At the beginning of this year I found myself feeling a little lost with what I wanted to do and what direction I was headed in. It was over the dreaded new year period, and I guess this is something a lot of people feel at that time of year, so I wasn't feeling too hard on myself. However, and as a way to get myself over this, I decided that the best way forward was to put myself out there and try something new. Partly just for the fun of it and partly just to see if it would lead to anything.
This was seriously the best thing that I could have done because it really pulled me out of a creative slump and got me excited for learning again. It's also something I plan to keep up for the rest of this year, and the foreseeable future, as it's a great way of meeting new people, networking and trying my hand at something different.
So here's a run down of some of the creative workshops I have attended and loved so far this year...
Introduction To Illustration - Guardian Masterclasses
Illustration is something I've been interested in for quite a while now and I have always really admired other peoples work online, particularly Instagram. I'm not the best at drawing by any means but this is something I am really hoping to brush up on this year and get better at. I decided to sign myself up to the Guardian Masterclasses Introduction To Illustration and it really was the perfect way to spend a rainy Saturday in January. The majority of the class was spent taking part in illustration exercises and realising again how much I enjoy drawing and how I really need to practice more. I also learnt quite a bit about the history of illustration and the different styles. I left feeling really inspired and happy that i'd pushed myself to do something like this.
Brush Lettering - Tea & Crafting
Brush lettering is another skill I have admired for a long time and I really wanted to give it a go myself. This workshop was perfect for learning and practicing and it was quite revealing how it looks much easier than it actually is! As soon as I left this workshop I knew I was hooked and I have really enjoyed practicing it ever since. I'm nowhere near perfect at it but I find it so mindful and relaxing when I sit down to practice. Also, since starting my bullet journal I now have the perfect outlet for both this and illustration.
Space To Create - Kinship Creative
I only recently discovered the Kinship Creative and Kay on Instagram and I was immediately attracted to their events and workshops. I recently attended their 'Space To Create' event which bought together a whole host of different creative women who are either leaders in their field, on the cusp of starting their own business or already doing what they love. They had paint creator Annie Sloan give a talk about her success and she demonstrated how some of her products work. We also had the chance to sit in on some mini workshops in small groups and all dedicated to helping us learn, grow and feel inspired. It really was an amazing day and it felt so good to get out and meet so many likeminded women. I enjoyed it so much I am already signed up to their next event!
So what have I gained from attending all of these workshops and events?
Well, first and foremost, they all got me outside of my little bubble and trying something new which I think is so important, especially when you're a freelancer like me who more often than not misses bouncing off others. Just being in the company of so many other inspiring creatives has really left me feeling motivated and more determined to do what I love. It's also got me thinking a lot more about the future and what direction I want to go in. I've had a couple of small business ideas in my mind for a while now and it's really got me excited to get going with them. I've also picked up some new skills, predominantly brush lettering which I absolutely adore. It's reminded me of the simple pleasure of picking up a pen or a pencil and drawing and expressing myself more creatively.
And, importantly, I've made some lovely new friends along the way.
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