Working on it
July 2025
It’s not just about creativity, it’s about the person you’re becoming while you’re creating ~ Charlie Peacock
Hi! How are you? I’m so glad you’re here.
I read recently that 45 minutes of art-making, regardless of skill or ability, significantly reduces stress hormones like cortisol. It was suggested that creativity be considered as an ingredient for a healthy life, alongside exercise, diet, and sleep. Humans are innately creative, and creating socially, that is, in the company of others, fosters connection and understanding. I don’t know about you, but I think the world would be better with more of that.
You might think this is a shameless ploy to get you to attend one of my upcoming classes, and frankly, that’s a reasonable assumption, but truly these are things I think about on the daily. I am a super fan of creativity. Cheerleader, devotee, evangelist.
It improves lives. Mine included.
I hope you recognize the ways that you are being creative in your life. It isn’t just relegated to art-making, it manifests in many ways, but in case you can’t think of any, there are (ahem) some workshops coming up…
Upcoming workshops
July 31, 5:30-7:30 - Babe the Ox at The Last Turn, Brainerd MN
August 21, 10:00-12:00 - Cyanotype stones at Treeline Acres, Brainerd MN (see below)
September 20, 10:00-12:00 - Flower pot sheep at Simply Rustic Floral, Crosslake MN
October 16, 5:30-7:30 - Spooky wool ghosts at The Last Turn, Brainerd MN
Find ticket information and details on my website.
I’m adding more classes frequently, including some on monoprinting and collage. I am also open for private group classes. Just reach out and let’s see what we can do.
I am very excited about the Rock and Stroll Farm Tour. the first of what we hope to be many collaborative events between lil fish studios and Treeline Acres. We’ll be taking a tour of Candice’s micro farm (I hear there are alpaca…), enjoy some farm fresh nibbles, and end the day with an art project using some of the plants found on our walk. Imagine the smell of tomato leaves in the high tunnel, a stress-free wander, and the magic of making images with sun printing. Sounds nice, right? We hope you’ll find it as restorative as we do.
In an additional bit of wonderment, my cyanotype stones inspired the talented, Little Falls based poet, Laura Hansen to put words to her musings.
I think life lived
in a cyanotype dream would be
calming, soothing, like living
underwater and watching
the wash and flow of the sea
and the kelp all day, gracefully
waving in a way that is not quite
blue and not quite green,
but absolutely cyan.Read the full poem HERE and follow Laura’s work.
The stones also inspired me to finally do something with those white Converse that have been languishing in a box for half a year.
I used to teach this art to children and I loved to see their excited faces as the images began to develop in front of their eyes. I imagine if any of you had seen my face, it would have shared that same sense of wonder as images from my pollinator garden began to bloom on my shoes. Maybe we need a class on this too, or a group hang out in my garden, each of us armed with blank shoes and solution.
I’m pleased to share that Simply Rustic Floral Design in Crosslake MN is now carrying a selection of my work, alongside a handful of other local artists. Do yourself a favor and stop in, pick up a pretty bouquet, breathe in the smell of flowers, and peruse some local creations.
Thank you for reading. It means the world to me.
If you think someone else may enjoy my work, I’d be grateful if you’d share this with them or encourage them to visit my website where they can sign up for my newsletter, consider workshops, and peruse past projects.
Until next time…
Lisa
Have questions? Email me at lisa@lilfishstudios.com
