As promised, here’s the rest of my conversation with Jen on New Year’s Day, since you all have a far greater tolerance for hearing us go on than we ever imagined.  In this segment, we talk about things we’re NOT doing while we play the Portfolio Project game, and a few efficiency ideas we’re kicking around.

So, how about you?  What are you NOT doing?  How are you streamlining your routines–while you’re working, or to make time to work?  Share them in the comments section below, and we’ll grow our collective wisdom.

 

 What We're NOT Doing [7:50m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

You can subscribe to the Portfolio Project podcast here. To start at the beginning of the project, go here.

Technorati Tags: Jen Lee, Jen Lemen, podcast, The Portfolio Project

 

 A Word of Caution [5:03m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

On this day, the first Monday after the new year, let’s check in with each other.  Are you off and running?  What are you creating?  I woke up feeling thankful for the focus of the project this morning, feeling like I have lots of room to write this morning because of all I’m Not Doing.  I’m going to write poetry and stories, and try to contain my impatience until my new camera is delivered.  I’m going to face what’s really been stopping me, and I’m going to work my way through it.  And don’t worry–you will, too!
You can subscribe to the Portfolio Project podcast here. To start at the beginning of the project, go here.

Technorati Tags: creative process, Jen Lee, podcast, The Portfolio Project

Jen and I celebrated the New Year together, and we recorded our conversation about The Portfolio Project.  Here’s part one of our conversation, along with some pictures from the day.  (There’s also a podcast of this below if you’d like to hear the audio only.)  In this segment, we talk about holding onto yourself as a beginner, how we’re trying to leave room for creativity as we go, and a few thoughts about New Year’s Resolutions.  Oh, and I should add that we are both sick.  See if you can guess which of us will cough up a lung first.

 

 Happy New Year from Both of Us [8:12m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

You can subscribe to the Portfolio Project podcast here. To start at the beginning of the project, go here.

Whether we’re writing or shooting, we are always telling our stories. There is so much we are trying to capture–how it is, but also the feeling or the experience of the moment. With all of our digital tricks and tools, I can’t help but wonder if our idealism isn’t sneaking in to tinker a bit, much like a writer using her words to defend herself, her point-of-view or position rather than lay herself bare.

I’m honored today to be the guest blogger and host of a giveaway today over at Shutter Sisters.  Please come on over to find The Courage to Tell it Like it Is.

Technorati Tags: courage, giveaway, Jen Lee, Shutter Sisters

Photo: Caren at Pearl River Market

Raise your hand if you still don’t have your plan together for your Portfolio Project.  Look around.  You’re not alone.  In a previous podcast, I talked about listening to your intuition and your creative source to help you discern which work to take on.  In today’s podcast, I add two more exercises, Take Your Temperature and Why Ya Doin’ It, that may prove helpful for all of us in clarifying our goals, but also our motivation for the upcoming 12 weeks.

We have a broad range of artists playing the game, from those who are just starting to honor the nudges that are telling them, paint, write, shoot, make–to the “professionals”, who are borrowing the structure for a game already in progress.  There is room for all.

If you think you know what to do, but the waiting for New Year’s Day is making you over-think or get crazy in the head, by all means, begin already. It’s not worth the neurosis just to wait for the calendar to catch up.  Many of us are already playing.  If you’re still honing the plan, but looking for an activity in the meantime to set you up for success, join Magpie Girl and build a home for the negative voices in your head so they can finally pack their bags and move out.

I hope the podcasts aren’t too long.  I wish I had time to edit them so they’d be smooth and silky for you, but I’m playing the Portfolio Project game, so I need to keep this fast and dirty.  I love hearing from you all!

 

 Why Ya Doin It? [8:35m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

You can subscribe to the Portfolio Project podcast here. To start at the beginning of the project, go here.

Technorati Tags: Jen Lee, Magpie Girl, motivation, The Portfolio Project

Photos: I wasn’t the only one baking my heart out this Christmas.

In the midst of my hustle and bustle, I found a few minutes to tell this story for you on Christmas Eve.  It’s about The Cherry Pie Crisis, a piece of myself I found, and why my grandmother is a portfolio artist.  Listen!

[Glossary Term for International readers: KFC stands for Kentucky Fried Chicken, a fast food chain that may even be in your country now, too.]

 

 The Cherry Pie [10:38m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I can’t wait to hear the stories of what you’ve been learning and finding going into The Portfolio Project and a new year.  Please share, and we’ll grow the collective pot of wisdom!  (Links to your own blog posts are ALWAYS welcome.)

You can subscribe to the Portfolio Project podcast here. To start at the beginning of the project, go here.

Technorati Tags: baking, creating, Jen Lee, podcast, The Portfolio Project