A New Path

09/06/2012

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I have some exciting news to share:  I’m 2 months away from launching a new ezine!  Outlet Zine was conceived in April 2012 as an inspirational zine for creative empowerment--the zine of self-fulfillment.  It’s inspired by the visually stimulating art zines, “Play” and “Art and Life” from Teesha Moore, by the unique and arty quarterly of interiors, “Nest” and by the cutting edge ezine, “Rookie” created by the style blogging wunderkind, Tavi Gevinson.  Mix that together with articles, photos and videos about pursuing physical, spiritual and creative outlets and you have Outlet Zine. I’m just agog over the world of possibilities of an online publication!

There is a certain life-cycle of a vision.  The initial stages are thrilling, exciting and full of creative energy.  The planning part is fun.  Then reality sets in.  If this thing is really going to work there has to be a mission and a business plan.  There are a lot of nuts and bolts that can turn to questions and doubts.

But now that I made it past that clarifying work I’ve arrived at another exciting point: it’s actually becoming real.  Now it’s more like teamwork which is really invigorating.  Some fantastic friends are contributing and my talented stepson is illustrating the cover.  It's an exciting new path--who knows where it will lead?

Of course there’s more work to do like contacting additional contributors, writing, layouts and meeting my own deadlines.  The preview issue will be available mid-November.  The best news? The preview issue is free!  Share this post with your friends.  Retweet to your followers.  And follow my new Tumblr Blog so you can read about my progress.  Most importantly, sign up for the preview issue here or below--I need your help with feedback (and submissions!) for future issues.  
I can’t wait to share the preview with you!

Subscribe here:

    Please send me the preview issue of Outlet Zine as soon as it's ready.

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Daily R & R

03/07/2011

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It was a great article to read on a Monday.  "Where do good ideas come from?" a book review posted by The Improvised Life blog.  Steven Berlin Johnson's book, "Where Good Ideas Come From:  The Natural History of Innovation" suggests innovation is not only a collaborative effort it's also sparked by what we do during our down time.  And that got me thinking.  While I worked on the day's and the week's "to do" list I was also inspired to fit some more play into my days.

Several years ago I read a terrific article about devoting 10% of your life to what you truly love.  That has been a great source of inspiration.  Think about it.  Ten percent of a 16 hour day is about an hour and a half.  Ten percent of a year is 36 1/2 days.  Most of us don't have an extra month of time off.  But look at it this way.  If you could spend even an hour a day doing what you loved most how would you use your time?  A recent example that I found delightful is the Ohio State fan who devoted 2 years worth of his off hours to build a replica of the school's horseshoe-shaped stadium with Legos.  How fun is that?

Johnson also talked about Google employees who are given 20% of each work day to devote to their own creative projects--and that's where most of Google's innovations begin.   My favorite "finding your inner artist book," The Artist's Way asks you to go on weekly dates, with yourself.  The purpose--to take a break, have some fun and recharge.  Think of it as making the opportunity for inspiration.

How to fit it in?  I won't say it's easy but I will guarantee it's worth the effort.  Like anything new it helps to start small.  Getting started is the key.  Take 10 or 15 minutes each day to figure out what you love.  Then keep that 15 minutes in your day to start on your idea.  Take a very short artist date once a week.  Remember:  twenty one days makes it a habit.  My students who may be reading this already have the right idea--recess!   For those of us who have only faded memories of the playground, let's make a pact to have more fun.  
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