5 Most Inspirational Creative Spirits I know.....

I've been meaning to do this post forever.....well for at least the last few months! I'm often asked where do I get my inspiration from. I'm inspired by nature, positive thinking, motivational quotes, philosophy, colours, oh and many, many other things. Most importantly I am inspired by other creative spirits and I'd like to share with you my top 5. I couldn't decide what order to put them in as they are all equally important to me...so I decided to put them in alphabetical order to avoid favouritism.

First off, I offer you the wonderful Joanne Sharpe of Whimspirations. Wild and free lettering, bright optimistic colours and a flair for mad doodling. Pop over and see her blog here....

http://joannezsharpe.blogspot.com/

Then comes Joanne Fink and her wonderful Zenspirations. I first got to know about Joanne's work, when during my beginner years as a calligrapher and bought Calligraphy and Lettering Art Books from America. If you haven't managed to Doodle and don't know where to start, Joanne's Zenspirations will open up a world of simple, clean lined and funky drawings, which will amuse and encourage even the beginner in this art form. Joanne can be found here. http://www.zenspirations.com/

Then there's the beautiful Lori Vliegen from Elvie Studio. I love her blog and look forward to her 3 times a week posts which act as a quick fix for me. I love her lettering style and more subtle colours as she uses watercolour crayons and a simple waterbrush with a fine micro pen to create her magical little works of art. Lori's blog is here http://elviestudio.blogspot.com/

Ahhhh, the wonderful work of Martha Lever and her blog at Art Du Jour. Her work has developed and changed over the years and I love the enthusiasm that comes over in her art and blog posts.

Martha can be found on the following link at

http://marthalever.blogspot.com/

Finally we have Violette Clark from Violette’s Creative Juice. I've known of Violette for some 5 years now....ever since I started blogging. We share the same madness for colour, creativity and we seem to have not only read a lot of the same books, but go through similar events together. Sort of spiritual sisters across the pond. Her work is vibrant and there's not an ounce of self-consciousness to be seen. Her art is what it is. Every woman is a Goddess and every woman seems to go through the same rites of passage. Her work is optimistic and motivational and I would advise you to take a look at her amazing blog http://www.violette.ca/

Hopefully, you will see these artists work influence but not copied in my work. My Power Doodles were spurred on by these amazing women. In many ways they are all similar, working with positivity, but in other ways they are so different. I guess what I am looking for here is the common denominator that sparks something within my psyche and gets my Creative Spirit flying. Whatever it is, these 5 women do it for me and really float my boat.

I thank each and every one of them for their generosity in sharing their creativity in Cyberspace so that others can be motivated and inspired.

Blessings to you all xxx

It's not a hot flush.....it's the sparks that are flying!

Well, what can I say! I've been thinking a lot recently about the menopause and why is should be called 'The Change'.
there's one helluva lot of synchronicity happening around me right now and we must learn to go with the flow.
this blog is about to undergo MAJOR changes....driven on by many factors, but mainly a deep need inside to make it somewhere for people to come and

BE Inspired, BE Motivated and BE Creative!

I've been working on many projects and the universe has given me a good hard shove in a direction that I have procrastinated about for years.

It's all about working to your strengths.

Where this started and how this come about is any ones guess. I've tried to work back on a time-line to pin point the exact moment when this 'Change' happened in me....but I can't! That's another symptom of the menopause.....FORGETFULNESS!

At the moment I'm working on mini-art pieces....quite unlike the formal calligraphy I have been taught. Driven on by my dear friend Melissa Dinwiddie and her idea of creating some art EVERY DAY. Melissa herself has been though some big changes too, you can read all about her on her blog.

Reading and connecting with her has probably been the catalyst for the biggest changes in me and what I am doing at the moment.....but there are others who have been a big part of this synchronicity, energy shift, universe kicking up the arse thing that's happened to me and I'll write about then very soon.

For now, the blog needs a revamp. BIG TIME revamp and it's all in hand. Articles are being written and the old posts, no longer relevant are being removed.

I did wonder whether to start a new blog and delete this one altogether, but I have many followers both on Blogger, Email and Facebook it would be a shame to loose them.....beside which....I LOVE the name and it very fitting for my new blog.

Am I excited?

Oh YES, I most certainly AM!

I will be back very soon....in the meantime.....

BE Inspired,

BE Motivated and most of all

BE creative!

While I busy myself in the background

and make those changes....

MENOPAUSE ROCKS!

It's not a hot flush.....it's the sparks that are flying!

Did anyone else feel this way when they hit menopause?

you hear so many bad things about this stage of life....I'm interested in hearing YOUR story....either leave a comment, write on your blog and leave a link in my comments box or email me inspiredbyscript@yahoo.co.uk

I'd love to hear others exciting experiences

TRUST ME GIRLS....It's not all bad! :o)

Bright, hot blessings,

Sue x

Believe in Yourself

And here's another little colour, affirmation doodle, to serve as a gentle reminder to:

Believe in Yourself

This is probably one of the hardest things to learn. I remember from way back, reading a book on Self Awareness, when I was told that it's far easier to remember the bad things people say about us than the good.

No wonder then, as adults the difficulty and struggle we have with this one. At times you may feel it's rather arrogant to 'Believe In Yourself'......But wait a moment....if you have no belief in yourself it's very unlikely anyone else will believe in you too.

Damaged self esteem can take years to repair. Starting is that hardest thing.....but once you do, you will find that it makes such a difference, you will never want to go back.

Start by making a list of all the things you are good at. However small you think that achievement is. Add to it daily....very soon you will build a list bigger than you ever thought possible.

Read this list on a daily basis. Repeat the list starting with the words:

I am good at.......
I am great at......
I am successful at......
I am brilliant at......

It will be hard at first....but once over the initial self doubt you will find that these daily affirmations will become more and more powerful and heal those long and deep ingrained beliefs.

REMEMBER TO: Stop judging yourself and being so harsh on your soul....treat it as a little child who lives within.
You would not speak to others the way you speak to that child within now would you? So make it your mission to STOP right now and pull yourself up when you catch yourself doing it.

You will exchange the negative destructive beliefs for positive creative beliefs and YOU WILL notice a difference.

Repeat after me (and shout this out loud)

I BELIEVE IN MYSELF!

Give this a try and let me know how you get on :o)

Follow your Heart!

I don't mind admitting it....I've got the bug! The bug for these little doodles!
Planning a workshop is never easy. You have to think from start to finish or rather how you will get the students from learning a basic technique and then running it through to a finished item.

People have different levels of experience and learn at different rates. The advanced students have to be held back, while the beginner students seem sometimes to be fast tracked..

It was while I was preparing this lettering workshop, that I got the bug for these colourful doodles.

For the advanced students my fear is that they will find it.....shall we say 'Kitsch' while I worry that the beginners will not grasp that the playful lettering is a different thing altogether than the formal lettering they are used to. Contemporary calligraphy can only come from a solid foundation and with experience of of formal lettering....no matter how easy it looks.

After, writing and rewritings my class plan, I've decided to 'Follow My Heart' and run with this idea. It will not suit everybody and it will appeal to some more than others. However, I have decided to take my own advice for once.

By following your heart you can be sure of one thing, you are being true to yourself, and from this comes enthusiasm which hopefully you can pass on to your students

So often we hold back through fear. When the head takes over and all sense or reason flies out of the window and the seeds of doubt creep in. Don't let your head rule your decision making. Just go wit the flow and 'Follow Your Heart', your most basic core instinct!

How will you 'Follow Your Heart' today?

I Am an Artist....

I just LOVE this!

Available from:

http://www.hesaidteeshed.com/

Are you STUCK, before even starting?

I love my job as a Calligrapher...but sometimes need to escape from the hum drum 'formal' lettering styles that people expect you to come out with on their commission work.

These Pen Play Doodles have been great fun and a welcome pause to the Creative Spirit.

I was chatting to a friend the other day who is finding it terribly difficult to start her own business. I'm trying to help her as best I can.....and advice is freely given if not always taken.

One of the problems is getting started.

The actual producing of any work.

It's hard when you are juggling kids, jobs, housework, partner, pets.....We've all been there, done that, worn the T-shirt.

Oddly enough, this came up with another friend as she was starting her business, so I thought I would write a blog post about it here....

OK.....so you have all the gear (and more) to start creating.....but something ALWAYS gets in the way. My main advice here is to STOP RIGHT THERE.....hold your horses and BREATHE!

OK....so if this was a conventional job, you wouldn't be able to make excuses as to why you hadn't turned up for work. So, you need to treat it just like that....like a 'PROPER' job!

When you first start out there are lots of reasons and from now on we will call them EXCUSES - (I'll come to this one later) as to why you haven't done anything.

Sometimes, the problem is that you are looking at the BIGGER picture.....looking at having a shed load of stuff to sell, make, create and because you are looking at the bigger picture it becomes overwhelming and you never get round to even starting.

SO....make some ME time....go on.....write it on your calendar right now.....even if it's only time on an evening....and while you're at it.....pen in the following 4 weeks....same time and day.

RIGHT - From now on.....at these Me times you are BUSY....got that? Hell can freeze over, but you are BUSY!

It's better and more conceivable to schedule in one hour per night than try and cram in a full day once a week.....so think carefully before you commit yourself.

Once you have.....it's immovable.

The above little picture is for you.....print it out and hang it somewhere prominent....print and give them away....but PLEASE do NOT try to sell them!

....remind yourself daily that

YOU are WORTH IT!

Believe me, the hubby will be happier, the kids will be happier, the household chores will STILL get done )and quicker if the truth be known!) and the sense of achievement will be AMAZING!

REMEMBER: Take small deliberate steps....each one leads you closer to your goal!

What advice would you give to someone who is stuck before starting?

From Pen Play to Crazy Colour

Well, here's another Pen Play and Doodle Fun piece that I created.....first outlined in 0.5mm permanent fine line pen....

And then coloured in using a water based brush pen.....diluted with water. the trick is to go around the edges with the brush, then use the water brush to dissolve the water from the paper and push it around. The result is 'similar' to watercolour paint, but far cleaner (she says with pen all over her finger tips!) .

The above pictures are a scan of the pieces, so the colour quality is a bit yucky1 I have taken photos and I'll share the finished piece, which I am going to add to my Art Journal.

Any type of colouring medium will work with the Pen Doodles, the choice is up to you. There is a variety of water soluble crayons as well as felt pens out there. Just remember: Permanent for the outline and water based for the colouring....you don't want your outline to be cloudy by painting over with heavy acrylic, but acrylic inks work well too.

Happy creative spirit :o)

Pen Play.....Doodle Fun!

Autumn Equinox is here....and a natural time for winding down.....why is it then that I feel so creative? Perhaps it's the thought of the nights drawing in, belly filling food, crisp mornings and warm cozy log fires that will soon be upon us. Whatever it is, it happens at the same time every year.
As I continue with my Doodle Art, I'm finding that I'm becoming More and more obsessed. It takes me back to when I was a kid and I always had time to create.....for no other reason than pure self indulgent pleasure. These Doodle Frames are just the beginning....

They are drawn with a 0.5, permanent pen and with NO pre-planning. Perhaps I enjoy this spontaneous way of working, because it becomes organic and grows from a small starting point...

Because there is no pr- planning, there is no set time to stop. The piece can just grow and grow.

These pieces may be finished or not.....we will see. After the first couple the ideas come thick and fast. Perhaps I will add colour, perhaps I will add words, but more so on my mind is to make them into a colouring journal for adults, something I have been thinking about for some time.

There was no set reason as to why I started these. No hidden agenda. No ultimate goal in mind. Just a Creative Spirit, enjoying a little 'ME' time, after the flurry of the last few months.

However they develop, I will keep posting them.

The greatest appeal for me is the lack of materials needed to create them. This means they can be done anywhere and with just a pen and paper.

Why not grab a cuppa, pick up a pen and start doodling today?

Trust me it's addictive.....so stock up on the ready meals :o)

BUT - If you really can't be bothered and fancy a bit of Art Time, I've left the pictures big, so feel free to click on the one/s you like and print them out.....you may even add to mine.....if you do PLEASE leave a comment and link back to this post....lets see if anyone wants to participate?

Blessings to your 'Creative Spirit' this equinox xxx

Goodbye is the hardest thing to say.....

Spring always gets my creative juices flowing and the ideas come think and fast. This year has been no different....but there have been many changes in my life.

Steve has moved in to both the house and the studio and being with a fellow creative has certainly spurred me on with things that have been on the back burner for quite some time. He helps drive and motivate me as I do him. Together we make a great team.

My once full of animals home is now down to just 2 cats after the sad and sudden loss of my lovely Garfield impersonating cat Simba, she was so missed by my remaining 2 that they went through depression and it's taken then some time to recover.

On a personal level, I have been devoting my time to my Wedding Website and Blog and building up portfolios containing my new designs to be installed in various shops and with Wedding Planners.....all good stuff.

I have also found a niche motivating and inspiring other creators, helping them along, giving advice and encouragement, something that I get great pleasure from and with their encouragement I have started a new blog called Makers and Shakers. (Connecting Creators together, profiling their work and offering advice, motivation and inspiration to those new on the path of selling their wares.)

The blog is at the moment still in it's infancy and I am writing a lot of articles off line ready for future publication. I've wanted to do this for quite some time and you can only hear the words 'You should write a book' so many times, before you take up the calling :o)

So....what I am saying here is that posting on this blog will be very infrequent as I build up my other blogs.....possibly I will ditch this one for good as it has served it's purpose.

You can keep up to date with my work at the studio by visiting and following Inspired by Script

and my Wedding Blog and website at North Yorkshire Weddings

You can also find me on Facebook: Inspired by Script on Facebook

I hope my followers will join me and many others on Makers and Shakers and we also have a Makers and Shakers Page on Facebook!

Oh.....and on the subject of Makers and Shakers, I know I have a large number of followers that are also Makers and Shakers.....so why not get some FREE publicity and share your knowledge and experiences with other by answering the call of Spotlight Sunday... it's painless and fun! Honest!

So for now....it's not goodbye......it's just I am otherwise engaged with pastures new. Change is good :o)

Attention all you misfits, troublemakers and free spirits

Quotations...Finding inspiration

There's no doubt about it...I love quotations and as such I am a keen collector and have books full of the. I often get asked where do I get them from and the answer is....from many many sources. However the internet has certainly made things a lot easier.

If you are looking for a special quotation

to suit a particular event or occasion,

go to The Quote Garden. It's full of inspiration.

You can go direct to the site by CLICKING HERE

Warning!

Go and grab yourself a coffee first....

you may be there some time :o)