The Creating Place Blg

Grand Gestures

"An ancient Japanese legend promises that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish by a crane, such as long life or recovery from illness or injury. The crane in Japan is one of the mystical or holy beasts (others include the dragon and tortoise), and is said to live for a thousand years."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:PaperCranes.jpg

Every Thursday for the past few weeks I have had the opportunity to assist a customer who is a cruise crew member (we will call Jay) choose the perfect material to create 1,000 origami cranes to give a girl... making a wish come true. A Grand Gesture! Each week I've looked forward to hearing the progress of the project. What a romantic inspiring story! The few people I've told have been completely moved by Jays actions and Anji insisted I blogged it. Last Thursday I was left so inspired I made my husband a handmade gift for no reason. Yesterday, Jay stopped in so I asked if I could blog his story... he said I could but he was now finishing the cranes for himself... no longer a romantic gesture... not the end he was hopping for.. an unexpected end to a great story.

I believe something good comes out of every situation even if we can't see it or if it takes some time. This may make me naive but I like to think I am just optimistic. Although Jays story didn't end the way he was hoping his grand gesture has inspired me to think of ways to inspire others family, friends, and strangers alike. I hope you will be inspired to join in and think of ways to positively inspire others.

Growing up

So--now that Anji and I have both had our birthdays, I was reflecting on the fact that we (or more particularly I) should be more "adult-like", more "grown-up".  I'm not sure, however, that this induces good art.  Think about some of the best artist around--don't you often hear people say "my five year old could have done that?"  Have you ever looked at a preschoolers art and truely appreciated it/ thought it was more beautiful than anything you've ever done?  (besides the often amusing commentary about the art or content...)  anyone seen "my kid could paint that"...(got it on netflicks...very interesting).

and why is that?  I tend to think that because children are more open-minded, don't have preconcieved notions about what art should be/ look like that they are open to--well, almost anything!!  To that end, I think, especially in the artist arena, we SHOULD strive to be more child-like and less adult--dontcha think?  Ok--maybe I'm justifying my self actions--but I think it's ok...maybe for now.  I hope though, when I am getting too childish (and THAT never happens!) my friends would say--"ok--enough".  My family says it all the time so that doesn't count.

Just as a side note--the little girl who is the subject of above mentioned movie has a website--check it (and her adorible self!) out:  http://www.marlaolmstead.com/home.html   enclosed are a couple copies of pics...

      love, amy

Lesson Learned - Back up daily!

I back up my computer files whenever I think of it (about every two weeks). On Saturday night I was working in Photoshop when I tryed to quit the program, it didn't respond. So I shut down the computer. When I re-started the screen was white with a file and a blinking question mark. Naturally I re-started it again (that would fix it). Same white screen with blinking question mark. I called Apple but they were gone for the night. The next morning the Apple technicians response to my sistuation was OHHHHHH! that's not good...do you back up? I do ... but I haven't in a couple weeks.... He said, well that's the good news. Most likely all my files are lost!!!!

The computer is just over a year old. I love my computer! The next three weeks are going to be awful! Yes, three weeks!

Apple has been great about the whole thing.... Thank You Apple for being straight forward and helpful.

Please, please, please learn from my horror.... back up your files daily. I wouldn't want you to suffer this tragic mishap when it is so easy to be sure your creative works are safe on an external hard drive.

Up a Tree

 

Last night was "date night" for James and I. After eating at El Sombreo we talked about what we wanted to do next. Our movie choices were, "Sex in the City", James vetoed and "Zohan" which I vetoed. What next...it's Saturday in Juneau and we didn't have anywhere to go. We decided to grab a donut from Breeze Inn and head out to the glacier for "Bear Viewing" we really didn't expect to see any bear but we didn't want to spend another date night at Fred Meyer so it was out to the glacier. I just happened to be looking up when we saw this bear up a tree happily munching on leaves. We pulled over and got some pictures. It has never really occurred to me to look up for bear...now I will be much more aware of what is lurking in the tree tops. We watched him/her for a long time...I have to say it beat Zohan...

 

There are no musts to creativity

I am a rule abiding person. If there's a line with a sign that says don't cross. I might stand on that line but I would never think to cross it. So in school learning how to draw, paint, sculpt, and solder there were many Shoulds, as there should be I suppose. But I couldn't shake those Shoulds. Anytime I would go to create I would have Shoulds floating around my head and I was never satisfied with my creations because they didn't fit in that Should box. Until I moved to Alaska. Seeing Juneau, a place that is the total opposite of everything I know. And meeting creative people that step outside the lines. It's liberating. I still don't like most of my creations but I am having fun learning new material (paper, diamond glaze, fabric) and I feel I am on the path to figuring something out. If you want to learn a new material stop in the shop or if you are out of town send an email we are full of D.I.Y. ideas. We also have a couple great books that may be a spring board for new ideas and creations.

I am going to use a should now. I do think a creative person should know what other artist and crafters are doing and how they go about their craft but, that doesn't mean you can't find your own way. The path is part of the fun! And remember creating and crafting Should be fun!

Friday the 13th.... spooky!