Dialogue

Old selzer bottles in an outdoor antique market in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  Taken October 2006.

An idea that wasn't even a speck of dust in my brain just last week got planted during a lovely phone conversation I had Friday afternoon, and it is now beginning to blossom.  In order for it to continue to grow and evolve, I am in need of input, ideas, thoughts, inspirations and musings from anyone & everyone who blogs, reads blogs, visits blogs and/or peruses the web for inspiration, community and connection.  I am going to start posting questions every few days, and I would appreciate as much feedback as possible.  If you could spread the word that I am eager for everyone's thoughts & ideas, it would be greatly appreciated.  Send anyone who you think might be interested right here, and for anyone who is shy about leaving comments, feel free to email me at [email protected]

I will leave this question up for a week to give extra time for word to make its way around the blogosphere.  When the idea is a bit more fully formed, I'll fill everyone in one where this is coming from.  THANK YOU!!

Question o' the week:

How does blogging - whether writing your own, reading others, leaving comments, etc. - feed you?

Looking forward to many responses!!!

Comments

[Evelyns]

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[Lynsey]

Hi Christine - some very interesting answers to your questions - I think the best part has been recognising some of the writers.

The creative act requires no justification; however I was motivated to start writing to see if I could write 100,000 words in a year - a test drive for a novel or thesis. I'd never written that much before. I write in two places - one for my thoughts and observations (http://marginalia.ako.net.nz), one to collate information on aquaculture available on the net (http://aquaculture.ako.net.nz). I believe that because I have high speed net access and good skills at exploring the deep web, I should create a searchable tool that brings research information to the surface to help people with more limited resources. Aquaculture.ako has visitors from the far flung corners of the globe; and creating something useful to others (internationally) rather than just writing in a self-centred way feels good to me.

I tend not to leave comments - I figure rather than leave comments I should write in my own space. So commenting here is quite a rare event. I was hugely surprised to find people reading my writing in marginalia.ako, moreso when they commented, and even more when I got nagged because I hadn't written for a few days. I never thought of getting an audience, and suddenly there was this responsibility to produce, and then consider what they might want to read. I rarely 'blog', I prefer to think of my work as 'writing'.

In March 2006 I was one of the organisers behind Blog Hui (http://bloghui.org) New Zealand's first international weblog conference. People shared their perspectives on blogging - truly, there's a different reason and a different pay off for everyone. There was a lot of discussion about whether we need another 'kitten' blog (yes, we do) versus another political party pr blog disguised as a genuine person's opinion (no, we don't). As a result of the conference, and people I met there my life has changed (for the better) in some entirely unexpected ways.

For me the ultimate pay off is being able to write and publish (to an audience) my own work with complete control over the appearance and content; and in the case of aquaculture.ako, make an individual contribution to help other people around the world - something that's very rare in any other medium simply because of the costs involved.

[cate]

The first blog i found was Keri Smith's Wish Jar Journal. I was suposed to be researching high museum art, and found my way there. That one click has actually changed my life. Since then i've found Danny Gregory, blueskystudio, True Nature... and a dozen others i look in on regulary.
There were several mentions of Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way, so i bought it. I hoped it would help me be less shy about creating. It has. But it, and reading and seeing the work, frustrations and joys of others though their blogs, has also helped me shift my depression! Creative Blogs are a wonder drug!
While the EDM superblog feeds my procrastination pixie, i have learnt to realise the doodles and photos i make are a valid form of expression. i've given my creativity space and it has grown. Not into its own blog yet, but i'm enough right now.

[Helena]

Creative Blogs have united people throughout the globe. It is refreshing to know that as Artists we all share the same goal...to make the world a more beautiful place, one stroke, or one stitch at a time. We are all willing to share our ideas and to help encourage others to reach their goals. I have always been so thankful to have been born with a creative spirit and reading the many blogs has enabled me to realize that the world is filled with such positive energy and beauty

[Kim]

oh, yes, one more thing. A place to archive links, artist, things I have done. That is an important one.

[Kim]

Sharing. Overwhelming generosity. Communication with like-minded creative souls that I would never meet otherwise. Inspiration. Having the feeling that I am not a freak (there are more of people out there like me than I ever knew). Fresh air. Honesty. Being able to do the creative things I once did at work but that has been phased out -- a place for my imagination to work through challenges. A place to store my photographs while I learn the skill. To make wonderful friends. To learn new and wonderful things, tips, secrets, tools.
But it really all started so I could keep my family and friends who live far away updated on what I do, how my son has grown, what is going on in my life. And I don't think any of them ever even read my blog ;)

[Tanaya]

I think I'm brilliant. Really, I do. But I never have anywhere to share my brilliance.

OK, so maybe I'm not brilliant. But I blog because sometimes I feel like I have so much MORE to say. Daily interactions only allow for a certain level of communication. I miss the *intimate* conversations that I had with friends in the past. All we needed was a cup of coffee and and an afternoon.

Nothing was too off-topic, too silly, too serious, too heavy, too deep, too anything. We talked and we learned and we grew and we loved each other. We expanded our minds, our horizons, we felt more significant in those days.

Now, there doesn't seem to be such a thing as a cup of coffee and an afternoon. Everyone is busy. There are datebooks and calendars, day care and board meetings. When you do get a chance to meet, to talk, you are so busy covering the *important* things that there isn't room for any of the interesting, tiny details.

Blogging lets me continue to have those intimate conversations of the past, on whatever time table works for everyone. If they are available and want to drop by my blog, it is always there. They don't need to call my office and schedule time with me. It makes me feel like I can still cherish this brilliant part of myself where nothing is too silly, too deep, too mundane.

Blogging helps me to cherish the details.

[rosa murillo]

Blogging for me started as a way to explain a little about why I do the art I do, it was a companion to my work. and now it's become more, I'm putting my ideas together, reaching inside me and putting images into words. I'm understanding myself better. Reading other's blogs had helped me understand the artist and the person behind the face.

[Petra]

I've been reading blogs for a few months now (this is actually the first one i'm commenting on). To get inspired and hoping to find clue's on 'how to' and 'where to' start on your own and how others did that. Where to find new work, how to get yourself noticed and so on.... The blogs feed me with lots of inspiration and good suggestions they make me want to jump of my seat and create, so that's what i started doing.

[keri Smith]

i met you didn't i?

nuff said.

i wonder if we would have met anyway somehow? through some connection. and interesting thought.
love k.

[MonicaLee]

I agree with all these comments but one of the surprising things I have found through blogging is that is helps me discover what I think are upcoming trends and as and illustrator designer I think this adds value to my work!

[naomi]

I am inspired through reading blogs by so many women who lead very normal lives. It's an encouragement to me to know that "out there", there are woman who persue their dreams while living everyday lives with passion. Participating in the blog culture is a celebration and enjoyment of people and living.

[Tania]

The tiny details of everyday life, stories of triumph and tragedy, comedy and error, love and friendship found and lost, remind me that the fact is, we are all in this together, and no matter where we are in the world, or what we are doing at any given moment, we all share the experience of simply being human.

Being a graphic designer and working from home, blogs give me continuous doses of inspiration, and connection to others pursuing their creative dreams as well.

When I come across particularly inspiring quotes and passages, I copy and paste them into a file I call "Inspiration," and I have to tell you, I good number of the quotes I've saved are by Christine Miller!
:-)

[wynlen]

By blogging and reading blogs I've gotten to know a lot of other creative persons in other parts of the world. I live in Norway, and it's a small country for creative professions, so by getting to know illustrators from other countries I've become a part of a global network - and a part of several great critique groups. It's also great to be able to share my work with lots of people through my blog.

[boho]

blogs inspire me to feel connected. to not feel alone. to feel part of a fabulous community of marvelous beings.

writing a blog has moved me to pay more attention to life and the lessons that constantly come into play. i feel more aware, more in tune and more alive.

i have met amazing women that have become life long friends that i otherwise may have never met.

it is an inspiring, creative tool for me and for my up and coming business.

it connects me with people like you, Swirly Girl. ; )

xoxoxoxo

[Carlynn]

The first blog I read was Loobylu.com and I was so inspired by her life. Since then I have hungrily sought out blogs about all the things that interest me; crafty projects, drawing, reading, cooking, diabetes, illustrated journals and infertility. It the in the last area that I have been amazed by the amount of support blogs can give you. It can be very lonely struggling to have a child when all around you seem to have no problem at all, (maybe it's a bit like an artist?), and I have gained a tremendous sense of community from all the infertility blogs out there. And when things are really bad, I go back to my favourite art blogs and it reminds me that there is more to life and that people out there, normal people, are living creative lives and living their dreams, that it is possible. Blogs have inspired me.

[Karen Blados]

As Marisa said, blogs provide a way for me to connect with other artists and creatives. I worked for an advertising agency until deciding to become a SAHM two years ago and now I freelance and take on drawing/painting commissions. I have found that I not only miss the input from other artists, but I need it.

My family is supportive, but totally at a loss when I'm struggling with my work. I really feel that having some insecurities regarding your work is part of being an artist ... if I didn't question my abilities, I wouldn't work to improve them. I learn something with every sketch, painting and project, but it's hard at times to overcome the point where I don't think I'll ever get it to come together.

I've been amazed at the amount of support, encouragement and constructive criticism I have received since starting my blog and joining several internet artist groups. It allows me to take a step out of my isolated little studio and get an unbiased opinion ... not to mention great advice from others more talented or experienced.

It also reminds me that I'm not the only one sitting here at 12:45 in the morning, stuck on a drawing and out on the Net looking for inspiration.

[Nadine]

I started a blog to share the small details of my day with my friends and family at home. I find I will write a little paragraph next to a photo or illustration about some small thing - the banana bread I made, or the leaves I found on my walk, that I wouldn't mention on a phone call. I read blogs for artistic inspiration (photos, illustrations, and yes, the little day to day details of others lives). The downside is I use blogs as a procrastination tool. Instead of getting in the studio myself, I read about what Penelope or keri is working on. I love links in blogs. Things that others have found that inspire them and that they want to share.

[rdl]

I guess it feeds my creative side and I'd rather read a favorite blog than watch TV (cept for Grey's of course- my show this year).

[Jessica Poundstone]

Most of the blogs I read are creation-related: crafts, artwork, photographs, etc. For me, reading the blogs of folks who are creating things on a regular basis as they make beautiful things, figure out their own style, experiment etc. (and often reading that they don't really feel like they have it all together or know exactly what they're doing) has had the effect of demystifying the creative process and encouraging me to keep working and imagining and trying new stuff. I guess it's basically like having a custom-built group of mentors/gurus/cheerleaders whose knowledge base I can access any time of the day or night. They’ve helped make my creative life blossom in ways it never would have otherwise - and for that I earnestly thank them!

[Mardougrrl]

I started blogging shortly after the birth of my daughter in order to feel like I could have a space where I could just be myself and not only "mother"...I was also inspired by so many of the creative bloggers I read and I realized that I HAD to find some way to express myself creatively.

The supportive community I have found in blogging feeds my passion and soothes my wounds in ways that I could never have imagined. It's really saved my sanity these past 8 months.

And what everyone else said. :)

[pixie]

blogging fills me up by helping me connect to my favorite people at all hours of night or day. with a one yr old, my social life has taken a bit of a back seat. reading my friend's blogs keeps me in the loop. writing my own fills me by allowing me to express myself within my community-again, at odd hours that work for me. xoxo p

[Tami]

I started blogging after a few years of following weblogs of a select group of illustrators and writers. I really think it's fun and exciting to share your work with the global community of creatives. My largest experience lies withing the realm of illustration friday. When other creatives leave positive and constructive feedback, it really makes me feel great. I also like to see what others are up to. Our world as Creative professionals and individuals tends to be rather insular. Blogging opens virtual doors to relationships with others that would probably never have happened. I really treasure the contacts I've made through Penelope Dullaghan and Keri Smith's weblogs. The notion that we aren't alone and many of the issues we face as artists are shared really helps me push forward in my professional and creative growth. It gives me something unrelated to business to work toward...it opens up new pathways and reveals new inspirations.

[gerry rosser]

I have never made friends easily [What a crock!] I have no friends [closer]. Somehow, I have progressed through life without forming the attachments known as friendship. I have basically no social intercourse with anyone not in my immediate family [my gf, her daughter and son-in-law, one or two of my own brothers, very little else]. I feel a twinge of sadness when I see the "buddy" [whether male or female] depicted on television. Sometimes I wonder if they are just figments of someone's imagination. A "loner" like myself. [I know we are constantly confronted with images, situations, we cannot possibly live up to]. Do people really have friends? How have I gotten through life without any?

Don't worry, I'm not like the guy in Taxi Driver.

So, blogging. I took it up because, well, it was there and I've got lots of free time. I didn't know anyone would respond, read my blog and comment, etc. But it has happened, slowly. I anxiously await "comments" and go around making some of my own. I hate to admit it, and am doing so to a complete stranger, but in just about three months, this form of social interaction has become a major force in my life. I like the "ordinary" blogs most of all, little glimpses into the lives of others. I do not mean that anyone who has those blogs is "ordinary," quite the opposite.

I'm making myself a little sad, I'm done.

[Angela Giles Klocke]

It's an outlet. I was blogging before it was called blogging. Sometimes it was sharing the same kinds of stuff in e-mail groups, sometimes on message boards, sometimes on my site as a journal. It just gives me a place to spill out the many, many things rattling around in my head, allowing a clean-up, if you will.