I’ve discovered that last weekend had an ongoing theme. I found myself at a gallery grand opening on Saturday and an art festival on Sunday. Anyone who knows me can tell you, I know squat about art, and most of my appreciation for it is based purely on aesthetics.
But last weekend proved that art had more than just an “ooo, pretty” factor. It was a huge kick in the pants for my muse. By Sunday night, I was chomping at the bit (figuratively, of course) to dive head-first into both existing and new projects, from working on the elusive novel to stitching away at that duffel bag hanging from my crochet hook. I seriously considered purchasing a sewing machine on Ebay and making a trip to the gardening section of Home Depot for potted plants. Not to mention how I longed to peruse the scrapbooking and jewelry-making aisles of my local craft store. I just wanted to create something. Anything. I wanted the creative juices flowing out of me to produce wonder and excitement.
The immediate result was a gourmet-like dinner Sunday evening of roasted tofu squares topped with roasted pineapples and mango-passionfruit salsa I made myself.
I was sure that by Monday, all the muse magic would be gone. But it’s Thursday now and I’m half a chapter of revisions away from completing draft four of my thesis and have two more motifs stitched and ready to go for that duffel bag. It’s a lot of headway considering my schedule is full (like most people) of work commitments, long commutes, yoga classes and church fun. I’m quite proud of my creative accomplishments.
All this to say, if you’ve hit a dry spell in your creative endeavors, go find some magic created by other people’s muses. It may not even be a medium or craft that you’re particularly good at or have any desire to pursue (like fine art, in my case). But spending time appreciating the creations of others will do wonders for your own projects. At least, that was my experience. I’m not saying it’s a cure all for writer’s block, but it sure has worked wonders on stoking the fires that fuel my passion for the creative.
Mural outside The Artisan Lounge gallery in Downtown Miami
Delicious tofu dinner
Since artists don't really like you taking pictures of their stuff at the art festival, here is a picture of my brother's favorite purchase of the day. Let's just say he had a bunch of sugar-fueled creative ideas of his own by the time we got home.
