Digital Detox

Hello my creative peeps! If you following me on Instagram you know I have been hopping in and out all year. I had to take a much needed break from social media (minus my time binge-watching YouTube videos on Gardening and Home DIY projects…research). Of course, I had thoughts I was abandoning my audience, but then I realized that a Digital Detox was just what I needed. With all the extra time I gained from disconnecting from social media, my creative energy took a slight detour.

So, where have I been? Here is a glimpse!

Realistic Paper Plants

Get creative with Realistic Paper Plants (Pilea peperomioides) Book Handmade Houseplants by Corrie Beth Hogg

So, long story short, I have turned my brown thumb for indoor plants into an obsession with realistic paper plants.

I tried to keep house plants alive, and it has been a struggle. I have given up for the most part. I still have a Peace Lily (thriving since my early blogging days), a ZZ plant, a Money Tree, and a few cacti. They survive only with helpful reminders from family.

Embracing my brown thumb for house plants, I decided not to buy any more plants I couldn't keep alive. Then I ran across Corrie Beth Hogg on YouTube . Creativity struck, and I gathered all my supplies to make my space into a jungle. So far, I have only made three… that's a start.

Get creative with Realistic Paper Plants (Calathea orbifolia)

It is a fun and relaxing project that is great for those Digital Detox Days. Interested in getting started? Check out handmade Houseplants by Corrie Beth Hogg.

Now, let's head outside, where Mother Nature controls the plants more than I do.

Gardening

Whoa…the garden is out of control!

I spend time in the garden when it's not too hot out. I have been learning how to care for a perennial / pollinator garden and learning the names of plants. While drawing plants is not my thing, I can still appreciate the beauty when walking through the garden. The best thing about the garden it is bursting with color! Not only the flowers are fascinating, but so are the insects and the birds. We spend much time watching the butterflies and other things that emerge. The one thing my family is not a fan of in the garden is spiders and mosquitoes. I know they have their place in nature, but I wish they could disappear while we explore..

I found the early morning and late evenings to be the most relaxing time to work in the garden, with 20 minutes of enjoyment and 4 minutes of weeding. Regarding rainy days, I embrace them as bonus days for drawing, painting, etc.

Now it's getting too hot; let's go inside.

Creative Work Space

My Workspace (Wallpaper by Crystal Walen Mod star white + gold)

Inside, on the hot summer days, I focused on setting up a workspace that was comfortable, organized, and surrounded by inspiration. I added peel-and-stick wallpaper from Spoonflower to my area. I installed shelves for my creative books, samples, and tools. Even though I have started to embrace drawing on the iPad more but, I'm still old school, so I still have a light table.

I added posters highlighting art, designs, typography, and my favorite color combos to stimulate new ideas or challenge me to think outside the box. Believe me, this is different from what it looks like most of the time. I have found many other projects that make this workspace look like creative chaos. 

Painting

Beautiful Face: Mixed Media Painting inspired by mixed media workshop

That leads me to another thing I have been doing during my Digital Detox Days. Sometimes, it is nice to surround yourself with other creatives and to try something you have never done. So, I took a Mixed Media Workshop.

It was a little out of my comfort zone, using an intuitive process with various techniques and mixed media. Ultimately, I came out with a painting I was proud of and techniques that have inspired me creatively in my paintings.

Other things that have helped me are exploring different art forms, listening to music, listening to audiobooks, journal writing, visiting art galleries, and playing with my little one (outside imagining we are on an adventure or video game play). Engaging in these activities can spark your imagination.

Digital Detox can help you escape the bubble you may have created. Getting out and meeting other creatives or spending time in nature with pen and paper can be a breath of fresh air.

Hope this helps you get back into the creative zone or inspire you to take a Digital Detox Day.