Creating a Studio

Creating a Studio

Try to create a ‘creative zone’ for yourself, where you can leave all the materials set up, so you are ready to go when your time for creative activity arrives, or whenever inspiration strikes. Just looking at the materials now and then as you pass by them may spark the next idea. 

For those in cramped spaces, the creative zone may be your lap.  But if you keep all your materials in one box, it saves you the effort of gathering every time you want to work—something that can easily shut down the creative process.

Creating is a spiritual activity, and your spirit is particularly open when you are involved in it.  So guard your spirit in this time: ask those you live with to allow you the hour or so to yourself.  Turn off your phone.  Seal yourself off as best you can.  If quiet is out of the question in your environment, create a ‘portable zone’—a box of supplies and notebook—and go to the library or some other quiet spot to work.  You may have to do some execution at home, but you can get your creative time in silence and solitude anywhere.  

Begin prayerfully, inviting the Holy Spirit into the time to help you, inspire you, and speak to you, while your spirit is receptive.

You may also want to put a Christmas candle by your workspace, and light it as you enter your creative zone—to signal your imagination that it is now time for creative work. 

Once you have gathered everything and found your idea, begin to experiment with some layouts, possibilities, etc.  This is the ‘play’ stage—don’t get bogged down by trying to execute something exactly, or according to the image in your mind.  Let your creative spirit find its own way—you want to give ‘voice’ to this part of you that may be crying in the wilderness.