Yurtles and Glittery Brass Rings

“All critics can be divided into three categories: a crank ... a self-appointed expert ... or a mentor.” — Bonnie Boots, Writers Can Grow to Be Comfortable with Criticism

IN THIS ISSUE

• August 2005 Journal
• What's New @ the CP

AUGUST 2005 JOURNAL by Chris Dunmire

Happiness Flash(ing)

So I'm reading the latest issue of SELF magazine (Aug. '05) and come across their "Happiness Flash" page (119) full of interesting happiness bits. The last one titled "Fear Factor" caught my eye:

“Bungee jumpers may be on to something: The charge from doing a scary activity may galvanize certain immune cells, enhancing the body's infection-fighting ability, a study from Ohio State University in Columbus reports. Schedule that summer kite-surfing lesson now.”

Bungee jumping? Kite-surfing? Heck, I could just run out my front door with no clothes on. There's a scary activity 'charge' for you. And hey, I wouldn't get sick for years!

Speaking of charging, let’s dig right into this week’s creative goodies. If you don’t yet know what a “yurt” is, you’re about to find out. And if you struggle with tying your identity to your creative work, we have some interesting light to shed on the subject. Finally, let’s not forget about the exciting “Inspiring Creativity” book giveaway that begins ……….. RIGHT NOW!

Chris Dunmire
Publisher, Creativity Portal

WHAT’S NEW @ THE CP

Make it: Creative Play Cards Project
By Violette
Boost your creativity with these fun tiny cards. The Creative Play cards are meant to prompt you to focus on something new each day whether it be to sculpt, dare, make art or paint. Watch your imagination soar when you draw a new card each day!

Interview with Cathryn Hrudicka on Creativity
By Nancy Mills
Spirited Woman interview with Cathryn Hrudicka, Chief Imagination Officer (CIO) of Creative Sage — and a writer, composer, sound designer, editor, multi-media producer and artist, and trend-setting entrepreneur.

Identity and Creating
By Douglas Eby
Engaging in a creative venture often brings up questions and uncertainties related to personal identity: Am I qualified? Do I have enough experience, strength, talent, skill? Will the work be good enough? Will I be good enough?

Creativity isn't just about art — it's about healing
By Emelisa Mudle
How writing, painting, mandala and mask making can be used as a process to express creativity, an avenue to self-exploration, and a vehicle towards personal healing.

Improvisation in Life and the Arts
By Linda Dessau
Can you be an artist while you're washing the dishes? In this article I share some of my learning and impressions from a chapter of the exceptional book, "Free Play", by Stephen Nachmanovitch.

Alternative Living Spaces: Life in a Yurt
By S.C. Giles
What do you do if pursuing your art means you need to live on less? One way to cut expenses is to find alternative living situations. One that's gaining popularity is the yurt.

Diffusion & Softening of Digital Photography Images
By Tom Ray
Like many people who’ve made the switch from film cameras to digital, I’ve discovered that the lens tools I once used so effectively on my cameras to soften, diffuse and vignette my images for quality “finished” professional results won’t do for digital what they did for film.

Writers Can Grow to Be Comfortable with Criticism
By Bonnie Boots
Dealing with criticism is part of being a writer. In fact, it's part of every creative pursuit. Learning to cope with it comfortably will help you grow as both a creative professional and a person.