When it comes to creativity, here are the top goals on my list for this year -

1. Update the look and approach of Chrysalis Creativity. I think I’ve outgrown the past ideals of Chrysalis Creativity, so I decided that one of the things that I’d do this year is to change its look and approach. So, if you’re checking out our site, you’ll see a brand new theme/design… And, a magazine-style look to the blog/site. I’ve also cleaned up the categories – and re-structured it. I’m not sure yet if its existing structure will stick. I intend to test out ideas first, so this may continue to undergo some changes in the next few months.

2. Read at least 3 creativity-related books. I love reading. Last year, I managed to read quite a few – from photography and scrapbooking to design and children’s writing. So, I’m being conservative here when I say to read at least 3. But hopefully, part of the plan is that I’d be able to write reviews for at least those 3 books that I get to read and share them here with you.

3. Learn at least 1 new creative practice. Last year, my main “new” creative endeavour was sewing. But, I also learned another skill when creating mixed media art, which is nice. And yes, I attended a workshop in children’s writing. So hopefully, I’ll get to add more this year.

4. Create at least 1 teaching material on creativity. I used to engage in workshops and training. But lately, I haven’t done much of such things. So hopefully, I can start developing new teaching materials again, so I can pass things along.

5. Hold at least 1 creative gathering/party. I’ve been meaning to put together a creativity group for some time now. But, some things keep holding me back. Hopefully, this year is the year that I’d get to go for it.

6. Finish at least 1 “creative work” a month. It doesn’t matter what it is – a new sewing project, a poem, a story, a painting, a scrapbook… I just want to be in the habit of coming up with completed works so I’d feel more creatively satisfied.

7. Interview creatively inspiring people. Last year, I only managed to do a couple of such interviews, which I shared one on my personal blog. It was great fun, so I hope to do it again. It’s definitely a great way to learn – and to get inspired.

8. Keep a more organised study/office/studio. I know things always get “messy” when I’m in the middle of a project. But, I’m hoping that I’ll learn to keep things a lot neater this year.

9. Stay in touch with creative folks and make new creative friends. I guess this is related to #5 and #7. But, this one’s really about growing through networking.

What about you? What are your top creativity goals for the year?

For some reason, typing the search phrase “Altered Arts” on Google doesn’t bring terrific results. Sure, I get the links to two interesting resources on this topic within the first two pages: Altered Arts Magazine and the Altered Book Club. I even got a couple of links to my own work on the first page. But, a person looking for an idea on what exactly is altered arts or a person looking for tips and tricks on creating altered arts just might get a bit lost in the beginning. You see, right now, I think there’s not enough easily available resources on the web regarding this young topic. I’m hoping that I can help change this.

So, consider this piece a first on a series of writings and demos on altered arts — a relatively new field in the world of art. At least, in the modern context. I believe art alterations have been going on for ages. It’s just not recognised and documented enough. Altered art pieces are the sort that you either love ‘em or hate ‘em. Obviously, I’m with the former group. There may not be a lot of us, but I know that I’m not the only member of this group either.

What are Altered Arts anyway?

At the moment, I can’t find an official definition. I’m sure there must be something somewhere. In the mean time, I’ll just try to explain as best as I can in my own words.

Altered art is an art form that utilises an existing object to create a new piece. It is closely related to the more popular art form of collage or mixed media. Altered arts, however, are not limited to using traditional ground such as canvas, paper, panel or wood. When it comes to art alteration, anything can serve as the artist’s canvas: shoes, bags, tables, pots, cars, phones… Yes, just about anything. The most popular ground among altered artists is in the form of book arts.

Things that are used to alter materials are varied. Of course, different types of adhesives are pre-requisites. Altered artists also need things such as paint, crayons, pens, wax and various types of found objects and ephemera. Magazine cuttings, homemade paper, ribbons, rubber stamps, dried plants, seeds, buttons, bottle caps, and many other things that may be considered ‘junk’ by most people can all be useful in the making of altered arts.

The great thing about altered arts is that it is a very liberating form of art. It frees your mind from pre-conceived notions of what things should be. A chair is not just a chair. A scrap of metal or a piece of fake fruit can take on a different meaning.

(c)2004 – 2005. Shai Coggins. All rights reserved.

Personal Mission Statement

Whenever one is reminded of one’s purpose and goals, one learns to keep going no matter what. If you haven’t written a mission statement for yourself just yet, I encourage you to start one today. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy.

In fact, the best mission statements are just simple and easy to remember.

Sample mission statements are:

“To write about everything that I care about.”

“To communicate with parents about building a good family through my art.”

“To share the good news of salvation to teenagers through music.”

Of course, the more specific your mission statement is, the more directed and focused your life is going to be.

You can also read longer missions statements like Birgit O’ Connor’s Artist’s Statement – http://www.birgitoconnor.com/state.html.

One great book that you could use as a reference when it comes to creating (or revising) a mission statement is THE PATH* by Laurie Beth Jones. It’s an amazing book that guides people when it comes to focusing and re-focusing one’s interests in life. It’s not exactly directly related to art or creativity, but it is something you can use whatever you’re doing in life.

*See THE PATH by Laurie Beth Jones!
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0786882417/indigoinn

Tips for Making Effective Personal Mission Statements:

1) Write it down!

2) Try two versions of your mission statement: a longer, more specific one to guide you in your life and a short, specific one so you can commit it to memory.

3) Be true to yourself! Don’t come up with a statement that seem to be a copy of your parents’/spouse’s/friends’ expectations of you.

Creative Affirmations

Much like personal mission statements, affirmations are good ways to keep inspired and motivated. Shakti Gawain gives one of the best definitions of this idea: “An affirmation is a strong, positive statement that something is already so.”

I’ve been collecting these treasury of words over the last three or four years. Some of my favorites are:

“Every day and every way, I’m getting better and better and better.”

“This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.”

“Commitment is crucial to achievement.”

“Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.”

“He who began a good work in me is faithful to complete it.”

I’ve got more in my file and I often share them in my classes and workshops. I believe in the power of positive affirmation and I’ve seen how it made the difference in the people I share them with.

If you don’t have at least one or two affirmations to claim everyday, find or make one that you would like to include in your life.

Tips for Building Your Affirmations Library:

1) Keep them positive!

2) Affirmations must be in the present tense (think: “as if it’s already so.”)

3) When you ‘hear’ voices mocking you and telling you that you’re only fooling yourself, say: “Oh yeah? Says who?” or “Shut up!”

4) Norman Vincent Peale’s special tip: “Affirm it, visualize it, and it will actualize itself.”

(c)2001-2005 Shai Coggins. All Rights Reserved.