This was originally posted June 10, 2010
This week I've been attending a Design conference in Denver, and it has been such an amazing experience that I just had to share it with you!
As a creative person, I am constantly exposing myself to visual stimulation, and interaction with other passionately creative people. As our industry reaches out to those in their 20s and 30s, hoping they will inject new ideas and new energy into the quilting and sewing world, I am seeking out the hotbeds of raw youthful creative talent to just see what these young people are up to! (Now that I am over 50, I can call them Young People. Ha!)
One of the presentations I attended was given by a prolific artist/designer named Mike Perry. No you won't see his work in the quilting industry, but he started as a graphic artist with Urban Outfitters, and more recently has worked freelance with big name corporations. However what he is known for is obsessively "Making Stuff" which was the name of his presentation. He literally makes art every day. A LOT of art. He draws, paints, constructs and deconstructs, makes books and videos and zines, has gallery exhibits and collaborates with other artists and photographers. The large audience sat in silent awe as he clicked through his Power Point images and videos, making self-deprecating jokes but obviously confidant about his creative process.
When someone in the audience asked him how to get past a creative block to get started, Mike said basically, "Just do it. Just make things. Make art. Make make make." He suggested – to a young digital artist – to just go into an art supply store, buy what one is attracted to, then go home and get to it.
Seems so simple, right?
Now you are probably wondering why I have started off here with a photo of a bunny, green grass, and rocks.
This is a zoom photo I took at Stonehenge (England) in March.
I took a ton of photos as we walked all the way around the circle of monoliths, but this shot was my favorite. Why? Because it captured a unique moment in that iconic setting. There was something about this image that really inspired me. Today when I was at the design conference, I thought about this image. I felt like I was a bunny in the middle of the buzzing energy of the ancient stones. Just hangin' out with the Buzz.
So I invite you to go hang out in a place that gives you a Creative Buzz, and then just go make stuff.
Do it today.
It's good for your soul.
Luana
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