Am I the Same as My Coming Book?
November has been a folk bag month. In the beginning of the month I thought I would be writing a craft pattern. The more I worked with it, the more obvious it became that it will be a book. If I knew that before I started, I would have spent the whole month just procrastinating. But now it’s too late! The book has been written. Just some Finnish translations and single word check-ups has to be done before putting it all together visually. There will be 9 chapters and over 100 photos!
Most of the days, including the weekends, have been spent on a computer. Luckily I have two dogs to take care of, so I need to take breaks!
At the same time, I am excited and worried. I am anxiously waiting to be able to see the bags that you will make using the book! At the same time I am worried if I have included all what I have to give and put it in a way that you are able to comprehend.
I have also been thinking about my connection to my business. How I could understand the difference between the work I do and me as a person? All the creative people have to deal with this someway, I think.
During a month like this, it is very difficult to remember that I am much more than a folk bag or an intuitive painter. Have you felt that you take the result of your creativity very personally? I think it’s normal behaviour as we have put so much of ourselves into our work. But at the same time, it is good to remember that we are much more, and can become much more. Luckily, for Stella, my little beagle, I am something totally different than a painting or a book!
Sunflowers – Tell Me How to Improve
Sunflowers bring light to darkness and look very powerful. Perhaps that’s why they symbolize a life change for me. This fall they are more relevant than ever. I resigned from my day job just few days ago and started as a full-time creative entrepreneur!
In the past, I have always admired the people who make changes in their lives. But I never thought I could do that myself. It seemed to require exceptional courage and ability to take risks. Seven years ago I experienced a small change when I decided to change my professional identity from computer engineer to designer. I went to study industrial design.
Little did I know back then that it was the seed for the big change that I am experiencing now. I thought I would be perfectly happy developing new products focusing on user experience more than their technical qualities. But with designer studies something reappeared to my controlled life that had been hiding for a long time: the compelling need to create art.
The assignments connected to my studies gave some basic skills but I missed more – self expression! That goal in mind I spent years practicing most of the evenings, analyzing what went wrong and where to improve. At some point I realized that I do not want to be the greatest artist on earth. I do not want my blog to be the showcase of my artwork only. I want to share what I have learned and also what I am currently learning while struggling. I want to teach art.
It took years to dream and nine months to plan the big leap. I have gone through the fears of being lonely, poor, inadequate and uninteresting.
Now, in this special phase of my life, I ask you: help me improve and develop new products and services!
Answer the reader survey of this blog!
While answering, think where you want art to take you!
Let Me Be Your Art Teacher
During the years I have had all kind of art teachers. For example the bohemians of my childhood: two professional painters who taught on Saturdays at the children’s art school. Or that very strict old lady that gave exact instructions and kept the class of 30 teenagers busy with various techniques and approaches to art. I also remember a textile artist who taught freestyle weaving for adult students. She adjusted her view according to each student’s skills and desires. When I studied industrial design I was taught by an illustrator guy who was specialized in sketching the prototypes of sports cars. Despite of their different personalities they all had a big impact in my life.
What kinds of art teachers have you had? How have they impacted your life?
(Photo: Me 30 years ago at the art exhibition of the children’s art school)
There are some things that I would have liked to change in my teachers. They taught perspectives, techniques and theories but very little about self-expression. They showed the work of other artists but never spoke about the unique style that all of us naturally have. They gave exercises but never explained how to make creative thinking as a regular, enjoyable practice.
I just had my 45th birthday and it’s about time to give back what life has given to me so far. So, I ask, let me be your art teacher! Let me show the fascination of using creativity. Let me give you new ideas how to find the artist in you. Most importantly, let me bring colors and imagination to your life. Whether your daily practice is just enjoying the images you feel drawn to or creating them yourself.
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Scrapbooking News
I attended the Finnish Scrapbooker of the Year competition with this layout. It is about an old typewriter that my parents bought with part payments. My father was a policeman and needed the machine to type the investigation reports. I also wrote about how different the machines are nowadays and how it all relates to me.
I managed to get to the final! There are 6 of us. There is a about 4 weeks to make a mini album for the final judging. The theme is “A day of somenone’s life” and some scrapbooking supplies were sent to us. I took all the photos yesterday. The weather was great and it was Saturday so it wasn’t too stressful. Furthermore it was my beagle’s 1 year anniversary!
This photo is taken by my husband. I think Stella looks very content. And yes, I am happy too, there’s a lot of work with a puppy but now it’s getting a bit easier once she’s older. I think she is still as cute as a puppy though!
I heard that Google reader is retiring and that must be a reason that I have got new followers through Bloglovin.
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