Madison Ford Creative

writing, crochet, cross stitch, singing, and generally trying to be a creative lady.

[mournfulroses]

Trista Mateer, from a poem featured in her collection titled The Dogs I Have Kissed

[16tinyfrogs]

on watching a parent age

i saw somebody say “what if you’re gone and i haven’t become anything yet” and basically that broke me on a random thursday evening

[vexheart]

This

[florianpainkesblog]

On my Way, Getting Lost

2016-04-24 / 5.5151

[franz-bauch-foto]

Sunrise

[tenderlypressed]

[remanence-of-love]

[carmen-photography]

Alpe di Siusi - Italy 2025

[inkpressedpetals]

[exposenature]

[wordx]

[highreeveofspirefell]

꒰🤍꒱ ୨୧ 𐔌 @forgcttenhealer )

[leebrontide]

I want to tell a story to the artists and would-be artists out there.

When I was 19, I made a large oil painting of the nerd I would eventually marry. I poured all my attention and care into this painting. It's the only art I have from back then that still holds up as a work I'm proud of today.

I entered it into a judged show at the local art center. It got an honorable mention. I went to see the show with my beloved model. One of the judges came up to talk to me, and highlighted that all the judges really liked the painting. It would have placed, except, you see, the feet were incorrect. They were too wide and short, and if I just studied a bit more anatomy-

I called over my future wife, and asked her to take off her shoe. Being already very used to humoring me, she did. The judge looked at her very short, very wide little foot. Exactly as I'd lovingly rendered it. I would never edit her appearance in any way.

The judge looked me in the eye, and to his credit, he really looked like he meant it when he said "Oh I'm so sorry."

Anyways the moral of the story is that all of those anatomy books that teach you proportions are either showing you averages, or a very specific idea of an idealized body. Actual bodies are much more varied than that.

So don't forget to draw from observation, and remember that humans aren't mass produced mannequins. Delight in our variation. Because it's supposed to be there.

[theinternetarchive]

'two trees,' brush and black and gray wash, gouache, and watercolor, with stylus; sheet: 31.6 x 33 cm; johann jacob dorner c. 1800-50.

[dyrepi]

[nubeculaetme]

Autumn Mood | SteFans Point Of View 👁‍🗨

[mountainbaby25]

My love/hate relationship with stream crossings

[madisonfordcreative]

habits for the creative brain

i've been thinking a lot since i started improv and theatre again: what actually keeps me feeling creative and inspired? i spent years feeling foggy and burnt out, but you have to be so *in your body* for theatre that it's almost not an option.

the thing that improv has taught me is that if I'm inspired and feeling good, I have no trouble with the craft. but the real trouble is keeping my vessel ready for inspiration. if i'm too hungry, thirsty, tired, or stressed there's no room for the Muse to come in. so i ended up making a list of all the things that i do to stay alert and ready to make something fun at a moment's notice. because this doesn't just apply to improv - inspiration can strike for any art form at any time, and i want to be *ready* lol.

read one chapter, ten pages, a novella - whatever you can manage on a daily basis. the thoughts of other artists are creative fuel.

carry a tiny notebook and make it your inspiration journal. write down words you love, art that moved you, character choices that made you smile. tiny sparks might become huge ideas later.

warm up your brain just like you'd stretch before a workout. crossword puzzles, sudoku, coloring, singing — anything.

eat balanced meals. creating is like a workout. feed your brain.

get enough sleep - let your brain rest. seven to eight hours if you can.

practice using your voice and not just singing but expressing as a whole. write, journal, speak. know what you believe. it makes your art clearer and more aligned with who you are.

keep your hands busy. doodle, knit, stitch, sculpt. seeing something you physically created is a powerful motivator.

move your body. creativity is a full-body sport. movement wakes things up.

try to keep stress low. stress eats creative energy. anything that helps your nervous system settle - do more of it!

experiment. try new things. novel experiences plant seeds in your creative garden. you never know what'll grow.

connect with others. creativity thrives in community. start small if it’s hard: online, zoom, wherever feels safe.

do a regular creative review. check in with what you’re working on. notice your progress. notice your roadblocks.

you can read the full post here 👉 link

happy making <3