Create Art Every Day Challenge

Me in my art studio

I used to struggle with the fact that I don't paint every day.  I would read in articles and books on creativity how important it was to practice your art on a regular basis and it sounded like great advice to me.  However, to spite my best intentions, painting every day or even every week was something I consistently failed to do. 

Eventually, I learned to stop being so hard on myself about it (go away, anti-muse!) and accepted that my creative process and practice includes more than painting.  I realized my job as Slave To The Muse requires me to use my creative energies in many different ways.

Painting, drawing, writing, photography, graphic design, home decorating, even cooking (though rarely baking) and cleaning (though never the dishes) are all ways I express myself and attempt to actualize the visions that my muse so generously provides.  I think it's possible that I do create art every day in some fashion or another, perhaps without even being fully aware of it.

So, in an effort to increase my awareness as well as my creative efforts, I have devised for myself a Create Art Every Day (CAED) blogging challenge.  Starting Tuesday, September 2, 2014, I will write a post for 30 consecutive weekdays in which I share one creative achievement from the day before.

Okay, I said it, so now I have to do it.  Yikes!  

Talk to you on Tuesday and have a wonderful weekend.

Happy Creating,
Victoria

Note: This was #5 of my Top Ten Posts of 2014.  Click here for the full story of how this challenge came about.

Create Art Every Day Tshirt by Victoriart
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Time To Create Art Round Wallclock by Victoriart
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Create Art Every Day by Victoriart
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True Colors Abstract Art Dry Erase Whiteboards by Victoriart
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Create Art Every Day by Victoriart
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Garden Views: A Summer Fairytale

The Garden In Summer

There arrives a day every summer when I lay down my weapons (gardening tools), take off my armor (gardening gloves) and concede the valiant but hopeless battle I've been fighting to my enemies, the evil fairies and their relentless army of invasive plants and weeds.  I walk off the battlefield and retire to my garden bench, feeling exhausted and frustrated by my defeat.

The Garden Bench, My Summer Retreat

And then something magical happens...

Three Of The Many Yellow Swallowtail Butterflies That Visit My Garden

A faint breeze stirs the air, a sunbeam shines down through the clouds and my eye is suddenly drawn by color and movement in the aptly named Butterfly Bush where a kaleidoscope of yellow swallowtails feed.  My ears awaken to the buzzing of the bumble bees, the song of the robins and the subtle tones of windchimes.  I inhale the scent of summer flowers and then hold my breath in wonder as a hummingbird zig zags into my view.  I exhale slowly as all these magnificent puzzle pieces begin to form one big, beautiful picture and I come to the realization that I haven't been defeated after all.

A Magical Hummingbird

Improbably and miraculously, by surrendering the battle exactly when I did, I have won.  I have won the right to enjoy what nature's wildness and my willfulness created, in all it's overgrown, untamed glory.  

Summer Garden Wilderness

And I am filled with gratitude for the treasure that is my beautifully imperfect garden.

Garden Enchantment

The Good Garden Fairy

The Two Who Flew Together Greeting Card by time2see
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Garden Fairy: Hard Work Attracts Good Fairies Apron by Cabagelow
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"Ruby" Hummingbird Photography Greeting Card by time2see
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Garden Path Digital Dreamscape Art Note Book by Victoreeah
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The One Who Soars Cards by time2see
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