GPP Street Team

reminder and remembrance

 

I set this post up a few days ago as a pre-set mid-month reminder.  Then I came back today (6/14) to edit with an addition as I learned the sad news that one of our fellow crusaders took her last breath.  With a heavy heart I pass along the awareness to you as I'm sure many of you count her as a friend, and know that She Matters. 

I first met Sue Pieper online - years and years ago, before blogs, before facebook.  We hit it off, the way you do through typed words in emails and forums, occasional calls, similar humor, and shared interests.  I was a lucky girl to meet her in person twice - and she was the real thing - warm, funny, sweet, and a fireball of enthusiasm.  She made collages, assemblages, paintings and jewelry, and much more as she was a curious soul and loved to be making stuff.  She joined us in several crusades....and even got her husband Gary to participate.   In No. 12 we learned she had a crush on Prince and loved being near the water.  In No. 16 she actually journaled *faints*.  For No. 18 Sue and Gary both carved stamps for the first time.  And for No. 19 they both took on stencil cutting and spray paint.  For No. 22 & 24 she reminds us to pay-it-forward by giving blood, and takes on writing her private final wishes when she faced surgery a few years ago.  She was a prize fighter when it came to health issues - but met the challenges with grace.  I love that she shared how thrilled she was to snap a photo of a crow (in the last link).  I will consider the crow my Sue-sign and will give her a wave whenever I see one.  Join me in blowing kisses to the sky.

 

 
 

Crusade No. 52 ~ Seasonal Wardrobe

 

First let me extend a thank you to all who particpated last month, sharing an interpretation of Home.  Loved being able to get to know you a little better.  Second, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for all the friends, old and new, who have contributed to the conversation below.  If I ever begin to feel burnt out I will hop right back over there to read the encouraging words and thoughts.  You motivate me to carry on and validate my efforts.  I truly appreciate the love.  *group hug*

Before I begin let me apologize to our Southern Hemisphere crusaders - I refer to change-of-season and summer but I fully understand your temperature is declining while mine is rising.  The concept is still applicable, just slightly different.

As the banner states, I'm curious to know if you find yourself shifting your working palette and/or creative style with the change in season.  It seems every summer I deliberately select fresh new paint colors and brightly colored supplies.  I tend to think lighter and work looser.  I also feel like I see more - observations much more acute than in the colder months.  Is it because I am outside often or that I am hungry for new visual stimulation and seek alternative directions?  Establishing a new palette is more of a mental task...I adjust my viewfinders a little wider, latch onto a handful of concepts, and see how that all fits with my default ways of operating. 

 

 

To offer a comparison, here is my comfort zone palette that is utilized twelve months of the year.  It is a good thing to know what color combinations you default to especially when you are shopping for supplies.  Got it in red?  I'll take it.  Oh, you have black too?  I'll take two.

 

 

Last year I recognized that I make this seasonal shift.  Below is a journal page that illustrates that.  I'm falling under the same spell this year...

 

 

A few more examples to show that I am not a huge adventurer when it comes to color.  I find I get distracted by too many choices and limiting myself allows me to focus on composition and texture.  You'll see my defaults are evident, but personally I observe some influence from last summer.  Notice I eventually allow more open space and begin using organic images?  Probably sick of winter and ready for some daylight and bare feet.

 

 

 

 

 

  

This month, should you accept the challenge, make some observations of yourself and your work and notice if you have actual palette changes or mental shifts due to the transitioning seasons.  Maybe you paint less and knit more because you are sitting around a pool.  Maybe you sit in the shade and bead or carve stamps because you have more free time.  Maybe you have less free time and hardly craft at all in the summer.  Tell us about your seasonal wardrobe and support with visual evidence if you can.  For instance, compare a winter page with a summer page and if you can tell the season by the style of work.  Or, simply show us your current palette and remark whether it differs in the darker months.

I'm really interested to know if your artistic behavior adapts seasonally.  If you can't play along with a link we would still love to hear your report so leave a comment with your thoughts.

 

 

 

 

Archived links have been moved from sidebar to here.  Thanks for playing, and joining in with your posts, your comments, and your enthusiasm for building connections through creativity challenges.

Betsy Harting
Betsy Harting (more)
Carrie Gross Brady
Cath Sheard
Chris Miser
Dorit Elisha
Helen
Jacqueline
Jami Oscherwitz
Jane Royal
Joan
Karen Isaacson
Kimber
Manda Moore
Maria
Maria (C51)
Maria (C51)
Maria Day
Marie Johansen
Maryanne Gross
Melanie Philpott (C39)
Melanie Philpott (C51)
Michelle Brown
Michelle Ward
Nathalie Nayer
Pam Holladay
Paula Bogdan
Paula Bogdan (more)
Penny Stuart
Quinn McDonald
Regina Rooks
Sheila Jones
Viki Banaszak

here's what i'm thinking....

A few times a year I hear from new readers of this street team blog who thank me for the tutorials and inspiration.  That means alot to me!  In addition to the feedback from regular and loyal crusaders, these notes from the silent (lurking) audience make me feel like my efforts are worthwhile.

A few times a month I see crusaders who take on the monthly prompt and generously share their interpretation.  They go out on a limb to offer their perspective and by doing so they motivate us to plug in.  I am moved by the personal connection we have made with people around the world simply because we enjoy making stuff.

A few times a week I write down all the ideas I have that I want to share here and the possible ways to present them.  Some days I'm super fired up to invest my time in this site. Some days I look back and think about all we have covered and all who have passed through our doors.  Some friends popped in for a wave, while others sat down and really got comfortable. 

A few times a day I delight in what this street team has done - doors opened, friends made, art explored, self-expression validated, shyness eroded, confidence reinforced,.....but on occasion I wonder if this community I am trying to uphold is really there or just part of my imagination.

Participation ebbs and flows but has been on a steady decline.  Players are loyal, but few.  There was a time when each month had over a hundred crusaders!  While the number of teamers is less and less the hits-per-day to this site is on the rise.  Does that mean we have new visitors who are afraid to play along or do they just come by to take the free advice?   Not sure.  Not sure it matters.  Not sure where I'm going with this except I feel like I can talk freely here as it's my place and you choose to gather here. 

I'm thinking I will present one final crusade in the format we know and then I will consider how to move forward. 

I will never give up being a cheerleader for creativity.  I will never give up hope that we can make the world a smaller place by widening our circle of friends. 

Maybe it will only take me a month to figure out the new face of crusading.  Maybe it will take longer.  Send me your positive vibes so the right answer rises to the surface.

I'm playing hookie tomorrow so I will post Crusade No. 52 on Thursday.

EDIT:  Wednesday 11:47 pm, I hope you understand I am not fishing for compliments, nor am I whining about the work (because I LOVE doing it), and I am certainly not reprimanding anyone for lack of participation.  There are no referees here.  Just a coach trying to determine a game plan.  I appreciate being able to open dialogue since we are a team.  Thank you for your feedback...you make me feel energized!