About Page
So Who is This Guy and What’s This Mildly Creative Stuff All About?
Ken Robert, a mildly creative guy
This is a blog that began as one thing, tried to be a lot of other things, and finally became what it is because I simply didn’t know how to make it anything else.
It’s a place where I post my drawings, my writing, and a lot of things that I find interesting.
I’m not an expert in anything other than being an enthusiastic amateur.
I don’t have a narrowly defined niche. If you forced me to name one, I guess it would be this: all the things I think about. So much for specificity.
And I don’t have a well crafted elevator pitch, one of those twenty-words-or-less explanations that tell you what a person does.
I really don’t ride in that many elevators, anyway.
However, if you really need to hear one, here’s mine. I draw for, write for, and share things with people who like the things I draw, write, and share.
For those of you who were counting, that was nineteen words.
I’m a dabbler, a tinkerer, an explorer, and an experimenter. That means there are some things I know a little about and a bunch of things I know almost nothing about, and this is where I prove it.
I hope you like what you find here enough to want to come back, but if you don’t, I understand. I’m sure you have better things to do than worry about what I’m up to.
In the case that your really do dig the blog, you can subscribe to the RSS feed. Heck, you can even have the posts delivered straight to your mailbox.
You can also find me on Facebook and Twitter.
And please feel free to leave comments on the posts. I love hearing what people have to say. It’s one of the things that interest me.
{ 55 comments… read them below or add one }
Ken, I discovered your blog thanks to Naomi Dunford, who raved about it on Twitter. I love what you’re doing here–your voice, your vision, the gift of yourself you offer to help each of us shape a gentler, truer world. Thank you so much.
Hiro
Thank you, so much. People like you encourage me to continue.
So glad to have found you through Twitter. We have a very similar philosophy about creativity!
Leah,
Your website, creativeeveryday.com is gorgeous. So glad to have found YOU too!
I also found you through Twitter — through Leah’s tweet, in fact.
Going through your posts in my Google Reader, I’ve clicked more stars than I ever have in one blog before. I have a feeling I’m going to be revisiting your writing often. Thanks for giving strong inspiration with a soft touch.
Hi, Leslie.
“strong inspiration with a soft touch” What a lovely thing to say.
If you ask my wife, she’ll tell you I’ve always been slightly touched in the head.
I’m so glad I stumbled upon your blog. You have a unique voice and creativity that shines through and I’m a sucker for it.
Nice work!
Thanks, Dayne. The Happy Self. I like that.
Wow. All I want to say is, I am so amazed and happy and grateful that you and people like you exist. I’m bookmarking this site.
(I too found you via Twitter. Yay, Twitter!)
Thanks, Lucy. Yes, Twitter has been a great way for me to find people with similar interests. And now, a few are finding me. Great.
I found you through Twitter, too! LOL
So far, it accounts for half my traffic. I’ll take it. Glad you stopped to visit, Barabara.
Naomi emailed me saying “Have you seen this guy?”
And I hadn’t. Then I showed up and had that uneasy feeling when I encounter someone speaking a similar truth: oh no! He sunk my battleship! So I ran and hid out for a few days.
Now I’m back. I’d rather swim with kindred spirits than coast in a battleship anyway. Keep at it, Ken – slowly, but surely, we’ll make our way.
Glad to have a swimming partner. I really dig your website. Plan to explore it more later today. Thanks.
Glad to find your site. I believe everyone is a creative being and that you just need to sit back and listen to your self. We all have a medium to express ourselves and our creativity, it just takes knowing yourself to discover it and practice it.
Well said, Amy. I couldn’t agree more.
Ken –
I just saw your first video and kudos to you! I guess even when you’re nervous, if you speak the truth and show appreciation, you’ll win people over. Keep up the good work you’re doing here. I’ll definitely be reading! ; )
Thanks Anali. I look forward to hearing from you some more in the future.
Hello
I was searching for a creative and inspirational blog to lift my spirits today…and I found yours! I love it and I’m so excited about learning more about you and your philosophies…kudos on the fantastic site/blog!!
You are a true inspiration. Honestly, I have a lot of these thoughts and ideas but these character flaws prevent me from reaching my potential but reading something like your words help put my train back on track. Thanks.
I can hear that train rolling right along. Sound the whistle when you’re passing through.
Hey Ken,
It was a pleasure meeting you today, and I’m really liking what I’ve seen on the blog so far!
Cheers,
Willie Jackson
Hi Willie. So glad you stopped by. Loved your input and insights today.
Hello, Ken!
I found Mildly Creative through StumbleUpon. It is such an amazing web tool, isn’t it?
I am really glad I was lucky enough to stumble upon your great website. I find your articles warm, helpful and consoling, and at a point of my life where I know little about who I am and where I want to be, reading them is of great help to me.
So thank you very much! You are doing a wonderful job, keep it up!
Ken, this site is amazing! You have always been such a wonderful writer and now we can all appreciate your work. I too have been unhappy for many years. I am working on this day by day. I have found the art of quilt making, and I love it! We all need something. I love your spirit, Ken!
I found you in a kindergarten classroom some 35 years ago and thought you were something special then ( which is why you were the first boy I ever kissed ) and I’ve always been a fan!
Hi Ken
greetings from Scotland and from my site ‘Writing from the Twelfth House’ – I’ve just found you and your site and it’s really cheered up a wet, rainy Friday evening. What can I say (could say lots!! this is a great site) other than that I share your values and it’s great to find someone else who isn’t trying to sell anything – my aim is to inform, support, inspire and entertain my readers by offering an eclectic mix ( Home Page has a joke about James Joyce’s fridge which really sorts out who I want to be my readers from the rest ) – with a strong leavening of humour, some of it pretty black. Do drop by some time….I’ll certainly return to your blog and, if I may, put you on my Blogroll – I have a ‘Writers I Like’ category. Cheers and thanks, Anne W
Thanks, Anne. I’ll be sure to drop by.
I just hope you won’t mind if I ever decide to sell something.
You’ll have to wait until I know you a bit better before I start minding…..!
Hi Ken
just to let you know I’ve now added your site to my Home Page links, scroll down to bottom right and ‘Writers I like’. Hope the description I’ve taken from your site is ok. If not, let me know! G
Glad to have found you and to be able to put my readers in touch with your site.
Anne
Ken!
I’m listening to you LIVE right NOW on Valerie Young’s Opportunity Call. I’m in her Changing Course Club, and focus on helping Highly Sensitive People (HSP) create joyful work: http://www.joyful-work-for-sensitive-people.com/
I’m a mild creature too, and have so much gratitude for the super special space you’ve created here.
Your warmth is tangible, Ken. You’ve got yourself another loyal reader.
Affectionately,
Erika Harris
Hi Ken.
I just want to tell you that I read your blog and I am very thankful for it.
Thank you.
Have a nice day
Matěj from CR
Thank you, too.
Hi Ken,
I found your wonderful blog through Erika Harris another inspiring and beautiful mind! Reading about your journey and creating this blog was inspiring, to say the least. You have hit every nail on the head with a warm and welcoming approach that reminds me to slow down and really figure out my path. Thank you for that.
Best wishes,
Jeaneen
Pam Slim tweeted that this guy on Twitter calling himself @MildlyCreative had written piece that had her crying – and since I’m a sucker for a good cry (and since it’s the day before Thanksgiving), I came on over to check you out.
And instead of a good cry, I find myself nodding and grinning and nodding and grinning.
We need a little more of mild, my friend. And your gift for describing from the heart – with humor and honesty – what happens to so many of us, me included. Love, love, love what you’re up to, and most of all, how.
Hi Ken,
I discovered your website via Pam Slim on Twitter and absolutely love what you are doing and the message you are sharing with the world. You are a beautiful writer and your authenticity really comes across. It is very refreshing. I look forward to watching you “run”.
All the best,
Suzannah
This reminds me of my intentions when I started my journal. I started it by stating my intentions and committed to the process of releasing any blocks to my creativity with humor, patience and non-judgment. For many years I have stopped and started some sort of creative endeavor only to finally find in myself a cliche’. As if was the main player in some old black and white movie that romanticized the quiet tragedy of some sap who bought the role thrust upon her without question. But this story takes a turn where the movies don’t. This is a story of a 50 year old woman who realizes that she is , after all, the buckeroo she always fancied herself to be. You might not know it……..but inside there is a shift taking place. It’s so huge that slow is the only way to go. Besides it’s the journey that defines your life. So here I go. Sketching, painting, journaling………
I recently started blogging and found your site. I love it! Your gentle approach to creativity is very refreshing, inspiring, and just good fun! Dig the poems too! Keep up the good work!
I am so glad you are finding the place where you want to be. I absolutely love your writing and I’m so glad we have reconnected!
Me too. And I love your writing too. It’s so welcoming and natural. Thanks, Michele.
Hi Ken, you have a gift for writing, I admire you’re creativity and how you string your words together, it makes of very interesting read. I often wonder how creativity is gifted and distrubuted amongst individuals. Also how it connects to everyone, how creativity is so beautiful in its creation but is low in priority in terms of society. I often wonder why our leaders prioritise ugly things like war and greed, when we can achieve so much more from simple things like creativity and sharing creative thoughts. When I write music and/or lyrics, I have no idea where it comes from. What’s more important is not how I felt when I write a song but how others take a song and make it their own, it is such a gift I am unaware of its impact sometimes and is a wonderful thing to give. I can say the same about your writing, to you it may mean something minuit but I believe your words are majestic and impact me so much. I cannot explain exactly I am just rambling without fear. Why does creativity come from such a mysterious place? You can listen to our song “Make Me Proud” I hope it connects somehow, the lyrics and all. Sorry for the ramble
http://www.thisflighttonight.com or http://www.facebook.com/pages/This-Flight-Tonight/130022132492.
Thanks for sharing that, Ralphe.
Discovered your website through the beauty of Twitter. Keep doing what you are doing – although I don’t think you need anyone to motivate you to do that
Your philosophy on life is pure gold – worth more than any sum of money.
That’s quite a compliment, Jeremy. Thank you.
Ken,
Just came across your blog via a link Cath Duncan shared on facebook. Damn, your message really resonates with me! I’m 32 years old, working a job I hate and looking to set out on my own. Thank you for an awesome blog and for spreading the message to people who really need to hear it. Consider yourself followed, friend requested and subscribed to.
Keep up the great work and I hope you get to spread your message to many many more people.
Thanks, Alessio. Consider yourself appreciated.
Just found you…also through Twitter…@coachcreative .
Lovely, supportive words and work here. Thank you…I will visit often!
Susan
Just discovered your site randomly through Coach Creative’s site…. have to say I have muchos love for you and your site! I made it a goal this year to write more and design more (things that I love an make me happy despite everything else in life) and have started reading around those subjects as well, and your site is the perfect motivational and inspirational drops that I need!
Dear Ken,
Thank you so much for ‘Mildly Creative’. It truely is a balm on the creative soul…
As an artist turned entrepreneur presently a little lost and in need of redirection and refocus; your posts (and poems and drawings – I’ve been digging through the archives) have lifted my mind from the funk to allow me to re-examine the important, the original reason I wanted to create – the ‘why’ before the ‘how’ overtook it. Thank you for your beauty and courage to create the space to reexamine our inner creativity – and permission for that space to be there…
FYI – I avoid twitter and instead found you through Productive Flourishing via Micheal Bunjay Stainer…
Hi Ken,
I think we’re on the same page you and I. As well as craving big results from doing something creative it’s common for us to crave large financial rewards from businesses and careers. Battering oneself into the ground for not having ‘got there’ yet even though we’ve only just started out in the big scheme of things.
It’s so much more rewarding to be grateful for a bit of something, calmly knowing it will grow, than settling for nothing less than perfect from the word Go.
Your blog is bookmarked, thanks
Thanks, Timbob. It’s not always easy to be patient, but it’s usually rewarding.
Yes! Ooooh, I get so excited every time I come upon another creative, consciously living, happy person who writes about awesome things. I’m going to read your mild manifesto now.
Cheers,
Sage
Hope you like it, Sage.
Ken,
Thank you so much for your post: http://www.mildlycreative.com/2009/11/lead-with-your-heart/
… I’ve been desperately looking for an answer about whether to follow my heart or my head … that i just stumbled upon your blog by typing “follow heart or head” on google.
This is actually a question my bf and I’ve had for the past 6 years… Your philosophy just makes so much sense! i can’t believe I didn’t think about it
a real eye opener!
Thank you so much!!!
I’ve been smiling the entire time I’ve spent here. Thank you.
I wonder if you’d be interested to know how I came to be here?
See I’ve been considering blogging myself. I’m stuck at the “what shall I call it” stage. Each time I come up with an idea for the name of my blog I Google to see who got there first.
Today I Googled: “I like you.” and found you.