Nurturing one's creativity and being open to inspiration requires a conscious decision each day. It is vital that we stay connected to our expressive and empathetic artistic souls. Be caring and compassionate toward others and toward yourself. Protect this sensitivity—do not become desensitized or demoralized. Find hope, joy and positive energy even in the face of challenges outside our control.
I am taking a few moments each day for some hands-on making. Yesterday, I took out my collection of old French monograms, which were originally used to stamp letters for embroidery on linens.
I'm impressing them into wet paint on a gelli plate. The resulting prints are beside the point; my intention is to enjoy the process—the satisfying motion of braying the paint onto the plate, the gentle squish of the monogram onto the surface, spending time up close admiring the beauty of these monograms that are over a century old.
A few attentive minutes focused solely on something beautiful is restorative.
My turquoise paint interacting with the patina of the old wood...
The Quilted reprint preorder is just 49 books shy of my goal of preselling 400 copies. The preorder price is CA$50. If you're shopping from the USA, the price will be converted to USD and includes a small brokerage fee—even though books are exempt from tariffs, they still have to go through a brokerage to cross the border. Preorders outside of North America are not available at this time. Once the reprint is released, overseas customers will be able to purchase Quilted directly from UPPERCASE, from our UK distributor or our network of stockists.
Hint: the take15 discount offer for CA$15 off subscriptions and renewals is still working on my site, even if it isn't widely advertised.
And, if you can, shop local and visit a stockist! (Refer to a stockist map here, but please contact the store first to see if they have inventory. Some of the stockists listed haven't ordered from UPPERCASE in a while, so having customers ask for the new issue would be a helpful reminder! Wholesale info can be found here.)
We’re talking about real texture—creating a surface or an object that is tactile and tangible. For example, weaving, basketry, needlework, knitting, crocheting, carving, and impasto painting involve creating or modifying or affecting surface texture. The submitted projects should have the exploration of texture as one of their primary features. Deadline: January 20 at 5pm MST → Submission details and form
How do you nurture your creative self?
The creative self is the essence of who we are as expressive beings. How are self-confidence, self-discovery, self-reliance, self-compassion and self-care aspects of your creative practice? How do you nurture your creative self? Deadline: January 20 at 5pm MST → Submission details and form