Where the Magic Happens
One of the things I love about summer (besides the warm weather and all the greenery), is that it challenges my routine.
I take more half-days off to spend time in nature, Spence and I pack up the Jeep for impromptu weekend camping trips, go for a drive up the North Shore to visit a new beach, or head to Pillager to visit my parents and soak up my favorite — lake time on Sylvan. I know that’s why the summer always flies by so quickly, our schedule is jam-packed with all the things we love to do outside while the weather is warm.
Spence and Rudder on Cherokee Lake
Most of the time, I find routines to be helpful. I’m not a particularly structured person naturally. I get really bored when I have to do the same thing every day — hence, the reason I’ve chosen to run two small businesses and work entirely for myself. However, if I don’t at least create some goals for myself for the day, very little gets done. So I have my morning routine — coffee, walk Rudder down to the river and back, yoga, journal, set intentions, shower, breakfast, then start my work day. This practice grounds me and sets me up for a successful day at the easel or in my office.
There is however, a time and place where a routine is not helpful… inspiration.
Rudder and Me, enjoying some much needed time in the dirt.
I swear, as I’ve continued to pour myself into my artistic practice I’ve only found routines to be a murderer of any creative spark, but it took me a while to figure this out. I’d be sitting at my easel, thinking so hard it felt like my brain was burning a hole in my paper, wondering, “what the heck is wrong with me!?” I’ve since learned that this is not the time to push through, but rather, step away and get a little distance.
Our annual spring BWCA trip came at just the right time a few weeks ago. I was in a total creative drought, grateful for all the hustle and bustle but tired and getting a little burned out. In what felt like the midst of a lot of prep for markets and exhibits, we packed our packs and headed to Sawbill Lake for a week in the wilderness.
Though it was the wettest and windiest trip we’ve ever experienced, it was still glorious. 7 days of no technology, just our gear, canoe, paddles and a couple of fishing poles.
I returned filled to the brim with new ideas, a newfound love for bluebird skies and puffy white clouds, for ripples on the water, towering pines, and bursts of green on birch trees. This was my reminder that the magical sparks of inspiration happen outside of my routine and how important it is to take a little space, get some distance, and drink up all the experiences life has to offer.
pieces inspired by these thoughts…