December 1. Wow. We did it. An entire year full of unblocking projects! {If you missed the other projects, no problem, you can catch up right here.} I thought this was the perfect assignment to finish with… it’s from Toronto based artist Amanda Happé, the artist who painted the cover of Creative Block! This unblocking project sums up everything this year has been about for me… making lots of work, not being too precious about it, and sharing that work with others. Well, get ready, because we’re really going to share this one:

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

#creativeunblock // december // by amanda happé, pg.113

“I challenge you to make something and leave it somewhere public — somewhere it might be found. Something not too grand or careful, but honest and perhaps lovely. When you’re creating it, think about one person happening upon it. Make them a message. If you enjoy this feeling of caring about something without feeling precious about it, do it again. And again.”

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Ok, how perfect is that for the holiday season!? When you leave your piece somewhere {exciting!}, post it to Instagram… I want to see where all of your special pieces have been left {I’ll do a big recap post in January}. Hashtag it #creativeUNblock, and as always, have fun!

*I’m in denial about this project being almost over, so instead I’ll spend this month acting like an artsy elf… yes, that might help.

November 1. You know what that means … unblock project 11 of 12! Only December to go? How is that possible!? {If you missed the other projects, no problem, you can catch up right here.} This project is from American artist Shannon Rankin, and it’s all about getting a new perspective on something you’ve already created…

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

#creativeunblock // november // by shannon rankin, pg.249

“Use a cropping tool to find new compositions from an original piece. Enlarge this small portion of the original piece and create a new piece based on the enlarged composition.”

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Get our your scanners, photocopiers or just your eye, and turn your favorite corner (or least favorite corner) of a piece you’ve created in the past and turn into into something new! A new perspective indeed. If you’d like to share what you make, just put it up on Instagram or Twitter and hashtag it #creativeUNblock. See you out there!

Here we are, the first Saturday in October… project 10 of 12. {If you missed the other projects, no problem, you can catch up right here.} This project is from American artist Jesse Draxler. I’ve wanted to try this one for ages… ps. I added my own extra little twist at the end:

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

#creativeunblock // october // by jesse draxler, pg.155

“Find some objects you have around your apartment, home, studio, etc. (the more unique the better) and organize them in different ways. Stack them, rest them upon each other, arrange them in a pattern, etc. I find this to be a great exercise in composition – something that is integral in all art forms.

Secondly, photograph the compositions- several shots from several angles to capture things that normally would not be taken note of; the make up of the arrangement, the structure, the physics of why the arrangement is working.”

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Love this… and here’s what I want to add. So, once you’ve photographed your compositions, you can stop right there, OR,  you can use those photographs as the inspiration for a painting, drawing, collage, short story… or all of the above! If you’d like to share what you make, just put it up on Instagram or Twitter and hashtag it #creativeUNblock. Have fun!

September. Whoa. Project 9 of 12. {If you missed the other projects, no problem, you can catch up right here.} This project is from American artist Aris Moore. I really don’t love the idea of doing a self portrait… but this one is all about embracing the imperfect self-portrait. Now THAT I can do. Ready?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

#creativeunblock // september // by aris moore, pg.27

“A collage self portrait // Do blind contour drawings of your eyes nose and mouth. If you are likely to erase, draw them in pen. Choose the ones you feel best about and collage them together. Draw your face around them and your neck shoulders and clothing if there is room. Look closely in a mirror and shade your individual features and your hair using what ever materials you like with as much detail as you need.   After you feel good about your portrait, not because it looks exactly like you, but because there is an honesty in it, begin writing. Surround your drawing with text, beginning each sentence with if you really knew me you’d know…. Writing can be legible or illegible whatever you need to be truthful. Lastly, remember that this is a drawing of you for you there are no rules, just suggestions. Play and have fun.”

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Ok, let’s do this! I love Aris’ work above, so I’m thinking I might take her lead and house my self portrait within in a found image. Do whatever works for you… let loose, have fun, and remember, it should not be perfect. In fact, it’s literally impossible for it to be perfect! Just enjoy a chance to think about yourself for an entire afternoon. If you’d like to share what you make, just put it up on Instagram or Twitter and hashtag it #creativeUNblock.

Here we are, project number 8 of 12! {If you missed the other projects, no problem, you can catch up right here.} This project is from American artist Sidney Pink. The idea this month is to set some rules and then play within them… in 30 minutes or less! Ready?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

#creativeunblock // august // by sidney pink, pg.91

Here we are, more than half way through this 12 months of 12 projects {If you missed the first six projects, no problem, you can catch up right here.} July’s project takes us outside… thank goodness because my house is so hot right now! Yes, I’m quite excited to take this advice from Portland based artist Rachel Denny… ready?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

#creativeunblock // july // by rachel denny, pg.65

How is it already half way through this year of #creativeUNblock challenges? Crazy. Anyway, I’m so excited to do this project given to us by Boston based artist Leah Giberson {If you missed the first five projects, or have no idea what I’m talking about, you can catch up right here.} Ok, June’s project is all about rules, instructions, and “how-to’s”… kinda. Get your supplies, because this is going to be fun:

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

#creativeunblock // june // by leah giberson p.131

“Years ago I kept a visual journal filled with little collages, found paragraphs, and how-to diagrams. I’ve always had trouble following written directions and found it was more fun to turn these step-by-step guides into visual poetry.

1. Find a how-to diagram from a magazine or print one out from the web and then glue it down to a larger piece of paper. Acrylic gel medium or bookbinding glue are both good choices because they are less likely to wrinkle the paper.

2. Decide which elements you find most interesting and want to keep, then using gesso or acrylic paint, paint over anything you want to cover in order to obscure and alter the original activity being described.

3. With pen, or collage, or thread, etc etc you can then embellish what remains, extending or adding lines that might already exist so they become something else entirely.” ~ Leah Giberson

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Yes! I have a stack, and I mean a GIANT PILE, of Ikea instruction booklets that I’ve been saving… mind you, I had no idea what I was saving them for until this very moment! If you’d like to share what you make, just put it up on Instagram or Twitter and hashtag it #creativeUNblock. Relax, don’t worry about perfection, and have fun… see you out there!

I am so, so, so excited for May’s #creativeUNblock project! {If you missed the first four projects, or have no idea what I’m talking about, you can catch up right here.} Ok, I was waiting ’til the weather was decent all over the world for this one, and so I think May is the perfect time for this assignment from Australian ceramics artist Mel Robson. All you need is a set of dice and a sense of adventure! Ready?!

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

#creativeunblock // May // by Mel Robson p.213

“This is a way to help move you out of your usual environment, an exercise in random experience and inspiration! It can be done on your own, or with friends [or with your kids]. Here’s how it works:

Choose a mode of transport – bike, train, foot, bus, car, roller-skates, unicycle. Throw a die to determine how long you will stay on that mode of transportation. A 3 followed by a 2 means you stay on for 32 minutes. A 2 followed by a 4 means you stay on for 24 minutes. 

Travel for this amount of time, and then stop. This is where you can spend the next hour (as long as you feel safe). Explore. Observe. Collect. Walk around, watch, draw, talk, sing, listen, sit, take photos, record sounds – whatever takes your fancy. Just explore somewhere new. Really take notice. The idea is just to let something completely random perhaps lead you in to something new.”

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Oh yes… my cruiser bike is coming out of her winter hiding spot, I’m dusting of the bell, and filling the basket with whatever I find at my destination! If you want to share your adventure AND whatever you make as the result of your adventure, just upload everything to instagram or twitter and hashtag it #creativeUNblock. See you out there!

April! That means it’s time for #creativeUNblock project no.4! {If you missed the first three projects, or have no idea what I’m talking about, you can catch up right here.} The next unblocking project from Creative Block is by American mixed media artist Cassandra Smith, and instead of being paper based like the first three projects, this one is all about altering objects:

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

#creativeunblock // April // by Cassandra Smith p.31

“Make a little sculpture using a found object. Find something around your house, at a thrift store, a wacky junk store, anywhere! An object that is about as big as your hand or smaller is probably the best size to start with, so it’s not overwhelming. And make sure it’s something you don’t mind ruining. This is just suppose to be fun after all! And then transform the heck out of it! Paint on it, glue things to it, cut it in half and glue it back to itself, or glue it to something else. Use the objects color and shape to inspire you.”

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Ok, I’m going to the thrift shop immediately {any excuse}. I’m excited/nervous for this one, as I’ve never really worked in “sculpture” before. Should be interesting! If you want to share your weird little sculpture(s), just upload them to instagram or twitter and hashtag it #creativeUNblock. Relax, like Cassandra said, do NOT worry about “ruining” anything. Forget “perfection” and just have fun … I’m thinking glitter and macaroni, who’s with me?!

Project No.3, given to us by American artist Kate Pugsley {p.175 in Creative Block}, is easily one of my favorite ways to get unstuck: Paint sheets of paper with a color palette that inspires you, chop that paper into abstract or representational shapes, and then move them around until you arrive at a composition that gets your creative fires burning! The day after I posted this project, I woke up and thought, “black!” … so I painted a bunch of watercolor paper black and started snipping. I loved every single second, and apparently so did lots of you! Here are just a few of my faves so far:

Oh. So many fabulous bits ‘n pieces… I hope you’re feeling as inspired and recharged by this as I am! There’s still a week to go until I put up the April project {Sat Apr 4th}, so grab your paints & scissors and start chopping!