I’m often inspired to start a new project by discovering a new color combination that I happen upon

• in a magazine or book
• a piece of fabric
• a walk in a garden

Color is one of the first ways in which we can allow our personal voice to come through our work. We each respond to different colors that resonate for us and creating with our personal palette makes our work unique to us and others.
I have a favorite color inspiration book I’d like to share with you. It’s one that really works for me as it is informative, puts color in a historical and artistic perspective and has wonderful palettes to mix that work beautifully together.

The book is Living Colors by Magaret Walch and Augustine Hope and is available here

Enjoy the beautiful spring color combination starting to burst out all over!

In preparation for my Creative Sparks seminar at Synergy, I came across a book called Creative Sparks by Jim Krause. It’s aimed primarily at commercial graphic designers but I did find some pearls.

I often get kidded about my enthusiasm for just about everything- whether it be a 3 PM piece of chocolate, a piece of jewelry, a beautiful building- my first response is usually an enthusiastic WOW!

Krause says “amazement” can be learned and cultivated. That it leads to discovery and learning . Discovery and learning fill your creative well and provides fuel for art.

I’m in the process of fine-tuning my presentation for the Synergy conference next month in Baltimore (www.npcg.org). The exploration and study of what creativity is and how we can spark and nurture it is fascinating.

I know for me personally, just getting into the studio, sitting down and getting my hands busy is a Big First Step.

As James Russell Lowell says “In creating the only hard thing is to begin.”

That is certainly true for me. One thing I try to do is to leave something unfinished from the day/night before such as:

• Putting on jewelry findings,
• drilling holes,
• attaching hang tags

These chores allow me to start working and get my hands busy without having the pressure yet to feel “creative”. And soon after the ideas start to flow.

I leave you with one of my favorite quotes:

Let your heart race as quickly as your mind towards your next creation.

Dayle

Happy New Year! I’m excited to share with you my new website and hope that you will enjoy peeking into my Journal every now and then during the coming year. My goal is to post here at least twice a month and share with you

• Creativity ideas
• News about workshops
• Tools and techniques that inspire me
• anything that I think will nurture your creative spirit

Just a reminder that I will be sharing my seminar Creative Sparks at the National Polymer Clay Guild Synergy Conference in Baltimore February 21-23, 2008. Information is at www.npcg.org.

We will have a fun time exploring ways to increase inspiration and joy in making art!

I’m looking forward to sharing 2008 with you!

Dayle

PS Many thanks to Cynthia Tinapple for making this all a reality!