Day 352: My Guerilla Knitting Experience

For those of you who don't know what guerilla knitting is, it's basically anonymous knitting left in public spaces. So, people will do a bunch of knitted patches and then cover a tree or a lamp post in it.

Being into knitting I thought it was about time I got involved in a bit of knitting graffiti, so when the opportunity came up on campus, obviously I jumped at the chance.

This particular guerilla knitting is in aid of the 'Red Thread' exhibition going on at Bath Spa campus this Saturday, 28th May 2011.

Here's me preparing next to the lake on campus. Oh, the concentration...

Then I headed over to the site where guerilla knitting would commence and off we went. Now I have to tell you that it was guerilla knitting, but we weaved them into the installation with bits of fabric and wool and pom-poms...

The red knitted bit in the middle is my handy work!

Check out some more guerilla knitting on Google. It's amazing! How could you use your skills to have some fun and help a good cause...?

Day 302: Kilter Theatre

Kilter are a theatre with a difference. The three things they value are sustainability for the environment, interacting with local communities and create positive change. They have taken these values and used them in what they call issue-lead plays, where they share with their audiences something they think is important.

Their production Roots Replanted was held in an allotment where audiences interacted with the play, planting seeds and learning as they 'walked' through the play. What fun!

Here's a video about how they made their play:



So, what do you care about? Being creative is a great tool you can use to share with the world the things you think are important. Be inspired by Kilter's efforts. If they can do it, then so can we. Check out their website for loads of useful links.

How could you use your creativity to make positive change...? Why not share it below in the comment box? Let's inspire each other with the ideas we have...

Day 299: Carl's Beach Theatre

Today I want to dedicate this entry to a creative friend of mine who is currently developing a beach theatre. Now that's what I call a creative thinker. What better place to harbour your creativity than on a beach in Devon?

Have you ever been to a Devon beach? I have so many fond memories of beach holidays in Devon and the idea of pitching up with just a towel to sit on and watch a performance sound just amazing.

Similar to me with my writing competition at Ralph Allen School (which is going great by the way. Tune in next week for more on that!) Carl is running his theatre-with-a-difference for his final year uni project. It's so cool to do a degree where you can take what you've got and share it with the world. A Maths degree just doesn't give you the same benefits!

Check out what Carl has planned in his blog. Be inspired by what's going on around the UK. Think about what you've got and what you could do with it...

Day 292: Takeshi Kawano

Artist, Takeshi Kawano has created these set of sculptures called 'Melting Animal Sculptures'.

Not much more needs to be said. I think the sculptures do a pretty good job of portraying their message. How could you speak through your creative works?

Be inspired. Be creative.

Day 288: Rhianna, U2 and Justin Bieber sing to help Japan

These three musical phenomenons are just some of the artists clubbing together to make a digital album to raise money for those struggling in the Japan tragedy.

Big music label, Universal Music are putting it together and hope to have it out for the world to purchase by the end of the week, so keep your eyes peeled.

What a great way to use your creativity to help others. It got me thinking; what could us creative thinkers do to help?

Obviously these artists have fame on their side. If I made an album to help Japan, I don't think it would be as successful, but the point is, we are all creative and if we did our bit, then it will definitely help, even if only a little bit. 

What are you good at? What are your friends good at? Could you club together to make a difference? Think about other people/organisations you could include. Maybe your school/college/work?

What better way to put your creativity to good use than help support those struggling across the world? Put your creative thinking caps on folks and let's see how we can help.

Day 248: Just Volunteer

Goodness knows why today's entry is brought to you at 6:25 in the morning! I have been awake since 4:15 and thought, after two hours of rolling around in my bed, it was time to get up.

The truth is, I'm worried. I'm worried about life after I graduate and what anyone creative can possibly do for the world in a time of resession. No one's hiring, no one wants to invest in creativity and I just don't know what to do with all my creative enthusiasm.

But, after two hours of thinking, I have come to this conclusion. Us creative folk just need to volunteer for a while.

Last year I went into two secondary schools to teach creative writing (for free) and I loved it. In the summer I volunteered with the Bath Kids Lit Fest and loved it. This year I am volunteering with Bath Festival's educational department and, yet again, am loving it! It's amazing what people will let you do when you'll do it for free.

All of this stuff looks pretty good on my CV and so, I'm hoping that one day it'll get me a job I really enjoy too, but until then, I'm gonna keep on doing stuff for free. Life's too short to get caught up in making money.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, if you enjoy being creative, then just do it. Get involved and see where it takes you. What do you enjoy doing? What's going on in your area? Could you get stuck in? Doing stuff for free in a time of global resession is what's gonna make the world keep turning I reckon! I'm telling you, it's the way forward...

Day 229: Do you believe in your own creativity?

Sometimes I look at the world and think, how am I ever going to get anywhere with my creative skills? Does the world really need them? Do it even want them?

Even my some of my teacher tell me, 'it's so hard to break the industry. Most of you won't ever make it...'

Encouraging stuff, huh?

Well, this is the decision I've come to this morning because of an amazing teacher called Janine. In my lesson yesterday (and in many of lessons actually) she claimed our writing was better than an author that just one a prize for their book. She always says things like, 'when you get published' or 'when you send yours off to publishers.' She believes in us and the more you're told you can do it, the more you believe it. It gives you the motivation to carry on and believe that what you've got can make a difference.

So, what are you doing? If you believe in yourself and your creative abilities, you can do it! I'm here to say that creativity is important. It doesn't matter what the government says. It doesn't matter what our maths teacher says. Creativity is part of everyone and we got given an extra dose, so share it!

I wouldn't be writing this blog everyday if I didn't believe in creativity. So get out there and show the world what you got. If you think it's important, then it is! No one can do creativity like you can. You are unique and the world needs you.

Are you with me?

Day 227: Black Swan

This Friday sees the release of the highly anticipated Black Swan staring Natalie Portman. It's a psychological thriller about ballet and the conflicts between its perception of elegance and the realities behind the curtain.

The thing that stuck me about this film is how it has been born from creativity itself. This poster is the first one I ever saw for this film back in November last year. I was captured by how different it was from all the other film poster I see. No photographs, no fuss over star actors, just visuals. It's colours are minimal and full of impact.

The film is about ballet, which is creative, right? It's a film about the arts. Without the ballet, Swan Lake, this film couldn't exist and without Black Swan, the beautiful posters that advertise it couldn't exist. In fact, without swans, could any of it exist? (a topic for another day I think!)

Creativity, it seems, breeds creativity.

Just think about the things that you love creatively. Someone created that because they were inspired by something creative before that. Who knows, perhaps one day we will be the ones doing the inspiring. Our creative work will be part of the chain too...

What new creation would you like to inspire?

Day 217: Wooly Winters

Good News Folks! I found out from BBC this morning that wool is on the up. More people are buying knitted stuff. More people are knitting. Which means, British wool is making money for our country, yay!

You wanna know why I'm banging on about this, don't you?

Well, the truth is guys, knitting is cool! Creating your own bags, clothes, toys...is the way forward.

So get out there and start creating. There's never been a better time to support our country's economy. Plus, it's real good for the environment too. Hardly any fossil fuels needs to be used to produce yarn and British wool is being sold all over the world.

If you need an excuse to get creative with wool, here it is. No more excuses people. It's time to be inspired by sheep!

Day 171: Nick Horby

Nick Hornby is a world famous writer. He's written, amongst others, Fever Pitch and About a boy. Both of these have been made into films too, so I'd say he's up there with the greats!

As a creative person whose in the lime light, Nick Hornby is going into schools in London to help pupils with their literacy skills and encouraging them to love reading and writing, just like he does. I don't know if you've watched the news recently, but the government aren't happy with spelling, grammar etc, so Nick Hornby and some other writers have decided to do something about it.

For Nick Hornby, the most important thing in the project is, 'humour, intrigue and creativity.' You can find out more about his project here.

Nick Hornby is taking his creative skills and using them to create change. How great is that!

I don't know about you, but this really inspires me to use my skills to help people too. Creative skills are just as important as maths or science. People love to get creative in lots of different ways and it makes people happy!

What creative skills do you enjoy using? Nick Hornby obviously enjoys creating stories, so that's what he's using to help people.

What do you care about? Nick Hornby obviously cares about reading and writing, so that's what he's focusing on, using his skills to do it.

What could you do with what your skills...?

Day 158: Mick Rock's rock stars!

Check out this video on the BBC website. It's a slideshow of all the work by Mick Rock, the legendary rock photographer. (I recon his name called him to that job!) He says he didn't set out to be a photographer by profession, but his fascination of all those rock stars came out in the photos and that was it, job done!

Isn't it interesting how many people get a career out of what started out as a hobbie, specially creative ones. What's your hobbie? What inspires you to be creative? I recon most creative people are just doing what they love and couldn't be any other way!

Use what you got and change the world with it. That's what all the people in Mick Rock's photos did through their music. It looks like Mick Rock had a pretty good crack at it too. He's got a new book out full, of his creative work.

What will you do...?

Day 154: Rupert the bear

Today I want to say, Happy Birthday Rupert!

Everyone knows who Rupert the bear is with his red jumper and yellow trousers. When I was a kid I used to watch him on tv and my nan had all the comic books too from when she was a child. Now he's on tv with mobile phones and scooters! How times change, but good all Rupert has rolled with it and is still entertaining children worldwide.

Can you imagine creating a bear which would touch children's lives for over three generations. He's even got his own museum. Now that's inspirational! If my stories are half as successful I'll be happy. How about you, what do you hope for? Where do you want your creative work to go...?

Just think about all the different people that have been involved in Rupert's 'career', animators, artists, writers, painters, musicians...so many people and all of them creative. Without creativity the world wouldn't have Rupert and personally, I think it would be a darker place!

I couldn't resist putting up this. Send Rupert Happy Birthday thought as you watch. Looking good for 90 eh!

Day 149: Ben Wilson, the chewing gum man...

I was SO excited when I saw this that I HAD to share it with you. It turns out there's a guy in London called Ben Wilson who goes along the street, finds an old piece of forgotten chewing gum and paints on it! Check out his masterpieces below:

What an incredible idea. It really gives a different slant to painting. I think it would be lovely to walk down the street and see a painted bit of gum on the street. Watch this video if you like what you see. Ben Wilson talks about how his art allows him to work outside and interact with his community, as well as work with what others throw away.

I don't know about you guys, but it makes me think about my own creative work and how I can make it new, fresh and reach out into my community. What could you do with your creativity? Where could you take you ideas?

Because of Ben Wilson, creativity is literally changing the streets of London. Now that's what I call creative thinking!

Day 140: Innocent smoothies' Big Knit!

You know those yummy fruit drinks which are ALL fruit and count in your 5-a-day thingy?

Well, they've got a creative challenge for you! They are asking people to knit tiny little hats for the bottles. It gets pretty chilly in the fridge!

It's all to raise money to make winter warmers for elderly people across the country. What a nice thing to do for those in need, eh.

'How do I get involved,' I hear you cry. Well, to play your creative part, check out their website. There are patterns, info, instructions and you can even win stuff. So, I won't here any excuses! All can join in the fun. Me and my housemates are on the case and I need you to join me.

Now go, be creative and help make the world a warmer place!

Day 135: Creative Rescue

Here's a quick question to start the day off:

Imagine the world is going to end in two weeks. YOU could save it and everyone on it with ONE creative talent, but only if everyone on the planet learns it fast! What would you choose and how could it save the human race?

Go...

Day 127: Lions of Bath, 2010

Yep, it's true. The lions have left Bath to start another fun filled adventure (if you haven't a scooby what I'm talking abut see Day 25)!

But, I was lucky enough to say goodbye to ALL of them without traipsing round the whole of Bath. They all got together and had a little send off in the park. Just for you guys I took some picture of my favourite ones. Take a look and share the magic...

This one's made of plants!

Wordsworth, Scrabble tiles!

La La Sensory Lion, Gotta love a bit of collage.

A series of Unfortunate Events, This one's got guts!

FloraLeo, Soo pretty.

Daisy Honeysuckle, One lion, millions of pictures!

Dave, Actual blades!

Killerbyte, This one's my absolute fav!

There are little people running away from the lion, with captions! Amazing!

King of Fudge, if only is was made of chocolate...

King of Pop, scarily realistic!

It was SUCH an amazing event. Everyone who was there loved it, whether they were old or young. I've said it before and I'll jolly well say it again, the Arts bring people together. Fact.

Day 120: Dream Jobs

Today, in lesson, we were allowed to talk about our dream job. I find it's one of those things people are a bit embarrassed to talk about, like if they say it out load it will get lost in space or jinxed or some other such nonsense. But, when they do talk about it, they won't such up and their enthusiasm actually makes your own brain hurt.

You know the feeling?

Well, this happened to me today. I was all shy about it and then it was like I exploded and actually almost forgot I was in a classroom with loads of other people who wanted to share their dreams! A little embarrassing, but you can't say I lack passion!

So what is your dream job, I hear you ask? Well, in a nutshell, I want to do exactly what it is I'm doing now in this blog. I want to inspire young people to be creative in whatever way I can. I want to be that inspirational visitor you get each year at school, where everyone says, 'wow, I want to do creativity too!'

Anyway, enough about me! I want to talk about you guys. What do YOU want to be? What's your dream job?

Could you do me all a favour? Can you write it down and put it in a box and look after it, because I am conducting an experiment (in my head). I want to know if dream jobs change. I'm pretty sure they do. Check this out, 10 years ago I did not want to inspire creativity, I wanted to be a paleontologist, then a artist, then a historian, then a nurse, then a youth worker, then a writer (I still want that!) and now an...well, I guess you could call it an inspirer!

When I look at my list, I just get excited about how many things I could be if I put my mind to it. And the same can be said for you. I bet if you made a list of 'past dream jobs' they would be just as adventurous as mine.

We can be anything we want, so go for it! Write down that dream job and do whatever it is you need to get there. With creativity on your side, you can do anything!

Dream big. Think bigger!

Day 110: Anthony Browne

Last night I went to a talk by writer and illustrator Anthony Browne. He has won tons of awards for his writing and illustration and he is this years children's laureate for Britain, so I was REALLY excited about seeing him.

Whenever I go and see a creative person, I get so enthusiastic about my own writing and about inspiring you guys to be create with your own talents. There was so many interesting things he said, I'm finding it really hard to chose which one to share...

...After much debate (in my head) I have decided to share this little nugget of wisdom with you:

Think about this, if you ask any child if they can draw or tell stories, they would answer, 'yeah, of course I can.' But, ask an adult and most will say, no. What happened?

Anthony Browne has always loved telling stories and drawing pictures. In fact, he showed us a picture he drew when he was 7 years old. It looked no different from any other 7-year-old's drawing. He claimed creative adults (and teenagers) are no different to anyone else. They just carried on! He was encouraged by his teachers and his parents and other people along the way.

We all need encouraging in out creative pursuits. Even the Children's Laureate was once a little boy drawing stick men. So, be encouraged by me and, more importantly, by Anthony Browne to KEEP GOING! Keep being creative, getting better, learning new skills and techniques. Push yourselves.

Creativity is fun and it brings people who see, hear, touch, taste or even smell your work happy too. I bet a lot of you got enjoyment from people like Anthony Browne when you were a kid. I know I did.

So, go for it. Be encouraged, get out there and do it! Be creative and keep being that way until forever! The world needs you...!

Day 103: David Nicholls got me thinking...

At the moment I am reading One Day by David Nicholls which I guess you would call an 'adult book'. One of the main characters is called Emma, which I find a little weird. Perhaps weirder is how much she reminds me of myself. Have you ever had that when you're reading a book?

Anyway, it turns out she's quite a thinker and a creative one at that and when talking about her play she's performing for schools she says, 'once again life is failing to imitate art.'

Her irony got me thinking. Unfortunately life doesn't imitate art (that's all forms of art, not just fine art), but should art imitate life?

When I was wandering from painting to painting in London (look at yesterday's post for more of that) I found myself getting really annoyed at how unrealistic some of the paintings were. Would Jesus really have white skin living in Israel? Are medieval science experiments really performed in a darkened room with only one candle creating dramatic lighting on the faces of the onlookers? Was the young Lady Grey really wearing a brilliantly white dress at her execution to contrast the drab clothes of the others present? Would farmers from hundreds of years ago really wear purple trousers to work? The answer is, probably not. All of these are artistic details to emphasize certain areas of the painting, creating mood, depth, colour balance...

Art is escapism, entertainment, meaningful representations...so does it have to replicate 'real life'? Not if the creator doesn't want it to. Then again, the creator can make it whatever they want. That's the beauty of art isn't it? Its an interpretation of the world or maybe an experimentation of what the world could be...

What do you want to say through your creations? Do you want to imitate reality, show injustice in the world? Do you want to create a safe haven for people to escape to? Do you want to experiment with boundaries or try something no one has ever done before? You really can do anything! So, go for it. Be inspired by what has come before you and make it your own. Being creative means, when you've got something interesting to say, you have an interesting way of saying it! So, what are you waiting for?

Day 98: Websites

WARNING: Today's entry is a bit of a rant.

Allow me to walk you through my morning. I have spent its entirety on ONE website trying to sort out the simplest thing. All I wanted to do was tell 'them' I have changed my Uni course from Art and Creative Writing, to just Creative Writing. Easy, right? WRONG! Why? Because the website is RUBBISH!

My morning's task was one of those necessary ones like a banking or insurance. I thought, 'I'll do it on the web, it'll be easier.' Why is it that websites for these essential tasks are the WORST websites? It is IMPOSSIBLE to get through it without your blood pressure rising to an uncontrollable level.

You're password is wrong...you're on the wrong page...you have the wrong form...your entry date is wrong...we need a copy of your passport...confirmation is required...

I literally thought my eyes were going to pop out at one point, they make me sooooo...

I am almost 1000% sure I am not alone when it comes to this issue. Do you get REALLY ANNOYED with poorly layout websites which make, what should be a simple task, a maze of frustration and confusion?

Am I alone here?!

Where is the positive bit? Well, stay with me. If you think about it, the Internet is a relatively new phenomenon. It's been around for (roughly) ten years now, which is still pretty young. Just think about how it will change before its Twenty. How old are you? Could YOU be the one making those amazing changes it so desperately needs over the next ten years?

On behalf of the whole world I am asking all of you who have the remotest interest in websites to step forward and please take the baton from those who are 'designing' them now. It seems that the world needs creative people. YOU can do it better, I know you can. Keep going! We need you!

All I have left to say is, Thank you!