Tag Archives: Reading

Jun23

5 Years of ARHtistic License

Posted on June 23, 2020 by Andrea R Huelsenbeck

I missed my own blog birthday! On June 3, ARHtistic License turned five years old.

My goal for ARHtistic License is that it would be a place where creative people would come together to celebrate the arts and discuss the creative process. A year ago, AL had 683 subscribers; today it has 941, an increase of almost 38%. I’m happy about that growth. I’m on track to hit 1000 subscribers before the end of 2020. Are you a subscriber yet?

Here are the ten most popular posts on ARHtistic License in the past year, based on the number of “likes” they earned:

Nine of these posts fall in one of two categories: photo challenges and curated articles (Creative Juice). The outlier, “Hiking in the Arboretum,” is a photography-heavy post, more of a photo essay. So, should I focus on photography and reading recommendations, since these are the kinds of things that my readers apparently like? It would certainly free up a lot of my time, since those kinds of posts can be generated fairly quickly.

In contrast, here are what I consider to be some of my very best posts this year, in no particular order, which received very few likes:

Are these articles dull? Should I avoid spending time on posts like these?

Please help me. What would you like to see more of on ARHtistic License? What would you like less of? If you read a blog post you like and there’s a “Like” button, do you click it? If not, why not? I’d love feedback on all the questions that appear in bold throughout this article. Please comment below.

May1

Creative Juice #188

Posted on May 1, 2020 by Andrea R Huelsenbeck

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Three poems this week, some funny stuff, and some useful information, as well as beauty.

Do you love horses?
Do you miss cameras with film?
A self-quarantine poem.
A man lived in a shack for five years and did nothing but read. You will probably recognize his name if not his story.
Beautiful Arizona quilts.
More art-recreation.
A whimsical NaPoWriMo poem.
Dyeing with stuff you probably have in your kitchen.
Do you take care of little kids all day? You’re going to love these tips.
I found this marketing article very interesting.
Warning: some of these are very sad. But most are LOL funny.
Frances is the queen of organizing fabrics. Her sewing room sparks joy in my life.

May1

In the Meme Time: Outside

Posted on May 1, 2020 by Andrea R Huelsenbeck

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READING OUTSIDE

Mar27

In the Meme Time: What to Do While Self-Quarantined

Posted on March 27, 2020 by Andrea R Huelsenbeck

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self-quarantine

Nov22

Creative Juice #165

Posted on November 22, 2019 by Andrea R Huelsenbeck

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A dozen neat things to enjoy this weekend.

When plein air painting in the Arctic, you may want to fill your water brush with vodka or gin to lower their freezing points, and other hints.
Did you get to the International Quilt Festival? No? The photos in this article are almost as good as being there in person.
Good qualities for creative people to cultivate.
Your childhood memories ruined forever.
A poet tells the story behind her poem.
Although other people may look better the more you have to drink, you look better to other people after you commit to sobriety. Need proof?
An infographic on how the world reads.
Master of caricature.
How a boy’s comfort zone was squashed. And how long it took to get over it.
Look at these great pictures this wildlife photographer captured.
Why, if you want to draw people, a life drawing class is a good investment.
Books that will make you the life of the party this Thanksgiving. Happy Turkey Day! Don’t forget to give thanks to God.

Aug16

Creative Juice #151

Posted on August 16, 2019 by Andrea R Huelsenbeck

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Inspiring stuff:

Beautiful fungi.
You become more skillful as a result of practice. One watercolorist’s story.
Kinetic art made out of paper.
Advice you can take even if you’re older than 21. You’re never too late to grow wise.
How to write 12 books in 12 months.
Helpful resources for the journey called Life.
Wish your exercise routine could make you more creative? Think color.
Crumpled art.
I’ve only seen a few of these, and some of them were hard to watch, but this list of classic movies is noteworthy.
I wish I’d seen this article before we remodeled our home. . .
This article is from a few years ago, but the reasons to read and suggested books are still compelling.
Some sketches from Amsterdam (and links to lots more).

Nov29

Video of the Week #177: Why to Read Aloud to Children

Posted on November 29, 2018 by Andrea R Huelsenbeck

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Nov2

Creative Juice #113

Posted on November 2, 2018 by Andrea R Huelsenbeck

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Articles curated especially to enhance your creativity.

Amazing sand sculpture.
Fabulous graffiti festival.
Beautiful photographs of birds.
Try out these reading nooks with me.
A different kind of tutu.
I still reread/rewatch Hunger Games every chance I get.
What books were in the running for the Great American Read?
What do you have to do to be an Instagram star? Apparently be full of fluff.
I participated in Inktober2018 along with thousands of other artists. Here are some offerings from Rohvannyn Shaw.
Ever want to hand-make a special little card for someone?
Embroidered portraits featuring long, flowing hair.
Lovely (?) miniatures.

Oct12

Creative Juice #110

Posted on October 12, 2018 by Andrea R Huelsenbeck

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A dozen articles to inspire you to new heights of creativity:

Portrait photography.
Before Picasso painted modern art.
Aren’t you glad the internet didn’t exist when these classic books were written?
Extraordinary painted rocks.
Cool places to park your bike.
Whimsical ceramics.
An example of how social media helped a poet gain an audience.
What happens when you invite an artist to a wedding.
Some beautiful quilts.
How to read at a deeper level.
What to do with leftovers.
Make this for your favorite shutterbug.

Sep28

Creative Juice #108

Posted on September 28, 2018 by Andrea R Huelsenbeck

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Gorgeous stuff to entice you to create.

Using mirrors as a quilting tool.
The magic of amber—nature’s lucite.
How to start taking better photographs
I love these digital enhancements of photographs that look like murals.
Dancing on the high-wire.
Interesting paintings.
Anybody doing NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month—November)? I don’t use Evernote, but I like these novel-writing templates.
Gargoyles.
If you want people to read, you have to get their attention…
How one woman juggles the responsibilities of motherhood and making art.
Looking at these tweets from J.K. Rowling just make me love her more.
Tiny, masterful embroideries.

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