The Myth of Success and My Creative Process

This past week I received an email from Jennifer Worick asking to be added to the list of Creative Bloggers. I love getting emails and being introduced to Creative Bloggers. When I clicked on her link I was very surprised. Immediately I thought;  Why would an author of 20 books write to me? Surely she must be living large. Surely she must feel so accomplished that she doesn't need to expand her world.

That is the myth of success.

I added Jen to the list, browsed her blog and book marked her recent post about her podcast interview at hip tranquil chick.

The next day I listened while Ethan and Maggie were at school. Jen seems warm and friendly and has such great ideas!!! Her books titles are diverse and playful. I grew up watching every episode of Little House on the Prairie so I really loved the idea around her new book; The Prairie Girls Guide to Life. In the podcast interview Jen talks about searching for a brand for herself.

It finally hit home to me...

no one has it figured out...we are all working on whatever it is we are working on. everyday. I think Dreams can be realized but never quite be completely fulfilled because the moment we are almost there we Dream a new Dream. That is the beauty of life!  I think frustration and unhappiness is believing there is one true way and that eventually you figure it out, eventually you win the race, get the prize.

I believe happiness is reveling in the beauty of the truth that the journey really is the destination.

Charlotte asked about The Creative Process this week at justBeConnected's last Dialog Day.

I often get asked how I create and connect with two preschoolers running around. My Creative Process begins with planning. The planning part is something easy for me to do. I think it comes from my 15 years working as a manager for Gap. I am off and on the computer all day. The computer is in the family room where the Television and most of the children's toys are. This is a very good thing. I do have my creative box filled with bags of scraps, my journal, and a glue stick with me at all times, but most of my art supplies are in the living room. When I am actually going to open the Mod Podge I try to pick a day that Sean won't be home until after 10 PM and works early the next day (this happens at least once a week~he is a Store Manager for HomeGoods). We usually eat meals together at the table, but when Sean isn't home E and M and I just eat in the family room. When I am using lots of Mod Podge I like to spread out on the kitchen table which is adjacent to the living room (aka my studio)

First I plot out what I want to make and prep all the materials. This round I knew I wanted to make something for my sister's 40th Birthday, a commission for my sister-in-law and a journal.

   

I also search the house for my scraps. My favorite place is a basket of Ethan and Maggie's art papers and school work.

Before I go to the next stage I make sure I have had some play time with E an M and then explain how Mama will have glue hands for the next few hours. By now they know what this means. I set them up with a drink, a snack, some toys, a movie and then I get to play! {the best part of my house is the layout. I can be creating at the kitchen table and still hear and sort of see everything going on in the family room}

Then I tie this old shirt around me so I don't ruin any more tops with glue. Very attractive I know! and yes I have yet to take down Ethan's Birthday party decorations.

and then for the next few hours...

Ever since Maggie saw me make "Fly Away" she asks me every day for me to make something for her room. this really warms my heart that my daughter wants one of my "beautiful pictures with wire things"  I started one for her last night and still had time to do two other pieces for sale. Of course then Ethan asked when I will make something for him! Maggie added that I need to make something "Boy" for him.

"Fly Away" available here.

This morning I started this post, but now I am off to finish my creations.

Maggie wanted to create with me.

Journals are a many step process.

Outside to glitter spray Maggie's picture and another I am making for sale.

Sean calls, as he usually does on his break, even though he was not sure he would find me home. I had plans to go to the high school's craft fair, a town Halloween event, and grocery shopping. But instead art seduced me. I get over ambitious with the smell of glue and a table full of scraps~ I push myself to create and create and create because there are so many ideas pulsing through my veins! and I am always unsure of when this moment of glue hands will come again. After I hang up I realize it is 2:00 PM and the house is a mess, we are all still in our pajamas, and I haven't eaten anything but a few Halloween M&M's with my morning coffee. Suddenly I feel light headed, my throat burns, and my body aches. I am tired. I make myself an egg salad sandwich on wheat, some ginseng tea, and sit for a few minutes. I am not sure if we will make it out of the house today. I start day dreaming about ordering Chinese for dinner.

Slowly I clean up.

I use Maggie's abandoned glitter paint to make extra scraps from school fliers.

Over ten projects started. No wonder I am so tired!

I know better than to finish any of them until they are completely dry. I shower, (somewhat) straighten the house, dress E and M and then teach them how to play "Go Fish" while we wait for Sean to come home.

Chinese it is.

Yum!

Comments

[Jana]

I love seeing your artistic process!!!

You use a lot of Mod Podge!!! You must use some pretty thick paper?

I love how you and Maggie create together! That is SO CUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats on getting your Chinese food... YUM.

[tammy vitale]

p.s. - and the creative process thing? I think you nailed it on the head.

[tammy vitale]

I LOVE Ethan's journal - the idea of it as well as the execution. I'm looking at the pictures and I still don't know how you manage. You must have angels for kids! Wonderful!

[pink sky]

as i read this post i am nodding in complete understanding...this process of growing and reshaping ideas! i love this, and wish you so much success on this new path. we are so much alike and trying to accomplish so many of the same things. beautiful.

[Amber]

I am so impressed with you. You have no idea! I see all this, and still don't know how you do it. My kids would be all up in that, if I tried. *sigh*

Miss you, dear. Thanks for your emails.

Love

:)

[patry]

Hi neighbor! How wonderful to check in and see you and
Maggie and Ethan flourishing, creating and even playing fish. We are overdue for that walk on the beach. xox Patry

[mary ann]

i can totally hear the buzz of activity going at your house!

you go girl! & thanks for reminding me about (in your last post) about aedm!

xo mary ann

[Delia]

Such a look of contentment on your face in that last photo...what a delicious post.
Love,
D.

[Vedrana]

love your words and photos showing your creativity, just wonderful :)

[ELLIE]

Your creative process is wonderful and heart warming...you wore me out with all you do.
Loved the pictures...thanks so much for sharing it all!
Ellie

[Jessie]

SUPER MOM!!!! :) Wow. You amaze me. And I LOVE that smile on your face in the last photo. It says it all. ;)

[Bohemian mom]

I adore you Melba!
You are so real and such an awesome down to earth mama.
Your creativity always inspires me and I just LOVE these posts where you share so much detail.
I am trying to incorporate a *creative* evening once a week with my daughter. This post was exactly what I needed to see tonight.
xo

[Georgia]

Melba :)

I love seeing your creative process:) And that Chinese food looks SO good! Now I want take out too.

xoxox