making stuff

making, making, doing, creating. it's so much fun to make something out of nothing (well, if by nothing i mean all of the beautiful stuff in the soul) - arting if you will. i like trying all mediums - clay, beads, fabric, string, ink, cameras, thread, wire, straw, rock, paper, scissors - and best of all the stuff that just shows up in a drawer, begging to be used for something.
i've found that most of my motivation for arting comes from wanting to make something meaningful and special for friends or family. if i have someone in mind, my creativity seems to double. only recently was i able to make myself the recipient of my creative juices and feel good about it. i've been involved in a fanTAStic expressive arts group for the last 2 years and out of it have come many, many pieces of me in all different forms. i've completely enjoyed making stuff for little ol' me and not worrying about being 'selfish'. selfish-shmelfish. how can we do for others if we can't do for ourselves? there's a circle of love and life of which we must be included or it's not complete. if i exclude myself, where do i get the authority to include others? see?
yeah, well, let me break it down simply: see this little fuzzy-pillow-guy? his name's Harry (for obvious reasons, i think, but let me know if you need help). i made him for myself; for my own pleasure. he lives on my couch and welcomes people into my home. he never fails to make them smile. he serves a purpose bigger than i created him for. and if and when he seems to need a new home, i may gift him to you. if that happens, you'll have his story to remind you of your place in the big picture of love. or you could make your own Harry (or Arthur or Stella or Ferdinand) and we can fill the planet with little fuzzy reminders.
art on!...