It's almost been a year and I feel like I have been in a design desert. Not that the ideas and inspriation have stopped...but that life needed emphasis in other areas for awhile.
I went through some frustrating medical issues but finally feel better than I have in so many years!! It feels so refreshing when you can feel your 'groove' start to return! We also moved, and with two small boys, full-time jobs and graduate courses...just getting readjusted to the schedule of life, takes the effort of the whole family and many months!
But last month I finally unpacked my art supplies and organized my 'design studio' ( a little room I claimed for my own). I made sure I created a space where my kids could come and create with me.
My sons, now Kindergarten and 1st grade, take my breath away as I watch them innately sit and design. I never intended to push my interests or wishes on them, but they naturally love to create, explore and design. I feel honored to be a participant in their life and to support the unveiling of their interests. Those of you who are parents, teachers and coaches know what I mean, I'm sure! What a priviledge!
Designing with my son:
My 1st grader also loves the computer and has one of those 'engineering' brains. He is constantly curious and always wanting to try new things, so our activity the other night was to make a blog for him. He got a digital camera for Christmas and loves to document the things in his life. However, he always wants to print out his photos. So I thought, what a better way for him to feel proud of his photos than to display them online so he can show his friends, teacher and family without having to always print! It has been a good excercise in helping him to practice writing his sentences as well! He is personally vested in his project, so getting him to write sentences has been pretty easy. He has been so proud, that it thrills my heart. http://www.benmphotos.blogspot.com/ Here is his blog if you want to check out a 1st grader's world.
So...I guess I have been busy designing some memories even though I haven't posted many personal visual examples as of late. I think times like that actually help to bolster a new kind of creativity and inspiration. "Time-outs" can be good for all of us!
Here are some samples of my inspiration from the tiny hands in my home
