Back to Basics...

It is such a good feeling when an all-consuming project/obligation and ultimately accomplishment, is over.

Now I can get back to the basics...the little things you do just for the sake of doing them.

For me, that's much more than my full-time teaching, its rolling around with the pups, starting our summer garden, working on the Indie BIZ, reading up on raising chickens (my summer project), sewing, crafting, blogging and maybe, just maybe, learning how to make french macaroons...finally! I also have a little role in a dinner theater production this Spring- anybody know any good memorization apps?

digital manipulation of a glass sketch by marisol diaz

In the end it's like having a whole field of possiblities open wide in front of you. Still, the key to wonderful and productive next 6 months will be to have as little self-imposed stress which means avoiding projects with hard-pressed deadlines- those just kill me! Though judging by responses to this last exhibit, putting me under pressure cooker settings can actually produce fantastic results.

I'm pretty bad at avoiding such opportunities so a major goal will be to STAY STRESS FREE.

BTW, I recv'd two more penpal letters Yay!! and some super cute, made-with-love notes.

Still working on that new giveaway for you all...and I'm wondering - even doing something you love for a mandated date can turn it into 'work' - So how do you stay STRESS FREE??

-Ciao Amarettogirl

An Alternative Way to Think About the Creative Process

Seeing as I've been feeling a little under the gorgeous Northern Eastcoast weather this weekend, I spent a good portion of time laying back perusing through some of the amazing talks on TED. Something I highly recommend to any creative whenever they have 18 minutes to spare.

TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from those three worlds. Currently Ted features an amazing online community and offers what I consider to be a phenomenal set of free, brilliant, educational video-talks on what they appropriately have tagged 'Ideas Worth Spreading'. Their mission is to make the world a better place by the spreading of ideas.

So here is just one of many TED ideas that I want to help share, especially with my readers since this blog is on living an art-full life. This idea comes from Elizabeth Gilbert, the author of best selling book, Eat, Pray, Love. Her idea is that instead of the rare person "being" a genius, all of us "have" a genius. She's an excellent, inspiring speaker and this talk was just what every creative needs to hear every time they ask themselves, 'What's next?'

I hope you received a spark or an 'a ha' moment from this video. Let me know, as I will most likely be featuring Ted talks again!