Creating on Demand

A bead I made out of plexiglass (!) in Robert Dancik's class. I love the other side, which is plain black, but sanded so that light refracts off of it in different ways. No reference at all to the original material. I'll post a picture of that when I can take a good one!

While I love learning new things, I don't like what I call "Creating on Demand." That's what I find happens at a lot of classes and workshops that I attend - people go nuts and make multiple things while I sit and wait for the muse to come to me. I wish I could learn a technique and make multiples of things during class time, but I usually move at a slower pace during a class.

I'm more concerned about learning a technique properly so that I can have fun with it on my own time and in my own way. That's when I find that I can get really creative. When I've learned the technique and let it and the possibilities sink in and ferment in my subconscious, then the muse comes to me.

I do like seeing the results from everyone at the end of the class. Gives me new ideas and new ways to approach problem solving.

Anyway. That was the case again in Robert Dancik's class "A Bead Like No Other." I am very happy with the results which are posted above.

May I also take a minute to laud Robert in his teaching? He is the most amazing teacher and was awesome at letting people feel successful no matter what their learning skills/level was. I think everyone came out of that class with at least one bead that was a piece of art on it's own. He's a former teacher and he must have been a good one. If you get a chance to take a class from him, do. You will not regret it!

Today's quote comes from Vincent Van Gogh: If you hear a voice within you say "you cannot paint," then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.

Namaste