I live just outside a small town in Ontario, Canada. We don’t get on all the maps but we don’t mind, we can get to anywhere from here if we’re determined enough.
I have always created, physically and in my imagination. When I was young I was blissfully ignorant of the fact that anything I created needed to serve any other purpose than to please me.
When I grew up I reinforced that sentiment to myself over and over. We may live in a world of rules but there is always room for individuality and just plain fun. I enjoy creating, both in my work world and my leisure world.
I believe we should encourage exploration not perfection. When it comes to creativity do we even know what perfection is?
Too many times in school I heard the words “Stop wasting your time, you’re not good enough to make anything of this.” I always hoped they meant coming to class but I was always disappointed.
I have tried countless crafts and different hobbies and I wasn’t good at a lot of them but that didn’t mean I didn’t enjoy doing them. Each one paid back to me in countless ways.
I never stopped wasting my time and I’m always plotting my next project, it’s who I am.
I’m guilty of being one of those people who others ask “How do you come up with this stuff,” and answering without preamble, “It just pops in there.”
When I decided I wanted to make this website I had to figure out just exactly how “stuff just pops in there” so I could share it with you. I quickly became aware that analyzing the creative process is a creative project all in itself – and I’m having a blast doing it.
Just in case you’re wondering, yes, I really do the stuff I tell you about.
I hope you find something useful here, like creativity is fun and you can make up whatever you want and it doesn’t ever have to be perfect. As long as you’re getting something out of it that’s all that matters.
A free imagination is the very core of my soul. It doesn’t matter if what I create is meant just for my own amusement or if I want to make an income with it, it takes a part of me with it.
I’m happy to be sharing that part with all of you.
Ilse Turnbull