I’m curious about what you do when you  feel blocked, or just not in the mood, in your usual creative modality? I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to cook. I just made homemade crackers for the first time in my life. Cooking soothes me because it reduces my stress levels and I can slip into an intuitive mode of creating that is similar to when I am painting. When I cook  I don’t fret too much about the outcome. It’s usually pretty darn good, and sometimes I even use a recipe so I don’t have to think about how to do it. When I am painting and making collage I sometimes forget to just be in the flow and begin to plan too much, taking the fun right out of it.

What do you do to shift gears and turn on those creative juices when you are stuck, tired or just not in your usual creative mood?

Hands flash around table of color and play.

In the past month I have had the honor of hosting two evenings of creative exploration for the women in my community. With glue sticks and scissors in hand, we gathered around  tables of colorful paper and slipped into “the zone”. All time and space slipped away while our hands busily followed the next creative impulse. As we sat there I said, “This is like Monday Night Football for women.” The same way guys dig hanging out, drinking beer and watching football, women need a place to be with each other and to be creative.

Here’s what I’ve noticed at every creative gathering I’ve hosted and art class I’ve taught:

1. Women are absolutely craving more TIME, SPACE,  SUPPLIES and PERMISSION. There is a palpable desire to have more time and space for artful play. Women are longing  for the right tools for the job and permission to experiment with them. A common thread of conversation consistently turns to the query “Why don’t we do this more often?”

2. When women have creatively busy hands, they unwind the tightness of modern-day living and begin to feel deep relaxation and pleasure. Across cultures and time women have gathered, often  with busy hands, to create and connect. Whether making food, quilting  in a circle or caring for children, the ritual of gathering is in our female DNA.

3. Making art is one helluva a way to have fun  and nourish our innate need for gathering and gabbing.

Touchdown!

I absolutely love the community of babes who have come to share in the exquisite evenings of exploration. I’ve got the time, space, supplies and permission to share with you. The next evening of fun is Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at my studio in Mt. Baker. Whether you consider yourself and art babe or not, if you desire to reconnect with yourself, your women friends and de-stress, come on over and play with  fabulous women in your community. Email jenna@jennarizzo.com to hold your spot.

Please share this news with any woman who you think would like to know about what I’m up to. Thanks.