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Art Stroll Refreshens Flow

Find Flow with an Art Walk

Art finds flow.
Sign of the times. We can see ourselves reflected in the world we choose to live in and find flow.

Sometimes flow is found when we view art as symbols. This notion is worth considering for a few reasons. First, art helps to open up our minds to our desires. Next, art helps us to see others who are not so different from us. Finally, art let’s our imagination take flight. We can get all of this – and more – on an art stroll. Take it at noon, or even as an afternoon alternative to a long coffee break. It can invigorate our creative flow by refreshing our senses.

Consider the Possibilities

Woman drawn on building is graced with ivy creating her hair.

When we look to see beyond our own noses, there may be artistic representations of people who remind us of ourselves. Then, the magic such as a mural carries us to flow through the plants that grow around it. They become part of the art. Such symbols bring us creative flow through the openness of the image. For example, this mural of a woman whose hair is composed of ivy.

Sometimes we need to simply imagine all of the good flow around us for it to appear.

 

Then, we may pass by another mural of John Lennon. The title of his song Imagine is painted along side of his ghostly half-face. There are times when we all feel like we are in two places at the same time. And, too, we can all imagine what is not draw on stone.

We can imagine peace and love.

And, as the song goes, it’s easy if you try.

Your Turn

Take an art walk and soak up the images you view. Then, get out your journal and write for 15 minutes about any topic that comes up in your mind. Note the time and date that you start and stop the entry. Then, go back to it later and see if a poem, essay, or piece of flash fiction arises from the experience.

Here’s to growing your flow,

Marisa

 

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Yarn a Tale to Grow Flow

Have a Ball with Yarn as Prompt

Yarn is a good prompt for writing.
Squeeze a ball of yarn. It’s soft and fluffy to the touch. What metaphors or images arise from the sight or touch of the yarn?

Have yarn, will create! Using this spun thread to create connections is nothing new. The word itself has a secondary meaning, which is to spin a tall-tale, fable, or myth. There are some good reasons for this connection. First, yarns squeeze metaphors to create literary impact. Second, creatives can literally juggle  balls of yarn to consider how a plot can be twisted and turned to add drama. Finally, finger-crocheting can help knit together a dialogue or setting. Let’s look at yarn’s versatility as a writer’s tool below.

Squeeze Out Metaphor

Rubber stress balls work to help anxiety-filled writers and artists, but those made from yarn are better. Soft, fluffy, and light, they help us to squeeze metaphors while literally clamping down on them. Think about it. Maybe the logger who created the Paul Bunyan folklore had access to yarn balls while spinning tales of Paul and his blue ox named, Babe? Not familiar with the American tale? The city of Bemoiji, Minnesota’s website has detailed storylines for Paul and Babe’s travels. See more here: https://wewriteitright.com/sow-flow-visit-antique-shop/

Juggle ideas around while rotating these light-as-air balls to loosen up a plot.

Juggle Ideas Around with Yarn Balls

Perhaps juggling can loosen up a stuck plot. Without too much scientific thinking here, simply juggle three balls of yarn. Stand or sit. It doesn’t make a difference. Focus on the act of juggling the balls for five to 10 minutes, then write a journal entry about the current piece. See what types of connections altered or sprung up from the simple act of juggling. Need a refresher on how to juggle? Look here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNigMfLNhpg

Finger Crochet to Knit a Tale

Want to bring a scene or a dialogue alive? Try finger crocheting some yarn at the desk. This works better seated than standing. Again, do not think too much about the creative piece. Think summer camp or study hall in middle school. Simply focus energy on doing the loops in finger crocheting for about 10 minutes. The process is what matters here, so don’t sweat the way the long link looks. Then, again, write a journal entry to note any new sensory images to add to a scene or dialogue.

Finger crochet for dialogue or scene development.

Your Turn

Creating space to allow images to pop up is important for writers and artists to yarn their tales. Frist, try to squeeze metaphors to enhance the story. Next, mix things up in a plot after juggling. Finally, use finger crocheting to knit together a scene or a dialogue. Choose any of these or all three to keep your story skills fluid.

Here’s to growing your flow,

Marisa

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Day After Twelfth Night Stirs Flow

Flow Arrives the Morning After Twelfth Night

Red wreath brings glee.
A red berry wreath remind bears glad tidings beyond Twelfth Night.

Entering into life beyond The Twelfth Day of Christmas challenges even the most cheerful among us.  People don’t get too excited about the thirteenth day of Christmas now, do they? Yet flow arrives on the heels of such a day. Honestly, it is important to know where to look. My family packed up Christmas after attending an Epiphany service. And, I’m not going to lie, it felt a little sad. Then, I realized what was needed to keep the spirit of the holidays going into at least next month. What was it? A simple red berry wreath.

Flow Found in Red Berry

A wreath is a traditional sign to welcome those entering a home. This red berry wreath is hung on a pantry door in my kitchen for a few reasons. First, it recalls winter’s joyful landscapes. Where I live it is in the 70s during the day and down in the 40s at night.  So, the symbolism of a white door behind the red berries reminds me of the Snow Belt where I grew up. Next, it winds around on itself as a sign of infinity. Glad tidings, I am reminded, are reason for an additional smile. And, another. Finally, stir those images around to find a satisfying sense of flow to extend the joy of Twelfth Night into today –  and beyond.

Other Places to Find Flow Beyond Twelfth Night

Easily find flow and where it grows through the five senses. First, get out a journal. Next, walk around the office or house and jot down anything that smells, sounds, tastes, feels, or looks like an extension of the holiday. For example, note that the red earthen wear bowl can hold fruit such as apples on the counter. Perhaps a dash a cinnamon in coffee or on cocoa brings a jolt of joy. Finally, take this listing of sense-related phrases and quickly write a reflection on Christmas joys. No need to share it – unless that, too, brings joy.

Here’s to growing your flow,

Marisa

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Find Flow in Novel and New Approaches

Creative Approaches Enhance Flow

Liquid moonlight is used in a novel and new approach.
When liquid moonlight becomes a metaphor to inspire blog posts and collage, it is something novel and new.

Here’s to 2019 and novel and new ways to approach topics. Moreover, this new year rings in my use of a keyword or phrase for the year. They replace resolutions, because it is easier to focus on a single word or phrase than a laundry lists of musts. shoulds, and oughts. My words are within the title of this blog: grow flow. I like the sing-song rhyming of it. Reminds me of fun terms like flip-flops, chopsticks, and splish-splash. Choose any word or phrase to grow flow. Afterwards, look for approaches with these three steps. First, see the ordinary as extraordinary. Next, squeeze metaphors for more meaning. Finally, notice how these fresh takes create momentum.

Want more information on choosing a word or phrase? Here is a great article by Inc. columnist, Gretchen Ruben: https://www.inc.com/gretchen-rubin/a-fun-take-on-new-years-resolutions-choose-a-one-word-theme-for-2016.html

See the Ordinary as Extraordinary

Gain flow by noticing nature. For example, this morning I saw the crescent moon had a brilliant Jupiter near its edge. They blurred to become a jewel encrusted handle tilted to pour the fluid moonlight from the celestial cup.

Novel and new insight helps writers grow flow.
Flow is grown when we see the ordinary and treat it in novel and new ways.

Metaphors Bring Out the Subtext

I’m pretty sure Savannah, my elderly Aussie cattledog, did not care about this beautiful metaphor at 5:45am. Yet, I soaked my soul in the streaming image. It went from being a simple cup with a jewel handle to a chalice. The spiritual succor nourished me.  

Fresh Takes Create Momentum

Later in the morning, I began using the images in a mixed media collage. The images literally jumped from the sky onto my page. All that’s needed is a fresh take –  in this case within a collage – on the beauty of nature.

Bring It Together

Colaage of combined images of Jupiter and the Moon.
Combined images give a rush of fresh meaning when they are interpreted in mixed media using champagne foil wrap, Golden Book and magazine images, and a poem from William Carlos Williams, “The Winter Trees”.

Here’s to the first few days of 2019. Find flow in seeing the meanings in combined images. Move to a deeper meaning while consciously taking in the images as a metaphor. Finally, let the authenticity of the images bring greater creative growth in any professional or personal project. May the rewards be stunning!

Interested in learning more about using collage with journal writing to spark creativity? Look into the upcoming four-week online workshop beginning next week with my friend, Suzi Banks Baum. Look here for details: https://www.iwwg.org/online-digital-village/

Here’s to growing your flow,

Marisa

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Isotype Increases Flow with Symbols

 

Pictorgraphs are forms of isotypes.
This pictograph is an example of an isotype from “Reporting Technical Information,” a seminal work from Kenneth W. Houp and Thomas E. Pearsall.

Isotypes Create Connections with Images

Today’s word-of-the-day has a technical spin to it. Isotype (noun) – 1. a drawing, diagram, or other symbol that represents a specific quantity of or other fact about the thing depicted.  Every isotype of a house on that chart represents a million new houses. 2. a statistical diagram, graph, chart, ect., which employs such symbols.

First, technical writers, including grant proposal writers, know how valuable the isotype are to projects. They relate complex information to the masses. Information is quickly understood through pictures.

Furthermore, Iso is a valuable affix. It comes from the Greek for equal. These images relate meaning  across languages and cultures. Isotypes, which use iconic commercial art, are a go-to for writers and graphic artists alike.

Finally, extensive examples of isotypes and a history of how they were introduced into modern graphics after World War II, check out this Pintrest page: https://www.pinterest.com/wcmlibrary/isotype-graphics/?lp=true

Isotypes Message of Inclusion

Next, the direct message today’s word describes utility: Choose your symbols carefully. They need to convey the highest good from a writing project. Art, after all, speaks much louder than words. As we can see, isotypes come in many forms. They help readers. Pictographs and stock photography can bring fresh life to assimilating complex materials. Finally, the faster and easier an audience can understand a point, the better the chance a writer has of writing a successful article, report or bid.

Your Turn

Skip journal writing today. Instead, take time to Google search examples of images. Then, save sites that can help with future projects. By comparing and preparing where to locate images now, valuable time is saved during a project.

Here’s to growing your flow,

Marisa Moks-Unger