Abstract Mornings

I created this art piece while on maternity leave. I remember the feeling of playing with shapes, colors, textures- made up of used tea bags- it was magical.It was freeing. Z taught me freedom- with her ease and her sense of calm, I was able to do anything I needed, and at the same time, be present with her. She gave me confidence that I know how to Mother and be Mother. She also helped me to reclaim my body and my body's ability to do amazing things- like birth my child. If I can sum up my leave with her, through a creative venture- I'd say my lines got looser- more playful- and more free.

As I return to work- I feel a lot of sadness. Sadness going back to work and being away from little Z. Sadness around close friends leaving work and moving on to different places. Sadness around life looking different- being away from kids- coming home late- and prepping several hours for the next day to do it all over again.

I know in time, it won't be this way. I can create in the mornings, evenings, or during nap times on weekends or with my kids. I can eat lunch outside, I can leave work early to greet Z or L on a surprise lunch date. I can de-compress and not worry about finances (although 2 kids in daycare= another mortgage), I can satisfy my creative tooth and sweet tooth, all while feeling empowered at work to create micro or macro change.

I need to trust that my art will move me- to foreign, unknown places- to places filled with intense anxiety, creative blocks, and resistance. But I must trust- that they are taking me places if I continue to give them an entry point. I just have to allow them to come- and the art will.

This is the year of abstract. Last year, was pen and ink (thank you L for the teachable moments in structure and discipline). I welcome abstract, in all it's glory- to teach me more about play, ease, and freedom. 

Sprouting

I woke up this morning with a revelation. My whole life has been built around supporting other creative professionals, students, caregivers, and people who don't consider themselves creative. I spend so much time admiring works of art, smelling delicious food, admiring people who plant gardens and attend to them with such great care- that I have hidden so deeply inside myself that hiding and admiring seem like the safest thing to do. Well, we all know what I need to do. Stop hiding....


Title: Little Sprouts
Medium: Watercolor, pen and ink

Cute + Hip= Cutester

In high school- I never truly fit in with any particular group. I was drawn to those in the math club. I was drawn to artists. I was drawn to extroverts. I was drawn to introverts. I knew who I wasn't drawn too. I was drawn to people who were willing to have philosophical conversations. I wasn't drawn to popular crowds. I liked talking to people who sat quietly at lunch tables. I loved the quirky. Well, because I related. I like to have one-on-one conversations with people vs. group settings. I like depth oriented talks. I like to retreat by myself. I like eccentric people. 

Fitting in was never something I wanted. I went through the "I'm trying" phase..but there was always something missing. I realized that I also don't quite fit in with sub categories or sub-groups. I am not a "hipster"- but I love simplicity, art, minimal design with a touch of illustration, quirky fonts, and drinking tea from handmade mugs. I am not just "cutesy" which I get a lot from my delicate, thin-framed appearance. I love minimal and delicate, but also edge. I'm willing to take risks. I also feel like through my image, I get a lot of "Oh...you must be innocent." Innocence can be great for certain things, but I certainly don't fit into just that. Oh yes, thank you for trying to categorize me. 

I guess I'm in this chapter of my life where I'm playing with all parts of my self-expression- my edge, my delicateness, my depth, my playfulness, and my love for all things art related. Not to mention, my family- and son. 

Motherhood has also been another one of those..."You're a mom now, you can't do that." Well, yes I can. I can follow my passion and be the best mom I can be. Don't tell me I can't- because it'll only push me to prove you wrong. 

Let's drink to that ;) 

Tokens of strength

I may not be the best at keeping in contact. But I am always thinking about my friends and family. These small tokens of strength (not yet glazed) symbolize words that friends and family need the most- a small reminder of their inner strength. I hope I can glaze them, string them, and send them off soon.

This process got me thinking about what I need the most as I venture into new territory- courage, risk, love, presence, and belief. These words will be moving me forward when I come across moments where I'm stuck or afraid. Sometimes, all it takes, is a single word to reconnect.

Take a sip of your cup of creativitea and pause. If there was a word that describes what you need the most, what would it be?

3 Full Cups

                                     

There are a lot of things that inspire me. I'm often that person sitting in the back corner of a tea shop, library, class, or meeting- observing. In the most literal sense of the word. I love diluting information, letting it seep in, digesting it, and pouring out what might help or inspire others. It keeps me thirsty and wanting more. I guess, in the most literally sense of the word- it keeps me full. 

I've been on a quest for a few years now to live the most authentically through the expressive arts. To me, - expressive arts is a way of living and being in the world. The more I feel creatively full- the more I can do, act, and be. The less I tend to my creative thirst- the more I feel stuck, blocked, and uncertain.

As I journey through motherhood, I recall plenty of times when sleeping was a process of the past. I remember waking up- patting, shushing- only to go to sleep for one more hour before I had to wake up and go to work. AM and PM got confusing. And I couldn't quite remember what I had to attend too. Creativity. Nourishment. Sleep. What was that? It took about a year before I realized I was suffering as a mom by not attending to my creative needs. I realized that I had this thirst that was depleting slowly..drying up.

Sipping tea paused me. It was hot. I had to wait. Waiting became the very thing I looked forward too. Because during "the wait"- I started to appreciate it.

Motherhood is one of the hardest and most gratifying experiences of my life. But I'm also reminded each day that I don't have to choose between giving my creative being to my son and being one.

My hope is that my creativitea cafe can be just that for others. A place to pause. To wait. To see life through the expressive arts- a place to converse about all arts through the senses (ie: visual, music, story-telling, poetry, writing, dance/movement) and a place to feel a sense of warmth and peace.

Enjoy your cup of creativitea,

--MM

Cup of CreativiTea

Welcome to my CreativiTea Cafe- grab a chair. And some tea. I invite you into my comfortable and warm-hearted space that is filled with all things creative, depth filled, and quirky. All while honoring the sacredness of tea- from family and friend gatherings, handmade ceramic mugs, mindfulness sipping, to the smell and taste of flavor and history as a starting place for creativity. This will be a place I post of my daily observations, mind wanderings, artful musings, and perhaps to inspire expressive arts living.


Welcome to my little, cozy, warm-hearted space. I'm glad you stopped by and I look forward to sharing a cup of creativitea with you.