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Ah, you will love it! I'm a registered nurse (35 yrs) currently hospice work, who thinks of herself as an artist also. Actually have many credits towards the BFA in addition to my BSN. I took 2 metal working classes, one at Rhode Island School of Design Continuing Ed Program and then a second through a local metal smith at his home/foundry through The Providence Learning Connection. Both have continued to inspire me. Go for it! Maryalice Mullen, long time subscriber.
Posted By: Maryalice Mullen

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the only problem with your class idea is that you will have high expectations from yourself because you are a real artist you will have fun but try to forget who you are!!! That's has been my problem.....geeeez.
Posted By: claudia roulier

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Oh! I am so glad to hear that you sometimes suffer from what am I going to do next syndrome. Maybe I need to follow your lead and step out of my box and try something new. Good for you!
Posted By: Betty @ http://shessewpretty.typepad.com/

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Your post today was EXACTLY what I needed to read! I suppose I just needed confirmation that even someone as successful as you, still have days where you think there is nothing left in you! It is almost like you have granted me permission and gave me a hall pass to wander outside my comfort zone to search for inspiration! THANK YOU!!!
Posted By: http://kellyschwark.com

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Oh Mary, Mary, I was just having a conversation with a composer friend of mine, and we were talking about how drained we often feel after creating . . . wondering, Will there be more to draw (ha there's a pun for you) from for the next creation? How comforting, and encouraging to know that even the best crosses this bridge occasionally. My favorite infuser of creativity is to go antiquing - and leisurely look thru ME Home Companion, of course! P.S. my 8 year old daughter and I were looking at my collection of vintage valentines, and she astutely announced, Mommy, these look like Mary's (she's on a first name basis with you!) art. To which I shared, yes, Mary has a love for vintage styles too. Happy Day! Terri Conrad
Posted By: http://www.terriconraddesigns.typepad.com

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Oh yes...I, too am an inspirational shopper. There are days when I open my studio door and find a hundred reason not to sit down in my chair. When my creative brain is empty I visit my favorite blogs then pick up my keys and head out that door. People just don't get how I can spend an entire day shopping without spending a dime. What they don't understand is that I'm filling up my creative reservoir with shapes, colors, and textures. And if that doesn't work I'll pull out a pile of back issues of Home Companion. 100% guaranteed inspiration!

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Mary, I am a scrapbooker and have a wonderful book within your 8 x 11 three ring binder cover of pages based upon your greeting cards. Several pages are done up with photos of my husband and me with YOU taken when we met you several years ago in New Jersey at a book signing. It is my favorite of all my scrapbooks. As our family grows and my husband and I age, I am on a constant search for your cards to inspire my pages and dress up our photos. We now have new born preemie twins and need a card for that; also a card depicting our 8 year old grandson doing karate (not a black belt tho - maybe orange or blue) and also doing magic; granddaughter is 11 and an ice skater and cellist; 14 year old grandson loves hockey and guitar; grandpa loves them all of course. Grandma is busy cooking, baking, and working in a card store of all things (american greetings) So please, don't think your artwork is no longer needed - to the end of my days, we will be seeking joy from the end of your pencils. We love you and are blessed to have you in our lives, even if from afar. As ever, Jeanne & Steve

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Mary, I looked at the picutre at the end of your entry, and in my humble opinion you might benefit from opening those shades (I can't do anything without sunlight!) and putting on some great music! Bring some scent into the room! Then close your eyes and doodle! Scribble! Be a kid again! PS When I have an idea for later, I sketch it out or outline it briefly in my Ideas journal so I don't lose it over the interim.
Posted By: Patsy Did It!

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What a relief to hear that you feel that way. It gives credibility to those of us who are not published. I'm slowly learning that showing up and making a mark-then starting to play creatively is half the battle! I call those shopping and antiquing sessions art dates and thay are allowable because they nurture the inner artist. Anthropology always kick starts my creative juices!
Posted By: carolweiler@comcast.net

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Mary, your words were a blessing to me this morning as I have just started my dream of making and selling cards, each one hand made, the orders are coming in and I feel like a deer in the headlights. The pressure really does something to the creative spark, and this is really what I love to do, doesn't make sense! I think I also need to find some small, fun escape so that I can come back fresh and ready to go. Thank you for sharing your heart.
Posted By: Jessica Carlson-Seattle

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Exactly! To re-inspire myself...a drive to someplace new or different is often all I need! Metals, huh? Should be fun! My husband had his own welding-fabrication shop for years and I had fun then...telling HIM what to make from metal! Now you can just make it yourself! Congrats for stepping out of your space! *Heidi* Everyday Cookies
Posted By: Heidi Woodruff of Everday Cookies

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Have a blast expanding your vision with your course. You know once spring finally arrives you will find tons of inspiration from nature. Just aching to throw open the windows and smell, see and hear all that is going on outside again. The snow sure does muffle the world ;)
Posted By: Lorraine

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Your post today was EXACTLY what I needed to read! When my inspiration comes down I take my old Home companion magazine! Your art is always a big inspiration for me....thank you!!! Regards from Tuscany, Cata www.catascraft.blogspot.com
Posted By: Catalina Alvarez

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Mary, I often feel the same way. I like to go shop at thrift stores as you never know what you will find. I have taken classes that require creativity outside my area too. The thing is that it really does work!!! So glad to see that you are doing the same things when I hit upon these solutions by myself.
Posted By: Sindy, Eugene, Oregon

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Mary , I am the Director of Operations at a Conference center in Pa.Which means i do everything from the decorating of the facility to Making sure our food service is the best. I feel the same way at times and do the exact same thing when i feel my ideas have dried up. I visit my favorite stores and places that bring inspiration and not to leave out i go back thru all your magazines and take in all the wonderful ideas -It puts me back on track.
Posted By: Diane

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Mary, the shopping is great, but the long car rides with fun music usually do it for me. Pretty soon my mood is much better and the ideas are flowing -- especially if the ride includes chocolate!
Posted By: bonnie@silvervixens.com

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Mary, I know you will come up with some good ideas for your cards. You always do. I'm always looking for something to photograph. I made myself climb into the van and photograph Mt. Hood a few weeks ago right before sunset. It is so pretty and I don't have alot of Mt. Hood photos in my files. Always on the lookout for something new myself. Keep on plugging away and seeking outside inspiration is a good thing. God bless! www.shultzinfosystems.com/LowmasterPhotos
Posted By: Becky Lowmaster, in Oregon

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That is sooo true, I think it is so hard when you get drawer's block to do anything except stare at a blank page staring back! Great idea, I've been thinking about taking a lamp making class, I might just do it! Jen R
Posted By: http://sanctuaryarts.blogspot.com/

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Hi Mary, I have to be honest and tell you how good I feel knowing that a well known and published lady like yourself sometimes runs out of ideas. I sure find if I don't try to make something everyday I lose those ideas that were in the back of my head. Also a good day out just enjoying myself looking at some of my favourite things makes me eager to start again the next day. Thanks for being honest with your feelings for the rest of us!
Posted By: Candy

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Hi Mary, Since we are both in the same business I completely understand your dilemma. You get so excited to revisit your desk but then you feel, well what should I do first. I often have my head going in four different directions that its hard to concentrate on just one idea. These days I am branching into the children's illustrators arena and so I am often torn between designing for product or creating for books, and oh did I mention since I started blogging now I am crafting again. Lord help us illustrators who license their art on product, we are the rare few who have to constantly come up with new designs even in the mist of all of these holidays. It is nice to see you are still looking for new ways to feed your creative outlet. Rock on Mary! Ellen
Posted By: http://ellencrimitrent.typepad.com

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I LOVE your openness and honesty. Whatever our avenue of creativity (mine was teaching young children) those times of doubt rise as sure as dense fog on a winter morning. But the brilliance and warmth of the sun always burns off the barriers and we're going again. I love getting to know YOU!
Posted By: Carolyn in FL

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Hey Mary, thanks for keeping it real! Hip- hip-hooray for you for stepping out of your comfort zone! Your pictures, prints, paper dolls from the back pages of ME Home Companion, and calendars, etc., etc., adorn my home and make it just right. So print something new when the mood strikes you and I'll love it, all your ME Friends will:) But even if you're staring at a blank page for longer than you'd like, just remember, I'm not...I'm treasuring the 'old' ones. So rock on, girl friend, and have fun playing with fire! By the way, love the hair!
Posted By: Stacy in Massachusetts

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Mary, I am so excited to have found your blog! More, it's refreshing to know that you, too, sometimes run out of inspiration or ideas. Thanks for your honesty, and your blog. I LOVE it. Kudos!
Posted By: christy in georgia - http://www.christyhulsey.wordpress.com

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Yup, I know where you are coming from girl! I anticipate this every year and save a secret stitcher project to do because of this. It is due in February every year but I can think it totally out and then attack it January 1st. It's good to know that brilliant minds stall too!
Posted By: allyson in montana

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You know it's funny...as an owner of her own business that offers our artistic talents as a service, we feel that creative block from time to time as well. jaime (my business partner) & I joke about how we woke up with out our mojo for the day. Usually when we are in the studio , or if we are out driving to our clients house, will stop and get the current issue of your magazine. Isn't it funny...that you, who experience the same creative blocks, help and inspire us to come out of ours! Love your work! Can't wait to read more of your blogs, this is my first.
Posted By: Melissa-Off The Wall

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