wishstudio

2012-01-03T16:20:00.000-05:00

to read our blog update to our new website address!

2010-05-26T15:22:00.005-04:00

read our blog
hang out in the cafe discussion boards
visit the inspiration lounge
sign op for a workshop
follow the necklace project
read the wishmamas series
and so much more!

www.wishstudio.com

see you in the studio!

2010-04-11T13:04:00.006-04:00

it's finally time!

head on over to wishstudio.com

and visit our brand new home.

hooray!

faith in the process

2010-04-11T10:00:00.000-04:00

we are almost there...

TODAY is going to be the day!

wishmamas :: madeline bea

2010-04-07T08:00:00.004-04:00

by maegan beshline

I always knew I would be a mom. And I have always been creative. What I didn’t know was that my most creatively inspired period would come smack dab in the middle of motherhood when I would have very little time to create. As ironic and paradoxical as that may seem, it also makes complete sense. My years of creativity have provided me with the best tools for being a mom. Conversely, my experiences being a mother have taught me how to tap into deeper places within my creative soul. These two parts of myself, the mom and the creative, have been like having two children, loving each one differently but equally, combining and dividing my time with the two, and each one helping me and teaching me to be better with the other.

As siblings always do, these two sides of me squabble and compete for my undivided attention. I know that favoring one will result in heartache and outcries from the other. Each one is unique and deserves to have undivided time with my full attention…even if it’s just a little, infrequent, or masked as something else. Of course, I love the times when we can all play as one; me, my mothering role, and my creative spirit. And often they do.

In fact, as with my children, my time with one ends up teaching me more about the other. My creative side has taught me to be intuitive, to work with what I have, to look below the surface, and to make the ordinary extraordinary. These skills have helped me be a better mother. They have helped me turn bad situations into heaps of laughter, rainy days into magical opportunities, and learning time into cozy moments. They have helped me to see my children at their core and adapt my approach with them accordingly. Our mundane and everyday becomes special and exceptional because of the creativity I’m able to bring to the table.

Being a mother has taught me to feel things more deeply. It has made me want to capture moments and feelings and breaths as if they are falling right out from underneath me. I work constantly to try and capsulate these moments, these indescribably wonderful moments, in words or pictures or a combination of both. Motherhood is giving me a surfeit of exercises in putting feeling, depth, and story into my work. From my children, I am learning to observe, to be patient, to be persistent, and to take pride in my milestones. On top of all of this, motherhood has given me the ability to listen to a thousand voices and yet still hear my own; a skill that as an artist, has proven to be one of my greatest assets.

When I was pregnant with my second child, I wondered if I could possible love another human being as much as I loved my daughter. I wondered if I would feel the same desperate attachment to both of my children. I learned that the heart has the capacity to love and nurture all that it needs to. So too with the similar yet very different sides of me, the mother and the creative, it is impossible to separate myself from either one. And though it becomes more of a juggle, it is an act that I perform with fierce dedication.

Maegan Beishline is a wife, mother to three, and a photographer. She shares her life, her work, and her inspiration on her blog, Life Set to Words.

in a new light :: going macro

2010-04-05T10:02:00.000-04:00

by susan tuttle

We all need a little adventure to shake up the routine, stir our souls, alter our path, tweak perspective -- whatever the reason may be. As I await the onset of full-fledged spring in Maine (we don't usually get spring until May here, after mud season) it feels like being in limbo -- I could use an artistic distraction to add some spice to this waiting period.

So, I pull my macro lens from its bag and set out on an adventure -- right here at home -- I haven't left the premises, but it sure feels like it. Getting up close, getting inside is a wild ride!...

Susan Tuttle is a mixed-media and digital artist who resides in a small-town community in the state of Maine. Her first book, Exhibition 36: Mixed-Media Demonstrations + Explorations, was released by North Light Books in December 2008, and her second book, Digital Expressions: Creating Digital Art with Adobe® Photoshop® Elements, a technique-based publication on digital art, will be published by North Light Books in May 2010 and is currently available for pre-order on Amazon. Susan is a frequent contributor to Stampington & Company publications and other mixed-media books. You can visit her site at www.ilkasattic.com and her blog at www.ilkasattic.blogspot.com through which she is offering online digital art workshops on the subjects of photomanipulation, digital montage, and a variety of Photoshop techniques.

the necklace project :: the book to share

2010-04-03T20:50:00.006-04:00

i wanted to pass along this book, the necklace by cheryl jarvis, because it was a big part of the inspiration behind the necklace project here in the wishstudio. here is a little about this true story...

"The true story of thirteen women who took a risk on an expensive diamond necklace and, in the process, changed not only themselves but a community.Four years ago, in Ventura, California, Jonell McLain saw a diamond necklace in a local jewelry store display window. The necklace aroused desire first, then a provocative question: Why are personal luxuries so plentiful yet accessible to so few? What if we shared what we desired? Several weeks, dozens of phone calls, and a leap of faith later, Jonell bought the necklace with twelve other women, with the goal of sharing it.

Part charm, part metaphor, part mirror, the necklace weaves in and out of each woman’s life, reflecting her past, defining her present, making promises for her future. Lending sparkle in surprising and unexpected ways, the necklace comes to mean something dramatically different to each of the thirteen women.

With vastly dissimilar histories and lives, the women show us how they transcended their individual personalities and politics to join together in an uncommon journey. What started as a quirky social experiment became something far richer and deeper, as the women transformed a symbol of exclusivity into a symbol of inclusiveness. They discovered that sharing the necklace among themselves was only the beginning; The more they shared with others, the more profound this experience–and experiment–became.Original, resonant, and beautifully told, this book is an inspiring story about a necklace that became greater than the sum of its links, and about thirteen ordinary women who understood the power of possibility, who touched the lives of a community, and who together created one extraordinary experience."

so if you are interested in reading this book, i would love to see it passed along (which really is in the true spirit of the book). leave a comment on this post, and i will choose one person to send the book along to. you must be willing to pass it on when you are done reading it, and don't forget to follow our own necklace's journey right here in the wishstudio! i will announce the recipient right here on wednesday, april 7th.

********************************

laura, please get in touch... you are the one who will be sent this book!
and because of all the interest, i am thinking of hosting a book group around this title
... anyone interested? let me know!

blowing bubbles in a concrete jungle :: a joy rebel’s take on style

2010-04-01T00:00:00.000-04:00

by brandi reynolds

I find it kind of difficult to put into words exactly what it is about my style journey that has been so profound for me. Oh, by the way, I’m on a style journey in case you didn’t know.

I’ve always been a fan of low key comfort. I’m not one to walk around the house in a cute little outfit when my husband’s tee shirts and sweatpants work just fine. And I can’t remember the last time I wore makeup.

Yet even as a little kid I remember being fascinated by fashion. Putting pieces together inspired by outfits in magazines, figuring out how to make look work with what I had, getting creative with accessories. I loved it. It was a way to express my creativity. Sure I still liked my jammies but I also liked putting a fun outfit together for school and outings to the skating rink.

But then…I stopped. Part of that, I think, was college laziness. It’s pretty hard to stay motivated about style when everyone around you is also wearing baseball caps and sweatshirts to class. But I am realizing that part of it was a desire not to be seen. During my 20’s I went through some times that kind of knocked the wind out of me (who hasn’t?) and my confidence was shaken enough that I didn’t feel comfortable dressing in a way that would get me noticed.

Fast forward a few years and I start on a creative journey. I try just about every creative medium out there. And as my comfort level with expressing myself artistically increases, so does this desire within me to start playing with style.

At first, I resisted. Hiding myself had become a habit. For a long time, I’d dressed to blend in so I wasn’t sure where to start.

So I looked at the people around me and started letting myself be inspired by pieces they wore. I started photographing my outfits and it’s amazing how that small change in perspective-I mean, it’s not like I leave the house without looking in a mirror-can influence how I dress. And I became a member (and rabid fan) of wardrobe remix.

And just like with my artistic journey, my style journey has become about play and creative expression. What I wear can now be an extension of how I see the world instead of just something to cover my skin. Another layer of depth has been added to my life because of experimenting with style.

I would love to know what style means to you and how you discovered your own style. Do you play around with fashion? Do you have style icons? As I am falling more in love with expressing myself with what I wear, I have become fascinated with how others choose to dress themselves. Please share!

the artistic mother :: art makes us better moms

2010-03-30T00:00:00.001-04:00

by shona cole

When we are busy with the day-to-day tasks that fill our lives as moms, it is a daunting task to find time for creative pursuits such as writing, painting or crafting.

“I have no time to do any art. And anyway, I am too tired to do anything else”

“If I spend time creating I will be even more tired and then be a bad mom”

Is that what it sounds like in your head?

That is understandable. I have been there, many times. But even so, I believe that we should put away self-doubt and do something creative every day. It doesn’t matter if all the household related tasks get done every day, but it does matter that you use creativity to re-charge your battery!

Why? Because the time we give to art will make us better Mamas!

Here’s how:

1) NOURISHMENT

Once our basic physical needs – food, shelter, clothing, etc. – are met, our inner tank has space for mental and spiritual nourishment. It is then that we should take the time to create something new, to develop our skills and to make goals and work daily to meet them. The actual act of creating ~ the pen scratching the paper, the pastel smearing beneath our fingers, the smells of ingredients of a new dish ~ helps relieve us from the stresses of the day.

When we get carried away with creating, we forget the trials of parenting. We can briefly escape our children’s squabbles and the constant ‘whys’. The mental space we gain while creating then becomes the very thing that makes us excited to come ‘home’ and spend time with them, noise and all!

When we are nourished and stress free we are far more likely to be relaxed and clear headed with our kids and to choose the right responses to their chatter and less than perfect behavior! The reality is that it is very difficult to be a good mother if our life has become unbalanced because of a lack of creative output. So take the time to create and see just how much you will be nourished!

2) PERSONAL FULFILMENT

We each have goals and dreams. Often when we become parents we put those away. I know I did. Becoming a mom was a huge learning curve for me and I forgot about anything else for a few years. But those dreams recorded in journals, those life goals that went on the back burner were still all there. They never went away and after a while they started to boil and bubble for my attention ~ to borrow Jennifer Lee’s analogy. (link to Jennifer’s January post)

We could ignore our goals and dreams and allow the pot to burn dry or burn over. But wouldn’t it be better if we took the time to give it a stir, add some salt, a few carrots? Over time we could have a nice soup or unexpected meal! When we take a little time to create something yummy, the resulting sense of personal accomplishment can give us the energy we need to meet our mothering demands with a little more grace and confidence.

Also, when we have something to look forward to at the end of the day, a creative idea to work on, a collage to make, some photos to process - that sense of hope and excitement can carry us through the craziness of the day with kids.

It is part of our job to be fulfilled so we can meet life as a functional, balanced person. And to be that person we must express our personality, gifts and talents on a regular basis.

3) LOVING LIFE MORE

Creating art not only nourishes our souls, it enhances our perspective on life, too!

In order to create we must observe the world around us. We must slow down and really see, hear and think about life. Poets look for connections between events and objects, photographers look for compositions that tell stories, mixed media artists watch for colors, words and layers that illuminate our lives.

The skill of being attentive to our surroundings, thoughts and feelings can be carried over into our mothering too! When we look at our children through the lens of a camera searching for the story of their soul, when we take time to record poetically the little details of life, when we choose to make some art dedicated to our children, something in us changes for the better. We love life a little more and we appreciate our kids a little more. That point of view can lift us and allow us to acknowledge the good and not be pulled down by the difficult.

4) MODELING

In the early years our kids learn about the world primarily from us. When they see us creating and making the time for art we are being a positive role model of creativity for them.

Our creating can inspire them to want to do art or create things too, and to see the beauty and freedom in the creative possibilities. And even if they are not into art themselves they can learn to have respect for art, which will enrich their world in ways we can’t yet imagine.

5) WE ENHANCE OUR WORLD

Don’t you love going to a home that is filled with art and crafty nick-nacks & paintings? Isn’t our world nicer when creative hands have shaped the surroundings?

So consider your own home. When you display your photos, art, and scrapbooks you are filling your home with handmade love. When you write poetry or stories you are filling up the minds in your home with handmade love. These things touch our families andour children and brighten their days!

Anything that helps us cope with the demands and rigor of parenting is worth the time! Being creative does not have to be about focusing on selfishly “doing our own thing.” For the sake of our families, we must make the effort and take the time to enrich our lives, nourish our creativity, feed our imagination, and deepen our artistic view of the world.

So give yourself permission to take time off for creativity TODAY. Don’t wait until you feel that the time is right. Now is the time!

Shona Cole is a mother of 5 under the age of 10, collage artist who creates family focused art combining her own photographs, poetic words, paint and paper, author of ‘The Artistic Mother – a Practical Guide to Fitting Creativity into Your Busy Schedule’, and is perpetually searching for the balance between self and service. You can find her at An Artful Life or Flickr.

wishstudio pink champagne launch party & open studio

2010-03-28T08:01:00.010-04:00

it's almost time!

you're invited to join our
pink champagne
launch party & open studio event

the week of april 5th, 2010
when our brand new virtual studio opens it's doors
and wishstudio.com goes live!

*******

there will be so many new things to see and explore...

wonderful new classes
lovely new contributors to meet
new spaces for creating your art and dreams
fun ways for you to connect and collaborate
inspiration and encouragement for living your creative lifestyle
new wish-filled goodies
and of course, lots of wishstudio swag to give away!

*******

as part of our launch we will also be having two very special guests,
both with events happening in our virtual studios...

~ kelly rae roberts ~
we will be hosting a wonderful gallery-style show
of some of her recent mixed media work.
stop in and read about the inspiration behind these pieces,
and connect with kelly rae right here in the wishstudio.

~ irene nam ~
a photographer and writer, endeared to us as momster in paris,
irene will be announcing the launch of her next creative endeavor...
her fabulous photography workshop which will be offered here in our studio!
be sure to come by and say hello to this inspiring artist and mama.

*******

it's going to be a fabulous event
mark you calenders and don't miss it
i can't wait to see you all in the studio!

sponsor giveaway :: artful retreats

2010-03-26T13:27:00.008-04:00

Are you looking for a get-away? Artful Life Retreats are unique women's weekends combining dance and yoga with creativity, art, and life-visioning.

Join Bronwyn Simons and Gillian Saxby for a weekend of creative awakening through movement, breath, art, and music. Immerse yourself in three restorative days of healing movement, artful play, joyous celebration, rural tranquility, and beautiful, healthy vegetarian food. The retreat offers plenty of time and space to go deep for authentic self-care and renewal, and to allow your body to surrender to the joy of dance and movement and your heart to open to the joys of creativity! No previous yoga, dance, or art experience is necessary! find out more information about the inspiring instructors and the beautiful event here.

bronwyn has also gifted you the opportunity to win this lovely handmade ceramic pendant she created! leave a comment on this post about what your body and soul is craving right now. you'll have until wednesday, march 31st and one random winner will be selected and announced here on this post. check back then! good luck everyone.

********

our winner of the lovely pendant is

seekingequipoise... congrats :)

drop me a note and your addy by 4.30.10
to claim your gift!

wishmamas :: inside my garden

2010-03-24T03:01:00.003-04:00

by mindy tsonas

my lifeforce is deeply rooted here in the garden of creativity and motherhood. it is a beautifully tangled and magical place where my days are spent elbow deep, getting messy in it all... the planting of seeds, the nurturing of life, the change of seasons, the storms that pass, the dreams that wither and die only to be reborn into new ones. the wonder of it all, big and small...

my creativity, and really the whole of my being, has been redefined with the birth of both my children. together, those forces have shifted the course of my life in amazingly beautiful and unexpected ways.

in the beginning, dreaming about motherhood was like dreaming to go to paris... full of excitement and certain life-long hopes and expectations. though my experience of motherhood ended up being very different. it was like awakening very slowly from that long awaited dream and realizing i was not even near paris, i was someplace else. for quite some time i didn't even know where i was, and i felt extremely confused and lost as a mother.

i had a beautiful and complex little boy with so many talents and gifts, but he also had many challenges that i never once read about in any of my parenting books. adrift and without a map for so many years, this completely and utterly challenged my sense of worthiness as his mom. i truly believed it was something in me, or something that i lacked, that was causing all the diffculty and struggle.

when he was young, creativity was the great grounding force for both he and i. it was a place where we could connect and find solid ground when our world was literally spinning out of control. it often still is, even to this day. i can remember the hours and hours we spent painting beach rocks on our deck, he in his little diaper and t-shirt, me in my gratiude for that calm and peaceful moment and always wondering why?

the days were long and always unpredicatable. we could never go anywhere without the fear that we might not make it through and had to always have an escape plan if things started to unravel, which often they did. the nights were the hardest. he had such a hard time winding down from the day, and by that time the whole family was tired and worn out. the inevidible meltdown would ensue... hours of screaming, crying, physically being out of control where we had to wrap him in a blanket, even in 90 degree heat, just to keep him from hurting us or himself. for almost a year, this was a daily occurance. there were days when i didn't think i could do it for one more second.

it was difficult too because people didn't really understand, even some friends and family. i felt really isolated and alone. those days when it was a regular occurance to have to carry him to the car kicking and screaming from a store, from a party, or from the playground, we'd get those stares. what killed me was not so much that others thought that i was a bad parent, but that some of them judged my son and simply thought he was a bad kid. i quickly learned to never, ever pass judgement on families from what you see as an outsider looking in... you never know what is really going on.

later, he was expelled from preschool because he was not able control his behavior. those few precious hours i had come to rely on to rest and refuel were gone. i became that fearful (exhausted), hovering mom attending all the birthday parties, always within reach at the park and on our neighborhood street when the kids were outside playing, and i could never even imagine dropping him off at a friend's house for a playdate or leaving him with a babysitter. i had to be his safety net. every minute of every day. so we spent a lot of time together alone, just he and i, making playdough gems, painting rocks and crafting things. for good or bad, it was how we survived.

when he turned four, which felt like an eternity later, we finally learned of his adhd. having a name for what was going on was such an unbelievable relief. it was something real and tangible, something we could help him deal with. there were tools we could use to help make all of our lives better. at four i felt like he had already been through so much, and i was so beaten down by it all too.

soon thereafter i was able to begin shedding the weighty feelings of failure. i began to reconcile the things i simply had no control over, and how i acted as best i could only knowing what i knew then as his mom. going forward, i realized life would never be typical or easy, but it would be beautiful just the same.

we have come a tremendously long way in just a few short years, and his days are now filled with more accomplishments than obstacles. there is always joy. his resilliance astounds me and reminds me that i can be resilliant too. he's got a huge heart full of wisdom (at his small age, already) and love, and has an appreciation and understanding of the world and of himself that is far beyond his years.

eventually, i came to rediscover the quited desire to have another child. before becoming a mom i always imagined that i would have two; that was my idea of paris. it took me almost 5 years to find my way back to that, to climb out of the fear and keep moving forward on my motherhood journey. it brought me to this precious little soul.

with the arrival of my second son just 8 months ago, my creativity was sparked once again with the tremendous earth shaking force of finally knowing. after so many years of doubt, time, wisdom and healing brought me fresh eyes and a renewed spirit in every way imaginable... that i am a good mom. that i am a good person. that i have gifts to share with the world. that i must do and be my best, for them. that i am enough.

that all along, i always have been.

i know that there will always be challenges with both boys around every new corner, and that there is still so much more for me to learn as their mama and about the person who i am. the difference now is that i have faith in myself and faith in what is meant to be my journey.

...this garden, where we exist together in love and hope, is ours. it is where we explore and experience the world, learn and create, laugh and play and blossom. together. no, it's not paris (turns out i was never destined to go there). it's even better... a place i could never have dreamed of.

ordinary sparkling moments :: jewels

2010-03-23T00:00:00.000-04:00

by christine mason miller I should know by now to keep a pen and small notebook handy whenever I sit down to read, because whenever I read – be it a book, magazine or newspaper article –words are constantly leaping out like a pop-up book, calling my name, begging me to notice them. Since I haven’t yet developed a good habit of writing the words down in those moments, I have to rely on the force of their impact to make a lasting impression until hours or days later when I need them for a piece of writing. Sometimes the word melts away from my awareness, only to re-appear unexpectedly in the flow of writing. Other times it stays lodged in the forefront of my brain, refusing to quiet down until I create a sentence specifically for it, as if it is counting on me to give it a venue to shine in all its glory. An eager performer, it clamors for a stage, and won’t rest until I build one for it.

For a while I was rolling the word “temporal” around in my brain, letting it take up as much room as it wanted while I ran errands, washed dishes and finally locked it into place in a sentence, feeling the same sense of satisfaction as when two pieces of a puzzle click perfectly together. At times I’ve clung to proclivity, myopic and myriad, holding on to these words until I could experience the ultimate act of expressing my love for them – using them in a piece of my own writing. A quick glance at my most recent essays sees them shining like coins, treasures I carried with me until I found the perfect slot to slide them in, between whichever two words supported them best in a sentence.

“I realized my most well-worn methods weren’t about specific brushes, varnishes or equipment, but involved tools of a more temporal nature.”

“…as much as our social proclivities make up the fabric of who we are, we learned this year that we have to be careful to take care of ourselves - of our marriage - in the same way we strive to take care of those we love.”

“It would be easy to accuse her of being rigid and myopic, but in Atlas Shrugged, [Ayn Rand] maps a minutely detailed exploration through her own philosophy that would make our most daring space explorers blush.”

Every written creation I construct has the essentials – the nails, if you will: The, And, That, To. Then there are the larger building blocks I call upon over and over again: Journey, Meaningful, Explore. And then there are the jewels, the sparkling treasures that give my writing the depth I am looking for, the impact I’m wanting: Temporal, Proclivity, Myopic. Any my work is to line them up on the page, one word here, two over there, to create an arrangement that doesn’t merely speak, but sings – a melody of ideas, a symphony of thoughts.

the art of living cheerfully :: ode to silence

2010-03-21T00:00:00.001-04:00

by madelyn mulvaney

photo by darlene kreutzer

‘So I went for a walk into the forest in the midst of a
frightening storm ~ it was dark and rainy but I was somewhat sheltered
as the trees are vastly tall and huddle together which offered me a bit
of protection. I wandered off the trails and went deeper still into the tangle
of streams and berry bushes and soft earth darkly, eventually
finding a fallen log beneath a kindly swaying tree and settled on it
(it was so thick with green, green moss, how could I resist?)

Well there I stayed for perhaps two hours with my questioning heart
and yet strangely soothed by the pattering sounds of rain falling on the
leaves all about me (do you know this sound? it is vastly beautiful ~
if you are sleeping in a tent it brings such a sense of profound coziness
exhilleration and peace)

...a long time passed and I am certain i heard the forest whisper "talk to me"
so I spoke my heart's murmurs aloud surrounded by those cathedral of trees
that listened so patiently and with such understanding and eventually
I stood up and walked back through the forest and into a clearing
just as the rain subsided. The sun welcomed me with such a dazzling warmth
and my eyes danced with the sacred faces of all the beaming buttercups.’

Recently I re~read this entry in my journal and felt so hushed, so reverant remembering that walk in the rainy woods so long ago. And I was reminded that happiness can be very quiet ~ perhaps indeed true happiness depends on a ritual of daily silence .

I have a naturally buoyant personality but in order to deeply explore my emotional inner world I take small daily pilgrimages into silence. Perhaps my most favorite are walks into nature, whether it be those glorious cathedral of trees in the forest or a blustery seaswept walk on the beach with my dog. For me nature transcends the beauty of the most ornate palace, the language of nature is more poetic than all my favorite sonnets combined, the song of the midnight peepers more exalting than any symphony.

Consciously including silence in my life is embraced with my whole heart and brings such peace and harmony with my true self. I reconnect with patience, inner beauty, and seeds of wonder as I lie in wait for inspiration to bring back to my art and writing. There is such scope for imagination in the wild world around us!

Often people tell me that they feel so sad when they are along in nature for some reason. I know this feeling as well but once a monk told me in a meditation class that this very lonliness is the ego feeling a loss of individuality. If you lean into that sadness you will soon find a deeper space that fills you up with the nurturing connection and sense of oneness in our world.

There are many other ways I can embrace a little silence in my daily life as well. Visiting an art gallery, reading in a library, resting quietly at home in a candlelit room all bring me this gentle space for meditative reverance. I am infused with such fresh burst of energy, focus and enthusiasm after little forays into silence and truly consider it one of the most generous gifts I can bestow upon myself.

The Peace of Wild Things

When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

— Wendell Berry

sponsor giveaway :: creative inspiration with silky hart

2010-03-20T00:00:00.002-04:00

join silky for a fabulous creative getaway april 24 ~ may 1, 2010!

Pamper your body and soul in gorgeous Costa Rica at the luscious Pura Vida Spa & Resort. Remember your true self where nature fully expresses her beauty, power and vitality.

There will be lots of time for chilling out, engaging your creative spirit, yoga and honoring the wisdom of your body, pampering yourself with divine spa treatments and healthy cuisine, and going on adventurous eco excursions. find out more information here.

"i believe in illuminating magic, in spectacular possibilities, in uplifting joy and in unbridled creative expression!"

*win a free one-hour creative mentoring session with Silky Hart, a Certified Expressive Arts Practitioner, to guide you in giving shape and form to your creative dream. Silky will offer some direction in creative activities that will assist you on your creative journey. please leave a comment on this post to enter and one very lucky winner will be chosen and announced right here on wednesday, march 24th.

***The winner of the one hour of creative mentoring is Kristine k! Please drop me an email to claim your lovely prize!

dream big!

the necklace project {link #3}

2010-03-18T08:14:00.004-04:00

by carmen nessman

"Feet, what do I need you for when I have wings to fly?"
-Frida Kahlo

Hello, My name is Carmen Nessman. I am a mom, a full time admin assistant, and a self taught jewelry and mixed media acrylics and collage artist. I carry my camera everywhere with me and I blog and write with a not very perfect English. You can call it Span-glish. That’s okay. What matters is that I blog with a purpose. I have been sharing my art and life journey online for five years --my challenges, fears and some sad stories too.

I believe life is good and, creativity is your birthright. Art is my light. When darkness appears, art has shown me the way.

"I paint my own reality. The only thing I know is that I paint because I need to, and I paint whatever passes through my head without any other consideration."
-Frida Kahlo

This is Frida Kahlo... She was born in Mexico about one hundred years ago. Frida was an artist. She tells us, using vibrant colors, about her life in her paintings, about her family, her love for animals, about her beloved Blue house and her husband Diego. Frida used to paint from her bed because she was often sick. Her painting carries with it the message of pain, reflects her struggles and suffering. Frida often painted herself, too. How beautiful she was!!! She enjoyed braiding her long hair, wearing flowers and all kind of handmade folk jewelry.

"I paint self-portraits because I am so often alone, because I am the person I know best."
-Frida Kahlo

A very quiet prayer for Frida from me, What a courageous life and spirit of hers!

And with this inspiration in mind, I took the wish project necklace to work with me.
During my lunchtime, I went for a walk and stopped in the library to do some of this writing. Also, I reflected on the purpose of this necklace and how honored I am to have added to it my own uniqueness, good energy, intentions and my true heart's desire

My wish and mission as a person and artist is to keep on sharing my life and art as it is, regardless of that sensation I have sometimes of vulnerability and also of not being noticed and or taken seriously. Oh gosh! How much I yearn for validation for my art that I do! And as part of that wish, I will keep on sharing publicly my visions by writing, painting and other creations. I will keep on persisting and engaging. That’s the way!

Just like frida, my art makes me feel complete no matter what. And I enjoy sharing it with the world.

I have to admit that I have another wish. If possible, I wish I can be a light to you, to inspire and empower you to believe in yourself and dare to express what you really want. Enough of the pleasing! Live, enjoy and create to your heart’s content!!! Be curious. If you need help say it aloud. Act. say no, or say yes, but act!

Now, I’ve gotta go, time to put a flower in my hair, dangly earrings on, and go out and lay down in the grass to watch the clouds and sky.

Life is good, love is the way, live artfully!

in a new light :: simple blogging

2010-03-16T00:00:00.001-04:00

by susan tuttle

If you are reading this, chances are you have your own blog that you are passionate about. You enjoy sharing pieces of your life in your online journal and relish in the creating of rich, meaningful posts resplendent with innermost thoughts, poetry, photography and links to things you love. You probably invest much time and energy whenever you create a post, holding yourself to lofty standards, getting it just right before you push that publish button.

We all know how important it is to post regularly in order to maintain a steady following, and all of us at times have those days when it is time to post but we feel we can't rise to the occasion, either because we don't have the time, the content or inclination to post. I've discovered a simple approach to posting that's perfect for those "off" days -- an approach that's fun, not at all time-consuming, low-pressure, and inspiring.

Simply make a list of experiences drawn from your day, accompanied by one or two random photographs taken that same day. Keep each item on the list short -- one to four words per experience works well. Here, let me show you...

To accompany the random photo from my day in this post, I give you this simple list:

orange paint, lavender coconut body cream, moka pot, thrifting, wool blanket, black + white photography, dentist reminder, lime green roving, lost keys, white chocolate mocha, lemon pudding cake, barber shop, Lucy Schwartz, red wine, shrimp in remoulade sauce, candlelit talk, cuddles, stargazing, photomanipulation

The first time I did this, I was surprised to discover how the list read like poetry; how enchanting it seemed -- casting some glitter upon my ordinary day. En-joy!

Susan Tuttle is a mixed-media and digital artist who resides in a small-town community in the state of Maine. Her first book, Exhibition 36: Mixed-Media Demonstrations + Explorations, was released by North Light Books in December 2008, and her second book, Digital Expressions: Creating Digital Art with Adobe® Photoshop® Elements, a technique-based publication on digital art, will be published by North Light Books in May 2010 and is currently available for pre-order on Amazon. Susan is a frequent contributor to Stampington & Company publications and other mixed-media books. You can visit her site at www.ilkasattic.com and her blog at www.ilkasattic.blogspot.com through which she is offering online digital art workshops on the subjects of photomanipulation, digital montage, and a variety of Photoshop techniques.

personal unity

2010-03-14T00:00:00.001-05:00

by darlene kreutzer

There are days, weeks and sometimes even months, when the divide between all the worlds that I live feels so wide and stretched that it is easy to forget the reality. The reality being that in actuality, they are beautifully entwined. I am a wife and a mother; a cook and bottle washer; a worker bee in a beige environment of rule upon rule and within all that I am me, an artist and an athlete, a woman with a fragile heart made of light. I can often feel so stretched out that I see myself like the little matchgirl, face pressed against the window wishing I were on the other side of it all.

But if I let my eye catch the light just right and I turn my head sideways, I can find the golden glow when the picture comes together and the lemon sunshine melts into the green avocado of a life well lived. The beauty of truly living an artistic life, a creative life means that every household decision is an opportunity to create a space of inspiration and beauty. When I put my hands in the dirt, I create a garden of food that not only feeds my family but also grows poetry dripped from the sway of a lily and has me leaping up to grab my camera as the light casts floodlights across green spaces. I doodle pictures and pieces of poetry in boardrooms and attempt to find the creative space while writing words that are someone else's passion.
I remind myself that it is not the life we live that determines our creativity but rather the life we choose to witness, to feel deep in our souls that creates the depth of our lives. The mundane is extraordinary when viewed with your true deep down beautiful self.

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To remind myself that living deeply in my life and being fully present to the depth of emotion that surrounds me as I make my way through life's gifts and responsibilities, I made myself a little book called, "Garden Notes".

“Garden Notes” is a small book that fits into the palm of my hand and is filled with little poems and dreams of fairies and the magical photos that live in my garden. see a glimps of it here in this little video.

I would like to gift one to one of the dear readers of Wish Studio. Please leave a comment telling me how you find the beauty in what is seemingly the mundane routine of life and through the magic of a random generator, a winner will be chosen on wednesday, march 17th and will be announced right here on this post.

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the winner of darlene's garden notes is... heather!
you may email me or connect with darlene to collect your sweet little prize.
enjoy!

new children's book :: molly kite has faith (and giveaway!)

2010-03-13T00:00:00.007-05:00

by author tam veilleux

In the vast system of the internet you never really know where you'll end up or who you'll meet when you're surfing online. It was early in 2009 when my illustration instructor at my art college suggested that all of us set up a profile at JacketFlap.com in order to gain exposure as an artist. It sounded like a wise idea and I immediately created my account that included some of my recently finished mixed-media art.

During the months of attending illustration class I had gone deep into writing children's stories. I had a message to get out to humanity and the characters involved were presenting themselves to me on a regular basis in my imagination. The main player in the stories, Molly Kite, needed to be colorful, attractive, and likeable. I knew in my heart what artistic style she needed, and I also knew it was nothing I could produce with my own hands. My own style would not be conducive to the project. I needed a digital illustrator.

The Molly Kite series of children's books teaches the universal Law of Attraction to conscious caregivers and their children at a very base level. The Law of Attraction states that what you give attention to grows and expands. During the period of writing the stories my intense focus on my beautiful character, Molly Kite, kept me joyful, hopeful and interested. I spent time dreaming of her success. Often my heart would fill with joy as I thought about kids reading her story. In my mind I would see the imaginary lightbulb go off over parents heads as they too finally understood how this seemingly magical theory of Law of Attraction actually worked. I gave my full attention to Molly Kite full well knowing that I couldn't properly bring her to life through my own artistic hand. I still needed help. It was then that the stars aligned and Russell Cox sent me an introduction via JacketFlap.

It had been a couple of months since my first visit to JacketFlap.com when I received notification in my email inbox that a message was waiting for me . I clicked the link and connected to my profile where I had a kind message from a man named Russell. He wrote “I like your art. It's nice to meet you. ” I reciprocated by clicking on his profile and started going through his art. Russell's art was so different than my own simplistic style. His was done digitally and it was edgy yet fun. The colors were amazing and I couldn't stop staring at it. I related my elation over his art via a return email and soon we uncovered that we both live in Maine. What a hoot!

It didn't take long for me to realize that Russell's style was exactly what Molly Kite needed and I quickly began the conversation around collaboration of a children's book. Russ was openly interested in pursuing it and it wasn't long before we were meeting at a restaurant midway between his town and mine and a contract was drafted.

Behind the scenes of a publishing a book many things go on. Editing, website building, marketing and pricing take up inordinate amounts of time but I focused my thoughts on the success of Molly Kite and the importance of her message and I worked hard to create a buzz about it while working closely with Russ to get the layout and images to reflect the message of the book.

Daily emails ensued. Russ would draw a sketch and email it to me. I would print and study it, make notes and return it to Russ who would then redraw and resend the image. Russ is naturally comical and kind and I'm a bit outside of the box myself. I found myself laughing out loud more than once and crying with joy when the designs were perfect. Twenty eight images and many months later we had a complete interior digital file ready for publication.

Since the original publication of Molly Kite Has Faith as a paperback book available at Booklocker.com back in November of 2009 Russ and I have worked to make Molly available as an audio, and an e-book for those who prefer to view and read via computer monitor. Plans for Molly Kite Has Faith as an animated e-book are in the works and will be ready by fall of 2010.

As the creator and mother to Molly Kite I keep focusing on the end result, which is to reach as many kids as possible and to help them better understand the power of their thoughts in regards to their reality. I trust the power of the Law of Attraction in all matters, both big and small, and encourage all of you to follow your dream by allowing the special forces outside of yourself to take the lead. You can't know all of the answers ahead of time just like I didn't know that creating a profile in JacketFlap.com would lead me to the illustrator I needed. Follow your nudges, have Faith and dream big.

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win a copy of the molly kite has faith e-book!

tam is generously giving away a copy of her inspiring children's e-book. please leave a comment on this post by monday evening, march 15th, where one random winner will be chosen and announced right here. the winner will also receive a molly kite bookmark and sticker via snail mail. good luck!

*** and the winner is susan! please email me to claim your prize :) ***

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BIO:
Proud Mainer Tam I Am Veilleux is on a quest to creatively engage everyone in using their personal power to alter their day to day reality. Tam is an artist, author, alchemist and creative entrepreneur who dreams of positively affecting humanity through her mixed media efforts.

She is the author of the newly released children’s book “Molly Kite Has Faith” which ignites the power of dreaming for children ages 4-99 and Tam is now writing her first practical novel in an attempt to cut through the fog of Law of Attraction.

An unfortunate case of “Ants In The Pants” keeps this Maine creative entrepreneur moving at a fast clip. Mixed media art, journaling, internet marketing, the study of spirituality and human potential, growing green things, writing books and articles, devising plans to make the planet a place that she’s proud to call home, and laughing really loud on a day to day basis keeps this mother of two adult children bustling about while keeping her Handsome VIP scratching his head. Tam I am spends three-quarters of her time trying to keep her golden retriever Lewis from nudging her elbow constantly.

“Life is Like a Box of Chocolates” is Tam’s latest public speaking endeavor. Contact her for an inspirational speech offering opportunity, possibility and of course, chocolate! She’s loves to travel about New England, so please, feel free to contact her.
Join her journey: http://randomtamdom.com/

blowing bubbles in a concrete jungle :: a joy rebel’s take on knowing

2010-03-11T05:32:00.001-05:00

by brandi reynolds

Okay ladies. No more Mrs. nice rebel. If one more person tells me they aren’t creative, I am going force them to watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (yes, complete with vanilla ice) until their eyes bleed.

*Ahem* Sorry, feeling a little feisty today.

A friend of mine insisted to me the other day that she wasn’t creative because she didn’t know how to make a tu-tu for her little girl. I hear this sooooo often I can’t even tell you. And I know where it comes from because I’ve said it and thought it a million times too.

For me, this idea often came from a place of not knowing how to do something. I didn’t happen to know how to make a scrapbook so I thought that meant I didn’t have it in me to create a scrapbook. And once I convinced myself that I COULDN’T create something then the idea of even attempting became way too intimidating.

So repeat after me. Not knowing how to create something does not mean you are not creative!

Do you think you aren’t creative because you aren’t sure what to do with a paintbrush or a camera or that paper cutter thing you saw at Michaels? You are creative. And the way you can tell if you are creative in that particular medium is if you have an interest in it.

Okay, so you’ve accepted that you are creative (don’t make me get that DVD out). Now what? Well, there are classes you can take. Both online and at your local craft or fabric or bead or specialty food store. When I had an interest in paper crafting, the classes seemed too overwhelming at first so I asked a paper crafting friend if she could give me some lessons. And I’m pretty sure there are magazines with step by step instructions devoted to just about anything you can think of.

Most importantly, you have permission to try, to mess up and make mistakes and change your mind.

I encourage you this week to explore that thing that you’ve always wanted to create. What is it? I would love to know…

Til next time joy rebels!

i am a poem

2010-03-09T00:00:00.000-05:00

by michelle ensminger

Sometimes in the busyness of my day
I become aware of a soft voice inside me.
It speaks quietly but forcefully,
like an urgent prayer demanding attention.
I want to make a noise with my life, it says.
Do you hear me?
I want to make a noise with my life.
It doesn’t have to be ocean waves pounding the rocks
or that clap of thunder rattling the shingles,
waking the sleeping.
It doesn’t have to be a jet ripping open the sky.
It can be soft.
A whisper.
It can be silent ripples over the pond’s surface
after the pebble has settled in the soot
or the quiet of a mockingbird’s feather when it
brushes the clouds.
I will find contented calm in the whispers that surrounds us,
that pass unnoticed.
Make me the shadow of a song spread across the winter grass,
a heartbeat under a tender palm.
I want to make a noise with my life
and I want that noise to matter.
I want to take this ache, this hunger, this fire
heavy in the center of my chest,
and I want to put it out into the world.
I want to say, here hold this carefully in the palm
of your hands.
Don’t let it go.
And that poem tucked deep in my body,
I want to write it on each breath,
I want to fold it into each day,
I want to read it in our darkest places
and let its many syllables speak for the things
within us that cannot find
a voice of their own.

international women's day :: empowered we are one

2010-03-08T00:00:00.004-05:00

as women, we are changing the world.

we are at the forefront of the fierce and heart~centered focus on sustainability, authenticity, opportunity, and the fight to end suffering. we are changing every aspect of our global community, shifting the way that people do business, care for their families, support thier communities, and see themselves in a world where anything is possible.

today is a day to celebrate! it is a day to raise your voice and make some noise... to speak out for our sisters and make a difference, to give to the women who need, to share with one's we love, and to embrace and offer all that we are and can be. because our voice matters.

the collective soul of the feminine tribe is uniquely bold and bright and beautiful. be proud. be the gift that this life has offerd you, and share it in that way that only You can. as indivduals shining our light we have the power to move mountains in our world and in our own lives.

You. Are. Powerful. You are a woman. and together we are empowered.

so today, go! dance, write, sing and create, nurture and love, build, imagine, invent and reinvent. reach out, connect, share and offer. explore, dive, fly! celebrate this day. celebrate You... your mountian is waiting.

here are some ways to celebrate:

* pick up a copy of 'half the sky': turning oppression into opportunity for women worldwide

* walk the bridge with hundreds of other women (events on brooklyn bridge in nyc, or the millenium bridge in london)

* send a sweet gratitude note to all of the special women in your life

* learn about the first international women's day in 1911 and see how far we've come

* take some time for yourself to do something meaningful and nurturing to your soul

* give a little... time, money, support to your favorite woman centered organization

* honor a woman you admire, those today and those who have come before us who have created paths for us to follow

the necklace project {link #2}

2010-03-07T00:00:00.004-05:00

by patricia dolan

I am one of the ‘shy’ readers. I stumbled upon reading certain blogs back in 2006 and I fell in ‘deep like’ and admiration for some wonderful women who had the heart to share themselves and of themselves, and their lives by blogging. I’m an amateur photographer who always carries a camera with me and a thread of conversation, ideas and inspiration at all times in my head. The muse always pops in but I’ve always been reluctant to go ‘public’. So here is my debut blog writing, photo and all.

I took the initiatve in 2008 and went to Squam where I went to thank these heroines, my on-line community (http://www.jengray.com/ , www.superherodesigns.com/journal, http://www.penelopeillustration.com/, http://www.swirlygirl.com/ and one or two other lovelies that contributed a difference in my life. The ‘Wish Necklace’ project is the first tangible project in the on-line community that I felt inspired to be a part of. Who knows, perhaps some of my good intentions/beliefs I could infuse and pass along to the next recipient.

I thought this was a beautiful concept. A. Wish. Necklace. I have spent the last four years ‘wishing’ for my next child to appear. Wishing. Hoping. Asking. Wanting. Working. This necklace – this wish necklace spoke to me in its idea form and calmed me in its physical form.

In creating my link, I really kept it simple and sweet. My spirit was attracted to the amethyst color of the link that I chose. I wore the wish necklace to work. During that day that I wore it I had a tea date with a dear friend, Meghan who took the photo of me. I felt very sprite in spirit, very whimsical, brimming with positivity when I wore this. Whatever ‘magic’ this ‘Wish’ necklace contains it inspired me to share of myself and to start speaking outloud.

That. My. Stories. Do. Matter.

Having a miscarriage is a miscarriage of your hope and faith too. I know because I had one. In 2008 a few days before my birthday I was informed by my physician’s office that I was pregnant. I fell to my knees and wept with gratitude. On my birthday I wept for other reasons. The Doctor’s office called and conveyed that I would most likely miscarry. I did. It is an invisible grief that I have and had carried. I love being a mother. It is the most glorious role I have ever embraced. I have the greatest fortune to be the parent of a gorgeous, smart, kind, funny just turned five year old, Christopher. This I know. I am not done having children. Sorry if I got off course. My wish while I wore this necklace and continues to be is to receive my next little girl/little boy in 2010.

My other secret ‘wish’? To take my ‘amateur’ photographer status from the last two decades and parlay it into a professional work where I take children’s candids photos and portraits. One other nugget to know: I am a big kid at heart, my passion, my greatest joy is working with children, playing with children. I have a Masters Degree in Education however, at the moment I am not teaching. I’ve always flirted with starting an on-line journal who knows may be I will. Thank you for reading this. If you would like to contact me my email is: patriciadolan@comcast.net I would so very much enjoy your thoughts.

sponsor giveaway :: captivating ecourse

2010-03-06T00:01:00.004-05:00

Snaps+Ink presents:
Captivating e-course: Winter 2010 {mar. 21} with madalyn ducher

"Captivating, is a 6 week e-course. (Madalyn's) workshop is to serve as a safe haven for your creativity to manifest. You will be met with endless encouragement and open arms. Together we will gain new + fresh perspective into the world around us through photography, journal exercises, weekly interviews with inspiring artists and some creative assignments. We will form an online community, using Flickr for our posts + discussions. Captivating is about taking a closer look into your creative desires, learning to fortify yourself from resistance and become more mindful + gentle with your dreams. Our journey together will be invigorating and create fresh wind for your sails."

join madalyn on this exciting creative journey, as it is sure to be beautifully inspiring! 3 spots in the captivating ecourse will be gifted to 3 lucky wishstudio winners. just leave a comment sharing one of your creative desires by wednesday, march 10.

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and the three lucky winners are... lillian, michele, and heather! congratulations to all of you. the workshop begins on march 21st, so please email me by march 19th, 2010 to claim your prize.

the artistic mother giveaway winner

2010-03-06T00:00:00.002-05:00

and the winner of shona's fabulous book is segolene... hooray for you! please email me by april 6th to claim your prize.

{a page from my journal} be your brand

2010-03-04T08:26:00.007-05:00

by mindy tsonas

i came across this phrase... be your brand... recently and ever since i've been thinking a lot about it. as branding is such an important aspect of running a successful business, it also speaks to living an authentic life. it is knowing and embracing who your are and how you want to show up in the world as well as in your life. it means capturing and expressing this essence on the inside and out. it is owning and sharing your talents and gifts, because those are the things that no one else can offer the world. there is only one You.

as i move forward into this next phase of the wishstudio, i know how important it is to find the right image for my brand. what i am finding is that the image i want to attach to my business is directly connected to what values and ideals i think are important to my own life. i know there would be a huge disconnect if i was expressing one thing here, but doing something different in my day to day life. this is exactly why one day i deleted 2 and a half years of writing at under a pink sky, because i was in a not so shiny place and what i was sharing online then felt fake.

this is why it is so important for me to be honest and open in sharing my life (as you know if you currently read my journal). i feel that only sharing the beauty makes me feel less authentic. the moments that are not so perfect are part of life too, and what i have found is that these moments often resonate and connect us just as much the good moments do. while everyone has a different take on this, i wholeheartely believe in offering an honest slice of life. you will always get that from me... that is part of my brand.

however you embrace your life, know that it is a gift only you can give! do it bravely. show your unique colors and style to the world. raise your voice and make your mark... it's time for you to be your brand!

wishmamas :: the perfect mom

2010-03-02T00:01:00.002-05:00

by shona cole

When I was seven months pregnant with my first child I quit work to nest. I wanted to create a beautiful nursery for my baby and focus on what was to come. My co-workers were shocked that I was leaving so early and even more shocked when they heard I was not coming back! A few asked me ‘what are you going to do all day?”

In truth I didn’t have an answer to that question. As I shared in this post in my ‘The Artistic Mother’ column, before I had my own I knew nothing about babies. I had gone straight from school to college, from college to working. What was I going to do all day?

Having literally no training in being a mom and housewife (is there a better term for this position in life?) I set about learning the ropes. I read many books on being a mom, which were informative and educational. But as a predominately visual person I needed an image of motherhood to inspire me.

Where did I look? This may sound funny, but I looked to Martha Stewart! Her company used to publish these magazines called ‘Martha Stewart Baby’, I don’t know if they still do, but 10 years ago I found that they were a lovely and helpful (if unrealistic) image of what it is a mother does with her time. In the pages of those magazines I studied how to pack a diaper bag, bath a newborn, make nutritious snacks, how to decorate a nursery, create a baby playgroup in my neighborhood – all with style and finesse.

I will be forever grateful to Martha Steward for showing me how to slow down and appreciate the importance of attending to the details of life and approaching my parenting with care and dignity. But her magazine also set up a prototype in my head of what a good Mom looks like. It is a tough act to follow, as are the images we see on the thousands of Mom focused websites, TV adverts, movies and gossip columns.

So by learning about motherhood from such sources can sometimes be helpful we also run the risk of believing the lie of perfection.

It goes against our better judgment but the sheer volume of the ‘perfect’ images of being a mom – that smiling woman with a clean house, shiny happy kids playing happily in the background, the latest clothes, thin, looking great in jogging clothes or business suit, balancing it all effortlessly, etc – can wear us down until we feel bad about our own, very real life.

The reality of life as a Mom is a concoction of good and bad, ups and downs.

Fortunately, there are days when the rigor of motherhood fits like a glove. Our children seem to be learning all we could ever ask of them. They say “thank you” and “please” and share with their friends. They are attentive at school and play constructive games at home. We forge ahead with confidence, and allow ourselves to think that we have this motherhood thing down.

But… then, suddenly, and for no discernible reason, the illusion disappears. The children in our house seem like they are living in the wild! They throw fits of rage, whine, grab toys from other children ~ especially toys that they would never play with at home. They lie about who did what to whom. They shout and demand in an unharmonious chorus.

You wonder “who has time to tidy up, let alone go to Target with freshly painted nails?’ ‘how will I survive this?’, How can I be artistic in all this noise and mess?’

Does that sound like your house, your mind, or is it just mine?

There have been times on this motherhood road that the pressures of being a mom stole from me my sense of being a creative person. I get tired. Sometimes I simply do not ‘feel’ like doing anything creative. I can go for weeks without lifting a paintbrush or, worse for me, a camera. I can feel my artfulness slipping away, leaving me wondering if I am an artist at all!

While we know that life has an ebb and flow, of course, but it is all too easy to forget and feel bad, feel the grass really is greener in her shiny, happy house!

There is a delicate balance between a good Mother image being inspiring and being condemning (even down right depressing). It is good to look to someone who is doing it better than we are or has worked out how to cook a pot roast or potty train or plan a creative summer for the kids. I love to sit at the feet of wisdom, don’t you? But we need to keep in check our idolizing of icons of motherhood (eg. Angelina ~ you know which one). We have to decide to not let glossy marketing steal our joy or fear this road.

If we are going to be creative beings we need to really look at our life with a sense of balance and reality.

Life with kids is tough.

Life with kids is beautiful.

Reality is not cookie cutter perfect for anyone. And that is OK. That is to be shared and celebrated. When we are truthful and honest with ourselves first, then family and friends we can get through the hard parts and land safely on the good parts.

Let’s today agree to strive to be better than we are today- better moms and artists, but also let us agree to be gentle with ourselves, to be accepting of where we are. In that truth we can rest knowing we are on the right trajectory.

the artistic mother creativity group {and book giveaway!}

2010-03-02T00:00:00.001-05:00

the artistic mother creativity group is forming right now! if you're a creative mama and want to infuse your life with more art and creativity, join hostess trudy callan along with a fabulous group of other artful moms and work through the projects in shona's new book. check trudy's blog for all of the fabulous scoop!

also, win a copy of the artistic mother right here! to enter, please leave a comment on this post sharing what kind of creativity you would like to add to your every day. the winner will be announced this saturday, march 6th.

good luck and have fun creating!

tranquilology :: an artist's date

2010-02-28T08:07:00.007-05:00

by kimberly wilson

Earlier this winter I escaped the chill of Washington, DC to savor a week-long immersion into my creative spirit with Lisa Sonora Beam, author of The Creative Entrepreneur. The weather was perfect, the group delightful, and the experience transformative. The beauty of the week was the chance to work in both my left and right brain by collaging, painting, and sketching my strategic plan all while coloring outside the lines.

As a lover of takeaways, I wanted to be sure to tie a beautiful bow around my experience in Mexico by listing what I learned as a reminder to ensure the week stayed with me despite my return to reality. With hope of spreading the inspiration and knowledge, here are my top takeaways from my week o’ creative indulgence:

1. Rub flocked paper and create your own designed paper: (Use crayon or colored pencils. Flocked damask works like a charm.)

2. Play with deli paper: (Paint or color and insert into your visual journal for a delicate, inexpensive touch)

3. Layer your journal: (Use pages from magazines, tissue paper, or deli paper, gluestick the center and add as another page to paint, write, or collage upon)

4. Make your own tabs with scrap paper: (Did so with card stock quotes to separate months in my planner pad and they are unique and colorful)

5. Alphabet stamps are fun: (Ordered upper and lower case from Amazon while in Mexico)

6. Make mini journals: (Great for workshops, strategic planning, and traveling. Use your favorite card as cover and "bind" with a rubber band. Voila! )

7. Objectives, strategies, and tactics are different: (Objectives break down to strategies and then to tactics which are action steps. Hmm. I have these blended in my to-do list which explains why some feel so daunting!)

8. Fancy up your planner: (Photos to come on mine at tranquilitydujour.com. I added tissue paper layering, stamps, tabs, and glitter paint to my daily calendar. Makes life more fun.)

9. Save scrap paper: (Great for reusing as tabs, background, and layering)

10. Play with acrylic paint: (Add to pages in your planner, paper in visual journals and deli paper)

11. Add ribbons: (Save ribbons you received on gifts and reuse them. Wrap around your manila file folders, journals, planners – even your wrist.)

12. Use water to smear paint: (This adds a lovely, soft watercolor vibe)

You’ve probably read creativity classic The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron by now. She encourages artist dates to nurture your creative spirit. I try to indulge in one every Friday. I hope these 12 takeaways give you ideas on how you, too, can add more color, texture, and techniques to your creative play.

Set aside at least three hours in your planner. Turn your phone to vibrate. Shut down your e-mail. Turn on fun tunes. Brew a pot of tea. Begin with a few sun salutations to awaken your body. Pull out your journal or planner and begin to play.

Wishing you an afternoon of exuberant indulgence while coloring outside the lines.

Kimberly Wilson is a yogini, do-gooder, entrepreneur, and eco-designer who penned Hip Tranquil Chick and Tranquilista. Learn more at kimberlywilson.com.

february giveaway winners

2010-02-27T17:48:00.006-05:00

congratulations to all of this months fabulous winners!

~ the winner of amy's handmade writer ecourse is... ginny ~

~ the winner of louise's lovely mixed media art print is... princess ~

~ the winners of madelyn's ecourses are... leslie, kayla, & caiti ~

*please email me to claim your prizes. also note that any prize not claimed within 30 days will be recycled back into the wishstudio treasure chest*

creative connections workshop

2010-02-26T07:00:00.008-05:00

where: 'the pink palace' (kimberly wilson's home) in washington, dc
when: friday, may 7th, 6 to 8:30 pm
with: mindy tsonas, creator and hostess of wishstudio
cost: $45 and byoc (bring your own canvas!)

this may in washington dc, kimberly wilson will be hosting a special creativity workshop that was inspired by a fabulous artist's sleepover i attended. this collaborative way of making art really helped me to conquer my fear of the blank canvas and embrace different playful and artful techniques. it also was a really wonderful way to connect with other creative spirits (thanks jes!).

creative connections workshop

come and explore the creative process as a group and together we will make wildly inspiring collaborative art! each participant will begin a mixed-media collage that will then journey throughout the group to be infused with one another’s playful creativity. as the canvases are passed around the room we are given the wonderful opportunity to think outside of our own creative box and see our art from a fresh perspective. by sharing our styles and techniques, we will help one another stretch our creative imaginations!

at the end of the evening you will have a beautiful and unique piece of inspiring art, as well as a special momento of the creative connections made during our artful adventure together.

join us for a fabulous night of creative fun, and let's get a little messy together. space is limited (only 8 spots) can't wait to create and connect with you!

drinks and goodies will be served*

wishstudio.com

2010-02-25T07:05:00.012-05:00

it's so exciting! the new wishstudio website is under construction and will be ready to launch this april. head over to wishstudio.com to get a little sneak preview of the beautiful space that christine castro (of darling design) and brianna privett of (of utopian) are creating for us. it's going to be so inspiring!

our dynamic, new virtual studio space has been designed with all of you (and your creative wishes) in mind. it will be an exciting and unique place for us to gather, share, and create together. it might just be the place for you to build and launch your creative dream!

when you step inside the the doors of our new wishstudio, here is some what you will find...

our beloved wishstudio blog ~ brimming with all of your favorite columns, guest contributors, collaborative projects, inspiring wishmamas, and sparks of creativty to infuse your creative life.

workshops & retreats ~ teach or take a class here in the wishtudio! in this unique virtual studio you will have to opportunity to take some wonderful classes from a changing roster inspiring teachers. beginning with the wish*full virtual art retreat, wishstudio is committed to offering you a wide variety of the newest and best online workshops and ecourses, taught by the most amazing and talented teachers.

our two virtual workshop spaces ~ in the wishstudio there will be two studios available to host all of our creative classes. when classes are not in session, you might also find other unique virtual events going on there... a gallery event, a trunk show, a book launch, a concert... who knows... the sky is the limit. what would you do in that space? i'd love to host an event for you!

the wishstudio cafe' ~ grab a cup of coffee, pull up a chair, and join the conversation! here's where you can gather with lots creative friends. you can talk about creative ideas, happenings in the wishstudio, get together with workshop classmates and teachers, or just relax and hang out and listen to all the creative buzz.

the inspiration lounge ~ playfully nicknamed the ilounge, this space is where you can come to fill your well with loads of extra inspiration. there will be an exciting mix of creative resources for you to peruse and enjoy, all put together for you by our wishstudio teachers, contributors, and guests. come by often, as there will be new things added all the time! you never know what you might find.

and there will be much more! so bookmark wishstudio.com, our new (soon to be) home, today!

to celebrate the grand opening when we open our doors in april, we will be hosting a virtual open studio and launch party! hope you'll join us. keep an eye out for all the details next month. all areas of the studio will be open for you to visit. i know it will inspire you to take that next step into your creative dream... what are you wishing for? we can help bring it to life in the wishstudio!

an inspiring chat with jenny doh

2010-02-24T00:00:00.005-05:00

What are 5 things we might not know about you?
1. I’ve never been to Europe.
2. I was born left-handed but I write with my right hand.
3. I’ve never been asked out on a date.
4. I enjoy singing and playing the guitar for friends.
5. I used to work at Der Wienerschnitzel.

What inspired you to take the big leap into your own creative vision, and where did the idea come from?
Prior to publishing, I was a social worker for seven years. It has been my dream to try and connect my passion for social work with my passion for the arts. I’d say that was the source for my inspiration … to try and harness the energy of our incredibly talented art community with messages of passion, community, and compassion.

The big leap was taken when I felt the momentum was right. It was scary. Because to take a leap from a position of success to a position of the unknown is to risk potential failure. But I knew that if I didn’t take the leap, I might not find a window of opportunity as strong and compelling as the one that I was facing. And 10 years from now, I knew that I would not forgive myself if I didn’t try and build my dream when the chance was there.

Tell us all the juicy details about Crescendoh!
CRESCENDOh.com is an online media center where the artists we all know and love serve as Guest Curators. Each week, we have four Guest Curators who offer links to the best projects and inspiration from the World Wide Web. Before their week starts, each Guest Curator works with my staff to prepare their ART SAVES stories … stories about how art has made a positive difference in their lives or the lives of others. Also, CRESCENDOh.com will have a Reader Stories section, where we present and archive ART SAVES stories from our readers. We also have CRESCENDOhTV, for stories to be told via video. There will also be Book Reviews, Product Reviews, and of course our online shop. The shop will have very special products like art kits, velvet bags, and rubber stamps. The shop will also have a line of ART SAVES merchandise, where 100 percent of proceeds go to our Charities of Choice.

How does art save in your life?
Whenever I’ve ever experienced a challenge that I have thought is insurmountable, I’ve found peace through creating. As I put pen to paper, or cello bow to string, or needle through fabric, it is the process of creating through these various means that I realize that I will be OK. It is through this process of knowing that I will be OK that I actually become strengthened to take one step at a time to make headway on any challenge in my life.

No matter what, I can create. No matter if someone hurts me, no matter if something bad happens to me, no matter if someone takes what is mine, I can always create more. No one can take away my imagination and my ability to create and create again.

What is your one big wish for this project?
That people will learn that by busying our hands, and engaging our imaginations, we will be OK.

What are 3 creative tools you could absolutely not live without?
Computer. Camera. Yarn.

How do you balance family life with your creative work?
I’m not sure that I’m always 100 percent balanced. Sometimes, I’m a bit too intense about work and it takes some effort to get me to unwind. But in general, how I balance it is with the support of my husband and my children. They get it. They get me. They support me. And vice versa. I get them. And I support them. We all know when one member of the family needs extra TLC, extra attention. And we all know when we all need our space. It’s so cool living in my house. There’s definitely a vibe of respect and understanding and consideration. Like right now, as I am typing, I’m on my laptop in bed. My pups are by my side. My husband is tidying up the kitchen. My kids are listening to their iPods getting things together for school to start tomorrow. We all know what everyone’s up to. We all know that if one person were to say “hey I need some help here,” we’d get out of our zones and help each other. But we’re also able to give each other the space that we all need to focus on our respective projects and agendas.

What drives your passion for creativity?
For me, it’s like air. It’s like water. How can I be … if I am not creative? I can’t help it. I suppose that when you can’t help but be something, that is the definition of passion.

What is your favorite...
color... RED
music... U2, Johnny Cash, kd lang
drink... GOOD RED WINE
children's book... ARE YOU MY MOTHER?
pair of shoes... RED PEEP TOE SLING BACKS BY STUART WEITZMAN
thing to splurge on... SHOES!

What are your top 3 ingredients in Your recipe for success?
1. courage 2. Skill 3. Imagination

What is an important lesson that you have learned on your creative journey?
That courage isn’t the absence of fear. It is the conquering of it.

If you knew you wouldn't fail, what one thing would you do?
Launch CRESCENDOh.

In three words, what advice would you give to others with big creative aspirations?
Prepare. Focus. Love.

huge thanks to jenny for sharing this peek into her heart and her creative world! CRESCENDOh launches on march 1st, so don't miss it! it is sure to be an exciting and amazingly inspiring place.

sponsor giveaway :: maddie's beautiful ecourses

2010-02-23T07:30:00.008-05:00

madelyn mulvaney, photographer, writer and creator of persisting stars is offering to three lucky winners a spot in one of her inspiring e-courses... persisting stars ~Yes! a class about chasing your dreams, or open to exposure, a brand new photography class just for kids! click on over to her gorgeous site for more details about all of her creative offerings.

to win a spot, leave a comment on this post. please share with us which class is speaking to your heart, and why you would like to participate. you will have until the end of this week to enter, and the 3 winners will be announced on saturday, feb 27th. have fun!

in a new light :: embracing the creative lull

2010-02-22T00:00:00.000-05:00

by susan tuttle

Creative block -- we all experience it. It can be frustrating, disconcerting, even scary, especially if you have an imminent deadline. In the past, when the proverbial muse left me, I worried that she wouldn't return. I'd push that much harder to overcome the creative standstills, often to no avail. Over time I learned that the muse always comes back when the timing is right. I've come to understand that creative block is a natural part of the creative process. Without these breaks we could not experience the full potential of our creativity. Without the shadow and darkness, there could not be light.

I've often resorted to exercises to jump start the process, and no doubt they can certainly do the trick. I could probably spend this entire post writing about various ways to do this, but instead, I'm going to take a different approach. I'm going to suggest surrendering to the block and embracing the lull. Being afraid of it, trying to push it away, forcing ourselves to create, may actually extend this period, which I actually think is beneficial and even necessary to the livelihood of the creative process.

No living thing or process is meant to sustain itself over time, 100% of the time. We need time rest, regroup, and reenergize and when it is time to create again the creative energy and ideas will return and flourish. I often draw metaphors from nature to help me understand the human experience. When I think about natural cycles, like the seasons for instance, there are definite periods of growth, fruitfulness, energy and activity, and marked times of rest, hybernation, and regeneration. I think the creative process is much like the rhythm of the seasons.

I learned about taking breaks from creativity whilst studying flute. There were days when my technique would be a bit off, for no apparent physical reason I could identify. At music school we were encouraged to push through it, practice rigorously each and every day, and draw upon exercises to refocus our technique. I will not argue that there is merit in that approach, but I discovered something back then. Instead of meeting my frustration head on, I let go and took a break from the flute for a few days (shh, don't tell my professor). When I came back to my instrument the problem had corrected itself -- my tone was centered and the fingers were flying.

If you decide to try embracing the creative lull, I have a few ideas of things you can do during the time when you would otherwise be creating. I think it would be neat to extend the list -- I'd love to hear about more ideas from you.

* en-joy the down time
* curl up under a comfy blanket with your favorite beverage of choice and read that good book you've been meaning to
* indulge in movies. If you'd like, you can check out my "Art in Motion" list of films I ♥ (it's in the sidebar of my blog).
* visit inspiring blogs and sites, or consider taking a break from the computer
* treat yourself
* take a walk
* sip tea or coffee
* organize your creative space
* paint walls, furniture
* thrift shopping therapy
* connect with friends
* visit a new place
* take a trip to a museum or gallery
* cook or bake
* sleep

And then, perhaps when you least expect it, the muse will return on her own accord, overflowing with creative energy and ideas for you to tap into. Until then, enjoy the lull.

Susan Tuttle is a mixed-media and digital artist who resides in a small-town community in the state of Maine. Her first book, Exhibition 36: Mixed-Media Demonstrations + Explorations, was released by North Light Books in December 2008, and her second book, Digital Expressions: Creating Digital Art with Adobe® Photoshop® Elements, a technique-based publication on digital art, will be published by North Light Books in May 2010 and is currently available for pre-order on Amazon. Susan is a frequent contributor to Stampington & Company publications and other mixed-media books. You can visit her site at www.ilkasattic.com and her blog at www.ilkasattic.blogspot.com through which she is offering online digital art workshops on the subjects of photomanipulation, digital montage, and a variety of Photoshop techniques.

sponsor giveaway :: louise gale

2010-02-21T00:00:00.003-05:00

louise gale is an artist plunging back into the creative life, after many years. her intention is to devote more time to create art and community, and to believe in the possibilities of her life to empower and inspire others who also have that creative seed inside. she is inspired by nature, poetry and design, and creates original acrylic and mixed media paintings and prints. louise is excited to also get back into ceramics and try out jewelry at some point. the glass is always full as she continues to look for opportunities in art and life! visit her blog and lovely shop today.

win a signed 5x7 print of wise silver tree by leaving a comment on this post. one lucky winner will be chosen and announced on february 27th... good luck!

sponsor giveaway :: handmade writer ecourse

2010-02-20T00:00:00.000-05:00

Take a crafty approach to creative writing and use the fabric of your
life to tell your own extraordinary stories.

The Handmade Writer e-course will help you gather together material from
every source imaginable. You will learn about the craft of writing and
how to sew these fragments together to build your own pieces of creative
writing.

Amy Spencer, an author and experienced workshop leader, will be your
guide. She will set you a writing exercise at the beginning of each
week, twice weekly creative challenges and keep you supplied with enough
creative stimulus to keep your imagination buzzing.

Handmade Writer is the ideal place to take your writing a bit more
seriously and will give you the motivation to find space for it in your
busy life. You will start using what you already have to write whatever
you want. You will be amazed by what you can achieve and at the end of
the six weeks you will want to keep on writing. for more information, visit www.bringyourself.com

to win a spot in amy's ecourse that begins this april, please leave a comment on this post and a winner will be randomly selected and announced on saturday feb. 27th!

the artistic mother :: how creativity and motherhood are similar

2010-02-18T08:05:00.008-05:00

by shona cole

I am a mother, an artist of sorts, an author, a friend of other artsy type mammas.

Many people know me as this person. But it has not always been so and neither was it my planned path. I live now as life so different from the one I envisioned while growing up, while studying psychology in college, even while working in the social services.

I did not plan to have babies. Growing up as the youngest of 2 in a small extended family I was not around babies much. I didn’t play with dolls. In fact, I am ashamed to share, I didn’t think too highly of the world of motherhood. I thought it would be depressing to be left alone all day with kids. I thought a mom was somehow a lesser role to choose.

In a way I was even dismissive to the creative world too. I had always been by nature and inclination an artistic, creative person, but I attended an academically competitive school where art was considered to be an extra curricular activity, not a worthy career path. So while I took art classes and dabbled in various crafts I didn’t see it as a serious option. As young people we can be very impressionable, can’t we?

So when I finally had children, how was it that I was able to take on the role of mother with so much passion? Well, I believe it was due to the fact that in my heart I was a creative person. Also, I have wondered why it was that becoming a mother brought forth my neglected creative nature.

Well, when I look at the landscape of motherhood I see how alike it is to creativity, how embracing one way of being helps the other to emerge. When you are hardwired a certain way you can live in denial for only so long. Eventually there comes a time when the real you will push through.

The creative, artistic person is one who…
~ is committed to bringing forth something new, something that has not been in the world before ~ takes time to gather the supplies she needs, organize them, care for them
~ envisions what her art will look like and goes about learning the skills necessary to bring that into reality
~ knows she will pursue her art over a long period of time, developing her ideas and know how
~ plans her art time and makes space in her day and her home for her creative endeavors
~ talks about her art with like souls, looking for encouragement from other artists and loves to share ideas
~ attends to the details of life - the shape of a vase, the color of the leaf, the sound of the city and tries to capture them
~ evaluates what she has created and makes the changes she needs
~ loves her art and loves some more

The mother is one who…
~ has brought forth a little person and they together form a new family, one that has never been in this world before
~ takes the time to make a home with all she needs to rear her young, feeding, clothing, guiding them
~ considers her children’s future and personality and reads parenting books and seeks wisdom from others on how to raise her children
~ is committed to this path for the long haul
~ makes plans for her kid’s schooling, meals, bedtimes, playdates, entertainment, future
~ talks to others about being a parent, she looks for encouragement from others and shares her parenting ideas with other moms
~ soaks in every little detail of her child’s personality, the things he says, his likes and dislikes and carries them in her heart
~ watches her kids behavior and development and adjusts her parenting as needed
~ loves her babies and loves some more

So do you see how the artist and the mother are similar roads, with similar patterns and behaviors? Does that ring a bell for you? Does that make sense in your life? I feel inspired and empowered when I think that the whole of my life involves creativity in some way. I feel excited by that idea, hopeful, affirmed. Do you?

When the creative woman becomes a mother it is a beautiful thing. The ambitions of the world fall away, the vibrancy of life becomes larger and more fulfilling. On any given day in the artistic mother’s house something new and wonderful is happening. It may be something traditionally artistic like a painting or a series of photographs, but it may be simply the act of being a Mom, a nurturer, a lover of the little people she has been entrusted with.

I know there are other parallels between these two lovely worlds. Can you look at your life and see some more? Will you share them with me, with the readers of the Wishstudio? When we share our thoughts and goals, we feel less alone, we feel encouraged and part of something bigger than ourselves. I need that connection, don’t you?

While in the grand scheme, our mothering job is so much more important than being an artist, both are still part of who we are. Both are powerful and real and worthy of expression. Best of all, I believe that engaging in the creative process can strengthen our mothering and can carry us through the tough days, while the act of mothering can encourage creativity. Next month I will be exploring more about the idea that taking the time to express creativity actually helps make us be better mamas. So check back in!

*shona's brand new book, the artistic mother is now available at amazon!

blowing bubbles in a concrete jungle :: a joy rebel’s take on using the ‘right’ stuff

2010-02-16T00:00:00.000-05:00

by brandi reynolds

Just recently, a couple of different friends have asked for my opinion on cameras. You know, which was the ‘best’ one to buy, what brand was ‘better’, etc.

My initial reaction was ‘I dunno, I just stole my camera from my husband and started using it and now I love it’. But that didn’t sound very helpful to my ears so I asked a friend of mine who uses a different brand than I do what she thought and her answer was a long the same lines as my thoughts. She had sort of randomly chosen that brand/model and now loved it and didn’t want to part with it.

Okay, so now what do I tell my friends? I thought some more and what came to me is that a professional camera, no matter what make or model, is just a tool. It does not guarantee a great photograph. What makes a great photograph is knowing how to use that tool to express what is in your eyes and heart and soul.

I think it’s that way for any artistic medium. I know I have certainly been so caught up in using the ‘correct’ paints or mixed media methods or worried over which lens was the ‘right’ one to use that I ended up not creating anything at all.

But when I can get past what is ‘right’ and just make it play, then I find so much more enjoyment in the creative process. Not to mention that I always come up with ideas I’ve never had before and inspirations that seem to appear out of nowhere.

My request for you then, dear reader, is to play this week and see what comes up for you. I am willing to bet you’ll be inspired.

‘til next time joy rebels!

wishmamas :: a reflection on what is on my heart these days

2010-02-14T00:00:00.000-05:00

by ali edwards

Around here I have one child turning eight and the other turning one.

Around here I am working on leading by example: following passions, self-care, exercise, compassion, patience, laughter.

Around here my husband and I are navigating a renewed connection with one another: welcoming spice and tenderness and all that goes into making a marriage work past the 11 year mark with two kids and two careers.

Around here I am continually expressing gratitude for this second small life that has expanded my capacity to love.

Around here I am amazed at how different this second round of mothering has been so far. She is so different than he. She brings new challenges and new joys. She adores him. He adores her. They both begin their day by searching for the other.

Around here my son is finding a special friend in a stuffed animal that has been around since he was born. Last night after it was already past his bedtime he told me, “Paulie wants to watch TV.”

Around here two wonderful babysitters make my work possible. They are an integral part of our tribe. I am thankful for them everyday.

Around here homework is getting done before dinner, Super Mario is on the Wii, a new bed was purchased for my son to make room for his lego collection.

Around here routines lead us through our days: wake-up at 6am, kids in bed by 7:30pm. I am comforted by the normalness of simple rituals: the sound of coffee brewing, letting the dog out and in, the “good morning Anna” from Simon, Morning Edition on NPR, the hustle and bustle and then the quiet that comes when everyone is on their way.

Around here there are a lot of hugs and kisses and “wrestle-time” and “no touching faces” and “gentle, please.”

Around here I work. I make plans. I take photographs. I document our daily existence. I encourage others to share their stories. I share my own.

childhood: the fine print {a photo project}

2010-02-12T05:19:00.003-05:00

One of the many gifts of blogging is that invariably, you begin to notice things – little things. And framed in the viewfinder, the simple ordinary becomes sacred. Rainbows tumble out of dish soap and piles of dirty socks. For me, the discovery has been most profound as I watch my daughter, wide-eyed and wonder-filled, discovering this wild world for the first time.The camera has become a companion on our daily adventures. I’m finding fresh eyes for my family and the familiar. And as I look around, I realize that so many of you are doing the same.

Childhood: The Fine Print weaves our images together across time and space telling a grand story of innocence and adventure. It's a reminder to capture the details: her tousled curls on the pillow…the dimples on his muddy hands...their tiny feet, sun-kissed and sand-dusted after a day by the sea. It’s a place to celebrate “the fine print” – things that are often missed in the hurried snapshots from birthday parties and family vacations - things you’ll want to remember twenty years from now. There is just one simple rule, meant to stretch your creativity: no faces allowed. This means that your photos can not contain eyes, noses or mouths. (After much deliberation, I decided that ears are perfectly acceptable.)

Periodically, I highlight a handful of images from this pool at bright and blithe, often surrounding a theme that forms as I pour over them. If you swoon at the sight of fat fingers wrapped around a firefly jar, you'll find kindred spirits here. Come on over and tell your part of the story - the story of childhood. You're also invited to contribute stills, nature, and images of home to the Solstice Letters project.

Warmly,
Gina
www.brightandblithe.wordpress.com

tranquilista giveaway winner

2010-02-12T04:57:00.004-05:00

kimberly's new book tranquilista
and the damask arm warmers
goes to...

rachael

please email me with your address so i can sen you your goodies!

*please note, any prize not claimed within 30 days will be recycled back into the wishstudio treasure chest for another chance to be won.

i am a poem

2010-02-10T07:00:00.001-05:00

by michelle ensminger

I want to tell you about the moments that save me,
the quiet, unsuspecting moments that rest like a sigh
in the palm of my hand
I want to tell you how the world reminds me to breathe,
how it wakes me up
I want to tell you about those moments that stir my heart,
moments when I feel the ground within me shift,
and something soft opens up
They appear so ordinary and demand nothing
but that I bow to them
as they slip away
Moments so good I want to hold them
even though I know they can’t be held
Moments so strangely real I scramble to find words for them
even when I know there are no words rich enough,
deep enough to give them form
I want to tell you about the geese and how their song
trailed across a sky confused with color,
a sky unwilling to settle, determined to hold it all
I want to tell you about the black birds perched
in the lavender fringes of evening and how the sun’s
gold shadow reflected off their wings
and how for a moment I glimpsed
the song of mystery they hold lightly in their bodies
I want to tell you about the stoic pine,
how the light spilled over its deep green needles
as it stretched and swayed
I want to tell you how the lake just before dusk
holds the reflection of the sky and how the geese circle
then settle on its surface, swimming in the clouds
I want to tell you about all these moments
and how I struggle to turn my back on them
when it’s time to head home again,
how they trick me into believing
I can keep them with their soft whisper
of words like
“breathing” and “holding”
And then I remember these moments must be lived,
not written. They can only be held in our forgetting,
becoming something more than memory,
becoming the very thing that saves me
I want to tell you how the world in its own
grace-filled way continues to give each
of us exactly what we need
even when we don’t realize it,
even when we are too blind in our own grief
to see it…

tranquilista giveaway

2010-02-09T09:09:00.005-05:00

celebrating the launch of her brand new book, kimberly is offering
you a chance to win your very own copy along with a lovely pair of
chic damask arm warmers!

to enter, watch the video (it's so inspiring) and leave a comment
on this post sharing how you are living the tranquilista lifestyle.

you will have until friday to enter (2/12), when the winner will then be announced.

good luck everyone!

ordinary sparkling moments :: rumination on C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C

2010-02-08T08:12:00.004-05:00

by christine mason miller

Every practice begins the same way: Scales. I wasn’t taught scales right away; I had a few months of lessons before my teacher decided I was ready for them. I always thought they were the most basic of basics, the first thing I would need to know if I wanted to learn this instrument. But no. I had to work up to them, I had to learn the notes, keys and symbols that preceded scales. I had to build up to those scales; I had to earn them.

And now - now I am learning that scales are not simply about Do-Re-Mi (C-D-E on the piano). They are about telling my fingers where to go, hitting each key clearly and consistently, going up and down a string of notes in a perfectly even rhythm. I try to imagine my fingers moving along a scale like a satin ribbon unfurling with graceful precision; rolling them from one key to the next, I instruct my fingers to work together.

Indeed, scales are the foundation; they are the warm-up, the first steps, the most fundamental part of my practice. Ice skaters do figure eights, musicians practice scales. My husband, a violinist, begins his practice the same way – scale up, scale down, scale up, scale down. And there are entire worlds of possibilities within scales, and with each variation, a new challenge exists. I am currently trying to master playing two octaves of upward scales with both hands moving parallel, and I feel like I am trying to learn how to write my name with my left foot. The concentration it takes is almost comical; I think of what I must look like, head bent towards the keys, fingers playing each note slowly and carefully, face frowning and contorting as I try to remember which finger goes where in order to end the second octave with the correct fingers (left hand – thumb, right hand – pinky).

No matter what I am doing – laundry, writing, or washing my face – I always try to be present, to keep my attention on the task at hand. Some of the time I succeed, much of the time my mind wanders. At the piano, and with scales in particular, I get lost in a unique kind of concentration, as if when I sit down at the bench I walk through a doorway, and once I’m across the threshold the rest of the world ceases to exist. As soon as I begin with C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C it is just me and the piano, and the most important thing in the world is learning how to move gracefully and musically up and down the keyboard. Like a bumble bee making its rounds on the first day of spring, I zero in on my work, and get lost in the beauty before me.

wish*full artisen trunk show preview & retreat giveaway winner!

2010-02-06T07:41:00.011-05:00

here is a sneak peek at an item that has been specially created by one of our fabulous workshop teachers, and will be available for sale in the wish*full artisen trunk show the weekend of our spring virtual art retreat. mark your calender (may 1-3), and don't miss it! there will be lots more exclusive items and exciting finds in our spring show. your work could be feaured too, just sign up for the retreat!

on with the winner

...and the lucky winner of the wish*full virtual art retreat weekend package is (drumroll please)...

rachel b. (yay!) congratulations rachel! please email me by 2/15 to claim your prize. and as a special thanks to everyone who played along with this giveaway i am offering you each $25 off any retreat package, but you must pre-register by 2/15 and email me for your prize code.

can't wait to create with you all at the retreat!

the art of living cheerfully :: ‘new beginnings’ (or ‘guts, spunk and moxie’)

2010-02-04T07:00:00.002-05:00

by madelyn mulvaney

It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!
~Mark Twain ~

I suppose you are wondering what I am going on about ~ after all, it isn’t Spring at all, it’s still Winter. Very much so in fact. Perhaps, depending on where you live, there is even snow or chilled blustery rains. The daylight fades ever so quickly on these somber January days and there is certainly no chorus of songbirds to awaken you bright and early in the mornings.

But it feels like Spring to me I assure you. I stop short of proclaiming there are kisses whizzing by my head, but Spring has indeed arrived in my soul. I feel a most beautiful awakening stirring in my breast, a symphonic summoning in my mood ~ a heavenly vitality. I am moved to find the nearest church, pop in and sing to the rafters “I DO believe!” I believe in everything!

Why I am in such a happy state of mind? Well I am more than delighted to let you in on my little secret. It’s quite simple. I have nerve. More than nerve, actually. I’ve got spunk, guts and moxie.

With this fresh, potent, brand new year I determined that this year I would try things I have always longed to do but never quite got up the nerve to try. Oh, there are so many things on my list of longings but I managed to narrow it down to two.

I love to sing. I have a sweet voice ~ nothing special or worthy of standing ovation sadly, but lovely nonetheless. I am passionate and poetic and enjoy a wide breadth of musical genres and when I do sing (in the shower, in the car) it is with a joyful and childish reverie. And so. This year I vowed that I would take a few lessons, find that most perfectly perfect song and film myself singing with (trained) abandon and upload it to my youtube. And I shall. My friend Darlene has found me a fine teacher and even if I have to drive all the way to Edmonton for those lessons this Spring, nothing is going to stop me.

And that’s not all. Oh no.

Painting. I can’t paint. At all. Never mind painting, I can’t even draw. I have a fine motor issue in my hands that causes an achy cramping when I write so drawing was never, ever something I thought I would do. And yet. It is right up there high on my list of longings of things I would just love to explore, if even just once. And so. A few weeks ago I signed up for Misty Mawn’s self portrait painting e~course which begins next week. She assured me I would come out of that class with a painting and I believe her. And when I have finished my self portrait I am going to upload it to my website and share it with the world, no matter how elementary my work is, just to prove that I have nerve and am a ‘doer of fine things.’

As I embark on my happy path of nourishing new explorations I wonder what might be on your list of longings, however far fetched?

What bright, vibrant desire is waiting in the wings just yearning to be given a chance to take the stage? I dare you this year…pick one. Just one brand new adventure you ‘oh~so~very~much’ want to try. Do it!

And then tell everyone you’ve got spunk, guts and moxie too :)

wishmamas :: the navigation of time

2010-02-02T07:00:00.003-05:00

by emily perry

We all have unique creative journeys. As for myself, my adventurous, wonderful, creative journey has lead me down the mothering path. The beauty of the process of becoming a mother was that is allowed me to tap into my creativity in a new way. Suddenly I found myself with access to a reservoir of creative dynamic energy I knew little about. And yet despite all the joys of parenthood, I soon discovered how time intensive mothering was. As all of these new creative ideas began to take root, my biggest point of navigation became time. I still find after just a few years that the skill involved in steering my day, in finding moments to create while raising two young children, is without a doubt my greatest challenge.

The creative path as a parent can be littered with so many roadblocks: there are practical issues, and there are energy issues. When we are constantly nurturing others, how is it that we can find the time to nurture our creativity and ourselves? How can we find a balance between making art and growing a family? So many times I get asked how I have time to manage to do all that I do, and I must admit it can be difficult. Like all creative mamas, I have had to create my own map of sorts to navigate with. So here are a few gems I have gleaned from the adventure thus far, besides canceling cable.

One: Create a Physical Space. The space you need to work depends of the type of media you work in, and for me I needed a space where I could leave paintings and mixed-media pieces out in progress, and in stages, undisturbed. I created a studio space in the garage, but I know friends that have converted a closet or a laundry area. Remember, this space has an energetic component as well: it holds a creative energy for you, nurtures and grows it even while you are not working. It holds space for your creativity.

Two: Know How You Work. What is your creative process like? My productive times come in waves, in terms of actual art creation. I work in clusters, and in the time between I am thinking, journaling, and working out concepts in my head. I am creating lists, and really refining my work conceptually so that we I do finally get to the studio to work, I know what direction I want to start out in. This process will change and grow as my children age (I am sure), but for now I understand that I cannot manage to get time in the studio daily.

Three: Brainstorm When You Can. I have a journal with me everywhere I go, so I can record ideas wherever inspiration hits: in line at kindergarten pick-up, at the park, for when one of the kids falls asleep in the car. As I mentioned in number two, by the time I get around to working my ideas are relatively fully formed, and ready for exploration!

Four: Carry a Small Project. I like to always have a knitting project, a camera, and an art journal with me: a few rows here and there can add up to some hand-warmers, and my art journal allows me to practice drawing when we are out and about. I look at these little projects as training for other pieces; I might take a color combination I studied in an art journal and expand it into a larger piece. Or I might shoot an image that acts as a keystone to a whole series.

Five: Create a Priority Map. This map is how I navigate my life, in so many ways, and it will look different to different people. Because I am a scanner/slasher, and I always have so many ideas flowing, I need to set boundaries for myself so that I can focus on, and finish, projects on a timeline. I use these weekly Time Maps as my foundation after I have organized my deadlines on my monthly calendars. I often don’t get to everything, but at least I have a vision of what I am heading towards.

Above all else, I think this process is really about being gentle with ourselves. It is about being realistic, and not overly scheduled, while at the same time gently nudging us in the direction we want to head in. I hope a little insight into the way I work sparks some ideas for you, helps you navigate time a bit more skillfully, and perhaps leads you to a new creative journey of your dreams.

i had to share this {sigh}... i know, right?

2010-01-31T15:07:00.001-05:00

completely and utterly amazing

this is the movement. of moms showing up... of loving and living fiercely. as caretakers. as leaders. as dreamers and visionaries. for the good our own lives. and for the lives of our children.

we. are. changing. the. world.

creative compass :: following your compass, even when it leads you away

2010-01-30T07:00:00.000-05:00

by jamie ridler

Since the very beginnings of this beautiful, wish-full space, I have been sharing my take on the creative journey, writing about ways that creativity can connect you to your inner compass and guide you along the way. I will always treasure this time and the opportunity to be a part of such a magical community. But today I find I must follow my own compass, and my journey, for now, takes me away from The Wish Studio.

It’s been such a blessing for me to see the work I do as a creative self-development coach grow and expand over the past couple of years. If you hang out with me at Jamie Ridler Studios, you’ll know what I mean. There’s a lot going on! I’ve launched a new website, a podcast, events, products and classes, all in support of creative living. I'm coaching awesome women to embrace and express their authentic, creative selves fully, joyfully and passionately. And there’s so much more to come!

One of the great challenges in stepping deeply and wholeheartedly into your path is that sometimes, a lot of times, you have to say no. Sometimes you’re saying no to the things that you don’t want to be a part of, things that don't reflect who you want to be and what you want to do in the world. That takes its own kind of courage.

And sometimes, you are saying no to delicious things, things that you wish would fit on your plate. If you’re like me, you know this pain. You want it all! You don’t want to miss out on a single thing - especially sparkling, magical, wonderful things! So you overfill your plate and end up exhausted, stuffed, stressed and uncomfortable and after all that you still didn't get a chance to taste even half of what you signed up for because you were over-extended, over-scheduled and over-ambitious! It’s horrible!

So when do you say no? How do you make peace with not having it all?

I turn to love. I want to be loving with myself and with each and every precious delight that’s on my plate. I want to be loving with the people I connect with and the moment I am in by being fully and deeply present and offering up my very best self. I want to step into the love of the Universe by trusting, with all my heart, that when I am ready, something new and magnificent will fill my plate or something familiar and well-loved will return.

So it is with great love for Mindy, the Wish Studio, each of the sparkling contributors and every gorgeous reader, that I say, “au revoir,” knowing in my heart that along the way we will meet again and again, with joy, with creativity and in deep friendship. Here are some places you can find me:

Website: http://www.jamieridlerstudios.ca/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/starshyne
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jamieridlerstudios
Podcast: http://www.creativelivingwithjamie.ca/

Come by and see me anytime.

With love,

Jamie

wish*full virtual art retreat {spring 2010}

2010-01-29T07:00:00.004-05:00

what kind of creative adventure could you go on where you had absolutely no travel expenses to pay, no accommodations to book, and you didn’t have to pack your bags and leave your family behind?

where could you go and gather with kindred spirits from near and far, nurture and play with you inner muse, learn from and be inspired by talented artists, and get messy with paint, words, glue, photos, ideas and dreams… all in your pajamas with your favorite mug in hand?

wish*full virtual art retreat
spring 2010
april 30th to may 2nd

you are invited to join us for a one of a kind, special online event; 3 days of art, creativity, and connecting with like minded souls, right from the comfort of your own home! for an entire weekend you will be immersed in creative exploration through an exciting variety of engaging workshops brought to you by 14 amazing artists and teachers...

mindy tsonas, madelyn mulvaney, susannah conway, hope wallace,

lisa field elliot, christine mason miller, stacy de la rosa, penelope dullighan,

lisa occopinti, leah piken kolidas, christine castro, jennifer lee,

kimberly wilson, & pam garrison

your wish*full virtual art retreat weekend will include:

* a well balanced schedule of 7, two hour, online creative workshops

* a wish*full retreat tool kit and goodie bag full of great tips and treats to help you plan a fun and successful weekend

* special access to the brand new (coming this april!) wishstudio website featuring: two virtual art studios, the inspiration lounge brimming with creative resources, and even a virtual café where you can mix, mingle and connect with other participants

* an exclusive invitation to be featured as a selling artist in our wish*full artisan trunk show, which will be hosted that weekend in the wishstudio and open to the public

* a special wish*full discount to shop online at art supplies wholesale for your workshop supply needs

wish*full schedule preview:

~ friday april, 30, 2010 ~

1pm ~ retreat welcome, mix & mingle,
last minute prep time
2pm to 4pm ~ workshop 1
4pm to 6pm ~ dinner break
6pm to 8pm ~ workshop 2

~ saturday, may 1 ~

9am to 11 am ~ workshop 3
11am to 12pm ~ lunch break
12pm to 2 pm ~ workshop 4
2pm to 3pm ~ sun salutations and afternoon tea
3pm to 5pm ~ workshop 5
6pm ~ wish*full artisan trunk show opens in the wishstudio

~ sunday, may 2 ~

10am to 12pm ~ workshop 6
12pm to 1pm ~ lunch break
1pm to 3pm ~ workshop 7
3pm to 4pm ~ wrap up and goodbyes!

create your own perfect retreat experience…

first…choose the module that speaks to you! workshops for the retreat will be available in two different modules, each with its own unique mix of 7 creative classes. if they all sound amazing to you and you can’t decide, buy both modules (all 14 workshops) for one fantastically inspiring price!

second…choose a real-time retreat experience or enjoy the workshops at your own pace. this will be a really unique and exciting global gathering of creative souls! so wherever you are, burning your midnight oil or watching the sun rise, we will all be creating together and you can be a part of this amazing event!

each workshop module will be presented in it’s own virtual studio and in real-time (eastern standard time) over the course of the retreat weekend. classes will be taught through an engaging mix of photographs, video, writing, and will be very hands on. all of our workshop teachers will be online during their scheduled class time, and will be cheering you on as well as there to answer any comments and questions.

workshops will remain online for the entire month and our teachers will be checking in regularly… so if you want to work through the classes at your own pace, or you have a schedule conflict and have to miss a class, or you live in a different time zone don’t worry, you still have the opportunity to fully participate and get the most out of your wish*full workshops! take a peek at our FAQ page to answer more of your questions.

finally…choose a payment option. take advantage of early registration and you will have the option to pay for your retreat in 2 easy installments. pay the initial deposit, then your balance will be due by march 31, 2010. early registration, and the two payment option, will only be available until February 15, 2010… so don’t miss out! after that you can register in-full, until the end of march. all registration payments can be made using the paypal button on our sidebar.

wish*full retreat packages:

the wish*full virtual art retreat weekend
your choice of one retreat module
~ includes 7 online workshops ~
tool kit and goody bag, virtual retreat website access & trunk show invitation
$295

the wish*full virtual art retreat extravaganza
retreat module (your choice), plus the additional 2nd module
~ includes all 14 online workshops ~
tool kit and goody bag, virtual retreat website access & trunk show invitation
$395

once you register, your registration packet will be sent to you where you will choose your module(s) and get all the info on participating in the artisan trunk show!

see you at the retreat!

musepreneur :: what's cooking in 2010?

2010-01-27T07:33:00.006-05:00

by jennifer lee

In a previous Musepreneur post, we explored what it’s like to be a creative woman trying to balance a plethora of passions. I was in awe of how this concept really struck a chord with many of you wishstudio readers. Isn’t it nice to know we’re not alone in our multitude of creative impulses?

Like a lot of us, a client of mine was juggling several passions, interests, and responsibilities while also struggling to find a way to make it all fit and not lose herself in the process. One of her favorite pastimes was cooking, so naturally we whipped up a metaphor of pots of soup bubbling (or sometimes boiling over!) on a stove.

We got out a large piece of paper, Post-it Notes, and markers to sketch her six-burner stovetop. Her pots might’ve looked something like the following with each category representing a different, delicious soup:

* Creative business
* Family/home life
* Self-care
* Volunteer project for kids
* Blogging
* New creative hobby

Next we looked at each pot of soup and asked things like “What temperature is this pot at now? Is it on high and ready to boil over? Or is it at a steady simmer? What temperature do you want it to be? And what do you need to adjust to make that happen? Which pots do you need to bring to the forefront and which can be on the backburner? Are there any new pots and, if so, which of the other pots needs to come off the stove for now?”

Her imaginary six-burner stove was a helpful visual to see all of the important aspects of her work and life in a manageable and meaningful way. It no longer felt like a chaotic kitchen with food and utensils whizzing about. Instead, she was able to focus on and prioritize her important “pots” in a way that nourished her.

What's a metaphor that could help you with juggling all of your passions? Perhaps the pots-on-a-stove idea whets your appetite. Or what about getting inspired by the wishstudio necklace project? Imagine wearing a beautiful necklace with various charms representing all of your passions. What are the different charms? Which charm is the centerpiece right now? How can you keep each lovely charm sparkling?

Whatever metaphor you choose to play with, have fun. Use it to help you map out your 2010 and assess your progress along the way. I’d love to hear what you’ve got cookin’ for the new year!

P.S. – Something that I’ll be serving up starting February 1st is my yummy six-week Right-Brain Business Plan e-Course where you’ll craft a visual plan for your entrepreneurial success. Would be fun to have you, my fellow musepreneur!

Bon appétit!

Musepreneur and certified coach Jennifer Lee, of Artizen Coaching is the creator of the Right-Brain Business Plan. She loves yoga, painting, reading, and hanging out with her husband and dog. She blogs at Life Unfolds.

giveaway winners & news

2010-01-26T11:00:00.002-05:00

have you heard about the bright side project? it's a beautiful place that shares sunshine and daily {fabulous} giveaways! today the wish*full virtual art retreat is being featured and you have another chance to win a $100 wishcertificate good towards any spring 2010 retreat package. head on over for your daily dose of goodness!

and the winners of this month's giveaways are...

heather, you've won the set of brandi's beautiful postcards! and congratulations to amisha, lisa, and trish. you are the lucky winners of the 3 copies of the spring 2010 artful blogging magazine. please email me with your snail mail address to claim your prizes.

*please note, any prize not claimed within 30 days will be recycled back into the wishstudio treasure chest for another chance to be won.

in a new light :: simplify

2010-01-25T07:00:00.005-05:00

by susan tuttle

I have only one resolution for this New Year.

Simplify.

I am going to "take away" from my life in order to have more of what I want. As I write this I am watching my kids through the window -- sledding, laughing, dancing in the middle of a snowstorm. The spare, stark white paired with their laughter full of spirit is the perfect metaphor for what I am striving for. I want to clear away the clutter to allow what's important to me to shine; to shimmer -- so I can enjoy what matters most to me.

When we decide what is most important to us and filter our everyday experiences through this lens, we will say yes to what matters most and no to the things that get in the way of yes. Saying no can be key to getting to yes. It really is okay to say no to clear the way for spending your time the way you want to -- I've found that most people are understanding of this and the ones that aren't, well, it's about them and has nothing to do with me.

Family time is a major priority for me. Time slips away so quickly and when I am older I want to be able to look back on the time when my kids were at home and feel like I made the most of it and gave them what they needed. What kinds of memories do I want to have and want them to have? I guess I'm a bit old-fashioned and nostalgic. We love to snuggle in the down comforter and read library books together, play card games and bingo while snacking on popcorn and hot cocoa, watch family movies and go for walks in the woods.

I want my home to feel warm, cozy, uncluttered -- simple. It doesn't always have to be clean, but I do like it organized. Both my husband and I prefer a minimalist style, and that is a good thing, as our home is fairly small. The only collections I have are in my studio, but the rest of the house is somewhat sparse. I am inspired by the home decor found here and here.

I am going to make a conscious effort not to spend much money this year, especially on unnecessary things. Maddie Mulvaney talks about how she plans to save money this year too, only purchasing thrifted items, art supplies and necessaries -- sounds like an excellent plan -- one I am going to emulate.

We are going to try to make things whenever possible, instead of buying them, recycling things that we already have in our home, or find at our town's recycling barn. I found three old teacups at the "dump" and repurposed them as votives for our eating table. I wanted a chalkboard for the kitchen, a place where I could write reminders or little bits of poetry, and decided to make one from the top of a fold-up snack table -- the same one I used for late night feedings when my kids were babies -- lots of sweet memories tied up in that piece of wood. Three great resources for ideas on recycling and repurposing objects for the home are here, here and here.

Making time for art is important. I must always be making something -- creating is my lifeblood and without it I feel lost, disconnected, sometimes depressed. I'm a night owl and find that I produce my best work in the wee hours. It is the time I feel most still, open, and mellow -- the censor goes away when I feel a little tired, making it easier to get into the flow of creativity. If I can create, I am content and feel whole. I can be my best self -- in all aspects of my life.

So there you have it.

Simplify.

Happy New Year!

Susan Tuttle is a mixed-media and digital artist who resides in a small-town community in the state of Maine. Her first book, Exhibition 36: Mixed-Media Demonstrations + Explorations, was released by North Light Books in December 2008, and her second book, Digital Expressions: Creating Digital Art with Adobe® Photoshop® Elements, a technique-based publication on digital art, will be published by North Light Books in May 2010 and is currently available for pre-order on Amazon. Susan is a frequent contributor to Stampington & Company publications and other mixed-media books. You can visit her site at www.ilkasattic.com and her blog at www.ilkasattic.blogspot.com through which she is offering online digital art workshops on the subjects of photomanipulation, digital montage, and a variety of Photoshop techniques.

we're celebrating {with another giveaway}

2010-01-24T06:00:00.001-05:00

i came home to this in my mailbox ~ and look... we're mentioned on the cover! hooray! i can't tell you how much my heart swells when i hold this in my hands. and because it really is everyone here who makes the wishstudio come alive with such inspiration, of course i want to say thank you. while i wish i could send each and every one of you a copy (i really do), i am going to offer to 3 lucky winners a copy of the spring 2010 issue of artful blogging.

to enter this giveaway leave a comment on this post sharing 3 of your own wishes in just 3 words. you will have until tuesday morning, jan. 26th when i will announce the winners (along with brandi's prize winner...see below).

the gratitude is overflowing because all of you who dwell in this space have made it a beautiful place to be... thank you!

january sponsor giveaway

2010-01-23T07:00:00.003-05:00

"Who doesn’t love postcards?! You can mail them, frame them, beautify your office, clothespin them to fishing wire, give them to friends and use them as affirmation cards. Postcards are the new black, ya’ll.

This set of six postcards feature images from Joy Rebel Images, with rich texture and pretty words for extra oomph. Too fun! They will be appearing in the Joy Rebel Images etsy shop along with more fabulous new goodies on 2/1 but you have a chance to receive an advanced set! " ~ brandi

i couldn't have said it better myself and can't wait to see all the newest goodies in brandi's shop!to win this prize, please leave a comment on this post telling us how you are letting your inner joy rebel shine! one random winner will be chosen and announced on tuesday, jan. 26th. good luck!

tranquilology :: happiest of 2010 to you!

2010-01-21T07:00:00.001-05:00

by kimberly wilson

"The unexamined life is not worth living." - Plato

It's that special time of the year where you may take a step back to evaluate where you are, where you've been, and where you're heading. Each year I love to list my past year’s highlights, lessons learned and dreams for the new year. This offers an opportunity to take stock annually to ensure movement in the right direction. Pull out your journal, kick up your heels, grab a mug of tea, and let's indulge in a dose of reflection.

What are your 2009 highlights? Can you bring them together in visual form? Collect photos from your adventures and make a collage or desktop. Doodle the highlights, mindmap, or simply list them. A few of my 2009 highlights include learning about mindfulness-based stress reduction, spending 10 days in Paris, leading retreats in Costa Rica and New York, returning to school to pursue MSW, Tranquil Space Foundation's film festival, celebrating Tranquil Space's 10th year, penning Tranquilista, releasing a 4th yoga to go CD, and celebrating 5 years with my supportive beau. All in all, a productive, blessed year.

Now let’s list your lessons learned. You know the ones - those ongoing “opportunities” disguised as “challenges.” What lessons are you taking away from your experiences this year? For me, I plan to keep working with my 2009 word of the year "spaciousness" and remember it when over-scheduling or over-committing, declutter daily, savor the simple things (lesson brought back from Parisians who you'd never catch with a to-go cup). Keep these lessons in a prominent space that you can reference often.

Now it's time to look forward. What do you want 2010 to hold? When you ponder what you want your life to look like December 31, 2010, what do you see? A new career, an adopted pet, a new city, a continued relationship. Take a moment to collage, draw, dream, or paint it. Cover your new planner with images that speak to your vision. A few of my dreams include: More strategic use of time and energy. Design new e-course based on Tranquilista or living your yoga. Set up my etsy store. Daily meditation. Host monthly dinners at chez moi. Return to dance. Daily sun salutations. More you tube videos.

As we cross the threshold into a brand new decade, I wish you oodles of tranquility. Raise a glass to 2009. Honor your efforts. Choose a word to focus on in 2010 - my attachment to "spaciousness" will continue. Relish in being uniquely, fabulously you. As Buddhist monk Pema Chodron reminds us, you are perfect just as you are. I like to think that we can simply add dashes of enhancements (like the boosts we add to our smoothies at a juice bar) through practices of reflection, intention, and action.

Let your life sparkle and shine in 2010.

talking about my creative life...

2010-01-20T18:42:00.005-05:00

wanna hear me?

you can listen to my podcast with jamie here

it's a little fuzzy, but i hope you enjoy it.

(it's my very first spoken interview, definately a creative stretch for me :)

thanks jamie!

the BIG wish*full giveaway!

2010-01-19T06:00:00.010-05:00

some of these little wishes will be in
the retreat goodie bags!

today is the day you can enter to win a coveted spot in the wish*full virtual art retreat! it's going to be such an inspiring weekend, with women gathering and creating together from all over the globe... from california, australia, london, texas, and everywhere in between.

will you be joining us too?

this is the one opportunity you will have to win an entire retreat weekend package, which includes 7 fabulous workshops, a spot in our artisan trunk show, a tool kit and goodie bag full of fun little yummy treats, special access to the brand new wishstudio website coming this april, and a chance to meet some really amazing artists and friends.

how do you enter? well, all you have to do is spread the word about the retreat! you can...

write up a blog post (grab the info here)
tweet about this giveaway
grab the wish*full button and link and put it on your site
email a bunch of your creative friends (and send a copy to the wishstudio)
put the event info on your facebook page

each time you share, you must leave a comment on this post and let me know how you've buzzed about the retreat in your world... yes, that is 5 ways you can enter and up to 5 chances for you to win! you will have from today until the end of the month (jan. 2010) to enter. the winner will be chosen by a random drawing from all the comments posted, and will be announced early in february. good luck to all, and thanks for helping me share the wish*full goodness!

***please also know that because of your wonderful support of the wishstudio including your participation in this event, i have decided to make a donation to the haiti relief effort in honor of our entire community of caring and creative women. you are helping me to make a difference in the lives of others... thank you from the bottom of my heart.***

listening

2010-01-17T12:35:00.003-05:00

by rachel awes

georgia o'keefe spoke about how she could see more and more in a flower the longer she gazed at it. i have found the same to be true in listening to people. the closer i lean in, the more i find my breath gasping. i think and sometimes say, "did you hear what you just said?!" and "do you hear how beautiful you are?!" for many, their gold has been long forgotten. i have always loved to collect pretty things like marbles and agates and now it seems to be the gold inside. it is there. it is in you and in me.

over the past year plus, i have written and illustrated a book about such things. specifically, it is about my work as a psychologist and how moved i have been by the wisdom and beauty i have heard in my clients. this process of listening and creating has been transformative to me. i feel more centered and joyful and awake and thankful. now i am working on maintaining courage. maya angelou says that courage is our most important virtue because without it, we can't accomplish anything else. i have been looking into the land of agents and publishers. i hopehopehope it can be launched into the world and spread love and encouragement. i include here a hidden peek at an illustration from it!

i have also recently begun a blog and you can find it at allididwaslisten.blogspot.com/! come visit me, see the latest of what's happening here, and reflect on how beautiful your very heart beat is! a surprise for me as i was creating my book and deepening a practice of listening to others was how i began to also listen more closely to my insides too and learning how much i wanted to draw and color! here is a 2010 posting from my blog of an art piece i created about what blossoms within...

lastly, i wrote on another blog posting in december, 2009, about the world waiting for the goodness and love we carry within us. i am loving seeing all the beauty that people are creating and being! thank you for being exactly who you are. i send you love.

the necklace project {link #1}

2010-01-15T11:06:00.000-05:00

by mindy tsonas

this was really a joy for me to make because of everything this little charm represents... me as an artist and really where my heart is these days. it's fun and whimsical and especially full of hope!

i wore it all morning long while i was creating in my studio, and then out to run my errands in the chilly northeast air. as i heard it jingling around my neck, it was an exciting and fun reminder of all that is to unfold with this project as well as my own artistic life. i am really looking forward to seeing how this one necklace will link together a community of inspiring and caring souls, and see what kind of adventures it encounters along the way. there are sure to be many surprises!

inside the tiny jar is a scrap of vintage paper that i trimmed, deckled the edges and then burnished in an antique brown to give it a nice finish. i wrote my little wish (well, very big wish really) and closed my eyes for a moment to send it off to the universe...

i carefully rolled my tiny messege and tucked it into the little jar, added some sparkley wish dust (because we all know sparkley things have magical powers ;) and wrapped it with a teensy dangling crystal. voila! the first charm in the necklace project, imbibed with the spirit of sisterhood, creativity and possibility.

i hope this journey inspires you as much as i know it will inspire me!

blowing bubbles in a concrete jungle :: a joy rebel’s take on getting what you want

2010-01-13T08:18:00.004-05:00

by brandi reynolds

Like many, instead of a list of resolution’s every year, I choose a word for the year. I learned of this idea from Christine Kane and I like it so much better than a tedious to do list.

I have come to learn, though, that putting an intention out to the universe like that brings me exactly what I need…and usually nothing I expect.

The first year, my word was clarity. I was unsure how I wanted my life to look like, how I wanted to create, what I wanted to do with my life. A few weeks after choosing that word, my world turned upside down. I realized I was still adjusting to being (recently) married, holiday stress was looming and we’d just rescued our dog, Keely, who had been severely neglected and needed constant care.

So, yeah, life really sucked right about then. I was stressed, worried, tired, and feeling lost. And yet in that time, I started to realize what was important to me and what I needed in my life. I found a life coach that helped me get clear on what was important to me and helped me let go of old beliefs that were holding me back from expressing my authentic self.

By the end of the year, I was feeling so much lighter and more centered and ready to focus on something positive and fun.

I choose ‘passion’ for my word with the idea that I wanted to unearth and embrace what I was passionate about. It turned out that my passion was joy-in my own unique way-as the joy rebellion was born. But guess what? I found myself really being challenged to figure out what joy actually meant to me and what it looked like and how I wanted to express it. And I was given the extremely hard challenge to find joy in situations that were hard and painful…like losing a friend to cancer.

My ideas on joy and how I’d like to express that have deepened and grown and yet, gotten more simple.

In both cases, I had ideas about what would show up. When I choose clarity, I kinda thought that I would get these amazing insights, that my path would become more clearly defined and that old beliefs would shed like skin. And they did…but not in some magical, gentle way.

In choosing passion, I didn’t realize that having a passion would be such a challenge at times. I thought when I found my passion; I would always be excited and motivated and focused. What I’ve learned is having a passion requires belief in oneself and dedication-and those don’t come without practice and a few knocks on the head.

And now, another year is upon us. My word of the year is beauty. And I would like to just be open to how that shows up for me.

What’s your word of the year?

wishmamas :: relishing in the now

2010-01-11T07:00:00.001-05:00

by michelle cohen

It is 1:30 in the afternoon and my son just went down for his nap. I could journal. I could paint. I could scrapbook long outdated photos. I could do a load of laundry and attempt to clean the entire house. Or…I could just take a nap. Lately, the nap has been winning out. The combination of an active 21-month-old son, a second baby on the way, and the chill of winter have brought me to a place of stagnation, hibernation and exhaustion. My creativity has been whittled down to mostly mental daydreams and a heartfelt longing. This is the reality of my “now”.

Prior to motherhood, these feelings would have left me in a state of panic, anxiety and maybe even a mild depression (okay, truth be told, even now they still surface occasionally). But I am growing and learning that this, too, is just a stage, will pass more quickly than I know, and when life is on the brink of a major change, it’s best not to get too attached or mired down in any one thing—even feelings. As a yoga teacher and student, my mind has been stretched and expanded by ancient yogic philosophies and precepts, world cultures and religions, and Buddhism. At the heart of Buddhism lie the 4 Noble Truths, and the concept that our entire Universe is subject to impermanence. Our suffering as humans comes from wanting to cling to the good and avoid the bad. But the reality is, happy moments and sad moments pass by equally, and we can neither cling to one and keep it near, any sooner than we can keep our children little and safe forever. All we have is the now--this moment, this breath--in whatever shape or form it seems to be appearing.

Nothing makes you more acutely sensitive and aware of change than motherhood. Just when you think you have gained some footing, some semblance of balance, it all disappears. I find myself constantly butting heads up against my own struggle with the concept of impermanence. So very often, I want things to change, or stay the same, or to do both at the same time that my head feels like its spinning. Ironically, my blog is titled “Savor It” not because I have mastered the art of appreciation, by any means, but because I need the daily reminder.

Judith Hanson Lasater writes a great article about impermanence, titled, “After the Laundry, the Laundry,” in which she states:

Now is a word that is powerful and sufficient enough by itself to be used as a life study, a sort of mantra. The ability to respond to now, to live in now, to enjoy each precious moment without clinging to it or pushing it away is the essence of spiritual practice... When we forget the truth of impermanence, we forget the truth of life. Spiritual practice is about remembering that truth and then embracing it. In the past, I kept doing the laundry so it would finally be "done." Of course, it never gets done. Now when I look into the laundry basket, whether it is full or empty, I try to see it as an expression of what life is all about: moving through the different stages, surrendering to impermanence, and remembering to embrace it all.

Productivity waxes and wanes. Time is seized or squandered. My “now” may consist of more care giving than creative output, but I know that will not always be the case. With each breath, I release the need to be more, do more, and achieve more. I know that in the very depth of my soul, I am, and always will be creative. Even if I never create another single piece of “art” or craft. This thought alone is what keeps me going when the door to my crafting space stays shut for weeks at a time. Or when the nap keeps winning out again and again.

Michelle Cohen is, a wife, a mama a creative explorer, a yoga teacher, and a believer in big dreams. She is passionate about yoga, parenting, mindfulness, travel, empowerment for women, and all things creative and inspirational. To learn more about what she’s up to when she’s not napping, visit her blog at http://savorit.typepad.com. photos by sally mannix photography

see you at the show!

2010-01-09T07:00:00.006-05:00

wish*full artisan trunk show

may 1 to may 3, 2010

{you are all invited!}

this spring, wishstudio will be hosting an exciting and unique virtual trunk show alongside the wish*full virtual art retreat. the show will feature artists and their handmade items of all sorts, from lovely confections, to paper goods, to jewelery, art and more. there will be exciting special offers in addition to some brand new items for you to peruse and purchase. it's going to be a smashing show!

this event has been created to showcase and support all of the creative participants of the wish*full virtual art retreat (teachers, goodie bag sponsors, and of course all of our talented registrants!), and to share with all of you, our beloved readers, some wonderful shopportunities. don't miss it! mark your calenders for may 1 to may 3 and stop by to shop, shop, shop (just in time for last minute mother's day gifting). if you would like to be featured in the trunk show, well simply sign up for the retreat... just an added bonus to an already wonderful event.

it's going to be a fabulous weekend here in the wishstudio! hope you will join us.

ordinary sparkling moments :: harmony

2010-01-07T07:00:00.000-05:00

by christine mason miller

In the fall of 2008, I gave my website a facelift. Everything was updated and re-designed, from the colors to the navigation headers. I removed textures, added photos and dismantled my online portfolio; when I was finished, my backgrounds were white, my writing was a new feature, and my portfolio was reduced to a single page catalog of work I had created over the previous four years. Visitors were only given a small taste of what each series inspired, all mixed together with no real structure.

These revisions were made soon after Ordinary Sparkling Moments was released, when I decided to spend more time and energy on my writing. It wasn’t as if I was going to stop being an artist, but it seemed like a good idea to downplay my artistic endeavors so greater attention could be given to my writing projects. The smaller, uncategorized portfolio made it look like I was a dabbler – a few pieces here, a few pieces there, all of which would probably not look like a cohesive body of work if lined up side by side.

It was during this time that I also began to wonder what I should say when people asked me what I do for a living. It had been an easy answer for years: “I am an artist.” But now that writing was taking up more of my time, energy, and interest, what was I supposed to say? I didn’t really feel like a bona fide writer - “real writers” had bylines in magazines and literary agents and I had never even taken a writing class. To say I was a writer felt slightly phony. I hadn’t proved myself; I wasn’t there yet.

A year after making all of these changes to my website as well as my personal job description – I still say “I am an artist”, but can sneak in “I’m also a writer” when someone asks what type of artwork I do - I decided to do another series of updates, and the very first revision I tackled was to bring back my multi-tiered portfolio. Every once in a while I make a wise, prescient decision, and last year was one of those moments, because I saved all of the individual icons and images of the original portfolios. I retrieved all the files and put them back on my site, with new headers and layouts but the same series sections: Mixed Media, Havana, Tokyo, Girl, and Wings. Although I had spent most of the previous year on writing projects – which rewarded me with bylines in magazines and the completion of my first writing class – I realized it wasn’t necessary to downplay my artistic work in order to highlight my writing. I decided there was room for both, especially since this year has taught me that having each gives me a tremendous sense of creative balance. Writing and painting are two disparate types of personal expression that call forth wildly different energies and temperaments, creating a unique creative harmony that pushes me further in both directions. My website now reflects that, and lets visitors know that they are both an integral part of my creative life.

“Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony.” ~Thomas Merton

the artistic mother :: what kind of artistic mother are you?

2010-01-05T08:36:00.006-05:00

by shona cole

This is not a question I am going to answer for you! But I want to open a discussion of what it means to live with the titles of ‘artistic’ and ‘mother’. I want to see how, through 2010 in this column, the relationship between these concepts can be fleshed out, explored and tried on for size.

The title ‘Artistic Mother’ is potentially huge. As big really as the number of moms there are in the world. But sometimes in order to see where it is that you fit into the world, in order to see where you want to be, it is good to break things down into smaller, manageable, parts.

So let me introduce you to the beautiful faces of the artistic mother:

Meet Amy. She has young kids who all crave her body and time. They constantly want to do something with Mom. They need to learn about the world and how it works, they are by her side drinking from her cup of mamma wisdom. She has purchased many ‘crafts to do with kids’ books and saves up to by all the right supplies. She can be found any time of the day sitting with her kids covered in glue or paint, cutting with kid size scissors. As her kids grow the crafts grow too, they make jewelry, collages, record family events with shared cameras, make dresses, dance to music. She is a life giver, a teacher and free spirited nurturer.

Meet Ena. She has kids who are grown or are simply more interested in being outdoors kicking a ball around than engaging in artistic pursuits. She has a little time on her hands now that the physically intense early child rearing days are over, now that the parental issues are more on an intellectual and emotional level. She has time when the kids are at school, soccer practice or gymnastics. She dreams her art visions in this alone time or when browsing online art blog, she pours over art magazines, attends art retreats and creates art* that expresses her soul and gives her identity a place to really ‘be’. In her art studio she is light and she is creativity.

Meet Zoe. She has taken the time to teach and encourage her kids to love to do something arty. In the evenings when she takes out her art supplies or sits down at the computer to process some photos, her kids will follow her lead. Each of them work on something creative and they do so alongside each other. At the weekends she can be found in the garden surrounded by her family working side by side on a family sculpture, cooking lavish meals or writing on her laptop as her son plays the piano and her daughter paints. They are equals on their creative journeys. She is stable, she is skilled, she freely enjoys her maturity and insight.

Each of these women are idealistic portraits, right? They are distinct portraits, but they also overlap, they can be three parts of the same woman, different versions of the Artistic Mother on different days or different times of life.

Do you see yourself in any of these women? Do you, like Amy, make art with your kids? or Zoe, alongside your kids? Do you, like Ena, take the time for yourself to make art? Do you do all of the above on different days?

Or do you feel you are on the outside of this grouping looking in wishing to be one that bears the title ‘The Artistic Mother’?

It is hard to stand quiet and see our own identity while raising our kids, especially when they are still small. They pull at us from the moment they are born and eventually we are called ‘Matthew’s Mom’ and not ‘Shona’.

Take a few minutes right now to reflect on your artistic identity in relationship to your status as a Mother. These three women are there as a guide to help formulate your thoughts, an ice breaker, a conversation starter. Try them on, does one fit? Are you there yet, or are these a dream of what you would like to be?

And wherever you are on the continuum, you are welcome to enter into this discussion of what it means to be an ‘Artistic Mother’. I would love to hear your thoughts. So please leave a comment.

Next month, I will draw the parallels between creativity and motherhood, so check back in. In fact, sign up to be a WishStudio follower, put it on your blog list, that way you will be reminded to check back!

* when I talk about ‘art’ in this column I will often refer to the visual arts, as that is closest to my heart, but it can also mean creating music, theatre, movie making, dance, all forms of writing and so on.

By the way Amy is my grandmother, Ena and Zoe her sisters.

Shona Cole is a homeschooling mother of 5 under the age of 10, collage artist who creates family focused art combining her own photographs, poetic words, paint and paper, author of ‘The Artistic Mother – a Practical Guide to Fitting Creativity into Your Busy Schedule’, and is perpetually searching for the balance between self and service. You can find her at An Artful Life or Flickr.

teach your workshop in the wishstudio!

2010-01-03T07:00:00.004-05:00

my new necklace by stacy and swirly

this is it... your year to leap!

brand new in 2010, you have the opportunity to teach your online creativity workshop, art class, or ecourse right here in the wishstudio! so dream big, create away, and maybe even collaborate.

with the brand new wishstudio website that is being designed by the fabulous christine castro of darling design, we will have a beautiful, fun and dynamic new virtual studio space that will be unveiled during the spring wish*full virtual art retreat.

we are bringing to life a vibrant wishstudio world that you will be able to step right into simply with the click of your mouse... there will be tons of inspiration, resources for your creative life, places to hang out and chat with other artful friends, and most of all doors of possibility for you to open in a creative space unlike any other.

by teaching your class here in the wishstudio, you will have access to all of this...

two virtual studios spaces for you to choose from, where you can build, teach, and share your class.
the wishstudio inspiration lounge where you can post all of your class resources, supply lists, creativity links, and other fun things you want to share with your students.
the wish*full cafe' (discussion boards) where everyone can hang out, pull up a cozy chair and talk about different creative topics... a great place to generate buzz and excitement, then dive deeper into what you are offering!
an amazing creative community ready and waiting for you, right here! with access to all the busy traffic, creative connections, and promotional opportunities here in the wishstudio, getting the word out about your class will be a breeze.
tremendous support just like having your own personal cheerleader! by offering your workshop here, every step of the way you will be supported by the wishstudio from building your class through to launch... your success is our success.
technical assistance, so you have more time and energy to focus on creating your workshop. as the wishstudio will be hosting your class, we will be doing the bulk of the technical work of formatting and uploading your images, links, videos, and words into our inspiring website... no need to invest the huge amount of time and money it takes to build your own site from scratch.
administrative assistance as well. you will be hired as an independant creative consultant, and all registrations will be handled through the wishstudio, another thing you won't have to worry about! you'll be free to dream, create, teach, and then simply collect your fee :)

are you excited yet?

this is the perfect space and community to launch Your creative dream! i know you have been thinking about taking the next step, now you have no reason not to. it will all be here, ready and waiting for you!

i am now accepting workshop proposals for spring, summer and fall 2010. for more information, pricing, policies and procedures, and for a wishstudio workshop proposal form please email me.

i can't wait to work with you to bring your vision to life!

happy 2010!

2010-01-01T00:00:00.002-05:00

a new year, a new decade...

may all your wishes come true!

filling the well :: this moment

2009-12-30T09:53:00.008-05:00

after the hustle and bustle of the holidays i find myself really craving simplicity. i am looking forward to taking down the tree, putting away all the gifts that are strewn around the house, purging the pantry of all the (yummy) junk food that has found it's way in, and carving out some time and space to breathe and dream into the coming new year.

with children the holidays are always special, but for me i love the quiet lull that follows the inevitable chaos. we spend so much time giving and getting, my soul just simply yearns to Be. it's the perfect time of year really to sit with gratitude, to bask in love and family, to think about where we've been and where we are going, and to embrace a moment of stillness before we jump into action with our new years resolutions and goals.

so in this precious and fleeting moment i am quietly soaking in all the goodness that has been bestowed upon my family and i. i'm sitting back and taking stock, resting a little more, playing a little more, and rejuvinating my spirit which feels a little worn out from all the holiday cheer :)

take this moment for yourself too... you've been giving and giving after all. get ready. clear some space, especially in your heart and mind. drink up every little drop of joy and make room for possibilities. it's almost time to leap!

musepreneur :: creative ways to commemorate your year

2009-12-28T07:00:00.002-05:00

by jennifer lee

As 2009 comes to a close, make sure you carve out some time to reflect on your year. Whether you laid out specific goals or flew by the seat of your pants, magic happens when you sit down and take stock of all that you’ve accomplished in a mere twelve months. I bet that you’ll be surprised by what you’ve manifested!

Here are a few questions to spark your year in review:
· What are you most proud of?
· What was your biggest learning?
· How did you stretch yourself?
· How will you celebrate who you’ve become?

Include all things big and small. Acknowledge your personal and professional accomplishments and learnings. It all counts!

And here are a few creative ways to commemorate your year:

Make an exploding box for an explosive year: I discovered this fun exploding box format last year and used it for my 2008 year in review. This format lends itself well to a chronological year in review since there are four groupings of three pages. You can organize by the seasons and/or you can do one page for each month. Add pictures on the front of the pages and write notes on the back. I don’t have one yet (hint to Santa), but I imagine the Pogo would print out perfectly sized mini-photos to decorate your box.

Create a “Year of You” magazine spread: Write an article about all that you learned and accomplished. If you won an award, what would the award be for? What would the headline read? Include photos and captions to highlight key moments.

Pen a poem: While I don’t consider myself a poet, I find the simple structure of a cinquain very accessible. It’s a quick creative writing exercise that can capture a thought, learning, or feeling and can be a great way to sum up the theme of your year. A cinquain is almost like a sophisticated mad lib where you fill in the blanks using nouns, adjectives, etc. It goes like this:

· The first line is one word (a noun/the topic)
· The second line is two descriptive words (2 adjectives that describe the first word)
· The third line is three action words (3 -ly adverbs or –ing verbs)
· The fourth line contains four words that express a feeling or make a statement (a 4 word phrase)
· The last line is one word (a synonym or adjective that refers to the first word)
For example, here’s one I wrote to commemorate 2009 being the year that I stepped into being an author:

Author
Authentic, soulful
Writing, sharing, creating
Having something to say
Voice

Write a good old-fashioned list: And then there’s always the good old-fashioned list. Grab a pretty piece of paper or write with your favorite pen in your journal. You can list your accomplishments in different categories so that you can see which areas of your life you’re really tending to and which ones you might want to put more focus on next year. Feel free to use these groupings or make your own:

· health & wellbeing,
· career/calling
· personal growth
· relationships
· fun & recreation
· physical environment
· wealth & abundance

However you choose to honor your year, may you relish in your fabulousness and may 2010 bring you all that your heart desires.

Musepreneur and certified coach Jennifer Lee, of Artizen Coaching, is the creator of the Right-Brain Business Plan. She loves yoga, painting, reading and hanging out with her husband and dog. She blogs at Life Unfolds.

wishmamas :: through my child-like eyes

2009-12-26T15:00:00.000-05:00

by roxanne galpin

Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once s/he grows up.
~ Pablo Picasso

Jenica Mckenzie, in her wishmamas article, asks us to look at ourselves and our surroundings with fresh, child-like eyes. What do I see?

I see much through my child-like eyes ~ these ones in my head and heart that many call naive. I see everything as though for the first time ~ the joyful and the painful. Each experience that vibrates through the channel of my Self feels new. Familiar places cast themselves in a different light, or shadow. Each experience of loss and grief, even betrayal, feels intensified ~ as if I'd never known such things. Each experiential vision of beauty shines like a brand new discovery ~ like the first time tasting lemon pie, or mama's fudge or date square.

As a child, I created ~ coloured, cut and paste, designed, imagined. I had tea parties with all my stuffed animals and dolls. Each had names, and each had a place in my bed ~ I never wanted anyone feeling left out. I learned to crochet, knit, sew and cross stitch. And then I decided I must grow up, grow away from such childish trifles. I always felt an element of unreal, living my so-called grown up life stuck in a facade of sophistication, of acquiring things, that only made me feel more unreal.

Then I became a mother. And my children taught me all I need to know. Grow down ... be their mom, be myself. And, intuitively, I began to give my babies what they needed most from me ~ creation. Creation, as in forged by my own hands. Birthday cakes, cookies and other goodies to take to school for special occasions, Hallowe'en costumes. Creation, as in making blanket forts on rainy days. Creation, as in playing ~ just getting down on the floor and playing Brio trains, or dreaming up things with piles of Lego ~ creations the makers of Lego never, ever could imagine!

My children taught me that creation and creativity is who I'm meant to be, whom I was, always ... from the very moment of conception. I am not my creations, and my creative energy does not cease to exist even after one of "my" creations does. My children have also taught me there's a quality of sublime in taking feelings to heart ~ in truthfully channeling my joy, my sorrow, and also acceptance.

Motherhood has given me so much ... so much more than perhaps I have given it. From supreme joy, uneasy humility, to vicious love that feels just as much like a beastly hunger, as it does an enormous meal. Also, to pain darker than human intellect can comprehend. A pain that reminded me I was alive, all those times, in the wake of my 10 year old son's untimely death, when I wished to die. During those times, when words eluded me, when I could not adequately express myself ~ creativity rescued me. Healing demands that we be who we are ... it demands a certain amount of acceptance, and a great deal of childishness.

The 10th year of my young one's death has passed, mere days before the 20th anniversary of his birth. And, in the dawn of turning 41, I have discovered that I can paint - with watercolours and a brush, and everything! A paint brush and a pencil are the best visual tools for sustaining my child-like vision.

Dear friends and readers, always remember the child, always remember to look through her eyes, and see, really, really see. Attention to every single thing conceives and bears art.

wish*full virtual art retreat workshops!

2009-12-23T19:31:00.010-05:00

wish*full workshop offered by hope wallace

so exciting... here they are... all the amazing workshops for the spring 2010 wish*full virtual art retreat! choose which module speaks to you, or buy the complete retreat extravaganza and get all 14 classes (find more information here and here)!

~ module 1 ~

friday april 30, 2010

2-4pm ~ everyday tranquility: mastering the art of creativity ~ kimberly wilson ~ in this class, kimberly will encourage your sparkle to shine through everday expression of your authentic creative self. indulging in yoga, inspiring photos, and tranquil activities, you will explore lots of ways to evoke creativity in your life.

6-8pm ~ three wishes ~ madelyn mulvaney ~ alongside maddie, you will unearth your yearnings and dreams by delving into your heart's 'three' deepest wishes. through journaling, creating wish boxes, and sending your wishes out to the universe by way of a special wish tree, you will find the magic in naming and expressing these wishes.

saturday, may 1

9-11am ~ blogging beautifully ~ susannah conway ~ this workshop will help you look at your photography (and your blog) with fresh eyes, giving you tips and ideas on how to capture images that convey your story and give your blog posts greater depth, using deceptively simple techniques and exercises to try at home.

12-2pm ~ building your own life prescription ~ stacy de la rosa ~ do you dream of supporting yourself as an artist and all that lifestyle entails? stacy will help shift your perspective and turn the tables on trying to fit into the bullet points of a typical job description. you will instead explore creating a life prescription, an idea born from a happy accident, based on your unique core values and chosen lifestyle to guide you as you create your dream career.

3-5pm ~ playtime with your inner muse: explore your creative intuition through expressive arts ~ jennifer lee ~ using authentic movement, guided visualization, intuitive painting, journaling, and creative writing participants will get in touch with their Inner Muse. this session is all about the process not the product. participants won’t be learning art techniques or working on a particular art project. instead, they are invited to use the arts to fully connect with and express their truest self.

sunday, may 2

10-12pm ~ child's play ~ mindy tsonas ~ through playful and artful activities this workshop will help you reconnect with your childhood creative spirit. you will be reminded of the simple things that once stirred your heart and you will revisit the place where you created bravely and without inhibitions. here, you will embrace and twirl with your inner child, the embodiment of your creative core.

1-3pm ~ your good things ~ christine castro ~ in this class you will learn a simple bookbinding technique to make your own good things journal. next, while practicing the art of gratitude you will have fun making colorful messes and mistakes in your newly crafted handmade book.

~ module 2 ~

friday april 30, 2010

2-4pm ~ today:begin ~ christine mason miller ~ participants will give a dream, a project or a creative idea some time and attention, with exercises to create a working to do list, make a commitment to taking the first step and then create an inspiring piece of encouragement. the purpose is to explore all the things that are holding you back from taking the first step, and to encourage you to create your own "perfect time" to begin, rather than continuing to wait for some other magic moment.

6-8pm ~ illustration 101: a creative practicum in illustration ~ penelope dullaghan ~ join penelope and learn the basics of illustration, from the first initial contact to delivery of the final project. in a creative roleplay, you will work through an editorial project as a "hired" illustrator while also learning how to talk to art directors, tips on self-promotion, and how to generate ideas.

saturday, may 1

9-11am ~ lovely notions journaling: using inspiration to follow your heart ~ hope wallace ~ create an inspiration journal with hope! she will guide you through collaging this lovely journal cover (see photo above), using beautiful papers and bits of her own art. for the second half of the class you will focus on journaling in ways that explore the things you love and why you love them, helping you to follow our own heart in daily life.

12-2pm ~ inscribing the vessel: using creativity to create ~ lisa occhipinti ~ in this workshop, lisa will help you to define your own creative quest. by sharpening your awareness and using your inner wisdom you will establish and then apply your own creative theme, learning how to make art your own.

3-5pm ~ page play: a mixed media journey into art journaling ~ pam garrison ~ pam will share her inspiring signature journal spreads as well as many of her favorite journaling techniques. she will show you different papers to journal on, different products to use, and lots of tips, tricks and helpful hints. you will get messy with acrylics, gesso, wax, stitching, attachments and glues, watercolors, collage, drawing and writing with different pens, water soluable crayons... and on and on!

sunday, may 2

10-12pm ~ art from the heart: intuitive art making ~ leah piken kolidas ~ using paint, ink, and drawing tools, you’ll dive in to connecting with that still, small voice within and let it guide the way to creations that are uniquely and authentically you. through art, play, and writing, you will peel back the layers and take a look at what’s going on under the surface in a safe, supportive space encouraging you to let go of your fears, connect with your intuition, and create freely from your heart.

1-3pm ~ self as traveler: creating a passport of permission ~ lisa field elliot ~ travel with lisa and begin to access the essence of who you are as the traveler, without ever leaving your home. this workshop will be a safe container for you to ask questions and begin to recognize the doorways that are calling, the thresholds you need to cross, and the places you know, deeply, that you need to travel to before you can experience deeper freedom within yourself. these may or may not be actual locations on the globe. you will walk away with a portrait of yourself as the traveler, as well as the beginning of your own personal travelogue and a tangible passport of permission to travel as far and as deep as your heart desires.

*please note that all classes are scheduled in eastern standard time. use this link to determine what time the workshops will be going on in your time zone. day or night, it's going to be an amazing and unique global gathering. don't miss it!

*retreat cancellations can be made up until march 31, 2010, and refunds will be given minus a $45 processing fee. after march 31, if you are unable to participate in the retreat you may be able to transfer your spot. please email directly for any inquiries regarding cancellations or transfers.

wish*full FAQ's

2009-12-23T19:00:00.008-05:00

we are breaking new ground and the excitement is buzzing! as always with something new, there have been many questions about how the virtual retreat will work. here are some answers to some frequently asked questions...

how will the retreat work from a technological standpoint?
during the virtual retreat, each module will be presented in it's own virtual studio. these studios will be set up like a blog, with posts, links, comments, and other information related to the classes that will be "taught" there, as well a a list of fellow participants so you can all mix and mingle.

the workshops in each module are scheduled to be posted at certain times (eastern standard time - see class schedules) during the retreat weekend. at the designated time you will see each workshop posted to the studio, beginning with a big retreat welcome at 1pm (EST) on friday april 30th.

each workshop will be made up of a series of posts and will be taught through an engaging mix of photographs, video, writing, and will be very hands on. as you refresh your browser and progress through the class, you will see new inspirations and instructions, and new comments, questions and answers all being posted in real time.

all instructors will be online during the time their workshop is scheduled, so they will be able to field your comments, answers questions, and offer guidance and feedback.

in between classes, little inspirations and mini creative activities will be posted to keep your creative juices flowing, including a little yoga video, some creative snacking suggestions, and little sparks to light your way.

are the workshops live?
no. the workshops themselves are not technically live since they will be created beforehand and then uploaded. you will have live interaction with the instructors via the studio blog (in the comments section), and the workshops will be posted in real time, so when you arrive at 9am you will not yet be able to see what is happening at 1pm. this all will add to the "live" and interactive feel of this unique event.

if i buy all the workshops, can i participate in both modules at the same time?
sorry, but no. if you choose to buy the complete retreat extravaganza package (all 14 workshops) you will need to choose which module you want to participate in during the retreat weekend because both modules will be posted simultaneously in two seperate virtual studios (blogs). once the weekend is over, you will be given access to the second studio to work through those workshops at your own pace. you will have until the end of may 2010, and teachers will be checking in to answer any new questions or comments.

what if i live in a different timezone, not in eastern time, can i still participate?
absolutely! this is going to be a really unique and exciting global gathering of creative souls you won't want to miss! so wherever you are, burning your midnight oil or watching the sun rise, we will all be creating together and you can be a part of this amazing event! use this link to find out what time it will be in your area for all the wish*full workshops.

what if i don't want to take the classes during the scheduled times on the retreat weekend (april 30 - may 2, 2010)?
you will have lots of flexability with your workshops and certainly can work through them at your own pace if you choose. if you want to join us in real time for some of the classes and not others you could do that too.

you will have access to the module(s) you purchase, as well as the resource room and the virtual cafe (discussion boards) through the entire month of may. if you want to simply buy these as a series of great classes you absolutely can, but both modules won't be posted in completion until 4pm on sunday, may 2.

if you have any further questions, please feel free to email me. early registration is going on now so go reserve your spot! can't wait to see you at the retreat!

embracing butterflies :: taking a time out

2009-12-21T08:05:00.004-05:00

by stacy de la rosa

Welcome to the most wonderful time of the year. The time of year whose vocabulary is filled with words like Joy, Wonder, Hope, Peace. Unfortunately for many of us this time of year also seems to be filled with words like overwhelm, stress, exhaustion… even sadness.

Amidst the holiday flurry, it’s important for us all to remember to take a time out to just enjoy a moment to ourselves and breathe deeply. Whenever I feel overstressed, which is often during this time of year, a little kitchen therapy works wonders. In the spirit of letting go of the idea that everything on your list needs to be done, and done perfectly, I submit for your consideration three ways to ease the stress of the season just a bit. One with caffeine when you need that boost to get you through, one to fill your home with gorgeous scent and one when you just need to escape for a bit. Here is wishing all your holiday dreams come true.

Pumpkin Spice Latte
*recipe courtesy of Jessica Ruster

For pumpkin spice syrup:

* Stir and simmer one cup of water and one cup or sugar until sugar dissolves,
* Add 2 tsp. each of pumpkin pie spice & ground cinnamon & 1/2 a tsp. each of cloves, ginger & nutmeg to sugar syrup and simmer for 5 minutes.
* Strain spices in cheesecloth and add 1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract.
* Combine 2 shots of espresso, homemade syrup and steamed milk.
Sip indulgently.

To awaken and seduce your sense of smell…
This works really well in a small slow cooker, but simmered over low heat in a pot on the stove works just as well. There are no measurements for this, which is what makes it fun and easy.

Sliced apple
Sliced lemon
Sliced orange
Water (about 1.5 cups)
3 bay leaves
A palmful of whole cloves
Fresh ground nutmeg
Cinnamon or cinnamon sticks
Splash of vanilla or almond extract

Put all ingredients in a small slow cooker and set on low. Or place all ingredients in a saucepan and allow to simmer over a low flame adding additional water as needed. Your home will smell incredibly yummy.

Mulled Wine
Perfect for New Year’s Eve… or any eve.

4 cups apple cider
1 bottle red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon or Burgundy works well)
¼ cup honey
2 cinnamon sticks
1 orange sliced
4 whole cloves
3 star anise

Place all ingredients in a large saucepan. Heat to just below boiling and then simmer on low heat for 10 minutes. Pour wine through a strainer into pitcher to remove sediment. Invite a couple of friends over and make the theme of the evening uncontrollable laughter.

creativity with iHanna :: a new calender, a new year

2009-12-19T15:00:00.001-05:00

by hanna andersson

We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives... not looking for flaws, but for potential.

What will you make of your one precious year? Next year that is.

When everyone else is awaiting Christmas, planning food, buying gifts and decorating the tree I’m sewing paper together on the sewing machine, making my first Travel Journal. I’m dreaming about sunshine, salt water and getting away from the grey skies of December Sweden for a week. I don’t mind skipping the Holiday planning this year, but one thing I still make time for is the New Year’s Ritual. It’s my favorite tradition because I have created it myself!

This ritual has evolved for a few years and mostly takes place in my head. It now includes going through the good and the bad (personal news, events and projects) of the past year, looking at what goals I did finish (and what I didn’t focus enough on), writing down a summary of the past year and calculating some fun statistics, making plans and setting new goals for the next year, choosing a guiding word – and maybe setting up a daily creative activity for the upcoming year… But what has always been a part of my ritual in December is getting a new calendar and personalizing it.

There are so many beautiful Calendars in different brands, sizes, colors and set ups, with amazingly cool cover images and room for all kinds of lists and writing. Get one you like and then make sure you use it in a way that is beneficial for you. I love the Papaya Art Weekly Planner for example. I got mine from the office, and as it didn’t have a cover I created one myself. This year the making of signatures for a mixed media looking Travel Journal inspired me to sew together some fabrics for a calendar cover. I sewed the fabric straps to cardstock and then just folded it over the spiral bound calendar. Very simple, loosely made and easy. I’m not sure it will hold together for 365 days, but if not I’ll just make another one then.

I add most of my meeting and appointments to Google Calendar online, but the personal paper calendar is great for recording daily habits. I also pre-fill it with all the birthday dates I need to remember in bold red, so that (maybe!) I will remember to send out a card or a gift to my friends.

I’m thinking I will during 2010 jot down how I feel (a kind of mood chart) and also record my creative actions (did I write? blog? take photos? craft? knit? etc.) and exercise (did I take the one hour walk? meditate? yoga? running?) and that will be it. To personalize your calendar add your own collages, images, stickers and markers. Write with different coloured pens and make your own code language for the days of your period for example. Even if you use your calendar mostly for business you should make it fun to use, and pretty!

Now is also the time to think about your focus for 2010. In 2008 I did a small collage each day, a Daily Art Card, and I loved doing that. I highly recommending you to pick a daily small activity that will keep you creative all year. It keeps you focused, challenges you and creates a habit of doing something for yourself each day. I didn’t think I could do it, but I did.

I hope to see you creating away on your own happy creations next year!?

* iHanna lives in Sweden with her cat Smilla, surrounded daily by fabric and paper scraps, acrylic paint, notebooks and embroidery floss. This is her first wishstudio post, but she has been writing a blog about art, craft and creativity for the past five years, called iHanna’s blog. One year of the blog is also published as a print-on-demand book called A Creative Year that you can buy online together with the 2010 Creative Year Calendar!

More New Year Inspiration from iHanna
* * How to End a Year in a reflective mood
* * How to Start a New Year in a Creative Way
* * The Daily Art Card Project

a week of giving :: the winners!

2009-12-19T10:18:00.006-05:00

in the spirit of the holiday season, it has been a really fun week here in the wishstudio! thank you to all of you who played along. here are thw winners of this weeks amazing prizes...

emily perry's print package goes to: rowena

jen lee's writing journal was won by: the novelista barista

the wish*full virtual art retreat $100 wishcertificate will be gifted to: alex

*and as a little gift for everyone who entered to win this prize,

email me by monday night to get a special wish*full treat!

madelyn mulvaney's yes! ecourse winner is: lila

susan tuttle's digital art print will be sent to: latisha

all winners please email me asap so i can get your goodies sent to you! i hope you all have a joyful and wish-filled holiday season!

a week of giving :: sponsor giveaways day 5

2009-12-18T06:00:00.002-05:00

the last giveaway of the week is this beautiful (5x7) print, helen's visit, signed and matted by artist susan tuttle

susan is a mixed-media and digital artist who resides in a small-town community in the state of Maine. she plays beautifully with words and photos and has written two lovely books. the second book, Digital Expressions: Creating Digital Art with Adobe® Photoshop® Elements, a technique-based publication on digital art, will be published by North Light Books in May 2010, and is currently available for pre-order on Amazon. she also offers online digital art workshops teaching her unique style of photomanipulation, digital montage, and a variety of Photoshop techniques.

to win this print, leave a comment on this post by midnight tonight and one random winner will be chosen and announced tomorrow. good luck!

in a new light :: a daily dose of surprise

2009-12-17T17:00:00.001-05:00

by susan tuttle

I feel a primal connection to the seasons. Here in Maine there is a boldness to each season that does not allow you to be a passerby. I pay attention. I am awestruck, surprised and delighted each day by simple beauty in an ordinary world.

This call to notice influences the way I experience all that is around me.

The eye is your artistic voice.

What do you see in your daily life that surprises and delights?

Here is my list:

* the way the smoke from the wood stove curls slowly out of the chimney, filling the air with a sense of nostalgia, comfort and peace.

* how eyes catch and light up when my child and I look at each other.

* while we wait for my son's school bus, I marvel at the mackerel skies, like a white beard peppered with grey, over a field of apple trees stripped bare by the coming of winter. I can see a handful of overripe fruit still hanging on, not yet ready to succumb to the depth of frozen stillness.

* the shadow and light cast on the wall by the twinkling Christmas tree lights. I remember what it feels like to dwell in the heart of shadow, in the heart of light, and am reminded that there could never be joy without sorrow.

* the rose you gifted me with tells me there is perfection in simplicity.

Susan Tuttle is a mixed-media and digital artist who resides in a small-town community in the state of Maine. Her first book, Exhibition 36: Mixed-Media Demonstrations + Explorations, was released by North Light Books in December 2008, and her second book, Digital Expressions: Creating Digital Art with Adobe® Photoshop® Elements, a technique-based publication on digital art, will be published by North Light Books in May 2010 and is currently available for pre-order on Amazon. Susan is a frequent contributor to Stampington & Company publications and other mixed-media books. You can visit her site at www.ilkasattic.com and her blog at www.ilkasattic.blogspot.com through which she is offering online digital art workshops on the subjects of photomanipulation, digital montage, and a variety of Photoshop techniques.

a week of giving :: sponsor giveaways day 4

2009-12-17T12:33:00.003-05:00

here is your last opportunity to win a spot in maddie's amazing ecourse yes! , which encourages you to awaken your wishes and deepest dreams. in addition you will get to choose a print from her lovely shop as well.

to enter, please leave a comment on this post and one random winner will be chosen and then announced this saturday. you'll have until midnight on friday, december 18th to enter.

madelyn has some really exciting things on her creative horizon, so stop by and visit her as often. her photos, words and inspirations are always so rich and delicious. you are sure to delight in all you find there!

a week of giving :: day 3

2009-12-16T09:17:00.010-05:00

todays giveaway is a $100 wishcertificate for the wish*full virtual art retreat! you can apply this to any wish*full package, and the full workshop descriptions and modules will be announced earlier than expected...sometime next week! but here is a little sneak peek at a few of the amazing classes...

madelyn mulvaney ~ 3 wishes, unearthing our yearnings and dreams ~
christine castro ~ your good life: practicing the art of gratitude, a messy book making adventure ~
lisa occhipinti ~ inscribing the vessel: using creativity to create ~
leah piken kolidas ~ art from the heart: intuitive art making ~
pam garrison ~ page play: a mixed media journey into art journaling ~

are you excited? there's so much more...stay tuned!

to win this prize, leave a 3 word comment on this post to share some of what your are wishing for these days. you will have until the end of friday to enter, and all of this week's giveaway winners will be announced on saturday. wish BIG!

and, there are still some early registration discounts ($20 off) available. register today... they will soon be gone!

wishmamas :: creativity and motherhood

2009-12-15T12:00:00.000-05:00

by kari ramstrom

I’ve always been interested and curious about diaries, journals, scrapbooks and photography. I find expression in these forms can lead to a raw, uncensored and very real look at life. They are all different modes of “leaving a trace,” which interests me immensely. These all became even more relevant to me when I became a mother. I have always heard the advice, “relish this time, because it’s gone in a blink” when your kids are young. As a stay-at-home mom I have had lots of time with my children to take it all in. This has culminated in wanting to live in the moment with my children, along with documenting this time of my life in a meaningful way. This allowed me to examine myself and form a deep commitment to motherhood. I strive to live creatively everyday with my children and follow a path of expression through my art and shared on my blog, ArtsyMama (www.artsymama.blogspot.com).

Making things, in a broad sense, is my vessel of choice for living creatively each day and my blog is my “stage” to share insights, inspirations, photography, crafts and daily randomness of this journey of motherhood. I’ve always loved finding treasures and making things. Every beach walk would include picking up shells, stones, driftwood, and other evidence of life beyond me. Every walk in the woods would return with brilliant fall leaves, acorn caps or sticks and stones. My grandmother taught us to make sun prints with natural objects; my mom and I would make rock people or totems; dried plants would be picked from the roadside and made into wonderful autumnal arrangements with my grandmother’s hands. My grandfather soldered together square nail sculptures. It was always exciting to guess what he would make us for Christmas each year. You could say it’s in my blood to be crafty.

It wasn’t until I had kids that everyday creativity was necessary for my own sanity. When Lowell was born I wanted a baby book for him that was tactile and interactive. Not just dates and numbers scribbled down. It was then I created my first “altered book”. I took a cardboard photo album and glued, stitched, copied onto fabric, painted and embellished to my heart’s content. I came up with a keepsake book that was an experience to go through, with windows and doors, pull tabs and a mini quilt within it. It also encouraged me to photograph the everyday life of my newborn. My journey had begun!

After stepping into the altered art world, I joined an online altered art message board and participated in swaps and round robins. I found a whole group of people that were as busy as I was, but took the time to do something for them that brought immense pleasure. I soon began to realize that I wanted a place to share the projects that I had been working on and make myself accountable for taking the time to do these activities. I had just begun to hear about blogs and realized it would be the perfect realm for me to have a diary of my creative life, share it with others and make connections. So on a cold November morning in 2005, my ArtsyMama blog was born.

These connections and daily creating became even more important for me when my son was diagnosed with Autism at the age of two. My whole world was tipped upside down and expressing me and making time for me in this time of great distress was essential for me to remain whole. With my blog, I immediately experienced the joy of sharing parts of myself with the world and formed relationships based on common interests and inspiration. Over time, ArtsyMama has transformed into my state of being. My home has become my creative haven since the vast majority of my waking hours are spent there. I enjoy sharing pictures of my vignettes, estate sale find and our activities and love of the outdoors.

I’m often asked how I balance it all. It’s all there, together, everyday…always. The seasons change outside the window, the kids grown up before our eyes, my photography hangs on the walls and my notebooks and projects are scattered throughout. It’s about taking the time to be present. I cannot imagine (a fulfilled) life any other way. It’s all treasures to me. Bits and pieces of our lives that bring meaning or symbolize something that is precious. My creative path and that of parenthood is forever unfolding before my eyes. I try to remain mindful and open hearted and remind myself that creativity is the life force that interconnects everything.

a week of giving :: sponsor giveaway day 2

2009-12-15T07:41:00.004-05:00

todays giveaway is one of jen lee's inspiring writing journals. it is filled with lovely wisdom and helpful tips on finding your own writing center and then putting pen to paper.

jen is a storyteller, a photographer, a teacher, a writer, and a mother. her journey and life in new york city is as inspiring as her amazing work and presense in the creative world! read all about her art, her storytelling retreat and her life on her website jenlee.net

to win this journal, please leave (one) comment on this post by the end of the week. a random winner will be chosen and will be announced here on saturday december 19th.

a week of giving :: sponsor giveaways!

2009-12-14T08:45:00.007-05:00

just in time for the holidays, i have some really wonderful goodies for you this week. i love being the gift fairy! kicking off this month's week of giving is this dreamy print package from emily perry studios. you'll recive the two prints shown, i am creative (5x7) and the path ahead (5x5), which can both also be found in her shop.

emily is an artist and practitioner of classical chinese medicine who's many layered interests, including photography, mixed media, yogic and buddhist philosophy, have all combined to form her unique and beautiful artistic point of view. find out more about emily's art and life, her workshops and chinese medicine practice on her website http://www.emily-perry.com/

to win these prints, leave a comment on this post telling me how you are creative. you will have the entire week to post a comment for each prize listed (one per giveaway, please) through friday december 18th. all winners for this weeks giveaways will be announced on saturday december 19th. good luck!

please also stay tuned this week for updates

about the wish*full virtual art retreat!

early registration opens TODAY!

2009-12-12T14:54:00.023-05:00

wish*full virtual art retreat
spring 2010
april 30th to may 2nd

mindy tsonas, madelyn mulvaney, susannah conway, hope wallace,

lisa field elliot, christine mason miller, stacy de la rosa, penelope dullighan,

lisa occopinti, leah piken kolidas, christine castro, jennifer lee,

kimberly wilson, & pam garrison

your wish*full virtual art retreat weekend will include:

create your own perfect retreat experience…

once you register, your registration packet will be sent to you where you will choose your module(s) and get all the info on participating in the artisan trunk show!

see you at the retreat!

t'is the season...to be grateful

2009-12-11T07:00:00.000-05:00

by nina beana gilbert

around this time of year, we like to sit as a family and reflect on what makes us happy. we exchange words around the dinner table, snuggling on the couch, or while cooking in the kitchen. and while i believe that just speaking the words out loud is enough, i also find myself trying to remember the sweet sentiments that come out of the kids' mouths.

every year, we usually scribble our gratitudes on little slips of paper and keep them in a basket on the thanksgiving table and it will stick around until the holdiays. after that, due to my total dislike for clutter, the slips sadly make their way into the recycling bin. this year, i made a little book out of scrap paper and had my daughter gray write out a title page, which she entitled "the gilbert family gratitude journal, 2009". every day of november and december, we make time as a family to jot something down that we're grateful for. and every time we have guests (and we have a lot of guests!), we'll encourage them to write something down, too.

there's something so satisfying and heart-warming looking through the pages so far. i love my daughter's handwriting and i love seeing the world through my children's eyes. i love hearing what my husband offers up for gratitudes. i love seeing our friends and family participate. what i'm most looking forward to, however, is taking out our 2009 gratitude journal next year and seeing how far we've come, what has changed, and what has stayed the same. i hope we're always as grateful as we are this year.

find nina's blog here and her shop here

blowing bubbles in a concrete jungle :: a joy rebel's take on our winter time

2009-12-09T08:39:00.004-05:00

by brandi reynolds

I remember talking to my life coach about plans for my big dreams and asking her how I could avoid those unmotivated times that we all have. My perception was that those times that lack motivation or inspiration were the death bell for someone trying to pursue artistic endeavors.

Her answer surprised me. I expected her to give me some tips on how to maintain my energy and motivation, maybe some affirmations or visualizations to do. Instead, she said (and I’m paraphrasing here): Brandi, we all have our winter times. If we didn’t we’d burn out. You need times of contemplation or rest to give you energy for your spring an summer times. Think of it like the seasons. In your ‘spring’ time, you start blossoming with new ideas and growth, in the summer you see those ideas give fruit, in the fall you reap the benefits of all your energy and work and then you need the winter times to rest and prepare for the next stage of growth.

I have to be honest, as wonderful as that advice was, I kind of resisted. I was speaking to her during one of my spring times and was loving all the energy and excitement I was feeling around my creative endeavors. I didn’t want rest, I wanted to keep going, keep blossoming and just grow, grow, grow!!!

And yet, here I am in my winter time. I am very connected with nature so my natural rhythms tend to follow the earths. Colder temps and shorter days usher in my own times of cocooning. I fought these winter times in years past, not realizing they were a necessary part of my cycle and plowed full steam ahead towards burn out. I felt the need to resist this year as well but those wise words from my life coach kept playing in my head.

So instead, I have let go of schedules and deadlines. I am saying no more often. I am not connecting as often. And I have found something interesting. The well spring of creativity has not dried up within me. In fact, new ideas are constantly bubbling to the surface and now I find that I have time and space to leisurely explore these ideas because I don’t have a lot else going on. Who knows which ideas will blossom and which will die off naturally but it I don’t so feel tied to the outcome these days. Allowing my winter has taught me that I can trust that the spring will come again.

the art of living cheerfully :: invite the muse over for morning coffee!

2009-12-07T07:00:00.002-05:00

by madelyn mulvaney

For the past few weeks I have been in the midst of a move to a brand new home after living in the same home for almost ten years. Perhaps the most wondrous thing I experienced was the sheer and unexpected ‘lightness of being’ I felt in letting an accumulation of things GO. For my new home I only moved what I truly found to be beautiful and necessary (and yes, in that order) as well as various pieces of art and photography I had collected over the years from my artistic friends.

While my new space is quite small, it is filled with light in every corner of it’s being and *my favorite room is my studio. From the first moment I stepped into this room on the top floor overlooking the apple trees in the garden, I knew that I would create a space for fresh dreams to ignite my artisan spirit.

visit my studio photo set here…

In the past year I had often visited paint shops and would happily peruse the chips delighting in the vast array of gorgeous colors. Even the names of the paint would stir up my imagination as I pondered choices such as ‘happily every after’ ‘fireflies’ ‘cloud white,’ gossamer blue’ and ‘burnished sun’.

Most paint shops have an area for ‘mistints’ and my local paint shop had shelves filled with brilliant bursts of color for a mere five dollars a gallon. I found a wonderful deep lavender, a cheery tangerine and a perfectly harmonious moss green that managed to find their way home with me .

As I began to decorate my little studio with a joyous golden yellow, strings of twinkle lights and vintage jars filled with pretty Japanese papers it occured to me that these simple yet energetic endeavors were giving me an exuberant burst of creativity I hadn’t felt in a long time. Filling a pretty jam jar with colored pens I could barely wait to get started on an idea I had for Christmas presents ~ writing my seven word poems and putting them in little matchboxes decorated with japanese papers. Perhaps I would even include a miniature print of one of my photo’s as well.

I realized I would need a bigger work table for my projects so I picked up an old door at a salvage yard for ten dollars eventually planning to paint it with the moss green mistint I had found at the paint shop. I filled a vintage suitcase with a collection of ephemera found at thrift shops such as worn books of poetry, photo albums, and beautiful illustrations from old magazines. Over my new ‘desk’ I arranged inspiration pages from various photography magazines, an old map of India, as well as a selection of my work.

Professionalism is way overrated. It is the spirit of the amateur that people in creative occupations– in almost any occupation– need to cultivate more than anything else. A couple of hundred years ago, “amateur” was an entirely positive, noble description of someone. The word comes from the Latin amator, which means “lover.” An amateur undertaking was something you did out of love, for the pleasure of doing it– something you did out of passion.
– Kurt Andersen, in “Ode to Amateurism” ~

Returning with a renewed gust of inspiration for my writing and photography, I am once again moved to create out of love, out of passion, something soulful, satisfying and poetic. As I awaken with the songbirds and wander into my studio in the mornings I realize these very simple and inexpensive flourishes to my personal artistic space is a ‘beckoning’ to the muse as she is lured to join me for coffee and ponder fresh dreams as we stretch out on the floor with freshly sharpened pencils and sketchbooks.

The muse is deeply attracted to a buoyant inviting energy in your surroundings, so make your spirit visible…make it heard, bring it to life with a little cheery color and panache. Let your imagination soar as you ‘paint’ your own magnificent personality into your creative space with a colorful brush of wild abandon!

tranquilology :: celebrating the art of everyday

2009-12-05T07:00:00.004-05:00

by kimberly wilson

“To err is human, to stroll is Parisian.” – Victor Hugo

How often do you take a step back to savor the simple things of everyday life? You’re busy. Running from one meeting to the next, knocking to-dos off your lists, and filling your body with caffeine to keep up the momentum. Thankfully I had the opportunity to indulge ten days Parisian style and was enamored with the attention to small touches coupled with the savoring of simple experiences. Let’s explore how you, too, can bask in the art of everyday from the comfort of your own home and city.

1. Food as art. You have to eat, why not make it a sensory-pleasing journey? I have a tendency to eat standing up or by throwing an organic frozen meal into the microwave and, sadly, I don’t think I’m alone in this confession. Even if you’re not the next Julia Child, set the stage for a savory experience by creating a welcoming table. Use your best china. Dust off your fancy glasses. Learn to make a fancy fold with your cloth napkins. Light candles and turn on jazz music. Top it off with a glass of bubbly or your favorite tea. Let your daily dining be a work of art.

2. Home as a haven. When you walk into your home, what do you see? Clutter, inspiration, or oodles of should-dos? How can you make your home a place where you can bask in self-care, feel at ease, and entertain others? Flower shops were eye candy for the spirit in Paris. Each time I passed one I was in awe at the beauty evoked in their windows or outside the shops. Play with setting up your home in a way that nurtures your senses: comfortable furnishings, uplifting scents, soulful tunes, tasty treats within reach, and clutter-free.

3. Signature style. The French have an artsy street style that constantly inspired. It wasn’t that the clothes were expensive or fancy, it’s how they carried themselves with amazing confidence. Whether donning vintage cowboy boots, over the knee socks, tights with shorts, chunky scarves, or short skirts with tall boots, they oozed style. You have to get dressed everyday so why not think of it as a creative expression of yourself? Try red lipstick, a big cocktail ring, faux fur scarf, or bright pink tights. Own your creative spark.

4. Connect. Couples were kissing on many street corners. People greet each other with the double kiss. Friends would meet at a café for a quick espresso or cup of tea and then were off within an hour. Making dates with friends can feel like another to-do in an already packed schedule. Why not try a quick “meet me at the corner café for a cup of tea?” Although you probably won’t find me engaged in huge displays of affection on the streets, I was definitely encouraged to up my affection by giving more hugs, walking arm and arm with my beau, and meeting more friends for a quick catch up over a pot of tea.

5. Delight in tea. I’m an everyday tea sipper but not to the degree that I savored it at the many sidewalk cafés. I’m more of a mug-on-the-go kind of gal. The art of sitting, sipping, and watching the passer-bys, journaling, or reading while indulging in a pot of tea felt like a decadent must-do. You may be more of an espresso girl, try the same savoring tip. I never saw people walking around with to-go cups (despite oodles of Starbucks). Parisians enjoyed the experience of their beloved beverages. Why not take 5-20 minutes out of your busy day to indulge in this sacred moment of self-care?

My journey to Paris encouraged a reconnection to celebrating the everyday. From sipping tea, snapping photos of objects that inspire, and seeing the beauty in the mundane – even savoring a carousel ride. How can you incorporate a bit more strolling into your day as you go to work, to the grocery store, and all of life’s errands in between? Life beckons you to stroll, sparkle, and revel in the eye candy that surrounds you everyday.

the creative compass :: know your truth

2009-12-03T07:02:00.004-05:00

by jamie ridler

The boldest and brightest dreams start with knowing who you are.

Ever had a goal or a dream and found yourself supremely or surprisingly unmotivated to move towards it? Like for years you’ve been saying, “I want to be a singer” but you never go to class or audition or, in fact, do anything about it? Sometimes that can be a whole lot of fear hanging out. But sometimes it can be because that dream, no matter how yummy it felt when it first showed up, isn’t doing it for you anymore. Maybe it never did. Maybe it was a goal someone else set for you (“What talent! You should be a singer.”) or that you thought you should want (“I know I can sing. I guess I should pursue that.”)

What if what you’re dreaming about isn’t what you really want?

All great dreams are grounded in the truth, your truth. Knowing the truth of who we are and what we yearn for is where the magic begins.

You may find it surprising to hear that I learned the power of truth by studying acting. In the struggling attempts of my self and my classmates, sometimes there would be a moment that stilled the room. Somehow, in that moment, the actor brought truth to the scene and it was electric. Truth is compelling. That’s why authenticity draws us like a flame.

To bring that magic to your life and to your dreams requires that you know yourself and your heart in a deep and compassionate way. It means giving yourself the time and attention to discover your truth and learning how to recognize it when it arrives.

Discover Your Truth

There are many simple ways to connect with your truth. The ones I list here are old, familiar friends.

· Journaling: Writing out your thoughts, feelings and ideas in a safe and private place puts you in conversation with your self. Letting the words spill out onto the page is a powerful way to discover what’s stirring inside.

· Walking: Getting outside and moving your body is a great way to take some time to listen to your self (not your iPod). See what thoughts and ideas join you on your stroll.

· Friend time: Hanging out with a supportive friend and daring to share your truth helps you start articulating what’s going on in your heart.

Recognize Your Truth

Out of all the words that spill out, the ideas that bubble up, the chit-chat that you share, how do you recognize your truth? In my acting class, everything got still and focused in those magical moments. What happens for you? Do you sense something in your body? Do tears come? Giggles? Do you sit up straighter? Talk more passionately? Feel a fire in your belly? Do your eyes light up? How does your spirit let you know that this, this is your truth?

Taking the time to know our truth is the beginning of our best, boldest and brightest dreams. It’s where freedom lives. And courage. And our most amazing selves.

Jamie Ridler MA CPCC is a creative self-development coach and director of Jamie Ridler Studios She helps creative, independent spirits align their lives with their hearts and pursue their dreams with joy, courage and authenticity. This December she will be releasing Soul Reflections, an at-home workshop using collage and journaling to connect you with your spirit and awaken your dreams.

the necklace project... ready, set, launch!

2009-12-01T07:00:00.006-05:00

the necklace is all set to go off on it's creative journey. it was found in a local vintage shop... simple and layered with enough room for all the charms to come, and i loved the little basket weave clasp. the sentiment "create" was added, and now it is ready to hold all of our stories and experiences. here is the list of all the artists who will be participating...

mindy tsonas
patricia dolan
carmen nessman
blanca gonzalez
jennifer quinn
suzanne vinson
jenny swanson
kristine koschke
leslie alterman
heidi wallingford
melinda taylor-kelly
lisa johnson
jennifer akerman haywood
carol sullivan
jessica berry
susie fore
armani
stacy de la rosa
katherine tucker
emily perry
paula snyder
laura carrigan
jennifer lee
courtney dawson
meghan genge
lisa wright
karen hardie
stephanie lee
jenica mckenzie
leah piken kolidas
brittany soucy

each month there will be photos and updates on where the necklace is and who is adding their unique stories and links. watch it all unfold here in the wishstudio!

to end the journey we have partnered up with the inspiring organization Nest. stop by and see how they are changing the world through art, craft and opportunity! we will auction off the finished necklace and all proceeds will be donated to nest and their global community. just imagine, you could be the one to own this one-of-a-kind collaborative art piece and help out an amazing cause!

spread the word, and follow the journey... see how one necklace can create community, spark inspiration, and bring a little magic to your life!

november giveaway winner...

2009-11-30T18:36:00.006-05:00

congratulations to lorena (hooray!)

you are the lucky winner of maddie's fabulous ecourse

and photograph!

(please email me to collect your prize.)

and don't forget that next month we will be having an entire week of giveaways here in the wishstudio... don't miss out on all the exciting fun and prizes!

our contributors up close :: susan tuttle

2009-11-29T07:00:00.003-05:00

*5 things we might not know about you*

1. I am a flutist and have had formal training in the areas of Flute Performance and Music Education, having obtained degrees from both Rutgers University-Mason Gross School of the Arts, and the Boston Conservatory. I taught K-12 public school music over a span of ten years, in both the Greater Boston area and in my current home state of Maine prior to becoming a mom and full-time artist.

2. In 1996 I was in a serious car accident and came away with only minor injuries. The car was completely crushed -- a heap of mangled metal -- and all the glass had shattered from the windows. There was one area in the totaled car that looked protected, like a safe bubble amidst the wreckage. That is where I was sitting. It was not my time to go.

3. I back-packed by myself across the UK in my early 20's. This trip was an important milestone for me -- I came into my own and really felt my inner strength and inner beauty for the first time.

4. I used to create dollhouse miniatures with a Halloween theme and sold them on Ebay in 2002. I own a dollhouse with a haunted party theme.

5. I played my flute in Carnegie Hall.

*5 things going on in your creative world*

1. I am teaching online digital art classes on the subjects of digital photomanipulation and digital collage and montage. For more information visit this link

2. My new book, Digital Expressions: Creating Digital Art with Adobe® Photoshop® Elements, is available for preorder on Amazon and will be released by North Light Books in May 2010. My first book, Exhibition 36: Mixed-Media Demonstrations and Explorations (North Light Books 2008) is currently available.

3. I will be teaching a digital photography/art workshop at Valley Ridge Art Studio in October 2010. For more details

4. I have prints of my photography available in my etsy shop

5. My work will be featured in a Faber-Castell journaling kit and presented to the public at CHA in January 2010.

*5 things that really inspire you*

1. The blog Au Fil De:
2. We Heart It
3. Art and Ghosts
4. Bon Iver
5. ReadyMade

november giveaway

2009-11-27T07:00:00.003-05:00

just like i promised, maddie is gifting another one of her wonderful prize packages to another lucky wishstudio reader this month. enter for a chance to win a spot in her newest ecourse yes! , which encourages you to awaken your wishes and deepest dreams, allowing them to pour out of you in your writing and photography. in addition you will get to choose one print from her lovely shop as well.

to enter, please leave a comment on this post and share what you are saying yes to these days. one random winner will be chosen and the will be announced on monday, nov 30th! you have until midnight on the 29th.

next month we will be having a special giveaway... a week of giveaways actually, just in time for the holidays! don't miss it!