I've been wondering...

...about the space between.  There is a gap between what we know/see/feel and what we miss/forget/misinterpret.  That space between is filled with something, and I've been looking for it, mostly through meditation and creativity, and occasionally with my camera.  I thought you might be interested in seeing some of the latter results.

Those negative spaces are filled with light

or colour

or growth

and often all three.

I think our time of social distancing/isolation/quarantine will be the same.  I'm hopeful that when we look back on this (as I'm sure we will), we'll see how this opportunity for growth created a massive worldwide upsurge in kindness, tolerance, compassion, and love for all living things on the planet.

This article by the Dalai Lama speaks to the challenges and the possibilities in this space between.  And Elizabeth Gilbert tells an amazing story in 'this is who you are and this is where you live'.

I hope you're exploring and finding new things about yourself and others in the world we're experiencing...I'd love to hear your comments below.

Another signature...

was finished this month, and it's a rare departure from my usual colourful work, given that it's completely done in black and white.

The Creative Life is an ongoing class for 2015, meeting monthly at Creative Fix.  Not only is it a fabulous gift shop, they have a great range of classes for adults and children (I'm perhaps a bit biased since I teach there often!).

This is the third signature from the twelve we are expected to complete (you can see the other two here and here), and I'm having a blast with the whole thing.

It's fun to incorporate collage,

textured papers,

photos,

stamps from Art Foamies

buttons,

wallpaper,

stencils

and ephemera (see the false eyelash?.)

I've been using up many of my favourite paper stashes (thanks for the Japanese newspaper Kendra!),

and still couldn't get enough of the wonderful contrast.

I think the photo here at the finish of this signature says it all - the photographer is obviously taking a shot at the con, who wonders how he got here, of all places.

Since our demo last night was on Posca pens, I'm sure they'll come into play in the next signature.  (I may have purchased one or two, but don't tell John!)

What are you up to in your creative life?  Please comment, and include your link(s) so we can see your story.

I don't talk...

...about design much on this blog, since it is such a HUGE subject, but if I'm working on honing my design skills (and what artist doesn't?), a favourite way to do so is through the use of photography and photo editing.  

Looking at photos through an editor means one can play with shape, colour, size, aspects, portions, and all sorts of other goodies.  I thought I'd share some of my play with you today, and score a colour fix at the same time.

The piece above is a section of a tag-in-process, as are the three below.  I love how they work as mini paintings.

This segment is from a background on a work-in-progress.

A Gelli print segment gives a completely different look when only a section is utilized.

And you know this has to be a favourite.  It's actually a teeny portion of a Gelli print that has been used in so many places I can hardly count them.

This next photo is for +JackieP Neal over on Google+, who was wondering about the heavily textured segment in a previous post.  You'll see the difference between the whole and the part if you take a peek there.

'Starry Night' mixed media mandala on a CD © Win Dinn

Now I'm curious - how do you hone your design skills?  I'd love to know your secrets, so please add to the comments!