Hello lovely blog readers! It's been awhile since my last blog post. Life threw me a curve ball. With overwhelming deadlines and too much on my plate, my body pushed back and told me abruptly that it needed self care. I needed to stop. take a break.
I needed to step back and live in the moment.
I've been quiet here on my blog and social media for the past eight weeks to take time to heal, refresh my creative spirit and take care of myself.
I have been working non-stop..teaching, traveling, blogging, marketing, writing, living out of suitcases/hotels for extended periods and constantly going since I started my creative business 13 years ago. So I made the decision to cut my work week back to 4 days and to spend one day each week taking a "creative sabbatical"...a creative PLAY date.
Oh how I would LOVE to take a year sabbatical and shut down the studio to rejuvenate and refresh my business and self, but that's just not in cards now. So my solution is to spend at least one day a week taking a creative field trip, brainstorming new ideas/projects, doing something creative for myself and embarking in NEW directions for my business...to renew and refresh my creative soul. I have been spending my mornings either sketching/drawing/painting or writing/brainstorming...less noise..LESS social media. In a time when our lives are filled with constant messages being pushed to us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, etc. It's become too much to keep track of...a bit overwhelming at times. This short break from social media has been refreshing.
Snapshots of my spring inspiration...everyday during our walks with Indie, I carry my iPhone and take snapshots of the beauty that surrounds. I print some of these photos and create an inspiration board, which has been a springboard for my latest sketching, pattern and journal work.
Things happening in the studio...I finished up the final LIVE stream workshop for art.journal.PLAY. It was a fabulous three months inclulding art journaling PDF workbooks, creative prompts, live studio workshops and videos. It's now available for self guided access. Here's a snapshot of my desk during the final live stream all about book binding and making journals...
SPENDING time outdoors...I've been getting out and taking more photos to use as inspiration for my sketching and drawing. I've been experimenting with new printmaking techniques. mark-making and creating handmade tools...and spending hours in the studio just painting for me.
I hope you take some time for self care...shut off the phone, computer and take a walk, write or sketch. do something creative everyday.
Happy spring...with love and light..xoxo~Traci
