I have declared 2018 the year for a JOURNEY...
​down two paths that have been neglected far too long...
​FAITH...and CREATIVITY.

"Faith … is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted, in spite of your changing moods."
C.S. Lewis, "Mere Christianity"

 ​How about you? Do you belong to a book club, online or in person? Do you participate in reading challenges on the internet? Do you have a recommendation for my Faith Journey book list? 

I'd love to hear what you like to read, so please take a moment to fill out this survey and leave a comment if I've left out something you love to read. I'm always on the hunt for a new literary adventure and 2018 is my year for reading!  

"Creativity requires the courage
to let go of certainties." 
Erich Fromm

But I refuse to give up! This year, I am going on a journey...
​a year of exploring faith and creativity​.

FAITH:
​"complete trust or confidence in something or someone unseen"

CREATIVITY:
​"Mental characteristic that allows a person to think outside of the box, which results in innovative or different approaches to a particular task."  
​​from www.business dictionary.com

"Creativity requires the courage
to let go of certainties."
Erich Fromm

Tag! You're it! 
No, not the childhood playground game that I'm sure some of us slower runners dreaded on a daily basis. This time around it was a Facebook photo challenge. No speed required, just a daily black and white photo, no people, no explanation, and a request to "tag" a friend to get them to join the challenge. 
​Since I have a collection of photos stashed on my computer, I figured, "Why not? Sounds like fun!"

Day 1 of 7 (scroll to the end of the post to see all seven photos)

Of course, digital technology makes this process relatively easy. Photos can be edited and unedited with the click of a mouse or tap of a finger. 

It wasn't quite so easy back when I first started dabbling with photography as a teenager. Cameras required a roll of film and a trip to the local photo shop for processing. Then, a week or more later, another trip to pay and receive that sealed envelope with the photos and negatives...just in case a few were actually good enough to reprint and share! 

But that wasn't what I wanted for my first camera. Being a teenager, of course I wanted that instant gratification, so in the summer of 1969, I purchased my very own Polaroid camera to record all the upcoming events of my senior year of high school. Take a look back in time...

In the summer of 1979, my thoughtful husband presented me with my first film camera, partly for my birthday, but mostly because our daughter was due that fall. That Canon AE-1 served me well for quite a few years. It still required film, still required a wait for processing, but the photo quality was a considerable improvement over the Polaroid. 

I used that camera for over fifteen years, until the cost of repairs for a damaged film winder became higher than the value of the camera. I replaced it with a series of digital point-and-shoot cameras from Casio, Canon, Nikon, until I finally decided to purchase my Nikon D3300 and an iPhone6. No need to purchase film or pay for processing, no need to wait to see if a shoot was successful. Now I have a new dilemma...how will I ever find the time to organize all those photos!

Until then, I'll continue to take photographs...and posting in black and white from time to time on Instagram, just for the fun of it!

If you're up for the challenge, join me on Instagram and tag your black and white photos #creativity_crusader. I'd love to see them!

My morning walk today served as a reminder that here in southwest Ohio the seasons are changing...crisp air, bright blue skies, and that feeling that Mother Nature is on the move. Although I have always enjoyed those laid back days of summertime, I'm ready for the breath of fresh air that autumn brings to the Ohio landscape!

Now September is here and I'm ready to breathe in the cool, crisp autumn air while spending these golden days working on some new ideas for my art. Good times ahead...and updates on the way! 

What do you do with two sports-loving boys when no one in the neighborhood is around for an afternoon baseball game? Not an easy task, but this Artsy Mimi put on her Creativity Crusader cape to give her sweet Boys of Summer two creative afternoons on the back porch! Take a look at our video....

If you try any of our projects, post a picture on Instagram using #creativity_creator! I'd love to see what your kids are doing!

No, it's not an amazing new Asian cuisine...not a character from the Star Wars film series...and not the name of the latest trend in minimalist home decor! 

Wabi-sabi is a philosophy, a way of looking at the world rooted in Japanese culture and traditions. This world view, with its origins in Buddhist teaching, is centered on an appreciation for the beauty to be found in transience, imperfection, and simplicity. 

Whether you call it "wabi-sabi" or just "wander walking", take some time this week to observe the world around you...not just the breath-taking sunrise and sunset...and not only the majestic view from a vacation mountaintop...but the tiny glimpses of wonder and beauty in your own backyard. And if you do, please share a photo on Instagram #creativity_crusader. I'd love to share a glimpse into your world!

When one vacations in the southeastern United States in mid-summer, every outing is accompanied by the expectation that clear blue morning skies can become gray, stormy skies at any moment.  My recent week in Charleston, South Carolina was no exception, as you can see in this slide show from our ill-fated beach/sunset cruise day!

It's now the midpoint of summer...late July. And I have returned home with more than enough inspiration to fuel my artistic endeavors for the month of August!