In the Works: Solstice Reflections, Art and an Online Shop

I've been playing with a few creative projects these past few weeks. Here's a glimpse of a few things I  have in the works...

Solstice Reflections 2011

The Winter Solstice holds a special place in my heart. In 2008 I created a space for my personal reflections leading up to December 21st; last year I curated a Winter Solstice group art exhibit right here in Ottawa featuring five local artists.

This year I decided to take it online and offer you a gathering of reflections from a group of lovely women on the spirit of winter and the migration from darkness to light. It starts here December 1st.

Come join us?

AEDM Day 17: purple girl, a work in progress, 16"x16" on canvas

Art, art, and more art

Oh how I'm loving Art Every Day Month. I've been painting up a storm, learning, practicing, taking creative risks and struggling working through the process.

I've come to accept that there may be more pieces in progress at the end of the month than there will be finished ones, but that's OK. So far the process and some of the interim results have been reward enough.

 a selection of prints will soon be available online

An online shop

I'm also hatching an online shop for my artwork! I'll most likely start with some prints and work my way to originals. I'm still firming up the where & how, but it's coming along. Stay tuned.

It's been an expansion-filled few weeks. I am grateful.

Ottawa Peeps: Art Works Conference

"The Art Works – Art & Entrepreneurship Conference – is an opportunity to learn the essential skills to turn your artistic talents into a successful business. The Art Works 2011 Conference tagline sums up the theme for the day: 'From Passion to Profession… Make ART WORK.'"

~ Art Works Website

What: Art Works, Ottawa's art & entrepreneurship conference organized by the OCRI Entrepreneurship Centre; a day of mingling with other artists and learning from small business experts, art associations and other artpreneurs

When: Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011; 8:30 AM - 3:45 PM (includes breakfast & lunch)

Who: for artists and other creative folk who want to make money doing the creative stuff they love

How much: $30 + online purchasing fee if bought before Nov. 7th

                   $35 + fee if after Nov. 7th

                   price includes breakfast and lunch

Where: Shenkman Arts Centre, 245 Centrum Boulevard in Orleans

"The Shenkman Arts Centre, which opened on June 18, 2009, is Ottawa’s only multidisciplinary arts facility offering services and programs in both English and French. The Centre, which is located in Ottawa East, is a creative hub where artists and audiences meet to create and explore the arts."

~ Shenkman Arts Centre Website

Why: because if you sell your art and want to make money at it, you are not only an artist, but a business person; because it's a great place to meet other creative business kindreds; because you'll leave inspired

~~~

If you're thinking of tapping into your creative passions to bring in profits I highly recommend you check this out! It's a great place to meet other passionate, creative people who get what you're trying to do, plus you'll leave with a notebook full of practical resources and inspiration.

I'm not getting any perks for promoting this, I've been to the last two and found them worth every penny. If you're thinking about it, go.

Creative Inspiration

A new day, a new week and a new month - the perfect time for a bit of creative inspiration, non?

1. Jolie Guillebeau's 100 Abstracts project - She's done it before with her 100 Faces and 100 Paintings in 100 Days projects; now she's at it with abstracts. Jolie and her dedicated projects make me want to commit to painting or drawing something on a regular basis, for an extended period of time or in large quantities (like 100!). Consistent practice is the best way to learn a craft.

2. Leonie Dawson's World Biggest Summit - This woman is not afraid of dreaming and creating BIG. Her World's Biggest Summit inspires me to take risks and act on some of my ideas related to business, art, learning and community. The presentations I've listened to so far have been wonderful too, full of practical information on building and supporting a creative enterprise.

3. The Spirit of Silence - This book by John Lane is helping me counterbalance the flurry of creative activity that's become a constant in my brain, and a sense of urgency that's been creeping into my psyche at the thought of leaving work at the end of the month. The Spirit of Silence is reminding me to make space for my intuition to make itself heard and for things to unfold.

"... it is only when the restless mind has been stilled that we can truly encounter what is unfolding before us." ~ John Lane, The Spirit of Silence

4. Elaine de Kooning - Her work makes me want to explore abstract expressionism and figure painting, and study women artists.

5. Words from Ira Glass on creative work, practice and persistence - Looks like Jolie's got it right with her 100 Abstracts. Thanks to Barbara Winter (Joyfully Jobless) and Jamie Ridler (Jamie Ridler Studios) for passing on this inspirational bit of wisdom from Ira.

Ira Glass on Storytelling from David Shiyang Liu on Vimeo.

Creative Inspiration

I feel open, taking in so much information and possibility that it's sometimes overwhelming. I'm experimenting (though not always successfully) with ways to quiet the mind and ground myself, with sitting with possibility and gently exploring where it may lead.

Here are a few things, people or spaces that have been inspiring me these past few weeks...

1. Resonate by Nancy Duarte. I'm completely geeking out on this book. The graphics, the analogy to the hero's journey and the concept of being of service to the audience by guiding them through this journey fascinate me. I want to create a presentation from scratch just to try it out. Oh, and the author's design firm worked on the slides for Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth. 'Nuf said.

2. Connie Hozvicka's (of Dirty Footprints Studio) interview with Selina Barker. Selina has spent the last six months travelling Britain in her camper van, Beryl, running her coaching business and cooking up a 30 Day Challenge come October. You may choose to trade the camper van for a cabin in the woods or a cottage by the sea, but after watching this there will be no more excuses - it can be done.

3. My friend Judi's new Credible Edibles Cooking School workshops. I love watching her business evolve and grow. It inspires. Period.

4. Goddess Leonie's Business Goddess e-course. Because it's full of practical information and possibility. It makes me want to create value, community and healthy income streams.

5. This TED talk by Shea Hembrey (thanks to Miss E. of Squam Art Workshops for passing it on!). This man makes me want to go on an art-making blitz and try installation art:

Two Very Good Things: Squam Art Workshops and Flying Lessons

Just in case you're considering last-minute registration for either of these two events, let me tell thee how wonderful they are.

They changed my life. Period. And I don't bandy around statements like that lightly.

Squam Art Workshops (S.A.W.) - September 2011 session, registration closes August 15th

My first S.A.W. was less than three years ago and OMG so much has changed! (I don't bandy around terms like "OMG" lightly either.)

S.A.W. is where I picked up a paint brush for the first time since kindergarten, it's where I discovered creative possibility, and it's where I connected with a group of creative kindreds that hold a big space in my heart today. And the food, goodness the food.

It's. All. Good.

Registration for the S.A.W. September session closes Monday, August 15th.

If you can make it happen, go.

Flying Lessons: The E-Course - Registrations are open, class starts Sunday, August 7th

Last year I resisted the Flying Lessons e-course in a BIG way, which of course meant I needed to register. And thank goodness I did.

If you're thinking of testing the waters with your creative business, this e-course will leave you motivated, inspired and loaded with practical information to get you going and connections to fellow kindreds on the same path.

I've witnessed Flying Lessons graduates soar to dizzying heights, while others, like me, are taking a little more time but lifting more and more each time we stretch ourselves as creative entrepreneurs.

Registrations are open; class starts Sunday, August 7th.

Note: I am not receiving any compensation for these plugs. Good product, good review. C'est tout!