Make a Start! It is Not a Dress Rehearsal

 

3 Ways to Move Forward as a Creative: Embracing Personal Growth and Innovation

Creativity is a journey, not a destination. As creatives, we constantly seek ways to push our boundaries, discover new horizons, and bring our unique visions to life. Moving forward as a creative involves a blend of reflection, resourcefulness, and the courage to venture into unknown waters. Here are three ways to move yourself forward on your creative journey:

1. Embrace What You Have and See How Far You Can Go

Often, we underestimate the potential of the resources at our disposal. Whether it's a limited set of tools, a small budget, or even time constraints, these limitations can actually foster creativity. By fully embracing what you have, you can push yourself to innovate within those confines, often leading to surprising and unique outcomes.

Practical Tip: Take inventory of your current resources—skills, tools, and time. Challenge yourself to create something using only what you already have. This helps sharpen your problem-solving skills and shows how creativity can thrive under constraints.

2. Create Things You Never Thought of Before

Stepping out of your comfort zone is essential for growth. This involves experimenting with new mediums, techniques, or even genres that you haven’t explored before, you open doors to endless possibilities and new perspectives.

Practical Tip: Set a regular time for experimentation in your creative schedule. Dedicate this time solely to trying out new ideas without worrying about the outcome.

3. Bring It All Together with a Personal Touch

Your creative journey is deeply personal. It’s shaped by your experiences, beliefs, and aspirations. Bringing your personal touch into your work not only makes it unique but also resonates more deeply with your audience. Reflect on what ‘personal’ means to you and how you want to express that in your work. Also check out post - Arts and Wellness Cafe

Practical Tip: Reflect on your personal story and values. Consider how these elements can influence your creative projects. Are there specific themes or messages you want to convey? Integrate these into your work to create pieces that are truly reflective of who you are.

Moving Forward: This Is Not a Dress Rehearsal

Remember, this is not a dress rehearsal—this is your life, your creative journey. Every moment is an opportunity to create, learn, and grow. By focusing on utilizing what you have, exploring new creative environments, and infusing your personal essence into your work, you can move forward with confidence and purpose. Embrace the process, trust in your creativity, and watch as your artistic path unfolds in ways you never imagined. Stay Blessed and be a Blessing.

Before You Go.....

Remember to pick up your FREE digital download for the month on my free Patron Members link or CLICK HERE

Arts and Wellness Cafe - Enhance Your Creative Journey

 

Welcome to the second episode of the Arts and Wellness Cafe. In this episode, we are diving into our creativity, unlocking the potential of your creative journey. Have you ever wondered when that spark of creativity ignited within you? Creativity is not just a privilege reserved for artists; it's a tool that can enhance everyone's overall health and well-being in a number of ways. Check out the video for more details.

Benefits of Engaging in the Arts on Health and Well-Being

Here are a few benefits for engaging in a creative activity:

1. Stress Reduction: Engaging in creative activities such as painting, drawing, or crafting can act as a form of mindfulness, allowing you to focus on the present moment, reducing stress and anxiety.
2. Emotional Expression: Art provides a safe space for emotional expression. where you can explore and communicate your feelings.
3. Self-esteem: Completing a creative project can give you a sense of accomplishment and boost your self-esteem.
4. Increased Brain Function: Engaging in creative activities stimulates various areas of the brain, promoting memory retention, and overall mental acuity.
5. Social Connection: Participating in group creative activities, such as joining an art class or theater group, fosters social interactions and reduces feelings of isolation. Join our arts Community on my course platform HERE

Learn about the Arts Resource Hub HERE

When we explore some ways to kickstart your creative journey: There are a variety of ways you can start your Creative Journey and here are a few ideas to try:

1. Art Journaling: Begin by keeping an art journal. It can be a mix of sketches, writing, collage, or any other medium that resonates with you. Use it as a space to document your thoughts, feelings, and ideas visually.
2. Creative Writing: If you enjoy writing, start a personal blog, write short stories, or even attempt poetry. Writing allows you to explore your imagination and express your inner thoughts.
3. Crafting: There is so much joy to be found in crafting - trying activities like slow stitching, woodworking, or jewelry making or other crafts can offer a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.
4. Visual Arts: Experiment with painting, drawing, or sculpting. You don't need to be a professional artist; just pick up some supplies and start creating. The process is often more rewarding than the end result.
5. Music and Dance: Learn to play a musical instrument or enroll in dance classes. Music and dance are excellent outlets for self-expression and emotional release.
6. Photography: Capture the world through the lens of a camera. Photography allows you to find beauty in everyday moments and share your unique perspective.
7. Cooking and Culinary Arts: Get creative in the kitchen. Experiment with new recipes, flavors, cooking is a delicious form of artistry.
8. Gardening: Cultivate a garden or tend to indoor plants. Gardening connects you with nature and allows you to create a living work of art.

Join me in the Creative Garden LEARN MORE

Incorporate art into your mindfulness or meditation practice. Coloring books designed for adults or mandala drawing can be particularly soothing, and check out some cool FREE courses, there are free courses and digital downloads that you can try out.

Remember that creativity is a personal journey, and there are no right or wrong ways to explore it. The key is to start, enjoy the process, and embrace the positive impact it can have on your health and well-being.

When did you realize you wanted to do something creative? 

It's never too late to embark on this creative journey, and the benefits to your overall wellness will be worth every stroke of the brush or stitch made.

Creativity Tips - Feeling Creatively Stuck

When you are feeling stuck and not sure what to do creativity, just play with your supplies, check out my latest video of one of the ways in which I get myself back on my creative tract.

Join me on Patreon

Pass The Brush Experience! 16th & 17th July!

Today and tomorrow the 16th and 17th July is the official start of Pass the Brush and Online Art Community Event

It is an honor to be paired with Laura Bassen - a talented cardmaker at @laurafadora on Instagram.  Over the course of the next two days I will be sharing more about me and my work on her Instagram feed.

The art community is hosting “Pass the Brush,” the artistic community’s version of “Share the Mic.” Please join us as we work to amplify black artists. The objective of this event is to show solidarity within the art community and to amplify black artists so their voices can be heard and art can be seen in a broader audience. Please follow the hashtag #PassTheBrushArt

The project was brought together by Rachel Bellamy and Dina Wakley to Unmute and to Amplify.  Tim Holtz is our Presenter over the next two days and it is going to be an amazing time of sharing within the Online Art Community

So Come and join us and get to know the artists that are taking part.

We are also having a series of Giveaways

Our Sponsors for the Giveaway

Artists Taking Part

Giveaway Guidelines

In an act of Solidarity and Community, Pass the Brush is hosting a giveaway with multiple prizes. The aim is to Amplify Black Artists, increase traffic and followers to guest artists, and improve engagement with guest artists channels to disrupt the algorithm and diversify the art community's feeds after the Pass The Brush event


TO ENTER:

1. Follow all Pass The Brush Guest Artists on their Instagram feed

I will also be sharing this link on Instagram so you can just click on their links to follow - 
@paperdivanoir @thekathrynwheel @opheliastaton @creationsbyjsheri @jannettesimmons @shemidixon @mzdanajoy @trenabrannon @iamclassygirl @reddragonflystudio @juicychristians @mystele1

@realityarts @craftsofadifferentshade @marticesmithart @rarebirds @confidentcanvas @iamsarahmatthews @letsdesigncreative @pocono.pam @tdmamm2012 @queenpreneur @kialagives @dnrenee @kreativekymona

2. Tag 3 or more friends on the main post on post to share the giveaway and encourage them to join you in showing solidarity within the art community.

3. Share this graphic in your stories and use the hashtag #passthebrushart

4. Once complete, go to [www.passthebrushcommunity.com](http://www.passthebrushcommunity.com/) and enter to win giveaway prizes from our sponsors.


Giveaway Details: Open to everyone, however, certain prizes are only available to U.S. participants due to postal limitations and costs.

I hope you can join us, stay blessed and be a blessing

Pass the Brush Giveaway closes 7/24/2020 midnight PST and all winners will be chosen from those registered by email. A list of winners will be notified by email with instructions about their prizes.

Arts and Wellness Studio Talk - Episode 229

Welcome to my studio - Mixed Media Artist Amanda Trought

Welcome to Arts and Wellness - Episode

In today's episode I talk about some of the work that I have been doing, the importance of being creative and having some activities that may not be related to your main creative output - say using a different medium.

Listen to the Podcast

Textile projects

Check out the Unmuted - celebration of black women artists - this is just a drop in the ocean.  Check out some of their work and show some love.

Realityarts Podcast - Episode 67 - Family OUT NOW!

Today on the podcast I talk about Family and what it means to me, both the immediate and extended.  I also touch on those people who you spark from and feel sometimes on first meeting as if you have known them for a long time.  

Coming Home - Mixed Media Art Page

Take out your journal and create a page about what your family means to you, what memories of your family do you have, and experiences that you want to hold on to and pass down to younger generations.

Join me on the podcast, you can also listen on your favorite platform and find me on there as well, I am looking forward to connecting with you

If you listen to podcasts on different platforms check below and see if yours is listed and you will be able to enjoy my podcast from there, take your pick!

Anchor 

Google  Podcasts

Spotify

Breaker

Castbox

Pocket  Casts

RadioPublic

Overcast     

Stitcher 

Apple Podcasts

Stay blessed and be a blessing

Podcasting Week - 2018 & Creative Live Free on Air Classes

It is Podcasting Week 2018. 

I had always wanted to get into Podcasting over the years but never followed it through. I got into radio and did a 3 year stint on local community radio. It was great, and I found doing the research for the show interesting and knowing the power of radio in taking the message out to potentially the world! 

I have always recording my thoughts on my phone using the voice recorder or video and found I had a lot of content that I could use. I jumped in feet first this year and signed up onto a platform called Anchor. It is very easy to use and you get a good quality sound just from using your phone. It also shares your recording on a selection of 9 other podcasting platforms.

If you have been considering making your own podcasts I encourage you to take the step. I started out making one recording a week, and now I am better familiar with editing and uploading I have started releasing two episodes a week. You can obviously do as little or as much as you like.

The advances of technology now means that you can create your own radio talk show, you decide the hours, and collaboration, location. Think about the topics that you can talk about, or who you want to talk with. It is a great opportunity to share your voice with the world.

Weekly Podcasts - This weeks - Letting go of negative words

Most of all don't hide your ideas away, take the leap, be bold, make that step, and you will have amazing memories to look back on.

There are some courses that you can do to give you a good start and you can take a look at some of the courses offered by Creative Live. You can start learning for free with the selection of live and on air classes. You will learn creative skills from top experts, and with over 1,500 curated classes in Photography & Video, Money & Life, Craft & Maker, Art & Design, and Music & Audio, and more!  There is something for everyone.

Creative Live is has a selection of on-air broadcasts for free or you can purchase a class and own the content for life.

Additionally, you can get your daily creative fix on the iOS app with 1 free lesson of your choice, each and every day. I have included some upcoming classes below for you to check out.

Check Out CreativeLive's Free On-Air Classes

Free On-Air Classes - Week of 9/23

Class Name: Automate and Outsource Your Work

Text Link: Automate and Outsource Your Work Class at CreativeLive

Start Date: 09/23/2018

End Date: 09/24/2018

RSVP Date: 09/23/2018

Class Name: Podcasting for Crafters and Makers

Text Link: Podcasting for Crafters and Makers Class at CreativeLive

Start Date: 09/24/2018

End Date: 09/25/2018

RSVP Date: 09/24/2018

Class Name: Grow Your Business with YouTube

Text Link: Grow Your Business with YouTube Class at CreativeLive

Start Date: 09/25/2018

End Date: 09/26/2018

RSVP Date: 09/25/2018

Class Name: Foundations in Metalsmithing: Bracelets

Text Link: Foundations in Metalsmithing: Bracelets Class at CreativeLive

Start Date: 09/27/2018

End Date: 09/28/2018

RSVP Date: 09/27/2018

Class Name: Getting Started with Pen, Ink & Markers

Text Link: Getting Started with Pen, Ink & Markers Class at CreativeLive

Start Date: 09/28/2018

End Date: 09/29/2018

RSVP Date: 09/28/2018

Try and check out some of the courses, I will definitely be checking them out and will share at some point on the blog.

Check out my podcast, and let me know if you would like to be join me on one of the episodes.

Why not do something new, you never know where it will lead, or add to the work that you are currently doing. Let me know how you get on, or which ones you might try.  Stay blessed and be a blessing.

What about the VLOG? Episodes 1 and 2

Alright, so I dived right in and have started to VLOG!

Yes I have started small, and hope to do a hourly, daily, weekly ok at the moment a sometime vlog talking about the things that are coming up at the moment, and more.  When I started I wanted to do it daily, but life, time, and over promising myself got the better of me, so I totally stopped. The desire to do it was still there, so I decided to break it down a bit, take the self imposed pressure off and do it as a weekly-ish Realityarts Vlog

I moved home had to do the packing and unpacking - I am on my 4th studio space, will share more soon.  I had courses and exhibitions to deal with and lots of other things that seem to be vying for time, and I want to share some of it on video, but I really underestimated just how long it would take.

Join me anyway on my YouTube channel, are you on your own creative journey and want some inspiration, or want to break-in, don't quite know where to start?  Well over time I will be providing some of the answers (from my perspective). I will be sharing what excites and motivates me, and inspiration from other artists - you accompany me on a creative tropical adventure. 

I will also cover in my VLOG the highs and lows of relocating that we found and how we adjusted to a new way of life, answer questions, tell you about new techniques and courses that I am involved with and so much more.

Episode 2 Series 1

Episode 1, Series 1

The third episode which is well over due should be with you this week and perhaps that will be the regular viewing date, I am trying to keep myself to a schedule - (a work in progress), rather than like sniper fire.

Anyway I hope you enjoy, and join me on the creative journey, we only have one life, why not live it to the full and step out and do the things that bless you and can inspire others in some way.  Go on, I dare you!  High Five..... I'm daring myself so you can't leave me hanging!

Do check out some of my other social sites, that seem to take up so much time....

Instagram

Facebook
Website

Pinterest - don't you just love all the different boards, no more piles of magazines with circles around things that inspire you or that you just like..

Anyway, thanks for getting this far, stay blessed and be a blessing

Amanda