tranquilology :: an artist's date

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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}

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

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

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

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

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!

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’)

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

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.