Gardening, though not traditionally thought of as an art form, is an incredibly creative hobby. Personally, I spend as much time in my garden as I do in my pottery studio, and I believe gardening compliments any artistic or creative medium. Whether you only have room for a few herbs and flowers or you have acres of land to steward, let’s dive into how it can enhance your creative life to grow a garden at any scale.

Have you ever gotten a great idea in the shower? If you haven’t experienced this common occurrence yet, I’m sure you have heard about it. The clear explanation for this phenomenon takes into account that the shower is one of the few places where we are alone, doing something that takes very little brain power, without any outside input or distractions. Luckily, in our day-to-day life, we have plenty of similar opportunities for creative inspiration to strike, if only we will allow it.

I am a total bookworm, and credit much of my self-growth to time spent reading and writing about my creative life. The books included here have all impacted me in a lasting way and influenced my workshops. I share this booklist in hopes that you find these books as life-changing as I did!

The start of a new year calls us to recenter, set goals, and establish new habits. Let's explore why setting intentions matters and why you should spend more than a day crafting your intentions and goals. Taking ample time to reflect back, project forward, and call on your community will start the year moving in the right direction.

This method allows for an evolving narrative of my life. I am able to change how I view my past based on how it has brought me to my present. I hold my memories in my head, where they can be processed and reprocessed as my life unfolds. I do not find it useful to revisit them from the static perspective of the moment when they were recorded in my journal years past. I want to be able to grow from my experiences, not just carry them with me.

When I started, I expected to have creative breakthroughs with my pottery, maybe start painting more, or begin to sell my work. I have experienced all these things, plus a new stream of creative consciousness and presence with my artistic work. What I didn’t expect were the benefits I experienced in other aspects of my life outside my art.

Being an Artist isn’t pretentious or exclusive. It’s giving yourself credit for all the things you create, diving deeper into the things you love, and finding ways to be more in touch with yourself and the beauty around you. I love being an Artist, and I hope you’ll join me.

Next time you are tempted to skimp on yourself, pause and ask, am I treating myself as generously as I would treat others?