Repeat after Me: Just Make the Art

Brushing Up #7

It's funny how people perceive their artistic abilities. Often, when I'm teaching a class on fused art quilts, a student will say "I'm not creative. I can't make art".

Brushing Up #7 (detail)

This is a feeling we all share at one time or another. But in my view no one is born creative. Creativity is something you can learn, practice, and nurture at any age.

• You learn about creativity by observing what's around you and pausing to really see and listen to the world.
• You practice creativity by making art on a regular basis, trying different things, improving your skills, and giving yourself permission to make mistakes.
• And you nurture creativity by feeding it with new sights and sounds and tools.

Brushing Up #10

These are things we have to remind ourselves of every day. So repeat after me: Just make the art, the rest will follow. 

Brushing Up #11

And now a little thumbs up for the technique of fusing to create art quilts. This is why I like fusing:

• It gives me the freedom to create what I observe without sewing seams. I  can make organic shapes easily.
• It lets me practice making art, lots of art, because it's a really easy technique.
• And it helps me nurture my artistic spirit by letting me make my art freely and easily.

Give it a try! Here's a few fusing tips to get you started.