November 13, 2009

Stuck with No Style...

I envy all those scrapbookers out there who have a "style".  Something that makes them recognizable.  Oh, look, that's Tim Holtz's project... he's distressed/layered/masked/inked the hell out of it! 

Or, oh, check this layout out, it's got to be {insert designer's name here} because she always does {this} on her layouts.

I don't have a scrapbook style and I so long for one.  If I had to label my "style" it would be "beginner-old-school".  I'm not comfortable with jumping out of that zone.  Even though I teach others that there are no mistakes in scrapbooking... I'm afraid to make one myself.  It doesn't come easy to me, scrapbooking that is.  Everyone in my life says I'm creative - but shouldn't creativity come easy?  I agonize over layouts... and I keep adding and adding, junking it up... and then I want to take it away because I know that's not the style of the day.

Styles I love right now:
  • Anything Tim Holtz (of course, my idol - and he makes everything look so EASY)
  • Minimalism... I LOVE that look of white space, but when I go to create the layout, I can't stop myself from adding.
  • Layered Embellishments - I can't ever seem to get my layers to look... right.
There are a few others, but I don't know what to "name" them... so I'll come back later with more styles.  For now, though, what is YOUR style?  Does this come easy to you?  How long did it take for you to find your style?

I'm interested... I'm so stuck right now, with what I feel is No style.

8 comments:

  1. Great post. I think creativity takes work and that it's a misconception that everyone who makes pretty things has an easy time of it. Don't let yourself get down for having to work on your creativity. I do too! As for style, I like things linear but with a bit of layering or something quirky so it's not too perfectly lined up. Something that was helpful for me was to take some time really looking at all my old layouts and making a list of things I love (and want to repeat) and things I don't love as much (and maybe won't repeat in the future). Good luck to you!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I don't have a style either! If I were forced to define it, I'd have to say "class du jour" - whatever class I'm currently taking online, I mimic that scrap artist's style for the length of the class and then go back to being lost, because i can't recreate it without the step by step instructions! My fallback? Linear, simple, but totally lacking white space. I feel your pain!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Well don't we all? I mean Tim Holtz probably said the same thing in the early-ish days, didn't he? Then oneday someone probably said "hey Tim, I notice you always do this... its soooo you! I love your style" and suddenly there it was. My style is... variable. Sometimes busy, minimalist, layered, distressed... all of these things. Sometimes all at once!! Relax into your scrapping, take a deep breath and go with the flow. Someday someone will say... "gosh, that is soooo you!" and it will suddenly be there.

    Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I too find that creativity doesn't come easy and I feel a lot of pressure to show flair. I find my scrapping style is usually quite graphic and minimalist but I didn't know I had a style until someone else pointed it out to me. And I'm not quite sure I still believe it! Great post.

    ReplyDelete
  5. fab post hun!! my style depends on what photo i'm using - but i tend to either go very distressed or minamilist with lots of white space - and at my local crop people can recognise my style - which is fab. I feel that it's just a case of letting yourself go - let your mind wonder and see what happens. Have fun xxx

    ReplyDelete
  6. I so love this...I decided some time ago that my "style" would always change as my life changed. When I scrapped a tremendous amount, it was easy to see the progression of my style over time. I now understand that there are things I will always use and a visual sense I am most comfortable with. Not surprisingly, it largely echos my philosophy on life...that said...I've been scrapping for 10 years...and I'm still trying to "define" all of what "my style" means to me...I don't think I'll ever get "there."

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great post! It is such a struggle. I do love the clockwork masks on your post. I use lots of quotes and Club Scrap paper on my layouts. The artwork style is still evolving.
    Hugs & great to visit you,
    Rinda

    ReplyDelete
  8. And then again, I'm thinking my style changes with me, reflecting my mood, different content, across time. It's fine with me if I'm not consistent; I want to enjoy and tell the story in a way that makes me happy.

    ReplyDelete

I love hearing what you have to say. Thank you for sharing yourself with me!

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails