Category Archives: Arts

Snowflake – Because I Wish It Would Snow.

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snowflake You may or may not know that I started a daily prompt for the month of February that’s also part of my Daily Creations project. Won’t you play along?

I chose snowflake for my first day because, dammit, I miss the damn snow. Two years ago we saw some of the most amazing snow here in NYC. In fact, it was 2 years ago today that we had our second big storm that winter. I know that because I went to San Francisco 2 years ago today and I was the first and only plane to make it out that morning.

We’ve barely seen a light dusting since then and I’m tired of it.

I started doodling snowflakes. I even tried cutting a few out of paper, but I just kept thinking of past storms and how I wished I was taking photos of the snow. So instead I went back into my archives and layered a few of my old shots to make the new one you see above.

Maybe a little wishful thinking will go a long way?

 

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31 Days Down the Hatch – Next Up: A Month of Prompts

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February Daily Creations I know it’s been done so many times… but I want in! I love creative prompts. I love making stuff. I love keeping up with my 365 project (and damn do I want that to be a success). It only makes sense that I come up with a list for the month. Plus I was also a bit inspired by yesterday’s Draw a Dinosaur day when I found myself wishing it was every day…

BONUS! You can play too! I hope you do

This isn’t just a photo or a drawing-a-day project. It’s an anything goes project. So if you join me, just let the prompt lead you. Photos, doodles, macaroni art, poems. I don’t care. It’s the act of creating here that’s important. Spend 5 seconds or 5 hours. That’s entirely up to you.

And if you’re feeling really crazy, share it with me! Either on Instagram or Twitter with the #andcreations hashtag or simply upload something directly to the A&D Facebook page! OOooh! The ease of sharing in the modern age!

Don’t feel like you have to start from the beginning. Or even play along every day for that matter. Set your own rules and create away.

It’s Draw A Dinosaur Day 2013!

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It is one of my absolute most favorite days of the year: Draw A Dinosaur Day!

My hilarious and incredibly talented cousin Todd created this day 7 years ago and it’s grown in popularity ever since.  Dinosaurs of all shapes and sizes (and mediums) pile up every year!

Only have a minute? Grab a post-it and a pencil and submit. And don’t forget to tell your pals! In fact, here’s a handy Facebook event for invites.

Here’s mine. I’m at work all day, but I have my journal and my super duper awesome traveling watercolor kit for all my dino making needs. Show me yours?

Draw a Dinosaur Day 2013

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Today’s Creation – A Small Improvement

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pintthiscreation Today’s little creation was fun for me and the blog. I’ve been using the “Pinterest Pin It Button for Images” wordpress plugin for a little while and have been meaning to create a custom image for it, so I did.

Want to see it in action? Just mouse over the above image (or any other large images in A&D) and click on the new icon! Tadum!

Whaddya think? Do you use this plugin? I love it. In fact I’ve been getting more pins than usual because of it!

New Tools I Think You’ll Love – Photo Apps & Watercolors

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Watercolor

 

I can’t stop raving about this awesome traveling watercolor set ATs got me for Christmas. I’d been ogling it for awhile and when I finally got it in my hands… words just can’t express my love (though I tried with my first ever Amazon review – seriously, that’s how stoked I am).

I use it every single day for journaling, doodling and filling out the newest addition to my Keri Smith collection, Finish This Book. It packs nice and neat in my small bag, and the brush that comes with it is divine.

So I’m playing with my watercolors, thinking about today’s creation and I remember that I’ve been meaning to look into a few photo apps for my other favorite tool, my Samsung Galaxy III. After a bit of research I stumbled across the UCam app (free!) that makes focusing a breeze and also turns my volume button into a shutter button which essentially just changed my whole life.

As for the manipulation portion of my photo taking, Snapseed is by far the BEST app I’ve come across. I still can’t believe it’s free. And for a little extra umph in the filters department, I love Little Photo.

I LOVE finding new and fun tools to use in the creative department. Do you have anything swell in your arsenal? Please share with me! My toolkit can never be too full.

 

Get a (new) Job

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8/365

8/365

This morning I woke up and, like a good little droid, checked in on my Facebook. There’s always some kind of running theme (last night’s game, hangovers, babies…) and today it was the job.

6 acquaintances, all unrelated in any way, made a negative comment about their job right in a row down my news feed. “Soul sucking” or “I don’t want to go…” etc. It made my stomach hurt.

As I was mulling this over, ATs was out in the other room working on his musical. The musical that’s been years in the making and is now finally (and yet… suddenly!) seeing light of day. That’s commitment. That’s fear. That’s pressure. That’s a different kind of stomach ache. That’s love and joy.

That’s inspiring. So I took a photo.

This idea of what/who we are. Me? I’m completely clueless. I wish I could tell you I had any idea what I want to be and at age 34, that can be a little terrifying. But as I watch ATs conquer his fears and push forward, and others suffer with their choices, I’ve realized I’d rather be discovering than settling.

There’s so many things to be and do out there. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I’ll eventually stumble over my “be” or “do” and become one of the impassioned. Until then, I’m going to wander poor and happy with my super satisfactory theater job and head in the clouds because I’d much rather do that than spend 1/3 of my life exhausted and miserable. Both paths are hard, but only one really reaps reward.

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