Fall is a popular time of year. Many people enjoy the cool weather, quiet, cozy evenings, and ongoing hosting. I'm not overtly into Fall decor like pumpkins and gourds, but I am finding exciting ways to create a warm space for guests in my new home.

Throughout the month of June things have progressed very slowly in my studio. Most of the month I have placed my energy and focus on gathering my supplies into boxes so I can continue my creative journey in a new city. The time I’ve spent processing through each material, supply, and pigment has gathered an array of thoughts on my slow studio practice .

Creativity is a muscle - figuratively and literally. It figuratively needs exercise, discipline, and habit to grow and become stronger. It literally flexes through your body as it moves throughout your work. When this creative muscle memory grows, you open up to your work effortlessly, leaving room for light and inspiration.

I read a lot of books in 2018 about personal development. A few of them really stood out to me as they related 100% to my creative lifestyle. They left me feeling inspired, refreshed, and motivated. As I moved into 2019, they sparked a lot of honest creative conversations with myself which in turn has helped me gain clarity and write killer goals for 2019. They are as follows:

Creativity is something that can be fed, nourished, and rejuvenated. Oftentimes, through seasons where inspiration falls short, practicing creativity becomes distant. It’s hard to bring back, challenging us to abuse inspiration. But what if you could call upon creativity and inspiration when you wanted? This is discipline, and it’s often a lost skill that every creative should have.

I recently read something in a book that stuck with me…

“— to keep your hand in your craft, to stay close to it.”

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear, Elizabeth Gilbert.

This resonated with me. I knew exactly why I started the 100 day project, but this summed it up in a perfect sentence.