Living The Creative Life

Welcome to the Julie Hamilton Art blog!  I hope it will keep you up to date on my upcoming art shows, classes, workshops, jewelry shows, catering, and ideas on living a creative life!

         One of my favorite quotes is “The world is full of magical things patiently awaiting our wits to sharpen” – Eden Phillpotts.  As an artist and a teacher I find myself drawn to share what I know about living creatively and making each day a reflection of one’s authentic self.  I am inspired by other people who love their work and follow their passions.  I believe that this can be achieved in little ways everyday.  Perhaps you will be inspired to try something new… listen to that little voice telling you to pay attention, play, and enjoy your life! 

Living a creative life means something different to each of us.  For my mother it can mean preparing three new recipes for her family on a Sunday night or one of her various creative sewing projects.  For my best friend it may be some much deserved quiet time to write…..for me it can be as simple as eating lunch with my six year old on the floor under a blanket fort that we’ve built.  I view each day as an opportunity to create something meaningful and authentic in my life that invites color, joy, and serendipity.  Some days I am more successful at this than others!  But my goals and intentions guide me to create special memories with my daughter and husband, to challenge myself as an artist and painter, to dare to try new things and have the courage to build the life I want one step at a time. 

I was fortunate a few years back to visit internationally known sculptor Dorothy Gillespie in her New York City studio where she autographed my sketchbook with the advice, “Follow Your Bliss”.  Great advice…if you already know where to find your bliss!  Some days I can’t even manage to find my car keys…how am I supposed to find my BLISS?!  What if you feel so out of touch that you have no clue where to start! 

Here are a few ideas to get you moving in the right direction.  Pay attention to the little things that make your pulse quicken.  Do you love the way light looks as it shines through stained glass windows?  Do you feel suddenly happy when you hear the beginning guitar rifts of a Van Halen song?  Do you spend hours watching Food Network only to order pizza for dinner?  Perhaps you can take a second today to look up local classes in stained glass, find the number of a guitar teacher, or try making a homemade pizza with goat cheese and sausage!  Baby steps towards living a creative life that allows for a little risk, a little adventure, and a little pleasure in the middle of our busy lives.  The first step is believing that you deserve to be happy and that you do, in fact, have the time. 

The following is an excerpt from The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron:

“List five hobbies that sound fun.

List five classes that sound fun.

List five skills that would be fun to have.

List five things you used to enjoy doing.

List five silly things you would like to try once.”

Is there one small step you can take today towards something on this list that allows you to Follow Your Bliss!? 

Wishing you a creative life.  Julie