Inspiration at the Tweed Gallery

Visited theTweed Gallery which houses much of  Margaret Olley's home, exactly as it was when she passed her mortal coil. An exercise in creative thinking and developing a response to that environment followed, with 5 hours or so of observation and  discussion. Lots of refreshments at the Gallery Cafe too. I was fascinated by the curtain fabric, the patterns on rugs, cushions and chairs.  At some point the experience became sensory overload - thankfully images provide the opportunity to revisit the space. A wonderful day with my tribe.

Back from where ever

Arrived back in blogland after a break of some 5 months. Actually I was curious to see if anyone noticed. I questioned how many people still use blogs as a primary source of information over, say, instagram or Facebook or Twitter or YouTube ... or insert name of whatever is coming next.  Also, it's easy for life to get in the way.  It's easy to release the vigilance and commitment required to keep providing words that are of interest to others. I find it challenging to be in the moment and stay long enough to find meaning - not getting caught up in the paraphernalia of smart this-and-that,  pick me, pick me. So I  stopped taking so many photos that I forgot to pause and drink in the view simply because I  could. I took a break from a brief romance with instagram to taste an idea. Finally, I got to Adelaide  last week and be with my South Australian tribe. Surrounded myself with givers and lifters - of quilts, stitching and ideas.  Bathed in the smiles and laughter of dear friends and generous spirits. Somewhere in the midst of day 3, someone asked what had happened to my blog.  Nothing, I smiled.  Absolutely nothing.  And that's where I needed to be so I could come back. And it feels great.

Creative thinking boosts

There are many ways to trigger creative thoughts - and old paperbacks can be just what the doctor ordered. Roll a heap of individual pages into scrolls and stick them in a jar for safe keeping. As required, remove a scroll and paste into the visual diary or journal and find six or seven words that "jump out" (maybe from every paragraph, or every 42 words, or every 3rd sentence). Then have a bit of a party in the head about what this might mean or could lead to ..... mind map, go wild, capture the thoughts on paper ... it never fails to get something going, even if it's to say "codswallop ... I'll do this instead ..." Still enjoying a friend's fb post which said "Go to bed with a dream, wake up with a purpose". Musty pages never looked so good .....

 

Journalling, Diaries and Creativity

Curtin University through Open Learning University offers a Bachelor of Arts (Fine Arts and Visual Culture) - the whole degree can be completed online (there's quite a bit of Discussion Board participation which is akin to being in a classroom and interacting with your classmates) and lots of camera work to be uploaded. Mindmapping is one of the skills we practise. So is exploring all the possible and impossible uses of an object. I have committed the first act of vandalism in my life - I cut up a perfectly good bucket in the name of art!

 Sue Dennis facilitated the 2QAQ group through a creative thinking exercise in 2010 - also with mindmapping exercises and I'm really feeling the benefit of maintaining  a visual diary, and practising ..... every day!

Creative thinking in Colorado

Early mornig in La Veta

Every place at every time provides an opportunity to think about design, explore possibilities. Sometimes you just need to get to the particular appointment on time, or enjoy the holiday sans over-intellectualising the whole thing. Fortunately, or unfortunately,  the influence of the 2QAQ group is ever present - and instead of seeing trees and forests, rocks and wires it's now "possible thread or sewing lines" and ... it happens to  everyone I think, I'm still playing catch-up. Some pics that remind me of thread, quilting, art quilts, order, design, space and balance ....

Aspen about to turn

Barn, La Veta

Fort Fransico, La Veta

Wall, Paducah

Wall, Fort Garland

Fence, La Veta

Fence post, Antonito

Gate, La Veta



Grate, Manitou Springs

Tunnel, Rocky Mountains, New Mexico

Fort Fransisco, La Veta

Rocky Mountains, Arizona

Hog Oiler, For Fransisco

Belle Mead Mansion, Tennessee

Timber and Adobe, Fort Garland

Water Tower, Cumbres Pass