3 Ways Drawing Can Help You in School

By Rob Court

Years ago, when I was in elementary and middle school, other kids sometimes called me "weird" because I was really involved in my drawing. But they also called me "the artist", and that made me feel cool and gave me self-confidence in other school subjects besides just art class. In high school the label of artist became official when I started drawing cartoons for the school newspaper. Quite honestly, my drawing skills helped me get through school. More »

Get Unreal: A Writing Exercise

By Hal Zina Bennett

Legend has it that Picasso once got into a discussion with a neighbor who looked at his paintings and told the artist that while his colors were nice and the picture was very pleasant, he should try making them a bit more realistic. Otherwise, he advised, nobody would know what Picasso’s paintings were supposed to be about. The artist, exercising a rare amount of patience, nodded thoughtfully and asked his neighbor if he had an example of what he meant by realistic. More »

26 Ways to Nurture Your Creativity
#17: Question Everything?

By Chris Dunmire

Why do we feel a pleasurable sensation when our curiosity is satisfied? Is it because life is like one big jigsaw puzzle, and when we find ways to fit our pieces (answers to questions) in the larger picture, we understand life more fully? Or is it because it helps us realize that life is so much bigger than our little human issues and what goes on inside our small minds? That there might be something so much larger, grander, awe-inspiring at play?" More »

Interview with Muse Song

By Molly Anderson-Childers & Jill Badonsky

Q: How is self-love and nurturing related to creative expression?

A: The art of self-nourishment has a profound effect on mortals’ creative productivity. Pampering has not gotten the attention and publicity it deserves since the days of Cleopatra. Both underrated and underused, the act of nurturing ourselves for the intention of self-expression is one of the secrets to an enchanting surge of creative brilliance. If we generously take care of ourselves, we will be more effortlessly inclined to want to express and share ourselves with others. If you are always verbally haranguing yourself, why would you want to share that beat up side of you with anyone? It seems that the harangued side is in control of our creativity and can shut down when it is not receiving compassionate care. More »

The Original Self-Checkout System (of Trusting Proportions)

By Chris Dunmire

I first learned about John and Sandy Weber's Rattlesnake Crafts & Rocks in 2008 while visiting family in Tombstone, Arizona.

"There's this man who makes wallets and jewelry out of rattlesnakes and sells them in a trailer in the middle of the desert," my sister told me one day. "It's an unusual place. Nobody waits on you in the gift shop — you just shop and leave your money in a wooden box."

A souvenir gift shop with a payment honor system? I was skeptical, but intrigued. How can that possibly work out without the man getting cleaned out by thieves? More »