Becoming creative

Growing up, I played a lot of sports. You name it, I played it. Volleyball, soccer, basketball, curling, cross country running …the list goes on. Although being an athlete is an influential part of my identity, I realized that being creative is an important process that I wanted to include in my adult life. It’s no wonder I gravitated towards photography and scrapbooking as well as married a man who is interested in being creative too.

This past weekend, as I watched a slideshow on our recent trip to India, I realized something. I realized that I was becoming a “creative person”. The sign: a photograph that Aaron took of me in Ranthambore National Park using my new digital camera. Enter in exhibit A: 

This picture serves as a reminder that I am becoming the creative adult I always wanted to be. That I am, some how, an artist making art. I thought I would create the layout to help me remember that fact when I am discouraged artistically or feeling like I am in a creative rut. Eh Viola:

A cute page to inspire my creative juices!

Don't get me wrong; I didn’t become creative overnight. This process has taken a long time.

To help me find my design style, I have consulted many resources including some of the video tutorials at Paperclipping. Specifically for the above layout, I use the principles outlined in episode 40, “Designing with Lines”. 

To start, I placed the photo down on the blank piece of kraft cardstock. 

Next, to create a strong, coherent design, as outlined in the video, I visualized my page was broken up into segments with horizontal and vertical lines.

Using the lines as my guide, I added a quote from Ansel Adams, one of my all time favourite photographers.The quote reads: Photography is more than a medium for factual communication of ideas. It is creative art. I left out the words "photography" and "art" so that I could highlight them with stickers to create texture on the page. 

Next I added a dotted border from Cathy Zielske, to help establish a clean graphic design look. I wasn't concerned about going outside the lines. I knew that the border would establish a space to collect the elements I wanted to highlight.

From there, I printed out the picture separately and then adhered it to kraft cardstock with the quote and the CZ border.  I added the "photography" and "art" lettering as well as small embellishments at the top and three brads at the bottom of the photo all in red. Finally, I added some Jenni Bowlin paper and a black scalloped border.  

There you have it,  a layout that reminds me, in addition to being an athlete, that I am also a creative person.

How do you inspire yourself to be creative? How do you cope when you are in a creative rut?

Have a great weekend!

Comments

[Angela Ladeau]

So simple, yet so powerful! I think I could change out the picture of you and put me in there! Love photography, love scrapbooking! Always trying to figure out my camera (LOL).

[Sue Althouse]

I love your clean graphic design look and the explanation of your design process!

[Susie Moore]

Oh my goodness. This is so lovely. And posting your design process was a wonderful idea.

Thanks so much.

[Jess]

Hi Angela, Sue, and Susie,
Thanks for your comments! I'm glad you liked the page. It's fun to share what goes on inside my head.

[JennV]

This is a very pretty page! I wish I had a photo of me with my camera! I carry it around everywhere, yet of course its never in the picture. :)

[linda]

Wow, your post is like a tutorial itself...thanks for sharing! It's great to see another Paperclipping member's work. I love how clean and neat your page is!