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:

Creative Inspiration

"The demons are innumerable, arrive at the most inappropriate times, and create panic and terror... but I have learned that if I can master the negative forces and harness them to my chariot, then they can work to my advantage.... Lilies often grow out of carcasses' arseholes."

~ Ingmar Bergman

Ideas are swirling, cogs are turning and possibility is permeating my heart and soul, the whole slowly morphing into faith and trust.

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

1. Marked by the Muse - Because Stephey Baker's artwork has captured me. Her Dream Song Series is magical.

2. Sophia Leadership - Because Heather Plett is bold, she speaks of leadership infused with creativity and intuition, and she is very convincing.

3. Bergman's Island - Because it's fun to learn about other creatives and what makes them tick. This is a beautiful and informative documentary about Ingmar Bergman, his life and his creative process.

4. Goddess Leonie - Because Leonie Allan Dawson is not afraid to dream - and act - BIG.

5. Dirty Footprints Studio - Because Connie Hozvicka is not afraid to paint and paint BIG. And while watching her video below I felt an unmistakable and undeniable YES rise through my chest.

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What inspires you these days?

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!

Creative Inspiration

This past month my mind has been overtaken by creative ideas and my dreams by creative possibility, both fueled by creative inspiration.

Here are a few things, people or places that particularly inspired me these past few weeks, leaving me grateful for their impact on my creative mojo...

1. The Ice Book

Thanks to Nicola, who led me to Chase Jarvis, who - as if both of them weren't already creative inspiration enough - led me to this:

The Ice Book (HD) from Davy and Kristin McGuire on Vimeo.

 2. Walking in this World by Julia Cameron

The Artist's Way had a life-altering impact on me in 1999 (if you check out my About page, it's listed as one of the books that rocked my world). Walking in this World is a follow-up book to the Artist's Way; I bought it in 2002 and it sat on my shelf collecting dust until, drawn to it, I picked it up last month. Five weeks into the twelve-week program I'm already feeling a powerful spiritual and creative shift. Sometimes timing is everything.

3. D.'s Polaroid pics

Three weeks ago we found a Polaroid at a thrift shop for $2.99 and ordered a test pack of film to see if it worked. We each had four precious exposures to play. One Saturday afternoon D. packed the camera in his backpack and left on his bike; I am smitten with this photo he brought back:

Ottawa River and the Parliament buildings

photo by D.

4. Eye candy books, specifically...

Art Deco - The Golden Age of Graphic Art & Illustration by Michael Robinson and Rosalind Ormiston, Masters: Collage: Major Works by Leading Artists, and too many books about Matisse to list here (though some of them are listed on my sidebar).

5. Sis and her 365 Photo Journey

journey 365 :: 2011. One photo every day. 365 photos in one year. Whoa.

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What inspires you these days? Is anything in particular boosting your creative mojo?