Toodamnlippy Creative

Riding out Creative blocks

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 17:55:32 -0800

Hello, hello, its been a minute!

Life both in studio and out was hectic in 2023, with multiple projects, classes and homelife changes, but over the summer break I have managed to take some time out to relax and recharge, and have now found myself with a few precious windows of time to enjoy my own space, before my year begins in ernest.
Ideally I would be able to pick up my brushes and immerse myself on cue into my patiently waiting unfinished works.Yet I am finding myself in the midst of the ever dreaded creative block. Its incredibly frustrating.

Once upon a time, this would've sent me into a deep dive of guilt, self loathing and despair. When we are 'good' or 'talented' at something we seem to have the unrealistic expectation that 'it' will always be on tap to switch on and off as we please, that we must always be good, and able. Life experience reminds me that is not the case. On the contrary, our gifts, whatever they are, must be continually nurtured, challenged and grown upon, which may not always be in ways one would expect ....

Cue the creative block.

I could right now, put brush to canvas and make marks, but as I am having an inspiration dryspell, it would probably achieve nothing more than temper tantrums and tears this day. As is the case on many previous occasions, it does not end well, it causes self doubt in my abilities,and defeats motivation.
But.
I have a studio all to myself, no classes to run today. I have all the materials I need. And I have that rare and precious commodity of time.
So, if like me, youre struggling, then what to do?

1) First things first. Turn up. One of the most effective tools in my creative block toolbox. Turning up creates habit, which in turn helps create that mental switch into 'work' mode. It doesn't much matter whether you have a solid plan, or any idea at all of what it is you will achieve today, you still have to 'turn up'.
For me, that looks like consistently...Read More

Three Unexpected Qualities I feel Make Me A Better Artist

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 22:41:48 -0700

When we reflect on our own personality traits, its easy to spot those more favoured.. . 'oh, shes so kind', ' gosh he has the patience of a saint', wow, what a great sense of humour!..' you know, the traits that sell us on our CVs, that make us seem more attractive on our dating profiles..
But we all possess those others that perhaps are less universally acceptable, even frowned upon, the ones we are loathe to admit to.. stubborness, laziness, arrogance... are all common, and all less than desirable characteristics, to be named these may even cause offence..
Yet, if we put a spin on those traits... stubboness becoming strongwilled, turning it into a very valuable quality for somone wanting to succeed despite the hurdles they face.

So, because I had an Aha! moment driving into the studio today, here are 3 of my personal "less desirable" traits that I feel have served me very well, despite the difficulties my parents faced.

DEFIANCE - the singular trait that drove my dad most mad.
open resistance; bold disobedience:
"an act of defiance" · "the demonstration was held in defiance of official warnings"

As a parent, this trait can be the WORST! You try and guide your children, you want to keep them safe and secure, you bestow them with your years of experience and heed them the warnings of all the dangers out in the world. And what does said beloved child, do in response to all your wisdom? Resist, disobey, go against..they defy you of course! At this point I must apologise to all the residents of Alison St in the 90's.. this lovely personality trait of mine caused many a raised voice in heated argument with my dad, and plenty of slammed doors. Thankyou collectively, for...Read More

Away With The Fairies

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 20:59:16 -0700

I tumbled down the rabbit hole and into the realm of fantasy this term, I have loved every minute of it!
Watching the kids truly engage and get lost in creating their very own minature worlds has been every bit as delightful as it sounds. Seeing the sheer joy and excitement for class every week, and witnessing their discovery in resourcefulness has been most pleasureable, cementing even deeper my love for what I do. I hadn't imagined I'd feel quite this hyped for bottles and newspaper, yet here we are... broken costume jewellery, popsicle sticks and pinecones never looked so good!

Growing up, I was blessed with a wonderfully creative, talented and resourceful Oma, whom entertained my love for whimsy and fairytales on the regular. Her basement was a treasure trove of delights, I likened to a pirates bounty, that on occasion we would be granted access, to 'help her' find something in particular... gifts were often found in this secret stash....her sewing room, a place I always felt priveleged to see, filled with beautiful gowns she had stiched herself, sequins and lace providing my childhood self with many princess fantasies. Our walks around the neighbouhood often bore precious finds of 'borrowed' flora and in the right season, delicious blackberries.. she came from a generation where nothing was wasted, and a creative skillset was not a so much a luxury, but often a necessity. Her influence has had a very obvious and profound impact on my own creative practices.

Some of the most precious memories I have of Oma are the ones where an old fur stole strung over the washing line became the Big Bad Wolf she had extracted from my wardrobe and slayed, while I was at school one day, or the miniature little shadow box created in a shoebox, a whole magical fairy world made just for me, my wide-eyed wonder peering through a teeny hole,...Read More