Everybody knows that the best part about homeschooling is that there is NO homework. I like not having to correct homework too. However, I do feel that there is a place for homework. This wonderful place for homework is called Blogland. You would be surprised at how many fun "homework" assignments I see in Blogland. You name the subject and there is homework. Take, for example, Amy. Amy is a photographer who specializes in capturing memories. She has been flexing her shutterbug muscle on the web and showing us her results on her blog, This and That. Lately she has taken on several homework assignments from another photo blog. Although it is fun, it truly pushes her to try things she otherwise might not focus on (pardon the pun).
The other day I was on Karin's blog The Mrs. She has a fantastic giveaway going on, BTW, for all those who like to sew or are brand new to sewing. Karin asked folks to share a story about creativity. Since I can go on for way too long with a story, I told her about a "creativity game" that I do instead. Rather than waiting a week before I have a meatier post, I thought I would just share a snippet from today, and today I played my creativity game. It is like my version of self-assigned homework.
So here goes ... the purpose of this is to push myself creatively so that I force my eyes to see the everyday world around me as one long continuous stream of creative possibilities.
grab an object - any object. I like to grab non-creative objects for this since it pushes me further. Today I grabbed a couple of empty water bottles that were on my kitchen counter.
I liked the bottom of them so I cut those off the bottles.
Then I took them to the studio and did a little doodle inspired by the bottle bottoms.
Then I did another one.
As I worked on the second one, I imagined many projects that could come from this homework assignment. I painted that one.
So, this is part one of the assignment. The whole purpose of doing these homework assignments is to push yourself. A doodle or two isn't going to cut it. You have to do more, otherwise it is more of a nudge than a push. I think you really get going around seven. I am going to do ten (yes 10) and see were I land.
If you are a regular here, on the blog, you will see the other nine as I go along doing all my other projects. If I figure out how to make another category before I log out, I will file this, and all future homework assignments in the Category listing on the right under "Homework".
Just looked at the time - 9:40 PM YIKES!
If I don't go to bed in the next 20 minutes, I will be dragging tomorrow - we do P.E. at 7 AM -YUCK
For all you folks that live overseas, P.E. stands for physical education in everybody else's book but mine. In mine, it all just stands for torture.
Until next time, Carolina
Oh, and BTW, if you want to do a homework assignment like mine - I want to see it, so let me know about it. Hugs.
I love this creativity game. (And P.E. has always been equated with torture in my book too.) Have a great week!
Posted by: Melissa P | 09/19/2010 at 10:23 PM
This is so cool! I love your painting, you can still recognize your source of inspiration, but at the same time it's something completely different! :-)
You have my sympathies for the P.E. at 7! But better to get it over with at the beginning of the day, I guess!
Posted by: Eva | 09/20/2010 at 02:41 AM
Carolina, what a wonderful idea. I loved it when you first mentioned it and now I see how you execute it it inspires me even more. I look forward to seeing what else you come up with with these bottles. What a great way to fire up your creativity and give it a whole new look at it. I am definitely going to try it out to and will let you know when I do! Thank you so much for being so inspiring.
Posted by: Karin van D. | 09/20/2010 at 02:56 AM
Fantastic! Isn’t it amazing to see what you can come up with and/or accomplish when assigned a task, especially when it is something you would have never tried on your own? As always, thank you for your continued support and the inspiration you provide for all us readers.
Posted by: Amy | 09/20/2010 at 09:34 AM
I'm allergic to the word "homework" :) I love looking at items like you have, in a whole new light. I remember when I took a sculpture class in college, is when I really learned how to "see" things in a different way. Now I do it all the time and I love it!
Your drawings are so fun, and I see them as a textile pattern.
What kind of PE do you guys do?
Posted by: Elizabeth Mackey | 09/20/2010 at 10:53 AM
Wicked cool as we used to say! I have been thinking myself that I need some assignments, ie homework. I am in a rut of not doing anything creative. Relaxing is all well and good but it is also nice to feel productive and my goodness I can do lots of creative things from the sofa right? :D Thanks for the great inspiration. Your drawings and paintings are marvelous. I hope you will share all 10 of them with us and I will be looking forward to the next assignment!
your avid pupil, emily xoxo
Posted by: Emily Moss | 09/21/2010 at 11:13 PM
Cool designs, the marine biologist in me sees marine diatoms. Wikipedia has a cool diatom "mandala", which might inspire more creativity. Love your creativity exercise (beats P.E. excercise)!
Posted by: Alicia Armstrong | 09/23/2010 at 07:11 PM
How very cool! My mind is already turning with ideas about mandalas, and all the forms they come to us secretly, like the bottoms of water bottles! Also, yes, P.E. stood for agonies for me as well. . .
Posted by: Margaret Almon | 09/28/2010 at 01:52 PM
P.E is for agony....that is for sure! Can't wait to see all ten!!!
Posted by: Brandy | 10/01/2010 at 04:43 PM