creativity exercises = creativity explosion

You've heard me talk about it over & over....the NEED for my Creativity Exercises. daily.

Yes. I do them every day. 

Faithfully. 

WHy? So my creative muscle will be strong, fit & ready to think outside the box- be innovative!

Well- yesterday I had one of THE most amazing experiences during the process.

You see, I've been having some ideas lately....the past few months. (actually the very first time I thought of it was last Spring! but, I tucked it away.)

Some crazy, WILD ideas. 

The kind that at first you think: "What am I THINKING?"

They've been....marinating. percolating. guiding me....step by step.

Then I went to Snap- the Conference & I heard some things that got my wheels turning even faster. I was reminded of a few ideas & promptings that I'd had...& I could FEEL that the timing was right.

I met some amazing people that really *sparked* those ideas. Again...marinating. percolating. guiding step by step in this process.

I came home on a cReative high & talked it over with my agent/husband: Jeff. I love him, because he's learned to not think I'm crazy...just let me brainstorm & be my sounding board! LOL! Well...the idea was there, the wheels were in motion, but we there were a lot of 'Hows' & 'What ifs' & frankly...FEAR! I was actually getting scared of the ideas that were coming!

But, again...marinating. percolating. guiding step by step.

Part of this process that's been guiding me was when I shared my Creative Process during my Creativity Week -inspiration. perspiration. innovation. creation. 

I've been really thinking a lot about this particular process & knew that with these 4 Creativity concepts along with my daily 100 Creativity Exercises all of the 'Hows' & 'What ifs' & Fear would work out.

So, yesterday Jeff got this idea & as we were talking about it, IT CAME! All of the questions, all of the 'Hows' & 'What ifs' came like a FLOOD of creative inspiration. It was so fast & furious I couldn't breathe! The fear is still there...cuz again...I'm skeered. But, it's so out of the box- fun- exciting...

the planning stage has begun.

And all of the daily creativity exercises primed my creative muscle to be ready for that inspiration when it hit! The concept itself is a huge undertaking & it is going to take a lot of perspiration, but I think it will be well worth it!

oh yea...& in the middle of this process, I have been designing a new collection for Summer that is making me sooo excited. The creative juices have been over-flowing! Hoping it will all be ready & finished by next week...just in time to kick off Summer!

eeeee! Soo excited! I LOVE being uplifted & inspired....stay tuned!

Creativity Week: Step No. 4- Creation

Creativity Week

Step No. 4> Creation

Throw aside all fear. Grab your tools to create. Ready. Set. GO!

After reviewing & completing Steps No. 1-3, you're ready for the best part...Creation!

To be creative you need to feel free enough to ....

Creative PLAY is the time to do something different than you've done before.  Do not worry about the results, rules, etc.  Feel free. Let it all go. 

Remember when you were a little child? You just played. You didn't think about 'rules'...were there any rules about how YOU made a mud pie? or how YOU climbed a tree? or how YOU caught a caterpillar & just let it walk all over your hand?

No...You just did it with reckless abandon....& you felt free. *at least I did..I remember feeling free...losing track of time because I loved playing so much* hee hee.

Creation is the same thing. Lose yourself in the process...just be free. have fun & break out of your normal patterns...LOOK at things in a different way. Just PLAY.

This is it...this is the time of your process where you let go of all fear & just PLAY. 

Creative play is crucial....every. day. 

I can't emphasize this enough...even if it's for 1 or 2 minutes.   

How is this possible you ask? Easy...just pick out one of my 100 Creativity Exercises.  Some days I don't have time...literally only have a few minutes. So, I may pick one out of my jar that requires more time. That's OK...I just put it back in & pick out one until I have a 1 or 2 minute exercise...& then I go for it. 

I PLAY.

I'm hoping you get the creative bug...practice these steps (they do take practice) until it's infused in you....you will live the cReative life you've always wanted. I promise!

And the great thing is...you can apply this creativity to every aspect of your life.  For instance...reemember how I have been training for my 2nd Full Marathon? I'm on week 15...just over 3 weeks left....and, 

THE worst thing possible happened! 

I got injured!

It's a Grade 2 Calf Strain...I've got to take off 5-8 weeks. um..yea. 

Needless to say...I'm  I was devastated. 

(hence, my absence from my blog/social media for the past couple of days..boohoo.) 

I gave myself a few days to 'grieve'...then, got back on my feet (a little wobbly *wink*) and, I'm figuring things out. I figure, I learned to LOVE running. *trust me, a year ago, I HATED running! LOL!* But, I learned HOW to love the process.  So...I had to look at this in a creative way...I thought: I can learn to love something else! And, you know what? It came to me last night...I've got to be creative about this, so, I'm taking all of that determination I've had for running & training & I'm going to focus it on a goal I've had for YEARS, but thought I could never do it....I started on May 1. When I get brave, I'll share my goal with you, but it's intense training & I'm really pumped about it!

I don't think I could have come up w/ it w/o thinking creatively; So...>>>I"ll be using ALL of the Steps to Creativity .

Inspiration :: Perspiration :: Innovation :: Creation.

working

being still

gathering

sorting

exploring

sparkling...

cuz...das how I roll.

Creativity Week: Step No. 3- Innovation

Creativity Week

Step No. 3> Innovation

Dare to be different. Dare to be eccentric. Dare to be a non-conformist. DARE to innovate.

After working on Steps No. 1- Inspiration & No. 2- Perspiration, Innovation can be a scary part of the process.

You might think you will fail. But, to be innovative it's essential to fight the fear.  You've got to explore. Explore ideas that are different...outside the box...upside down...on its side. DARE to look for things in a different light.... Dare to.....

Learning how to explore the unknown is essential in the creative process. Throw away all inhibitions. Forget all the things that are holding you back: 

excuses. fears. pre-conceived notions. rules. plans. 

It's time to turn off the main road...try the untried.  

Exploration is the perfect time to ask: 

What if...? 

My 100 Creativity Exercises are full of these...challenging you to really explore your creativity. ideas. thoughts. techniques. even the rules!  Without exploration, we can never have anything new. 

Now...a bit about *new* ideas...lest you think INNOVATION means creating the wheel again...no. that's not it.  In fact, most *new* ideas aren't even new. We are just building on the work of others. Originality comes from within...when an artist embraces the fluctuations, imbalances & disturbances & just goes with it to see what will come of it.

So, back to exploring so we can create something new.  This is something I created in an exploration exercise during my daily 100. 

I had been exploring the idea of using common supplies & objects to create something with a question in mind: What if I went out of my comfort zone using found objects & techniques that are not my norm.

This is what I came up with...an old shoe box that I cut into...added found objects: twigs, pebbles & glittered, painted, mod-podged & ....voila! I ended up loving my little creation using Rhonna Designs Spring Circus & Easter Sayings Printables! Who knew? I did this exercise before I had a bunch of deadlines...perfect way to combat my fears, get new ideas & explore! And I loved the final projects I made for my deadlines....it worked!  

I feel like processes like this can really ignite something in me...it gets the sparks flying so fast, I can't stop! I just want to continue creating & then...naturally...I want to share that spark...these new projects, techniques, ideas....& then it grows- burns brighter & just sparkles!

This is the part of the process from which Spark the Event was created.  The whole idea of Spark is to share your creativity with others.  Margie, Liz & I knew that when we hoarded our creative ideas, it did us no good. In fact, when we don't share our creative ideas, we lose them.  You share your SPARK & it ignites!  We all *sparkle* as we share the creative ideas & processes we encounter.  I have said this before, but, “I believe all ideas are sprinkled from heaven…it’s up to us what we do with them.”

It's not OUR original idea....it comes from someone much higher than us that shares His ideas & creation with us. 

When we acknowledge that & have that attitude of sharing our spark, creativity will wash over us & fill up every little bit of us...our creative cup will run over. 

Don't be afraid of someone stealing your ideas. Don't be afraid of someone's talent. 

Don't be afraid of someone's creativity.  

They will be blessed with creativity & ideas & you will, too. 

There's room for everyone!

The ideas will come to you as you follow this process. I know it may not make sense in your head...but, it will in your heart. You need to let go, acknowledge where all inspiration & creativity comes from & embrace that inherent desire to create.  

Then, your creativity will sparkle! ignite...and you are ready for the Creation!

...to be continued...

Creativity Week: Step No. 2- Perspiration

Creativity Week

 Step No. 2> Perspiration.

You gotta put the work into it.

"Perspiration is the best form of differentiation, especially in the creative world." - Scott Belsky

As 'creatives' we want & need to be differentiated from other 'creatives'.  It's easy to copy someone's creative work. Anyone can do that. But, come on...how creative is that? It's not as easy to create your own work, though...& really do something different, is it? This is something I'm always striving for when create for Rhonna Designs...I want my designs to shine through...somehow differentiate myself from other designers.

So, building on Step No. 1- Inspiration, today we are focusing on PERSPIRATION during the creative process.  I've found that there are 2  things you need to do to really, really work at this...& that is firstly:

Gather the things that inspire you.  This is one of the best steps in the process.  If you are a writer, gather  works of literature that you are drawn to.  If you are a singer, gather pieces that move you. If you are a photographer, gather photographs that inspire you. If you are a blogger, gather ideas for great content. 

You get the picture...the *gathering* process takes time. It may not be done in one minute, hour, day or even week. But, it must be done. Inspiration boards are how I gather my inspiration. Sometimes, I'll have a color scheme I'm working on...& I'll need to gather pieces that inspire me to create with that color scheme. 

Source: Uploaded by user via Rhonna on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Rhonna on Pinterest

Source: creamylife.com via Rhonna on Pinterest

This is one reason I LOVE my Pinterest boards...they are online 'inspiration boards' I can 'PIN' or gather things to that inspire me.

Case in point...lately I've really been 'craving' getting back to calligraphy. I took classes, taught classes & have spent hours & hours practicing...but, it was over 20 years ago! So, I've been working at getting inspiration- being still as I get that inspiration & then gathering ideas, tools, quotes & such to work on my calligraphy again.  I'm rusty. *ahem*  So....the perspiration has begun.

I spent hours & page after page of parchment as I perspired over this reunion of my love affair with the calligraphy pens, nibs, inks, parchment.....& guess what? It wasn't until AFTER about 10 pages of practicing, that I *remembered* the tricks & keys I used to teach...it's all about wrist/hand flourishing AND pen pressure/sensitivity.  WOW! It took me that long to gather & perspire! I had a ton of pages I'd gathered...but, was any of it worth saving?...worth building on?

I needed to....

Once you've gathered your ideas, it's time to sort out the very best. I sorted & sifted through all those pages. And, of course, the last few were my best. It was obvious when the *spark* lit! 

So, I had all of these good ideas, but I needed to sort through them & throw the bad ones out. THAT is how to get the REALLY good ideas! *wink*

now...it's time for Innovation.

...to be continued...

Creativity Week: Step No. 1- Inspiration

Creativity Week 

Step. No. 1> INSPIRATION. 

Inspiration must come first.

"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you."~ Pablo Picasso

And in order for it to find you, you must open the door to get those inspirations.

So? How do you open that doorway into inspiration?

Well, inspiration is tricky work...you can't force it.

It requires work, hard work. But at the same time it requires stillness. Yes, it seems to be an oxymoron, but inspiration is found everywhere & in anything..you just have to look....and when you do, it will find you.

Whatever your creative passion; writing, painting, sewing, singing, acting, blogging, running....

we know that inspiration is the essential catalyst to any sort of creativity.  But first...

Daily exercise. Seeking inspiration daily teaches your brain to think differently...see things differently...play differently...work differently.  

One of my favorite things about my 100 Creativity Exercises is that it teaches you HOW to work through these daily exercises. And as you exercise your creative muscle everyday, you get a work out.  

But, they key is: You have to do it. 

You have to actually exert yourself & work hard to open the door to those creative inspirations.  

For example: one of my creativity exercises challenges me to look at things upside down to creatively solve a problem or see it in a different way. 

Ok...at first this may seem like a waste of time, or you may say: "That isn't really going to make me more creative."

1. You're wrong. It will make you more creative if...

2. You just do it. As silly as it may sound, this is tried & true. I've been doing it for 20+ years. It works.

but YOU have to work for it to work!

You can't just sit there & expect the inspiration to find you with a closed door...no, you have to OPEN the way for it to find you.

Yup...go after it with a club. 

Work that creative muscle every. 

single. 

day. 

What are the results of consistent exercise? 

A well-toned-well-oiled machine. And that's what you will get with your creative muscle...your creativity will become a machine. One that is ready to stay still & listen for inspiration.

Sit still & listen. After exercising, it's always good to stretch out that muscle, cool it down so it doesn't cramp up or get injured.  The same goes for creative exercising...once you've done one of the creative exercises, you will need to sit back...listen. look. think. and stay still.  THIS is what opens the door for inspiration.

Like this: One day after my creative exercise (it was very simple: just take a photo of what you see out your window) ,  I took the time to 'cool down' & fiddled with my top ten fave iPhone apps. It wasn't forced, it was just a fun, relaxing way for me to take my photo to a new level.  

Then, it came...the visual colors, textures, & feel of the photo started to inspire me. I was getting inspiration for some of my new designs. It came at an alarming speed...just washed over me. 

Now, if I'd just done the work (or creative exercise) & just zipped on to my next item in my daily schedule w/o taking the time to be still & 'cool down', that door for inspiration would have been closed.

See how you need to be open to the work AND the stillness?

Let's say you go on an 'inspiration' trip....same thing. It won't do any good if you just go & see, hear, or do...you will need to take what you got out of the work & let it simmer, percolate, or marinate. This is critical in letting that inspiration come.

This is when it all comes together...you get that inspiration. You're ready to really dig in...you're ready for perspiration!

...to be continued...

Creativity Week: Inspiration, Perspiration, Innovation & Creation

This week's Creativity Team Tuesday is a little different...instead of focusing on what my Creative Team created with Rhonna Designs, I wanted to take this whole week & focus on what Creativity does for me, for my team, for YOU! 

While I was at Snap, I had the chance to talk to a lot of women...one thing I heard a LOT was: "You are so creative!"

then came the comments ....

"I wish I was more creative."

"I'm just not a creative person."

"How do you find time to be creative?"

"You must have been born with creativity."

I came home with my head spinning, my mind running with ideas & got so excited to share Creativity Week with everyone here on my blog!

  I want to share some of my thoughts I've been having about CREATIVITY! & my creative process...not the actual execution of my art & designs, but HOW I get to where I feel creative & can actually create!

because...let's face it...I can't live without it!

This week's posts will go hand in hand with my 100 Creativity Exercises Workshop on my site. And, we'll talk about creativity in general...whether you are a writer, painter, seamstress, vocal performer, actor, blogger, runner....YOU can be creative in your own area of interest.

In my 20+ years of focusing in creativity, I've found that there are 4 essential components to it all:

inspiration. 

perspiration. 

innovation. 

& THEN 

creation.

So...join me this week....inspiration WILL find you!