Anthropologie

I love this sweater

My mom loves these measuring cups

I adore how they arranged these numbers, fabrics, and baskets

And what a cool bike, eh?

Apron lovers, look out! You just might start salivating!

Bottom line, Anthropologie is a beautiful store containing beautiful things! I just wish they would have had a catalog in their store for me to take with me! I did sign up for their mailing list online.

{Sorry for the blurry photos; I was trying to be sneaky. I wasn't sure if I was allowed to take photos or not.}

4th of July Photos

I loved the night sky at dusk with the water and the boats and the boat lights

Evening/night shots are so fun to get the streaks of light

The crowd is patiently waiting for the fireworks show.

These next 3 shots were from my camera when on "continuous" mode.

1

2

3

You can click on any of the above photos and see a TON more photos of fireworks and random abstractness in my 4th of July flickr set.

Creative Intentions Issue No. 4

Welcome to the fourth issue of Creative Intentions. With this newsletter, I hope to inspire all creative types to learn about their personal creativity and how to grow from their creative work. Each week, for twelve weeks, you can look forward to a feature article with information, tips and ideas surrounding the realm of creativity.

Feature Article Topic:

Creativity and Renewal

In Minnesota, April is the month where signs of spring start to peek out from the earth, from the trees and speak through the wind. As we open our windows, bird songs are heard loud and clear, including the high-pitched screechy songs of baby birds. The sun feels warm and good as we dress in fewer layers. All of this seems like an invitation to a fresh start, a time for renewal. But how do we release the darkness that we’ve been holding? How do we enjoy this gift of spring or summer? One reply is, “Through creativity”. Each of us has inner creativity, and each of us will tap this inner creativity in our own way. When we access this inner creativity and let it out, we feel very deep, meaningful, and powerful experiences. Through the process of these experiences, we are better able to understand what has been bothering us, and we are able to release the darkness we’ve been carrying inside.

This process isn’t necessarily easy, though sometimes just getting started is the hardest part. One way to help you get started is simply to sit quietly and breathe. Once relaxed, begin to create. You want to center yourself enough to be able to focus on what you need to let go of. If you are too wound up to sit, then just get out some paper and scribble on it. This provides a very satisfying release. This approach is good for those who have difficulty identifying their needs. However, the more you release through scribbling or whichever technique you choose, you are breaking through layers, and the truth will eventually come. In either scenario, it feels good to let go. Our whole being responds well to a needed release of energy. Our creative work renews us, our new understanding of ourselves renews us, being present renews us, and the wonder of nature renews us.

Suggestion:

This week, I encourage you to paint wildly, write honestly and fervently, play music with passion, stomp and sway your body with feeling, sing whatever arrives when you allow your song to come out of your body. However you choose to release this energy, you will receive a renewal of energy in return for your efforts.

A terrific new book that is out that might help with releasing creativity through drawing is Drawing Lab for Mixed Media Artists by Carla Sonheim.

You can find the book on Amazon.com here

http://www.amazon.com/Drawing-Lab-Mixed-Media-Artists-Exercises/dp/1592536131/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1278357353&sr=8-1

Her blog is http://carlasonheim.wordpress.com/

Carla was also recently interviewed on Fiber Arts and Mixed Media radio (FAMM) on July 1, 2010 about her new book. You can listen to the interview here http://www.blogtalkradio.com/fammlive/2010/07/01/book-launch-party-for-artist-carla-sonheim

Announcements:

July 12^th, 2010 Issue No. 5 will feature an article on

Creativity and Health

I wish you all a wonderful sense of renewal!

© BrianaCreates 2010 All Rights Reserved

Briana: Artist, Writer, Teacher, and Creativity Coach

Contact at bmriskin@earthlink.net

Blog http://courageouslycreating.blogspot.com/

Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/brianacreates/

Twitter http://twitter.com/BrianaCreates

Etsy http://www.orangespiral.etsy.com

Remains of the Day Journal Number 4 (Leftie Version)

The back opened up

Some interior pages

The left side, flap open, and the left side of a page with sewing

Some of the magazine/book pages are in upside down intentionally.

There is a pocket here created out of a security envelope.

I think this is one of my favorite pages. Of course, because of the ORANGE.

Here are the two signatures facing each other.

A super close up of the flap and the wrap.

Here is the tie closure, untied.

A close up.

More inside pages, as well as the flap on the left.

This is the back of the book.

Here is another pocket.

The two big, fat signatures.

Inside pages.

The flap.

From the top, two views for you.

The whole thing, complete.

A Hunt and Gather Experience

Happy July 4th Weekend to YOU!

Below are some images from a recent trip I took to the unique antique shop called Hunt and Gather. Their tagline is "Find your prize". I love it. There are many "prizes" to be found in this shop. I fell in love instantly. My friend Molly of The Found Recipe Box is who initially got me really intrigued to stop in. I went with my mom, who used to LOVE to drag her children to antique stores. Now I was dragging her to one!! Oh, how funny things change as we get older!!!!

These are the shop owners/operators. I think they must be sisters. Or at least good friends. Does anyone know their story? Anyway, I had a great time taking photos and gathering my "prizes". If you are an artist of any kind, or an antique collector, definitely check out this store in person!