The new year seems to bring a freshness of ideas…”maybe this year, I’ll tackle that project…or I’ll learn to (insert whatever skill you wish) or finally it’s time for…” Sometimes we want to try something new…sometimes we want to break a bad habit. Whatever it might be, you probably need a nudge to get going.

While we were traveling in the Southern Hemisphere, I was blown away by the art of the Maori people in New Zealand and the Aboriginal people in Australia…beautiful, intensive work created with simple tools and whatever materials they had in their natural environment. It nudged me to research more about each culture and discover how those images and motifs might influence my own work. Sometimes that nudge comes in the most unexpected ways…

I’m back to offering creative workshops - one in February and one in March. These are not intensive activities that require special skills or elaborate equipment…but rather to provide that nudge. So often I hear people say, “well, I’m not creative…” But I firmly believe that everyone has creativity in them- it might be called problem-solving or organizing, cooking or gardening - all those activities require you to try new approaches to what has been done before. I find that just moving your hands and playing with paper and glue, maybe a little paint, is often the nudge one needs to explore more ideas…and sometimes it’s just a relief to spend a couple of hours doing something that takes your mind away from everyday life.

My February workshop is Collage Message Boards. Using a sheet of galvanized metal as the base, you will create for a collage composition of your own design which then can be hung in your office, kitchen or studio to keep track of reminders, notes and ideas. You can find all the information on the class and registration details HERE. Space for my classes is limited to six people. And I provide everything you need so you just show up and be ready to play.

One more resource for you to get creative juices going…and to take your mind off the worries of the world…Uppercase Magazine. This magazine, totally managed by the one woman extraordinaire Janine Vangool, is a quarterly publication highlighting the creative and curious in all of us. It is the only magazine that I subscribe to and every issue, with its own unique theme, is a treasure trove of eye candy and thought-provoking articles. Janine has been generous to offer a 10% subscription discount to new subscribers with the code “fourcorners10”. This code is valid until the end of March.

Hoping that I have provided a few ideas to tap your creative juices…and when things get a little crazy, just take a moment…and play with some paper and glue.