Changing Shape

Once I was a writer.

Then I was an editor.

Then I became a manager.

The words went silent.

They will come back.  I'm laying traps.  One of my traps is a paper mache tea cup made from the pages of a ruined copy of Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott.  BxB was the first book on writing I ever bought, my first taste of Anne Lamott's writing, my first glimpse that I truly could write something other than how-to books.

Over the years I've bought untold copies. I've shared it with friends, assigned direct reports to read it, and replaced my own dog-eared copy several times. One of my many copies got wet and badly warped years ago, but I kept it, just in case my supply ever ran dry. It's the kind of book whose inspiration you need RIGHT NOW when you need it.

Then I came across Ann Wood's amazing paper mache teacup tutorial, and the water-damaged book transformed into art supplies.

Shitty First Drafts.  Short Assignments.  Perfectionism is the voice of oppressor.  

Books help us understand who we are and how we are to behave. 

...we need to make messes in order to find out who we are and why we are here.

Anne's art reshaped in mine.

The words have not gone anywhere. It's me who went walk about, but I'm finding my way home.

More pics as the project progresses.