This week seems to find me recovering from a creative slump I didn’t realize I was having until I started to shed it the last couple days.  I’ve been productive, don’t get me wrong.  Just not excited.

Today was a variety of projects from finalizing detailed Excel spreadsheets to tours of the studio, some cleaning and a healthy dose of foot traffic in the store which I managed with much fabulous assistance from Christi & Brandon.

Finally, well after closing,  I had a chance to play in the studio.

I have a few design projects I’ve been working on for weddings that are turning out okay.  That kills me.  Okay is a death nell to me.  It’s almost as insulting to me as “You look nice dear”.  Ugh.

Okay is a sentiment that only works for me when it is not used to describe my person or my work.  You can use it to describe the food I cook (though that’s rare these days).  I know I’m an okay cook.  A description of Okay in regards to my food is much appreciated in comparison to the once received “I’d rather eat from the value menu at Taco Bell.”

I can’t stand it when I hit a slump and am an okay designer.

When I’m dissatisfied with a design I can still hear Jon in my subconscious (my design partner for a couple years) shaking his head in disappointment saying either “Rebecca, you can do better than that” or the brutally honest “Really, anyone could have done that.”  Moments like that spur me to start fresh with a new perspective.  When I hear those voices in my brain it is time for an Atari 2600 style do-over. (If you’re a product of the ’70s you know what I’m talking about.  DO OVER!  THAT DIDN’T COUNT!!!)

After much frustration I decided not to even open the file I’ve been working on.  Instead I turned away from the computer and pulled out the brushes.  I filled one of my favorite tea cups with water and unearthed the set of watercolours I’ve only used twice before. Fitting beautifully into my hand was my favorite Red Sable #8 detail brush.  I poured a glass of iced jasmine tea to whet my whistle.

Pandora radio provided the perfect background…soothing and upbeat all at once.

It went a little like this:

Red Sable #8 lightly submerged in water.

Red Sable #8 eeny meeny-miny-moe

Choose the color to play with first.

Red Sable #8 dance lightly across the 140lb cold press watercolour paper.

The planets must have been aligned just right. I was able to stay out of my own way.  I let the brush do its dance while I went along for the ride.  Whether it was because of the ceramic work-out last night (eh, yesterday morning), the mellow music or something else…I don’t know.

I painted.

Just painted.

The eight sheets of watercolour paper were then scanned into the computer and the digital layers compiled into a series of wedding invitation images that are still surprising me just a little.

I printed samples.

Layered papers.

Wrapped them with raw organza silk crinkled into an organic and elegant texture.

Tied them with hand dyed silk ribbons.

The colors aren’t quite right yet but the idea is finally something I feel inspired by.

Now I fear it will be weeks before I sleep soundly again.

These few hours of playing have led me down a path that will yield several new designs as I try new options, shapes, sizes, colors, and textures.

Would someone please stop the world for just a couple days so I can play in the studio just a little longer?