For those in my Inspiration is in the Cards Joggles class, this is an example of how I use (interpret) the cards I pull for a given work session in the studio. If you've taken a previous workshop including these creative cards, you may have your own process and practice, please feel free to share!
Card #1: This is pretty obvious! I think this was a contribution from a sister artist in a workshop (no signature though!) and its a wonderful web of creativity and the message: A new look at creativity. I can choose to look at the day's obligations (some catchup work on courses, book design and household chores) with the same sense of creative spirit I sometimes restrict to my studio art work!
This card is a reduction of a magazine collage -- something we'll get to in week 2 of the workshop. Shrinking a design often makes it much more interesting!
Card #2: FOCUS! Block out all the distracting noise that's whirling around the edges and put my attention to what really matters. Getting these chores out of the way so that I can move on to something more fun!
This card is full size collage using magazine and computer generated images and ring binder sticky "donut circles." (Can't remember what those little stickers are called right now, since I rarely use them for their original purpose).
Card #3 - Saguaro cacti -- Hmm, a prickly subject -- Maybe that's the message, to guard against being too prickly. Or from a positive direction, to take time to make my own shape, find my own way in what may at time feel like an unsupportive environment -- though in reality, it's just what I need.
Another reduced collage from map and antique illustration reproductions.
As you can see, I use these cards as ways to start little mini conversations or meditations with myself. Here's the explanation I posted in my first workshop week today (P.S. It's not too late to join the workshop, lessons can be done at your own pace after you download the pdf each week).
But first -- what are these cards and why do I make them?
I started making Inspiration Cards about a decade ago, and included making them as part of my annual Artists’ Journey/Artists’ Journal January Workshop at El Cielo in 2007. The practice grew from several different inklings and impulses:
- I had used Tarot cards and other similar decks when I wanted a kick-start to a project, or felt blocked in my creative studio work, all to good effect. It seemed like asking the universe for a little randomly selected guidance was a good practice for me -- along with actually GETTING TO THE STUDIO .
- I am a collector of ephemera -- birthday cards, letters, pieces of brochures, maps, bits of shiny foil and package wrappings -- that I just can’t seem to toss out. To tame the collection, I figured out that if I made my own little mini collage cards using the otherwise PILED UP bits and pieces, I could transform the collections into something useful, and give myself permission to throw about the leftover bits. Self and sanity preservation.
- Once I started making cards with others, they became a swap tradition among those who take my classes, like artist trading cards, but bigger! I use regular 3” by 5” index cards as my template/final size -- though as you see, my process often means making a larger collage and shrinking it!
