Connecting With Others Through Creativity Over Distances: Concepts to Bring Forward from Rae Luskin

Connecting With Others Through Creativity Over Distances: Concepts to Bring Forward from Rae Luskin

Rae Luskin Local Artist, Creative Activist, Speaker and Author of Art From My Heart and The Creative Activist reveled in a creative journey during our collective COVID journey. Rae is a leader in using creative expression to heal and nurture self-worth. I spoke to her last week about her discoveries and learned many creative concepts that we can all use while social distancing and even going forward.

Letting creativity flow, Rae explored creating new art work during
 the stay-at-home order. Image Credit Rae Luskin.

How the Stay-At-Home Order changed Rae's Art:

At the time, Rae was taking an art class using wax for painting known as encaustic painting. She loves this medium because it is a particularly great medium for collage which she enjoys.

One of Rae's recent pieces using encaustic art. Image Credit Rae Luskin.

With the stay-at-home order, she was unable to finish the class. However, the teacher suggested connecting over Zoom on Fridays. Each week, students completed an assignment. Topics would include picking an artist and experimenting with the artist's style or working from a quote. Additionally, Rae explored with mixed media art. Rae expresses: "It has been freeing for me!"

Experimenting with mixed media art. Image credit Rae Luskin.

Playing in a Different Realm with Grandkids:

Rae's new art journey with her grandchildren all started with her granddaughter. Her granddaughter received some canvases and a palette from her mother. During the time away, Rae and her granddaughter started connecting on the Echo Show. Soon, they realized they had the same palette and the adventure with art began for the two. With the Echo Show, they could work on art together and show each other their work throughout. Rae also could ask her granddaughter a variety of questions about what they were working which helped them both think with different perspectives.

Creating with Grandma at the same time over the Echo Show. Image credit Rae Luskin.

Of the experience, Rae shares: "Working with her allowed me to look at things a little differently. Art is an opportunity to learn, grow and problem solve. It is what art is about and it teaches you to think in different ways. I would have my granddaughter do things like turn her pictures upside down. It helped her look differently. I was teaching in terms of perspective."

Sharing art time with her granddaughter exploring the world of Laura Burch
during a times of social distancing. Image Credit Rae Luskin.

                                                                                                                        With her 6-year-old granddaughter in California, Rae introduced the art of Laura Burch teaching her to draw a cat in that style. She taught her granddaughter how to break everything down into shapes. Rae explains: "It was so exciting for her learning about elements of shapes and how everything can be broken down into shapes. She would see me do an example and would show me hers. She was so excited about it she showed her teacher. It was like a gift because it is something I never did with my kids before."

Baby finger painting for the first time with Grandma despite the distance! Image Credit Rae Luskin.

All of Rae's grandchildren had fun while exploring over the Echo Show with their grandma! She worked on scribbling with her grandson. Even her youngest grandchild got involved experimenting with finger painting for the first time! What a treasured moment that she may not have seen either wise!

Dance Parties with Grandma:

Dance parties became another point of joy with the grandkids over the distance. Dance is fun way to connect with kids and get everyone moving. It provides a way to stretch, be active and creative.

Rae's granddaughter enjoying a dance party over the Echo Show. Image Credit Rae Luskin.

Rae expresses: "This time has given a lot more opportunities to be creative without even being with people -- opportunities to do different things with people that you would not have done before." 

Helping Parents a Different Way While Long Distance:

While apart, Rae noticed that she was able to help with parenting in a different way. Spending time with her grandkids became a natural part of the day as they were capable connecingt themselves via the Echo Show. When the baby napped, Rae could give Dad downtime by working with her granddaughter despite the distance. While one of her granddaughters was making posters, Rae would ask her questions about her friends. "What is she like? What is she best at?" She could help keep the kids engaged and thinking in new ways. When Rae's daughter was sick and Rae was a bit under-the-weather as well, she was still able to help by reading stories over the Echo Show.

Long distance ride-by grandma visit. Image Credit Rae Luskin.

Sparks to Fuel Your Creativity:

When approaching art, Rae describes: "Creativity is not limited to an artist. There are no mistakes in art. Art is an opportunity to look at things differently."

What can you do?

• Scribble and Doodle: Anyone can scribble and doodle. Try to scribble or doodle what you are feeling. What color is it?
• Create a family obstacle course. Discuss it.
• Look for one thing of beauty or something that caught your interest.
• Play with taking photos. Take a picture of something you love on your walk. Take a picture of something you love in your home. 
• Try journaling or writing. Studies have shown that writing helps you explore, connect, heal and work out challenges.
• Look out your window. Note what catches your attention. Note changes day-to-day.
• Get creative with what you have. Rae's granddaughter was able to do a socially distanced bike ride visit. She was also able to do an art party with friends over Zoom.
• Check out Rae's The Winning Adventure Page for more prompts to light that spark.

Thank you, Rae, for sharing these perspectives on creativity and ideas that we can all use to explore and stretch ourselves during this time!