Well this is how it felt to actually finish the shed.  It brought such a sense of accomplishment for myself and two girlfriends that plugged away at the instructions (which weren’t always straightforward but admittedly we weren’t the most careful readers-the fine print occasionally slipping past us) and who toiled at the manual labor (more then I’ve done in ages). It was sheer Girl Power in action.

Wheeeee! (That’s actually for all of my readers who no longer need to hear about the blasted shed.) I’ll spare you all the updates about part II-emptying the storage unit.

Now as I shared in my post Creative Junkie one of my absolute favorite things about teaching is seeing my student’s creativity come to fruition. To watch the process as they discovered their muse. So Yesterday I received an email from a past student thanking me for encouraging him to enter the Seamless in Seattle Competition this year. He was being kind because I actually threatened him bodily harm if he did not take the leap. I love his designs. He was thanking me because he is this years winner and will be featured in a two page spread in Seattle Magazine. This is a huge accomplishment and he joins a long list of past NYFA grads including WyattOrr (a previous Tuesday Talent feature). So of course I immediately ran out and bought the magazine on my lunch break. So the rest of you need to keep your eyes out for the talented Tom Ordonio and definitely check out his website.

P.S. a little known fact about Tom. He can ROCK it at Karaoke. Seriously he’s good!

So my friend DT and I have started a buddy system for our creative projects. We may need to start a group for Creative Junkies. AAAA- Alliance of Artists Addicted to Alliteration. It’s a working title. Anyway I digress.

Each of us has our own creative projects in the works that we never set time for. Over a walk last weekend we discussed what we wanted to accomplish and decided to support one another in our endeavors. We each agreed that we’d dedicate a minimum of 15 minutes 7 days a week to our projects and then let one another know.

Now a sad thing I learned about myself in the past is that I am much more likely to go to the Gym if I have an appointment with a trainer. I dread the gym. But if I am paying for something and have committed to another person I will not let them down. But if I am forced to arise on my own and go work out based simply on sheer willpower- forget it. I’m hitting snooze. This does not bode well on the self motivation scale.

So I had to ask myself is there something I am dreading about completing my creative projects? (Actually another friend ask me that). I don’t think so. I believe I simply need a little support to help propel me past the hurtles. The places along the process I get stuck, hit a road block. Like when I was told I should patent an idea I am working on. The whole thing threw me into a whirl in the deep end. I literally froze in my project. I shared this with a friend who said, ”  If patenting overwhelms you, don’t worry about that part, just do the work you want to do. Your idea’s fantastic. ” Every artist should have a buddy system. Hell an entire network of people standing behind them cheering them on over the next obstacle. I recommend everyone get out there and find one. Seriously, Now, Hop to it!

P.S.S. Radio Roulette is also awesome on your iPhone/iPad. Simply go to all albums and hit the shuffle button and take the ride. That is as long as you like you’re own music.

Have a fabulous weekend. See you Monday!

Blast from This Blogs Past

• Sketchbook Project

The Weekend Reading List

• I Don’t Get Along With Women Typically ~ Having had predominantly male friends growing up I could really relate to Renee. Especially the fact that your best female BFF is irreplaceable and non-negotiable. Every woman needs one.
• The Things We Are Prepared to Walk Away From ~ Could you live a life in which you had nothing you couldn’t walk out on in 30 seconds? The minimalist talks about what this concept brings by increasing the value of what you have in your life.
• Have your Cake- Breaking Beliefs About Sex (and Life) That Keep Us Hungry, Unhappy and Alone ~ The title says enough.
• 18 Things Only Theatre Kids Will Understand ~ Yes, check, check, check, Hell Yes……….
• Wanderdust ~ As opposed to Wanderlust, it’s the idea that “Home wasn’t a set house, or a single town on a map. It was wherever the people who loved you were.” and yearning for that space.

Something Extra

Zedd-Clarity ft Foxes

Image: Apartment 34