Wild Creative Heart Guest: Artist and Art Journaler Tracie Hanson

Welcome Wild Creative Heart

Tracie Hanson
aspiring messy artist
soul searcher
avid nickname maker, chronic list maker
serious brooder one moment
silly punster the next
reads five books at once
loudly denies loving “gossip girl”
keeper of many unfinished journals
lugger of booby-trapped finished tomes
regrets the loss of her southern accent,
but retains its sultry charm
calls a furry boy-dog her BFF,
but loves her slick headed man-boy most
adores native american wisdom,
but often wears cowboy boots
dreams of climbing trees and sedona’s red mountains
treks in Santa Fe and romps on the beach
an afficianado of world music, but rocks a rowdy dance floor
w w w . m y b l o o m i n g l i f e . c o m

What inspires you?
I find inspiration in many things - like nature, history and faraway exotic locations. But if I had to name one thing that deeply inspires me, I’d have to say it’s the fusion of personal story with image.
This explains my near fanatical love of visual journaling, graffiti inspired works . . . even ancient petroglyphs. I think it's so interesting when a person documents his day or an event in a creative way. If the artist uses symbolism, dream, myth or legend, I’m sold! If the piece looks both modern and ancient, I’ll take two!

How do you nurture your creative spirit?
I looked up the word just to be sure of how to answer this question: Nurture (verb) - to encourage, promote, stimulate, develop, foster, cultivate, boost, contribute to, assist, help, abet, strengthen, fuel.
Don’t you love that word “fuel”? I fuel my creativity in several ways. I often take myself on “artist dates”. This is a serious pursuit! Typically once a week (or more), you’ll find me at an art and crafts fair, a gallery or a shoppe I’ve heard is “eye candy”. Visual stimuli is important to my creative spirit.
I’m also quite addicted to art workshops - both in person and online. Learning is a passion of mine, and I doubt I’ll ever stop. I’ve filled many notebooks with techniques I’ve learned in various classes. I love to tweak them and make them my own.
Recently, I stepped up and rented a large art studio I share with my Mom. We both wanted to devote more time and space to our creativity. I spend the majority of my days there playing with all my art supplies. The more time I spend there, the more energy I seem to have! I also have a small space at home I've made into my writing and journaling studio. These creative spaces encourage my creativity. I believe everyone needs a place to play - even a corner in your garage or bedroom is important to claim for your creative blossoming.

Here are some photos from Tracie:

Thought I'd share some photos of the visual journal I'm currently working in. I made this journal from one of my favorite books (I had two somehow). The book is about Dan Eldon - who just happens to be the first ever visual journalist I'd ever come across. He is the man that sparked my passion for what has now become my favorite art form.
I created pages out of various types of paper such as scrapbook paper, brochures, junk mail and in this journal, used many images from the book I had gutted. I've made many pockets to stuff my daily "artifacts" and journal on the journal pages or on scraps of paper I paste or tape in. Soon, it'll be too thick to close and that's just how I like it!

Thank you for being a guest at the Wild Creative Heart blog and sharing with us, Tracie!

With creative passion,
Lisa


P.S. If you would like to be featured or know someone who make a great featured guest, please drop me a line at lisa AT WildCreativeHeart DOT com.

Painting "Fear"

Dear Wild Creative Hearts,

Fear. Have you ever wondered what form it would take if it was painted or drawn?

Last summer I could feel an inner nudge suggesting that I "paint my fear". My mind/ego wasn't sure what good it would do to make a mess on one of my canvases. I thought that perhaps drawing might be good enough, but the nudge to paint went on for a week or two before I finally gave in.

"Okay", I thought. "I'll take one of my painted canvases just waiting to be 'finished', the one that is purple, and I will be okay with ruining it. I will be okay with painting badly." My mind was sure painting "fear" was going to be ugly, messy and dark.

I grabbed the paints that felt right, but surprised me: yellow, turquoise, light blue, purple, magenta. I wanted black, but couldn't find it. How can I paint fear without black? But I didn't let it stop me, I could feel the inner nudge very strongly to get on with it.

Squeezing out some yellow on the canvas yet not knowing what direction I was going, I was still okay with surrendering to the idea of painting badly, ugly and ruining the canvas. Spreading the yellow around, it looked like it could be the ears of some strange creature. I took the cue and continued painting and playing, focusing on what was wanting to emerge about "fear".

When I was finshied and I looked at it I was surprised at first. THIS is fear?

"Well, of course." a voice within me answered. "Fears are those places within you that need your love. They aren't dark, scary places, but sweet places wanting your love and compassionate attention."

The moral of the story: Next time you are feeling any kind of fear, remember that it is a sweet and lonely aspect of yourself asking for your loving care. Love it and feel the fear dissolve.

Shine your light,
Lisa

(c)2010 Lisa Dieken, All Rights Reserved

Honoring Wapiti (elk)

Steady Pace

Stamina

Strength

I call upon Elk to show me the strength in setting a pace for myself that keeps me filled with energy, vitality and helps me to finish strong. It may not be the fastest pace, however I will succeed with harmony and balance.

Thank You, Elk, for your Medicine. I honor you.

(c)2010 Lisa Dieken, All Rights Reserved