Wait a Minute…

Day 5: Wait a Minute…

Welsh translation: Aros funud…

Hiya, I’m Scott Thomas, an artist and theatremaker working in the Southside of Glasgow. I’ll be working with a group of creative people at The Wee Retreat CIC, a community wellbeing centre, throughout January to take part in the fun creative prompts.

As we’re in a peaceful space, we’ll be exploring how relaxing our mind and bodies beforehand will affect the work we create and how we approach it. I’m really looking forward to working with my group and showcasing the work they create in mini exhibitions dotted around the city.

I chose this creative prompt as taking a pause is something I’ve recently adopted in my work. Often our lives can be busy or hectic and we hurry to cram as much into our day as we can.

I’ve found that stepping back and focusing on my breathing or on just clearing my thoughts before creating that my I enjoy the process a lot more. There’s less stress when things go awry or inspiration temporarily drifts away.

https://www.instagram.com/TheWeeRetreat

Helo, Scott Thomas ydw i, artist a gwneuthurwr theatr yn gweithio yn ardal Southside Glasgow. Byddaf i’n gweithio gyda grŵp o bobl greadigol yn The Wee Retreat CIC, canolfan llesiant cymunedol, drwy gydol mis Ionawr i gymryd rhan yn yr heriau hwyliog. Gan ein bod mewn lle tawel, byddwn yn edrych ar sut y bydd ymlacio ein meddwl a’n cyrff ymlaen llaw’n effeithio ar y gwaith rydyn ni’n ei greu a sut rydyn ni’n mynd ati. Dwi’n edrych ymlaen yn fawr at weithio gyda fy ngrŵp a dangos y gwaith maen nhw’n ei greu mewn arddangosfeydd bach o gwmpas y ddinas.

https://www.instagram.com/TheWeeRetreat

Do

Dig into to your recycling box, or a messy drawer (I know you have one.) Here, you will find your artists materials.

Create a piece of artwork, using the materials at your disposal.

But before you start, lay out all your materials in front of you and pause for one minute.

If you find it helpful, use the theme ‘wait a minute’ to inspire your creation!

Don’t fire in right away, simply take some time to clear your thoughts and have a pause before you start your activity.

If you’ve got them time, wait longer than a minute, take ten or twenty minutes to sit in a meditative state before seeing what creativity will come to mind.

Ewch i chwilota yn eich blwch ailgylchu neu ddrôr blêr (dwi’n gwybod bod gennych chi un). Yno, fe welwch eich deunyddiau artist. Crëwch ddarn o gelf yn defnyddio’r deunyddiau sydd wrth law. Ond cyn dechrau, gosodwch y deunyddiau i gyd o’ch blaen ac arhoswch am funud. Peidiwch â mynd ati’n syth, cymerwch amser i glirio eich meddwl ac oedi cyn dechrau’r gweithgaredd. Os oes gennych chi amser, arhoswch yn hirach na munud, cymerwch ddeg neu ugain munud i eistedd a myfyrio cyn gweld pa greadigrwydd fydd yn dod i’r meddwl.

Think

Ideally think about nothing.

But that’s a hard ask, so try focusing on your breathing or on a point in space.

Make sure you’re comfortable. It might help to have your eyes closed but do whatevers comfortable for you.

You’re not using this time to prepare for your artwork. Try not to let your mind plot the foundations of your next activity.

This is all about focusing on the moments between actions.

Giving yourself a restful little pause to breath and relax before starting something else.

A peaceful soundscape or a mindful podcast might help you out if you find it difficult sitting in silence.

Yn ddelfrydol, meddyliwch am ddim byd. Ond mae hynny’n anodd, felly ceisiwch ganolbwyntio ar eich anadlu neu ar bwynt yn y gofod. Gwnewch yn siŵr eich bod yn gyfforddus. Gallai cau eich llygaid helpu ond gwnewch beth bynnag sy’n gyfforddus i chi. Nid amser i baratoi ar gyfer eich gwaith celf yw hwn. Ceisiwch beidio â gadael i’ch ymennydd osod seiliau eich gweithgaredd nesaf. Mae hyn yn ymwneud â chanolbwyntio ar y momentau rhwng gweithredoedd. Rhoi saib bach i chi eich hun gael anadlu ac ymlacio cyn dechrau rhywbeth arall. Gallai seinlun esmwyth neu bodlediad myfyrgar eich helpu os yw’n anodd i chi eistedd mewn tawelwch

Share

Share pictures of the artwork you create with friends and family or whomever you feel comfortable sharing to.

If you’d like to, you could share it online.

Tag us in your posts so we can see them to.

Share your thoughts on how pausing affected your work? Maybe it did, maybe it didn’t. Let us know.

#TheJanuaryChallenge

Read our top tips for accessible sharing on social media.

Rhannwch luniau o’r gwaith celf rydych chi’n ei greu gyda ffrindiau a theulu neu gyda phwy bynnag rydych chi’n gyfforddus i rannu gyda nhw. Gallech chi ei rannu ar-lein os hoffech chi. Tagiwch ni yn eich post er mwyn i ni gael eu gweld nhw hefyd. Rhannwch eich syniadau ar sut yr effeithiodd oedi ar eich gwaith. Efallai ei fod wedi gwneud, efallai ddim. Rhowch wybod i ni. #TheJanuaryChallenge