The coolest wall decals around:  "blik surface graphics are oversized, self-adhesive, removable decals that allow anyone to quickly & easily create decorative patterns or custom wall murals for home or office." 

The lovely m-c asked me to contribute to a discussion she opened up on her blog here about balancing multiple creative projects at once.  The question:

"How can you, as a creative person, find the right balance in doing many projects simultaneously? How do you manage to complete many projects while keeping a healthy body and mind?"

This is a great question for me because I tend to juggle many creative projects at once.  Right now I am working on a 48" x 60" painting, an assemblage project that involves a mannequin and wire, a book and now, on top of all this, I am re-designing my website.  I prefer to work on many projects at once because it keeps me energized and also because I am a firm believer in walking away from something when I get stuck and/or frustrated.  I have learned that usually the best thing I can do for a piece is let it sit still when I come against blocks or barriers within that paritcular piece.

When left to my own devices I can get totally consumed in my work, and the main way I create more balance in my life on a day to day basis is through friends.  I plan a lot of lunch dates, have regular phone calls with people and also keep in close contact through emails and blogs.  I am also passionate about travel, and getting completely out of my comfort zone always energizes, inspires and excites me.

Taking one giant step back and focusing on the overall picture of my life, I try to see everything I do as part of my creative journey.  I was frustrating myself for a long time when I put different activities in different boxes.  This was called "creative" but that was not; this contributed to my work as an artist but that was draining my resources.  When I compartmentalized like that I had a lot of frustrating days.  Once I tried a different tactic - one where I opened myself up to the possibility that anything had the potential to contribute to my work as an artist, it all flowed easier.  Sometimes the best change we can make is in how we look at things more than what actions we take.

Thank you m-c! 

P.S.  m-c wanted me to tag five more people to answer this question, but instead I'll just open up the floor to anyone who feels inspired to answer the question - I'd love to hear from you!!

What does this image mean to you?  Make you think of?  Want to do? 

[Cambio de Color :: Quiala]

From one of the spots on our globe I am obsessed with:  this is an interesting article about Cuban art, the market for which is very likely to go through a surge if U.S. - Cuban relations are able to open up in the next many years. 

I have been a fan of Lisa Congdon's work for ages - her illustrations, collages, mixed media and assemblage pieces all inspire me to go beyond my own self-imposed creative boundaries.  Visit her website to learn more about her work then head to her lovely blog and Etsy shop.

"San Francisco mixed media artist and illustrator, Lisa Congdon, works in several mediums, including paper collage, screen-printing, ink, textiles and paint. She is mostly self-taught, and uses her lack of training to her advantage. Instead of following refined technique, she works with her own sense of color, composition and design as her guide. Lisa is almost constantly photographing and annotating her life; each of her pieces, often part of a larger series, usually starts as an idea she documents in one of several small notebooks she carries with her everywhere."  -Lisa Congdon website

 Can you imagine having a studio treehouse?  I would love one of these magical creations in my backyard.

Visit the TreeHouse Workshop and let your imagination run wild! 

I had never heard of French artist Louise Bourgeois until coming across this article about her in the LA Times, but I think she is now my new hero.  A brand new series of work at age 96 - how inspiring is that?! 

"Tell your own story, and you will be interesting," she responded. "Don't get the green disease of envy. Don't be fooled by success and money. Don't let anything come between you and your work."  -Louise Bourgeois

Amen to that. 

Sparkletopia's most recent Sparkling Guest was the lovely Indigene Gaskin.  If you missed her interview earlier this week, check it out here, and then come back here to take a peek into her creative sanctuary.  Let's start with a walk through the front door, shown above.

Next we'll stroll on over to her just-organized work space.

A couple of close-up shots are always nice...

What a tidy desk!

And of course every artist needs a crowded bookshelf...a studio staple if there ever was one.

Thank you for letting us into your space Indigene! 

Need some quick art prompts or projects to get you going?  Nita Leland's website is chock full of bite-size morsels that are perfect antidotes to those pesky potholes that prevent us from picking up a paintbrush or pencil.  Check out her Art Projects page in particular; my other favorite pages have inspiring quotes and artist interviews.

I found Betsy Walton's work through another artist this week and her work was so familiar...I know I have seen it before, and had to share it here!  See her work on her website and buy her work on Etsy! 

A few articles from across the world wide web on creativity & the creative process.  I've included the title of each article and the website where it lives...enjoy!

The Creative Process :: A List Apart website

 The Creative Process in Eight Stages :: The Huffington Post

How the Creative Process Works :: Creative Latitude 

The Creative Route to your Authentic Self :: Creativity Portal

Creating Soul Spaces :: Sunny Schlenger

...and a few from Creating Minds:

Blocks to Creativity

Creating a Creative Climate

Creative Workspaces

Culture and Creativity 

...you get sent to The Cool Hunter, one of your weekly links this week.  Super-freaky, n'est pas?  I didn't even realize they had an entire section devoted to architecture, but I must say their selections are the epitome of COOL.

Let's have a martini with three olives and listen to Dean Martin on our refurbished hi-fi.

Then we'll head to the neighbor's house to catch a film.  It's all cool, daddy-o. 

[The Confidence Woman :: Liza Corbett]

I came across the incredible work of illustrator Liza Corbett today and had to create a post about her immediately!   To see more of her intriguing work, visit her website.  For more work and an interview, visit servicio-ejecutivo (click on her name under "2008" on the bottom of the page), and to buy her work, visit her Etsy shop!

"Liza Corbett is a New York-based illustrator and designer. Liza draws angular women sipping champagne by the pool, dark forests full of bizarre predators, and rotund mermaids in churning seas — primarily with pen and ink. She is influenced by Bellocq's photographs of Storyville prostitutes and Brassai's photos of Parisian streetwalkers, yet finds herself easily flustered in lingerie shops." -Flavorpill, Issue 265

Head on over to Real Simple's website for a selection of lovely, inspiring computer wallpapers...