Maintaining a gentle sense of momentum
I’m making chicken stock. I love having the stock pot gently simmering on the stove. Once I’ve popped in all the ingredients there is nothing much to do apart from occasionally stirring it, or perhaps adding a splash more water. When the stock is finished I’m going to put it in the fridge and return more »
If we’re patient, eventually we all get to unpack our china tea sets
I’ve had a box sitting in the corner of my studio ever since I cleared my mother’s house out after she died over three years ago (can it really be three years?!).
Trying to stay on track and not be seduced by new shiny springtime ideas
I love the spring. I love the bulbs bursting through the soil all around me (there are SO MANY daffodils in Wales this year). I love that the clocks here in the UK have sprung forward an hour and it’s finally officially British Summer Time. I love that I wake up in the morning and can sit in bed drinking my first cuppa of the day whilst listening to the birds chirruping outside, the sun peeking into my room. Spring warms my winter-chilled spirit.
Trusting in the magic of one thing at a time
I’ve been having a difficult few weeks. My energy has been particularly low and I’ve been increasingly feeling behind. I’ve been working on the update of my little ebook, Sustainable Creativity for three months now, and at the same time keeping my blog and twitter updates ticking over, writing my fortnightly free microMag, and also launching a second, fortnightly subscription email letter.
Don’t get lost in making choices, just pick a direction for today to keep the creative flow flowing
I woke up this morning with my brain bubbling with things I wanted to get done (last week I had a VERY slow week and so now I have that horrible feeling of “being behind” which I ‘m trying to ignore).
Being as creative as possible by keeping things as simple possible (or learning to draw with my finger)
I used to hunt for the perfect pen. I spent hours (and plenty of money) trying out this pen, and that pen. Reading reviews. Listening to other people’s recommendations. Quizzing artists about which pen they loved to use. I think I must have been convinced that if I somehow found the perfect pen, I would more »
Sustaining My Creativity – a fortnightly letter about creating a sustainable income online
I’ve just sent out the ninth of my little subscription-based email letters, Sustaining My Creativity. Every fortnight throughout this year I’m going to be writing and emailing these letters, keeping subscribers updated on my publicly declared financial goal of earning £2000 a month (around US$3200) from my creative endeavours by the end of 2011.
Why I have a glass of smoothie and write a (very short) to do list everyday
Wouldn’t it be lovely if life was a soft fluffy creative bubble that we could roll around in, going where the inspiration took us, fuelled by a limitless amount of time and energy. Sadly it isn’t. At least mine isn’t, and so I drink a glass of smoothie every day (and make a very short to do list).
Remaining steadfast: the path to creative happiness and fulfilment?
I love the story of Tigger in The House at Pooh Corner. When he arrives in The Hundred Acre Wood Tigger thinks he likes everything. Acorns are his favourite food, he’s absolutely sure about it (until he tries them). He confidently tells everyone that he loves to climb trees, completely loves climbing them (until he realises he’s scared of heights).
Why you should keep making your morning coffee (or whatever else you do every day) if you want to be creatively successful
I’ve been coming downstairs and making a morning coffee in my little stove-top espresso maker for as long as I’ve lived in this house. Longer. That’s more than a decade of morning coffee making. A daily ritual Over the years the coffee maker has changed a couple of times, and for a while I used more »
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I'm Michael Nobbs, an artist, blogger and tea drinker (not necessarily in that order).
I'd like to show you that it is possible to stay creative even when energy is in short supply, and how working on small creative acts on a regular basis can build over time into a substantial body of work (and even a creative career).
I've written a book called Sustainable Creativity. You're welcome to pay whatever you would like for it.
Delve a little deeper by becoming a member. If you'd like to delve a little deeper into the material offered here on Sustainably Creative, find out about becoming a member.
My new book, Getting Your Important Work Done, is currently free for members to download.
