There are sooooo many excuses we give for not following our passion:
I don't have a studio/sewing room/artspace;
there are other more important calls on my time;
there is no need for what I create;
other people are more talented;
no-one wants to buy what I create;
I'm too tired after working all day;
I don't have the proper tools/skills/materials.

There is only one way to fulfill our hearts desire to create -
and that is to create.
Anywhere. Anytime. Anyhow.
Turn off the internal and external critics.
Stake out a corner of your sitting room/bedroom/laundry/carport/kitchen.
And START.
One keystroke, one brushstroke, one double crochet, one scissor snip at a time.
And CONTINUE.
A few minutes here. An hour there. A whole evening later.
And CELEBRATE
the little steps to doing what makes your soul sing:-)
It is worth every effort.

The artistry in these figures is amazing!
I particularly love the detail.

What is it that draws us to a piece of art or craft?
Why do we engage with some and not others?
Is it the role of the artist or crafter to create a connection with the viewer?
How do our preconceptions or misconceptions
affect our ability or willingness to spend time with a piece of art?
Should works of art stand alone or is it the 'back story' that immerses us in the creation?

Such sage advice ... so easily ignored.
The adjustment isn't necessarily in what we do
but in how we set about doing it.
A change in attitude.
Adopting an attentive outlook.
Developing a grateful heart and a grateful mind.
Setting societal expectations on their head -
and instead looking at what enables us to become fully human.
Happiness,
a deep internal peace and contentment,
will be the welcome by-product.

I believe creativity is intrinsic to being human.
Creativity enables us to become who we are called to be.
Creativity reflects who we are becoming.
Creativity is the medium through which we express our unique identity.
Creativity is the voice through which we proclaim our membership of the human race.
Creativity is integral
to our ability to problem solve and resolve conflict;
to the qualities of empathy and compassion;
to our ability to live harmoniously in community;
to increase our awareness;
to our journey to become fully human.

Let's enjoy our creativity.
Let's become attentive to each creative action and thought in our days.
And let's give thanks for our creative spirit.

Much time and energy is often expended by artists and artisans and crafters
worrying about whether their product is acceptable or able to be sold.
Even more is consumed by discussions about whether a piece is art or craft,
contemporary or traditional,
concrete or conceptual.
But should it matter?
To whom is it important?
Do these discussions reflect elitism and exclusivity?
 An artist's creative output is a result of an internal drive to express themselves.
Let's release the artist within!

While I agree with some of the points on this poster,
I disagree with the underlying tenet that 'creative people' are a group set apart from the crowd.
Each one of us is creative.
Every one of us makes a myriad considerations and choices throughout the day.
Eating, dressing, speaking,
the route we take to work,
how we interact, our expressions, our words.
Yes. Some are repetitive or habitual.
But much of a 'creative' person's acts are repetitive -
choosing the paints, washing brushes, sizing a canvas;
selecting fabrics, threading the machine, adjusting stitch length.
It is more about how we choose to see our world,
our actions and reactions and interactions.
It is about how we give ourselves permission to interpret our world.
Creativity is a mindset.

I enjoyed this talk.
The arguments put forward could be applied to any creative practice.
We need to reclaim the creative endeavours
which ground us;
enable us to articulate our life experiences;
provide opportunities to relate;
empower those relegated to 'second-class' either by gender or ethnicity or social standing;
honour those on whose shoulders we stand;
and give us hope.

I found this in the Little River Cafe, Akaroa.

When you buy from an artist
you are buying more than just
a painting or a novel or a song.

You are buying hundreds of hours of experimentation
and moments of pure joy.

You are buying nights of worry about paying the rent,
having enough money to eat,
having enough money to feed the children, the birds ... the dog.

You aren't just buying a thing.
You are buying a piece of heart,
part of a soul,
a private moment is someone's life.

Most importantly,
you are buying that artist
more time to do something they are truly passionate about;
something that makes all of the above worth the fear and doubt;
something that puts the life back into living.

Rebekah Joy Plett