MYIMAGINATIONSTUDIO.COM
Inspired by Faces
Yesterday I was introduced to Portraits on Glass by Ray Turner at the Akron Art Museum. http://www.akronartmuseum.org/ When an artist is able to capture the expressions and emotions of a person through paint, ink or other media, I am drawn to the work.
Something deep within me comes alive seeing the creation of faces by other people. It stirs up a desire to learn how to create my own expressive faces. When I was a child I use to like to do the paint by number kits of portraits. It was like watching a mystery unfold before my eyes. I was fascinated by the shading and hues that brought the expressions to life. For a lot of reasons, I never made the leap to drawing or painting my own creations but now I'd like to see what I can do.
I still need to learn the basic drawing skill to effectively use lines, shapes, and shading. My greatest challenge is learning to "see" what is there rather than what I "think" I see. The only way to do it is to begin so here I go.
Collaborative Art
I had an opportunity to create a work of art with the help of a couple of younger children. What a fun way to "see the world" through children's eyes. This is what we created "Looking Out the Window Together".
Cursive Handwriting Is Out, What Next?
I opened the local newspaper and discovered an article addressing the elimination of cursive handwriting from the curriculum of many schools. The rationale was that we are moving towards a keyboard society. Time, money, and performance results are the drivers behind this move.
Here is a link to an earlier article on the subject: http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/education/2009/jan/Modern-Curriculum-Has-Little-Room-for-Cursive-Handwriting.html
Many of the articles I found addressed the questions about losing the ability to sign one's own name, to read historical documents, to read letters and personal notes written by someone of a different generation. There are questions about losing one's individual style and expression in communications.
It made me wonder about the learning process and brain development. We have also taken away many of the arts, physical education and play over the past several years. Has anyone taken into consideration what impact the elimination of all of these activities will have on creative thinking and problem-solving? Is there something else replacing these activities which strengthens the connection between the right and left sides of the brain?
Here is another link that raises some of these concerns by educational psychologists and neuorscientists: http://www.articlesbase.com/learning-disabilities-articles/learning-to-writewriting-to-learn-2244626.html.
If you find research on this topic, please share it with us. As I come across more information about this subject I will add it to my twitter account.
Let Go of the Stress
There are many ways to reduce the stress in your life. I'm not sure if this is really doodling but I know that time flies by when I play with shapes and colors in my journals. I can feel my entire body relax as I watch the picture unfold in front of me. Before I know it several hours have passed. My shoulders and neck are relaxed and the rambling thoughts in my head have grown silent. It doesn't matter what the end result looks like on the page; it's the process that counts.
You don't have to read the latest research by neuroscientist to understand that constant stress to the body restricts the flow of nutrients to the brain and heart. How many of you actually continue breathing deeply when you're in the middle of a stressful situation? I know my breathing becomes shallow. I can also feel my shoulders and neck becoming tight or stiff. Wonder what that does for my brain cells?
I'm learning to become aware of these signals from my body. Then, its up to me to make better choices to keep the channels open. Deep breathing, being still and playing in my journals are tools I use to help me release the stress. What works for you?
The Tree Got My Attention
When I was a child I use to love climbing trees. Once I reached the higher branches, my imagination would ignite and I was transported to a different world. I became an explorer who was discovering a mysterious new land. Many times my friends would come on these trips with me. We would laugh and talk for hours on these mighty limbs. Games were played, dreams were discussed and giggles would overflow. One day the tree climbing stopped. The day was never recorded so I'm not sure exactly when it happened. All I know for sure is that in my mind I decided tree climbing was for children and I was growing up.
At first, I noticed the trees as I passed under them even though I was no longer a climber. Occasionally, I observed them from a far and remembered the days as a child when I climbed among their branches. The more I began rushing through life the less aware I became of the trees around me.
A couple of weeks ago the sky was especially blue for a February day by the Great Lakes. I happened to be standing in our yard at the time and found myself looking upward. Usually with the cold winds and the grey skies I tend to look straight ahead while walking quickly to my destination. Today was different. What I began to see was the inspiration my imagination needed to take me on another adventure. I saw the little girl being cradled in the arms of the trees as a child and transported by her imagination into a world of make-believe. I didn't loose her over the years I merely forgot where I left her.
Keeping Life Balanced
Walks in nature, playtime with our dog, laughing with a friend, and doodling in my journal. For me, it is the simple activities that keep me balanced. My heart and brain thank me whenever I do these things with upbeat moods, energy to enjoy my day and a relaxed body. 
What do you do to keep your life balanced?
What Makes You Smile?
Have you ever noticed yourself smiling when someone smiles at you? I've spent a couple of days becoming aware of people or things that bring a smile to my face. I've discovered it's the simple things in life that bring about the widest grins. Puppies, babies, small children at play, squirrels playing in the backyard, Elmo singing on YouTube, music, sunshine or someone smiling at me.
I've started taking photos of my smile makers. I call it my instant sunshine for those grey days that pop up in the Great Lakes area. When my mood seems to be down, I take a couple of minutes to look at these photos. Next thing I know, I'm finding myself smiling and feeling lighter. My brain and heart always thank me when I do this. It's a healthy choice.
What makes you smile?
Words Can Ignite the Imagination
Hats off to Cate Prato, online editor for Cloth~Paper~Scissors Today for her description of their Mixed Media magazines. "Mixed Media where passion and play live happily-ever-after." "Enter a world where passion is expressed only by immersing oneself in a sandbox of creativity and wonder."
When I read those words in her latest newsletter, my imagination started to soar. Do you have phrases or sentences that trigger your imagination and inspire your creativity?
It's All In My Head
Playing is very forgiving. It makes room for mistakes. In fact, it dares you to take a risk by calling it play. We know it's not serious so have fun with it. I've noticed lately that some of my best learning experiences have grown out of a time when I had a playful spirit when engaging in a new adventure. Is it all in my head or is there something to this? When have you brought fun into learning something new? How did it turn out?
Making the Most of Space
The beginning of each year I take time out to reflect on my use of space. I generally begin with the house because it serves as a metaphor for other spaces in my life. It's more than getting rid of clutter although that needs to occur as well. It begins with the question, what is my vision for the room. If I don't have a clear picture of how I want to use the space, it's harder to decide what goes and what stays.
I've discovered that when I use my imagination and walk through the rooms of my brain, I can find negative thoughts and old beliefs that no longer serve my purpose, too. I start with a simple vision of what I want for my life then ask myself if these thoughts and beliefs support it. I'm usually surprised by the recycled thoughts that float around in my head taking up space. At first, it is easy to merely step around them like clutter in a room but take a look at the piles of "stuff" you collect in your house.
Take a look at your office space or studio to get an idea of what could be collecting inside your brain. Do you keep throwing things on a pile saying you'll get to them later? Have you lost sight of where you are going and the room has been a "catch all" space?
Join me in this fresh beginning. Keep it simple. Take a look at a space that has been catching your attention lately. Do you sense a small irritation when you walk by it or have you reached the point that you avoid it altogether? I like to deal with things when I feel the minor irritation tugging at me. It is like having a small piece of a stone in your shoe. You can shake your foot to move the irritation temporarily. You can ignore it until it causes a sore on the bottom of your foot and then do something about it. Or, you can stop and empty your shoe so you no longer have to deal with it.
Create your vision large enough so you don't want to be tripped up by a stone. I'm starting with my office space because I've had some changes in my life that need to be reflected in how I will be using the space going forward. This year I am sharing the space with my husband. Time to also check in on what attitudes, thoughts and beliefs will go through adjustments with this new arrangements. I'm looking forward to seeing how I can creatively address both areas.
Who knows I may even see the answers in my drawings or collages? Let me know what space you're thinking about changing.
Bio Link
Imagination, creativity, and play. Do they impact brain health fitness? CJ
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