Out of the Woods with Door Hanger Template Art

by Mike
(Guilford, CT)

Poets need an inordinate amount of quiet time. Could a door hanger template glide me out of the doldrums? I've played keyboard in an alternative rock band, acted with Peter Coyote, sang in regional theater, and taught English as a second language in Zimbabwe.

At present I'm writing my doctoral thesis and working as a visiting professor of English. What with class preparation, researching for my thesis, and writing there's not much time left for exploring new creative frontiers.

Oddly enough my mother emailed me your template and sent a package of art supplies. She's a therapist and felt I needed a different outlet that used another skills set. I thanked her and there they sat for weeks. Until my girlfriend visited.

We were having a couple people over for a weekend game night and during the preparations she found the supply package. So instead of secreting it away she opened it up to friends.

Ironically, it prompted a discussion about privacy, freedom, and respect for human rights.

Not a stranger to competition part of the evening was taken up with the newly concocted "door hanger template art challenge" complete with timer. Laughter and glee took the night.

Since then we've repeated the challenge with different friends -- same results. Laughter, glee and good-natured competition.

The one in the picture hangs on a door pull above my laptop desk space. When I stand it scratches my hair, a gentle reminder to lighten up.

Well, mom, you were right to encourage me. Doing something distinctly outside my routine was freeing -- and weird -- simultaneously.

Also came the realization that unless it's a margin note, a writing prompt, or stringing together a few words, effectively I do not generate visual images during the course of my research. While I've been a practicing creative all along, I was on the low side of the fun-o-meter.