Music and Nature:

I've always enjoyed creatively expressing oneself. I believe that everyone has a unique way to portray what's going on in their heads; it sometimes just takes a bit of work coming out. I used to fancy myself a sketcher but since I've gotten older, I've found different forms of creative expressionism to keep my brain engaged.

The last few months have been difficult for me because I've been sick and out of work. I fell into a depression and just could not get motivated to do anything. I started seeing an Art Therapist and she has really got me into reawakening my inner creativity. Since then, I've gotten into painting, back into writing, playing my piano and just having a more positive outlook on life.

I love listening to music to get my creative rivers flowing downstream. What I listen to controls the outcome of my work. For example, I'm currently listening to a LoFi playlist on YouTube. It seems to awaken my inner writer. But other times, I may listen to rock or classical and see what what comes out of it. I think music, being a creative expression itself, is the perfect tool to spark the artistic ignition that hides in us all.

I am Native Alaskan, Inuit. My tribe is Inupiaq and I have a deep spiritual relationship with my culture. I'm currently working on etching out a piece of scrimshaw style artwork on a bone-handle knife. For things like etching or embroidering, I feel you have to be a bite more careful with your work as it's a little more difficult to correct your mistakes. Sometimes you have to start over from scratch, which is fine. It just lets you know what to work on.

That's why I listen to music. Even though my job is to focus on what I'm working on, the music kinda takes the pressure away. I'm not sure I'd even be able to concentrate if there was just silence. I do have to be careful though, as I have messed up some of my work by dancing or bobbing my head.

I'm not entirely sure what the judges are expecting of this challenge if I'm being honest and I'm probably missing the entire point of it; I don't usually like talking about myself but I thought it a good place to show my style of expressionism and maybe it'll help others awaken. I've made it a personal goal to learn and (try to) perfect as many different artistic styles from around the world as I can. Believe me when I say I will be listening to music each time I work.

I mentioned depression earlier and please don't think this is a posting to try to get anyone to feel sorry or bad for me. I only mentioned that because my creative work lets me forget about everything that's going on. When I write or draw or paint or even play my piano, I no longer focus on anything that is evil or malicious. I just focus on the outcome of my work. Sometimes, I don't even focus. I just blindly follow what my fingers are doing and go along with it.

When I'm not doing something creative, I like to be outside in nature. A lot of times, I will draw inspiration from something I see outside. If you, the reader, take anything away from this thread, please take this: enjoy the little things. The rhythm and melody of music or the way air tickles blades of grass and leaves as a cool breeze passes them over; take away your inner expressionism with the sound of your favorite artist or the smell of morning rain.

Again, I probably missed the entire point of this challenge but I rather enjoyed sharing what helps me work.