Hello creative souls

I wish you laughter. I wish you lightness. I wish you tenderness. I wish you joy. I wish you peace. And enough craziness and adventure and love (and sex) to take your breath away.
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It's called grounding, earthing, or barefoot healing. So that's a thing. I've spent a large part of my life walking barefoot on the beach. 
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I have a lot of projects to get around to, many of which, like most people, I started before but haven't finished yet.

• My first novel in progress.
• Adding the finishing touches to my collection of fiberarts journals - and maybe get a gallery to take them on.
• Finish a book translation project I've been working on with a Palestinian author.
• Create the two visual book projects I have in my mind.
• I want to create a handmade gratitude journal inspired by Buddhist prayer books. I'll keep you posted about this, and do join in with your own gratitude journal and share your process and progress.
• Get the online visual journaling course setup for you.
• More courses in my studio for you.
• More visual journaling gatherings for us all! Check out the calendar and watch for info in the emails and blog posts.
• Keep learning.
• Keep playing!

Mostly, I want to live and not let the planning and projects and/or lack of accomplishment, productivity, failure get in the way.
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This is something I printed out and pinned to my white board (have a look at Inspired Indie for more on business and life). I wanted to have it in front of me as a guide to everything I'm doing. It applies to life as it does to business. This could be the biggest challenge for some strange reason. Apps are gonna fly off my mobile, for starters. Groups on Whatsapps. We need to be picky. 
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And, finally, I wish that you have enough freedom to be blissfully, wildly human.

xxx
​Fadwa 

​Hello creative souls
​I have a few things to share with you this week.
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Over the years, I have seen many discussions about art and craft. What is art and what's a craft? Who is an artist, who is a hobbyist, who is a crafter? Is this art? Are you an artist?
I've also been watching a lot of  videos and interviews with known artists. I want to share with you some of their thoughts on their own work. I won't mention the name of the artist, because it's not about the name. What I'm looking at sharing with you are the thought patterns and ideas these artists had about themselves, their work and inspiration. These are not necessarily direct quotes, I found them in interviews, articles and documentaries.

• I paint in the air and what falls on the canvas is what's left after I finished drawing.  
• I draw something because I felt like it.
• Don't pay attention to what they write about you.
• My work is autobiographical.
• Make your work all about love.

Some work with kitsch, some with everyday objects. Some were outcast, called insane, their work called rubbish. So the definition of what it is to be artist that resonated with me was what Marina Abramovic said: You need to be obsessed with making art to consider yourself an artist. That makes you an artist. But not necessarily a great artist.
That's what they - these artist - were all about, in one way or another.
What is art? Can you define beauty? Does art have to beautiful? Same old questions maybe, the answers vary depending on time and place.
You decide. You develop your own definition, and accept the consequences - mostly comprising of people not agreeing with you, not liking your work, or worse, not even paying attention to your work. So now what? Do you stop making your art? Do you become bitter and resentful?
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Second thing I wanted to share with you is that I've launched I Am What I Art website here. It's still a work in progress. I will be adding an online course, calendar for courses in my studio and the visual journaling gatherings in Dubai.
I've included a curated art magazine, art tips, and videos from famous artists to inspire you and perhaps give you a fresh perspective on art and life.
I've also changed I Am What I Art  Facebook page to a creative hub where you can share you own stories, insights and art.
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Of course, there's the random musings, art, photography and poetry on Instagram @ghajaria and @iamwhatiart.
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I hope you'll enjoy this art journey and that you'll share yours, too.
xxx
Fadwa