Creatively Thinking

  The Northwoods Art Tour is almost here, and I’m excited to invite you into my creative world! This self-guided tour is a rare opportunity to explore working studios, connect with local artists, and experience the vibrant energy of the Northwoods art scene. From painting and sculpture to unexpected 3-D creations, every stop offers something unique—and you might just find that one piece that speaks to you. You’ll find me at Stop #13 in the brochure. I’d love to share what I’ve been creating and chat about the inspiration behind it all. 🗓️ July 25–27 🔗 Learn more: https://christinealfery.com/pages/northwoods-art-tour See you there!

  Featured image: Part of the Whole One who rises Rises of himself. One who falls, falls from Himself. I don’t remember where this quote comes from, but it is a definitely contemporary rewrite of Ecclesiastes 4:10.

  Featured image: Hawk III Image of Wings coming soon. I have just finished three pieces of art, two of which I have been very excited about for some time, "Wings" and "Hawk III."  They are going into the Manito Art Exhibition.  60th Annual Art Show July 17-20, 2025 Manitowish Waters Community Center I am calling them "Wings" and "Predator" for the exhibition. I had to name them early for the entry form, but as I was finishing, they took on different names. These two pieces have been the focus of my journal for some time, and upon completing them, I found they didn't live up to the hype I had built up in my mind.  Has that ever happened to anyone else?  These end thoughts about the two pieces are choked with all those wonderful, creative thoughts that occurred when I was creating the works.  "Grrrrr... go away. Why are you here?" Has this ever happened to any of you? I close my eyes - listen quietly - breathe deeply, become one with...

  The Northwoods Art Tour is just around the corner, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it! This self-guided tour is your chance to step into working studios, meet local artists, and see creativity come to life across the Northwoods. From painting and pottery to sculpture and more, each stop on the tour is filled with inspiration—and maybe even that perfect piece you didn’t know you were looking for. You’ll find me at Stop #13 in the brochure. I’d love to show you what I’ve been working on and chat about the process behind it. Hope to see you there! Learn More HERE.

  Featured work: Why Do We Have Art There are many ways to be creative. The beauty of creativity is that there is no right and wrong way. Creativity begins with abstractions that need to become – to become visible, to become an idea – just to become to become.   Creativity is unique to the one who is creating – defined by spirit, the heart, and the soul of that individual.    Scientists are creative. Da Vinci knew that.  “To develop a complete mind: Study the science of art; Study the art of science. Learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.“ Artists are creative. Da Vinci knew that too. “Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art.” “Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen.” It takes a creative mind to see a concept from an abstraction – to understand what it is. As children, we all begin with a creative mind. Creativity stops when we put limitatio...

  Featured image: The Creative I believe mystery is at the heart of creativity. Surprise is too. All too often, we call ourselves creatives, but what we really want is to feel like artists—productive, inspired, original. Yet if we’re honest with ourselves, we don’t always feel that way. I include myself in that truth. There are so very, very few times I feel like an artist, like I’m truly creating—but when I do, I know it. I sense the mystery, I feel the surprise. And I know those of you who long to be artists, who long to create, feel it too. It’s glorious, isn’t it? I often ask myself how I can feel that way more often. The answer is always the same: trust the process, not the product. And that’s hard—because there’s pressure coming at me from so many directions.

    Featured image:   Fences “FREEDOM lies just beyond the fences we build around ourselves.”  James Nathan Muir