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I admit it, I am addicted to Agatha Christie’s novels. Talk about an artist! She could weave a tale that took her readers on a wild ride indeed. She is somewhat of an inspiration to me, as a budding writer myself. I think that anyone who aspires to make a living as a writer should indulge in some of her short stories or murder mystery novels. Her ability to create characters with their own identifiable quirks is unsurpassed.

I first discovered her at my public library, after looking for something to fill in the void left by one too many science fiction books. To my amazement, I found her books every bit as thrilling as some of the best Sci Fi writer’s work. And her descriptions of the world she lived in (from Victorian England all the way through the 1960s) is fascinating indeed. Do yourself a favor and pick up an Agatha Christie novel soon!

Posted September 6, 2010 Comments(0)

Creative children should be able to express themselves without evaluation. Let their imagination run free! Encourage them to tell stories of all kinds, and give them tools to expand their creativity. (Crayons, paper, pin and ink depending on their age.)

Or maybe your child is scientifically creative. I don’t have much experience in this area, but I’m sure there are places to go to discover how best to encourage him or her. The point is to foster the development of the creative mind, and allow it to blossom.

Children are our future, and we have some responsibility in what that future will be like. Whether or not you feel you may actually live again, your progeny surely will. Do it for them, if not for yourself.

Posted July 5, 2010 Comments(0)

Why not pick up a new summer craft this year? New skills are always a lot of fun, and learning how to do seasonal crafts can keep you busy in those idle summer afternoons. Besides, when the kids complain about nothing to do, you can be at the ready!

My favorite craft? Well, I will tell you a secret. I’m not so much into crafts in the usual sense. Nothing wrong with them, of course. It’s just that I would rather spend the time learning an art that can be applied to many different crafts. In other words, if you learn to draw well, you can create portraits of your pets, make up comic books, frame gifts for your family for Christmas, and so on!

What about kids? The same holds true for them. Children are natural artists, believe me! Give a small child a pad of paper and a box of crayons and that child will most likely be occupied for hours! But having said that, it can be fun to work through a book on crafts, just remember to let your own creativity loose as well.

Posted June 29, 2010 Comments(0)

The changing of the seasons always brings with it new ideas and new dreams. I love to plan for the future holiday season about now. Some people think that’s a little "out there," but I love to occupy myself during long summer days with projects for the fall. It has something to do with Autumn and winter being my favorite seasons of the year and I start looking forward to them as soon as the weather starts getting hot again!

One of my favorite projects is making up stories (written and illustrated by me, of course) for my young relatives, under the age of 10. They look forward to these homemade tales, and believe me, it gets the creative juices going, all right! These are the special gifts they get every Christmas.

What season do you especially love? And what are you doing to prepare for the holidays within that special time of year?

Posted June 22, 2010 Comments(0)

When was the last time you let loose with your favorite Broadway tune? It doesn’t matter if you were in the shower, the car or alone on a trail somewhere. Singing is good for us! This may be only my opinion, but when I sing I am instantly happier.

Learn to love your own voice, because all of us has a unique one. And encourage your children and grandchildren to sing as well. When I was a child, my days were spent in song, and my entire family sang as well. We harmonized, created tunes, and made up songs about famous people.

Singing is one more way to get some creativity into our lives, and increase our happiness as well as the happiness of the ones we love.

Posted June 16, 2010 Comments(0)

There is nothing like spending time with a grandchild to remind one all the beauty and creativity in the world. And it’s hard to be  serious when your little 5 year old grandson is explaining how elves live in the garden, or how a lion came to visit him in his bedroom last night!

I think everyone should spend some time each week with a child. The children of today will inherit the earth, and we, of course, need to encourage them. If you don’t have children or grandchildren, consider volunteering at a daycare or head start center. Give a child the "gift" of someone being interested in him or her. This will hold a child in good stead for the rest their life.

Posted June 9, 2010 Comments(0)

Attention Deficit Disorder? What does that have to do with this blog? As you know by now, I am big on creative kids. This is why I am big on keeping away from psychiatric labeling. In fact, I have absolute certainty that many of the most creative artists on the planet could have had psychiatric labels affixed to them.

Afterward, of course, they would have been drugged and possibly electro-shocked, thereby ending any possibility of their continuing as an artist. This has happened in the past, it is happening today. Please, if your child has been labeled ADD, ADHD or something similar, look for alternative ways to treat his symptoms.There are nutritional and supplemental ways to handle this. In my book, drugs are not a last choice, they are absolutely NEVER an option to treat a mental "symptom."

Let’s save the artists of our times from psychiatric drugging!

Posted June 2, 2010 Comments(0)

How about a  game of Trivial Pursuit, created by and  for your family?  If you have a large family, all the better. Our family is just about to embark on this adventure. (At least, we keep talking about it!)

Get out your index cards, color code some questions in particular categories (music, art, science and so forth) and then write the answers on the back. Here is an example:

(music) What is Grandma’s favorite band?  (answer) The Rolling Stones. You get the idea. Of course the main problem is finding the time to get the cards created. But you could always have a "Trivial Pursuit Creation Night." I think that would be a hoot. And be sure to have your little ones make up their own cards.

Posted May 24, 2010 Comments(0)

Nothing like paper crafts to while away a rainy day, right? Do you have piles of old National Geographic magazines that you just can’t bear to toss out? Before they turn into compost in your garage, you might go through them and cut out the photographs that are especially beautiful and inspiring in some way. It is simple to create beautiful greeting cards for your family and friends using glue and some wonderful photos. Just think how happy you would make those photographers, giving their art new life! I get inspired just thinking about it.

You can also craft Christmas ornaments from cardboard, photographs, glitter and glue. This makes a wonderful creative activity for you and the grandchildren. When you are boiling in July, bring the winter cooling a little closer by getting a start on some creative gift ideas. It may sound silly, but it can be a lot of fun. Besides, seriousness is way overrated!

So get out the scissors, markers, crayons and whatever else you can round up and get ready for some fun and productive paper crafts! Merry Christmas in the summertime, and to all a goodnight.

Posted April 7, 2010 Comments(0)

Elephant artists? If I hadn’t seen the video of an elephant creating a beautiful portrait of another elephant holding a flower, I never would have believed it. This alone should give anyone pause, especially those who don’t believe the protection of these beautiful animals is worthwhile.

How can an elephant view the world with such an aesthetic eye if he does not have a soul? I believe the ability of an elephant to create an image on paper should put this to rest. It really makes me wish we had a decent way to communicate with elephants. I mean, REALLY communicate. Wouldn’t you love to know what they are thinking?

After viewing the art work they have created, I shall never view an elephant the same way again. Perhaps they are all elephant artists!

Posted March 30, 2010 Comments(0)