Thank you for this, Sabrina; as always, I love your clear and thoughtful and kind voice. I used to be much more creative, in a minor sort of way (writing, painting, drawing, cartooning), than I am now. (I blame too much screen time, which has gradually sucked out much of my brain.)
The one sort-of creative thing I do now, as you know, is take and post at least one photo every day. I started taking a daily photo some twelve years ago at the suggestion of Larry the Buddhist, the therapist I started seeing after Heather's initial cancer diagnosis; he thought it might be a way for me to keep myself in the present, even if only for a few seconds, rather than worrying about a future that was, after all, unknowable. (Did it help? I don't know. Maybe.)
My first efforts were pretty crummy, but I think I've gotten a little better, even though I would NEVER describe myself as a "real" photographer (I don't even own a camera - just an iPhone!). To me, the most amazing aspect of this discipline (if I dare call it that) is that it has resulted in two gallery shows, proposed by spaces who began following me on Instagram. Some foolish souls have even paid actual money for my prints! I've also had a photograph published in Orion Magazine, and a different one accepted as part of a temporary exhibition at the Clark Art Institute in Massachusetts.
I still find all of this quite surreal, if not downright miraculous, but I'm very grateful, and intend to keep it up as long as I can.
I am so glad you've found photography! Not only for your own mental health, of course, but also so the rest of us can enjoy seeing the world through your eyes. Your photos are a wonderful chronicle of your trips as well as your daily life. I'm happy to hear you have found success through your gallery shows as well. Long may it last!
I agree with Martha's comment that you're quite modest about your photography efforts. It's fantastic that your photos got into shows and publications because of your Instagram account. I know a real live influencer!! :)
They provide me a lot of pleasure in seeing place I know and don't but perhaps would like to. And more than that, I love to see how you explore the world in such a thoughtful way and are kind enough to share it with the rest of us.
Another incredible post, Sabrina. It hits home (meaning heart and soul) like last week's but in a different way. Your thoughts and the excerpts you included from others about the importance of creativity made me realize how little I do these days to engage in creative activities and how routine life can become. It takes effort to find ways to be creative and then carry them out. When these little bursts come, they make me so happy - making books of photographs of the children's lives, granola for my friends here, dinner for guests, and the dining room table and the apartment look festive at Christmas. When I feel like preparing dinner is a drag, I remind myself that cooking is a creative outlet with an important outcome - happy eaters!
I'm very grateful as you are for the writing habit and the kind of thinking, planning, producing, playing, and writing and re-writing and re-writing that produces. It's given me much pleasure in learning, growing, figuring things out, and coming up with new ideas. It helps me process and connect things and makes my mind work in a different way.
Your post comes at a great time (any time would be) to start some of the creativity practices mentioned here and in the prompts you sent me. As Sanjay Gupta reiterates doing things differently and finding new ways to think about the world is brain health. We're all interested in that!
Thanks so much for the kind words, Andrea. It is so true that embracing creative habits can be challenging to get started. And finding the things to do that bring some joy and fitting them in when they are uncomfortable or hard work in a way is also hard. But just like certain exercise, making that effort can be as addicting and as important to our mental health as exercise. I hope to hear soon how you (and we both!) get on with trying to add new creativity into our lives! Happy holidays to you!
You always manage to strike a light in some way, Sabrina and I'm prompted to think how much of Christmas is creative - making the food, decorating the house, contriving for the garden to look lovely as lovely as it can.
But in amongst all that seasonal creativity, I'll admit that I doubt I'd cope without the displacement that is personal creativity. Obviously there's writing. But without embroidery in its various forms and gardening, my life would be so much the poorer. Every needle threaded, every colour and stitch chosen - creative, I suppose. And in the garden - plotting and scheming the best way to create a garden that works for us in fairly harsh conditions. Yesterday, it was a wind-tunnel and we stood inside and watch foxgloves lean flat and leaves fly past in a nuclear jetstream! Hmm - back to the drawing board.
Also, where would I be without the creative discipline of ballet?
Yes, creativity is the oil that keeps my wheels turning without doubt.
Thanks so much Prue. You always have such thoughtful and heartfelt words to share. I love reading about your ballet, and seeing photos of your garden (so sorry about the winds!). Reading your books is now helping me understand your craft of embroidery in a way that is completely new and fascinating! I am just loving the stories themselves and I would love to see an example of the embroidery one day. Maybe a photo? 😉 Have a wonderful pre-Christmas week!
I would love to show you some pics of my stumpwork! Bearing in mind I'm just another stitcher having a go. Perhaps I'll do a post on it over the holiday. It is honestly THE most incredible embroidery and one of the world's masters, Australian Jane Nicholas, is a close friend. Do google her. She was so generous in allowing me to use her designs as Adelina's own in The Stumpwork Robe and The Last Stitch. She also pushed me to write the story - terrifically inspirational.
I've just finished a marathon in the kitchen - one large Christmas Cake, one batch of iced cupcakes (seems too feminine for shearers, don't they, but they love them) and a spicy Ginger Slice from my cover designer's (Jane Dixon Smith) cookbook.
Tomorrow is another batch of cupcakes and an Orange and Raspberry Cake. This is assuming that half the Christmas Cake will be left for Day Two. (Please Let it be so!)
Wow to all of this! I did look up Jane Nicholas-my goodness, her work is so impressive! And kudos to all your baking! There is a lot of creativity crammed into your response above! ❤️ And I would be over the moon to see some photos of your stumpwork, however it suits you. And thankfully not too cold here this week. Cheers-
Hi Sabrina! Your writing today so struck a chord and brought tears to my eyes! I am so eager to read those additional pieces in full. The concept of « creativity » being so much broader than the somewhat traditional definitions I grew up thinking of (painting, for instance) is energizing and liberating! I realize that I poured my creative energy into baking and cooking for my kids, family and friends over the years, especially when my kids were young, along with decorating (and redecorating!) the new house Hannah, Madeline and I lived in together starting in 2001. Talk about confidence building during a time I really needed that additional confidence! These days decorating and baking are still creative outlets, as well as those so poignantly described efforts to keep holiday traditions vibrant and alive! I love them and relish the effort invested in the seasonal shifts and celebrations.
And Martin in my totally layperson opinion you are too modest about your photographic creativity! I very much enjoy the beauty and creativity of your daily photos.
Thanks for the kind words, and hope the tears were positive! I too found the idea that creativity can be found in the most basic of our daily activities-if we choose to look at them in that way- very heartening. I remember your baking from when I first knew you: that was always something we did together. I'm glad you can look back and realise what a creative home life you have created for your family! ❤️
Thank you, Sabrina for last week's Holiday trip down memory lane.! Isn't it marvelous that the "Branson Bunch" enjoyed similar childhood/adolescent "San Francisco at Christmas Time" traditions, right down to eating Crunch Cake for lunch at Blums! Heaven on earth! As for me being creative these days... I find pleasure teaching my younger teammates at Cyclopure how to "produce" art for packaging and branding. I work with designers as the kooky organizer who creates timelines and herds vendors...actually there is such a variety of tasks and so many people to mee! It is creative! When I watch my younger associates begin to follow MY steps doing what we do I see their self confidence blossom. That's a creative reward, wouldn't you say? Not quite like publishing a story, but I hope to try that too one day! May peace be the journey along your shore!
Thank you Katie-I'm so happy to hear the memories resonated with you. I love your description of the creativity you share with your co-workers. I absolutely agree that the approach to how you make decisions and approach problem-solving can be done by rote or with a flair for the flow of the organisation. It sounds like you are teaching your younger teammates to be creative too in how they accomplish their tasks. What a gift to them for you to share that! I can't wait to read your stories ❤️
Thanks so much Rebecca. I appreciate you always taking the time to say something kind! Hope you are not too busy this week: just at 'whelm' is the way you put it best this last week! 😉❤️
Thank you for this, Sabrina; as always, I love your clear and thoughtful and kind voice. I used to be much more creative, in a minor sort of way (writing, painting, drawing, cartooning), than I am now. (I blame too much screen time, which has gradually sucked out much of my brain.)
The one sort-of creative thing I do now, as you know, is take and post at least one photo every day. I started taking a daily photo some twelve years ago at the suggestion of Larry the Buddhist, the therapist I started seeing after Heather's initial cancer diagnosis; he thought it might be a way for me to keep myself in the present, even if only for a few seconds, rather than worrying about a future that was, after all, unknowable. (Did it help? I don't know. Maybe.)
My first efforts were pretty crummy, but I think I've gotten a little better, even though I would NEVER describe myself as a "real" photographer (I don't even own a camera - just an iPhone!). To me, the most amazing aspect of this discipline (if I dare call it that) is that it has resulted in two gallery shows, proposed by spaces who began following me on Instagram. Some foolish souls have even paid actual money for my prints! I've also had a photograph published in Orion Magazine, and a different one accepted as part of a temporary exhibition at the Clark Art Institute in Massachusetts.
I still find all of this quite surreal, if not downright miraculous, but I'm very grateful, and intend to keep it up as long as I can.
I am so glad you've found photography! Not only for your own mental health, of course, but also so the rest of us can enjoy seeing the world through your eyes. Your photos are a wonderful chronicle of your trips as well as your daily life. I'm happy to hear you have found success through your gallery shows as well. Long may it last!
I agree with Martha's comment that you're quite modest about your photography efforts. It's fantastic that your photos got into shows and publications because of your Instagram account. I know a real live influencer!! :)
They provide me a lot of pleasure in seeing place I know and don't but perhaps would like to. And more than that, I love to see how you explore the world in such a thoughtful way and are kind enough to share it with the rest of us.
Another incredible post, Sabrina. It hits home (meaning heart and soul) like last week's but in a different way. Your thoughts and the excerpts you included from others about the importance of creativity made me realize how little I do these days to engage in creative activities and how routine life can become. It takes effort to find ways to be creative and then carry them out. When these little bursts come, they make me so happy - making books of photographs of the children's lives, granola for my friends here, dinner for guests, and the dining room table and the apartment look festive at Christmas. When I feel like preparing dinner is a drag, I remind myself that cooking is a creative outlet with an important outcome - happy eaters!
I'm very grateful as you are for the writing habit and the kind of thinking, planning, producing, playing, and writing and re-writing and re-writing that produces. It's given me much pleasure in learning, growing, figuring things out, and coming up with new ideas. It helps me process and connect things and makes my mind work in a different way.
Your post comes at a great time (any time would be) to start some of the creativity practices mentioned here and in the prompts you sent me. As Sanjay Gupta reiterates doing things differently and finding new ways to think about the world is brain health. We're all interested in that!
Thank you again for a heartening, inspiring post.
Thanks so much for the kind words, Andrea. It is so true that embracing creative habits can be challenging to get started. And finding the things to do that bring some joy and fitting them in when they are uncomfortable or hard work in a way is also hard. But just like certain exercise, making that effort can be as addicting and as important to our mental health as exercise. I hope to hear soon how you (and we both!) get on with trying to add new creativity into our lives! Happy holidays to you!
You always manage to strike a light in some way, Sabrina and I'm prompted to think how much of Christmas is creative - making the food, decorating the house, contriving for the garden to look lovely as lovely as it can.
But in amongst all that seasonal creativity, I'll admit that I doubt I'd cope without the displacement that is personal creativity. Obviously there's writing. But without embroidery in its various forms and gardening, my life would be so much the poorer. Every needle threaded, every colour and stitch chosen - creative, I suppose. And in the garden - plotting and scheming the best way to create a garden that works for us in fairly harsh conditions. Yesterday, it was a wind-tunnel and we stood inside and watch foxgloves lean flat and leaves fly past in a nuclear jetstream! Hmm - back to the drawing board.
Also, where would I be without the creative discipline of ballet?
Yes, creativity is the oil that keeps my wheels turning without doubt.
Take care and talk again before Christmas.
Thanks so much Prue. You always have such thoughtful and heartfelt words to share. I love reading about your ballet, and seeing photos of your garden (so sorry about the winds!). Reading your books is now helping me understand your craft of embroidery in a way that is completely new and fascinating! I am just loving the stories themselves and I would love to see an example of the embroidery one day. Maybe a photo? 😉 Have a wonderful pre-Christmas week!
I would love to show you some pics of my stumpwork! Bearing in mind I'm just another stitcher having a go. Perhaps I'll do a post on it over the holiday. It is honestly THE most incredible embroidery and one of the world's masters, Australian Jane Nicholas, is a close friend. Do google her. She was so generous in allowing me to use her designs as Adelina's own in The Stumpwork Robe and The Last Stitch. She also pushed me to write the story - terrifically inspirational.
I've just finished a marathon in the kitchen - one large Christmas Cake, one batch of iced cupcakes (seems too feminine for shearers, don't they, but they love them) and a spicy Ginger Slice from my cover designer's (Jane Dixon Smith) cookbook.
Tomorrow is another batch of cupcakes and an Orange and Raspberry Cake. This is assuming that half the Christmas Cake will be left for Day Two. (Please Let it be so!)
Hope you're having a good week too. Not too cold?
Talk soon.
Wow to all of this! I did look up Jane Nicholas-my goodness, her work is so impressive! And kudos to all your baking! There is a lot of creativity crammed into your response above! ❤️ And I would be over the moon to see some photos of your stumpwork, however it suits you. And thankfully not too cold here this week. Cheers-
Hi Sabrina! Your writing today so struck a chord and brought tears to my eyes! I am so eager to read those additional pieces in full. The concept of « creativity » being so much broader than the somewhat traditional definitions I grew up thinking of (painting, for instance) is energizing and liberating! I realize that I poured my creative energy into baking and cooking for my kids, family and friends over the years, especially when my kids were young, along with decorating (and redecorating!) the new house Hannah, Madeline and I lived in together starting in 2001. Talk about confidence building during a time I really needed that additional confidence! These days decorating and baking are still creative outlets, as well as those so poignantly described efforts to keep holiday traditions vibrant and alive! I love them and relish the effort invested in the seasonal shifts and celebrations.
And Martin in my totally layperson opinion you are too modest about your photographic creativity! I very much enjoy the beauty and creativity of your daily photos.
Thank you Sabrina!!
Thanks for the kind words, and hope the tears were positive! I too found the idea that creativity can be found in the most basic of our daily activities-if we choose to look at them in that way- very heartening. I remember your baking from when I first knew you: that was always something we did together. I'm glad you can look back and realise what a creative home life you have created for your family! ❤️
Thank you, Sabrina for last week's Holiday trip down memory lane.! Isn't it marvelous that the "Branson Bunch" enjoyed similar childhood/adolescent "San Francisco at Christmas Time" traditions, right down to eating Crunch Cake for lunch at Blums! Heaven on earth! As for me being creative these days... I find pleasure teaching my younger teammates at Cyclopure how to "produce" art for packaging and branding. I work with designers as the kooky organizer who creates timelines and herds vendors...actually there is such a variety of tasks and so many people to mee! It is creative! When I watch my younger associates begin to follow MY steps doing what we do I see their self confidence blossom. That's a creative reward, wouldn't you say? Not quite like publishing a story, but I hope to try that too one day! May peace be the journey along your shore!
Thank you Katie-I'm so happy to hear the memories resonated with you. I love your description of the creativity you share with your co-workers. I absolutely agree that the approach to how you make decisions and approach problem-solving can be done by rote or with a flair for the flow of the organisation. It sounds like you are teaching your younger teammates to be creative too in how they accomplish their tasks. What a gift to them for you to share that! I can't wait to read your stories ❤️
Another wonderful read, Sabrina. You always manage to harness everything I value. 🙌
Thanks so much Rebecca. I appreciate you always taking the time to say something kind! Hope you are not too busy this week: just at 'whelm' is the way you put it best this last week! 😉❤️
😘