Experiencing Creative Occupations

Day 1: Creative Occupations class - Reflection.

What?

So the purpose of engaging in six weeks of creative occupations is to really feel the effect of participation, "flow" and creativity. Class began with an introduction to the basic steps involved in the art of weaving and we each created a collage of shapes and colours by drawing on inspiration from the images we had chosen prior to class. I think there was a little bit of nervous laughter as each person presented their image and created their collages but all in all it was a comfortable group experience.

So what?

At first I was apprehensive about this particular craft and I had regretted my choice of weaving over print making. Perhaps it is because my expectations had sunk so low in the couple of weeks prior to class that I ended up really enjoying it! The group dynamic was great. With only seven people in the class it's a real chance to get to know people on a deeper level. Already I feel like I know the other six a little better. For the past two years I've been experimenting with knitting and for the most part I've been happy with my products. Knitting tends to require so much of my concentration that my brain leaves reality and escapes itself for a while, resulting in a more relaxed state of mind and reducing my levels of anxiety. Perhaps it is because I am working with the same medium that weaving had a similar effect. Once I really got in to the swing of it I found myself concentrating hard on making sure the edges were neat and tidy and that each row was even and all the waft was covered as instructed by the teacher. When break time came I felt myself wanting to stay seated and continue with my work. I think this is what Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi describes as "flow". 

What now?

So over the next week we are to work on the design of our final piece. I'm looking forward to choosing colours and learning more weaving techniques. I also feel like a strong bond will form amongst the group which is important if we are to spend the next four years together!

*Below are my inspirational images of sunsets, boats and whales. Also photos of my first weaving attept and a quick snapshot of my collage.