Writing and Art: Charting a New Course

I used to write while I was painting. I had a notebook open within easy reach of my easel and paints. I paused between brushstrokes in order to write about the experience, the concepts and meaning of the painting in progress. And when I had a studio show, I would hang an index card of some of that writing next to each of the paintings for visitors to read. Writing was part of my creative process.

Writing, art, and creativity were always a package deal for me. My journals were those hard covered black sketchbooks that I carried everywhere. They were filled with writing along with sketches, ideas, brainstorming, scribbles and more. They were filled with my everyday life. And through the years, I began a number of writing projects, mostly on creativity, art, and gratitude. But my passion for painting always came first and any written progress would be sidelined… for years.

So, maybe it was no surprise that in 2020 I decided to dust off all of those words and compile them in one place… with the hope and preparation of getting back to them in some way. I was curious about what I might end up creating with all I had stored away. Finally, I made the commitment: 2024 would be the year that art was to be moved to the sidelines and writing would be my primary focus.

I began every day with journaling. And I decided it would be a good idea to choose one of those many possible projects, to develop and complete. I chose the one that I felt the least emotionally invested in. One in which I might spend less time and have something that would more easily carry into a flow with words. Little did I know, it was going to change the course of my creative life and set me on the path towards Creative Visioning. Funny thing is that the title of that project was ‘Charting a New Course’ and that’s exactly where it carried me. I fell in love with the process of creating it and it became the rudder that set me on my own new course.

Charting a New Course helped inspire a series of written projects, now available on my new Creative Visioning website. And here we are, two years after it’s completion, Charting a New Course, has been added to that website, joining all it has inspired.

Charting a New Course is a digital workbook PDF. It is designed for anyone who feels ready to begin something new, but hasn't yet found clarity on what that is. Through a self discovery process, along with a series of prompts, you will draw upon where you've been in order to chart a course toward where you want to go.

Power of Inspiration: How Music Fuels My Art

What inspires you? What zings you?

Inspiration is a powerful force that sparks creativity, ignites ideas, and moves us toward meaningful action. It can lead to moments of clarity, personal growth, and unlimited possibilities. By paying attention to what excites and energizes you, you open the door to self-expression and fulfillment.

For me, inspiration has been a guiding light throughout my life, especially with music. Classical music, in particular, has been deeply intertwined with my creative journey. From childhood, it has moved me, accompanied me in the studio, and influenced multiple painting series. Nearly two years ago, music led me to an unexpected breakthrough—transforming the way I create. While drawing to music, I discovered a new process, a fresh method, and an exhilarating creative flow.

When you follow your inspiration, you tap into your true potential. It encourages you to explore new ideas, step outside your comfort zone, and cultivate a mindset of growth. Each moment of inspiration is an opportunity for self-discovery—uncovering hidden possibilities, sparking passions, and refining skills that propel you forward.

Music continues to shape my artistic expression. It carries me on emotional journeys, inspires movement, and becomes an unseen collaborator in my work. Many of my recent paintings have been directly inspired by the classical pieces that have stirred my heart for years—the ones that move me to tears, stop me in my tracks, and often show up on auto-play in my mind before I even wake up. This deep connection has influenced nearly all of my artwork over the past 21 months.

In the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing images of my paintings, sketches, and process, as well as reflections on how music has shaped my work. In an upcoming blog post, I’ll delve into my music inspired process and more on how this journey began and has developed.


What role does music play in your life? What inspires you to create?

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Music Writing: a Process in Progress