Living Our Dreams

December 30-day Bliss Challenge

Yes, you're right, I've run this card before, but I am already hearing from clients how stressed they are feeling with the seasons events. So, with the holi-DAZE upon us, I am inviting you to dive into the 30-day Bliss Challenge. No, this is not intended to be one more TO-DO. It's intention is to offer you a place of bliss, rejuvenation and a little YOU time.

In the tradition of Advent 1. the period of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration, 2. starting the fourth Sunday before December 25; in other words...RIGHT NOW. 

What's the Bliss-30 Challenge? Every day for the next 30 days, you are to engage in some form of Everyday Bliss. What's that? Here is an excerpt from the book:

"Everyday Bliss is about process, not product or outcome. Think about things you love or once loved to do that have fallen by the wayside....Each day, take twenty minutes for yourself, doing something that brings you only joy and renews your spirit. Mix it up. Try Everyday Bliss at different times of the day to see which time resonates most with you."

"Here are some examples of Everyday Bliss actions: a spontaneous painting or drawings at the beginning of the day, a quick poem, a fifteen-minute yoga workout, dancing to music cooking from a favorite cookbook. Or try my personal favorite, a "daydream meditation," where you let your dreams flow onto your paper, using your non-dominant hand..."

You can read more about Everyday Bliss on page 118 in the Creative Awakenings book.

Join up by leaving a comment and create your pledge to take the 30-day "Everyday Bliss" challenge. Bookmark this spot to return and share how you've blissed your holi-DAZE. Grab the badge by clicking the link at the very bottom of this post, and put it on your blog to let the world know you're taking care of yourself this month. 

You can also link in by adding your name here!

Creative Play

This weekend was devoted to rejuvenation. I find myself torn between the pull of the business of running the studio and answering the call to the reason I am an artist. For those of you who have chosen art and creativity as your profession, I'm sure you understand the challenge. And so I have given myself a treat by taking Susan and Misty's classes. Replenish...ahhhhh.....

I was fortunate this weekend, my friend Wendy came from Boulder for a quick overnight visit. This morning, we sat with our coffee, looking at YouTube footage of some really inspiring artists. Kiki Smith, Rauschenberg and Chuck Close. By the time we headed out for breakfast, my heart was pumping madly, and I could barely wait to get down to the studio to play. 

I am still not oriented to being in such a large space and my beloved kitchen cart is still at home, as it's SOOOO heavy to move. I decided to rummage through some old paper bins and found an old tissue paper transfer I made from one of my Mississippi photographs. I pasted that down first and the house grew around it. I then found some vintage photos from my grandfathers album and the story began to unfold. I kept seeing the roots under the house, but resisted painting them. I know when the resistance shows...it is my soul speaking to me..."lean in, this is important." I don't know why they are there, but it's not for me to decide. The raven drawing came next, influenced perhaps from watching Kiki's video this morning, but I knew it was in flight and not "dead," as her animals were. The strings came last and felt the most important in the end. 

People often ask me, "What does it mean to you?" It's so difficult for me to put into words my pieces. They aren't always meant for words. I often respond with...

"What does it mean to...you." 

That feels as important. 

 

Digital Expressions

 

I am so proud to be featured in Susan Tuttle's fabulous new book! If you work with photographs, this book is a must have! It's available now for pre-release! Woooo HOOOO!

I am taking her online class Visual Poetry, for a little ME time and it's a blast. If you can't wait for the book, you can contact her to see when her next online workshop begins. 

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

This is my favorite holiday. As my biological family lives in Florida, each year we gather with friends to catch up, share stories and laughter. This year we are on standby to deliver food to a friend who has been going through some tough times, if she doesn't feel up to company. It feels great to know we can support someone in this way, especially today. We will actually have something to celebrate as my friend got some good news yesterday, so she can breathe a sigh of relief in one area. ThankFULL indeed!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. I am so filled with gratitude for such an amazing online community! Many blessings to you and yours. 
 

Mission Statements

It's been a busy time getting our new hometown studio up and running. We've only been open 3 weeks and we have already sponsored 3 workshops! WOOO hOOO! This weekend my partner Toni and I worked on the first draft of our brochure. We still have a couple of things to add, but here is a sneak peak. Download Brochure 

This week's agenda is to flesh out our mission statement and take a good look at what we do and who we want to serve. It's a valuable exercise and I highly recommend it to everyone who is in a small business setting...yep even us artists! It will help you to understand your demographic, which helps with targeting your market and brand.

As an artist I have always had a bit of resistance to things like business plans, etc...UG....toooo left brained. But I am really coming to see them in a new light, as kind of an EnVision statement of their own. I can now see that it was fear that was keeping me from tackling this important exercise and it feels really empowering to actually feel like I want to DIVE into the process. Here's how we started. I don't know that this would make it into board rooms across the world, but I believe so much can be accomplished with crayons and a marker or two!

From here we were able to take it to the next level and make it a little more...black and white. My new frame for all of this left-brained activity is that it's another form of intention setting and here's a little secret...IT'S WORKING!!!!! Two VERY synchronistic things aligned last week to help us support our vision/mission. Two facilitators have found their way to us and will help us manifest two classes that we are very excited about.

Mandala Studio wants to welcome Tanya Y. Black who has joined our team brings with her, her delicious creativity and Level 1 Certification in the BIrthing From Within class and experience as a mother of two beautiful girls. Tanya and I are facilitating the Transformational Birthing Through Creativity class and we had a wonderful time with the beautiful blooming Goddesses, who are sharing their journey's with us. Here are some photos from our first class. Stay tuned, there is more to come.

If you are looking for support to get your mission statement or business plan going, give me a ring. There are also wonderful free resources available on the internet, including the Open Forum at American Express.

 Left to right: Laine, Rochelle and Judith work on their birth art

Far Left: Co-Facilitator Tanya Y. Black

 Sharing the LOVE!

Growing Edges

It's been a week of growing and stretching into new places. As most of you know I have recently moved from my home studio of 250 sq ft into a BIG YUMMY new space of about 1000. What you might not know is that in doing so, I am no longer a "solo-creative;" I have two new studio mates. OH BOY can you say growing edges, I have a little sticker on my car visor that says, "Does not play well with others," that might tell you something!

Two of us have been used to working alone for most of our lives and one of us is more tuned into the group-work  environment. I never knew how good threes could be until you have some things to work out. With all the mooooving, I had, had no time to create. The first day I did this in the studio, one of my studio mates was there and I could NOT WORK! It's was crazy. I felt so exposed and vulnerable. Mind you, it's not like I haven't taken workshops and created in group environments, but this was different. 

In expressive arts work, we tap into some pretty deep spaces and places. When alone, I am very comfortable accessing those shadow worlds and allowing what needs to present itself a place to be "seen." When there is someone in the room, this can be VERY challenging for me, as I truly go into a trance like state and allow the fertile soil to do it's magic. 

Each week, my studio sisters and I meet and have dream meeting and have also created a time for discussion around studio issues. NOW I HAD TO TALK! HOLY you know what. CONFLICT and it was only week 2.5!!!! I actually brought a book one of my studio mates had given me a few years ago, called The Magic of Conflict, in case we need to read the index! So with quivering voice, I did it and you know what...I wasn't alone! Each of us was finding a way to create a private nest within the vast expanse and so we spent the rest of our meeting time creating just that! 

That afternoon, my studio mates gave me a HUGE gift. The gift of being heard and reaching into those scary places and knowing I could trust them with my heart and feelings. So feisty readers, the moral of this story....TELL THE TRUTH even when it rattles your bones!

Above you see a background created that afternoon. This month I decided to take a couple of online classes to feed MY soul. This is for Misty Mawn's Painting with Layers, which is one HELL of a workshop! If your new to layers or an old pro, your creative well will be filled.

Remembrance

 
This week I remembered how important it is to remember to tell those who have made a difference in our lives, how much we appreciate them. I lost the chance to do that and have been feeling a deep sense of sadness knowing the opportunity has passed. 

Take some time this weekend to call someone you care about, or someone who has truly made a difference in your life and let them know exactly how they have impacted your life. 

This is for you Jesse...thank you for everything you gave me during your time here with us. You were an extraordinary person, who went above and beyond for those of us who were your friends. 

Thank you for a great class!!!

To Alison Lee of Craftcast.com and all the WONDERFUL FEISTY participants in this evening's online class... A BIG THANK YOU!!!

I am so thrilled to have taken this adventure with you and will be holding all your affirmations and intentions in my heart with DREAM SPIRIT!!

Feel free to take a bold step and write your affirmation for the world to see!

Congratulations to Jennifer who won a copy of Creative Awakenings!

The book I mentioned is the first book in the left hand column of this page, under Books to Inspire, May I have your attention please by Chris Hilicki. I will check and see if I have them on hand too if you're interested. 

Tonight...Creative Awakenings Online!

Follow your True North and meet us at the trailhead! Alison and I look forward to dreaming with you. 

Register here!

When Dreams are Manifested

Most of you know that I believe stepping toward our dreams takes a combination of intention setting with a healthy dose of sweat equity. Let's face it...no one is going to make it happen for us...even the Universe...if we are not willing to do the work and participate. Sound harsh? Well, maybe, but it is the responsibility piece that I think gets lost in the idea of the Secret...wishing does not make it so ladies. 

I want to show you some photos from our first Soul Sessions Sunday in our new space. This is why I believe what I have told you in that first paragraph. It's been three long years since I closed my studio due to the sale of the building. What I didn't know is that a book was going to manifest during those three years and at the end of it, I would be ready to open another studio! Along the way the path was shown to me, as I listened in to "what was calling me." I wasn't always ready to take the step, but I listened and used my Book of Dreams (my guidebook of intention) to allow the feelings of possibility a place to live. 

Each step of this journey has been a true journey of intention setting and knowing when the timing would be right. As I stood in the room of 14 magnificent women on Sunday morning, but heart was literally bursting with gratitude and joy. As tears brimmed my eyes, I felt this HUGE need to paint. I painted a BIG heart and at the end of the class, shared it with the women. 

Come dream with me tomorrow night as I talk about the process and the Book of Dreams journal on Craftcast.com with host Alison Lee. It promises to be a fun and feisty evening. In the meantime...dream on!

The Spiral appears

 
It's an all body experience!

Smiling faces!

Toni with her drum!