Day 32, 100 Happy Days: Inspiration

Sunrise with a PS filter on it. I love how hazy it looks.

My alarm was set for 8 AM this morning, but I woke up just as dawn was breaking. I thought about how I should go back to sleep, but then I thought that it was a good opportunity to watch the sun rise.

Now… I didn't want to watch the sunrise because I thought it would be pretty. Let's face it: a pretty sky won't get me out of bed at the crack of dawn. No, I wanted to watch the sun come up to see the trees in the backyard in various stages of light.

It was the last morning of a pet sitting job. I've been working on a series of sunrises based on the view from this particular house, and I just needed more information. For instance: why does it look like there's a hill in the backyard when I know there's no hill? Why does the horizon look like it so high up? Why do those trees that are so old and tall look so short when silhouetted against the morning sky? These were the questions they got me out of bed.

So where does my happy come in? I tell you, it comes from the feeling of being dedicated to my work, and it comes from being inspired to work. Even though I haven't painted in 2 weeks, I'm still working. I'm working on those paintings in my head, I'm figuring them out.

To be excited to get back to the canvas is a wonderful thing. To know that those paintings are waiting for me and that I have fresh information for them… That makes me happy.

Day 24, 100 Happy Days: Reflecting on Beauty

"Haven" ©Tabetha Hastings

I had a lovely Christmas Eve morning. It started with writing my morning pages, and then moved on to reading the book I'm currently devouring savoring. (One way or the other I'm eating it up.)

I had just read a particularly beautiful passage, and I paused to reflect on it. I looked out the window to see a the bones of a beautiful old tree standing against the blue sky with a few happy clouds floating by. It was all framed so perfectly by the window. I wanted to paint it.

I wonder if I would have appreciated that scene if I hadn't just read some beautiful, thought provoking words. Certainly I wouldn't have even noticed it had I not paused to reflect on those words.

Art inspires art inspires art.

There is so much beauty in the world if we just take the time to slow down and see it... Savor words, pause to reflect... it can make a person happy.

My Happiness Project Day 19: I Am the Architect of My Life

 I found this bookmark today while looking thorough one of my mother's old yoga books. It was a nice reminder, at just the right time: You are the architect of your life. Simple but true, and so good to remember!
It's easy to fall into thinking that things just happen to us; that we have no control over our circumstances. And... sometimes that it true. Stuff happens. But we do have a say in how we react to what happens, and that can make all the difference in the world.

The funny thing about finding this bookmark is that I don't remember pulling the book out of a box to look at it. I was going through some of my mother's papers, and the next thing I knew, the book was on my desk. I'm sure I absentmindedly pulled it out with a whole bunch of papers, but still. It was cool to just see it laying there, and then to find the bookmark. It does feel like a message from beyond. Thanks mom!

Inspiration vs Motivation

There is a subtle but important distinction between inspiration and motivation for me. I prefer to work from an inspired place, rather than a motivated place. Inspiration beckons, while motivation pushes. Inspiration says "Do this and you'll feel great!" while motivation says "You better do this...or you'll feel awful!"Inspiration pulls, motivation pushes.

You may remember the video of Aurthur Boorman; the disabled veteran who was overweight and walking with crutches and leg braces. He had accepted the fact that he'd never walk unassisted again, and that he'd probably be dead in a few years.
At some point he must have had a glimmer of hope, because he started doing yoga (which he documents in the video).  He ended up losing a whole lot of weight, and transformed himself so much that he is actually running at the end of the video.
Now that's what I call inspiration!

Below is the extended version of the video that has been circulating online for some time now. This guy is definitely my hero, and - in fact - my inspiration.

Learning To Be Creative

Often people come to my painting classes and say things like "I'm really not creative." Kind of makes you wonder why someone would show up for a class that will require some creative effort. Sometimes they were dragged by a friend or spouse, and sometimes they just want to try something different. Or perhaps they're holding out hope that then can actually learn to be creative. Whatever the case, I give them loads of credit for just showing up; that's half the battle.

True be told, I used to say the same thing. From the time I was a kid (when creativity should come naturally), through my 20s, I thought I was just not the creative or artistic "type". And I was right, really. At least until I found that I was wrong. What I mean to say is: whether you think you're as creative as Salvador Dali, or as unimaginative as Eeyore: you're right. (Until you change your mind, that is.)

I think the most common misconception about creativity is that you either have it or you don't. The truth is that we're all creative people. But it takes work. Contrary to popular belief, creative people are not overwhelmed with ideas all the time. It does take work, and we do get blocked. Part of the creative process is actually taking a break from the physical part of creating. Part of the work is play, daydreaming, frolicking. And part of it is thinking, researching and contemplating. Creativity is like a muscle: the more you use it, the stronger it gets. If you don't use it, it atrophies. But it can be built up again.

I just found this great article on creative thinking. I recommend it to everyone - creative thinking can help in every part of your life. It's not just for artists.

Thankfully, I finally found that I am a creative person, and I'm lucky to make a living helping others to be creative. If you think you're not creative, just create something. Anything. Make the main idea be not to create something beautiful or meaningful or funny; the idea should be to just create. Art for art's sake. And here's the key: don't judge your work or yourself. Judgement is the enemy of creativity. But that's a whole different blog entirely.

Now go create something. 

"Wash Away The Pain" acrylic on canvas 16x20 ©Tabetha Hastings

The Artist's Way Creativity Workshop

Artist's Way 12-week Creativity Workshop

The Artist's Way is a life changing "spiritual path to higher creativity". This 12-week program is designed to remove your artistic blocks and free up creative energy.
I've done this program twice, and I'm here to tell you that it works! It's not easy, however. It takes work. Daily work. There is a lot of soul searching and digging into your psyche, but there are fun exercises, too.
It's totally worth it.

The first time I did the program, in 2006 (I believe), I was only able to do the first four weeks of the course because my life changed so much in that time that I simply did not have time to finish. Nor did I feel a need at that time; I was on a creative high.

I did it again in 2010 and ended up starting my art business as a result.

The program is all detailed out in the book, and a person could go it alone - that's what I did back in 2006. But after doing the program with a group in 2010, I have to say that I recommend the group. You get dynamics in a group that are just missing when you go it alone. And it's nice to get feedback from others, and to know that you're not alone on this journey. Also, having to be accountable to the 12-week time frame, and to a group, helps keep you on task.

 I offer Artist's Way creative classes a couple of times a year. We do creative exercises that I've designed, in addition to following the 12-week program that Julia Cameron maps out in the book. 

If you're in the Denver area and are interested in joining a class, check my website for the schedule, or email me to find out when one will be offered.

You'll need to purchase the book if you're going to take the class, and you can purchase it pretty much wherever books are sold.

Questions? Feel free to email me.

Painting Like Klimt

I'm thinking of doing a Gustav Klimt style Painting Soiree. I absolutely love Klimt's work, and think it would be fun to try to paint a version of one of his paintings. 

Since it's for a class, I would probably keep it as simple as possible - perhaps do the center section of "Tree of Life". Or perhaps do the painting in three classes on three different canvases...
At any rate, while researching Klimt online, I came across this lovely body art. Apparently it was done by a local (Denver) artist, Kandi King.

While researching, I also came across this site, which compiled some recreations of Klimt's most famous painting, The Kiss.


Pretty cool, if you ask me. Here's a version of The Kiss with Superman and Lois Lane.

  

Laughter and the Human Experience

When we hear the phrase "the human experience" or "it's just a part of being human" it's usually in reference to suffering, hate, jealousy, pain or some other terrible part of being human. But there is a whole other side - a much better side - that for some reason gets less attention. Beauty, joy, love and laughter are just as much a part of being human.

Of these, I think laughter is the most important. What good are the rest if you're not laughing? Just my opinion, but then I'm a big fan of laughing. Besides being a whole lot of fun, it reduces stress, breaks the ice, builds bonds and even protects the heart.

Oh, and yes, it's a part of the human experience.

The following video is completely in French, but something tells me that you'll be able to understand it even if you don't speak French.

Isn't it wonderful how contagious laughter is?  I dare you NOT to laugh!


My mother and I went to a laughing yoga thing a few years back. It was very strange. We went to the pavilion in Cheeseman Park and just laughed with complete strangers. That's it. That's all we did. It was really quite odd at first, and we had to force the laughter. But after a very short time, we started really laughing. You can't fake laugh for very long without it turning to genuine laughter. It's a beautiful thing. However, even if - for some reason - your laughter doesn't naturally turn into actual giggles, chuckles or guffaws, you will still get the health benefits just the same.
What to do you have to lose?