March 2006 Newsletter #1

Hey Mon! Going to Helvetica in a Hand Basket…

"When we value ourselves, we value our own histories. When we commit the details of our lives to the page, we do so in a hope that these stories and lies may outlive our bodies. It is in this way that we seek to become immortal." — Molly J. Anderson-Childers, Clio's Lessons

In This Issue

• March 2006 Journal
• What's New @ the CP
• Q & A: Help Along The Way

March 2006 Journal

by Chris Dunmire

Musing Around the Creativity Portal

A Web site devoted to creativity just wouldn't be complete without visiting the topic of MUSES every so often would it? We did so last year when we published an article by Linda Dessau titled "Connect with Your Muse."

In her article Linda wrote:

"The word muse stems from the 9 muses of Greek mythology, who were responsible for inspiring creative artists and helping them remember their works (since in those days they didn't write them down). The Greek muses were also responsible for protecting history by singing about the great heroes and events of the day. … The muse is something that's outside of yourself, which provides inspiration and helps you get your creative work done."

If you'd like to learn more about each of the nine Athenian Muses, you can consult ancient Greek mythology literature to fill you in on the details. However, if you'd like to explore the variety of ways in which you can invoke each of the muses in your own expressions of creativity today, you can't miss the developing "Nine Athenian Muses" article series by Molly Anderson-Childers going on right now on the Creativity Portal.

In case you've missed it, this original series began in December 2005 with Molly's article "Belly-Dancing with Your Inner Muse", and continued in February 2006 with "Calliope: Invoking the Muse of Epic Poetry."

This month we're pleased to feature the next article in this intriguing series titled "Clio's Lessons."

And we'll just keep on musing around each month until all of the original Athenian Muses get an opportunity to INSPIRE you.

Marching onward,

Chris Dunmire
Publisher, Creativity Portal

What's New @ the CP

Permission to Play with Watercolor Paints

A primer in painting free-atively with watercolor paints. Allow your creativity out to play (for kids and kids at heart).

Wet & Wild: The Wonderful World of Watercolor
By Molly J. Anderson-Childers
Freelance and frolic in your own style of watercolor art. Ingredients for a fabulous painting — for kids and kids at heart.

Hey Mon, It's the ORIGINAL Clio

How to rekindle your passion for the Athenian Muse of history, education, and knowledge.

Clio's Lessons
By Molly J. Anderson-Childers
What can Clio, the Athenian Muse of history, education, and knowledge, teach writers and artists?

Is it REALLY True that "Form Follows Function?"

Bruce Price, our resident contrarian, takes a different view.

FORM, FUNCTION, FOOLISHNESS
By Bruce Price
Why "form follows function" is fluff to our resident contrarian Bruce Price, and what it has to do with history and going to Helvetica in a hand basket.

Imaginary friends? Imaginary guides!

Improve your creative thinking ability by "Putting on the Expert's Head."

Use Visualization to Expand Your Mind's Creative Power
By Royane Real
The human mind has boundless potential, and humans have been exploring many ways to use the mind for thousands of years. The following technique of visualization can help you acquire new knowledge and skills more quickly than with conventional techniques.

Q & A: Help Along The Way

Simple Wire Art Craft Projects
Q: I am a teacher at a mental health center needing a simple but nice wire art craft project for kids 8-17. Do you have any sample projects for those of us who feel non-creative in this area?