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Posts Tagged ‘creative’

Time to color

Monday, July 26th, 2010

Before my daughter was born a good friend gave her a fantastic Charley Harper coloring book. I took one look at it and told her, “You know I’m keeping this for me.” She laughed and said, “I knew you would.”

Charley Harper

Growing up I loved to color. Even now I find that when I’m stuck in a creative rut, grabbing a few colored pencils or crayons and a blank page helps me to work through whatever design problem I’ve encountered.

Coloring is an inherently tongue-in-cheek activity: after all, it’s premised on the genteel fiction that an untalented amateur filling in the colors actually completes an artwork. But, when you need to clear your mind, one of the best things to do is color. All your senses conspire to rinse troubling thoughts away. We should color at least as often as we drink coffee. Whether or not you call yourself a “creative” try coloring next time you find yourself mentally “stuck.”

Here are a few ways to have fun with coloring that won’t make you feel like you’re back in Kindergarten.

City Folk Art – Adult Coloring Book $10
Etsy Mamazshanna’s Shop

AMMO Books – Charley Harper Deluxe Coloring Book $6.95
Amazon.com

LEGO Blocks and Lego Man minifigure crayons 12 piece set $6.00
Etsy MaxandMeena’s Shop

Cupcake crayons $10.95
Etsy Lilbooandco’s Shop

Inspiration Monday

Monday, January 25th, 2010

It has been a while since I posted an Inspiration Monday entry, but I had a few people tell me how much they really enjoyed them. So, here is a brand new one for you to start the week out. Hope this inspires you.

I have a 4 year old (nearly 5), and one of the first things she learned to sing was the alphabet. I am sure this is the same for most kids. I know for myself, it was. The ABC’s - ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYandZ. It is something that sticks with you for life. Everyone can sing the tune. Simple. Basic.

Something that I love and that truly inspires me is seeing something very basic, like the alphabet, taken to a new level. Below are some really creative ways that designers and illustrators have taken the ABC’s and “renewed” them. Jazzed them up. Given them a new life. Made them seem to be something “different” than they once were.

Today, I challenge you to look around. Really take a good look at all the simple, basic things that surround you on a daily basis, and if even only in your head - renew those things - jazz them up - make them new. Be inspired by something simple today. Be inspired by something you didn’t think could inspire you. Just be inspired.