Two Saturdays ago I participated in a Mixed Media Creativity workshop offered by Hero Arts , the sessions were taught by various artists and crafters. I enjoyed every minute of it, but admittedly watched more than I created that day. It’s on my to do list to finish the art panels and add them to my mixed media journal. I can become paralyzed by the idea that I have to “do it right”. Over and over again the creative facilitators reminded us that there is no “right” way to do mixed media. Just express yourself using whatever supplies, paper, markers and ink, that you have. One of the biggest take-aways for me was a session facilitated by Mansi Bhatia Tripathi (@mansimakes on Instagram and MansiMakes with You on Facebook). She told a story that, while in school, she was told she would never be a watercolor artist, and the impact that had on her life and creativity. Fortunately she didn’t listen! But more about Mansi in a minute.

The image I choose for today is a gift made by a dear friend. Something she said when she gave it to me has been on my mind for the two weeks since she visited! First of all, isn’t it beautiful?! I am so inspired by her garden art! She, upon handing it to me, said some things about my creativity and cards (I am a paper crafter as a side gig) and then said she is not creative. Someone that chose these colors and artfully put them together does not consider herself creative! Why do we do that? Not just downplay our gifts and talents but think creativity is something beyond us? I hope today’s blog post inspires you to think about creativity a little differently. Author Julia Cameron, wrote in her post today “We are all creative, whether we are “declared” artists or not.”

I think if we view creativity with an open mind we will see how we express our creativity each and every day. Then if we allow ourselves to express our inner creative souls even more, we will see the fruits of it in many other areas of our lives. We decorate our homes, buy and display lovely flowers in our pots and flower beds, and try to make meals that are pleasing to the eye as well as the palate. We buy clothes that will be flattering as well as comfortable. Maybe some of us let our fashion be an expression of our inner being. I select jewelry with that in mind but I want to be braver in letting my creative spirit be expressed in the clothes I buy and wear. I would like to be more conscious about this going forward. I am sure, we display children’s art with the utmost pride in their creativity. I have a beautiful abstract color painting framed and displayed that was created and given to me by my niece’s daughter, Genevieve, it’s amazing! It is a precious expression of her free and creative spirit! All of these examples are reflections of creativity.

Creative author and illustrator, Jill Badonsky, in her book The Nine Modern Muses (and a Bodyguard) encourages us that by saying “yes” to the creative process and finding ways to express it more we learn skills that we use in all areas of our lives. Skills like intuition, confidence, playfulness, flexibility, risk-taking, open-mindedness, and many more, become better honed and available to us as we move through life. I love that and certainly would welcome more of each of those in my life.

Back to Mansi and the things I have been learning from her these past couple of weeks. What a gift she has been. As she told the story from college and her art teacher, my heart broke for all of us that have been told something similar – you can’t draw, sing, or write. She has reminded us not to let external voices keep us from living our dreams and expressing ourselves. I don’t know if she had the right technique or talent, according to her teacher, for watercolor. I do know that she is a very talented and expressive artist, who by the way, was invited to be one of the founding makers on a new subscription DIY network called MadeTV. Mansi believes we all have (creative) magic within us, we simply have to open the door and let it out.

Mansi has reminded us that the end product is irrelevant, that we can just immerse ourselves in the joy of creating and expressing ourselves. It reminded me of a comment that my friend Judith wrote to me before I began this blog; “Just begin. Just write.” and not to worry if what I am writing will be read by anyone else, write for me, write what is in my heart. I begin with that each and every week but am grateful for those of you who write, text or stop me to mention that what I wrote touched you in some way.

Albert Einstein has been quoted saying “Creativity is intelligence having fun.” Poet Maya Angelou said “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” This week, let’s find moments to tell our inner critic to sit down and take a break and express our creativity in more ways, little ways. Don’t judge or compare, just express yourself. See how you feel at the end of the week.

I will end this week with the signature I use in my stamping emails.

Create Joy! Deena

Image: Garden art by my friend in one of my potted flowers.