Thank You to Those Artists Who Share, or, Where I'm Hanging Out These Days

Tabs for my 2016 Art Journal

Pull of the Tides has been on hiatus as a blog for some time now. That is because I am spending my creativity in ways other than writing these days. Namely, I have been making a lot of two-dimensional art on paper and taking tons of photographs. 

My intention is to keep Pull of the Tides right here, where it is, while I pursue other avenues of creativity. I may ultimately come back to writing again. For the moment, I find that several microblogging apps suit my purpose, most especially Instagram. 

To keep up with me on Instagram, browse here to my ~runningwave~ feed.

While I've been away, I have been taking some amazing art classes both online and in person. I have attended several artists events, visited galleries, and chatted with artists virtually and in the real world. Staying connected to creative communities is very important to me.

Beginning a new journal spread with stencils and ink.

A beautiful background created during Seth Apter's Brick By Brick workshop

Not all of my inspiration is coming from visual artists. Lately, I find myself fascinated by authors, musicians, actors, movie-makers, tv writers and video editors. When you can transmute ideas from one medium to another, that is good, artistic communication. There are so many people out their who are making good art.  

And, yes, I mean that comment in reference to Neil Gaiman's now legendary "Make Good Art" speech.  (If you haven't seen it, then you need to follow that vimeo hyperlink without delay! All creative people should watch this video.)

Most importantly, I have found that many like-minded souls are out there in the vast wildness of the Internet. Places like Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, Wattpad, and other spaces make it possible for me to interact with people who share my ideas, humor, passions, and proclivities. It's truly making my life more rich to have connections with a larger creative world. 

One of several maps that I made during a week-long workshop with Jill K. Berry on Whidbey Island, WA

Thanks especially to the following creative people who have been my art instructors this year:

Seth Apter, mixed media artist, NYC

Jill K. Berry, mixed media artist, Colorado, USA
Julie Gibbons, Mandala artist, Scotland, UK

Laura Hummel, mixed media artist, Maryland, USA and teacher at the Queen's Ink

Carla Sonheim, painter and illustrator, Seattle, WA, USA

Lynn Whipple, painter, Florida, USA

Flower of Life Mandala inspired by Julie Gibbons's Five Days Mandala Magic course

I have a lot planned for 2016, and those artistic pursuits have taken on very specific form. I may not be sharing a lot in written form as I develop these ideas, but I am sure to give you sneak peeks if you follow my Instagram feed regularly.  

For now I am signing off and wishing everyone a Happy, Healthy & Rewarding 2016.