creatissimo.in.eng

Good news – this blog has moved!

2011-06-15T11:22:00.001+02:00

We promised you some renovations, refreshments and this is our first step.

This blog has a new home!!

Please, visit the blog by clicking on the link below :

don't forget to subscribe to the blog's feed (you can do it now from here).

and connect with me again with signing in via Google Friend Connect Widget while you're there.
I can't wait to see you there! :)

Thank you so much
for the following and connecting with me – let's do that even more!

Care

2011-06-13T11:35:00.001+02:00

It is like days are turning around the same word again and again… The same word, but two meanings.
What comes on your mind when you see the word care?

Does it bring you positive feelings?

June is a month of positive feelings, I guess…
We feel good in our care for our gardens where we can see the first fruits of our work and care.
It is great to see our school-children, how they went through the school year with our care and now, they deserve a vacation.
We feel good while we plan with care where to spend the summer this year…

But the feelings can be also negative…

We don't feel good when we care and worry about tomorrow and what it might bring.
We care about our work – are we good enough, smart enough, etc.
We have negative feeling, when we care about what other people might say about us…
Worries, fears and that kind of care can block us and put us into the stress, discomfort.

The same word, but two meanings. Which meaning do you prefer?

Take CARE for your 'gardens', those in your towns or in the villages, in your heads or on your bodies. Your care will bear fruit for sure!
Good luck!

Before and After

2011-06-07T23:13:00.001+02:00

Do you remember the picture as work in progress in the post 'Work in progress - or the healing power of creativity'? I was healing my hurt soul with the therapeutic art expression.

When you create, lots of processes are going on in you - the process of purifying, self analyzing and deep thinking… That's what was going on with me as well.

And that's how this little picture with a special title was born: 'Be natural':

Hmmmm…

Are we ever natural? When? How we 'are', when we are natureal?…

When we are natural, we grow. When we are natural, we bloom. When we are natural, we are playful, curious, amazed… When we are natural, we are relaxed. When we are natural, we are the way we are.

How do you feel, when you are (or think you are) natural?

PS: the print of this inspirational painting can be found in CreatissimoLab e-shop :). Get inspired to Be natural every day!

Guessing game

2011-05-31T01:06:00.001+02:00

Today is a great day for games, so let's play! : )

Last time we were trying to guess this place? And today we will explore Slovenia too… No praise, no glory, just having fun and maybe learning something about Slovenia ; )...

What is the name of this Slovene town?

Here are some tips:

be focused on the background of the picture;
in this town, a creative person ('on a picture') is looking at you from a window;
Romans were here ages ago too, of course;
and I loved this place as a child, because they produced something sweet here.

So what do you think? Any ideas? (PS: No worries if your answer won't be correct. I will applaud you for your courage).

PS: This week, my mentors from Finland will explore Slovenia too! Oh, well, first of all, they will check the progress of my phototherapy research : ). Yay! Happy!

Mixing

2011-05-27T23:51:00.001+02:00

What a great creative week it was for me this week… And on my hands too! Paint on my fingers all day long… and there was hardly any time to take it off and do some 'business' stuff as well. Good feelings and energy which I think I've got last weekend when I went away to 'my' place.

Your answers to my question on a FB showed that you want to see more of my works and hear about art and phototherapy here, on my blog. Maybe you've noticed that I listened to you already and talked about that in my last few posts :).

And as for my works… It's not that I hide them or don't want to show you my creative process… It is just that I have the time and practical 'obsticals' that keep me stuck where I am. When I'm in the process, with dirty fingers and all, it is just impossible for me to take pictures and photograph the process. Maybe it would be easier to record everything with the video-camera on a trypod…, but at this point I can't do it as there are other things that I have to do as well. Maybe… some day…

Anyway, in all that creative spirit this week, I also decided to try Vladka's challenge to combine different stamps. I like mixing things; it is my 'style', so I had fun with it. This is what I came up with in my playful mood:

Let's take a closer look what I did:

Observations

2011-05-25T22:34:00.001+02:00

I took a break, maybe I even escaped… I found my inner peace at my special place where I usually get my energy back. Among fields, meadows, woods, the river, stones… Besides collecting the blisters on my hands, I could afford a big, relaxing 'nothing'. I was observing. I was just looking at the grass…

…through a window:

…closely (after the rain):

…from far:

…in the wind:

…and the Sun:

And from another point of view:

Do you know that an ordinary grass can be an inspiration for creating, too:

Have you looked at it (closly) lately, the grass? As you know, inspiration can be waiting for us right in front of our nose…

Work in progress – or the healing power of creativity

2011-05-19T20:18:00.001+02:00

Surely you've heard of the healing power of creativity. Many studies have proved that. My field of work is mainly focused on art therapy and phototherapy, although sometimes the work also includes other forms of art, creative thinking. At the stage of getting to know the client I choose such tasks, which would show me which areas are best to work with a certain client.

Many mix up art therapy and phototherapy with therapeutic art expression and photography, which are healing as well, but in this case, we 'treat' ourselves, without a therapist or consultant. We try to heal our soul, the pain, or we put on our canvas the joy, enthusiasm, fascination. We do this ourselves.

(in progress…)

Closely

2011-05-16T18:39:00.001+02:00

These days I look at the World 'closely' ... What if you're small and others big? How is it, if you don't see what lies behind the great fear that stands in front of your nose? How is it, if you look up and see the World from another perspective?

Click

2011-05-12T00:07:00.000+02:00

Sometimes all it takes is a click and everything is different. There is no need to move mountains, swim across the Ocean, win the lottery or be the first at talent show. No need to know by heart at least five encyclopedias, survive cancer, test the drugs at least once, believe in miracles... Just a click and everything can be different.

(where, in which direction?)

This World…

2011-05-08T23:46:00.001+02:00

…is full of inspiration. This World is full of fun. This World is wonderful!

Many times I get inspired by the things and creatures around me. Many times I'm amazed by the creations of Nature. Many times I can't believe I'm a part of this wonderful World!

A new auction for the phototherapy project - an auction of my works is on the go and this time the theme of my works is dedicated to this amazing World!

Please, visit my CreatissimoLab FB Page to bid for the work you like and help us with the project. Also, you are invited to answer the question there, about what you'd like to read more on this blog. Thank you!

PS: If you don't have a FB profile and would like to participate (or have questions), e-mail me and I'll add your bid there for you.

Your answer…

2011-05-03T16:39:00.001+02:00

…would help me and this blog get better… :)

You can answer the question directly on the CreatissimoLab FB Page or here on the blog (if you don't have a FB account or have other reasons to not answer there). Thank you very much!

Three in one

2011-04-30T14:01:00.001+02:00

'Everything is possible' is what I can say for these holiday days. For this 10-days break that we have here in Slovenia, I created a list of To Do's – of the things that were not able to be done during the working days and finally I reserved some time for them.

The result?

Today (when the holidays are almost over) I look something like this:

(the art work on the photograph is the work of my ex-mentor sculptor Jakov Brdar)

The results are shown everywhere…

United Kingdom

2011-04-29T12:52:00.001+02:00

A few more photos from my old photo-albums. Pieces of UK, which might be empty, because everybody will hurry...

here:

UK is not a country that is my favorite, although I was there a couple of times and never had any bad experiences. I didn't even had English rain whenever I was there :)!

But of course UK will always stay in my best memory, because I attended a superb study overthere – and that was the best study 'ever' – the knowledge I've gained is useful for me in my daily and professional life. That's what nobody can forget – 'ever'. And the studying is the cause I would go to UK again immidiately...

Not-royal

2011-04-29T00:05:00.000+02:00

It will be crowdy. And what will occupy the crowded heads? And why?

And what will occupy the heads after the fatal 'yes'? Maybe this?

(And I just have another reason to take out my photographs from old photo-albums – a tiny piece of Great Britain)

Enjoy! – the royal way or non-royal - just the way you like it ;)!

Various flowers

2011-04-27T19:23:00.001+02:00

Aren't they interesting, all these flowers: of various shapes, sizes, colors, ages…? It's hard to find exactly the same flowers, and that's fascinates me and inspires me. So, where does it say that we have to compare with each other if we are not the same??

The flowers should be a great example to us… Aren't all lovely, special, interesting, different…??

Flowers on the trees:

Earth Day

2011-04-22T21:04:00.001+02:00

Today I'd like to say Thank You, the Earth.

Thank you for all the forgiveness, tollerance, energy and the beauty that you give us every day.

(I love your hugs!)

You are loved!

Stop on time (for the holidays)

2011-04-21T23:08:00.001+02:00

At the University of Art Education we had a professor who remind us a lot that, when painting we also have to be able to stop. Finish. End something. And really, Life is full of such moments that call for conclusions and new beginnings.

Stop on time when you enjoy the festive goodies.
Stop on time when you leave on vacation.
Stop on time when you create.
Stop on time when you criticize or praise someone.
Stop on time when you sigh about the unhappy or happy days.
Stop on time when you do the shopping.
Stop on time when you watch TV.
Stop... on time... Look at the Nature, which teaches us just that: to create, grow and complete = stop on time.

Wishing you great holidays! – the right ones!

PS: Thanks for the beautiful and warm thoughts in comments under my previous posts.

Do what you Love – Love what you do

2011-04-18T00:11:00.001+02:00

'Today, I only do what brings me joy and happiness, things I love to do and that make my heart cheer, and I do them in my own way and in my own rhythm…' (Charlie Chaplin)

What do you do in your Life, with your Life? Do you do what brings you joy and hapiness? Do you listen to your heart and dreams?

Easter on your mind

2011-04-17T11:25:00.003+02:00

Only one week to go and Easter will be here. My statistics shows that some people are searching for my Easter works and ideas on my blog and website. So, to make it easier for everybody, I gathered some of my Easter creations in this post (with the links)...

Here they are, but first, read what you will see after you follow the links below:

Was it fun?

2011-04-14T10:47:00.001+02:00

So, how did you like the guessing game? It might be hard for people from abroad to guess, but why not take a challange and give it a try? Let's have fun with it, ok? Here is another picture of the old town I was asking about in the previous post. The flag might help and give you some clue…

No?

Guessing game and sweet things

2011-04-12T21:51:00.001+02:00

Today is a perfect day for playing games! :-)

Here is a guessing game for you: What is the name of this old Slovene town?

I will not give any award, you will just have a chance to learn a little bit about our little Slovenia ;-)...

And today is a great day to not tell you about the sweet things you already know about if you read:
my FB page
my blog about phototherapy project
and if you read Maja's blog (I will not tell you about it because then there will be too many competitors for the sweet biscuits).

So, I'll just say: have a nice day and enjoy in the beautiful, sunny days! Smile! :-)

Blooming

2011-04-11T12:12:00.004+02:00

Not long ago it was sleepy like this, but these days...

At our place you will find spring on the trees (in selected colors):

and on children's creative art works:

How about at your place?

Let your creative ideas bloom, too! All the best!

Nice surprise

2011-04-07T08:57:00.002+02:00

Sometimes a day starts with an unexpected surprise...

On a website:

you can see:

Check it out yourself!

Thank you, PerlssDj Daily!

Magical world

2011-04-04T10:57:00.002+02:00

Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, in December 2010, magical things happened in the old place with Slovenian name Slovenjske Konjice. During the night, immediately after Christmas, fairytale heroes populated the old, abandoned shop windows of the old town. And when Santa came into the town with his sleigh and reindeer with gifts, along his way he shook the magic powder on the road and brought fairytale heroes into the life! And so the stories from the shop windows started to live...

You don't believe it??

Well, well, well, you non-believers! I was there and for all you who don't believe my words, I took some photos to show you the proof. Take a look!

The sweets were waiting for us at Hansel and Gretel:

Grandma was waiting in her bed for the little Red Riding Hood...:

...while the wolf was waiting for Red Riding Hood outside, in the dark:

Snow Queen was walking among the snowed trees:

The Prince visited Cinderella to see if the found shoe fits her leg:

Slippers Cat was waiting for someone who would forget the sleepers:

Sleepy Star tried to wake her sleepy eyes with starry dust:

Pehta was waiting for us in her bare feet and with her healing herbs for Love:

The good fairies at Cinderrela's place took me among them as well...:

...and turned me into a good fairy:

Magical world of fairy tales impressed me so much that I didn't manage to take lots of pictures of all the events there... And under the influence of good fairies and the magical dust I created four pictures (art works) of four fairytale heroines. Can you guess which four tales inspired me?

These four original art works are now given on auction for the phototherapy project this week. I hope that the happy owner (or owners) will be as inspired by them as me! :)

You are invited to the CreatissimoLab FB Page, where the action is taking place. PS: if you don't have a FB profile and you want to participate anyway, please, write to me via e-mail and I'll put your bid on FB for you.

Wishing you a beatiful, fairy magical day!

Favorite activity?

2011-03-27T13:29:00.001+02:00

And how do you spend your 'we'-time?

source

Carpe Diem!

Watermarks

2011-03-23T23:50:00.003+01:00

Often I read comments regarding watermarks on the photos. Some people like them, some hate them - I read all sorts of stuff. I have my own opinion about watermarks.

Of course, in some way I want to protect my works, but I also know how to remove the watermark from a photograph, so I know that the watermark will not save me from those who have bad intentions. Therefore, my watermark is not very big and noticable, and is not intended to discourage the viewers, even those with bad intentions; I still try to make it in harmony with the photograph.

For me, the watermark means quite something else! Information! Yes, I like watermarks on the photos, especially if they give you some information about the artist.
Sometimes I save photos which I find on the Internet, because they inspire me or give me creative impulse. When you save a file, you usually don't have time to rename the picture or write down the author or the website address where you found it, so I love the watermarks on the photos, esp. those which hold such information, so that I can find the author at any time.
In such cases, the watermarks are for me very helpful and useful, so I'm always happy to see them! :) How about you? What kind of opinion or for what purpose you use watermarks in your photos?

This 'mark' has accompanied me all my life. If it was mine and the house would be renowated, I would frame it and keep it forever...

PS:
The auctions of my Easter bunnies will last until Friday evening! After that they will move into the e-shop, but the prices there won't be so special as they are now. So, why don't you catch them while you can??
Direct link to the auctions on the FB page.
A post about the auctions on the blog with more explanations.

Wake up!

2011-03-21T19:54:00.003+01:00

This is how I would sum the events from the last and this week. As if I would, just like nature, enter the spring! ;)

These days my thoughts often escape to Japan, which has awakened me from the comfort and pleasures. On Friday, I joined a number of bloggers and spent the day in silence and dedicated it to that beautiful country. I also have a special bond with Japan as a very dear friend of mine lives there. Today, I finally heard from her. Luckily she is ok. I was relieved, even though I still feel the emptiness, because I can't comprehend how many people died, because of the earthquake and tsunami.
What will remain in the hearts of the survivors? Will they ever be healed?

Over the weekend, I was focused on Finland. As the first phototherapy project is on the go already, I'm often in the contact with my two mentors from Finland. Good thing is that Skype was invented, so we can communicate almost as if were together in the same room! :)
My mentors from Finland are great! Their commitment, support and time that they devote to me (yes, even on weekends), leave me breathless; but on the other hand, they are a wonderful example to me, to see what would I like to be. I grow and waking up with them! :)

Waking up every day in the mornings is a pleasure for me as I listen to the birds, that are singing outside in our garden. Their happy songs always bring me in a good mood!
I wonder if the little birds are affraid to take off and fly for the first time? Do they need a courage?
A few of us will talk about our courage that helps us to 'fly'. We will talk about that on the blog 'The Courage To Fly'. :)
In March and April you will read inspiring stories and thoughts of different creative authors. Join us - maybe you too will wake up and fly into the wide creativity!

(You will be able to read my story on April 18, 2011)

(Click on the thumbnail to jump there and find the first stories and the calendar of upcoming posts)

These days, in me, emotions also woke up and bumbled their 'songs'. For them, I need (and want) to thank special people who supported me and saved me from some burdens :).
Thank you very much:
Andreja from Mavrična ustvarjalnica, who made sure that we now have enough cameras for the first project. Andreja, we use them already! :)
Vladka from Ustvarjalna skrinja and Martina from Chez Moi, who donated a precious gift - a piece of it looks like this:

It is already in childrens' hands! :)! Feelings can not be described!

And thank you to my dear friend from Estonia, who also put some effort in the project and helped me by supporting my idea. Thanks, Ande, you always know how to help! :)
This awakening is certainly the most beautiful one!

I hope you also are happily awake and that you are not grabbed by the spring's fatigue. Relax in the fresh colors of spring and creative inspiration! At our workshop with children we made flowers for Moms as they will have a special day on Friday. And how have you spent the day and how did you wake up?

PS:
Auctions of my works are still going on! Some Easter bunnies are waiting on Friday, when they will find out who will adopt them ;)! Please, join us if you can! If you will adopt a bunny, you will also get special 'words of wisdom' with the bunny, so why not surprise yourself with something beautiful and inspiring?
Direct link to the auctions on the FB page.
A post about the auctions on the blog with more explanations.

Auctions of my works for phototherapy project

2011-03-17T21:59:00.002+01:00

Well I finally gathered some of my works, that I wish to scatter among you!

As Easter approaches, I chose to start with my naughty bunnies. Some are: curious, in love, unhappy, dreamy... Adopt the one that touches your heart the most! :)

And I will also have some spring art works and some for different tastes. Depending on the response...

Auction can be found at CreatissimoLab FB page. Anyone who does not have Facebook profile, and still wants to participate, can write their offer here in the comments and I will put his/her offer on FB for him/her. For any questions about the auctions, please contact me by e-mail.

I'm sure you know the rest:
Money from the auctions will go for the phototherapy project. You can read about the progress of the project on a special blog.

Here are the links to the auctions that I will add continuously:

Thanks in advance for your cooperation! All we involved in the project are sending you our Love!

Pst, don't tell!

2011-03-10T10:18:00.003+01:00

A few posts ago I told you that I was upset. And I still am.
Are you mentally prepared for the 'hard truth' for which a very few people know (or wants to know)?

The cause is something that we heard in our news... First, I spent some time thinking whether I should say something about it on my blog, as this blog is focused on more positive, creative side of our lives, and whose main task is to promote creativity and creative thinking. But since I was actually brought here just because of these 'issues', I said that it is ok to write about it here.
The 'issues' are called victims.

As we heard in the news, there was one case, where the court acquitted the priest, because the 'touching of girls was not sexual harassment'. Why? Since in the act there was no 'sexual instinct' in the perpetrator and it was 'irrelevant factor how the injured party perceived his offense'.
If these allegations are well read, then I hope you understand why it upset me.

Luckily there was a columnist who then described the matter as it should be - for Dummies, that everyone understood why we (some of us) were upset! If possible, please read her article in our newspaper Dnevnik, on Tuesday, 22.2.2011 under the heading 'Guilty'. Tanja Lesničar - Pučko explains that touching and interfering in the intimate area IS harassment of any individual!

Anyway, I will not go into details, because the article really tells everything, so I will not repeat its contents.

I would like to say something else...

Because such things happen the victims in our country are what they are. Guilty, guilty, guilty.
In my 10-year career working with victims and witnesses of serious crimes, 90% of them told me that they were sorry to report the crime. Because they were regarded as having committed the crimes, as if they themselves were looking for and asking for what happened to them, whether it was a street robbery or rape. I saw many who went home without having someone who would help them. What have these victims done at home? What choices they had: to swallow as many pills as possible in order to 'forget' the event or lock into the apartment to close themselves of this World. And because we don't see the victims, they don't exist!
How many victims actually call for help themselves?
Who sends them somewhere for help and where?
Do not tell me that they have available SOS-telephones. - Tell me rather who keeps records, what happens to these people after they are 'nicely' treated by the Police and when they go home. How many of these people call for help?
Who is actually helping the victims in a professional way to get internal balance...?

What I saw how some people work with the victims and witnesses of crime, and what the victims told me, has prompted me to go. Because I was sick when I saw how the victims were treated. The victims or perpetrators - they talked to them the same. Yes, all the same: the same people were having 'interviews' with the perpetrators and with the victims. In the same way. Everything is suspicious, everything is not-true, all is 'oh not so bad', everything is irrelevant... And such people think they know everything, they don't need someone to remind them of something or to propose to work better. No, they already know everything. And they also know that the victims are too weak to complain about how they are treated...

How many of us know or want to know what happens to victims? Since the victims are quiet and hidden from the World, they are not existing. And, yeah, they are ok in a day or two anyway...
Anyone who studies the psychology, human brain, emotions, etc. knows the real effects of the crime. He/She knows that the victims may be going through this:

And let me tell you that this is 'mild' way what victims are doing to themselves. What the victims do to themselves if they are not heard, is difficult to explain, because often we think that it is not true. And the perpetrators exploit our ignorance. Or, the victims become perpetrators...

I am upset how our government treats the victims. I will do my best to change something, even if it will happen just before I die. I left the institution that should have provided the confidence, security, assistance, expertise, because I saw that that was not true and that I won't reach my goal: to help the victims of crimes. Therefore, I decided to open my own business Creatissimo, although I (the way I see it now) will have a long road to achieve my original goal.

I am thankful for people who are already working on this, as they give me an example and hope. I now believe that my goal is tangible. Thank you to keep on going!

(Cathy Malchiodi is my big idol)

I hope I did not spoil your (happy) day. I didn't write as much as I wanted, because I hope that you will read between the lines. I want to let people know what is happening and I hope that professionalism will override all those smart 'blah-blah-blah's' how they all work 'oh-so-hard' on this field and how professional their work is. And this is only a fraction of what I might have written on this topic...

Stay brave! :)

Women's Day

2011-03-08T08:47:00.003+01:00

Have a nice day today, dear ladies, women, Moms, Grandmoms...

PS: If you haven't heard fresh news yet - here are two:

I start the phototherapy project this week. Yupie!!
and on my FB page I wonder if I should do an auction of my works... (we still need photopaper and inks for the printer)...

Enter the Mardi Gras...

2011-03-04T23:52:00.003+01:00

... crazy week!

Enjoy in the colors, laughter, go-away winter, greasy donuts and the masks!

Do the things that you haven't tried before and don't forget to be creative!

More about masks in words and pictures can be read in my last year's post: Masks... What are you most fascinated about the Carnival?

PS: I placed back the 'word verification' to the comments section, as I've got spam right after I turned it off. Therefore, please do not ask from me (or even threaten me like some people do) to withdraw the word verification... - obviously we have different experiences with it and some people actually use this with a reason. I promise that I will still read your blog even if I 'loose time' by entering the words for word verification when commenting your posts. I respect your decisions...

Enjoy!

Your secret

2011-02-28T22:42:00.003+01:00

While I'm sick and am not able to spend much time at the computer, I'm leaving you with yourself and your secret... Enjoy!

Your secret from Jean-Sebastien Monzani on Vimeo.

Warm, cold?

2011-02-25T01:04:00.004+01:00

Don't forget the warm clothes if you're cold :)

And when you feel warm, check out the fresh news at our CreatissimoLab's Facebook page and phototherapy project blog. There's great news everywhere!!

Today was 'not-so-good' day for me, but I'll talk about it some other time in my next posts, so be mentally ready for another 'cruel truth'. Oh, I'm so angry!

Stay warm and have fun!

PS: the actions are still going on a few more days/hours, and maybe there are going to be some new ones in the future, so check this post often for the latest changes. You are welcome to join us!

Phototherapy Project

2011-02-18T09:10:00.007+01:00

With an iron will and step-by-step I've made some progress with the phototherapy project.

(iron will)

The thrill is still growing as March is near by, when the wheels will start turning. Before that, I still have a whole lot of logistics and formalities to do, but I remain optimistic! :)

I am pleased to inform you that I finally succeeded to create a special page about the project on my website and a blog, where you will read about the progress of the project. There you will find a few words about phototherapy, the project and how you can help too!

(click on the pictures to jump to the phototherapy site or blog:)

And there you'll even find a harsh truth about the co-financing projects through tenders and grants, and the reasons why I decided for the path of donating...
I will be delighted if you will support the project; if not otherwise, at least with a special 'button' and link to the site to spread the word about the project. Thank you for your effort, time and support!

(button - link it to the www.creatissimolab/phototherapy)

These days, I have lots of books all around the place. This is currently my best friend ;) :

But still I don't have all the books I need. The story of books is an interesting one as well:
some books are held by certain professors, even though they supposed to be 'public'. It is a miracle if you are able to get access to those books, even if it just for the insight (um, from which money the universities bought the books??). Another fact is that it is necessary to sign in to the library (it is not free), even if you just want to borrow a book for a couple of hours and are willing to leave a personal document there to make it 'official'...
So, if you happen to know someone who has these books and are willing to help me with some info, I would be really thankful!
- Noah Hass-Cohen: Art therapy and clinical neurosience
- and something from David Mclagan who talks about aesthetics in art therapy. I'm not sure which article/book talks about that:

Between the aesthetic and the psychological
The aesthetic dimension of art therapy...
Psychological Aesthetics (book)

- books by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi about Flow and Creativity and flow

(It's amazing how much time I have spent on discussing about things that should be publicly available...)

Thanks to your support I have enough energy to overcome all the obstacles on the way and keep on going. :)

Let me now thank for another donation. I've got it from Vladka. Not only that, she sent a contribution for the project, she surprised me with her beautiful hand-made card, full of symbolism and good wishes :)! Look how beautiful it is!

(Hand-made by Vladka)

And such gestures are the most wonderful companions on the steep roads, particularly when we are faced with the obstacles. Thanks, Vladka!

Thank you everyone who will spread the word about the project, and who will in any way contribute to the joy of the hearts of children!

All the best!

Creative

2011-02-15T21:49:00.003+01:00

When dance choreographer and animator get together and create an amazing work! Poetical!

Thought of You from Ryan J Woodward on Vimeo.

How it all started (the creative process)? Check it out here.

Sweet hearts

2011-02-14T01:00:00.000+01:00

Thank you with all my heart to all of you, sweet hearts, who follow my blog, visit my FB page and Twitter tweets.

What would we do without friends, eh?
Show your friends that you love them! If you don't know how, I can give you a suggestion: my little gift book Mačji recepti z mišjo prilogo.

That's what they've written about it:
"In the cute little book Mačji recepti z mišjo prilogo, the cats and mice give us advice for long-lasting friendship and true love."

But if you have other things in your mind, like sweet hearts...

Have you ever wondered how Valentine's sweets were made in the old times and where you could have found them? Check it out and see yourself - on the photos from my old photo-album:

(hot love?)

(squeezing hearts?)

(and what flavour is your love?)

Love each other - on Valentine's Day and always!
xoxo

*
PS: In the previous post I'm still waiting for your creativity to show. Aren't you creative lately?? You can show us more works, ideas... if you can't decide for only 'the one' ;)

What can creativity do?

2011-02-09T12:09:00.005+01:00

Creativity has no limits!

Show us your inspiring creativity without any limits! Enter your name on the list with the url, which is linked to your the most inspiring, creative post, picture, work... and blow us away with your inspiration! Thank you (the list will close on 9.3.2011)

Create yourself some marvellous days!

PS: a week or two to go and then, I hope, I'll be back on track and work with a normal speed :)

Prešeren

2011-02-08T07:25:00.000+01:00

Remembering our poet France Prešeren.

You can find out about Prešeren in my last year's post Our Cultural Day.

Creative Zagreb

2011-02-06T23:33:00.003+01:00

Somehow I was able to find a few minutes (and I really mean 'a few minutes'!) in Zagreb to visit another creatively colored art market, in a nice ambient where the market was perfectly set up in (the art works had 'space' to 'breath').
I enjoyed it! (I guess it shows on the photographs, eh?)

(a fitting ambient; with works:...)

(...in reduced color palette)

(...in colored color palette)

(...in natural palette)

(...and in B/W palette)

Oh, how my fingers wanted to create!...

Unfortunately, it was no time to record the names of the artists of those interesting creative works :(.

How about you? Have you been to any exhibitions lately or to an inspiring market?

Zagreb too

2011-02-04T12:59:00.001+01:00

More impressions from Christmas Market in Zagreb, where I was last December.

You could find:

Hand-made works (warm, printed on fabric, to hang on, to wear)...

and also those with Xmas themes and romantic look...

Of course, you could find my works there (these, on the picture were the most looked at - the blue collection) and me too ;)...

That was luck, as I was able to meet and chat with the dear creative bloggers from Croatia. Before, I only knew them via their blogs. It was so great to meet them personally! Now I even more love to visit their blogs! Why don't you visit their blogs too:

Bubamara šarena
Kek's made
Nasmijano nebo
HobbyChic

Zagreb (Croatia)...

2011-02-02T11:27:00.002+01:00

...in the pictures...

Day:

(perfect architecture)

(cold)

(a market with a style)

Night:

(calming atmosphere)

*December 2010

Enjoy!

That's how it is...

2011-01-25T17:54:00.003+01:00

...if you really, really help!

Ok, here are some details:

No more talk about 'who do you think you are' and 'I admit' (I hope). It is a 'past tense', so no need to talk about it anymore...

The flow goes on.

Because of you, the flow carries me with it in a high speed. Yes, that's how it is if you make effort to help me to make my dreams come true... Then the following happens:

After my daily 'busy-wizi' matters, I spend every free moment for you-know-which project
I'm running out of time to publish posts on my blog (reports from Zagreb and Slovenske Konjice are still on the waiting list)
I am running out of time to comment on your blogs. I do read them, but don't comment them!

So if you miss my comments on your blog, I would like to tell you that I do read your news, just am not able to comment your posts at the moment. Sorry! - Not a nice 'thank you' for your wonderful help for my phototherapy project, eh?
And on top of that you will now be informed about the project so often, that you will eventually have a full head of phototherapy! ;) Yeah, that's how it is if you do your best to make my dreams come true!

I tell you: it's all because of you! You made it happen!!

Thank you for visiting my blog, thank you for your time, thank you for your comments. I appreciate it! I'm thinking of you and wishing you much inspiration, a lot of good will, and a lot of creative drive! We can be creative in several ways and in several areas, so, have fun!

*
And here are some news about the phototherapy project if you're interested to hear about it:

confirmed mentor (from Slovenia) for the project
approved school, where the (first) project will be implemented
project will start in March (yeeeees!)
intensive studying of researches and literature about this field (ah, in English, again, so I'm slow)
translated some literature on phototherapy

What awaits me in the following days:

* Verifying the ethical issues and the protection of personal data relating to children who will participate in the project - because I intend to organize an exhibition of their works

Documentation for the school
Documentation for the selected (proposed) children
Documentation for their parents
My 'statement' for children and their parents
Meeting with the participants and their parents and arrangements for implementation
Literature, literature, literature
Searching for sponsors and/or government 'calls' to obtain funding for a project

I can't wait!

Ask yourself...

2011-01-23T00:15:00.000+01:00

...the creative way:

The Best Question in the World

View more presentations from Betsy Streeter.

Be creative!

From the street

2011-01-20T23:10:00.004+01:00

Today's inspiration, gorgeous street photographs...

...reminded me on my favorite street shot, which I took years ago in Vienna (Austria):

(from my old photo album)

Wishing you a beautiful, creative day!

PS: more inspiring pieces can always be found on my CreatissimoLab Facebook Page. Join me!

Who do you think you are…

2011-01-19T20:26:00.002+01:00

…or mind your own business.

First I thought to not write 'provocative' posts anymore like I did with 'I admit'. Because some felt threatened, rather than to feel encouraged to create, which was my intention…
I thought I would shut my mouth and swallow the comments that came to me to my ears, saying that I am jealous of online teachers that I am unable to do something like that myself so I put my frustrations on the others, that I do that to make others miserable etc. And some of the others no longer want to show their works on the Internet because they are afraid of such (unconstructive?) criticism…
However, I've also got some very personal e-mails where people requested and asked for advice and help, so I think the post was worth it, although there were some bad things said about me.

We can look at the things from a wider or narrower point of view. You can see everything or only one thing. You can see the others or only yourself.
In art therapy we look at the situations from several perspectives:

I (as a therapist in relationship with others)
I as a client (where I look at the situation from client's perspective)
I as an external, uninvolved observer (the so-called helicopter perspective).

In such situations, the therapists don't look at the situation from one perspective only, but we need to put ourselves into all. Imagine that we would only look at it from our perspective only! How would we see the World?

Mind your own business. That was a comment that I heard most often after my post 'I admit’. Let them do what they want, create how they want, etc…

Well, let's look at everything from a broader perspective.
Due to the working field that I cover I regularly read professional articles and researches in the field of education, psychology, art therapy, creative process, etc… I recently read some interesting articles that made me think a lot. One was talking about a rape in the middle of the street when the victim, who was calling for help, did not get any help in two hours. Two hours! Mind your own business?!
The second article talked about that it is easier to buy a weapon, rather than get the proper professional help (of psychologist, social worker…) - immediately and now. Mind your own business!
The third article was talking about addiction. What do you do when you meet an addict? Do you mind your own business!?

Why don't my posts on education rise so much noise as it did about creative process and copy-cats in my post ‘I admit’? Or the posts about the victims of crime? Or when I write about how it would be good to help addicts or children, or…? Why no one jumps into the air and write to me and say: mind my own business?
Are addicted happy that we mind our own business? Of course they are, as no one disturbs them, so they may continue to sink deeper and deeper into addiction. But do we want that? Do we really not care? And then these addicts, because of their need for drugs, will attack a person with a broken bottle and cut a person just to steal/get money for drugs!
Now transfer this thinking to the field of creativity. Is this field really different from other fields?
The easiest way is to say mind your own business. The easiest way is to shout: who do you think you are!

When you talk to a person who is trimmed, bruised, raped, and with damaged head because of the brutal rape (I did), you learn that no one ever deserves to hear words like: who do you think you are. When you see the sexually abused child, you don't dare to say mind your own business… We are all humans, we are the World, we all live together. And this is important in every area/field of our lives.

Therefore, look at the creating from a broader perspective. I am willing to help the others with my creative knowledge (the one I have). But I can also say I don't care… I can need help or advice or criticism, but can also close myself and tell the others: mind your own business (I think 'mind your own business' is a very popular sentence in this era, and competing too).

So I'll ask two questions to give you something to think about:
a)
You managed to create the best art work ever. You are extremely proud of it, and soooo happy. Then after a week, you find out that someone has painted a nearly identical piece of art. It turns out that your work was his inspiration and that he painted the image, as precisely as he could to make a copy of your art work. How do you feel? Oh, great, you say, because you find it flattering that someone has painted one of your creations. Ok, really, he did make a copy of your work, but he chose your art work, so you feel great because you have become important and you are an example to someone (or a teacher or a muse)… Well, over a time your work is copied 10, 20, 30 times… Is that still a pleasure for you? Are you feeling important, a star? I doubt it. Would you like that your art work inspires the others, but not like that: that people make copies of your art works?... When it will happen to you, you will understand what I'm trying to say in my post 'I admit'. I do understand the difference between learning the technique and copying. And my purpose and hope is that no one is caught in the circle of copying, which has nothing to do with creating. But I will not point my finger at you and say 'see, I told you!' if this happens to you. We carry our consequences alone, and therefore there's no need to say it out loud (Montessori pedagogic calls that: control points).
Do the addicts know that they fell into the circle of addiction? Do they admit they’re addicted? Do those who copy know that they fell into a circle of copying? Do they recognize it that copying is wrong? What if they manage to sell a thousand copies of ‘your’ art work, and you can't? What if people start to say that you copied his works?...
The answer of one of the persons who copies, was: but I didn't copy a photograph of the art work (copy-paste), I made it myself and put it on my 'blog' (identical to the original art work of another author). Until you will experience this with your own art works, until you will put yourself in the shoes of the author of original, you probably will not understand what I mean…
Some have even snapped at my education. As the art teacher I therefore have no rights 'to be smart'? What is your profession? What if I say something not nice about your expertise, your profession? I don’t claim to be an artist. You see: I am not a painter, I am not a sculptor, I'm not graphic designer, but I am art teacher. I am a person who helps the others to create, which is not the same as if I create art works myself. For many academic painters, sculptors... it was known that they were lousy teachers and vice versa. I am not an artist, but I am art teacher and art therapist, with experiences. I'm not ashamed to say it out loud. And I do know I'm not the best, I am not the one and only. I know where my limits are and I know that I will learn to be better and to create all my life.

(Creatissimo Art therapy Workshop)

b)
What do you do when you see someone who is trapped and makes the same mistake over and over again? Whenever he takes a glass in his hands, the glass falls to the floor. Whenever he writes, he forgets to put a question mark at the end of the question. Always, when you are at the dentist, the dentist forgets a tampon in your mouth. What do you do? Are you quiet? Do you make fun of his awkwardness? Are you angry, because he makes the same mistakes a thousand times and doesn't learn from them?
And what would you do if you see that someone has the same problems over and over again as he creates? He always gets stuck in the same place, always ruins his art work with the same 'mistake'... What would you do?

In art therapy, we have a principle that the client should see (and test) a sample(s) of behavior 'patterns', with which he would be able to replace the old (bad) behavior pattern. How about in creating? Which ‘bad’ pattern prevents you from going through?
Art Education is, therefore, not there to teach you to draw perfect eyes, fantastic realistic drawings, etc… As I wrote then, realism and abstraction have nothing to do with my point about which I talked about in ‘I admit’. Art Education (or any other good teacher or mentor or…) serves as a support and a place to show you the patterns from which you choose one that suits you to go your own way… Your way!

When I was abroad I had no problem with ‘criticism’ like I see it here, in my country. Wherever I went (U.S.A, Denmark, the Netherlands, Austria, Italy, Bosnia…), people were open and wanted to know more. Therefore I ask you, what would you say if I was from abroad and would be a participant of an Internet e-course? Would you accept my ‘critique’? And how would you accept my criticism, knowing that I am an art teacher from Slovenia? I noticed the difference. I see that we are open to persons who are ‘at a safe distance’, so that we do not feel any competition and a threat. But when there are people from our country, everything is different. Hiding information, no comments to help somebody to move forward, lack of confidence… I’m sorry but that’s how I see it. I wish we would see that life is too short to not live it fully.

There is a support and a technical support. We need both. We all need support, and I am sorry that some focus all of their energy into defense, rather than focusing their energy for exceeding the limits.

I give you the opportunity to tell me that I am wrong. Here, now, 'face to face'. To prove to me that there is a different point of view. I will not argue about it. I will try it and determine whether this pattern will work for me. I want to believe that I’m wrong.
I see the World as a beautiful place. Because I believe in the collective consciousness and because I believe we should be positive, creative, energetic, I don’t mind my own business only. I care! I am nothing and nobody if I don’t care, if there’s no 'you' near me...

*
Thanks for the lovely birthday wishes and words of support. I saved them in my heart and I carry them with me all the time as precious diamonds now. :)

And I have another happy news to tell: I received a confirmation from Finland that I’ll have two great mentors for my phototherapy project. You bet I jumped up high from happiness again! :)

Angels

2011-01-17T10:06:00.004+01:00

Do you believe in angels?
I can tell you, angels do exist! They are quiet, invisible and they don't make a big thing out of their actions!

Last week there were a few angels who took care of me.

(Angels in Zagreb)

Finally, after the holiday I could take some time for myself. A full head needed a break, the body needed some fresh air and breathing, my soul needed new inspiration and fresh ideas.
And what is more beautiful than angels who stepped into my life too?!

Last week I was honoured by two angels. Jess from PeachHoneyLove is an angel who sent me a donation for my phototherapy project! Across the ocean from faraway California - can you imagine?! Yoohoohoo! :) And another angel from Slovenia is making miracles for me! In every e-mail there's a new surprise, each post makes me jump up to the ceiling! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Last week there were also other angels who took care of me on my special day, on my birthday. I was loved. The angels quietly brought gifts, patted me on the shoulder and reassured me that I, in all these years, did something good, useful and important (though of course I still keep myself worried that I did too little, that I am not good enough, that I could do better...). Ah, what would we do without angels?!
What is better than angels bringing books for inspiration, encouragement and growth? Books like that always come in handy, always fill our souls, don't you think? Thank you, thank you - angels who are near and angels, who are far!

I like the angels who are quiet, invisible and don't make great pomp. They do their duties for which they are called, and do not ask why. They just follow their call. I wish I would let my angel out more often, too...

Therefore, if you believe it or not, angels are! So make sure that they didn't leave their feather behind at your place just today when visiting you! ;)

A beautiful angelic day to you, my friends!

Flow

2011-01-05T11:13:00.002+01:00

This year I will leave myself to the flow. I will let myself carry into the direction of the flow. Even when I will occasionally freeze (in time), the Sun will melt me and help me continue.

(an impression from Zagreb)

I leave myself to the flow and am not scared...

Thanks to your response to my post Wishes, dreams... I didn't have holidays, but I already swam with the flow, full of excitement! :)

It seems that I will first try to implement the project of Phototherapy. I can't wait to receive donated digi-cameras, then I will have to find memory cards for them, printer ink to print photos, etc... Ok, I'll have to find some work to earn money, so that I can do the project 'voluntarily'. I would love to work out of pure love of course and not think about money, but unfortunately we are all made like that that we need to do something to get the money for our survival ;).
But the wheels started to turn, and I'm soooo happy about it, because I know that there is no turning back! Yeeeee!
Thanks to you I will change the world, thanks to you there will be more smiles, more tears of joy! Thanks, dear friends!

Wishing you a beautiful and inspiring January and I hope your flow will take you far away to the places you haven't imagined!

The beginning or the end

2010-12-31T11:48:00.003+01:00

Here we come to the end, the end of the game and the end of the year... - with mixed feelings...

It's hard to say goodbye, close the door, to say goodbye to another era, but on the other hand we want something new and fresh, we are waiting with excitement for a start of a new era.

(Magical snowy landscape
- creative workshops with children in Trzin)

Are we ready for an empty, a blank page? Are we waiting with a pencil or paintbrush in our hands? Do we fear that everything will be as usual, are we going to be disappointed (again)?

For me, the end of this time, is a time of forgiveness and a purification time. When it's time to clean up old stuff, take what is good, clean our inner and external 'us', and during all of that explorations find our soul and its essence. Have I followed my path? How many turns it took for me to return to my intended path, how many obstacles I had to climb...? Do I still find myself on a map of my life?

Each new year is a new day of my journey. I know it will be interesting, unpredictable, exciting! I know it will be different than yesterday, I know it will be full of surprises.
For this new year I have chosen this manifesto that will guide me - so that I'll stand on solid ground, but also will allow me to want more. Really, that's my life after all!

(Thanks: Holstee)

Today is the feast of old and new, beginning and the end, light and darkness... Today, it's a feast to celebrate you or to celebrate the others (or with the others). Therefore, today I say thanks for the holidays. The holidays bring us back to our essence, they slow us down, they offer a possibility to forgive and start anew. Thanks!

Question No.10:

Who or what you would like to thank for an interesting experience, memory, etc... in 2010?

This is the last question of the game 'Giving thanks and giving gifts'. You will have time to answer all the questions and to check if you have fulfilled all the conditions and rules for participation until Jan.6, 2011. In the meantime I'll check your blog, and see if you put my button there, etc... You will read further info regarding the game after the holidays... :)

In the new year 2011 I wish you much inspiration,
lots of creative moments,
inner peace, harmony
and the sparkles that will light a fire in you!

Let you keep warm! With Love,

Jožica

Called

2010-12-28T23:46:00.003+01:00

He knows.

(photo from 'magical' Slovenske Konjice - more about that in future posts)

I know.

What about you?

Question no.9 (you can find the rules of the game in previous posts):
Do you know what you are called for?

Sparkles

2010-12-24T11:25:00.004+01:00

Sparkles everywhere. Sparkles on the trees, sparkles in our eyes, sparkles in our hearts. Because of all this playful dazzle the World around us looks magical, friendly, don't you think? I love magic, I love playfulness!

I wish you a magical Christmas in the circle of your loved ones, in a warm place and under a strong roof. I wish that in these festive days you meet a lot of sparkling eyes. I wish you warmth and safety. I wish you Peace and inner joy. I wish you all the best!
And stay creative!

And on Saturday and Sunday, just after Christmas night, I invite you to come into a magical world! Yes, you heard it right! Magical World! You will find it in Slovenske Konjice, in the Old part of the town. There you will find me doing magic together with the magical characters from the fairytales (and Santa Claus will be there too). We will sparkle joy and laughter! For more details, see the CreatissimoLab website under the title:

Magical World of Xmas

(click on the link)

You are welcome to join us! And I can't wait to see sparkles in your eyes!

Sparkles in the eyes often tell us that curiosity, life, hope lie behind them... Therefore, I wish you lots of curiosity this season! Look forward to all the attention that you get, to small steps that you do, warm hugs, shy kisses. Rejoice, laugh, enrich your inner self!
And if you forgot the recipe for curiosity... you will definitely find it here in this video. - The best recipe I say!! ;)

(another inspirational and creative animation I think)

Question no. 8 (the rules can be found in previous posts):
What do you like about Creatissimo blog? What you read with curiosity, what are you looking forward to read? What kind of posts would you want in the new year, what kind of posts make sparkels in your hearts?

I wish you a beautiful holiday season and hope to see you in Slovenske Konjice tomorrow!

Earned?

2010-12-21T22:32:00.003+01:00

I'm back and all excited to play with you again! :)

Has it ever happened to you that people would praise your dedication, kindness, generosity... and you would feel that you don't deserve all that praise?
In all that excessive attention you'd step back in fear that the people who came towards you, would see your weaknesses and you would be caught in the 'lie' - in the fact that you are not perfect.

This is how it is with me at the moment. In all this excitement over my art works and my personality, there is a deep voice within that says (it screams actually!!): 'I'm not worth it, I don't deserve this!'

Although I like the attention and warmth that I get, I wonder: am I really worth it? Am I good enough, am I enough...? Wouldn't I've done it better and more, more, more?
The thinking that I'm not perfect blocks me from letting it go, to enjoy the fruits I've earned, to be Me with all my positive and negative abilities.
I'm scared that someone would get so close to me to see all my strengths and weaknesses, negativitness. My fear is that someone would find my weakness and take advantage of it and hurt me. I'm scared that all the excitement over me would turn into stoning. Fear...

Why don't we let out the praise and enthusiasm? Why don't we show US to all the people who want to get close to us? Why don't we say that we deserve this? Wouldn't we be free, without fear, without limitations, without worries?

When I think of the people I love, I know that they are not perfect and I know I like them the way they are. They deserve my attention, they deserve love, they deserve my enthusiasm! Because of their weaknesses they are very special, unique, lovely. That's why they are close to me...

(my works at the Christmas fair in Zagreb)

Therefore, today I thank all those who see our mistakes and weaknesses, but they still like us the way we are. They forgive, overlook and do not exploit our weaknesses to manipulate with us. I thank all those who know that we are not perfect and who believe that we still deserve their attention and praise. Thanks!

Question No.7:
What is your weakness that limits you from allowing yourself to recognize that you deserve attention and are loved by the others?

PS 1:
some of my blog followers have a feeling that my criticisms or comments are some kind of superior thinking for those who are 'below' me. I would like to emphasize that I don't have a need to be something more and I don't expect that you follow my instructions without previously verifying that this fits your personality. For me, the purpose of my blog is to widen the horizons, to look at the world from different perspectives, to self-analize and simply enjoy the creative process... Things I write, esp. the more professional ones, are the fruit of my own surveys and cases and the needs I see around me, - are written so that they would serve as an extra little help for people who want their life to be easier and lighter (of course, I first check everything in practice, before I write them down). Several paths lead to the end, the goal, some paths are easier than the others - each person chooses the path that suits him/her the most...
If, for example, I write, how to properly hold a pen, I am writing this because it is proved that that's the best way for the muscles and joints of our hands and fingers, whereas the muscles are not shrunken, where writing is the fastest (and readable), etc... If you write differently, if you have a messy writing or not, if you're holding a pen your own way... - that's all up to you. I don't blame you, I don't hold my head in dispear, I don't point a finger to you. We all bear the consequences of our actions alone, so I have no right and no need to look for your weaknesses and point to them. So please, please, please, do not feel threatened if I write about something sometimes that it hurts. (Many times it hurts me too). I've heard a lot of sad children's and adult's stories, I've seen lots of pain, so I know that I want to help wherever is possible. I know that I do not have the time to look for other people's weaknesses, I know that I am far from having all the knowledge and skills of the World... but I know that with my blog I'm trying to spread the support, love and understanding, as I think there's never enough of them.
If you want to talk to me personally, you can write me an e-mail. I will not use your words and thoughts on my blog or otherwise (unless you want it). Trust and safety are the key to a good relationship between us. Icare about you and am thankful for all the followers of my blog.

PS 2:
I had a good time at the Christmas fair in Zagreb (Croatia)! I'll write about it later, for now I just want to tell you that I've met a few of the Croatian bloggers in person and am so excited because we feel much closer now! Happy! :)

Reliability

2010-12-18T00:21:00.003+01:00

Greetings to a new winter day! Since going to the fair in Zagreb (Croatia), the snow over night messed with my plans. First I had to clean the snow off the yard to be able to go anywhere at all, then had to be ready for all the traffic confusions on the roads, etc... I don't like it, if I can't rely on others and if things do not go the way I've planned... : (

Ah, yes, reliability!
When I wrote the post 'Catch the rhythm' and talked about the 'Lion King musical', I saved a few words for today's topic about reliability. The performers in 'King Lion', in many interviews, talked about reliability. How they have to rely on one another over the whole performance, and that they have to be there to a 'cm' accuracy. Everyone should stand at the precise point at a specific time, otherwise others may hurt themselves. Their masks, costumes are in fact often the whole constructions which can cause serious injury if an entertainer falls.
In this video you might see better how many different constructions are in the play:

When working with children, of course, we are faced with another type of reliability. With the confidence which children expect / need from us. Sometimes parents are not very aware that the reliability means stability, and that the child needs to feel stability to feel safe and loved. Reliability, of course, also means that what we say, we mean it! We don't change our mind. Our children do test reliability to explore the boundaries, so saying no to his/her first request, and then after five minutes of his/her begging we say yes, is not what benefits the child. Actually with such a method we only show that the child can't rely on us.
Years ago I worked with extremely apathetic 8-year-old girl who was not a happy, bouncy child. On any matter she didn't respond, not one word was taken seriously by her. Not even the words like: 'in five minutes we are going to a shop' did raise any mechanism in her. This was her defense because her parents promissed her a lot of things, but they never fulfilled them. The girl protected herself so that she no longer reacted to any words and no longer relied on her parents.

Many people believe that the reliability is boring, predictable. But if you think well... Do our cells in the body wander around without a system? Do our eyes one day look at the things and the next day they smell things? What about the Universe - does the Earth rotate in one direction and after five minutes in the opposite direction? Not quite so, right?

(Photo from one of Austria's museums)

Therefore, today I thank all those who are reliable. Those who are trying to get somewhere on time..., that what they say is done..., who provide security to others. Thank you, thank you, I appreciate your reliability very much!

Question no.6:
How important is reliability for you? Are you trying to be reliable, or you think you'd be limited by it? Do you expect the reliability from the others and where do you think the reliability is the most important?

Have a good time in snow-white idyll and take care!

No words...

2010-12-15T22:10:00.004+01:00

...which would mean more than a 'thank you'.

Are you already waiting for the new post, new question? Have you missed me, because I was quiet for too long?

I tell you, these december postings went totally out of the planned route. I did not expect to get such open and personal responses, deep thoughts, and even personal contacts by email. I was prepared for a more playful, easy game.

But now I'm totally taken over by your great responses! And I am glad that this game became so personal, warm and connected us together! So much energy has been sent to me that I hardly can take it anymore! - I can't sleep because of excitement, I have butterflies in the stomach, my soul is singing... How can I say to all of these just a little, humble word: thanks?

Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!... Not enough! It doesn't say enough!
I would like a word that would tell you that I am grateful. I would like a word that would describe the feelings of joy, because I can see that things are possible. I would like a word to give you a warm hug and protect you. I would like a word that would say more than a 'thank you'.

My previous post about the wishes and dreams has started a spark, a spark of hope! Some marvellous people contacted me offering help to make some of my dreams true. Imagine! Just when I almost started to believe to those who told me that my dreams will never come true here, the beautiful souls answered my hopes and prayers and will try to help. Thank you for your faith and support. I will definitely not forget this December!
If only I knew the word that would mean more than a word: thank you!

Well, I do have a tiny 'problem' now because of my posts and your reactions. I supposed to prepare (read: create) for the Xmas market in Zagreb (Croatia), where I'll go over the weekend. But the butterflies in the stomach, the excitement, enthusiasm, joy, gratitude, and communications with people who want to help me in achieving my wishes for others, don't give me any peace! I'm all into planning, exploring options, finding the ways, etc. - anything but creating! Oh, no!

Only three days are gone, but (my) world turns around in a completely different direction!
Really, there are no words that could describe those feelings!

Thank you for your dreams, thanks for your hopes and believing in a better tomorrow!

And today? There's a question for you, of course. Question no. 5:
If you would like to thank someone and the word 'thanks' would not be enough, what kind of your (created) gift would you give her/him and why? (you can also link to the product, if it can be seen somewhere on the net).

You are on my mind! Take care!

Wishes, dreams... and what if they are all true?!

2010-12-13T09:51:00.004+01:00

To this day I carry in my heart what I was taught years ago during my stay abroad. Where the most amazing dreams of mine became true. Where I grew internally and started to believe in 'miracles'.
And there I realized that the key is only in aid of helping others to realize their dreams.

(from my photoalbum - Once Upon a Time in America)

There were people who helped me on the street and gave me a ticket which has changed my course of life. There were people of a different race who have taught me to love life and sing with my soul. There were people who have done more than I've asked and published my work - just from their pure enthusiasm. There were people who sat beside me on the bench and gave me a drawing to bring me happiness... and much, much more...
Today I want to thank all the people who have helped to achieve my dreams! I want to give that happiness to others too!

(from my photoalbum - Once Upon a Time in Denmark)

Since then, I always have wishes, dreams... - that kind that would help me to help the others.
Currently these are my dreams (some say they are too ambitions and that they will never come true, but I hope, I believe, I don't give up...):

have art therapy for victims of violence and help them as much as possible to get back to their inner self
complete a book about interviews for parents, educators, teachers and all who work with people; that they will be better at work, and then find people who will want my book
meet someone who would donate to me, lend (with confidence) or otherwise help to gather some digital cameras for the phototherapy workshops for socially vulnerable persons, in order to carry out a special project for them and with them
have an exhibition that will not only show my works, but visitors would be inspired to create; and find a gallery or a place where this idea would be supported
find someone to help me with some advice on the methodology for my specialistic research (post-grad. thesis)
find a person in Austria who could tell me more about their system of art therapy, work with victims of violence or other similar programs (or just find a friendly contact in Austria for a start)
meet a person who would help me with creating (finishing) an animated film with a child, victim of violence

These are currently my biggest wishes, which would have helped me to make other people's dreams come true.

Question no.4 (rules of the game can be found in the first and second post):
What are your wishes, dreams? Those that are not there for you, but because you know that will help - through you - to others?
Write them down, even if they sound so impossible, 'unrealistic', strange! And though everybody say to you that they are too crazy to be true! I can tell you that I had the wildest dreams come true when I was abroad, for which I still think they were like a beautiful dream. It is time to let our dreams out!

Actually I have an idea!
Read mine and dreams of others in the comments - and perhaps you will be The One who can help (with the proposal, reference, recommendation to a friend, or even you personally) to the realization of our dreams! Such pure help is brilliant and powerful - this would be the best thing I could imagine that my blog would give you or that this year would bring: your and my joy at the realization of our dreams! Let us help Us and prove that dreams Are reality!

Take your time and listen to the most hidden, silent dreams, tell them to us and we will do our best to see if we can make them true!
Thank you!

Catch the rhythm...

2010-12-10T12:11:00.003+01:00

... I could say for today's post about giving thanks. I'll speak about music.

The music and the people take or give us energy.
Sometimes I've invested a lot of energy in people who were just taking, taking, taking..., in the hope that we will get on the same wavelength one day. I failed. At some point I decided that I will invest energy only in those who also returned (invested) energy back, which for me means that the energy was circulating. You pass the energy to someone, he gives it back or forward to someone else, another person to another one etc. etc.
Such a principle I use everywhere now: from workshops to blog. There are people who write blogs with some slender, self-sufficient tone. They expect feedback, cooperation, praise, comments, etc.. And they have no need to spread their energy across other blogs, with their comments or other way. But aren't the wheels driven forward only by the spin, huh?
So I really appreciate all those who are struggling with the comments, though they have a little time, although perhaps they don't agree with written words, although... Thanks to you, the wheels rotate forward on your and my blog, no matter why you are writing your blog. Thanks!

Similarly, it is in music. One revive us, other soaks us. Music therapists could say more about this topic.

For today's post I chose music that gives me energy, puts me in a good mood and is an incredible inspiration for artistic creation.

When I first saw live The Lion King musical, I was amazed by innovation and creativity of Julie Taymor. What a person can create, if he/she has support in the implementation of ideas! I just can't find words to describe all this - all the wow's, oh's and ah's of astonishment, surprise, fascination...

Every time I hear it, every time I see the musical, I am full of excitement! I'm completely taken over by all my feelings, all my senses and my energy of joy.

Why I like it:

Great music, especially the one under the hands of Lebo M (choral singing)
Innovative costumes
Mixing of different styles (from shadow puppets, puppets, wooden accessories, clothing, constructions - nothing is missing)
A perfect scene effects
Playing in the audience (the music and the actors)
A great cast!

When all of this together, the project is bursting with energy, dynamism, enthusiasm!

I saw quite a few musicals and all were fabulous, but this one was fantastic also from the artistic point of view, because it embodies a lot of different art expressions. You must see it, if you haven't already!
Although I've seen it years ago, it still gives me the energy and the creative impulse. And that's why I love that kind of music!

Question No. 3 (rules of playing in the first and second post):
Do you find the energy in music (and what kind of music is that)? What about people - do you associate only with those that give you energy or...?

Spend a weekend full of energy and let your creativity out! Enjoy!

Self-evident

2010-12-08T19:08:00.002+01:00

Ever wonder about issues that are taken for granted? Well, now they are perhaps self-evident, but a few years ago...

I like to play with thoughts like:
- Who found out that the cooked potatoes is edable and the raw is not?
- Who 'invented' string for the toilet?
- What would have happened if we haven't had clocks?
- Why are traffic lights red, yellow and green?...

Many thanks to all those concessions that we made. I don't need to think of and invent new things, new techniques, new approaches, but only live a normal life and get things like that in my lap. Thanks to researchers!

Question no.2 (rules of the game can be found in previous posts - here and here):
Do you wonder about some self-evident things although most of the people don't see 'it', but you always wonder how the 'thing' came to the world?

Can't wait to hear your thoughts!

Folk-lore

2010-12-06T14:52:00.002+01:00

These days, I'm holding in my hands a heavy, bulky book, which I adore! This is definitely a book that I would like to have at home on the shelf and close. I am discovering interesting words, our culture, past, present, people...

(the book has a title: Slovenian ethnological lexicon)

In this book, I discovered a word that I've known for long, but I didn't know that it has such wonderful meaning:
folklore = knowledge of the people
Isn't it great? What comes to your mind when someone says 'knowledge of the people'? Isn't this an infiiiiniiiiteeeeee thought??
I've discovered more words like that which expanded my horizons, stimulated my imagination and inspired me for new ideas, new researching! The real revival!!

Therefore, this time I will say thanks to those who maintain that knowledge, spread it further, take care of it that it doesn't fade away. This knowledge of the people is not self-evident, does not fall from the sky... It provides a solid foundation for generations coming behind them and a safe home when we are afraid. Knowledge of the people deserves more attention and more respect, so this post and thanks are dedicated to it today...
Hm, what kind of knowledge, thoughts, words will I leave behind?

Question No. 1:
which word, saying, thought, act, practice, tradition is close to you and you're grateful for the 'people's knowledge' that it was not forgotten? Which one pleases you, strengthens, protects, comforts you? Perhaps that's a dialectal word that makes you laugh, a custom, which touches your heart, a wise thought from your ancestors that you carry in your soul...
I can't wait to hear your 'story'! :)

*
We play the game as the game is a fundamental of the creative process. With your cooperation, we will expand our horizons, learn something interesting, we will learn about each other, we might even get inspired!... Besides, you can earn a reward if you participate in the game all the time. (Read the rules of the game in the previous post: here).
Responses and comments on all posts can be written at any time in December, until the game is not finished (you will be notified), as I know that this is a month when there's a lot of rush, a lot of care and we almost forget to enjoy a holiday season.
In my posts you will be reminded just of that: to listen to yourself, to dive into yourself, to stop for a moment, to breathe... at least for a minute or two - that we will feel warmth in our hearts and get closer.

Welcome to the Creatissimo game! It's nice to play with you! :)

Giving thanks, giving gifts!

2010-12-04T18:15:00.003+01:00

We are going to play! Yooheeeeey!

Last year I tried to play a game with international bloggers (see this post), but nobody wanted to play :(. So, I'm doing it again this year as I'm an optimistic person ;).

This year?

It will be similar, but still different from the last year.
Every post in December will have a task in which you can participate.
If you will do it all the way, you will be a candidate for a reward. I will not tell how many 'candies' will be and what they are. It's a secret, you will just have to trust me :)!
You will get more instructions in the next posts, for today, I just wanted to ask you: are you in?

If you say: yeeeeeees!, then you have two little tasks waiting for you today (let's call it a warm-up):

if you're going to play the game, copy and paste the button (above) to your sidebar of your blog and link it with this post or this blog.
spread the word about it (on your blog, facebook, twitter...) - what you prefer.

If you do that, then you are automatically in and ready to play!!

I'm looking forward to play with you already!! Have fun!

Cuteable

2010-11-29T11:50:00.002+01:00

My blue bird was featured at a wonderful blog, full of inspiration and ideas! Yeee! :)

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(click on the picture to jump there)

Whiteness

2010-11-28T17:03:00.003+01:00

It started yesterday - at the market in Logatec:

My exhibited works were in harmony with it as well:

And it continues today - from the warm home:

I love whiteness!

Sneak peek...

2010-11-24T23:39:00.003+01:00

...into the Creative Lab...

(work in progress, or: we don't hang just the screenprints)

The finished works will be in Logatec on Friday.
Wishing you a beautiful, creative day!

Invitation waiting for you...

2010-11-21T18:26:00.003+01:00

...in Creatissimo Lab...

Click on the link below to jump there and read more info:

St.Nicholas' Market

(screenprinting in progress)

A perfect time for holiday shopping. And you will be able to see my works 'eye to eye' ;)!
See you there!

Holiday gift and/or decoration

2010-11-19T11:15:00.002+01:00

And how will you wrap holiday gifts?

Find my idea on the www Dom In Stil. It is suitable for children and your skilled fingers. Click on the link below to jump to the guide with pictures:

festively decorated gift or decoration

Wishing you lots of creativity and fun!

Wrong and Right

2010-11-18T15:22:00.003+01:00

Teachers note and I have noticed at my workshops that many children hold pencils incorrectly:

1. they hold thumbs over pens
2. they press the middle finger on the pen instead of supporting the pen with the finger
3. even when they rest their hands for a while, you can see who is holding a pen incorrectly
4. who can write or draw anything precisely, if he/she holds the pen with squashed fingers?...

I can barely find those who hold a pen properly: with a pipette grip (thumb and forefinger hold the pen in place, the middle finger supports the pen).

I do not know how many today's kindergartens and schools devote time to this issue... Maybe I will be unfair if I say: too little. If it was enough, we would not see so many children who write incorrectly. When I was in The States years ago, experts in kindergarten regularly monitored the children and checked their abilities, which I loved. Because, in my opinion we should start this in child's early age, not when he/she is in 5th grade...

Sometimes I wonder where are the experts to talk about it? Are we aware of the implications of poor motor skills, poor concentration, poor coordination of eye and hand?
We should help the children before it's not too late!

PS: If you or your kids have problems with holding the pens, you can buy a special 'adapter' for the correct posture of a pencil (here in Slovenia we buy them in a special pharmacy shop) or buy 'triangular' pens. Of course, you still have to take care to properly hold a pen and train yourself in graphomotor skills, but this tool is a good start to improve the problem.

Good luck!

Creative studio - part 3

2010-11-16T13:01:00.003+01:00

...where dreams come true...

Do you also have a feeling sometimes that you should nest your creative space in a creative shop or put the creative shop into your creative studio?!?

Today I'll show you the last part of my creative studio. Visit the www Dom in Stil - click on the link below to see the article with the pictures:

creative studio - part 3

Wishing you a beautiful, creative day!

You are invited...

2010-11-15T10:56:00.003+01:00

...to a regional exhibition of art works:

Med besedo in podobo

the opening will be on
Tuesday, November 16, 2010 at 7 pm - in Logatec

39 artists will exhibit art works which were inspired by a literature and other texts.

(a detail from my triptych: Steps)

Looking forward seeing you there!

Christmas gifts from our Lab

2010-11-11T12:37:00.004+01:00

It all smells and sparkles in our CreatissimoLab Shop already!!

Have you been to our website and checked this year's collection of eco Xmas cards (from the recycling paper)?
Or saw the famous cats (from my reprinted hit gift book: 'Mačji recepti z mišjo prilogo'), that have settled in a pocket calendar and are waiting for you to color them according to your taste?
What about the bookmarks for passionate readers? The bookmarks can be used as Xmas cards as well!
And for those who want to bring the holiday spirit in their home, there's a section with Decor gifts for every home (some are still in our Lab, but will be added soon).

Click on the link below to enter a special, festive section of our shop, and treat yourself with special, handmade Xmas goodies:

CreatissimoLab: Christmas gifts

Some of the works are unique (one and only), and some of them can be ordered if you want more (so hurry with the orders, reservations and shopping as quantities are limited!).

When you get to the website, open the collection that you want to view, click on the thumbnails to see the products in close up, and below them you can read how many are in stock and other useful information.
All works are hand-made, including templates (for screenprinting and text on the cards).

For orders, reservations and purchases please click the links which will lead you to the e-shop or email us ('contact') for details.

And those who will receive such great handmade and special cards... - Why don't you prepare a special place for them?
On DomInStil website you can look at the idea that I have prepared for you,; just follow the simple instructions and create your own special board. Click on the link below to jump there:

Xmas cards board

Wishing you a great creative energy and sunshine (if not in nature, then at least in your heart), and we'll see you in our store! - We can't wait!!

I admit...

2010-11-09T11:18:00.003+01:00

...I have a professional deformation too...

Yesterday I read one of the many articles about plagiarism and copying. The article in humorous way shows the differences between the original and plagirism, and explains where and how the person made mistakes and made a bad copy of the original.

And so it is, we, the art teachers can easily see (= we have an eye for that so to say):
- who is an amateur and who is a trained artist
- who copied and who did not
- who made a drawing or painting after observation and who made it up (from his mind or imagination)
- who does so, as someone told him or taught him, and followed his feelings
- who didn't use his style
- ...

(Ivana Kobilca is my inspiration, from her works I learn a lot!)

When I see the various courses over the Internet, I can tell which participants attended which There is not enough encouraging to find their own way of expression. If the course would be held by a pro, then he would encourage the artistic mode of observation and explorations of their own expressive style. Then there would not be such, basic mistakes as: a black bordered mouth, eyes, which are typically drawn by school children in 3.grade, the background, which is not in harmony with the figure (because usually it is painted or treated separately)...
And so we have this huge amount of art works that resemble to one another, that they were not made in relaxed, spontaneous feelings, and they don't reflect the true feelings of the creator. This is something that is characteristic for the copied products. Realism or abstraction do not have any role here. Both have to have the same goal: to be expressed in their own way.
What we want to say with a product, what feelings we want to bring up?
Of course, the courses teach techniques to create, but it does not mean that we should generate almost identical things. You can look at the famous artists who sometimes gathered together and painted the same motif (Van Gogh and Gaugain, etc..) to see the approach. Did they really all used the same technique, same gestures, same colors, same light? No, each of them created their own work their own way and that's why we also recognize them as true artists even today.

But don't get me wrong - I have nothing against the Internet and other art courses (on the contrary, I think this is something great that came along with the tech growth), but I suggest that we choose the course that will actually teach us to express ourselves, rather than producing products reminiscent of copies and without any soul. Once you fall into the routine creating, it is very difficult to get out of this vicious circle, so we better move on before we fall into it!

(the same artist, the same style, but are these two works really 'the same'??)

And another thing to think about: creativity is not static, it is not 'punching' one thing after another until you drop dead, it is not copying every single dot. This is called 'Crafts' (even if this would be a rather lousy Crafts too), not creativity. And so, it's easy for us to recognize the copy, the picture that emerged after photography, naive 'art'... How wrong are those who think that the thing they've copied from a 'Japanese' web site will not be seen and recognized as a copy if they are from Slovenia! This is really naive thinking! (Boomerang will always return).

...And I admit, if you have a professional deformation, it is not easy as well. If you give a praise to such 'artistical' products, you encourage a person that he continues to create in that vicious circle. If you tell the truth, you can hurt the person to completely lose creative enthusiasm... How many times I have had to bite the tongue, so that there would be no resentment, to not look 'smart' or 'better'. In doing so, I don't do it to hurt somebody, I just want to help, but how to say that, hot to explain?

So far I found this way to resolve this for those who want to create in their own style and want to learn along the way: I prepare Creative Meetings, where people are open to criticism, debate about their works, praise, learn and grow. At the Meetings we learn to listen to our inner selves... I hope the Meetings will help them to get off the vicious circle in which they might have been caught...

So, I wish for you to find the art course that will teach you creativity, not 'craft', and I wish you many creative days and enjoyment in expressing yourselves, esp. in these upcoming festive days!
Good luck!

Inspiration...

2010-11-05T22:58:00.003+01:00

...for today.

One of the oldest frescos in Slovenia. Gothic, from 15.c. Castle Turjak.

Colors and kids

2010-11-03T16:00:00.003+01:00

The question in one of the comments has been on the use of color among children. What if the child is using a specific color?... So I said to write a few words on this topic.

Colors impact on humans a lot, although we are consciously unaware of that. Their vibrations irritate our eyes, which send stimuli to the brain, etc. Simple logics. Then there is the psychological effect of colors too, which can be summarized in one sentence: the colors are important!
Today I see many people manipulate with the others with the colors. Advertisments, painted rooms, packaging, fashion. But there are also those who use colors just ike that, without thinking, and unwittingly do damage to themselves or others.
It is popular to have a colorful apartment, and even more 'screaming' facade, purple hair, red sports car... The result are the people who respond to those colors accordingly.
I know a school that has classroom walls painted with red paint. Completely wrong. But I also know another school (Waldorf), who has painted the walls of classes with exactly chosen colors, based on research. They also use red, but the color is different and how the walls are painted is also important because their effect is totally different from the above-mentioned school.
But I could write a book about this, so let's get back on the track and talk about color and children now.

Research has shown that children choose the colors the way they feel it (their emotions, emotional mood), so we should not say to them that the Sun on their drawing should not be red. Children, before they enter the school or. approximately before the age 6, don't draw a realistic world through observation and with realistic colors (green grass...). Some will test all crayons (they are more interested in the traces the crayons leave on paper rather than the color of that trace), the youngest children tend to choose only two colors.
Upon entering the school, most children enter a new level - a realistic portrayal of the world, including with the colors. Whether or not the child during this period depicts objects in realistic colors, that is something that the experts (art teachers, psychologists, psychiatrists) don't agree yet. Some believe that it is not necessary, others see in unrealism pathological signs.

My opinion is that the child should not be 'judged' only from his choice of colors. It is necessary to consider the drawings, his behavior, speech skills, his development..., that we'd understand his personality as a whole.

However, the most "problematic" colors when used by younger children are: black, purple and bright red. These are signs of suffering, aggression, hidden anger. But he might just have a period of his favorite color, so we should be careful with our conclusions.

(hm, which would be her favorite color, huh?)

It bothers me that the various 'experts' quickly put the children into a 'box' according to some quick conclusions without checking if their findings are right.
At art therapy, I first analyse the client, to learn more about him and his problems. However, this result does not end there. After several meetings, I give the client an additional task on the basis to re-analyze the previous results and determine whether I really set the correct 'diagnosis' (I compare first and second analysis). When I am in doubt, I give the client more such exercises, where I can get more useful information for working with the client. Playing with people, especially the weak persons, I find it highly inappropriate.

Therefore, I would say as follows: Observe what color you choose, and why your child choose exactly 'that' color. Do not judge it just on general and superficial basis, and do not paint the bedroom in purple, because purple is a hit this year or because you like it this month. Be careful with colors and chose them with your own feelings, and that's when your health and mood will look like a big, bright rainbow!

Now, get yourself on the feet and explore your place to find the color that will give you a new, creative energy! Go, go, go!

PS - Have you ever wondered:
Why is the most popular Ferrari red and not white or in any other color?
Why are witches depicted in black and purple (+ orange for fire)?
Why are life jackets orange or yellow?
Why you never notice people on the streets, dressed in brown clothes?
...

Celtic tradition

2010-10-31T22:55:00.002+01:00

Halloween - a celebration which has its roots in Celtic culture reminded me of the Celtic knots. And Celtic knots reminded me of Waldorf pedagogics.

(a picture from website: Celtic Cross stitch)

Form drawing, used by Waldorf pedagogics, is good for practicing coordination between eye and hand, pre-practice for handwriting, for better concentration (and calming down) and for balancing the left and right brain hemispheres.

Try it if you haven't tried it yet. It works!

You can see some form drawings on a website: Waldorf Teachers.com

Christmas cards...

2010-10-27T13:13:00.002+02:00

...in progress...

Red & white. (In English and Slovene)

Accepting preorders (e-mail me for details).

Creative studio - part 2

2010-10-26T17:05:00.003+02:00

...where dreams come true...

It has been a while since you could have read this post about the planning of my creative studio.

Finally you can see some more (- in pictures and words). How my creative studio grew up from a plan to a real creative space - first the cabinets, then table, and then...

Check my kingdom on www Dom in Stil, when you click the link below:

creating a working area - part 2

A brief summary:
a) a creative table with the handles, which have many functions (and under the table handcarts with creative stuff: inks, colored pencils, aquarells, modelling materials, decor materials etc.)
b) hidden big ball for sitting (you can only see the handle)
c) hidden magnetic board (behind the corner)
d) small cabinets
e) cabinets with sliding doors (and creative stuff like paper, things for designing, creative and other literature, sketchbooks etc).
f) the open part of a cabinet with things like business folders, canvas, wooden frames, my 'experimental' book etc.

For better orientation check this post with the picture of the studio plan.

Hm, you might now ask where do I have paints and stamps and screenprinting stuff?? Well, more about that next time, so you better come and visit my blog again!

See Ya!

Divergent, creative, school...

2010-10-24T23:57:00.004+02:00

...are the themes that my business Creatissimo is focused on. You can read something about that on my web site under the title Creative process.

But you can see and hear more about that in this fantastic video - a must to watch! About school, ADHD, creativity... (a lecture by: Sir Ken Robinson, animated by: Cognitive Media).

So, what do you say?

Guest blogging

2010-10-22T20:31:00.002+02:00

All I've ever wanted was to become a Muse to somebody.

And today I tried to play that role. I'm guest blogging among the great Muses and am talking about Slovenia. Check it out here:

What inspires you? - creatissimo lab

Flying

2010-10-17T23:28:00.003+02:00

A busy but creative week is ahead of me.

Workshops.
Meetings.
Designing.
Two meetings with people from the past.
Painting for the ex-tempore.
Writing a report.
And somewhere in between preparations for Xmas creative works.

(another photography 'from the neighbour' - from Austria)

Hm, if only my creative soul will want to fly...

Autumn

2010-10-15T16:41:00.002+02:00

Autumn on the hills...

autumn in the valleys...

and autumn in schools...

Have you noticed it?

Pre-pre-preparing...

2010-10-12T18:20:00.005+02:00

...for the Xmas-New Year production...

(a detail of the screen for screenprinting)

I don't like to think about winter and cold colours during the beautiful, sunny and colourful fall. That's why no words today...

Enjoy!