thehatchcreates

[thehatchcreates]

5 Great ‘Grammers

Need to pass the time?  Daydream a little?  Find new people to follow on the social medias? Try out these 5 great ‘grammers! 

Pattern Indy

@patternmagazine

Daybreaker

@dybrkr

The Droops

@thedroops

Live A Great Story

@liveagreatstory

Social Print Studio

@socialps 

[thehatchcreates]

Art Bar, Vol II

Our collaboration with the Indianapolis Art Center continues with the second round of The Art Bar! This time, the creative project is a whole community collaboration and when complete, the final piece created will become a permanent installation here at The Hatch! 

So, how do you complete this new collaborative project, you ask? We put together these handy step by step instructions to make it clear for everyone! 

Step 1- Look at the giant plywood grid in the Cafe area and pick your square on the grid you want to fill and pick the corresponding colored paper square (found on the art bar.) 

Step 2- Place your square on the grid and draw any connecting lines to squares that are next to yours:

Step 3- Sit down and doodle! Your doodle can be as simple or as complicated as you like- just make sure that some lines go off the edges for the next person who comes along! 

Step 4- Add tape to the back of your square, and attach it in place on the grid! 

Step 5- Post your creation on social media! Be sure to tag @indplsartcenter and @thehatchcreates wherever you post, please! :) 

Step 6- If you have a spare dollar or three, please donate it to the Art Center to support continuing fun and creative projects like this one! (You can donate cash in the box on The Art Bar, or use the Hatch iPad to make a digital donation with your card!) 

Thanks for participating! And for being a great part of our creative community! Happy doodling! 

[thehatchcreates]

Local Love!

Check out this month’s roundup of 5 locals we know and love, and think you will love too!  1- Soupremacy

A delicious cup of Italian Kale Parmesan soup. Photo by Lusicovi Creative. 

We're a local soup shop, -not some big chain. We love good soups and we carefully make all our with fresh all-natural ingredients that result in amazing, flavorful and healthy food. Try them. Savor them. And please bring us your recipes, -only the best soups survive here at soupremacy.http://soupremacyindy.com/index.html

2- Cirque Indy

Indy's one and only circus school, specializing in aerial circus arts.

http://www.cirqueindy.com/

3- Patachou INC

Cafe Patachou’s new Hazel Dell location- Photo by Cafe Patachou. 

Founded by Martha Hoover in 1989, Patachou Inc. is an independently owned, female-led company operating a collection of vibrant restaurants: Café Patchou, Petite Chou Bistro, Napolese Pizzeria, Public Greens Urban Kitchen and Crispy Bird. Each restaurant concept is a fully-formed brand with a distinct personality: dyanmic, authentic and well-defined. By offering radically better service and food quality, the Patachou Inc. restaurants have become innovative and sought after dining destinations. Sophisticated yet approachable, playful but resolute in its principles, Patachou, Inc. concepts offer dining experiences that are covetous to locals and international travelers alike. In keeping with the company’s 2020 vision, in 2013 Patachou Inc. founded The Patachou Foundation, a 501c3 with the following mission: To feed nutritious after school snacks to children in our community affected by homelessness and hunger. To do this, considerable company resources are used, as well as the profits from Public Greens will be dedicated expressly to the Foundation.

http://patachouinc.com/

4- Indiana Originals

Our Mission: Create stronger, healthier communities and more jobs in Indiana by encouraging and facilitating a greater use of independent, Indiana owned businesses.

IndianaOriginals.com is your search engine for independent businesses owned and based in Indiana.

What started as a personal lists of favorite entertainment spots, restaurants, professional services and more has turned into a growing, statewide directory of locally owned and operated businesses that are headquartered in Indiana.  

http://indianaoriginals.com/pages/about-us.html

5- Indianapolis City Market

Photo by Michell Howard.

You can stroll through our renovated historic landmark and enjoy a glass of wine... pick up something light for supper or purchase unique gifts... satisfy the inner foodie in you... or simply hang out with family and friends. Whatever your passion, the Indianapolis City Market is a place where you'll find it! Come in today and experience good food, good drinks, good friends and good times... everything good in life!

http://www.indycm.com/

[thehatchcreates]

5 Things That Inspire Me

By Brandon Evans

Brandon grew up going to punk and hardcore shows and playing in bands. Lyrics and the story they told always inspired Brandon to be better and do more. Now he is a Digital Strategist for Boldthink Creative, a digital marketing agency in downtown Indianapolis. Brandon is also on the board of directors for Project Purse Indianapolis, which is a local non-profit supporting women in need. He helps businesses and Non-profits realize their potential through storytelling mixed with a strong digital strategy.

What are 5 things that inspire you to be creative?

Not playing the cards I was dealt - “Last Call” by Kanye West, he goes off at the end of the song telling his story, his personal struggle of overcoming obstacles to become the Yeezy we know today. I have listened to this song at least once a month for years to keep me inspired to work hard, and not play the hand I was dealt, but change my cards, to pray to the sky and change my stars.

Keeping things simple - Charles Mingus said: “Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that’s creativity.” This quote always makes me remember that sometimes the best, most innovative and creative answers are right in front of me, and of course to keep things simple.

Learning from the past - I love history, I love hearing and reading about the past. The homie Winston Churchill said it best “The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” I’m always trying to learn from my mistakes, and let my actions move me forward.

Clearing away the haze - I don’t need no booze or drugs, I just chug-a- lug my coffee mug. I like my sugar with coffee and cream, well I got to keep it going full steam. Coffee is the fuel that keeps the creative world going. Sitting down with friends at a coffee shop is what I’m about. Shoutout to Rabble Coffee, Monon Coffee, and all the great coffee shops in Indy. Coffee is routine, coffee is comfort, coffee is important.

A tremendous endeavor - Friendship is a tremendous endeavor, one that I keep coming back for over and over again. So when no one told you life was gonna be this way, When your life’s a joke, and you’re broke, your love life’s D.O.A. It’s like you’re always stuck in second gear. When it hasn’t been your day, your week, your month, or even your year…. I’ll be there for you.

Come to the Hatch on 3/15 to hear Brandon talk about Storytelling, and it’s power to affect your bottom line.

FREE- REGISTER HERE

Photo credit: Allison Tylek Photography, www.allison-catherine.com/

[thehatchcreates]

Meet Artist & Hatch Member Michael Schulbaum

Wandering into the artists studio here at The Hatch, you can’t help but notice the array of partially finished paintings. If you’re lucky, you can sometimes catch the artist working, and he’s always happy to discuss his work and art in general. In an effort to get to know all of our members better, we sat down with Michael for a quick Q & A to gain some insight into him and his work. 

Q: What inspires you in general as an artist?

A: As an artist, I am inspired by the search and the journey towards Love.  And I'm not talking about the kissy-face, man/woman B.S. that litters the tabloids and infests every commercial, sit-com, and made-for-TV-movie out today.  I'm talking about the stripping away of violence, greed, lust, ego, and attachment with no self-concern for being "right" only searching honestly and humbly for the Truth of what this life is all about.

Q: What is one piece you're working on right now that most excites you?

A: It's tough to designate one piece that I'm most excited by right now, but there is one piece that will make the best story, probably.  It's a large 4' x 6' painting that I'm calling "The Last Ones Listening."  It is based on a painting that the Italian Renaissance painter, Rafael, created called, "School of Athens."  

Rafael's painting was an homage to the times he was living in, I believe.  It was a time where high-minded thinking was celebrated and the highest levels of understandings in Painting, Sculpture, Poetry, Music, Philosophy, Architecture, Mathematics, Science, Astronomy, and Literature were being discovered. 

 Everyone in his painting (nearly 50 figures) is engaged in discussing and/or practicing these forms of Art. Now, we think that we're so advanced in the 21st century because we have watches that can link to the internet and hand-dryers that turn on when our hand comes close enough.  But it seems to me that we are all losing our most precious treasures in exchange for these gadgets - Our patience, our attention spans, our abilities to communicate lovingly with each other, our ability to relax... all of these beautiful qualities seem to be rapidly becoming "a thing of the past".  And even worse, we're being duped into thinking that it's cool to be impatient; to multi-task; to go off on someone and rip them to shreds with just a few choice words; to be Monster-chugging, schedule-packed, Do-ers who even work at vacationing. 

So, I am doing a Post-Modern version of Rafael's painting - same composition, but set in contemporary times.  Nearly 50 figures of all different sizes, colors, backgrounds, religions, body types, ages, and vocations fill the hall in scenarios that echo the poses and actions of the original.  But one thing is very different - Not one single person in mine is interacting with each other.  Everyone is interacting with some kind of technical device: iPad, iPhone, flip phone, lap top, etc.  They are all fully engaged and animated, but just not with each other.  Everyone is in their own personal virtual reality.  Except for 5 figures spread throughout the composition.  

These people are without any technical device and are staring directly out at you - the viewer.  Possibly asking the question, "Which side do YOU belong to?"  And these 5 are "The Last Ones Listening."

Detail shot of “The Last Ones Listening”

Michael has been slowly working on this piece since 2010.

Q: What does "creativity" mean to you?

A: Creativity is a funny word.  It seems to imply some kind of "Originality".  But to me, it seems that there's only one Original.  It was here before i got here and It will be here after i'm not and it seems that That is where everything comes from.  Call it whatever feels right to you, but it seems to me we're all just borrowing from the One.  So creativity seems like the ability to let go of fears of "failure" and dive within ourselves to borrow or pull something out from that Infinite storehouse of ideas.

This piece, titled “The Initiation” was just finished last week. 

Q: Who are some of your favorite artists?

A:  Mmmmm....  Painters? Diego Velázquez, Jan Vermeer, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Andrew Wyeth, Francis Bacon, Dalí, Gustav Klimt, .... too many to list!  Music: Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Elvis, Johnny Cash, Dave Brubeck, Louis Armstrong, Bob Marley, old Van Halen, Ella Fitzgerald, Cindy Lauper, Prince, ... I'll stop now.

Q: What advice do you have for any artists just starting out? 

A: Dig into Life and begin (and never stop!) a deeply honest and passionate search for "What is it ALL about?!"  If this is the guiding principle of your life, I believe an Artist's work can have a chance of having true value and substance.  Then, (and I'll talk to painters cuz that's what i do) study Realism and all that goes along with that.  Learn to paint ANYTHING perfectly realistic.  That way, you will be free to express yourself in any way you want from there!  You can go into abstraction, cubism, surrealism, non-objective - WHATEVER YOU WANT!  You will have the best foundation to build upon.   This seems to me to be the way for an Artist to be truly "Free" to express themselves.  Otherwise, we are chained by our limited skills as to what we can create.  I feel very lucky.  My mom says I started at 3 years old.  She says I'd play with trucks or whatever for a while, but then I'd go and get paper and pencil and draw for hours.  I don't know why.  It was just always something I was drawn (no pun intended) to do.  I remember when I was about 22, I kind of woke up one day and realized, "Holy #^*&!  I can paint ANYTHING I want!  This is CRAZY!!"  - 

Anything you do over and over and over again, you will get better and better and better at.  I wasn't trying to develop these skills, it just happens after spending thousands and thousands of hours doing something you love.  Like I said, I feel inexpressibly lucky.  I look at my Art just like anyone else.  I'm almost an innocent bystander!  It is obvious to me that this Art does not come FROM me, but it comes THROUGH me.  I thankfully can claim no ownership.  I don't know why I've been given this, but I sincerely and consciously try to use it to uplift, bring to light and to celebrate the things in my life that seem to be worth sharing with the world.

Untitled Skyline piece, just started last week. 

Michael working on “The Last Ones Listening.”

Multiple pieces are always in progress at once. This one is a portrait of Master Darshan.

You can stop by the studio anytime Michael is there to catch him and chat about his work. Or, you can see more of his finished work in these shows around the city:

https://www.petrovframe.com - about 10-15 paintings for Feb. http://www.stutzartists.com   - 1 large painting ( "The Meat Eaters" ) in "RED", an exhibition through Feb. http://www.gpacarts.org  - 2 paintings/ 1 drawing (that took me 23 years to complete!!) in "HeART", an exhibition through Feb.

You can also view and learn more at www.michaelschulbaum.com 

[thehatchcreates]

10 Ways to Love Yourself

February is traditionally a month in which we celebrate love. Between Valentine’s Day and National Women’s Heart Month, notions of the heart swirl around us. However, how many times do we truly think about loving on and caring for ourselves. You can’t truly give your all to your partner, your coworkers, clients, or even friends, if you haven’t taken care of yourself first. So, in the spirit of self-love and self-care, we have compiled a list of ten easy ways to treat yo’self!

 1. Take yourself on a walk. This one is so simple and so gratifying. When you take yourself on a walk, you spend time both reflecting on yourself and marveling at the natural world around you. It allows you unplug, unwind, move your (probably stiff) body, and just smell the fresh air and wiggle your toes in the dirt, which is so refreshing and grounding, but so often overlooked or forgotten.

May we suggest Broad Ripple Park?

 2. Buy yourself flowers. Don't wait around for someone else to buy you flowers. Get yourself a sweet bundle and bring a little bit of that connection to nature inside your home to brighten the space. 

Lindsay at Southern Sky Design is a Hatch member and we always love all the flowers she brings to our space! Check her out at www.southernskydesign.com!

  3. Make a really nourishing meal for yourself or a friend. Take the time to really prep the meal from scratch. Make your favorite thing, and then relax and enjoy it. Or, make your friend's favorite thing and let them enjoy relaxing and chatting while you cook. The best way to lift ourselves is usually by giving love to others. We recommend Leanne Brown’s cookbook, Good and Cheap.

Download or purchase here: https://www.leannebrown.com/cookbooks/

 4. Meditate and/or do yoga. You can do this quickly at home, or carve out an evening or morning to really dedicate to loving yourself. Either way, the benefits of yoga and meditation for both your body and mind are nearly endless.

For at home practice ideas, check out Yoga with Adrienne on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene

Or Daily Yoga: http://www.dailyyoga.com/#/

And for Mediation, try Headspace at www.headspace.com

If you’re looking for a yoga studio, we recommend Breathing Space at Binford & 62nd St. They have a special for new students to get unlimited yoga for 30 days for only $60! Check out their schedule here: http://www.breathingspace.yoga/schedule/

   5. Hang out with an animal/pet. Dogs and Cats provide the perfect example of living joyfully in the moment. Spend some time without your phone/ technology and just playing and cuddling with a fluffy animal instead. The stress release and joy is contagious! Two great ways to love on some animals we recommend are volunteering at your local Humane Society or shelter, or check out Nine Lives, a new cat café in Fountain Square! http://www.ninelivesindy.com/

  Take a page out of these lounging pets’ book for an afternoon.

6.  Give yourself a floral face steam! Floral face steams are a simple and quick way to detox and relax your mind while nourishing your skin. For an excellent and natural face steam, check out Lesley Saligoe Botanicals! https://www.etsy.com/shop/lesleysaligoebotanic?ref=l2-shopheader-name

Photo by Lesley Saligoe Botanicals. 

 7. Buy a house plant. Aside from being pretty and bringing joy and brightness to your space, house plans have proven health benefits as well. They reduce carbon dioxide and other pollutants like benzene and nitrogen dioxide. Plus, they increase humidity levels and even reduce airborne dust levels!

Ours come from www.shinrinyoku.space

  8. Get a massage. Relax and unwind and truly treat yo'self. May we recommend Hillside Ave Spa for your next indulgent self-care experience? They go above and beyond with a holistic and results-oriented approach to wellness and beauty. The talented and licensed staff will provide the best combination of products, personalized Aveda aromas and techniques to design a customized experience that will move your skin, hair and body toward balance and its natural beauty.

Hillside is running a special right now: Save 38% ! $75 for 4 Aveda Spa Services. Experience a relaxing Chair Massage, Petite Spa Facial, Velvet Hand Treatment and Royal Foot Massage. To claim the offer & make your appointment call 317-769-9000. View their website www.hillsideavenuespa.com.

 9. Take yourself on a solo date. Is there a new restaurant, café, museum, or movie you’ve been wanting to check out, but you can’t find a date or anyone to go with? Treat yourself anyways and go alone! Take advantage of the silence and relish in the fact that you don’t have to compromise on where to eat, what to eat, who hogs the popcorn, or how long you linger at your favorite section of the museum. It’s all you, baby, and that can be glorious!

 The options here are virtually endless!

10. Write yourself a love letter and list all the reasons you love yourself and think you are great! It will boost your confidence and reframe your mindset to be grateful for the lovely things you *do* have instead of the constant negative self-talk we tend to batter ourselves with. 

Photo by Lusicovi Creative. 

BONUS: Do many of these at once by attending our event this Sunday! 

Celebrate the things you love about yourself with us this year and come out for friendship, fun, networking, wine, yummy desserts and snacks, flowers from Southern Sky Design, scrumptious products from Lesley Saligoe Wellness, make overs, yoga, coloring, pampering, and a photo booth style mini professional portrait shoot that is all about beauty + fun! The event is free, but to get your photo taken, at least one shot must incorporate your paper heart + handwritten reason you love yourself! 

[thehatchcreates]

Meet Megan & Last Bell Ministries!

Megan Hershey is a member of The Hatch and works for Last Bell Ministries. Last Bell began 10 years ago and is just beginning to flourish operationally, here in the US. They serve almost 500 young people aging out of the orphanage system in Zhytomyr, Ukraine. The US board and donor base supports the frontline work of 16 indigenous staff in Ukraine. Last Bell's mission is loving and restoring orphanage graduates towards life and community. It envisions the generational orphanage cycle ending in Zhytomyr, Ukraine.

In an effort to get to know Megan and Last Bell better, we sat down for a quick Q&A! 

Q: How do you balance getting the work done & staying creative/inspired?

A: Coffee, walking & talking outside during phone meetings, & swimming laps to clear my mind.

Q: What drew you to the Hatch? What is your favorite part about being here?

A: I love the professional and artsy atmosphere. There is a superb blend of hard work and pausing to nurture the humanity in each of us.

Q: How do you experience or cultivate community at the Hatch?

A: I'm grateful that in my blended work of staying home with my two boys and working for Last Bell, I can walk into a work space that hosts us with warmth, kindness, and hospitality.

Q: What is your favorite feature of the Hatch?/ How do you get the most out of the space?

A: Definitely the coffee and phone booths for necessary calls!

Q: What is your favorite local place to visit in Broadripple? And/or in Indy? Why do you love it?

A: We love SoBro spots like La Mulita, Luna Music, and, the College Ave. Library, in our neighborhood. In the Village, we also frequent Monon Food Company for their fish tacos!

You can read more about Last Bell Ministries and Megan’s amazing work at www.lastbell.org. And be sure to say hi to Megan next time you see her around The Hatch! 

[thehatchcreates]

5 Great Grammers

Need to pass the time?  Daydream a little?  Find new people to follow on the social medias? Try out these 5 great ‘grammers! 

1-Floret Farm

@floretflower

2- Wright Kitchen

@wrightkitchen

3- You Are Beautiful

@yabsticker

4- IGers Indy

@igersindy

5- Library Street Collective

@librarystreetcollective​

[thehatchcreates]

Art Profile: The Indianapolis Art Center

If you’ve been into The Hatch lately, you’ve probably noticed an interactive art installation called “The Art Bar.” Designed to foster creativity and intuitive breaks in your day, The Art Bar is an installation that is part of an art outreach by the Indianapolis Art Center. In an effort to better understand the center, we sat down for an in depth Q & A with two key people at the Art Center, Alyson Walbridge and Michelle Winkelman. Read on to hear what they have to say...

 -How did you come up with the idea for the Art Bar? What do you hope to accomplish with it?

Michelle: We came for a tour of the Hatch with Maggie and tossed around a lot of ideas for how our spaces and programs could work together. Alyson and I were impressed with how the Hatch integrates creativity and wellness into the coworking space. We saw the self-service juice bar with fresh juice from the Garden Table and riffed off of that to create the Art Bar.

Alyson: The Art Center has also been thinking about wellness in the workplace. One of the things I was already thinking about was how to re-boot my work flow – how to get that creative jolt when I get stuck or tired during the day. The Art Bar is really about that. We want to encourage people to be creative every day, even if it’s only for five minutes. And of course we hope the Art Bar is a way to connect people to the Art Center to take that creativity even further.

-For those who don't know, what is the Art Center? Who does it serve? What is it's mission? Where is it located?

The Indianapolis Art Center’s mission is to engage, enlighten, and inspire our community through interactive art education, outreach to underserved audiences, support of artists, and exposure to the visual arts. We started as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) program during the Great Depression with just a few teaching artists and a handful of students. Today our building and nine-acre ArtsPark are located at 820 E 67th Street in the Broad Ripple neighborhood, welcoming over 250,000 visitors annually. The Art Center’s building has gallery spaces with rotating, curated exhibits featuring contemporary art, and over a dozen studio spaces equipped for art media ranging from drawing and painting to blacksmithing, ceramics, glassblowing, and many more. Our core programs include:

-Art classes varying in skill level, length, and media for adult and youth students

-Rotating exhibitions that are always free and open to the public

-ArtReach, a free, community-based after-school art program for youth in low-income areas of Indianapolis, which reaches about 1,000 students annually

-Six weeks of Summer Art Camps for youth ages 4-18

-The Broad Ripple Art Fair

-Indy’s first Teen Art Council

and lots more!

-What other upcoming projects are you most excited about? 

Alyson: Lately I’ve been having a lot of fun planning our Pop-Up Date Night coming up on February 17, not only planning the classes but also putting together decorations and goody bags and really going all-out with the Valentines theme, making it really cheesy but also really fun! I’m excited to see people here on that night, not only in the studios but also mingling at an Art Center event.

Michelle: Even though my work is mostly focused on our classes, I always get excited when we have an exhibition opening coming up. The next one is February 10 from 6-9pm. One of the shows opening that night is called About Face, and it’s various interpretations of portraiture and features several local artists. Our openings are a great way to cap off the week, and with bars and restaurants within walking distance you can really make a night of it. Our openings are free and family-friendly, too.

-What inspires you or drives you to create?

Michelle: I see visual art as another way to communicate – sometimes a better way to communicate, especially complex ideas or emotions that I have a harder time putting into words. Creativity and the creative process are a process for me; sometimes it matters a lot more what happens during that process than what the end result ends up being. When I haven’t created something in a long time I can feel bottled up; art and art-making is a release for me. It’s a way to work with, interpret, or make sense of the world around you.

Alyson: I’m currently in a ceramics class at the Art Center, and I find I’m inspired by the other students in my class. The community really helps to draw out new ideas and try new things in my work. Working in such a creative environment, I’m also inspired daily by my coworkers and the exhibitions in our galleries.

-How do you balance the creative side of your organization with the business/administrative side? Do you have any advice for individuals in creating a similar balance? 

Michelle: Well, as a non-profit, we definitely have to pay attention to the business side of what we do. That’s a large part of my role at the Art Center, trying to make opportunities possible but also sustainable. I guess that I have some days that I work more heavily on those kind of projects. When I find myself sitting behind the computer for too long I try to remind myself to get out of my chair and walk through the halls, pop into the studios, and witness people in the midst of that creative process. I’ve had lots of conversations on this topic with people in all kinds of non-profits and it always seems to come back to the mission – don’t lose sight of your mission, live your mission.

Alyson: I try not to separate those two sides, actually. Since our mission is encouraging others to be creative, I try to be creative in all of my work, whether it’s business/administrative or something more typically “creative” – I think it is more of a mindset of how you approach your work.

-What is your favorite aspect of the Indy Arts community?

Alyson: I’m constantly learning something new from this community, constantly exposed to a new concept or artist. Indy’s art world can seem small, but the opportunities are large.

Michelle: I feel it’s a very supportive community. We want each other to succeed. When the arts succeed in Indy we’re all better for it. So we turn out for each other, we challenge each other to be better, we work together. We make things, and we make things happen.

-What originally drew you to the Art Center?

Alyson: I applied for and received an internship opportunity in the Education department and shortly realized I loved being around people who were as excited about art as I was. I love the Art Center’s focus on providing access to art education for all people.

Michelle: In school I discovered I had a passion for connecting people with art. I was looking for a place where people could make art, see art, and talk about art with others. It wasn’t until a friend took me to visit the Art Center that I realized this place already existed, and it was much more than I could have even imagined. I love hearing our students’ stories and am inspired by the variety of reasons people have for taking classes here.

-How can people connect with you? 

We’re online at www.indplsartcenter.org, where you can find links to our current classes, exhibitions, and upcoming events. You can register for classes online, by phone, or in person at our Guest Services desk. When classes are in session, the Art Center is open Monday-Friday 9am-10pm, Saturday 9am-6pm, and Sunday noon-6pm; between semesters we close every day at 6. The building and grounds are always free and open to the public, and we love it when people just stop by! In fact, since we’re along the Monon Trail, we often get casual visitors who just stop in for a moment during their workout or weekend stroll. If you want to plan your visit, though, check out what’s happening by going to our website or checking our Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram pages.

Michelle Winkelman has a Bachelor’s degree in Studio Art from Lake Forest College. She discovered the Art Center after moving to Indianapolis in 2006. Since then she has held a variety of positions at the Art Center, including managing their ArtReach program. From 2011-2015 she served as Director of Outreach, and now is the Director of Education and Outreach, overseeing programs for over 5,000 students annually.

Alyson Walbridge graduated in 2015 from Ball State University with a degree in Art History. She has a passion for audience engagement and connecting people to all kinds of art, whether on the wall, in the studio – or at the Hatch! She is the New Audiences Programs Manager at the Art Center, managing their Pop-Up programs, Access Art (their tuition assistance program) and a variety of other activities that introduce people to art education and the Art Center.

Stop by the Art Center itself to learn more and meet these lovely ladies, or just stop by The Hatch and take a brain break for a few moment’s creativity. A $3 donation to the Art Center is encouraged for everyone participating in the Art Bar. Cash and card are accepted. 

[thehatchcreates]

5 Locals to Love

Because we value community and creativity and entrepreneurship at The Hatch, we are going to start featuring short blurbs about 5 local businesses or organizations we love! 

1-Creative Mornings IND

CreativeMornings is a breakfast lecture series for the creative community. Our free, monthly events feature a short talk and breakfast!

https://creativemornings.com/cities/ind

Creative Mornings IND at The Hatch brought creatives to our space en masse. 

2-The Garden Table

The Garden Table is a local eatery and fresh juicery with two Indianapolis locations. We serve seasonally influenced and locally sourced food and cold pressed juice. We believe in simple dishes, made from natural ingredients, grown and harvested by local farmers. We think it’s important to live a healthy and balanced life and we strive to do this by nourishing the body with clean fuel, supporting local businesses, giving back to the community and taking care of mother earth. We make an effort to do each of these things every day, and we hope we can inspire and help you to do them too.

Come join us at The Table.

http://thegardentable.com/

Photo Credit to Logan Dodd of Fizziology. 

3- Ugo Bars

As a small business, we will continue to showcase what UGo Bars stands for: inclusivity and providing the best snacks possible. To us, this is simply human. Inclusion is as naturally our right as it is our right to access healthy food. It's inseparable. This is why UGo Bars has always been, and will continue be, more than a snack bar. It’s a way of life- straightforward, gritty, and uncomplicated.

https://www.ugobars.com/

4-Just Pop In!

Entrepreneurial spirits within the girls and nostalgic evenings spent with their grandfather cooking popcorn over the stove inspired them to create the fun-loving, colorful and non-traditional popcorn brand. Just Pop In! takes the stove-top method to a modern standard with developed and unique recipes, inspired by their love of ethnic foods to their favorite coffee drinks. The business take a “small batch” approach to ensure their gourmet popcorn is always fresh, delicious and 100% irresistible!

http://www.justpopinonline.com/

Just Pop In! offers multiple flavors including classic sharp cheddar, pictured here. We also offer mini bags to our members! 

5-The Gifted Gown

Proudly serving the Indianapolis community and beyond, we provide formal attire for any occasion, free of charge, from the kindness of hearts.

http://www.thegiftedgown.com/

[thehatchcreates]

Five Inspiring Takeaways from  “Big Magic” By Elizabeth Gilbert; Part 2

{This is Part 2 in a two part essay on Big Magic. To read part one of this post, click here, then come back to this one!} 

3-    The important difference between having a genius and being a genius. As Liz explains,

“In ancient Greek, the word for the highest degree of human happiness is eudaimonia, which basically means ‘well-daemoned’—that is, nicely taken care of by some external divine creative spirit guide. (Modern commentators, perhaps uncomfortable with this sense of divine mystery, simply call it ‘flow or ‘being in the zone.’)

But the Greeks and the Romans both believed in the idea of an external daemon of creativity—a sort of house elf, if you will, who lived within the walls of your home and who sometimes aided you in your labors. The Romans had a specific term for that helpful house elf. They called it your genius—your guardian deity, the conduit of your inspiration. Which is to say, the Romans didn’t believe that an exceptionally gifted person was a genius; they believed that an exceptionally gifted person had a genius.”

 Liz and I both agree that this distinction, having a little genius helper vs. being a genius yourself, is hugely important to the creative process. In short, having a genius house elf takes the pressure off, which can be crucial. The magnificent thing is that it actually goes both ways in helping the precious human ego. When you fail at something creative, it is not considered entirely your fault—your genius failed to show up and help, and so your ego and reputation are saved. On the other hand, when you do manage to get that divine flow going and create something truly magical, you yourself cannot take all the credit, for surely something so amazing and inspired was only created with the help of your genius, and thus you are kept relatively humbled.

 Somewhere around the Renaissance, when logic and reason began to overtake magic and mystery in every realm of thought, the idea of having a genius morphed into the idea of being a genius. Personally, while I love all of the modern amenities we currently enjoy (the computer and the internet whereby you are currently reading this, for instance), I think in this one aspect, this evolution has done a disservice to creators everywhere.

 Imagine, if you will, a world in which the pressure is off. Imagine sitting down in front of a blank canvas, a blank page, a blank room, or at the very start of any creative project, and knowing that your only job is to show up, create, and have fun. The end results are not resting entirely on your shoulders. Imagine the actual fun you could have with the weight lifted like that. Imagine how little there is to fear. Doesn’t it sound rather, well, magical?

 I happen to think we do put too much pressure on ourselves, particularly when it comes to creativity and inspiration. Too often we try to force it, to fit it into our regimented schedules. And I think that, like with anything we chase after desperately, the best way to find that divine moment of inspiration, is actually to relax about the whole thing and just play. Commit to showing up and doing the work, but allow yourself to creatively play too. Take the weight of the entire outcome off your shoulders. Maybe then inspiration, your genius, the flow, whatever you want to call it, will realize you are just having fun and will show up to help and to play.

 4-    Believe in the magic. There are a couple of ways in which this book gets just a little mystical. Some people have raised their eyebrows at this part of Liz’s theory on creativity, but I personally find it wonderful and curious. Because, yeah, it’s a little out there, but wouldn’t it be neat if it was true and she was right? And really, who’s to say? 

Basically, Liz Gilbert’s theory is that ideas are magic. Not metaphorical magic, but actual magic. As she puts it she has “developed a set of beliefs about how it [creativity] works—and how to work with it—that is entirely and unapologetically based upon magical thinking. And when I refer to magic here, I mean it literally. Like, in the Hogwarts sense. I am referring to the supernatural, the mystical, the inexplicable, the surreal, the divine, the transcendent, the otherworldly. Because the truth is, I believe that creativity is a force of enchantment—not entirely human in origin.”

 You really truly should read the book yourself to hear her explain it, but for a quick summary suffice it to say that Liz believes that ideas (all types of ideas) are invisible disembodied life forms whose sole purpose and directive is to find a human to collaborate with and make themselves manifest. This aligns well with Liz’s universalist leanings spiritually, and with my own. I understand it can be a little hard to swallow, but I implore you to read the countless examples of stories Liz provides and then decide how literally you want to take this theory. And, if you’ll permit me, I’d like to add a personal story as evidence to Liz’s case.  

 The pages devoted to the inexplicable, serendipitous, mostly downright magical but still 100% believable stories in this book give me actual chills as I read. Perhaps that is because, as an artist, entrepreneur and amateur philosopher, I have experienced the spine tingling bizarre sort of arrival of ideas that she is talking about. I have worked with creativity, been hit with a lightning bolt idea out of nowhere, and felt the physical and emotional rush she describes. I have felt that creative magic; been in that flow. And afterwards, looking at whatever it was I created while “in the zone,” I could not for the life of me explain how I did it. People ask me sometimes how I do what I do, and I have honestly always struggled with that question a bit, because I have always felt that somehow it wasn’t entirely me doing anything that is my best work. 

 Just the other day I was working on a digital montage in Photoshop and got completely lost in the creative flow. Hours later I blinked, resurfaced to reality, and looked at the image with refocused eyes. I noticed something that should have been fixed at the beginning on the basic background layer. So I set about fixing it, and to my alarm discovered that it wasn’t just in the background layer anymore. The thing had evolved and morphed without my really understanding how, despite me being the only one actually doing anything, and try as I might I could not go in and fix the one small thing that should have been an easy fix. Eventually I just resolved to start over completely and cross my fingers that once I fixed the background layer, the creative inspiration (my genius, perhaps) would show up again to get me back to the finished image.

 You might find the concept of actual magical ideas difficult to swallow. But I urge you, set that aside long enough to read the book. I think you will come out inspired either way in the end.  

 5-    Trust the trickster and embrace the paradox. The idea of the tortured artist, the starving artist, the depressed or insane artist, the ones who struggle and fight and die in the name of creating art is an old idea that we are all familiar with. But Liz begs the question, does it have to be this way? Do you really have to torment yourself in the name of art? Or torment yourself in order to make art? If you think about it, there are cave paintings in Lascaux dating back to 20,000 years ago. Arguably, for as long as there have been humans, there have been humans making art. Twenty thousand years ago there were absolutely more important things to be done in order to survive, and yet there were still painters, artisans, curious people following hair brained ideas and making things that served no functional purpose. Creativity is arguably what makes us human. So, if it is really such an integral part of our humanity, is creativity really there to just to torture and kill us? Probably not.

 Liz argues that somewhere along the way, that lighthearted, trickster approach to creativity was hijacked by the martyrs, who promote only suffering and darkness, and she says it is time to give creativity back to the tricksters. It is time to play with our creativity again, instead of stubbornly suffering in its name. The best argument for a trickster’s approach to, well, all of life, instead of a martyr’s is simply this: trust.

 “It may seem counterintuitive to suggest this, because he can seem so slippery and shady, but the trickster is full of trust. He trusts himself, obviously. He trusts his own cunning, his own right to be here, his own ability to land on his feet in any situation...but mostly, the trickster trusts the universe. He trusts in its chaotic, lawless, ever-fascinating ways—and for this reason, he does not suffer from undue anxiety.”

 Another way to put it is the simple old adage that a bird never worries if the branch he sits on will break; because he has trust, not in the branch, but in himself and his own ability to fly. Because, as we all know, the thing about life is that the only things that are certain (ever) are death and taxes. Everything else tends to be generally lawless chaos, try as we might to control it. And the trick is not to put your trust in the supposed process of life, which inevitably leads to anxiety because, quite simply, you cannot control anything but yourself. The trick, therefore, is to trust in yourself. When things go wrong, in life, and in love, and in health, and in all the other ways that life can go wrong, the only thing you can trust is yourself. When things go wrong, the martyr says “that’s awful,” and suffers.

  But the trickster says “huh. That didn’t work. How interesting. I wonder what I can do to take this experience and come at it a different way, or create something fresh and new.”  And he simply, light heartedly, tries something else, again and again until he flourishes. The trickster is curious, and I believe that curiosity, creative curiosity, is what saves lives.

 Paradox as it is, the light hearted curiosity is gravely serious, because it is the only way to flourish. It is the only thing that saves us.

 The life you are saving is your own, after all, and it is oh so important. So make room for fear, show up and do the work, take the weight of it all off your shoulders, and believe in the magic. Even just as an experiment to see what happens. Most importantly, embrace the trickster mentality and trust in yourself. Follow your curiosity, lightly, and see what sort of big magic shows up. You might just be wonderfully surprised.  

[thehatchcreates]

Five Inspiring Takeaways from “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert

“Creativity is Sacred,

and it is not sacred.

What we make matters enormously,

And it doesn’t matter at all.

We toil alone,

And we are accompanied by spirits.

We are terrified, and we are brave.

Art is a crushing chore

And a wonderful privilege.

The work wants to be made,

And it wants to be made through you.”

             This quote, taken from the back cover of Big Magic, shows us all that while we all fell in love with Liz Gilbert’s writing in Eat Pray Love, it is well worth it to stick around and see what she has been working on since that phenomenon of a book. I have always been a big fan of Ms. Gilbert and her writing, but this book especially is magical and inspirational for me, and I suspect for many creative people. Interestingly, I was recently re-reading parts of Eat Pray Love, and was surprised to notice that there were early strands of thoughts and theories that would eventually develop into Big Magic clearly present in the writing of Eat Pray Love. As someone who is constantly curious as to other creative people’s processes, I found that discovery wildly fascinating. However, we are here to talk about Big Magic, not Eat Pray Love. And so, without further ado; here are five inspirational things to take away from Big Magic:

 1- Make room for fear in the car, but make it clear that fear will never be allowed to drive. As all creative people (really, all people, period) know, anything risky comes with fear. Anything creative is risky in some way or another. It is vulnerable to bare one’s soul, and basically all creative acts are a baring of one’s soul in some way. There is always a risk of being laughed at or shunned, at best. That being said, if we want to be creative (which most people do on some level, no matter how far buried, Liz and I agree on this point), we are just going to have to get used to and get over the fact that fear is going to come along for the ride. And so, as Liz Gilbert puts it, it seems best if we not only accept this, but maybe even speak out loud addressing the fear at the start of any new creative endeavor. Essentially, we should calmly and warmly welcome fear to the party (because why not? It’s going to come anyways, so you may as well invite it), but also firmly let it know that while it is permitted to come along for the ride, at no point will it be allowed to make decisions or drive the metaphorical car. The best part of this exercise is that I think it can be applied not only to creative projects, but basically to anything that we are certain we want to do, but of which we are still rather fearful. Which, to be honest, is probably a lot of life.

2- Show up and do the work- the process is the gift to you and the end result is a gift to the world.

This one is probably the simplest, most obvious, and also most difficult takeaway to execute. Show up and do the work. Sometimes we get so caught up in a storm of making everything so perfect that it paralyzes us, and as a result we never actually get anything DONE. We just talk an awful lot and plan an awful lot what and how and when and where we are going to work; so much so that we never get around to the actual work. The secret, I think, is that sometimes you just have to put all of that perfection and planning aside, and instead just show up and work at it. Have a good breakfast, grab some coffee or water, put on your appropriate business clothes, sit properly at your desk, and just do the work. It can be grueling at times, but it is oh so necessary. Having discipline like this and consistently creating anything is difficult, I think more so for more creative personalities, and the thing is, not everything you produce will be usable. But that is ok. Because if you consistently show up and do the work, every so often, the lightning that is inspiration will strike, and those are the moments of big magic. Those moments where everything is flowing really easily and somehow everything is working and you are on a roll and you can’t really explain it, but you’re just going with it because why argue? Those are the moments of magic in creative working and living, and the thing is, if we don’t just sit down and struggle sometimes through the slough of everyday work, we never get to experience the magic or see the beautiful inspiring fruits of our labor. Maybe you have to get serious about this creative work (and demonstrate that by consistent dedicated work) before the magic can happen.

Tune in next week to read part two of Five Inspiring Takeaways from Big Magic....

[thehatchcreates]

Creativity vs. Clutter: Revive Your Space for the New Year

It’s that time of year again. The air in Indianapolis is brutally cold, the radio stations are back to normal from the Christmas song take-over, and the magical fortress of lights at Monument Circle is about to come down for another year. The New Year is upon us.  

 And that means the only thing more widespread than leftover Christmas cookies right now is talk of how to make 2017 better than ever. Goal planning, vision boards, life planners, business courses, sheer luck compared to 2016- people everywhere are talking about it.

 It may be a little cliché at this point, but some things are cliché for a reason. There is something about the fresh new year that makes us want to make everything else fresh and clean and new. Maybe it is the frequent sight of fresh fallen snow, or maybe it is just something that is hardwired into us. Either way, I always find that the first step to revitalizing my life, creativity, brain, or goals, is to clean out and declutter my space.

 But then, very often, that task alone can be so daunting and overwhelming, that we just give it up and trudge along with messy desks and muddled minds. And anyways, creative people are *supposed* to be messy, right?? That’s where the creativity is! 

Sometimes, yes. But sometimes it is just a mess and you can’t get to the creativity because it is blocked by all the STUFF. So, if you are craving some New Years clarity, here are some tips to help you get there.

 #1- Schedule it. Block out an entire afternoon (or day if you can afford it) specifically to clean out your space. We humans are much more likely to stick to a schedule than to a whim. Now, that doesn’t mean we aren’t going to bring some whimsy into this process, but the first step is to just clear the space in your hectic holiday schedule (may I suggest Boxing Day? Or New Years Day itself?) to dedicate to this project.

 #2- Enjoy your day. Yes, cleaning is a chore. But that doesn’t mean your day has to be horrid. Sleep in a little that morning, and luxuriate a little bit over breakfast. Let yourself wake up slowly and relish the day. Do something that will invigorate your body- a quick morning workout, go for a walk, do some yoga or journaling, whatever works best for you. And have a good breakfast, but not just a healthy one, one that you enjoy and is good for you- try your favorite fruits, some eggs and potatoes, or oatmeal. Something hearty but balanced.

 #3- Put on your favorite rock out music. What is your power jam?? Maybe it’s Journey. Maybe it’s Beyonce. Maybe it’s T-Swift (no judgement). Whatever music it is that pumps you up and makes you feel fantastic, blast that as loud as your household can stand. (If you have kids or other family members around, do your best to get them involved and having fun with this project as much as you are! If they refuse, try to keep them from hindering your progress at the least. Don’t let the muggles bring you down, friends.)

#4- The best way to get things done is to simply begin. You’ve slept in, you’ve luxuriated and enjoyed your breakfast, you’ve invigorated your body and you are rocking out to whatever is your jam. The only thing left now is to jump right in. Pick a room, or pick a place on your desk, and just start sorting. Utilize the floor if need be to make piles of things to keep/organize, and piles to toss (or shred, if we’re talking old paperwork.) The thing about big decluttering, is that you often have to make a bigger mess in order to get it cleaned up, but that is completely ok!

 #5- Ask the hard questions- and give yourself space to think and feel out the answers. For every item you pick up or come across in your house (big and small), ask yourself:

-Is this something I use regularly? (At least within the last year?)

-If not, is it something I love?

-If I were shopping right now, would I buy this?

-Am I keeping it out of obligation, expectation, or because I think I should love it?

-Do I have something similar that serves the same purpose/is this a duplicate?

-Do I have a realistic plan to use this?

-Is it something I have been hanging onto to fix? If yes, am I realistically going to fix it and then use it within the next month?

-Does the item fit me, my style, and my space?

- Could I use the space it is taking for something that I love?

 Going through all of these questions for each item will help you determine if it is something you truly need to keep. Try to pay attention to your very first gut reaction to each question. If any part of you is wanting to get rid of something, just do it.

 #6 It might help to make a “maybe” pile for anything you are not sure you should keep. So, have your yes pile, and only put in it the things that you know without a shadow of a doubt that you absolutely definitely need to keep. Have your no pile for anything you know already you need to just donate or trash. But then also have a maybe pile for all those things that you’re unsure of. At the end, look back over your piles and put away and organize only the “yes” things in the room. Trash your trash pile and bag or box up the donate pile and put it in the car.

 #7 If it’s not a “Hell yes!” it’s a “no.” Now go back to that maybe pile. Go back through it and just see if anything jumps out at you. Ask yourself “do I really need this? Or am I pretty happy with how the room looks when only the definite yes things remain?” There may be one or two items in the pile that you do realize you need to keep. But for the most part, if the answer to “do I really need this?” is not a resounding “hell yes!” then the answer is no. Box it up and add it to your donate pile in the car.

 #8 Go out and donate everything you decided you didn’t need! Relish in the feeling that someone else will benefit from the things you no longer need, and that jobs have been created and people are earning a good wage to run the store to recycle your unnecessary things. Stop for coffee/ice cream/small treat of your choice on your way home, and just enjoy how light and happy and free you feel! It is going to be a great 2017 after all!

[thehatchcreates]

Five Things That Inspire Me; By The Hatch Community Manager, Elise Rorick

“Dance, Dance” is a collaborative underwater piece featuring the artist herself and lines from poetry by local Indy author, Kaylin R Boyd.

Inspiration is a funny thing. Sometimes, it hits you out of nowhere; in the shower, while you’re driving, or while you’re trying to fall asleep. And it’s all you can do to get the new amazing idea down on paper because your heart and mind are racing with the overwhelming excitement of it all.

 Other times you sit for hours and stare at a bank piece of paper…. just waiting for all the ideas you had three days ago to come back and present themselves articulately so you can write, paint, draw, or whatever your chosen medium is. As a lifelong artist just starting out on a more full time and serious creative entrepreneurial journey, never has this been more of a problem for me.

 Luckily, other creatives have gone before me, and from reading their works and listening to their talks (shoutout to Liz Gilbert, Neil Gaiman, and JK Rowling especially), I have learned that there are a few things I can always do and fall back on when I need a little help chasing down that fleeting wonderful moment that is inspiration.

Elise dressed as a character from “The Great Gatsby” at the Indianapolis Literary Pub Crawl (in her own photobooth).

#1- Find a story. There is nothing more inspiring to me than a story. Books, poems, songs, short stories, long novels, folk tales, fairy tales. Stories of all kinds are the most inspiring things to me.

I have been a bookworm all my life and have always been interested in "nerdy" things and stories like Alice in Wonderland and Doctor Who.  I am particularly interested in what are usually considered "children's" fantasy stories: Harry Potter, The Hobbit, Peter Pan, The Little Mermaid. I believe that these types of stories are relevant for everyone because they tell truths of the human condition which resonate with us all, but they tell them in beautiful ways that can be understood by everyone. To paraphrase what GK Chesterton once said, fairytales are more than true. Not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten. And there is something immensely powerful and magical and inspiring in that.

Untitled underwater photograph. 

#2- Get myself to the sea or to the stars. Nature in general is always a great revival and refresher for the soul, especially in our fast paced, glorification-of-busy lives. I think to some degree we are all suffering from burnout, and nothing has ever been a better cure for that than to just put down our phones and get outside. For me though, the water and the stars are always especially inspiring. There is something so truly awe inspiring, so universal, so amazing, about standing and just watching the awesome power of the ocean, or watching the endless glittering dance of the stars. It always makes me feel both immensely inspired and great, and immensely humbled and tiny all at the same time. These two great natural wonders always put everything in perspective and help me to remember what is truly important.

#3- Ordinary people living extraordinary lives in a hundred little ways are a huge inspiration to me as well. Maybe this is just “stories” in a different way, but people who are passionate, from an amazing biopic about Walt Disney to the woman who lives down the street, never cease to inspire me. The best example of this is my own Grandpa, who was the single most inspiring person I have ever personally known. An Armenian born in Jerusalem, and raised in abject poverty, he made his way out of that life, came to America, and built a remarkable life for himself, creating a family legacy of grace, determination, curiosity, love, and laughter. By his own example, he taught his family that it matters not where or what someone is born, but who they grow to be. I would truly not be the person I am today without my Grandpa’s fine example, and for that I will always be grateful and inspired.

Untitled underwater photograph inspired by “The Night Circus” and “Alice in Wonderland.”

#4- Speaking of being indebted to others, I truly believe that creative collaboration/brainstorming is one of the most inspiring things anyone can do. And you don’t actually have to be in the same room to creatively collaborate. Books allow us to collaborate, in a sense, with storytellers and inspiring people who lived halfway around the world a hundred years ago, but I still consider that a collaboration of sorts, because it is a meeting of equal minds, and results in a new blending of ideas that can produce new exciting things. Which is truly a little magical, when you think about it. But it doesn’t even have to be as esoteric as that. The digital age allows us to connect to amazing artists all around the world with the click of a button. Pinterest, for example, is flooded with truly astoundingly beautiful art. And if I am ever in a particular creative pickle, it is the first place I look to for instant inspiration. Just being surrounded by other creative ideas and beautiful artwork, whether in a museum, a gallery, or on Pinterest, I find myself instantly refreshed, inspired, and in awe.

“Dreamers and Lovers” is a photomontage piece originally inspired by “The Night Circus” and later adapted and featured in “The Mountain,” an illustrated narrative poem by Kaylin R Boyd. It is currently on display at The Hatch.

#5- My final inspiration (and this is a new lesson that I recently had to learn), comes in the form of meditation and/or yoga. Taking time to deliberately switch OFF and recharge, is so important that I could never stress it enough. And it is so much harder and so much more rewarding than it sounds. It is a constant practice and lesson of balance, and I’m certain it is something I will have to consciously work on for the rest of my life. But, when you think about it, unless you slow down sometimes, those moments of inspiration can never truly find you. Sometimes you have to slow down, be still, and give up on chasing the ideas, to let them come to you. This exact principle explains why those most brilliant ideas hit you just as you are drifting off to sleep, or while you are in the shower or driving on a long trip, because in those moments your brain is relaxed; and in that relaxation and stillness, inspiration has the space to come rushing in.

So there you have it: Stories, nature, ordinary people, other art, and being still. I guess when you boil it down, what I am really inspired by is anything that is wondrous, and curious, and beautiful. Those are the stories that I love to hear and discover. And as a visual storyteller, these are the stories that I love to tell.

_____________

Elise Rorick is a creative photographer, a self-proclaimed nerd, and a new part time member of The Hatch family. Her business, Lusicovi Creative, is a creative storytelling studio, dedicated to capturing the magic of brands, small businesses, and families through styled product and portrait photography and original artwork and design. When she is not at The Hatch helping to cultivate the community there, she can often be found in local coffee shops, working on her underwater photography or designs for the Creative Life Planner. Follow her on Instagram or Facebook @lusicovicreative, and visit www.lusicovicreative.com to learn more.

Elise with her featured art piece, “A Time of Stars,” at the Nickel Plate Arts Annual Fundraiser Gala in Noblesville. 

[thehatchcreates]

5 Things About Me: Meet Member Concierge Michell Howard

Me (Michell) at The Hatch making these fancy headphones - I was inspired by someone with sparkly ones that I saw at The Hatch one of my first days

1. Creativity means to me ...

being open to everything, trying and failing, trying again, finding what works for you, putting yourself out there, not caring what others think when making - art, food, music, plans, anything

 2. I find I am the most creative when … 

I’m surrounded by good energy or it’s really late at night

 3. My hidden talent is …..

making really fancy smoothie bowls

 4. You haven’t lived until you’ve tried ….

aerial silks and chocolate cake from Cake Bake

5. My best advice for someone who is having a creative block ... 

 take a break and treat yourself

This photo is from Maui and is an image that inspires me. 

_____

We love having Michell on our team and the energy she brings. Stop by and say hello to Michell and the rest of our Hatch team! 

[thehatchcreates]

5 Things That Inspire Me

By Nakia Miller, A Handcrafted Affair

Nakia is Creative Director and Owner at A Handcrafted Affair which offers offers styling and design services with a focus on custom handcrafted decor and props. Follow her on Instagram to see her work in action: @ahandcraftedaffair

5 things that inspire my creativity

I started my path to building my creative business, A Handcrafted Affair, two years ago and as anyone who has, or is in the process of, starting a small business, you know that the journey is exciting and exhausting all in the same breath. Over the last two years I’ve had to dig in and really find the root of my passion and grab onto the moments and people in life that inspire me to continue to push forward and do what I love. Here are 5 things that inspire me.

I’m inspired by my children My family is what I hold dearest to my heart, especially my two daughters. Their laughter, joy and carefree imagination sparks a light inside of me to continue to be a positive and creative influence in their lives. I can be a bit of a perfectionist and that doesn’t always jive well with my creative flow. It’s amazing in those moments when I just take a break and do something fun with the girls and allow myself to play freely with them, how I can come back to a project and feel like I can approach it with a fresh and and open mind.

I’m inspired by simple yet unexpected materials I love working with simple materials that I can transform into something unexpected. I attended Herron School of Art and Design and in one of my classes we had learned the art of making paper and our project was to take the paper and turn it into some sort of vessel so I decided to make a dress from the sheets of handmade paper. For me, it’s like turning a moth into a butterfly.

I’m inspired by taking care of me Life is BUSY! While I am growing A Handcrafted Affair, I continue to work a full time job as well as take care of the needs of my family. Thankfully, I have an amazing husband who is an amazing partner in raising our family but it is easy to forget about making me a priority in this fast-paced, hectic life. I’m turning 40 in March and want to go into it being the best version of me, including my health. Eating healthier and working out on a consistent basis has made a huge improvement on my overall ability to stay driven and inspired. It’s taken a while to find what motivates me but I’ve really found a groove with kickboxing and yoga. They are very Yen and Yang in focus but that’s why I love it…balance!

I’m inspired by the excitement and joy of my clients I’m a very passionate person and that includes being passionate about other people’s passions. Whether I have a client who is planning their wedding, their daughter’s first birthday or even a small boutique owner looking for a custom display, I am fueled with excitement and ideas when I see how I can help bring their vision to life. Creating something custom and unique to make their day even more special is very motivating and fulfilling!

I’m inspired by a challenge I love to try new things and push limits. It’s easy to let self doubt creep in at times, but thankfully, I am pretty stubborn and don’t like to take no for an answer, even when it’s my own little voice inside my head. Those are the moments that I dig the deepest and fight to overcome whatever challenges are in my way. Sometimes I come out on top and sometimes I fall flat on my face but I definitely learn from the experience and know that it will only make me stronger and better in the future. It only adds more fuel to the fire.

MEET NAKIA

Nakia is hosting a ‘Tis The Season’s ‘Holiday Hosting & Styling Workshop’ at The Hatch on November 9th. See event details and register by clicking here. 

[thehatchcreates]

5 Things that Inspire Me

By Logan Dodd, Senior Film Account Manager, Fizziology

I’m lucky enough to hold a job that derived from one of my biggest creative passions. Movies. In my opinion, going to the movies is America’s greatest pastime. I can quickly be transported from age 7 to age 27 when I imagine the smell of over-buttered popcorn in the local dollar theater in my hometown, and the sweet and floral fragrance of the Indy Keystone Art Cinema. However, it’s been a struggle to maintain my creative energy outside of my work life. I’ve found that I tend to recharge through alone time, so below are my top 5 ways to keep those creative juices flowing.

Seeing A Movie Alone

I did this for the first time after a really tough break up, and it was THE. BEST. Not only did it reestablish my independence, but it also felt like the most intimate moviegoing experience. It felt as though the film was made to speak to only me. Whenever I’m having a tough week, this is my go-to.

Companionship

Like most of us, I feel comforted and inspired by people I can relate to. I like to start my morning commute with podcasts that focus on living and loving positively, like Wilder Podcast, Girl Boss, The Heart and Modern Love.

Acknowledging My Body And My Mind/Living In My Moment

I constantly feel like I’m in a frenzy, and I have a long list of expectations for myself as soon as I wake up. I was recently told to "live in my moment," and to acknowledge my body and listen to myself.  As soon as I began this practice, I realized that by living in my moment, my expectations began to fade and I felt more connected. I feel inspired by the fact that I am unlimited and driven by choice, not expectation.

Curating Playlists/Adult Coloring Books

I gravitate to these fun little activities because they exercise my "bigger picture" way of thinking. With playlists, I curate them as if I'm writing a cohesive story with the potential of hitting "all of the feels." With coloring books, I imagine the end result, and challenge myself with color pairings and reaching what I initially envisioned.

Taking The Time To Nurture My Other Hobbies

Whether it’s writing a new song, prepping/making meals for the week, or putting together a rad outfit, I try to create in some way, every single day. A creative thought in one hobby often bleeds into another hobby, and I reach this “I can take over the world” mindset. Which will always be my favorite mindset :)