Creativity Cure 2

• Keep a daily passion log. What makes your heart race? What causes you to lose track of time? Take note of these, for at least a month or longer. It will give you great insights on which creative projects to pursue.
  
  

Slightly Askew in Cleveland

(Image Courtesy of Slightly Askew)

Because I am an advocate for using the skills you learn developing personal creativity to improve your community, I was excited to learn about Slightly Askew coming to Cleveland.

Slightly Askew is an experimental group from NYC, with a local connection, that combines art, education, performance and culture. They have landed in Birdtown, a part of Lakewood that I have family ties to. While in the neighborhood, they are working with local residents and teens to create a video project documenting the history of this unique neighborhood. In exchange, the teens are learning skills and gaining knowledge about other cultures and history.

• How can you use your creativity to build community connections?

Creativity Quote

“What moves men of genius, or rather what inspires their work, is not new ideas, but their obsession with the idea that what has already been said is still not enough.”

- - - Eugene Delacroix

• What are you creating that says more than what's already out there?

Susan Danko

(Image Courtesy of the Bonfoey Gallery)

During a recent day trip up to the Lake Erie Islands, I stumbled upon a small gallery. At first writing off the shop as another touristy art trap, I was pleasantly proved wrong, when I discovered some small works by Ohio artist Susan Danko.

They were constructed like reverse shadow boxes with the painting on the back of the box providing a hollowed surface to hang the works easier. The dreamy landscapes were layered with vivid colors and lines, which reminded me of contemporary designs.

• Check out her paper installation. Doesn't it remind you of a giant collage made from fragments of her paintings?

Creativity Cure 1

Take small breaks. Whenever I am working on something creative, I only work as long as I am in flow. When I become blocked, I switch tasks, even if it's to get up and get a glass of water or check a website. This allows my brain to rest and incubate ideas. Then I come back to the project and work some more and the cycle continues till I complete it.

• Find your own techniques by, well, being creative. How do you finish a creative task?

Pantone Fall Color Report

While everyone else is thinking red, white and blue today, Pantone, a leading authority on color, is thinking fall with the release of their latest color report.

• Read it here.