18 Nov
Before the Creative Process
THE GREAT GRATITUDE ADVENTURE/ DAY EIGHTEEN/ DISGUISES
Sometimes we forget.
We taste only the icing. We see only the end result. We hear only the applause.
We forget that creative inspiration wears many disguises.
We either forget or are not privy to what led up to…..
Monet’s Waterlily Paintings
Musical Artist Adele’s latest hit song
Actor Morgan Freeman’s sterling performance
Comedian Jim Carey’s ability to make us laugh
Creativity in it’s raw form can appear….
Off-track (Monet on waterlilies..”It took me time to understand my water lilies. I had planted them for the pleasure of it; I grew them without ever thinking of painting them.”–what, you mean he spent time GARDENING instead of painting?!@#)
Foolish (Actor Jim Carey of comedic fame openly admits he has made faces at himself in the mirror for years with threats from his mother that he would go to you know where for doing so!)
Childish (Rob Dyrdek of skateboard fame has probably endured more than a few looks of “get a real job man” before parlaying his skateboarding talent into 15 ml net worth)
Lazy (Truman Capote said of himself, I am a completely horizontal author. I can’t think unless I’m lying down, either in my bed or on a couch….)
Creativity often springs from times of inactivity (translated, things that are not obviously related to our creative work) Inactivity that we and/or those around us might interpret as lazy, as waste of time and money, decadent, or selfish.
Note to Self: Inspiration can’t be scheduled, it must be allowed for.
Notice when and where your creative ideas happen. Is it during or after a recent trip to the movies, from discovering a new musical artist, a long walk in a new place, a nap in the middle of the day, a drive to no where in particular, in the tub or shower, the latest novel?
Creative inspiration arises out those times when we take time to fill our well instead of drinking from it.
Be a sleuth.
Uncover the mystery of when and where your creative inspiration happens.
THE GRATITUDE WINNER FOR TODAY IS…..
Barbara Budan
Yah Barbara !! Click here to send me your email address:)
Here’s tomorrow’s Gratitude Giveaway:))
The digital version of my book, The Artist’s Toolbox, One artist’s approach (namely….me) on getting serious about the marketing of art. It is written with those artists in mind who have been wanting to get started—thinking of websites, blogs and more—but were at a loss as to where to begin.
What are you grateful for today??
I’m hoping you are beginning to feel the peace that comes from taking stock of all the amazing gifts in life. Sharing what you are grateful for in the comment section is a gift to all who read it:))
I am excited to do the daily giveaways and really excited about the end of the month giveaways—one of which will be a Kindle Reader (and that’s not the big gift:)))!
(To leave a comment , scroll to bottom of today’s post and click on COMMENTS.
Please note, if you received this blog post in your inbox, click here to go to my blog, THEN scroll to bottom of today’s post and click on COMMENTS. Need more help? Click here:)
Did you just discover the Gratitude Adventure?? Welcome! Here’s the scoop on what it is.
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Art, Humor and Inspiration–In Your Inbox!
Dreama’s 2013 Workshop Dates Click to View
To reply to this post, email Dreama at:
Dreama@DreamaTollePerry.com–Thanks!
To reply to this post, email Dreama at:
Dreama@DreamaTollePerry.com–Thanks!
I don’t drop many comments, however i did a few searching and wound up here “THE GREAT GRATITUDE ADVENTURE/ DAY EIGHTEEN/ DISGUISES”. And I do have a couple of questions for you if you tend not to mind. Is it simply me or does it give the impression like a few of these responses look as if they are coming from brain dead folks? 😛 And, if you are posting on additional places, I would like to keep up with anything fresh you have to post. Would you make a list of all of your community sites like your Facebook page, twitter feed, or linkedin profile?
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Grateful for all the family that was here for the holiday. Three days of various grandkids whose laughter and joy are infectious!! Nancy Makar
I am grateful that I am in a place where I can hear the ocean out my window. It is both peaceful and powerful.
AG
I am grateful that I got in Dreama’s July workshop; so looking forward to it.
Karen Chamblin
I am thankful today for waking up at 6:00 A.M. to the sound of my grandaughter telling Grammie to get up quick…the cartoons are on!
Dee Eisenbarth
Amazing! This blog looks just like my old one!
It’s on a totally different topic but it has pretty much the same page layout and design. Wonderful choice of colors!
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Im grateful that I finally (just tonight) have my new art blog working and ready for visitors!
I learned all about it form your Dreama (and AHA, and Leslie) http://swiderskifineart.blogspot.com/
THANK YOU!
I am grateful for flannel sheets so warm and soft.
Another great post! I’ve been studying the creative process of certain artists, and I find it fascinating. Here’s what I wrote about U2 on my blog:
“Anyway, while healing from my own back surgery and looking forward to the [U2]show, I started reading more about the band, paying particular attention to the interplay between band members and their creative process. It seems they are successful because they have faith in themselves, each other and their art; they check their individuals egos at the door; and they are committed to each other and to the process. A process that includes, as Andrew Robinson relates, “spend[ing] days in the studio slogging through various soundscapes. Most days are long, tiring, and frustrating. It is common for the four band members to end the day with absolutely nothing to show for it. But if they remain committed to this arduous, mundane process long enough something brilliant begins to emerge.” (Robinson’s quote is part of his larger discussion of the documentary film It Might Get Loud and the creative process in general.) In other words, they’re just like most of us – they have to work hard to get somewhere. Still.”
Today, I’m grateful for the wonderful weather we will have for most of this week — sunny and in the fifties! A great week to celebrate Thanksgiving — sunny and mild enough to really enjoy long walks with friends and family.
I am grateful for memories made and memories yet to make!
I am grateful for another beautiful day.
I am thankful for wonderful parents and family. Sue C
Love the painting!
Thankful for my own garden space to relax in.
Etta Hermann
Thankful for answers to prayer. vicki morgan
I am very thankful that 2 of my 13 foster kitties (Capone and Polka Dot LOL!) found their forever homes with 2 awesome families both with kids to offer tons of love. I love when the next generation learns to how to treat, love and respect animals. <3 I will miss them dearly but am so happy at the same time.
Monica Avila
P.s. I think this is one of my absolute favorite paintings of yours Dreama. Just beautiful!
Monica A
I am grateful that the art tasks that need doing are falling neatly into place after seeming so long like an insurmountable obstacle.
I am grateful today for my friend who introduced me to and encourages me in my adventure into charcoal portraits — even though it is still unfamiliar turf to me and therefore terrifying (in a good way).
Karen Gifford
I’m thankful for a burst of energy to accomplish some tasks on my
“to do” list.
Linda White
Today I am grateful for a new acquaintance that will likely change my life for the better.
Brenda Smith
Today as you mention inspiration, I am grateful for the internet and all the fabulous art and artists waiting for me to discover them. The internet allows me to see so much inspiring art, that makes me just want to head to my studio in response.
So grateful to have gotten back into the studio today- it feels so good!
I am so grateful for every day that I am able to spend with my mum and dad who are 77 and 75 as I know that one day they won’t be around.
I’m grateful for the rain because it heals, nourishes, & cleanses the earth, plants, animals, & humans ~ It’s very energizing & fills us with positive energy ~
I’m grateful for my cats— they give me such pleasure just to watch them !!!
I am grateful for my family and friends who will be joining us for Thanksgiving.
Toady I am grateful to my neighbor for teaching me a new artistic skill and encouraging me.
I am thankful for my youngest brother and my lovely husband and for all the love they show in their own quiet ways x
Frances, Saint- benoit-du-sault
Beautiful music at church today . . . Let It Be a Dance. Wow.
Wild Arts Festival – Great art – great inspiration!
Cathy J
I am grateful for the beautiful sunrise this morning.
Wonderful post again Dreama! A favorite artist friend of mine, Nancy, talks about living life and those experiences and bringing that back to JOY in your paintings. I totally agree and enjoy seeing how even those little things can be disguised along the way and become huge inspiration for something fabulous! I am totally grateful for teachers who give so openly with everything they have in their art and in friendship!
Forgot to add my name.
Linda Will
I am thankful for our Thanksgiving Dinner at our church tonight. We’ll have turkey, ham, and all the fixins !
Always give thanks. , thats is the secret
Always give thanks. , thats is the secret
I am grateful for humor and laughter in my life. I have friends and a husband who lighten and brighten my days with their sense of humor.
I am grateful for my well-being and health! Some days it can seem hard to get out of bed and move forward!
I am grateful for a husband that supports me in every way in my creative endeavors even when he doesn’t understand them at first.
Dee Eisenbarth
I am grateful for my sisters. They help me remember where I came from. They are so supportive of me, even though we don’t agree on most things. Also, I am thankful for the ability to drive. I love driving around looking for ideas to put into paintings, wether I ever use them for that or not.
Brenda Gibbs (misspelled whether) it’s hard to edit in this box.
I am grateful for the song in my heart…
I am thankful for the beautiful, sunny day!
Today I am very thankful for a wonderful night’s sleep…and good dreams!
Today I am grateful for rain because it makes me want to stay inside and make art. Thanks again for a great post.
Grateful that my daughter’s play went well for her!
Sunshine and blue skies here in Eastern Ky and Southern Ohio. I’m thankful that I can get outside and enjoy and be inspired by nature.
Thank you for reminding me that ‘time off’ from my painting is still a part of it.
I am in a season of artistic rest – thank you for confirming that this time is OK and even necessary!
Grateful for my husband’s smile, especially when I dont realize at a particular time that I really need to see and feel it.
Today I’m grateful that it’s a beautiful, sunny day in central Illinois. Just not looking forward to that snow yet.
Grateful for friends both far, and near.
I’m so grateful for this rainy day in Sardegna… cozy in our little place here… overlooking the sea… nothing to do but read and paint (and eat!)
Greeting to all of Dreama’s soulful friends …
This is such wonderful and delicious food for thought, Dreama.
With me, it was simply and enjoying a leisurely cup of cup of coffee, in my kitchen, lingering sometimes for longer than I ‘should have’ been (when things like laundry, dishes, cleaning needed to be done). It did not seem, at first, to be the most creative thing to be doing, but for me, at that moment, it was. That eureka moment, creative/inspiration-wise, was definitely not scheduled – it just happened in its own time, and just casually waited for me to take notice and follow it up, and follow it through.
Walks along the country lanes, up towards the mountains or by our nearby lake also and very often offer so many inspiring moments that get the creative spark lit – I’ve since learned to always bring along either my journal or a sketchbook.
For those times, I will always be grateful.
For today (and for the past 27+ years), I am grateful for the love, support and constant creative encouragement from my beloved husband. Although he is an artist in his own right, he takes time out from working on his own paintings and art to help me when I sometimes get’stuck’ with my crafts projects.
I am grateful that I can trust that results don’t have to be immediately visible in order feel “successful”. After seeds are planted, they spend a lot of time underground doing important work before the fruit appears!
beautiful reminder! i’m thankful for things so much bigger and more beautiful than i can work up in my imagination or with my paint brush — an early run through the neighborhood this morning and watching the sunset. truly spectacular! and i felt small once again.
I am grateful for that steaming cup of coffee
sitting on my desk…and the rest of my
chocolate glazed Krispy Kreme…
and paintings waiting for more color.
Monica Dahl
I am thankful for the artistic talents that so many people have, that help add beauty to my world!
Christy Royse Miller
really grateful for good friends who keep me going. Love the bench in this painting today, Dreama
Nice leisurely New York Times kind of Sunday
I am grateful for you, Dreama, and other artists who share their experience and wisdom with art students like myself.
I am grateful that I was in last week’s workshop. I gained new inspiration from Dreama and the wonderful group of women artists I had the pleasure to meet. Grateful my good friend could travel with me and share the experience.
Marilyn
I am grateful for all the wonderful comments and for you Dreama!
There are so many things in my life to be grateful for. Today I am especially thankful for being able to live live in a beautiful place with a nice studio and inspiration right out my window.
I am grateful to just be today. After a nice walk with my husband, I am going to relax!
I am grateful for my art students, they are my joyful blessings!
I am so grateful for this day of rest which I sorely need. Sitting in bed savoring my coffee and thinking about doing a little painting later in the day. But just color exercises, no brain strain today!!
Grateful for time spent with my grown son and daughter-in-law and the inspirational example of enthusiasm and open-heartedness they and their beautiful daughter (grandchild #1) offer.
I am grateful for friends we’ve known for 30 years. Last night they had us over for a delicious dinner and lots of conversation about art, politics and world travel. It was wonderful to get together.
I am gratefully for sunshine. Lorraine Kendel
Thank You for a great post! I am grateful for this reminder to allow ourselves time out from our busy schedules to relax, re-charge and be open to new sources for our inspiration!
Happy Sunday everyone!
Today I am grateful for all the abundant gifts that this wonderful planet gives to us everyday!
What a wonderful post. I love your examples. I am grateful for people that make me laugh
I am grateful for enough food to eat, warmth, hot water, clothes, sunshine, transportation, music,health, children, laughter, …
Dana Burton
I am grateful for my daughter who is a wonderful mother now.
Barb Krell
I’m thankful for my husband. He finds it impossible to understand me (me being wired differently as an artist) but for 30 years, has continued to try to understand me and is supportive even when he’s scratching his head….
Today and every day,I am thankful and grateful that I can see the beauty in things not so perfect. I am especially happy when I can crate something from thosethings. It is what the Japanese call…Wabi Sabi. I call it making a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. (No offense to a sow.)
Annette Proimos
Today I am grateul for Florida sunshine as we haven’t seen much of it in the past four days!
Grateful always for my life in America.
Today, I’m thankful for artists who give of themselves to help others.
I’m grateful for my Tuesday art days when I take the whole day to paint with my mentor and fellow artists. (…We don’t call it Tuesday at our house, it’s ‘Art-day’!) ~My favorite day of the week.:). Linda, Nevada
I am thankful for the freedom to worship our Lord, Jesus Christ!!!
Carol Morris
Today I’m grateful for Dreama’s reminder to be aware of times/places where inspiration resides and to make room for it in our daily lives.
Thankful for the freedom to worship my Lord and Savior.
I am grateful for spending time with my good friends this weekend. Friends are inspiration for living and painting!
I am grateful I have those times to allow for inspiration, usually a good brisk walk to clear the mind.
I am thankful for the Internet and the growth it has inspired in so many.
I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to be creative.
Working practically 24/7 on a big project, it feels good to take a little time away and even rest, taking “time to fill (my) well instead of drinking from it” <-you! thq!.
I’m so grateful to participate in a workshop this week end and feel so inspired by the good humoured, easy going and very talented instructor. I’ve admired his work for awhile so it’s great to be taught by him.
I am thankful today for being able to say I am another year older. 49! wow! one more away from half a century lolol, I can honestly say that at this point in my life I am thankful for all of life’s experiences good and the difficult for that is what made me the person I am today, and I would not change me….I do look forward to growing and evolving.. life is good
Happy birthday, Tami! Wishing you the best of everything for today, and for the coming years.
I am grateful my other and grandmother, who documented their lives through photographs.
I am grateful for the friends I have online.
I am grateful that my family is all safe and healthy and I love them all! Can’t see all this holiday, but that leaves Christmas to look forward to that, and I am thankful for promises of the future.
I am grateful for my daughter being home for the week!
Mary Beth Harrison
I’m grateful for my babes little hugs and kisses and “I Love Yous”.
I am grateful for good friends and family
I am so thankful for our little granddaughter, Addi. We went to her third birthday party yesterday. What a sweetheart. I am thankful for the fog that dressed up all the trees with frost yesterday, too. What a beautiful sight. My grandma used to say that God did a good job decorating:))
I am thankful for my faith in God, and his son Jesus Christ. This is what gets me through my toughest days and makes me keep striving to be a better person.
I am grateful for having opportunities and assistance show up right when I need them( or maybe my ability to recognize what was already there).
I am grateful for artists who blog! I get a lot of excitement for making my own art from looking at other outstanding works. Thanks Dreama!
Carol Hickerson
I’m grateful for green salads and fresh fruits! Yum!
I am grateful for another beautiful day in North Texas. Cindy K
I love to drive down the highway and notice how many landscape painting ideas I see. I am grateful for trees, grasses, bushes, etc. that compose themselves into paintings for the eye.
I am thankful for friends to cook a fabulous meal for us! Love and care went into it!
I am grateful today for my continuous good health
I am grateful to be able to worship in the church of my choice with my husband, children and grandchildren. Thankful for those blessings.
Ann Reed
Another beautiful sunny morning in La Grange, KY! I am grateful that I can prepare food to take to church this morning for our monthly lunch! Poppy Chicken, Broccolli and Caufiflower salad, cranberry salad and devilled eggs! I am thankful that I know Dorothy Dent from whom I got the chicken and salad recipe from attending her classes in art! Sherry Crouse, sherrycrouse@yahoo.com, http://www.sherrycrouseart.com
I am grateful for time spent with family and friends.
I have many things to be grateful for! My heart goes out to some of my friends and acquaintances dealing with health issues or suffering losses. I’m so thankful that, for now, my life is relatively uncomplicated and I am healthy and happy!
I joined a dog walking oriantation course today. From now I will be walking dogs every week, that are in a shelter and have no home. There are people out there doing such great work, all on a volantry basis. Yvonne Ankerman, sunny South Africa
God bless you for doing that for them, Yvonne.
Grateful to be able to see beyond the storms and know the sun will shine again! god’s promise to always be with us- we are NEVER alone!
I am grateful for our move to Venice, Florida. Yesterday I was able to take a waterolor class with Anne Abgott in Bradenton. I am grateful for her kindness and the generosity of her teaching.
Today I am grateful that I have a wonderful relationship with my daughter, something that I doubted as she was growing up… She is giving me the glorious title of “Grandma” in a few months – it just doesn’t get better!
Today I am grateful for memories of my dog, who brought us more joy than we ever imagined a pet could. His sad face in the window when we left, his warm greeting when we came home, and his wagging tail showed how much he loved us. He taught us to appreciate the moment and live life to the fullest.
Grateful to have the opportunity to win your wonderful gifts and most of all learn from you to take time to appreciate little things in our lifes…
Very grateful that Adele has her voice back!!
Very grateful that Adele has her voice back!!
Another beautiful morning with the sun hitting the golden leaves….just right. Gayle
Grateful for my husbands great gardening skills (and being able to spend time out there…there IS such a thing as therapeutic weed pulling).
Grateful for the reminder to take my nose off the grindstone and look around!
Today I’m grateful that my family will be together this week and for all the love we have for each other.
Today I’m grateful foe Fellowship lunch at church. Every 3rd Sunday of the month we gather together after service and enjoy each others company. It makes for a great day.
I am grateful for a plethora of things…the least important sounding of the lot is the one that gives me the biggest smile this morning…I am getting my hair cut today! 😀
I am very grateful to be an artist and have the opportunity to see the world with a creative mind.
I am grateful to the hospital staff that saved my friends husband who had a heart attack this week.
Marilyn Troutman
I am grateful for my good health. What a precious gift!
Today I am grateful for family time.
I am grateful for great friends to paint with!
I am grateful for my family and for the love we share for o e another I good times and in tough times…. Thank you Dreama for the reminder to be thankful and grateful… I enjoy your postings and your art…
Today I am grateful for choices. Yes, I do have a choice, I will be happy.
I’m grateful for all the support and encouragement my dear husband gives me for my art.
Today I am grateful for the chance to paint my son’s house inside. Creativity and doing a good job doesn’t have to be a sold painting.
Dee Eisenbarth
Sorry I missed a day, not because I wasn’t grateful but I was in the air and not connected. Today I’m grateful having the hootspa to buy a one way ticket to Paris and hope my “Postcards from Paris” sell so I can buy a ticket back. I’m also grateful to my Parisian pals for allowing me to stay in their home while they are away. I was inspired by your postcards from Italy Dreama; thank you so much for the idea. I took photos around Versailles town and market today and can’t for time to get painting tomorrow. 🙂 Sea Dean
Wow!
A one-way ticket to Paris!? How amazingly brilliant that is! Yes – that is definitely quite a bit of chutzpah to do this for yourself, for your passion for art. Wow!
I wish you the best time in Paris. May you sell lots of ‘postcards from Paris’ all the while you’re there. Have a truly magical, wonderful adventure on your Parisienne holiday.
Thankful for good weather.
#18…bare trees framed by pink light
faye christian phillips
I am grateful for the dream I had last night that I met Van Gogh. WOW!!!!!
Today I am grateful for friends. That’s it. Friends.
I am grateful for your daily reminders of what we should be grateful for. We often forget about the little things and your reminders have been wonderful.
Today I am grateful for the technology which allows such opportunities for artists to learn and grow, and which inspires creativity.
Early riser for today…..I am grateful for the “behind” the scenes people in my live……the newspaper carrier left the paper as usual this early in the morning. Hardly every a day is missed. How grateful to have dependability in my life….even in the smallest of gifts….the word…
pattyo
Thank you Dreama. After i have watched artist demonstrations I feel inspired to paint myself.
I am thankful to be in a relationship where the only one that criticizes my work habits is me.
I’m also thankful for my copy of Dreama’s Artists Toolbox, which helps me work more efficiently(when I’m not napping). I’ve found her suggestion of making a pass code notebook really handy, among other tips that save my sanity. If you don’t win one, buy one! Great!
Grateful that you have done all that groundwork for the betterment of the artist as well as the human being. Thank you Dreama for your enlightment.
Teresa in San Diego
Painting allows me the freedom to be in a place or time of my own. I have the freedom to dream, see what is not there and imagine. It takes me away to another place and let’s what is inside of me come out. Phyllis Elliott
I am grateful for the peace of today; of the knowledge that no matter what, everything is how it should be. I am grateful that my creative juices are flowing once more, and I am so excited about painting again – and being who I am supposed to be!
Alma Marshall
The best time for me to paint is when I start dreaming about painting. Or if I go see a really good art exhibit. My juices start flowing and I reach for my oil paints and start blending them. If I force myself to paint because it has been too long : That never comes out how I wsnt it too ! Blessings to you, Nancy Piros
The best time for me to paint is when I start dreaming about painting. Or if I go see a really good art exhibit. My juices start flowing and I reach for my oil paints and start blending them. If I force myself to paint because it has been too long : That never comes out how I wsnt it too ! Blessings to you, Nancy Piros
I am grateful that I live in the United States of America and am free to paint and work as I choose.
I like the modern conveniences we have: hot running water at the flip of a switch, electricity to power many of our items that we take for granted, doctors and medicine to help us when we get sick, a nice home, and many more blessings I will reserve for another post.
Carol Barbian
So happy to enjoy your paintings and postings daily.
-gigi
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