tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54076156600349332632024-03-13T13:09:12.850-04:00improvaramaa full-tilt creativity generatorDoug Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09316502969861903024noreply@blogger.comBlogger164125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407615660034933263.post-3562271341163229392023-11-05T15:33:00.003-05:002023-11-05T15:33:25.721-05:00Creativity is waiting...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_4xcX5yyOvRF7tHK0Y7v_y1vWlDh15rttfFGvkjqXsUUSIXVdB0aRaq_jMM4dPLdKvRMqZoO8ORzNWd44DxoGquyIdeEYJlMt2Jgitj8skXah27fLdKCWdv1cwrwW-3FbC595G4jMlXyMR09Cwvxi6-dj6ic7vMfI907kS5TpbXY6I8mub-Bvd_z1A/s938/doug%202019-02-22%20at%2011.56.28%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="938" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_4xcX5yyOvRF7tHK0Y7v_y1vWlDh15rttfFGvkjqXsUUSIXVdB0aRaq_jMM4dPLdKvRMqZoO8ORzNWd44DxoGquyIdeEYJlMt2Jgitj8skXah27fLdKCWdv1cwrwW-3FbC595G4jMlXyMR09Cwvxi6-dj6ic7vMfI907kS5TpbXY6I8mub-Bvd_z1A/s320/doug%202019-02-22%20at%2011.56.28%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p>The less creative you feel the closer you are to feeling creative again.<p></p><p>Creativity is waiting...let it in.</p><p>-- doug smith</p><p><br /></p>Doug Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09316502969861903024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407615660034933263.post-4698244263435433942023-10-30T05:30:00.001-04:002023-10-30T05:30:00.152-04:00Art At Its Best<p>Art at its best creates possibilities previously undiscovered.</p><p>-- doug smith</p><p><br /></p>Doug Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09316502969861903024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407615660034933263.post-72890231461056175562023-10-29T15:40:00.001-04:002023-10-29T15:40:47.375-04:00Stir Up The Drama<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Ow1e_hHjWFNREEkle1cSXc5ViiERMS6jVgtn48XZvMVft5mGCFMstp4Z5qKfpwwtH4_5QVweJkSMnk8SlH0-Vs7TLYHUgaDR-AyM2FZnCQ_mj2FexhcDGfT3Py84ctHYVkIYfS2vJwwOR3NazLUuy4Q9Vs-kmvutqOfoBH-NKJJc21jVZYJOPFD2FQ/s1080/doug%20laser%20on%201-15-16%20at%208.56%20AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1080" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Ow1e_hHjWFNREEkle1cSXc5ViiERMS6jVgtn48XZvMVft5mGCFMstp4Z5qKfpwwtH4_5QVweJkSMnk8SlH0-Vs7TLYHUgaDR-AyM2FZnCQ_mj2FexhcDGfT3Py84ctHYVkIYfS2vJwwOR3NazLUuy4Q9Vs-kmvutqOfoBH-NKJJc21jVZYJOPFD2FQ/s320/doug%20laser%20on%201-15-16%20at%208.56%20AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Drama enters upon our own invitation.</p><p>It is not inevitable. It is not automatic.</p><p>When we are creating an improvised scene, the most sure way of adding interest is to add drama thru conflict.</p><p>Say yes, of course, that's a rule in improv. But also say no. No to giving others in the scene exactly what they want because the scene needs drama. Just like in a game, in drama not everyone wins.</p><p>-- doug smith</p><p><br /></p>Doug Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09316502969861903024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407615660034933263.post-38276101142696014932023-09-26T12:49:00.001-04:002023-09-26T12:49:00.140-04:00Creative Assignment<p>Assignment:</p><p>Create a work of art, in any medium (such as an acting scene, a song, a collage, a drawing, a poem -- you get the idea) based on this quote:</p><p>The only limits to love are the limits we impose from fear.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>-- doug smith</p><p><br /></p>Doug Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09316502969861903024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407615660034933263.post-28992099367145180992023-09-24T12:46:00.002-04:002023-09-24T12:46:17.037-04:00Buckle Up<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJuqD3I-EWpSTRrQ0Mum01BrL-6nGb1LsGGfWzzj2WOzsuAtAQN_k3M6eBLQ3WC7sR7Bk7wEy-vfvcrlOHkChiozy8HTbQoOJMpgSzbKmexDc9igqFm7ucClRN9JgzrqRwUTRSKFg5AXPvTVcPa-GwRkS8k9WpgDXo7sAefbdYSGy8tvrI4vr5yodlRw/s3778/thru-line.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sketch: thru-line by doug smith" border="0" data-original-height="1548" data-original-width="3778" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJuqD3I-EWpSTRrQ0Mum01BrL-6nGb1LsGGfWzzj2WOzsuAtAQN_k3M6eBLQ3WC7sR7Bk7wEy-vfvcrlOHkChiozy8HTbQoOJMpgSzbKmexDc9igqFm7ucClRN9JgzrqRwUTRSKFg5AXPvTVcPa-GwRkS8k9WpgDXo7sAefbdYSGy8tvrI4vr5yodlRw/w400-h164/thru-line.jpeg" title="Sketch: thru-line by doug smith" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The imagination likes to dare you to go deeper. Go ahead, but buckle-up.</p><p>-- doug smith</p><p><br /></p>Doug Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09316502969861903024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407615660034933263.post-66667955258723364832023-08-21T07:00:00.001-04:002023-08-21T07:00:00.139-04:00Always the Choice<p>Lust lives with despair. Passion falls to circumstance.</p><p>Love seeks to understand but it does not despair when it does not.</p><p>-- doug smith</p><p><br /></p>Doug Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09316502969861903024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407615660034933263.post-19390430626696544512023-08-20T14:16:00.004-04:002023-08-20T14:16:29.456-04:00Now<p>Focus on the moment and it will hold you in awe.</p><p>-- doug smith</p><p> </p>Doug Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09316502969861903024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407615660034933263.post-20546368940320780332023-07-09T20:55:00.006-04:002023-07-09T20:55:50.319-04:00Scene Prompt: From a Quote<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEiTC2H2WNCScy0tFGGNVRB6roAOeKSx4SVtDYHnB9oAFFsGYijWEp1tzItGrJbr1PWnzGkFM8KyzGK_K2f3ZH3OupNQZYiBSGlcHhniOi7s5fXbvGzkGIH_zOSE_1_MPEXgH0tHXJjm3bgcjO9HpJmfzIJ2tfGB4tOW3o0x3qnoktcbgJ6urgCzwg7A/s960/lying-1562272_960_720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="image: https://pixabay.com/photos/lying-promises-deception-dishonesty-1562272/" border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEiTC2H2WNCScy0tFGGNVRB6roAOeKSx4SVtDYHnB9oAFFsGYijWEp1tzItGrJbr1PWnzGkFM8KyzGK_K2f3ZH3OupNQZYiBSGlcHhniOi7s5fXbvGzkGIH_zOSE_1_MPEXgH0tHXJjm3bgcjO9HpJmfzIJ2tfGB4tOW3o0x3qnoktcbgJ6urgCzwg7A/w400-h300/lying-1562272_960_720.jpg" title="image: https://pixabay.com/photos/lying-promises-deception-dishonesty-1562272/" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>1. Share the quote</p><p>2. Build your scene based on the quote.</p><p><br /></p><p>Here's the quote:</p><p>When people play emotional games make sure that they don't cheat.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Doug Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09316502969861903024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407615660034933263.post-16779229396288636832023-07-06T11:45:00.006-04:002023-07-06T11:45:56.826-04:00Scene Prompt: The Auction<p>An auction for an obscure work of art. Several casual bidders but two who are deadly serious. Each of the two simple MUST win the auction.</p><p><br /></p><p>And...go.</p>Doug Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09316502969861903024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407615660034933263.post-69679193594712310852023-07-03T23:49:00.004-04:002023-07-03T23:49:45.764-04:00Scene Prompt: Interior Design for Big Big Meals<p>View the collage below, Interior Design for Big Big Meals, and then improvise a scene that occurs within this picture.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3cHACKblI9qb4ldsswBcH-74IJTpi3eDfOs9T8K4PkJTJ9mwhRKnbTx3uzRUw_7yzVBNhpvFisQCAaq8xd4HRjLHLoYYSPROYKEUnc9lZRKHwf6O97fzWS9kTt8fLOmJCyGdKpiNC8-zkkn9E2NSMTHyELXr4DmmPAUcj8eyARgn8MQmtI25yenLAw/s5096/Interior%20Decorating%20for%20Big%20Big%20Meals-1979.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Scene Prompt" border="0" data-original-height="4821" data-original-width="5096" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3cHACKblI9qb4ldsswBcH-74IJTpi3eDfOs9T8K4PkJTJ9mwhRKnbTx3uzRUw_7yzVBNhpvFisQCAaq8xd4HRjLHLoYYSPROYKEUnc9lZRKHwf6O97fzWS9kTt8fLOmJCyGdKpiNC8-zkkn9E2NSMTHyELXr4DmmPAUcj8eyARgn8MQmtI25yenLAw/w400-h379/Interior%20Decorating%20for%20Big%20Big%20Meals-1979.jpeg" title="Interior Design for Big Big Meals" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Stuck? Consider the following:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>What if the food is much larger than usual?</li><li>Who would be the most unexpected guest?</li><li>Is BBQ an option?</li></ul><div><br /></div><div>Notes:</div><div>collage: Interior Design for Big Big Meals by douglas brent smith</div><p></p>Doug Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09316502969861903024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407615660034933263.post-46015254648451420912023-06-05T13:07:00.002-04:002023-06-05T13:07:14.962-04:00Picture This: Pathways<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcROOapid891DF7eZFMUQ5Vp55hWY1SwTYQgtQF8z70J9FF7_3a_9CnUS0a_GE27nIyAoCHcjR7jfXU3TM0UT7u4Txp49e81BAQmb2KTTLSONJUTrGQygG2JBcWWvuXkkL6wsTnhnLqj7pfIAkL0ZGCeO4Fq74OoeN9ih1arn9yZ9tUTZcS0fD7VM/s2048/deep-cut-gardens-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="photo by doug smith" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcROOapid891DF7eZFMUQ5Vp55hWY1SwTYQgtQF8z70J9FF7_3a_9CnUS0a_GE27nIyAoCHcjR7jfXU3TM0UT7u4Txp49e81BAQmb2KTTLSONJUTrGQygG2JBcWWvuXkkL6wsTnhnLqj7pfIAkL0ZGCeO4Fq74OoeN9ih1arn9yZ9tUTZcS0fD7VM/w400-h300/deep-cut-gardens-9.jpg" title="Deep Cut Gardens Pathway" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Did you choose your pathway or did your pathway choose you?</p><p>Have you ever jumped from one pathway to another?</p><p>I became curiously aware of how pathways can be taken for granted or unusually challenging one day when Judi and I were walking in Deep Cut Gardens in New Jersey. We wanted to take advantage of beautiful weather and wander among many varieties of plants. It's a large garden. There is more than one way to navigate its many twists and turns. As it turns out, most of those pathways are challenging for someone with joint pain. As we grow older, the joints call attention to themselves. Those knees! Those hips! Those (yes even those) ankles!</p><p>Fortunately, I am blessed with unusually great health and while my knees will mindfully remind me that pick-up basketball is a sport from my past, and now a current avocation, I do not feel restricted or limited much. I walk, and I walk, and I can walk about all day even with hills and narrow stones to walk on. </p><p>Judi, facing knee replacement surgery, is not so nimble on narrow pathways. We did our best to stay on level ground and avoid stone steps, but it was still a challenge. It slowed me down enough to appreciate each step even more. </p><p>We take so much for granted on our current pathways. Slowing down to see more clearly is more blessing than limitation. It is indeed, all good.</p><p><br /></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 18px;">Picture This (writing prompt)</p><p style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 18px;">1. Find a random picture.</p><p style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 18px;">2. Write non-stop for 5 minutes and only 5 minutes.</p>Doug Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09316502969861903024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407615660034933263.post-81340992242230406962023-05-29T21:45:00.001-04:002023-05-29T21:45:09.701-04:00Draw a map<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj230WEaHWHaaWC-oPlL0TI7coz3Hm3hkTDPZeN8UYVo37q804Ro2iTLcQcXHH--W-_r4yVe8zxgelfa_Ik94AS62E8OzFnqLV60kr6iPY3Gk_ndD1Hp1CQKMEP9PUFYisRwxxan_mPJDjwqsShcl1VBirA_LJ82lPi1oIRO4rt-aeDXmH8oXyQRe4/s4358/no-attention-to-accuracy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Draw a map" border="0" data-original-height="3991" data-original-width="4358" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj230WEaHWHaaWC-oPlL0TI7coz3Hm3hkTDPZeN8UYVo37q804Ro2iTLcQcXHH--W-_r4yVe8zxgelfa_Ik94AS62E8OzFnqLV60kr6iPY3Gk_ndD1Hp1CQKMEP9PUFYisRwxxan_mPJDjwqsShcl1VBirA_LJ82lPi1oIRO4rt-aeDXmH8oXyQRe4/w400-h366/no-attention-to-accuracy.jpeg" title="Draw a map" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>Improv Activity:</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Draw a map. Pay no attention to accuracy, simply represent some area with your own original map.</li><li>Write three lines describing your map.</li><li>Next Level: Improvise a scene based on your map, or, write a short piece (poem, story, description) based on your map.</li></ol><div>Materials Needed:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Paper and pen or something else to construct your map.</li></ul></div><p></p>Doug Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09316502969861903024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407615660034933263.post-32913827006584740412023-04-26T09:00:00.001-04:002023-04-26T09:00:00.130-04:00Keep Going<p>Challenges? Of course! Problems? Everywhere! Improvisation gives you and advantage: you can think on your feet in the moment, fearlessly. Creativity gives you an edge -- what you try that doesn't fly shows you a better way to get by.</p><p>Don't stop creating until you stop breathing. </p><p>Don't stop improvising until you die.</p><p>Keep the fun alive.</p><p>-- doug smith</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eco3r-kIADZLN5anaLHoNTEjD7bkSJ_8jm_JNdfRYrnhApaMr10AvKKaY-Yeb2C1t2L76OPcokyV2rVVRAqQmE1CDBQSIXDGxscXfdaCGKfOQ43Tds0-JGTskPD04bymrZUDldSJ8vtlvIK4iT9qb9liBxd2LPuqHL3ShiXo9PLBcUQalwhyt_o/s6617/a_better_strategy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A Better Strategy - collage by doug smith" border="0" data-original-height="6617" data-original-width="4832" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eco3r-kIADZLN5anaLHoNTEjD7bkSJ_8jm_JNdfRYrnhApaMr10AvKKaY-Yeb2C1t2L76OPcokyV2rVVRAqQmE1CDBQSIXDGxscXfdaCGKfOQ43Tds0-JGTskPD04bymrZUDldSJ8vtlvIK4iT9qb9liBxd2LPuqHL3ShiXo9PLBcUQalwhyt_o/w293-h400/a_better_strategy.jpeg" title="A Better Strategy - collage by doug smith" width="293" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> </p>Doug Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09316502969861903024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407615660034933263.post-18446406013392044662023-04-25T07:00:00.001-04:002023-04-25T07:00:00.135-04:00Stay Creative<p>Staying creative opens more possibilities.</p><p>-- doug smith</p><p><br /></p>Doug Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09316502969861903024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407615660034933263.post-41523317469832574242023-04-24T05:30:00.001-04:002023-04-24T05:30:00.170-04:00Don't Knock the Blocks<p>It's awkward to experience a creative block when you need to create on the spot. It feels like driving an old country winding road on a dark night when your headlights suddenly go out. Not fun. Scary, even. </p><p>Ah, but sometimes creativity feels like that. Sometimes improvisation feels less than automatic. Should we keep driving, or stop in our tracks?</p><p>Maybe coast? What drives you, what guides you is still there. As long as we put in the hours and work the practice, our practice will kick in and get us going. Don't knock the blocks, they are there to build on.</p><p>Creative break-thru come after creative blocks.</p><p>And -- those creative break-thru are sweet indeed.</p><p>-- doug smith</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6OYrVtVGOhBCMG_0gmEe7fNCc_GHY739NwtSjYlfbgwNf94mbAYTQBrZxYchFU_e09IhZ5OEtBqtHnYnIqqTad1n0LRVofpoPyiA3Rz52qAmLRaTYLBU6WQsGKproJBSrhZQM6LzpetQRYnaV87qTO8mmzitMVhaAV2ILbWjD6TTzRkewA5JvgDQ/s6415/The%20Actor%20Contemplates.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Actor Contemplates" border="0" data-original-height="6415" data-original-width="4541" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6OYrVtVGOhBCMG_0gmEe7fNCc_GHY739NwtSjYlfbgwNf94mbAYTQBrZxYchFU_e09IhZ5OEtBqtHnYnIqqTad1n0LRVofpoPyiA3Rz52qAmLRaTYLBU6WQsGKproJBSrhZQM6LzpetQRYnaV87qTO8mmzitMVhaAV2ILbWjD6TTzRkewA5JvgDQ/w284-h400/The%20Actor%20Contemplates.jpeg" title="The Actor Contemplates - sketch by doug smith" width="284" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Doug Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09316502969861903024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407615660034933263.post-91051737899918546912023-04-23T12:54:00.002-04:002023-04-23T12:54:53.133-04:00Simple Math<p>Find the place where you are the most creative and spend much more time there.</p><p>-- doug smith</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIpKsXuBvL-oqz7cdIR4UNsXZWfewm3DzkLZsItIrlBpNtTsZBkDMB8AnDkNpeVwEXrEAPIOku33OmuFaFdZDVEoPKKO13K5wKQVU2u-wASGou9NsGc-dBdEtGwm2ytjurGCRfmksK8FFcykmpUD-TooCRVKgWrUzKyzEORuVrJWnVY8ycTuHorq8/s4758/Pin%20Cushion%20Theory%20of%20Evolution.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pin Cushion Theory of Evolution" border="0" data-original-height="4758" data-original-width="4288" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIpKsXuBvL-oqz7cdIR4UNsXZWfewm3DzkLZsItIrlBpNtTsZBkDMB8AnDkNpeVwEXrEAPIOku33OmuFaFdZDVEoPKKO13K5wKQVU2u-wASGou9NsGc-dBdEtGwm2ytjurGCRfmksK8FFcykmpUD-TooCRVKgWrUzKyzEORuVrJWnVY8ycTuHorq8/w360-h400/Pin%20Cushion%20Theory%20of%20Evolution.jpeg" title="Pin Cushion Theory of Evolution - sketches by doug smith" width="360" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Doug Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09316502969861903024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407615660034933263.post-55898395542194487842023-04-22T07:30:00.002-04:002023-04-22T07:30:00.171-04:00secret blessing<p>What bothers you can also make you more creative. </p><p>It's a push (and sometimes a shove)! It's a moment of inspiration! It's a call to do something...new.</p><p>WRITING PROMPT:</p><p>Think about something that you find utterly aggravating. Now, write for two minutes on what to do about that.</p><p><br /></p><p>-- doug smith </p>Doug Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09316502969861903024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407615660034933263.post-33526744903087520242023-04-21T03:30:00.001-04:002023-04-21T03:30:00.174-04:00sing that song<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmtmfN2QaD8SaJL_sMZKvpixAyaVIsqXEkAeru3ki2mjnqVgALzwOZGix6azkJXKdz5sXU33WkkfyEJiLyEhyDuOSsg1Y69hQ8JaRinFkVTnEs2UUHqIUhJmQeGgUEpF_1JD270zLyqhujFtQtWsIqt6j3aeMjHjqBaW4BeULkpYRXtEFvxPdrJk/s1076/doug-polo-shirt-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="sing that song" border="0" data-original-height="766" data-original-width="1076" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmtmfN2QaD8SaJL_sMZKvpixAyaVIsqXEkAeru3ki2mjnqVgALzwOZGix6azkJXKdz5sXU33WkkfyEJiLyEhyDuOSsg1Y69hQ8JaRinFkVTnEs2UUHqIUhJmQeGgUEpF_1JD270zLyqhujFtQtWsIqt6j3aeMjHjqBaW4BeULkpYRXtEFvxPdrJk/w400-h285/doug-polo-shirt-1.png" title="sing that song" width="400" /></a></div><br /> Some people sing fantastically. Some people do not think that they can sing at all. If you have a voice, you can sing. If you allow yourself to find that voice and sing from your heart (and from your toes) it will not matter that you do not sound like someone else you'd consider a great singer. You sound like yourself. You sound great.<p></p><p>Can you improve? Of course!</p><p>Should you ever stop singing? No!</p><p>What could be a faster path to creativity than singing?</p><p>No one else can sing your song for you. Sing!</p><p>-- doug smith</p><p><br /></p>Doug Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09316502969861903024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407615660034933263.post-87684221305158115022023-04-20T01:00:00.001-04:002023-04-20T01:00:00.295-04:00Unbreakable?<p>Some people fear the creative impulse because it might produce work that breaks something. </p><p>I think that we can relax on that.</p><p>Creativity never breaks anything. Breaking creativity breaks everything.</p><p>-- doug smith </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfx4pNkglF7OB2hehGS8GJCIxiGs4vT5-UGZ7LHPspMWmxMqj0mrbEz30DkH9KLmf-M3X8Pf9wZIDrGHrUJJ-9APrzjlXBVQIoNXrlu82VZ0s3RDvyhOGIaDqLRnyLHC1OdY5ZqfZSGon_4Pf4ua0odByHTIjwN1E2CmVYd2u0l1YkcqOJLTsmTuU/s4308/Getting%20Ahead.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="cartoon by doug smith" border="0" data-original-height="2541" data-original-width="4308" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfx4pNkglF7OB2hehGS8GJCIxiGs4vT5-UGZ7LHPspMWmxMqj0mrbEz30DkH9KLmf-M3X8Pf9wZIDrGHrUJJ-9APrzjlXBVQIoNXrlu82VZ0s3RDvyhOGIaDqLRnyLHC1OdY5ZqfZSGon_4Pf4ua0odByHTIjwN1E2CmVYd2u0l1YkcqOJLTsmTuU/w400-h236/Getting%20Ahead.jpeg" title="Getting A Head -- by doug smith" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Doug Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09316502969861903024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407615660034933263.post-83014349328267175592023-04-19T03:30:00.004-04:002023-04-19T03:30:00.175-04:00Develop Creativity...<p>One of my favorite questions is "how do you develop creativity?" because there are so many answers. Here's my favorite answer: </p><p>Developing creativity is easy -- just start creating and never stop.</p><p>Make sense? Feel right? Try it!</p><p>-- doug smith</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg60ThIpAblKE3KvnBHjnF6l9wUeL4ygk70_-O4p3jhjuOVVxYqHZ01iOMU-Pt5X3rIDDoqI4MeXyiTM3mR8sIP1doteariysTGaTXjmzqToLV3B2GKzqlS5jfb3hnrLKiP7H0m3HE1UsUFDM1qyAnKdlqeOUJ3hq2OFmTfwqkpJjhSx-au0E_5jw/s4758/Pin%20Cushion%20Theory%20of%20Evolution.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Drawings by doug smith" border="0" data-original-height="4758" data-original-width="4288" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg60ThIpAblKE3KvnBHjnF6l9wUeL4ygk70_-O4p3jhjuOVVxYqHZ01iOMU-Pt5X3rIDDoqI4MeXyiTM3mR8sIP1doteariysTGaTXjmzqToLV3B2GKzqlS5jfb3hnrLKiP7H0m3HE1UsUFDM1qyAnKdlqeOUJ3hq2OFmTfwqkpJjhSx-au0E_5jw/w360-h400/Pin%20Cushion%20Theory%20of%20Evolution.jpeg" title="Pin Cushion Theory of Evolution - by doug smith" width="360" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Doug Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09316502969861903024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407615660034933263.post-43636157412610566412023-04-18T06:30:00.001-04:002023-04-18T06:30:00.164-04:00Create!<p>If you want to be useful, create. If you want to be valued, create. If you want to be happy, create.</p><p>-- doug smith</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzFEe3sgEhgg8GFriirg-yLx5ZPrzAhtTXbSkuT6sTHfdX7cyj5Hkacka3l2wUNfB6F6DHMEI6YJEnVBIGOm1ewzKZbVAsPpV7rdiZUqaD6crw1If0AJd6qC61gblvC9CHIcmdM3U3PXfs2iqffxM6eE4i9QP45l1_aAhmnyakVduRKml1-NJo5E/s1148/weather-the-storm.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="collage by doug smith" border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="1148" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzFEe3sgEhgg8GFriirg-yLx5ZPrzAhtTXbSkuT6sTHfdX7cyj5Hkacka3l2wUNfB6F6DHMEI6YJEnVBIGOm1ewzKZbVAsPpV7rdiZUqaD6crw1If0AJd6qC61gblvC9CHIcmdM3U3PXfs2iqffxM6eE4i9QP45l1_aAhmnyakVduRKml1-NJo5E/w400-h250/weather-the-storm.png" title="Weather the Storm - digital collage by doug smith" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Doug Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09316502969861903024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407615660034933263.post-87227825497675668622023-04-17T07:00:00.001-04:002023-04-17T07:00:00.172-04:00Enjoy the process<p>It's not always what you create that matters -- it's the joy of that creative process.</p><p>-- doug smith</p><p> </p>Doug Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09316502969861903024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407615660034933263.post-65049165464377452222023-04-16T13:20:00.000-04:002023-04-16T13:20:02.975-04:00Use that...<p>Every once in a while, sometimes when we least expect it, we get sad.</p><p>It could have a cause, or it could feel random. It's not fun, either way. But we don't have to let sadness have the last say.</p><p>Take your sadness and turn it into something creative.</p><p>See what happens...</p><p>-- doug smith</p><p> </p>Doug Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09316502969861903024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407615660034933263.post-8672640617570156582023-04-13T08:00:00.001-04:002023-04-13T08:00:00.186-04:00Creativity is amusing...<p>To resist creativity is to prove its need.</p><p>Push back, or not. Resist, or not. </p><p>What is your most creative way of amusing yourself? Could you do that now?</p><p>Creativity is amusing yourself at its best.</p><p>-- doug smith</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2uqSn8rLSTcZO7jTBMXyq0-j2VwWHvmuYF3yEQAyV0Z0xZV8pR0W-79x38iOpFnnE1SsxH-tcwLbK1erFi3sC7gHhFWHXUbr9NZJC_UvF9qLbhMxTcwX2xNrL-BegOlCtMXqa69n0VMA-4Dzq3WlqRouDDWLxsULRI6iatYTaxiZi_S7rjLXEk_A/s794/doug-sings-for-the-tiny-desk.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="doug sings" border="0" data-original-height="691" data-original-width="794" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2uqSn8rLSTcZO7jTBMXyq0-j2VwWHvmuYF3yEQAyV0Z0xZV8pR0W-79x38iOpFnnE1SsxH-tcwLbK1erFi3sC7gHhFWHXUbr9NZJC_UvF9qLbhMxTcwX2xNrL-BegOlCtMXqa69n0VMA-4Dzq3WlqRouDDWLxsULRI6iatYTaxiZi_S7rjLXEk_A/w400-h348/doug-sings-for-the-tiny-desk.png" title="Creativity is amusing yourself at its best" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Doug Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09316502969861903024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407615660034933263.post-42291703960594811002023-04-12T07:00:00.000-04:002023-04-12T07:00:00.174-04:00Creative Writing Exercise<p style="text-align: left;"></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Save your most recent grocery list. It must be yours sand contain several items.</li><li>Write about your list, item by item. What does each item mean to you.</li><li>Write about what each item says about the world.</li><li>Close with three questions for reflection.</li><li>Reflect.</li></ol><br /> -- doug smith<p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p>Doug Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09316502969861903024noreply@blogger.com0