More art journal playtime. I highly recommend picking up some art supplies and just losing yourself in creation without any real attachment to the outcome. It’s so soothing. #artplay #artistsoninstagram #artist #creativitycrosstraining #artjournal #justhavingfun
I advocate MORE PLAY!! Here I’m playing around with different styles. I mainly just like the bright colors in this one and how the black makes them pop. Experiments like this are rarely great. But you always learn something new from them!! #artplay #art #artistsoninstagram #creativitycrosstraining #ampainting #trysomethingnew
Sometimes the craft cross-training is delightful, and some projects don't work as well as I envision. That's the nice part of having a hobby for fun. Ugly crap happens and I don't have to fix it! #100daysofrainbow🌈 #doodles #rainbow #roygbiv #journaler #drawing #craftcrosstraining #creativitycrosstraining #embroider #embroidery #crosstraining #rbg #idissent #graphicpatterns #floralembroidery #florals
A new piece. A happy little painting for my FIL’s bday. Don’t you just want to spin around in that field and sing, the hills are alive… #ampainting #art #artistsoninstagram #artofinstagram #creativitycrosstraining #beautifulday
This started as a crazy thought in my brain and I have to say that I love how it turned out! Nothing super fancy, just a cool pattern in tribute to an incredible woman whose legacy will continue to offer opportunity for other women! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #rbg #notoriousrbg #ruthbaderginsburg #creativitycrosstraining #creativity #embroidery #embroider #needlepoint #needleart #sewing #supremecourt #whentherearenine #create #creativelife #createsomethingeveryday #learnsomethingnew #trysomething #newthings #newskills
Happy cat in a window. Painted for no other reason than I thought it was cute. Joyful mini paintings make me smile. #artplay #creativitycrosstraining #catart #catinawindow #artistsoninstagram #ampainting
I painted this one on my iPad for my mom's birthday. I thought it was a sweet happy scene. #artplay #art #artists of instagram #creativitycrosstraining
Art play on my iPad. Loving this cute little bunny and his quizzical look. Drawing and painting on the iPad is so enjoyable. #art #artplay #artistsoninstagram #creativitycrosstraining #bunny
New background is finally done! I haven’t painted one in ages and I just love doing them. Let the tiny paintings begin again! #ampainting #artistsoninstagram #maryoliverpoem #arttherapy #creativitycrosstraining
Creativity can be leadership, communication, exploring, questioning or even knowing when to stop. Creativity may be painful. Embrace the uncertainty. Yes, you need confidence, your internal words are positive, but don’t delude yourself. Your control comes from within, not from external events. You are not a victim of your fate. When a boulder falls in front of you, find an alternative path around it or even better yet, discover a way to use or incorporate the boulder in an innovative way.
More snow inspired art. When there’s a good 8 inches of the white stuff out the window it’s hard not to paint sweet snowy scenes. #artplay #ampainting #creativitycrosstraining #artistsoninstagram #snowyday
Follow your heart. And like that cat...my heart leads me into little bookshops! More little winter paintings. 🥰 #artplay #creativitycrosstraining #ampainting #winterpainting
Another tiny winter painting. It made me think about cultivating kindness and a community. Plus it’s just sweet. #artplay #creativitycrosstraining #artistsoninstagram #winterwonderland
Mini winter paintings have begun. One of my favorite things to do! #artplay #creativitycrosstraining #ampainting #artistsoninstagram
See the possibility everywhere. When I’m in any kind of creative mode, like in my writer’s brain, this is what I do: I see potential stories everywhere. I’m intrigued by everything. I want to paint all the pictures. Seeing possibility everywhere is one of my favorite places to be. #artplay #creativityeveryday #creativitycrosstraining #ampainting #artistsoninstagram #artoftheday #snowyfoxes
December is my “paint most every day” month. This is today’s. Find joy in the ordinary. Something I think a lot of us are trying to do during this time of COVID...So I call this Joy in the time of COVID. #artplay #creativitycrosstraining #ampainting #artistsoninstagram
This was a birthday card for my dad. It’s a painting of him playing Safari with the kids. It’s one of their favorite things. Best dad. Best papa. #paintingwithlove #artplay #creativitycrosstraining #immyownhallmark #ampainting #dads #papas
Back to #artplay ...why do I ever stop? Saw a pic on IG that inspired this. So random. But the way the look on her face turned out...feels like she’s a character from one of my books. #artofinstagram #creativitycrosstraining
A little birthday card for my sister-in-law. Echinacea in my backyard. #ampainting #artplay #creativitycrosstraining
Newest painting. The Wolf. Trying some new mixed-media techniques and supplies...and had fun doing it! This is my relaxation . #artplay #creativitycrosstraining #painting #wolf
Love this! Yes - I am practicing speaking image. Lynda Barry in "Making Comics" - talking about working with little kids. @thenearsightedmonkey #writersofinstagram #drawing #creativitycrosstraining
#bookshelves #creativeinspiration #authorsofinstagram #theatrenerd #creativitycrosstraining
Last week my voice took a vacation and I learned a few things: 1. No excuses (They don’t work when no one can hear them). 2. Listen. Always important. 3. Appreciate. A trip to see a friend perform in the SF Opera took appreciating voices (my own and others) to a whole new level. #sfopera #creativitycrosstraining #storiesonstage
Finally back on my art mat for some December playtime and it feels really good. I’m just learning and playing, so I often use other artists’ work as a guide or inspiration or to flat out emulate. It helps me tremendously. So thanks to mickiwilde for the inspiration for this one. #creativitycrosstraining #artplay #painting
Finally back on my art mat!! My daughter wanted a cactus for her OWN bathroom in our new house...here it is! Painting is so fun! Hobbies are good for the soul!! #artplay #cactuspainting #creativitycrosstraining #artistsoninstagram
A beautiful weekend of reconnection and creativity. Thank you to my writing sisters @doesithaveadragon and @joannaephoenix for the love ❤️ and the photo. Thank you @wordafterwordbooks for the fun rings. Please pass our thanks on to the artist. #creativecommunity #writingfriends #writingsisters #creativitycrosstraining #amwriting #writinglife #talkingstory
Date night and creativity cross-training for a cause. Thanks @wineanddesign and @pawsforpurplehearts for the fun night. Especially adorable spokes-dog Larson. #datenight #creativitycrosstraining #funwithpaint #ptsdawarenessmonth
Outside my creative comfort zone! My daughter is not drawn to words like I am. She has been begging to learn to make clothes. Walking into the fabric store was a reminder of the beginner stage and it was uncomfortable. Where are the patterns? Which is the right one? What is “twill tape”? Where on earth do I find it? Once I find it, what do I do with it? I wanted to run away but my daughter skipped happily from one brightly colored bolt of fabric to another. Thankfully my husband has sewing skills and came to the rescue later that evening. I hope it will be a lesson (and an outfit) she will always remember. . . #beginnings #creativitycrosstraining #momlife #littlecreatives
Played with some new watercolors while I lounged around on Mother’s Day. This is a first try at a character in the book I’m revising. I haven’t been painting lately, but I had so much fun! #artplay #creativitycrosstraining
Newest painting! Listen to your heart, it will show you the way. Thanks to Jonathon D. Voss for the inspiration. I am trying to learn by imitating other amazing artists so I can find my own way. I shared a few process pics for this one, too. #ampainting #artplay #creativitycrosstraining
My most recent painting: Stay Curious. Per request, I’m also sharing the painting as a WIP on my giant background painting, and the background before I started the piece for a little process insight. I was so happy to be back on my art mat yesterday! It was my reward for finishing all of my short story class homework for the week and a blog post (link in bio). Today I’m tackling critiques for next week’s writers group meeting, short story plotting, and (hopefully) some more novel revisions. Plus I’m hoping to get back on the art mat again! Happy Friday Instafriends! #ampainting #amwriting #artplay #creativitycrosstraining #inspiredbycoraline
Background for my new painting series is done! Excited to see what inspiration will come out of this one! #artplay #creativitycrosstraining #artstagram #ampainting
New blank paper. Time to start a new background for a new series of paintings. Who knows what’s to come if it?!?! Love it!! #artplay #creativitycrosstraining #ampainting #anticipation #blankpage #blankcanvas
Saturday morning art time. Today is a good day. But I am officially out of paper (hence the tiny, skinny painting today). Time to paint a new background! #artplay #creativitycrosstraining #artstagram #amnotwriting
Remember to use your wings. Whatever that means for you. #artplay #creativitycrosstraining #amnotwriting #shouldberevising #procrastinating
Back on the mat! Today’s art play is to tuck into a gift for a sick neighbor. Hoping she enjoys it and feels the sentiment and emotion behind it. Now, back to writing! #artplay #creativitycrosstraining #instaart #inspirationart
And so the adventure begins... Snowy Sunday morning. Kids are out playing. Finished my first second read of 2019. Playing in my art mat and getting excited for novel work tomorrow! #artplay #amwriting #creativitycrosstraining
I shared all of my December Art Play in a blog post today over at Mamamanagement.blogspot.com. When I went back and looked at the work collectively, when I was writing the post, I realized that the feeling of each piece amounted to the words of wisdom I want to carry into 2019. *** Make a wish. Go where your heart takes you. Always take the scenic route. Remember to play. Be fearless, independent and original. Be you, bravely. Fall in love with as many things as possible. Have an open heart. Live gently upon this earth. Choose to shine. *** I wrote instructions for myself for 2019 and I didn’t even realize I was doing it. Isn’t that amazing? (To read the post, click the link in my profile to Mamamanagement.blogspot.com/2019/01/December-art-play) #wordsofwisdom #2019 #mamamanagementblog #artplay #creativitycrosstraining #amwriting
Back on my art mat! Hurray for #artplay! Today is a reminder to Choose to shine! Plus, I ❤️owls. #amnotwriting #creativitycrosstraining #gettingreadytowrite
My #artplay beach sculpture. It’s a shell decorated sand Xmas tree! Playing in the sand like a kid is a wonderful thing if you let yourself do it. Trying to be a little less adult in 2019! #creativitycrosstraining #playmore #beachfun
Threw a little #artplay into my New Year’s Eve. She looks a little sad in the light of day. But I’m gonna say she’s just thoughtful. Today is one of my favorite days...I love the freshness of a new year. So many possibilities! Who will I be in 2019? Let’s find out! #newyear #2019 #creativitycrosstraining #awritenewyear (Thanks to Mickiwilde for the art inspiration.)
I llama you! Merry Boxing Day! Had to get one more in before I take a little art hiatus. Have an open heart today, friends. #artplay #creativitycrosstraining #amnotwriting #illstarttomorrow #awritechristmas #llama #alpaca
Merry Christmas, Instafriends! #christmas #artplay #creativitycrosstraining #awritechristmas
Wishing you enjoyment of the little things...like warm cookies. Happy Christmas Eve! #awritechristmas #amnotwriting #artplay #creativitycrosstraining
An homage to a woman who inspires. #artplay #creativitycrosstraining #amnotwriting #ampainting #christmasbreak #awritechristmas
An homage to a woman I admire. ❤️❤️❤️ #artplay #creativitycrosstraining #amnotwriting #awritechristmas
Just three more days til Christmas! (I know this because my kids remind me every ten seconds!) Hoping to do some painting and cookie baking and gift wrapping in between the running around. Hope you find some joy today! #artplay #creativitycrosstraining #amnotwriting #christmas #remembertoplay #awritechristmas
“Go where your heart takes you” Mini country winter painting. ❤️❤️❤️ I am loving creating like this right now. Here’s hoping it will eventually feed my writing! #artplay #creativitycrosstraining #amnotwriting
Another piece of “I’m not writing” art! I had so much fun with this one! Isn’t it sweet? Happy Holidays, dear ones!! (Inspired by art shared on Children’s Illustrations) #artplay #creativitycrosstraining #amnotwriting #awritechristmas
*Make a wish for peace* For those who are new to my IG, this is an example of what I call “Creativity Crosstraining”—when I’m struggling to write, I paint to reignite my creative flow. I spent all afternoon yesterday on my art mat painting these little vignettes and I just love them. (Thanks to Lori Portka for the inspiration for this one...I’m learning and exploring as an artist, so I take a lot of inspiration from others! Check out her stuff, it’s wonderful and uplifting!) #peace #artplay #creativitycrosstraining #probablyshouldbewriting
First time costume design. I create characters with words on a page, but today with a needle and thread. Thanks to @rea_brooke for the pro-advice. #schoolplay #stagemom #gulliverstravels #creativitycrosstraining
The anniversary card I painted for my hubby of a photo we took of our drinks while on vacation. I kinda love how it turned out! #artplay #creativitycrosstraining #happyanniversary #drinks
This week’s artplay painting...fairy treehouse. #creativitycrosstraining #artplay #fairyhouse
Relaxing with some paint. Trying out some new things. I kinda like it. #creativitycrosstraining #artplay #thisoldtypewriter
Finally took a bit to finish my July kit from @hopebroidery! It is always so nice to take a step back and do a little creatvity cross-training! Plus, learning something new is always good for your brain! Not going to lie... I really want to go to the beach now😁 Pens are @prismacolor Scholars and paper is @rhodiapads #creativitycrosstraining #embroidery #handlettering #leftylettering #letterandstitch #chattanoogacalligraphy #chattanoogacalligrapher #trysomethingnew #learnsomethingnew
She’s getting closer but still not quite there yet... #artplay #creativitycrosstraining #foxy
Painting outside by the lake. ❤️❤️❤️❤️ #artplay #creativitycrosstraining #summervacation
Today’s WIP. Trying to remember to take breaks in a hectic day for some self care. #artplay #creativitycrosstraining #instaart
It’s not done, but it’s sweet and peaceful and child-like; I did while painting with the kids last night and it makes me smile. #artplay #creativitycrosstraining
Mixed media background play at yesterday’s Milagro art class with @artiislife52 Learned a lot and enjoyed a day with a lovely and fascinating artist. #artplay #creativitycrosstraining
This one started out SO bad. It looked weird and awkward. But I just kept playing and redoing and experimenting, and I kinda love where it ended up. She feels like she could be a character in a picture book. #creativitycrosstraining #artplay #reindeersnowfairy
Don’t you want to be friends with this little guy? ❤️ Learn more about why I love painting so much right now on my blog. https://mamamanagement.blogspot.com/2018/07/why-painting-is-my-new-loveand-why-you.html?spref=fb&m=1 #creativitycrosstraining #artplay #animallove
I loved my embroidery project last month with @hopebroidery and decided to add a little #letterlove to my budding embroidery skills. I kind of love how it turned out - and I love being a #magicalunicornladyboss! I can't wait to hang it in my office!! What do you guys think? #embroidery #handlettering #leftylettering #craftcrosstraining #creativitycrosstraining #learnsomethingnew
WIP...It's a horse named Gracie from the kid's farm camp. #creativitycrosstraining #artplay #horseofcourse
My daughter and her farm camp friend, Clover. #goatlove #artplay #creativitycrosstraining #homesteadingcamp
Tropical goddess. #creativitycrosstraining #artplay #summercamp
Sad bear. I think because he lost his ears. #creativitycrosstraining #artplay
I can't decide if she's really done, but I'm letting her go for now. I wish I'd taken pics at the various stages she went through...such a crazy metamorphosis. I still don't know what her name is. Any ideas? #creativitycrosstraining #artplay #juliettecrane
Kinda wish I could cuddle with this soft shebear. #artplay #creativitycrosstraining #juliettecrane
I'm back from California, but I probably won't be back to posting regularly for a few more days! It's time to hustle and get @theinkybox out! This is a pattern by @hooklinetinker that I stitched during my plane rides! Is it not the cutest ever?! My circle is a little wonky but, all in all, I love how it turned out! #notaletteringpost #byebyefollowers #theinkyhandembroidery
Today's playtime was after dinner while the kids ran thru the sprinkler outside. ❤️ I can breathe again. #creativitycrosstraining #artplay #juliettecrane