Lists

Dishes are waiting in the sink to be washed, but other things call me first.

Today I have been creating lists of things that I must do. Weekends provide some time to play catch up during the week, but are never long enough to immerse myself completely in something without the interruptions of life.

I have been reading about other people's lists too. Lists to inspire creativity and work and life. Kerri Smith has a wonderful site with lists www.kerismith.com and I like her 100 ideas. Here's a sample :

1. Go for a walk. Draw or list things you find on the the sidewalk. 2. Write a letter to yourself in the future. 3. Buy something inexpensive as a symbol for your need to create, (new pen, a tea cup, journal). Use it everyday. 4. Draw your dinner. 5. Find a piece of poetry you respond to. Rewrite it and glue it into your journal. 6. Glue an envelope into your journal. For one week collect items you find on the street. 7. Expose yourself to a new artist, (go to a gallery, or in a book.) Write about what moves you about it. 8. Find a photo of a person you do not know. Write a brief bio about them. 9. Spend a day drawing only red things. 10. Draw your bike. 11. Make a list of everything you buy in the next week. 12. Make a map of everywhere you went in one day. 13. Draw a map of the creases on your hand, (knuckles, palm) 14. Trace your footsteps with chalk. 15. Record an overheard conversation. 16. Trace the path of the moon in relation to where you live. 17. Go to a paint store. Collect 'chips' of all your favorite colors. 18. Draw your favorite tree. 19. Take 15 minutes to eat an orange. 20. Write a haiku. Read more.

Lists are guides and inspiration to continue. I may take some of Keri's listings and work on them, posting them here when inspiration wanes and my mind won't form words or create images. They are a gentle push to boost me over the block.