Bohemian Bloggers

I am truly enjoying blogging and as I make my way around the Internet, introducing my blog to the world, I have met some really cool artists along the way.  I have always been drawn to creative types; people who march to the beat of a different drum...perhaps it is because I include myself in that group.  I would like to take the time, every now and then, to introduce you to some of my new blogger friends.

First up:  Ms. Bonnie Joy Bardos.  I found Bonnie because I googled the word "bohemian"--looking for an image to accompany a story I had recently written.  There, on her blog--Bohemian Artist: Painting & Thought , I found the most beautiful pieces of art.  One of Bonnie's paintings was the perfect image to go with the story I had just written aptly titled "The Bohemian." I was so moved by her artwork, I had to contact her.

Bonnie lives across the country from me, but I already feel like we are friends.  (After all, we are now friends on Facebook, so that means everything, right?!)  But seriously, I immediately connected with her and felt like we were kindred spirits.  I know if we ever do meet in person, it will be like seeing an old friend.

Here is the painting that initially took my breath away. I encourage you to visit Bonnie's site and see even more amazing artwork.  She's the real deal!

"Three Bird Woman" by Bonnie Joy Bardos

Let me know what you think of Bonnie's artwork, and if you have suggestions for other bohemian blogs, please send them my way.  I would love to meet them!

Living the Creative Life

Recently, a former student of mine, asked me for advice on living the creative life in the “real world.” I believe that some people can’t help being creative in their everyday life. This particular young woman is one of them. Whether your occupation is a bank teller, a lawyer, a truck driver, or a food server, you are the one who is ultimately responsible for choosing whether or not your life is a creative one.

Making a living in the creative life is a different story. I suppose it depends on your definition of creativity. Some people make a living doing other people’s tax returns, and they like what they do and that’s entirely enough creativity for one day, thank you very much. But maybe they’re not entirely crazy about their work, so when they go home they need to build some furniture. Or spend the evenings painting sunsets. Or they play guitar, or play with clay. I truly believe everyone needs a creative outlet. If you get your paycheck from that outlet…FANTASTIC! But if not, it doesn’t mean you should live without creativity in your life.

Photo by laffy4k

Don’t let your “occupation” define you. If you work as a cashier, doesn’t mean you’re not a musician. If you clean other people’s houses for a living, doesn’t mean you’re not a painter…you get where I’m going with this?

In Julia Cameron’s book The Artist’s Way, she recommends you take yourself on a date once a week. I love this idea. I know many of you will find this difficult because your schedules are already so crammed. But if you can carve out the time to do something YOU want to do…sit and look at the ocean, curl up in a bookstore with the new novel you’ve been wanting to read, go grab yourself a cup of really, really good coffee and just sit…don’t talk, don’t listen…just be with yourself. Believe it or not, this is a creative thing to do. We’re all so wrapped up in our day-to-day life we lose the artist inside ourselves. Go find your inner artist. She is there, trust me. And she wants to hang out with you from time to time. So go buy yourself a box of Crayolas and have at it!

Please let me know what sorts of thing you do to tap into your creative self.