Sometimes you just have to step away from the keyboard and do something a bit different.
After all the turbulence in my mind the last couple of days it was nice to turn it to something else.
Today I did some salvaging and repurposing of tired furniture using chalk paint.
If you’ve never used it before welcome to the club – I hadn’t either.
It’s amazing for impatient time poor people like me who want instant results for minimal effort.
A desk – which used to be a cheap old knocked about dark chocolate veneer finish has been given a vintage vibe and freshen up with green.
An old white cane cabinet was painted navy with a distressed finish and is now a welcome addition to the guest room which needed a bedside table.
And an old timber hatrack now brightens a dull corner near my back door.
The best part – you just slap the paint straight on and two coats you’re done – there is also a wax finish to apply or sealant – google, Pinterest You’ll find what I’m talking about.
Creativity is a source of great enjoyment to me. It makes my heart sing to do these sorts of things and it always produces fresh insights in my writing as well.
Everyone is capable of creativity whether it is cooking, sewing, gardening,pottery or weaving – or one of a plethora of other beautiful ways to use some spare time.
I think it makes for well rounded and balanced individuals.
I have a lovely fellow writer who also paints folk art, does pottery, doll making and patchwork quilting amongst other things as well as her writing (and she is a wonderful writer). Last night we had a fairly intense discussion on the marches happening all over the world at the moment.
Her view was different to mine and it didn’t matter a bit – we both respect each other enough not to get put out over such things.
I always enjoy her point of view because she is interested in life – reads, lives in a larger world.
Creative people are busy.
They’re not interested in gossip or other negative behaviours.
As a bunch, creatives are happy positive people – good to be around – all that productive energy – thriving.
Artists and creatives are also some of the most depressed people on the planet at times.
Why?
Self doubt plays a big role.
I remember when I was locked up – not creating, doubting and a very wise aunt of mine asked me “how’s the photography Kate?”
“Oh not doing much Aunty Mary – busy with work – you know”
Hmmm
Now my Aunt Mary is a very creative person herself (and a very talented one) so next she asked “doing any painting? I love your art”
I came clean – “no, I just get so – I don’t know – I just don’t think I’m very good”
Mary laughed, “ha! You take yourself too seriously – just do it for fun, enjoy it, you’re great but just do it for fun.”
I love older women.
They are so wise.
They get it.
Life.
We all take ourselves too seriously, I hope I have stopped.
I take my writing seriously but that is because I love it – I thrive on it and it creates an energy that sustains me.
But I don’t take much else seriously anymore, Injust enjoy creating, riding away and having adventures on my motorbike, enjoying my family, my home, the company of beautiful people with broad minds and large souls, happy hearts.
And working hard in our business.
All of this creativity feeds me enough to work hard at what I don’t particularly enjoy but know feeds me (in reality) and supports my husband – happily.
And I enjoy giving back to creative people, being around them.
This blog is the smartest and best thing I have ever done for my happiness.
Life is so good and I wake up excited
Every
Single
Day
Let’s be creative.
Don’t take yourself too seriously and enjoy your art whatever that may be.
Have a lovely evening, from my house to yours.
Much love
Xx
