Creative Giveaway

In the spirit of holiday giving, I have created a collage scrap pack for one lucky winner. The scrap pack has over 30 pieces of paper, ribbon and stickers: everything you need to get your creative holiday groove on during this enchanting season.

You can enter to win over at my arty blog. The contest ends Thursday, December 3 at midnight local time.

• GOOD LUCK!

Creative Building Reuse

(Image Parade.com)

Yesterday, Parade magazine published an article on a creative building transformation that has taken place outside St. Louis, where a struggling enclosed shopping mall has been turned into a thriving arts center. If you haven't read it yet, check out Can Art Save a Mall?

It's a good example of how an existing building, and once popular destination, can be reinvented instead of torn down. One of my other favorite creative building reuses is the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, VA. Once an actual torpedo factory during the early part of last century, the building now houses three floors of working artist studios, galleries, an art school, and a museum.

As the economy struggles and more buildings become and remain vacant, I wonder what other creative building reuses will emerge.

• Has anyone read Retrofitting Suburbia, as it might hold some answers?

Switching to a New Medium

Through this blog, I have encouraged you to explore all the facets of creativity and the various forms that it takes, whether it is the visual arts, music, fashion, theater or writing. Plus, I've even tried out a few for myself.

But what I found the most challenging and rewarding was switching to a new medium, within an already established artistic domain. For me, the switch was moving from collage and paper arts to beach glass and jewelry.

I've learned there are actually quite a few similarities to both. First, each requires a certain amount of collecting and organizing. This is a natural passion of mine, which I tend to attribute to the time I spent working in museums. Then there is the creative aspect of putting together disparate parts to develop something new, whether it is a collage or a pendant.

Finally, there is the growth aspect, not just as an artist but as a creator. If we are constantly creating in the same medium, we may not see the areas where we need to grow and develop. I believe by simply switching to a new medium, you become more aware of your growth and maybe you'll discover and develop a passion you never knew you excelled at!

• Try creating in a new medium.

Design a Pattern

    (Image Altair Design)

Regular readers to this blog know that I love to share online resources where you can create your own art. The intersection of technology and creativity has been a gradual fascination for me. Plus, many of these sites provide much needed online exercise for your right brain.

The latest site I found, actually via Twitter, allows you to create a design, using pre-created black and white patterns, by adding your own color and imagination. The pattern I completed earlier this week is entitled, "Ode to Autumn" and is filled with random dabs of rich oranges, reds, and browns.

• Create your own or search for mine and rate it at Altair Design.