Creative Advertising

Have you seen this commerical for BMW?

I just saw it a few nights ago. It was one of those rare times when I actually stopped and took notice of a television commerical, because it was so creative. I was captivated by the use of a car and paint to create a large scale art work seemingly inspired by Jackson Pollock and Abstract Expressionism.

• Make your own Jackson Pollock inspired painting.

Art in the Park

(Image: Medina County Art League)

Yesterday, I had a fabulous day strolling around the square in Medina, OH for their annual Art in the Park sponsored by the Medina County Art League. If you are a regular reader, you know there are two things that I absolutely adore: art fairs and inspiration. Well, Art in the Park did not disappoint and provided me with both.

I am not sure how I have missed this art fair in previous years, but I am glad I found it. Set in a charming town square, this art fair had plenty of arts and crafts to delight the eyes and a performance stage in the town's gazebo to add some musical flair.

(Image: Medina County Art League) 

One of the artists I discovered, Kathleen Green, won an arts prize at last year's fair and this year did not disappoint with her gorgeously painted renderings of county life, including colorful clothes drying on a clothesline.

• Next up is the Lakewood Arts Festival. See you there!

Creative Check-In

I am not a person who sets goals on January 1. I've tried. Actually, people who know me have heard me talking for months now about writing down my 2009 goals. Well, now that 2009 is almost half over, I've created a better technique for setting goals.

It's a mid-year creative check-in. I did it this weekend with the extra time I had to relax and reflect. I find the sun and the warmth of summer more hopeful and inspiring than the dreary winter when the real new year starts, which was why a mid-year check-in worked for me.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

1. How am I feeling creatively?


2. What creative projects have I completed in the last 6 months, 3 months, 1 month?


3. What creative projects have I started that need to be put aside or completed?


4. What new inspiration have I found? Where?


5. Have I tried to create in a new medium? If not, what can I try?
   

• For more inspiration, check out my top 10 creative cures.