Slow Creativity

Natural time

At 61 I can honestly say I am allergic to rushing. I don’t want to rush about the place and I don’t want to improve my productivity. I haven’t done for a long time and this is how I prefer to live my life. The question might then be how do I apply that to my creativity. The simple answer is ‘slowly!’

Over the years I have taught myself to slow my creativity down and not to measure it in outcomes but, rather, to focus on the joy of the process.

Let us consider the photo above and all the elements that can be used in one creative project or another. The paper in the background with the paper clip on it was handmade by me on a rainy day when I tore up my waste paper from a painting session and proceeded to make new paper from it. If you have made paper you will know that it is a slow process but incredibly rewarding. What others might throw away we are making new paper with. Excellent. The old book page is printed with plants from my garden. Botanical printing is a favourite occupation of mine and I often use these papers to make covers for my handmade books. If you haven’t tried botanical or eco printing you are missing out on a ‘Christmas morning’ type experience as you unroll the papers (or fabric) to see what prints the leaves have left. It is joyful.

The plain muslin fabric is ready to be dyed and likely with the dried chamomile that grows so well in my garden. It releases a beautiful colour that is quite bewitching. Dying using plants is another slow and thoughtful process that can’t be rushed. The threads you can see have already been dyed with plants before being slowly wound onto their bobbin.

The buttons are made from wood and my favourite is the square one made by a friend who went through a phase of making things out of recycled cheese boxes. Making buttons must have been slow but I had lots of them from her and, over the years, have painted and even dyed them.

Lastly in the photo are pressed flowers. I am not a fan or pressing flowers using a microwave or iron. Call me old fashioned, but I like to use a flower press (I may have quite a few of them) and I am content to wait the required time until the specimens are ready to use. It is a beautifully slow wait.

So, there is no rushing me through these creative processes. They all require me to understand that they will take as long as they take but the outcomes are always worth it. Slow, gentle creativity inspired and resourced by the natural world creates the most beautiful context for exploration. It is to be recommened.

Until next time, Fiona

About the author

I am a mixed media artist living on the Isle of Arran in Scotland. Here on Substack I write free content weekly focusing on seasonal creativity. I also run a paid subscription for folk interested in creating seasonal book arts projects. This coming summer this will be changing to a place for slow creativity inspired by the seasonal shifts. You are most welcome to wander through the seasons with me.