Beauty amongst Chaos (1) – creating abstract art using a photo

26 July 201526 July 2015 / Waves and Pebbles - random thoughts and writing on life, memories and creativity / Leave a comment

It’s early Sunday morning and I’m playing around with a few photos I took in my small garden, which is in dire need of a makeover. I had given up on it completely this year and then I visited a garden nursery and decided to splash out on some sale goods – three pots of herbs and two hanging baskets – so that I had a bit of colour. I’m having a go at putting together a small slideshow just to see if I can technically manage to get it on my blog. I then decided to edit one of the photos which was too blurry to use. I cropped the photo and used the basic editing facilities available on an Apple computer. I love the colours and the abstract shapes created by the lines of the yellow flower. To me, I look at it and see deep blue sea and turquoise sky in the distance.

Creative Anticipation – poem written from the facilitator’s perspective about the start of a creative memories workshop Uniday for families

18 July 201518 July 2015 / Waves and Pebbles - random thoughts and writing on life, memories and creativity / 1 Comment

I call this a poem – it is exactly as it came to me on the day of a Family Uniday – the theme for which was creativity and memories. I wish that I had continued writing to show more of what happened once the families became captured by the thought that they could actually create but my time was otherwise engaged! It was a heart-warming occasion, families of all generations sharing quality time creating together. Kay

Creative Anticipation

Empty rooms, space filled with expectancy

the clock ticks on

the first signs as footsteps and faces emerge

the chain cranks slowly into action

people emerge in the doorway, open, hesitant

warmth draws them in and they take their place

Tables fill, people become names

a gentle hub softens the air

words are shared, plans made clear

leaders share their passion

memories recalled, mine to offer

the underlying gift of it all

Choice is given, the queue is drawn

excitement building as wishes are met

the underground motion moves them on

each family starts their own journey

the throng is split, meandering to rooms

new experiences and knowledge theirs to find

Watching like an angel guide

sharing as a friend in kind

working on what needs to happen

valuing the help that’s found

creation has begun its travels

and pride with wonder gathers round

An African Jewel amidst Ruskin Park, London

2 July 20152 July 2015 / Waves and Pebbles - random thoughts and writing on life, memories and creativity / Leave a comment

Yesterday I posted about my visit to London which included my discovery of Ruskin Park. This painted picnic bench was an unexpected find. I wanted to find out more about it before posting these photos.

This art picnic bench was created as part of the Camberwell Arts Festival, the longest running visual arts festival in the UK at 21 years. 10 artists were commissioned to decorate picnic benches which would be used during the festival and then be placed within local parks. The bench located in Ruskin Park is an African design created by Nkiruka, a creative fashion, arts, crafts and textiles design partnership and is called The New Yam Table.

Information about the festival which was held at the end of June is at http://www.camberwellarts.org.uk. Information on Nkiruka is at http://www.makerhood.com/nkiruka.

(If you believe the information I have provided is incorrect, please let me know. Information on the bench was limited and I could find no images online.)

Creativity takes us to a special place

14 April 201514 April 2015 / Waves and Pebbles - random thoughts and writing on life, memories and creativity / 4 Comments

Copyright 2011 Chris Wells, Flickr, CC-BY-SA, via Wylio

Creativity takes us to a special place – a place where we become lost, engrossed in our chosen path. The stresses of life melt away, solutions surface to be put aside for later. We are blessed with frozen time in which to savour the simple gifts life offers.

Kay, wavesandpebbles.wordpress.com

Blog Images – how much difference do they make?

7 April 20157 April 2015 / Waves and Pebbles - random thoughts and writing on life, memories and creativity / 2 Comments

I am seriously lacking in images to go with my posts, whether it be photos or artwork. I could hold back on sharing things that I come across but have decided to share them without images and come back later when I have discovered or created the right image. I haven’t yet found my way around free online images and would prefer anyway to create my own when the opportunity arises. So I am hoping people will still want to visit my blog and, when it is more colourful, will be interesting to see what difference this makes to my blog stats. Would welcome comments on your own experience of this.

Art for All – and Zentangle

27 March 201527 March 2015 / Waves and Pebbles - random thoughts and writing on life, memories and creativity / 2 Comments

I strongly believe that art in its widest sense should be available and accessible to anyone. Many people may not have tried anything creative since they were at school. I have seen how providing an environment where people feel at ease, together with a range of materials – sometimes just blank paper and felt tips – can have surprising results. After an initial hub of conversation, a quietness descends as most people become engrossed in their own activity. Some may struggle initially as it is a new experience but they often gain inspiration from what is happening around them, seeing what others are doing. Their self-esteem increases and there is a sense of pride in their achievement.

i was intrigued when reading kelzbelzphotography.wordpress.com blog to find out about Zentangle, an art method that is a form of meditation as it is practiced mindfully. It is suitable for young and old and can be done anywhere. Check out the Zentangle website to find out how it started and hear the stories of some of the people who have been trained to teach this method and their own personal experiences of the benefits. www.zentangle.com