In 2008 I traveled for 4 months from North Carolina to Florida to California in the Mantra Trailer. I parked on street corners across the country and invited people inside to get in touch with their interiors and explore their “mantras.” Over 500 mantras were recorded and are posted online.
The Mantra Trailer is retired from public art duty, but I still take her camping every once in a while. Tomorrow I leave for a 12 day trip to wilderness areas in Northern California. Like the mantra says, it’s time to MAKE ART SLOW DOWN. Well I don’t know if I’ll be making art per se (unless you think making mouth-watering, blueberry-pecan, buckwheat pancakes on an outdoor griddle is art), but I most definitely will be slowing down. There will be no computer, smart phone, email or blogging while I’m away.
My First Giveaway
However, I didn’t want to leave the blog or you hanging, so I decided to post my first ever giveaway. I’ll be giving away a CD of “My Favorite Mantras,” from the Mantra Trailer archive, to three people chosen randomly from all who comment on this vacation post.
To enter the giveaway include your art/craft making mantra in ALL CAPS in your comment. (Please feel free to make one up if you don’t already have one.) There is one other thing you must do, on the honor system, to qualify. Either before or after you post your mantra, march around your studio or sit in a quiet place, alone of course, and say-sing-repeat your mantra out loud to your heart’s desire. If it starts to change as you are chanting go with the flow and see where you end up. If you have any interesting results, surprises or discoveries please share!
The giveaway will be open until my return on July 13, 2010. I’ll ask a friend to approve comments while I’m away. I can’t wait to see what you come up with. Happy chanting!
Ok, I really love the last bit that Lelainia has, hers is not in caps, but it gives me a giggle to say
GLEAN, PEOPLE, GLEAN!
To get myself going
DO SOMETHING, DO ANYTHING
and
DONE IS BETTER THAN PERFECT
and from Samuel Beckett, one of my favorite people ever,
TRY. FAIL. TRY AGAIN. FAIL AGAIN. FAIL BETTER.
My mantra for everyday life, not only artistic endeavors, IF A MAN WITH A BUTT CRACK CAN DO IT, SO CAN I.
Wow – that’s fabulous. Now repeat it out loud as you’re marching around in your studio or fuming at something you’re frustrated with. I can’t wait to put it on the trailer. Thanks Susie!
Thanks for your mantras ~ everyone. May your repetitions continue to revolve and evolve!
Giveaway winners will be posted later this week, but please keep submitting your creative mantras, even if you’ve come late to this post. I want to hear!
My favorite mantra has always been – THERE ARE NO RULES IN ART!
And my 2nd favorite is – JUST BE WHO YOU ARE DEEP INSIDE.
MISTAKES ARE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES.
Some of my fave creations have come from mistakes.
I know I’ve stolen it from Project Runway, but
MAKE IT WORK
always helps when I’m frustrated. When I’m searching for a creativity breakthrough, and most other times as well,
BREATHE. LET GO. THE PROCESS IS THE PROJECT.
always makes me feel better.
I don’t use a mantra per say, but there are two things that I probably say to myself from time to time.
LET IT PERCOLATE
Sometimes I just want to get things done and don’t want to wait to find the best solution. And then other times I find myself waffling in a decision because I want the outcome to be perfect.
JUST GO WITH YOUR ORIGINAL IDEA
Oftentimes I find that my first idea is exactly what works.
Have a great vacation!
Have a great trip! I wish I had communicated with you sooner. We’ll be thinking about you. Will your friend who’s approving comments while you’re away pass this on to you? I hope so!
Love,
Gwen
my new favorite is:
LIVE AS IF YOU HAVE ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD.
this makes me savor moments..
WORK WITH WHAT YOU’VE GOT.
Gleaning is right! In our stuff-filled world there are materials at hand everywhere you go. Have a wonderful vacation (and blueberry buckwheat pancakes do qualify as art, I think.)
ALL ART IS WORTHWHILE
and one that I use while art making and just about any other time.
WHEN IN DOUBT – BREATHE.
Let me know what happens when you chant your long-time and familiar mantras out loud in your creative space, Lelainia. I’m betting that you will discover something new and interesting! I’m going to post your first one on my trailer today as I leave for my vacation. Thanks!
I’ve taught mixed media art for years and funnily enough, I tell my students (who have ranged from 5 years old to over 65) that I have two art mantras. Here they are:
THERE ARE NO RULES!!
(You cannot “do it wrong”-if YOU like what you are doing, if it feeds your soul, that’s what matters and no art police are going to come and carry you off.)
and
THERE IS NO GARBAGE!!
(EVERYTHING in your everyday life can become art supplies so no need to spend big $$ buying stuff. Glean people, glean!)
LET ME BE MYSELF AND NOT YOUR EXPECTATIONS OF MY CREATIVITY