This here are colors inspired by the vibe and energy of Bali, while the patterns are inspired by indigenous Philippine textiles.
There are days when you just know what you’re going to do and make and there are days that are a bit of a struggle. Anyone feeling creatively stubborn today?
For this Moleskine spread, I chose one tiny element from my previous sketches, like the semi-circle, and just drew it over and over and over and over again. It’s a lot soothing and easier than it looks, I promise.
Care for a little art print giveaway on Instagram?
It’s my first for 2015 and my way of saying a heartfelt “thank you” for your incredible support and inspiring words that helped me start somewhere.
To enter & receive this A4 art print, simply:
1. FOLLOW @thejarofsalt on Instagram, and
2. TAG a friend in the comments section of this post on Instagram . That’s all!
There will be TWO winners: you AND the friend you tagged.
You can enter more than once!
Winners will be announced FRIDAY July 10 (9am EST). Framing and clips not included.
Have a fun weekend everyone!
Been working on fixing up myself on my social media account lately. And after deleting HUNDREDS of photos, changing my handle (I don’t even know why I chose a different name on Instagram in the first place), and fixing my bio, I think I am set.
If you’re on Instagram, pop in and say “hi”! It would be nice to hear from you 🙂
Happy weekend everyone!
It’s not everyday that I come across a book that is after my own heart — every single page, cover to cover. Danielle Krysa (aka The Jealous Curator) is a story in itself, one that all 50 featured artists in the book speak of. It’s been a long, long time since I’ve picked up a book so engaging that it’s the first thing I read while having breakfast (and the only thing I read throughout the day when I’m free!).
Here are 5 reasons why I BELIEVE every person who has tried creating (professional artists and artists-at-heart alike) should definitely have “Creative Block” in their collection:
Reason #1: Danielle Krysa
Find out why she’s called “The Jealous Curator” and you will understand why the book and the author are one and the same — and that ultimately, we are just like her, too 🙂 By the way, I’ve only met her through social media and I already think she’s an incredible human being.
Reason #2: Pictures. LOTS of pictures!
One of the best ways to be inspired (or jealous, whichever it is you choose) is to see other people’s breathtaking work. The book is packed with images that draws the reader instantly into the world of every artist, designer, illustrator, painter and sculptor Danielle interviewed.
Reason #3: These artists are human.
With our bellowing voice of self-doubt crippling our fullest potential, this book opens our eyes to the world of prolific and creative professionals. “Creative Block” is a collective story, humbling tales of otherwise ordinary people who talk about their work, the artists whom THEY are jealous of, dealing with negative (and scathing!) remarks and their creative process.
Reason #4: The book is easy on the eyes.
The size of the book makes it easy to appreciate full-color art spreads. Moreover, what I enjoyed most was that it was a quick read, where around 3 pages are dedicated per artist in a Q&A style of writing.
Reason #5: It is packed with practical advice and easy-peasy projects to do.
Every artist featured in this book provides a Creative UNblock activity, nothing too overwhelming actually. I’ve tried a couple myself and they encourage you to think out of the box by looking at the mundane in a different way, and using whatever is already physically available in your life.
Here are two of the projects I’ve tried thus far:
1. Creative UNblock #26 from Jessie Draxler: gather ordinary things from around the house, place them together and take a photo. I went through my paper bin and found this crumpled foil from my acrylic palette and placed it beside a Dalí coffee mug.
2. Creative UNblock #04 by Cassandra Smith: make a little sculpture out of a found object. My take on this is drawing my dog Jones around some used corks I found on a shelf. Wa-chaaaa!
For those unfamiliar with my earlier posts, click my ABOUT page and find out why this book means a lot to me. “Creative Block” has become a friend of sorts that I can turn to when in need of some delicious creative replenishment.
Have a succulent day and get those creative juices flowing now!
PS. No, this is not a paid post, in case you’re wondering. I just really, REALLY loved the book 🙂
Thanks to The Cotton Shoppe for a memorable group shot!
The past couple of weeks have been very invigorating, and inspiring. For the first time since I joined Etsy years ago, I finally see the living and breathing faces behind the website I’ve come to love. I actually joined Etsy around 2006, shortly after their initial launch but closed shop pretty soon because I just couldn’t sort out an efficient delivery system with our postal system back in Manila. But when I moved to Singapore four years ago, I found myself giving it yet another go.
Photos by TinkerSG and Matt Doris.
So here we were recently, all the makers of sellers based in Singapore coming together to meet up with lovely people from Etsy’s UK office! It was an afternoon well spent and a day of good vibes, exchanging ideas, meeting like-minded characters and forging new friendships. I’ve also gotten an invitation a year ago for a craft party but I wasn’t feeling too craftsy at that time. When they announced that Etsy’s global craft party was coming up, I said “Well, why not?”, especially since the theme was PAPER. 
When I entered The Playtent, it was refreshing to see the colorful, packed venue bursting with life and already in full-swing. I found myself sitting with the group of Ana, where they were quietly folding paper to make paper bracelets. 
People always mistake me to be the crafty type. But nothing could be further from the truth. Not to mention, aftsy and craftsy are worlds apart and not mutually exclusive. Doing simple crafts — needle point, origami or sewing — pose as a challenge both for my dexterity and my patience 😀 
As there were so many little kids running around, I actually didn’t notice there was a collage activity happening on the first floor. I only noticed this on my way out. I actually enjoy cutting paper so I wish I saw this earlier 🙁 
I wish I could have stayed longer but the logistics posed some difficulties for me with a sprained ankle, which did not allow for me to fold my legs beneath me and sit on the floor. Looking forward to the next Etsy activity! 
In one of her talks, Lisa Congdon mentioned a “painting curve” which looks like the letter “U”, my process EVERY SINGLE TIME: start with giddy excitement as I begin with the first strokes and slather the first layers of color. Midway I just want to hurl it against a wall or rip it to shreds because it starts to look nothing like what I see in my head.
But only recently I learned to soldier on through that uncomfy, awkward and annoying phase instead of chucking it in the bin. In the end, there is that sense of accomplishment in concluding a piece, even if I’m not always 100% happy with it 🙁
And this is what a sketchbook looks like when you commit to that process: every single page covered with complete illustrations, no ripped pages and saw everything through with nothing disposed of.
I learned the full meaning of one word when I used to go wall-climbing: commit.
Whenever I would hit a snag and hesitate and shout “I can’t! Bring me down!” to the one belaying from below, he would shout back “You kidding? Just commit!”. Even other climbers nearby would chorus the same thing and shout “Commit! Just commit!”. I quickly learned that what they were telling me was simply this: Do not hesitate. Let go and release the grip of one hand so you can reach up with the other and move along, flailing and all.
So today, I apply the same principles in soldiering through my creative process. Simply commit and allow yourself to be pushed in the direction your work is taking you. Yes, there will be a lot of discomfort, but I believe it’s really is such a great way to simply surprise yourself.
I am still waiting for Danielle Krysa’s “Creative Block” book to arrive at my doorstep.
Tick tock tick tock.
For those not in the know, she is the energy behind the artful blog The Jealous Curator. Love love love! 🙂
In the meantime, I follow her on Facebook and she has been generously sharing monthly tips from the artists featured in the book, to break the very things we conjure in our heads that hold us back from being our most creative self. I only caught the April project shared by mixed media artist Cassandra Smith :
Make a little sculpture using a found object. Find something around your house, at a thrift store, a wacky junk store, anywhere! An object that is about as big as your hand or smaller is probably the best size to start with, so it’s not overwhelming. And make sure it’s something you don’t mind ruining. This is just suppose to be fun after all! And then transform the heck out of it! Paint on it, glue things to it, cut it in half and glue it back to itself, or glue it to something else. Use the objects color and shape to inspire you. — Krysa, Danielle. “Creative Block”, 2014.
This is my initial take on the project. Although I didn’t do a sculpture, I did manage to turn an old wine cork into a log for my dog Jones, who is channeling his inner Daniel-san.
Wax on.
Wax off.
Thought I’d give the Moleskine sketchbook a break and indulge in a trusty 300 gsm watercolor paper today. On days that I’m just not in the mood for black ink, I try experimenting with others colors: a red ballpoint pen, an orange highlighter, or even a white gel pen. As I also wanted something different, I decided to splash some colors on an otherwise plain white paper for a fresh change 🙂
UPDATE: As of February 27, this class is FULLY BOOKED. Thank you very much!
Drawing can be one way to unwind and express ourselves creatively. Meanwhile, the sight of a blank sheet of paper can leave others feeling intimidated and paralysed just thinking of what to draw. I’ve had friends who say they want to immerse in a more artful lifestyle but always voice out the same thing:
“But I can’t draw!”
As grown-ups, we tend to get stuck trying to draw the ‘right way’ and to color within the lines just as we were once told. This pretty much makes up the ghost of our creative past.
The 3-hour hands-on workshop aims to:
- approach art intuitively by celebrating the imperfect,
- explore the kind of art where every drawn line and shape is valid, and
- foster a safe and encouraging community for like-minded creatures.
Let the creative juices flow, build confidence in your own drawings and turn the pages of the sketchbook into your kind of art. When you’re finished, own it, embrace it, love it.
Participants will be equipped with their own art kit containing the ff:
-personalised journal
-practice drawing sheets
-drawing pad
-drawing prompts
-black archival ink pen
-pencil
-eraser
-good vibes
😀
WHO’S AFRAID OF THE BIG BLANK PAGE?
MARCH 7, Saturday
2:00 – 5:00 pm’
$90/person inclusive of materials and refreshments
To book a slot and for payment details, kindly send an email to saltrub@gmail.com.
Registration ends by March 5.
The cozy gathering will be held in a private space at Woolf Works, the afternoon’s lovely shophouse and creative sanctuary located at 176 Joo Chiat Road, 427447.
🙂
Once payment has been completed and received, you are considered confirmed and good to go! Registration closes two days before the event or when all seats are booked.
Fees are non-refundable but may be transferable for the same workshop.
For daily sketchbook entries, visit Instagram @themessycake .
For current projects, see jarofsalt.etsy.com .
For past artwork, view my online portfolio .
Note that this workshop is not a technical class. So you will draw the way you want to and the only thing you need is your imagination.
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