Is it time?

While at an art gallery exhibit closing an acquaintance asked me, "what’s the hardest challenge that artist face today?”. I gave a C+ response and then moved on to the next topic. When I had a moment to discuss this question again, it dawned on me that the most difficult challenge facing me--is finding the time to create. This was a truth that I could testify to as I recapped the week that had just whirled by. It was chock full of goodness but left me no time to explore my new worlds of being a designer, an intern, or a blogger.

Your thoughts about this question will vary depending on several things i.e. if you are a working artist or an artist working a 9 to 5. None the less I am curious to know, what IS the hardest challenge that artist face today?

Tell me. Is it time?

Notcot.org?

What do wallpaper, plants, eco-friendly calendars, and connect the dot tattoos all have in common? They were all featured today on, Notcot.org, the new addition to the Creative Cookie blog listing. Notcot.org has become my go-to-place for a spark of inspiration. The site is full of happy creatives, style trends, and innovative products from around the planet. It’s now set as my default browser page so I can get my daily dose of wonderment.

This is what caught my eye today:






What's speaking to you?

Cookie 4: Brooklyn 111

Here is a logo that I was able to collaborate on, as a graphic designer, for an exhibit called BKLYN: 111 presented by The Bag Fund. This is special exhibition and dialogue within and outside the borough of Brooklyn asking artists to consider the impact Brooklyn has had on their work and the impact they hope their work will have on Brooklyn.

I’ll be at the closing reception and you should too:

Saturday, October 25
The BAG Fund
168 Seventh Street Brooklyn
New York 11215

Cookie 3: More than Scraps

At this point it should be pretty clear that I have a fascination with using rescued textiles and finding new ways to use old things. This is a scarf that I made as a birthday present from a bouquet of cottons, silks, wools, and spandex. Most of the fabrics come from Fiber Notion but some of them are from unwanted clothing that begged to be reused in a fresh way.

Here is the correct entry with image *smile*

Creative Visioning

Here’s a collage that I made in March while attending a fabulous Hip Tranquil Chick three-day retreat:



It amazes me that much of it has started to manifest. There are several tiny changes that are inching me towards my goal of living a creative life. For example, the calendar says “yoga”; I found a yoga studio three blocks from my apartment that I enjoy after this collage was made. Another example is the blue computer keys with happy expressions on them. I knew I wanted to write more, I feel this represents the birth of the Creative Cookie blog and my new computer. These changes in my life excite me. I am making progress!

Here’s an exercise from The Artist’s Way* that will help you build your own collage—I strongly encourage it.

Collage:

1. Collect a stack of at least ten magazines, which you will allow yourself to freely dismember. 
2. Set a twenty-minute time limit for yourself, tear (literally) through the magazines, collecting any images that reflect your life or interests. Think of this collage as a form of pictorial autobiography. Include your past, present, future, and your dreams. It is okay to include images you simply like. Keep pulling until you have a good stack of images (at least twenty). 
3. Now take a sheet of newspaper, a stapler, or some tape or glue, and arrange your images in a way that pleases you.
4. Give your collage a place of honor. Even a secret place of honor is all right—in your closet, in a drawer, anywhere that is yours. You may want to do a new one every few months, or collage more thoroughly a dream you are trying to accomplish.

In closing, here are a few questions to ponder: why do creative visioning exercises, like collage making, work? What are some other modes of creative visioning?

I’d love to hear from experienced and aspiring collage makers and creative visionaries…please share you work. I'd like to post you collages, if you'll allow me to. 

*See the full list of Creative Reads that I recommend below. 

Inspiring Event

Join us on Wednesday, October 8 from 6-9p at C O Z B I for a wine tasting and a look at the one-of-a kind fall collection of women and children’s clothing, accessories, and quilts—all made in Brooklyn. You’ll also have an opportunity to learn about the wonderful work of The BAG Fund, a Brooklyn based nonprofit, dedicated to helping artists create work and share it with the world.

It’ll be great to see your smiling face. In other words: come out, be inspired, learn about a great cause.

C O Z B I
 is located at: 530 Court St
 in Brooklyn 
(between Huntington
and W 9th St). Take the F or G to Smith & 9th St.

Yellow Cotton

Horary!!! I got an e-mail notification that my business cards will arrive soon!

On the 22nd day of July, I was shopping at Mood Fabrics and bumped into Christian Siriano winner of Project Runway Season 4. If I would have had a Creative Cookie business card I could have handed it to one of my favorite designers and told him how fierce he was. Instead he got a coy smile as I quietly continued to shop. Next time I’ll have something to offer but for now I’ll take it as a lesson learned on preparedness.