Mixed-media artist Carrie Schmitt is a well of inspiration. If you ever need a boost of positivity, just open her book, Painted Blossoms: Creating Expressive Flower Art in Mixed Media. In addition to the techniques and demonstrations, Carrie shares her words of wisdom to help motivate you to create art in a way that’s authentic and freeing. Here’s a peek at some of Carrie’s lyrical writing, which I think you’ll find worth reading and remembering.
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| Image from Painted Blossoms |
Plant the Seeds by Carrie Schmitt
Just as a gardener prepares the soil so that flowers can blossom, as artists we need to prepare for the creative process by honoring our own personal landscape–our mind, body, and soul. When I began living an artistic life, I was surprised to learn that most of the work that goes into a painting happens before the paintbrush touches the canvas. This is why creating has been a transformative experience for me–it has required a healthy lifestyle that includes self-care on a physical, emotional, and spiritual level. I have included these practices in my painting technique book because they are an intrinsic part of my creative process. These are the roots and all the invisible underground nutrients that allow colorful flowers to bloom on my canvas.
While planting seeds is one analogy, another is to view this practice as a way to create offerings that attract creativity. I was marveling at the presence of a blue heron in our pond one day and felt so lucky to witness its graceful beauty. I love the idea of animal messengers and imagined what gift it was bringing me at that moment. I realized its presence was not luck but rather evidence that there was an abundance of fish in our pond–the conditions were ideal to attract the heron. Of course it appeared. That might seem obvious, but I also found it profound when applying it to my artistic life. Give yourself an abundance of opportunities and offerings that welcome and attract creativity into your life.
Whether you plant seeds, fill the well, or stock your pond, the idea is the same–create an environment for your mind, body and spirit to flourish, and beautiful things will come your way. ~ Carrie
I’m a firm believer in the practice of attracting what you want, especially when it comes to creativity. This is what we’re meant to do–express ourselves. The more we do that, the easier it becomes. You’ll see.
Painted Blossoms is included in a special Countdown to Holiday sale. Use the coupon code COUNTDOWN to receive 40% off this title and many more, all made to help you create more art.
Wishing you endless creativity,
