Comments on: Book Review: The Artist Within – A Guide to Becoming Creatively Fit

By: Alison

Alison — Tue, 17 May 2011 06:17:41 +0000

My art journalling helps me to maintain that balance. It try to take the time to create as often as I can!

By: Lisa

Lisa — Tue, 17 May 2011 01:36:11 +0000

I haven't figured out the answer to those questions yet but I find when I take care of the most important things first the rest falls into place. If I could just remember to do that every day. 😀

By: Jeannie

Jeannie — Mon, 16 May 2011 18:16:41 +0000

I try to be present. I know this is cliche, but if you think about what needs to be done, what you want to do, what others want you to do, you will never find balance. I am retired, but find that demands on my time are greater now than when I worked. So, there is a "quiet hour". This is never scheduled into, and I am very protective of that time. The book sounds wonderful. Thanks for the opportunity!

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 16 May 2011 14:36:54 +0000

Balance to me means that sometimes I must choose priorities, and those priorities may not be the ones I want to do. I have to step back and look at the situation objectively. Fortunately, I have a husband who helps me keep it straight. I don't always want to be an adult, but if it means that I only get to work on my art for 1/2 hr late at night, I am good.

By: Edie

Edie — Mon, 16 May 2011 12:51:22 +0000

balance is such a struggle for me - I tend to be All or Nothing, and lately I've been stuck in Nothing, repetitively doing the Same Thing That Didn't Work Yesterday. I need a good shakin up!

edie

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 16 May 2011 11:23:46 +0000

Disappointedly, my comment isn't here. I spent some time thinking about what to say…typed it out..and posted it within the time frame and saw it posted here…now its gone.. I don't understand…
Ann Cofone

By: Heather Mietz Egli

Heather Mietz Egli — Sun, 15 May 2011 16:16:55 +0000

I try to have things scheduled each week-like chores this day, creativity this day, exercise and journalling every day. But to be honest, I get caught up in the now so much I often scrap my plans and do something else which inspires me. That's how I incorporate being an artist into every life, I suppose. I'd like to figure out how to be and respond to the present but be able to schedule myself as well, and keep to the schedule.
Thanks!
Heather

By: Ellen Lindner

Ellen Lindner — Sun, 15 May 2011 02:51:19 +0000

Forgot to answer the questions:
I practice balance and contrast when I switch gears in my activities. If I've been sitting too long, I get up and do laundry or some other task involving movement. When I hit a design issue, I leave the studio and go cook dinner.
I once read that creativity is simply problem sovling. And I think that's very true. Which means that we use it a lot throughout our days. Another example of the correlation the book is trying to help us notice.

By: Ellen Lindner

Ellen Lindner — Sun, 15 May 2011 02:45:50 +0000

Great ideas!

By: lyric

lyric — Sun, 15 May 2011 00:31:57 +0000

Reaching mid-life caught me in a scramble of imbalance trying to do too much and ultimately loosing touch with values I hold dear. In the aftermath of the free fall that grounded me I have started step by step on a path to living a more authentic life. For me, creating art has been the key to healing and moving forward. Artistically exploring harmonies of balance, contrast, repetition and unity is playing with all the big questions in life. It is not for the faint of heart. As a practice art demands courage, risk, suspension of judgment – and revealing the self both to ourselves and to others. In my own work I make use of items and inspirations from everyday life as a way of exploring larger themes such as motherhood, community and food security. Through mindful appreciation of simple and often repetitive patterns of every day living I am discovering ways to creatively celebrate who I am as a person and to share that experience with others.
Cheers

Carol Howard Donati
http://www.carolhowarddonati.ca