Posted by Tagged with Artist Spotlight, Artists, Midlifecreative, The artist way Posted in Uncategorized

I Spy a Midlife Creative

Let’s play a game, shall we?
Look around at your friends on social media as well as the people you rub shoulders with in your daily life. Do you immediately think of individuals you would describe as extremely creative?

What exactly is a Midlife Creative?
It’s a person in the middle of their life who is actively pursuing a creative path. They have hobbies they enjoy, they appreciate beautiful things, value nature, and take time to work on their craft – whether that be writing, cooking, art, music, dance, photography, you name it.

These people often help me explore a new angle on an issue or give me permission to go against societal norms. They are not content with a predictable life. They care deeply and are often frustrated when their intentions are misunderstood. These are artists (even though they may not like to use that label on themselves)

We live in a world where comparison keeps us stuck. There is always someone who seems to have a better handle on their creative life than we do or who seems more talented or successful. There’s always someone who has already published a book, has a larger following, or makes enough money to pursue their art as a full-time vocation. Because of this, we see our own art as ordinary, or unworthy of recognition.

Let’s go on a hunt for hiding Midlife Creatives that need a boost of praise. If you notice someone being creative, point it out. Let them know you notice. Tell them specifically what you admire about how they express themselves and what they bring to the world.

If you share on social media, use the hashtag #midlifecreative. Follow the hashtag to read about other midlife creatives like you. Let’s support one another as artists!

Here are a few examples of people in my life who I see as #midlifecreative.


Briana Lavine Leigh @_oh_fer_sure

When I met Briana, I instantly knew we would be friends. Once I asked this question to a room full if people, ”When I say the word creative, does anyone come to mind?” Everyone in the room practically shouted “Briana!”

This girl oozes creativity. You never know what she will come up with next. Whether its a unique social studies lesson, a new recipe, a song, a dance, a water aerobics cheer….this girl does a million things, but a creative thread runs through it all. She doesn’t try to be creative, she just IS.

@volkmanadventures

The Volkmans are adventure bloggers that I enjoy following and have met in real life too. They live to be outside in nature and explore new places in Minnesota. I love how passionate they are about their adventures and sharing them with others. It makes me want to get off the couch and go exploring.

Craig Evans @frailin1 Deanne Lily Parks @artdeanne

These two are one of my favorite #midlifecreative couples. They live in my neighborhood and can be seen playing banjo on their front porch on summer evenings. Deanne is an amazing painter, sculptor, and writer. Craig is a musician, film maker, and life-long learner. He has lots going on (more than I even know) but is extremely humble about it all. These two are great listeners and supporters of other artists. If it wasn’t for Deanne, I may not have read The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron which set me on the path I am today.

Now that you’ve read a few examples of Midlife Creatives in my life, tell me about yours. Who inspires you to live a more creative life? I hope you’ll join me in sharing on your own instagram and using the hashtag #midlifecreative

Posted by Tagged with artist, burn out, creativity, rest, The artist way Posted in Uncategorized

The Artist Date

Last summer and fall, I felt alive and full of ideas, words, and inspiration to share. My creative well seemed to be filled to overflowing. I started this blog and a Midlife Creative Facebook group. I also put together a gathering for women called The Artists Way for moms. Today, after 5 months of quarantine with my family if 6, no school, no normal activities, and very little alone time; my creative well feels empty. I’ve found myself less motivated, bored, lonely, and lacking new ideas.

As I pondered how to get some creative energy back, I remembered a practice called The Artist Date that meant a lot to me a year ago. An Artist Date, according to Julia Cameron in The Artists Way, is:

“A block of time, perhaps 2 hours weekly, especially set aside and committed to nurturing your inner artist (a.k.a. your inner child). The artist date is an excursion, a play date that you pre-plan and defend against all interlopers. You do not take anyone on this artist date but you and your inner artist.”

This week I was walking a new trail with my kids and we came to a waterfall that we weren’t expecting. I found my inner child giddy with excitement. We continued along the trail and arrived at the most amazing overlook view of the Mississippi River. The first thought I had was of coming back to the spot by myself on an artist date along with a picnic (something fun like sushi), my journal, and uninterrupted time to stay awhile.

Here are some examples of artist dates.
Hiking, gardening, taking photos, cooking, kayaking, bird watching, rock collecting, trying out a new cuisine, going on a long drive down a country road, rearranging a room in your house, sitting in a candlelit room, listening to a symphony, browsing for hidden treasures at an antique store or estate sale, walking through a farmers market and taking in the colors and smells, riding a horse, arranging flowers, picking berries, looking at art.

Taking time to notice the beauty around you = an artist date
Country drives and giant wind mills
Making and eating a blueberry pie

From my experience, the artist date itself may not hold any magic cures for creative burn-out, but it IS helpful in coaxing the hiding inner artist out into the light. We are all born with a creative nature. There just may be times and places in our lives that we are operating in that creativity more than others. The more you give yourself permission to play, the better your inner artist will feel.

I challenge you to schedule an artist date for yourself. If you have kids, get a babysitter. Don’t talk yourself out of it like I did at first by thinking it’s not important. Another temptation will be to cut the 2 hour time short and sneak in a few errands or some grocery shopping. Keep the time sacred. Just as your date wouldn’t want you to cancel or cut out early to get more work done, your inner creative craves undivided attention from you and doesn’t want to be sold short.

Finding a place you haven’t been before can stir up new ideas

As a mom of 4, working from home during quarantine, I’ve had very little alone time. With fall looking like more of the same, it’s more important than ever to get back to scheduling artist dates as a way of being kind to myself.

How do you take time for yourself? Do you see a difference when you do? I’d love to hear what your idea of the perfect artist date would be?

Posted by Tagged with Self care, self reflection, The artist way Posted in Uncategorized

Firsts in my 40’s

Who says life ends when you get older? When I turned 40 a few years ago, it felt like my life was ready to start a new chapter.

My first 3 decades were spent keeping others around me happy and believing everything I was told to be true. I had little kids and was learning everything the hard way (the way most moms do the first time around). I worried about every new stage, worried about money, and if my kids were going to turn out, and if I would make it through the next dentist appointment, or urgent care visit, or head lice, or impetigo, or all the other crazy sicknesses kids catch when they leave the house. I still worry about those things and new things that come with the teen years like my kids’ choice of friends, grades, mental health, faith, and sexual identity.

I want my 40’s to be a time of listening and learning from new voices, learning to trust my own voice, and dreaming bigger dreams for myself and those I love. I’m not a risk taker, but have realized that never stepping into new things only bleeds frustration. Trying new things, even if they have flopped, has brought new confidence.

A few things I’ve tried for the first time since turning 40 have been:

blogging

tent camping with the whole family

going to a black lives matter protest

reading books by people of color and LGBTQ affirming authors

teaching piano lessons online

Learning from therapy and a spiritual director

our first family camping trip

Some things on my bucket list are:

20th anniversary trip with my husband

buying a house (we have always rented)

getting a dog

gardening (never had one)

planning a girls weekend with friends

writing a book

Finding other piano teachers to grow Welcome Mat Music

What is something you are hoping and dreaming about? Saying it out loud can help get the train rolling and maybe someone will read or hear your voice and help you with your next steps.