by Jeanetta Darley, Miss February 2016

For someone who constantly craves the times when I can be by myself, togetherness is not always met with fanfare.  I may have more than once looked through the want ads for listings labeled “Hermit Wanted.”  The idea of being in a remote location with all the time in the world to work on my art uninterrupted is my dream life.  But we don’t live in our dreams.  We live in a reality that includes people.  People we are daily both inspired and irritated by.  

Creativity is fueled by experiences and ideas.  These experiences and ideas are never as fruitful as they could be when we subtract human contact.  I reluctantly admit this.  Many times as an artist and blogger I want to keep my ideas to myself until they are finished either out of fear of rejection or imitation.  Our creations become part of us and any critique is felt personally.  

But I am learning to give my peers and friends the benefit of the doubt.  Surround yourself with sincerity, trust, and encouragement.  These aspects are not always easy to find and can take time.  This very realization is why I cherish the community of bloggers and influencers that create under The Women Bloggers umbrella.

Daily I remind that grumpy curmudgeon the lives in my head (she’ll never leave completely) to give people a chance to prove her wrong.  That sharing ideas and experiences can bring more inspiration and more creativity.  Which leads to more art, more writing, more parts of me that can inspire others.

Find your creative collective.

Give as much or more support and encouragement as you receive.

See what you can create together.

*All photos were taken on a trip to the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Northwest Arkansas.