Mindful Studio Practice Creative Work Space
I just finished Day 14 of my artist trading card adventure with Hannah Klaus Hunter’s Mindful Studio Practice. I thought I would continue to share the art and my reflections from this journey with you here. This past week presented a lot of emotional expression, truthful perceptions, and challenges for me as I created each ATC inspired by Hannah’s prompts and beautiful quotes.
Day 8 : Simplicity Within Blessings
Day 8‘s prompt and ATC left off at the previous day’s practice of stripping things down. I started to notice on this day that simplifying my chosen theme of “Blessings” was a beginning to clarity. I was surprised how easy it was to create and feel connected this ATC. I experienced a deep sense of calmness and acknowledgement about simplifying and synthesizing things down.
Day 9 : Seeds Planted-Blossom
When I started reading Hannah’s “Be the Bud” inspiration for Day 9, I remembered that some of the dictionary words I cut out (but didn’t use) during Week 1 included text about blossoming, flowering, and the concept of seeds being planted, their growth, and feelings of gratitude. This ATC absolutely reflected my feelings in this moment. I also reflected a lot about Day’s 6 ATC again and the importance of feeling grounded.
Day 10 : Act of Love & Light
This ATC for Day 10 (and Hannah’s quote included on my card) was created on the same day this blog post was published on kind over matter about letting go of againstness. I really reflected on Jo Anna Rothman‘s (Creator of The Receiving Project) concept about change being an act of love (one of my blessing brainstorming words from Day 2) and the Hafiz quote I cut up for placement on this day’s ATC. I reflected in this instant about the “encouragement of light” surrounding me.
Day 11 : ♥ Clarity ♥
I must admit I didn’t follow the art-making prompt for Day 11 and again was captivated by the words and quote Hannah included for this day, which was rooted in the role of judgement. I had the intentions of generosity, clarity, and radiance on my mind to help lead me in that moment.
Day 12 : Strength
Day 12′s prompt was about destruction & re-construction and seeing/experiencing old or unwanted things from a different perspective. For me, this ATC explored the dichotomy between things breaking apart, but at the same inner observations about my own strength and vulnerabilities, which are all a part of me and pieces I have appreciation for to make me a better person. It reminded me a lot about what surfaced in Day 3‘s ATC about resiliency.
Day 13 challenged me to take an already created ATC and reflect its opposite to present another perspective/awareness to the theme I am working on. I chose to take Day 2′s ATC about brainstorming around my theme. Sitting in the moment with my blank ATC to begin this prompt was really hard to start, but once I did- broken pieces of darkness, emptiness that seemed dead and lifeless was mirrored back to me. I connected in this moment with my theme of blessings stronger than I ever have, as this ATC reflected back to me a powerful message I needed to pay attention to.
Day 14 : Mindfulness Challenge
Week 2′s prompt ends with working on multiples over the next two days as another way to create a different perspective in the moment around our theme. I started Hannah’s suggestion of working with squares in a quilt/patchwork style. I tried to incorporate collage paper pieces I’ve used in the ATCs from the last week for Day 14‘s ATC. I get to work on this one again tomorrow for the beginning of Week 3, so I’m curious how it might transform!
Being at the start of Week 3 (the last week!) brings a combination of excitement and wonder, as well as a little anticipatory grief about this process being over. I’ve so enjoyed including this practice into my daily activities. Even on days that are super, super busy I worry if I’ll be able to have the time to sit down and do it. It’s always grounding, affirming, validating, and soooo worthwhile. Thank you Hannah for this constant reminder!
September 25, 2012 at 9:45 pm
Reblogged this on Hannah Klaus Hunter and commented:
I was touched and honored to open up my Gmail yesterday and find this post by Gretchen Miller on “Mindful Studio Practice,” my workshop for 6 Degrees of Creativity 2.