It’s time for the merry-go-round topic of the month, which eleven women discuss, each from her own point of view. This month the question is “Do you take a holiday from your craft or art?”
I’m in the US visiting my sister and her family this summer holiday. Being away from home and the studio forces us to take a break, at least from regular creating. But the change of surroundings, the hot weather, the family activities and time outdoors create a relaxed frame of mind, allowing inspiration to bubble up. To keep track of ideas, I draw in my sketchpad using wax crayons and markers to make it more colorful and fun! My pad is full of beetles, moths, butterflies and exotic fish.
And as I can’t seem to stay away from sewing for long, I’m working on some small animal plushies made from vintage patterns with my nine-year-old niece. Lots of skills for her to learn: reading a pattern, cutting, marking, stuffing firmly, finishing a project. We’ve made a bear cub, a donkey and a giraffe so far.
We all need breaks from regular activities, even if we love what we do. Perhaps especially if we love what we do, and want to continue loving it. While we may not be constantly making art, artists are always, to quote Anne Lamott, “taking in everything that comes along, seeing it as grist for the mill.” She was talking about writers, but I think it applies to all creatives.
Have a great holiday wherever you are, and soak in all that you can!
Here are my favorite summer books (very inspiring):
Bird by Bird Anne Lamott
A Whole New Mind Daniel H. Pink
Wicked Bugs Amy Stewart
An Inordinate Fondness for Beetles Arthur Evans and Charles Bellamy
Find out what the other merry-go-round members are doing on their holiday. We’re in several time zones, so check back if the post you’re looking for isn’t up yet.
Monika at Red2White
Ruth at Birdland Creations
Kim at Vilt a la Kim
Sara at Crafts of Texture
Mariana at Florcita
Agathe at Le Bar du Vent
Mitsy at ArtMind
Jen at Painted Fish Studio
Samantha at Vintage is for Lovers
Bethany at Dirksen Dabbles
4 Comments
Great quote from Anne Lamott. Thanks for the book recommendations too – I’ll be checking into those! Enjoy your time in the US.
Great quote indeed— it does sum up what we all seem to be saying one way or another… And thenks for the reading tips— I’m curious too!
You’re right, we need a break for sure although I hardly ever seem to treat myself one… Love the book reccomandations, perhaps I should start there hey?
Enjoy your time with your family, Laura! Can’t wait to see in 3D what you’ve got in your sketchbook now!
Absolutely! Artists are definitely very busy people as we are constantly taking in everything (at least that’s my experience too) and it’s important to take time off from that. Kudos for teaching your niece. I was just thinking the other day how much patience my home economics teacher had for teaching 20 12 year olds how to sew!