It’s Monday and time for the “secret color challenge with a twist” BIG REVEAL!  Three pieces, ten days, required elements. WITH GRAFFITI!  Just for fun, I’ll let you study the photos and guess the 3 colors and figure out the twist. Yes, there is a quiz!  After that, we can ruminate on the value of doing […]

Finding a Creative Community

by Barbara Martin

in Try This

There is something magical that happens when artists get together in a friendly group and make art, but I am not exactly sure what it is. It might be synergy; it might be the proverbial mutual admiration society at work; it might be the fun of seeing what everyone is doing; it might be the relief of feeling […]

Secret Challenge Revealed

by Barbara Martin

in Try This

Today Jordan Hill and I reveal the results of the secret art challenge!  Last week we set up a private color challenge:  we independently selected two colors each and then combined our choices. We were to make 5 pieces with these colors. By today. And we did! The secret challenge colors: lime green soft yellow red silvery lilac […]

It took me a long time to realize that while artists may seem to have an inborn talent, they actually develop their art making skills by practicing. Doodles? Practice. Sketching? Practice. Staring into space? Practice.  They work it out over many attempts. Just like a toddler toddles and then walks, artists scribble and then draw.  […]

Walking to Infinity

by Barbara Martin

in Try This

I’ve mentioned how I “pace” by walking in a pattern to trace out the shape of a figure 8. I do it to relax and settle my mind when puzzling through a knotty problem or when I begin to panic am scrambling for last-minute inspiration on a deadline. Turn it on its side and this […]

Spinal Secret

by Barbara Martin

in Try This

Twyla Tharp’s new Sinatra music show is coming to town. This reminded me about The Creative Habit: Learn it and use it for Life, her richly practical and inspiring book. Among many valuable insights, she describes “the spine” and its essential role in creative projects. Can you guess what this week’s creativity tip touches on? […]

How to Succeed by Failing

by Barbara Martin

in Try This

When a creative project seems to fail, what do you do? Many times we take an initial failure as a sign that the project is not meant to be, or that we are not the person who is meant to carry it out. This is self sabotage at its sneakiest. Do you let frustration and […]

Do you have a big hairy deal exciting creative project languishing in the back of your mind because it’s too big, too bold, too overwhelming to contemplate in detail? I know you have a project like that, because we all do! This week’s creativity tip and experiment will help you get started on it — […]

Get this week’s all new “free, quick and easy” creativity tip now! I just updated the tip line with this week’s creativity experiment and I hope you will listen to it. It introduces a simple yet surprisingly powerful creativity-boosting game you can play alone or with friends. As always, no special tools or equipment needed […]

You are invited! I  have just founded the Reptitude Center for Creativity. Please try out the inaugural activity: A simple creativity boosting experiment you can complete in three minutes or less, no special equipment or supplies required. All you need to do is listen to a short recording! Also, it’s free. To listen to the […]