Saturday 19 June 2010

Day 12: Saturday!

Ok people, today is Saturday. Well done for pointing out the obvious, I hear you say. Think about it: if you put it into 'text' language it says, 'sat-UR-day'!

This day, and every other Saturday is YOUR day! There's no school so go crazy creating!

What will you do with your day? Music, dance, drama, writing, painting, drawing, making... it's up to you! Use the time you're got to do something amazing...Go...

Friday 18 June 2010

Day 11: Fancy a game?

What do you do when you've run out of creative ideas? Do you wait for inspiration to come to you or go out looking? Do you have a group of like-minded friends who could help you out or an enthusiastic family member who always has crazy ideas?

If not, don't rule out the apparently non-creative people in your life...

If you've run out of steam, do a Mary Poppins and turn the search into a game! Get a group of people together. One person (maybe you) starts off a story, but only the first sentence (or section, depending on how long you want the game to last). Then the next person has to carry on the story with their own sentence/section...Eventually you will have a complete and most probably crazy story!

Make up your own rules. Add pictures (maybe from magazines) which have to be included in the sentence/section, or silly words. Give the story a theme (ie, zombies or fairytale)...you get the picture.

Have fun creating and see what you can come up with...

Thursday 17 June 2010

Day 10: Creative Memories

I don't know about you, but creative people tend to be forgetful and generally a bit scatty. I certainly fall into both categories. Very often I will be on the way to my studio space (where I do my art) only to find I have forgotten my paintbrushes, purse, phone or whatever else I really need! Are you that kind of person?

I am also a bit of a visionary. In other words, I get an idea which then sparks off another million in my head. They all swim around getting mashed together and then I usually forget half of them (hence why I forget so many physical things like my phone all the time!). Sound familiar?

Well, this is how I try to handle my forgetful brain; carry a notebook EVERYWHERE! You never know when a creative idea is going to fly into your head, so the best thing to do is catch it and write it. It works wonders for me. When I wake up in the night after a dream, it goes in the book. When I'm on the bus and I see/hear something, it goes in the book. Even when you're on the toilet...creativity can strike anywhere, best to be prepared! At least that's what I find. It's a great way to see your ideas growing and moving forward.

So, don't just forget it, write it!

Wednesday 16 June 2010

Day 9: Let's Ride!

Today I've spent my time going up and down, round and round, and pretty much every other direction humanly possible. Yep, you've guessed it, I've been to a theme park!

Queuing (for a lot longer than i was on the ride) got me thinking... it's someone's (amazing) job to design all those rides. How cool!

So get your thinking caps on guys and gals. What would your ideal ride be like, look like, sound like...? Loops and swoops? Splashes and sploshes?

Or for those of you who are left with all the bags, why not design something for you to do while you're waiting for all your friends? Oh and one more thing, please design something to do when you wait in the loooooonnnnngg queues! Maybe a slide or two...

Tuesday 15 June 2010

Day 8: Old People

Have you ever spoken to an old person (and I don't mean you're parent!)? I mean, have you ever sat down with someone who has experienced 70/80 years of living? That is a lot of stories! I'm talking about folk who lived through the wars, who remember life before TV and films, before cars and blogs!

The next time you are forced to go to a family reunion of some kind, don't just sit there wishing you were anywhere else, speak to your Grandma or your Great-Granddad and ask them about their life. What's the best thing that happened to them? Their earliest memory? What was their childhood home like? They'll love it! And believe me, they are probably the most inspirational people you'll ever speak to.

Got no grandparents? Go to an old people's home. They LOVE visitors, especially young people, so you're off to a good start already! speak to an old lady at the bus stop, speak to the old man next door....

Who knows where they may take your creative thoughts...

Monday 14 June 2010

Day 7: How are you creative?

''Just because a man glances up at night does not make him an astronomer, you know.'' (The boy with the striped pyjamas, p82)

What are you? A painter, actor, animator, musician...? Well, if so how regularly do you practise your skills/talents? If you get given a box of paints for your birthday, does that make you a painter? No! You've got to DO it to BE it! And the more you do whatever it is that makes you a creative person, the better you will be. Do it a lot, do it as much as you can.

On the flip side, if you DO paint, be confident! Call yourself a painter. If you DO it, then you ARE a painter, musician, animator, writer. It doesn't matter if you're at school or you work at Pizza Hut. That is not who you are!

So have pride in what you do and have confidence to be it. remember, you gotta be in it to win it!

Sunday 13 June 2010

Day 6: Inspirational nature (part 2)

After musing over the delights of the moving world, I came to realise that I didn't give plants a mention. They too can be so inspirational, especially at this time of year when all of the trees/plants/flowers are in bloom. SUCH colour! Whoever said grass is green lied! There are so many shades and tones. Check out how things change colour depending on the light/time of day.

In Spring/Summer, everything looks full and alive, but in Autumn/Winter, there is a transformation. When I was younger I used to hate Winter; the way everything looked bare and dull. But actually trees without leaves show you just how intricate they are. Have you ever tried to draw one? It's so hard!

Next time you happen to be near a tree, stand right next to its trunk and look up. It really is the most amazing view. The way the branches span over you at all different angles, every leaf trying to catch a ray of sunlight.

Or, the next time you walk past a wall with plants growing through the cracks, stop and take a proper look. It's incredible how nature will find a way to survive, even if we cover it in concrete. Plants will grow anywhere and everywhere, whether we want it there or not! (Gardeners, you know what I mean!)

What will you find?