"If it's only good or bad depending on who looks at it, how can it ever be considered a failure?" — Dave Duggins, Methods, Medium, Mindset

Art Museum Musings and what "they" Say
By Chris Dunmire, Publisher

I love visiting art museums because they feature such an array of creative expression spanning through the ages: Ancient Art, Early European Art, 19th Century Art, Contemporary Art, Folk Art, Modern Art, and more. One of the first rooms we entered featured an ancient Egyptian Mummy coffin lying on its back under glass in gold-and-painted splendor. The room had a distinct "ancient" odor so I couldn't help myself when I exclaimed, "It smells like history in here!"

Art museums have a way of reminding us of the contrast, variety, and endless possibilities that exist in artistic expression. We're shown how creative ideas can and do expand beyond paint and canvas and carved marble and into unthinkable realms of imagination. Beauty abounds. Limits are pushed. And more than often we hear ourselves or others saying, "That's art?"

Which brings me to the topic of "the things people say" in regards to the ways we choose to pursue our creative passions. Many opinions abound, and if we're not careful, we can allow what other people think to override our own intuitive knowing about our ideas and the pursuit of what's best for us. Listening to others with rigid ideas and expectations about how things "should be" can discourage us. It can result in missed opportunities. It can keep us from developing confidence to forge new frontiers that will go on to change the world.

Here's a timely example: You'll enjoy reading Tiger Kandel's new Inspiring Creativity Success Story about her Sockett Puppets, a Creative Child Magazine 2007 Top Toy of the Year despite the resistance she had in bringing it into the market. She sums it up well by saying, "When given the opportunity to create, anyone can feel pride and success regardless of what limitations may be present."

After that, be sure to see my latest article in the "26 Ways" series, Forget what "they" Say. Between these two articles and the rest of the features in this newsletter (including Dave Duggins' How to Make Your Projects Work and Jonathan Vehar's The Value of Making Mistakes), I'm certain that your creative confidence will climb.

And if you happen to have a personal anecdote to share about how you listened to your own voice over someone else's with great success, tell me about it. You just never know how you may inspire someone else to reach higher.

Introducing Creativity Corner Essays by Singer/Songwriter Don Richmond
I'm pleased to announce that our ongoing partnership with Art of the Song Creativity Radio has brought us a new series of inspiring essays by singer and songwriter Don Richmond. Don is a multi-instrumental performer, having played professionally for over twenty years. He owns Howlin’ Dog Recording and his CD’s are available at his website www.donrichmond.com.

Don's first essay on the Creativity Portal, Binocular Vision, discusses one way to look at creative action in the world, which aligns nicely with our discussion on what "they" say. We're pleased to share Don's essays with you.

Chris Dunmire
Creative Director and Publisher

Art of the Song Creativity Corner
Expression & Introspection: Having a Binocular Vision
By Don Richmond
Binocular Vision is a two way street: one side is focused on our expression, and the other side is noticing what effects our creative expression has.

Love of the Craft
How to Make Your Projects Work
By Dave Duggins
Uncompleted projects are not failure — they are an opportunity for reflection, increased understanding and positive change. Here's a 3-step process to making your projects work.

Inspiring Creativity Success Story
Tigercandy Arts, Inc. and the Creative Sockett Puppets
By Tiger Kandel
The creation of the Sockett Kit (a Creative Child Magazine 2007 Top Toy of the Year) was the first great achievement of Tigercandy Arts in spite of the resistance we received from people who told us that this type of product would not sell.

Creative Careers in the Arts Interviews
An Interview with Author and Sit-Com Writer Jurgen Wolff
By Molly Anderson-Childers
Jurgen is a writer who teaches creativity and right-brain writing workshops and has written half a dozen books, including "Your Writing Coach." His screen credits include the feature film, “The Real Howard Spitz,” starring Kelsey Grammer, and more than 100 produced episodes of various television series.

26 Ways to Nurture Your Creative Life (an A to Z List)
#6: Forget what "they" Say
By Chris Dunmire
I am interested in getting you to think seriously about the opinions you hear about this-or-that and how you allow these opinions to infiltrate your creative life.

Jurgen Wolff on "Your Writing Coach"
Q: Can you tell us what inspired you to write your fabulous book, "Your Writing Coach," and give our readers something to look forward to when they read it?

A: I'd been teaching writing workshops around the world and a lot of the participants said that the methods I use helped them to overcome writing blocks and to approach writing in a totally different way that made it easy and natural. I wanted to find a way to share those methods with more people, and decided to do the book and also to use the website to add material (such as video interviews) that you can't include in a book. More »

Creating Life Strategies
By Susan Ann Darley
When you are willing to apply positive strategies to everyday issues you will improve every area of your life.

“Let’s Go Shopping Chick” Greeting Card Paper Craft Project
By Annie Lang
Create a fun greeting in only a few minutes! This quick and easy printable project was designed for all ages and skill levels.

The Value of Making Mistakes
By Jonathan Vehar
For years now we’ve been harping about the importance of making mistakes in driving organizational innovation forward. And we regularly get push back.

Creative Success in the Arts, through Serendipity
By Lyne Marshall
Always on the lookout for creative inspiration, I find that situations present opportunities if you look beyond first appearances. The creative process is elusive and we all need to dream.