prototype I find more satisfactory results if I give myself time to ponder between steps. So I like to punctuate with another project. Also there is cooling and other procedures which go on without my active participation.

It can be a dance.

Joanne in her Studio

HKPS::Is making art your primary “job” or source of income? How much time do you spend in your studio weekly/daily?

JWD::I would be in studio most days if I could…since I still have a part time job; I am limited to 2 – 3 days per week. Fortunately my day job lets me work with metal.

HKPS::When you began working in this space did you plan any systems for the overall set up or did you let things evolve organically? How did past studio spaces or systems influence this space?

JWD::I had an opportunity to buy equipment and work benches from the previous communal space where I rented. The choice of those pieces dictate the style of working here. The previous space was set up by others and provided for separate stations for separate processes. While I know that some like everything at arms’ reach-i prefer to move around more. It keeps me more organized also—metal smiths use an awful lot of tools!

Watchmakers Bench

Thank you Joanne for for sharing how you use your studio space and store your materials! In Part II you’ll find more from her about creative process and any tips and advice she has to share. In the meantime if you want to see more of Joanne’s work go see her Facebook Page.

*The idea for the Inside the Artist Studio series began while attending an art retreat where I curiously observed the differences in the creative cycle of order and chaos and what that looks like for different individuals. I’m very interested in sharing how organizing affects the artist’s creative process. Some systems and order are vital to our creative PLAY and learning to find a balance that works to enhance your creativity is what I hope to share with you through these interviews.

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Is there a particular artist whose ‘Tool kit’ you would like to see featured? Leave a comment below and let me know!

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