My annual Holiday Letter!
If the amount of ads landing in my mailbox and the hours of tinny music wafting in the air is any indication, the Great Day of Gift Giving is nearly upon us. Some of you are behind the eight ball. You’ve postponed your shopping safari for the creative individual in your life and now your heart pitter-pats when you realize you have no idea what to do. Monster storms are bearing down bringing feet of precipitation in its worst forms, all of which will land on your doorstep. Take a deep breath, I’m here to help. The following is my handy dandy idea list for those of you who have loved ones who construct, discover and imagine. (Sadly for you, Handsome Husband is already taken. He’s one of a kind and he’s mine, sorry ‘bout that.) Otherwise, consider offering - A quiet space to work. It doesn’t have to have 12 foot ceilings or skylights or north windows - although that would be really awesome. A space all one’s own, even if it's just a comfy chair and a card table, is important. Acceptance. Of them, of their field, of their output. Of their clutter, their staring while you talk, of their frustrations. And of that chair and card table piled high or piled under. Time. Time to ponder, time to wonder, time to put down in whatever medium they choose the results of that wondering and pondering. Time to grow. A self-cleaning work space. (Oooh, I wanna get me one o’ those.) In that same vein, self-cleaning brushes, pottery wheels, pastels, etc etc. An ear. No, not like Van Gogh. I was thinking more in terms of listening. We creative types need to vent, mostly in a way that lets the fears and frustrations and delights and victories and annoyances out. Even when you have no idea what we’re talking about. Notice I didn’t add ‘advice’ to that. Ears open, mouth shut. To help you out with this, toss in a few open-ended questions. Something like; how do you feel about that? Tell me about…, or how does that..?. Exhibits. Go! Spend time looking with your sweetie. Use a few of those open ended-questions to find out what they find interesting. Support. Every now and then say something like, “You can do it” or “you’ll get there”, or the holy grail of support – “I believe in you”. No need to grab your pom-poms and jump around. Pick one, two, or all of the above. Wrap them in ribbons and a hug. You're welcome.
4 Comments
Patty
12/17/2016 08:40:33 pm
Oh Layne!!! Of course!! How could I have neglected that one!! Oh, btw...I believe in you!!
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12/18/2016 12:13:33 pm
how about saying "your work makes me smile"
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Patty
12/18/2016 04:38:48 pm
Gail's a smart cookie! Happy holidays to you my dear!
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I've been sharing the odds and ends of my art life for the last 8 years.
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