PaintMojo,aMixed-MediaWorkshop

CreativeLayeringTechniquesforPersonalExpression

TracyVerdugo

Cincinnati,Ohiocreatemixedmedia.com

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Contents

SpecialOffers

Introduction

CHAPTERONE

SacredMarksStoriesSymbols,StyleandSerendipityPersonalIconographyUniqueStories,FreeFromExpectationTellingMyStory,ATapestryCollagedMakingMarks,MakingMeaning

CHAPTERTWO

TheSpacesBetweenPersonalNarrativeTheStillnessofWaitingSacredTransformationPainting

CHAPTERTHREE:

LoosenUp,LightenUpWildAbandonTheSublimeandtheRidiculousTechniquetoFreeYourCreativeSpiritOutsidetheSquare!

CHAPTERFOUR

DimensionalLanguageEachOurOwnLanguageMingleYourSensesExercisesForColoringYourSensesPaintaMemory

CHAPTERFIVE

InspirationAllAroundSeeingBeautyinAllThingsTheInfinitePossibilitiesofFailureInspirationasYouTravelingInspirationPalettePrints

CHAPTERSIX:

YourGardenofPossibilityPlantingYourSeedsUnfoldingDreamsLittleBookofDreams

CHAPTERSEVEN

CreativeWanderlustTheWanderingDressExplorationFuelstheMuseWanderlustisInspirationRecipeforArtfulTravelMeditationWalkAndNatureMandalaMyOdetoMexicoConnectingThroughOtherCultures

CHAPTEREIGHT

ThrowingOuttheRuleBookTheHappyChoicePaintedPagesInkySojournHappy,HarmonicBalance

CHAPTERNINE

ComeTogetherAGardenGrowsCommunityWe’reAllConnectedPuttingItAllTogether!

ContributingArtists

Dedication

Thank-Yous

AboutTracy

ContributingPhotographers

Dedication

ForMarco,SantanaandSienna...IloveyouallthestarsandeverygrainofsandineveryUniverse.

Introduction

Thisbookisforthequietonesittingwayupinthebackoftheroom,hidingbehindherbigol’canvas,hopingIwon’tnoticeher.It’sfortheeagerwide-eyedoneatthefront,whojumpsinwithgustoanddelight.It’sfortheonewhodoubtshiseverystrokeandcolorchoice,theonewholistensandlearnswellforawhile...andthenlosesfocusorgetsimpatient...anddoessomethingonhiscanvasthatsendshimintomeltdownmode.

Thisbookisfortheonewhowaitsforinstructioneverystepoftheway,excitedtotrynewthingsbutanxioustostepoutonherown.It’sfortheonewhoselifeisintransitionordespair,theonewhofeelsstagnantorlost,theonewhoisflyingwithjoy.It’sfortheonewhohaslearnedgraceandpatiencethroughexperience,theonewhohasbeenpaintingforthirtyyearsbutstilllovestolearn,andit’sfortheonewhohasnever,ever,pickedupabrushanddippeditintopaint.

Whatanawesome,shiny,messy,complex,perfectlyimperfectbunchweare!

Allpartsofthebiggerequation,Tinysparksoflightfromafargreatersource.

Necessary...Integral...Wonderful!

Youareallamazingsparksofdivinelovewiththeunlimitedpotentialtoshinebrightinthisworld.

Youhaveastyleandapresencethatistrulyuniquetoyou.

CHAPTERONESacredMarks

ItwasasifI’denteredaworldofenchantment,offloweringcacti,nudgedupagainstthebaseofpalms,texturedwallspeelinginlayersofmagentaand

turquoise,andeverywhere,thearomaofMexicanspices.FarawayfromthesoundsofmysuburbanAustralianupbringing,we

wanderedthecobblestonestreetsofSanJosedelCabo,MarcoandI,inourfirstyearinlove,1986.Thefamiliarsoundsofthelorikeetsandkookaburrasreplacedbymariachisandstreethawkerssellingtrinketsonoutstretched,colorfullywovenblankets.Beneathacanopyofhangingplantswespiedarusticcourtyard—tablesset

forromancebeneathaskydottedwithstars,couplesdrinkingmargaritasandcervezas.Laterthatevening,weboughtourfirstpieceofarttogether;abeautifulwoodblockprintofabirdescapingitscage.

Recognizingandclaimingthebeautyofyourunique,authenticvoiceWhoareweifnotaculminationofourstories?Akaleidoscopeofever-changingmoments,minutestorybites,inwhichweperceivetheworldandshapeourrealityaccordingtoourthoughts,ourbeliefsandtheinputofthosearoundus.Itfascinatesme,this“infinitepossibilities”universe,inwhichnotoneofusisthesameasanyother.Indeed,notoneofusiseventhesameasourpreviousselffromonemomenttothenext.Eachbreath,eachthought,eachmomentsetinmotion,setsforthashiftwithinusonaquantumlevel,andweare,inasense,reinventedagain.Isn’tthatwonderful?Eachoneofusmadeupofthesamestardustandatourverycorethesame

sourceandyet...YouareatotallyuniqueexpressionoftheUniverse,oftheCreativeForce,anexpressionofalovesovastthatitisburstinginitsenthusiasmtocome

throughyouandyet...wedoubt,wecompare,

wehideourlightanddeclareoursmallness.

anddeclareoursmallness.Whatifinstead,werecognizedthateachoneofusholdsastoryofsuchdepth

andbeautythattoshareitwouldbetoenrichtheworldinsuchanumberofwaysthatwecouldnotevenbegintofathomwhateffectitmighthave?

Thereisavitality,alifeforce,anenergy,aquickeningthatistranslatedthroughyouintoaction,andbecausethereisonlyoneofyouinalloftime,thisexpressionisunique.Andifyoublockit,itwillneverexistthroughanyothermediumanditwillbelost.—MarthaGraham

StoriesThestoriesofourlivesleavemarksonusandinfluencewhatwechooseasourpersonalsymbols.Whatstorieshavemostlefttheirmarksonyou?I’msittingwithmygrandmother,circa1971.It’sjustNannyandIintheback

roomofthesmallrented,dark-brickedBondiflat,wheresheliveswithherpartner,Fred.Thereisprobablysomedreadfulseventieswallpaperadorningthewallsanda

coupleofvinylchairsloudlyshoutingtheirerainlimegreenandorange,buteventhoughIclosemyeyestoremember,Icannotseethedetails.Justanimageofmygrandmotherandme,sittingbytheopenwindow,

intentlywatchingthecloudsfloatbyandnamingtheminshapesofbunniesandchickens,flyingpigsandhearts...justafeelingofloveandbelonging...andgiggles.Often,shetakesmylittlehandandturnsitovertotracethelinesofmypalm,

predictingmylonglifespanandthesmalltroublesImighthavealongtheway,howmanychildrenIwillhaveandplacesIwillvisit.Ilookatherwitheyesoftotaltrustandmymindtakeslittleleapsintopossiblefutures.Andthen,asshehasdonemanytimesbefore,shetakesmysmallfingersinhers,gentlystrokesmyfingerprintsandsays,“Youknow,love,thisworldreallyisamiracle.TothinkthatofallthemillionsofpeopleGodhasputonthisplanet,thereisnotonepersonthathasexactlythesamefingerprintsasyou.Thinkaboutthat!Whatawonderfulthing!Thereisnobodyelseexactlylikeyou.Youarespecialandunique!”Wide-eyed,Itakeinthewonderandmagicofherwords,untilanotherpuffy

cloudcatchesoureyesandimaginations.SomeyearsagoIwasmesmerisedbyanAmericanTVshowwherethehost

wouldbegineachepisodebystickingapinintoamapoftheUnitedStateswhileblindfolded.Hewouldtraveltothetownorcity,pickanameatrandomfromthelocalphonebookandcallthatpersontotellhimthathislifestorywouldbethe

localphonebookandcallthatpersontotellhimthathislifestorywouldbethefeatureofanupcomingepisode.Invariablytheastonishedpersonontheotherendofthelinewouldbereluctant,protestingthathislifewastooordinary,mundaneorlack-lustretobeonTV.Usuallythehostwouldwinhimover,thefilmcrewswouldarriveand,ineverysinglecase,somethingprofound,inspirationalandwonderfulwouldunfoldinthetellingofeachperson’sstory.RecentlyIwasabletoexperiencethismagicalphenomenonfirsthandwhenI

wasinvolvedinacommunityprojectlinkingthekidsfromourlocalhighschool’sspecialeducationunitwithresidentsofanearbyretirementvillage.Eachweek,staffandstudentswouldspendamorninginterviewingtheseelderlygemswithagesrangingfrom73to103,focusingonhowlifewasdifferentwhentheywereyoung,whatkindsofjobstheyhadheldandamyriadofotheraspectsoftheirlives.Theeffectsofthiscollaborationweredeeplyimpactfulonbothinterviewerandinterviewee;forthestudents,achancetoengageinaliving,breathingglimpseintohistory;fortheresidents,achancetoshineintheretellingofstoriestheirfamilieshadlongsincetiredoflisteningto.Ireneregaleduswithtalesofayoung,mischievousgirlwhooncecutoffher

sister’sbraidandserveditupatthedinnertabletoshockhermother.Ronaldwastheyoungsoldier,whoonhisfirstdeploymenttoSouthAfrica,witnessedabrutalbeatingofasimilarlyagedblackmanwhohaddonenothingwrong.Seventyyearslaterhestilltearedupatthememory.AndIris,ninety-fourandnowmostlydeafandblind,becameyoungagainassherelivedthewilddunebuggyridesofheryoungerselfacrossthedry,undevelopedhillsofCantamar,BajaCaliforniaintheseventies,wheremyhusbandspenthischildhoodwithhisabuelita.Welaughedtogetherattheserendipityoflivesandpathscrossing,andasIsatholdingIris’shandinhertinyroom,weponderedthemiracleoflifethroughsharedstories.Attheendoftheeight-weekproject,thekidshadproducedsome

extraordinaryPowerPointpresentations,whichwereofferedtotheirnewfriendsataspecialmorningteawheretheresidentswereawedandsoproudtobethestarsoftheirveryownnarratives,completewithallthetechnologicalbellsand

starsoftheirveryownnarratives,completewithallthetechnologicalbellsandwhistlesthatthekidshadaddedtojazzuptheshow!Sometimesourstoriesdon’tseemtogointhedirectionwewouldhavethem,

butthereisalwaysapotentialforgrowth,beautyandmiracle.SomewheredownthetrackIhaveheardastorythathasstuckwithmeand

madeahugeimpactonmybeliefsandvalues.Formanyyearsawomanwithararetalentforsinging—thevoiceofanangel,

somesaid—workedtirelesslytobecomeastar.Althoughsheperformedinhundredsofshowsandachievedmanygreatreviews,shehoveredbeneaththelevelofgreatness,neverachievingthe“bigbreak”thatcouldtakehertothenextlevel.Disappointedandsomewhatbitter,shefeltastheyearspassedbythatshehadlostherchancetoshine,wastedhertalentandnotachievedherpotential.Then,oneday...shefoundherselfansweringacallforvolunteersinthe

neonatalwardofalocalhospital.Herjobwastoholdthesepreciousnewbornbabieswhohadcomeintotheworld,deliveredbycrack-addictedmothersandnowsufferinghorriblewithdrawals.Assheheldeachbaby,shewouldsingtoitinhersweetvoiceandfeeltheenergyofhersongbegintorelaxthechildinherarms.Maybe,shethought,Ihaveitallwrong.Maybethisistheplacemygifthasalwaysbelonged.

Andyousee,eveninthatmoment,

whenherwholestoryhadbeentakenfromher,anewonehadbegun.Intheprocessofloss,ofbeingstrippedaway,somethingnewiscreated.

Somethingvaluableandworthy,always,ineverymoment.

Yourstoryisimportant.Honoritsuniqueness.

Embraceitsordinariness.Revelinitsimperfections.

Paintit,singit,danceit,writeit.Theworldneedsyourcreativevoice.

Symbols,StyleandSerendipityStudentsaskmeoftenhowIfoundmystyle.Ihavekeptinspirationfoldersforyears.Torn-outimagesfrommagazinescrammedbetweenplasticsheets—colors,fashion,faces,stories.FromtimetotimeIpullthemoutandnoticewhatstillspeakstomeandwhatnolongerdoes.Itisaninterestingwaytomonitorone’sownevolution.ThesedaysIkeepaninspirationwallinmystudio.Rightnowitiscoveredin

imagesofelephants,somepicsofnewartthathavecaughtmyeye,lovelettersfromfriendsandstudents,photosofmyfamilyandadreamboarddedicatedtotravelingtheworldandteachingotherstobecomecreativelyfreebelieversofpossibilityandmagic.Withthewealthofinformationavailabletousonline,itissoeasyandsuper-

temptingtotakeeveryonlineclassanddevourallofthelusciousnessthatisoutthere.WhenIwasfirstintroducedtotheworldofbloggingandmixed-mediaartists,IwantedtotrysomanynewthingseachweekthatIsometimesfeltlikemyheadwouldexplode!Slowdownandbreathe,myfriends;tryonethingforawhileandsitwithit.

Doesitreallyspeaktoyoursoul?Orareyoujustexcitedtohavelearnedsomethingnewonthejourneytobecomingyourshiniestself?Doyouwanttoembraceitwholeheartedlyandexploreittirelesslyuntilitspeaksthroughyourownauthenticvoice?Orisitjustonelittleshinypebbleyouareaddingtoyourcollection?Somethingthatwillonedaybecomeapartofamosaicofsuchsplendorthatyoucouldneverevenhavedreamtit?Takesometimethisweektocreateaninspirationboard/folder/wallandbegin

tonoticewhatitisthatyouareattractedto;areyouaboldcolorpersonordoyouresonatemorewithasoft,dreamypalette?Areyoudrawntoenergetic,vibrantworksormoreethereal,moodypieces?Whenyoulookatotherartists’works,noticewhattheysayabouttheirprocessandbegintothinkaboutyourown.

own.Whatisityou’dbringtotheworldwithyourart?

FindingSymbolsandMakingMeaningLookaroundyourhomeandenvironmentandmakesomesimple,littlesketchesofthethingsyousee.Sketchabitofthewoodgraininyourtimberfloor,apatternofdotsonabedcover,anornamentyoubroughtbackfromsomewhereexoticlongago,ateapotonyourkitchencounter.Askyourself,“Ifthiswastomeansomethingtome,whatcoulditmean?”Try

nottogettoohungupongrand,life-changingmeanings;jotdownwhatevercomestoyouandrevisityoursymbolsoften.Theornamentcouldconjureupaspecificmemoryoftasteorfreedomornew

experience,whiletheteapotcouldspeakofslowingdownandtakingtime,ritualandceremony.Theirmeaningswillchangeandexpandjustasyouchangeandgrowthroughyourlife.Thingsthatonceheldmeaningwillfallawayandbecomelessimportantwhile

othersymbolswillappear,surprisingyouwiththeirimportance.Ioftentellmystudentstostopandwanderaroundtheroomandfindthesymbolsofothersthatresonatewiththem,toshareandtalkaboutthemtogetherandwhattheymeanforeachother.Ihaveastoryaroundtimethatgoeslikethis:racingagainst,runningout,not

enough.Forsomereasonthesearetheconnotationsthattimehasforme.IrarelyincludeclocksinmyworkandIdon’twearawatch.Idon’tneedtheconstantreminder!Recentlyataworkshop,Inoticedaclockfeaturedprominentlyinastudent’s

listofsymbols.“Whatdoesthatclockmeanforyou?”Iasked,expectingtofindakindredspirit,afellowlamenter.“Oh!”Deniseexclaimed,herfacelightingupwithasmile.“Thereisplentyof

time!That’swhatitmeansforme.”Ismiledbackwidely,delightedatthiswonderfulchancetoreframemy

relationshipwithtime.“That’sbrilliant,”Isaid.“CanIadoptthatmeaning?”“Sure,”shesaidandIwalkedoffhappilywithaslightshiftinperspectiveanda

“Sure,”shesaidandIwalkedoffhappilywithaslightshiftinperspectiveandanewparadigmbeginningtogrow.

ButterfliesButterflieshavelongbeenapowerfulsymbolforme.Honoredbymanyculturesasasymboloftransformation,thebutterflyremindsmetokeepgrowing,acceptchallengesandstrugglesandknowthatwhenIamonmypathofgrowthandlearning,quietlyandgentlyawareandacceptingofmyforwardleapsandbackwardfalls,Iwillalwaysemergewithgreaterfreedomandscopeforpossibility.

Butterfliesalsoremindmeoftheneedtogowithin,andthatquietcontemplationcanleadtonewinsightsthatwillrarelycomethroughwhilemymindisinthethroesofitsregular,incessantchatter.Thebutterflyspeaksofmiraclesandsurrenderingtodivinetiminginour

souls’growth,ofexpansionandelegance,celebrationandresurrection,transitionandvulnerability,beautyandfaith.

ElephantsElephantshaveappearedinmyworkjustrecently,comingthroughwithapowerandgracethathasastoundedme.Sincethebeginningof2012whenIfirstcommunedwiththesebeautiful

creaturesinKohSamui,Thailand,Ihavebeenthinkingofthem,theirquietstrengthandancientwisdom,loyalty,determination,powerandcapacitytolovedeeply.InsomeAsianculturestheelephantisseenasacosmiccreature,carryingthe

Earthuponitsback.Indreams,theelephantsymbolizesourabilitytoovercomeobstacles.Whichbeautifulcreaturesonthisplanetdoyoufeelconnectedto?Howcanyoubringthemintoyourart?

PersonalIconography

byJesseRenoWhenIlookbackathowIdevelopedmyiconographyofsymbolsandbeings,itfeelsabitlikemagicbecauseIwascreatingthemwithoutevenknowingit.Myfirstsymbols—acircle,square,Xandline—I’dbeenpaintingforonetotwoyearsbeforeIthoughtorrealizedwhattheymeanttome.I’dbeenusingthemaselementsinmypaintings,thinkingofthemonlyas

verycomfortablemarkstomakeamongabstractfields.Icreatedlayersandlayersofcirclesoveroneanother,squares,framed

sectionsofthepaintingsIthoughtlookedinteresting—asiftheyweretheirownminipaintingswithinthelargerpiece—andawayofpreservingpiecesofwhatcamebefore.IusedXsandlinesassmallerdecorativeelements.Theserepeatingmarksfeltverycomforting,soIneverthoughttoquestion

them.Atthetime,Iwasjustbeginningtopaintandexplore,tryingtodowhatcamemostnaturalatalltimes,untiloneafternoon…Iwasstaringata4'×5'(122cm×152cm)paintingfullofthesemarkingsand

itcametome:Youcanwalkincirclesforever;youwillgetnowhere.Thesquareswerelikeanopportunityoradoorwayyoumusttaketoseewhereitwilllead.TheX-likemarkswereremindersofthenegativethingsthatholdusfromourgoals.Bycrossingthemoutwecangofarther.Thelinesheldtheideaofdirectnessinyourdesireandcommunicationastheworldisconfusingenoughwithoutriddles.Irealizedthesewerethebiggestthingsinmylifethathadbeenholdingme

backfrommydreamsandgoals.Thiswasthebeginningofself-understandingcomingfromaplaceofself-explorationoutsideoftellingmyselfwhatIwasdoingorplanningwhatitwouldbe.Ifound—andstillfind—thebestdirectiontocomefrom,ifyouwanttoreach

somethingtruewithinyourself,istocometoyourselffrommysteryandcontemplationratherthanfrompreconceivedideas.It’stooeasytohidefrom

contemplationratherthanfrompreconceivedideas.It’stooeasytohidefromyourselfwhenyouchoosetheoutcomefirst,whenyoumovefromadirectionoutsideofyourideasaboutyourselfandthenanalyzethem.Itcantaketimebutthemessagesarepricelessifyoulearnsomethingtruly

newaboutyourselfortakeresponsibilityforwhoyoureallyare.Fromthere,IrealizedthepowerofwhatIhadlearnedandbegantokeeptrack

oftheformsIwouldcreateandhowtheywouldchange.Inowalwayschangedirectionsinmywork,startingwithanideaandrunningwithit,allowingittochange.Thechangescomewhentheideaisnolongerinterestingoranewvisualideaseemsmoreimportant.EventuallyIcometoaplacethatfeelspotentandrightineveryway.SoIbegantowonder,WhydoIstartwithabuffaloandendwithareindeer?

Thisactuallyhappenedthreetimesinarow!ThefirsttimeIdecidedtodocumentmystartandfinish.Afterthethirdtime,IthoughtImustreallybedesiringreindeerortheideaofareindeer.Isatandthoughttomyself,Whatdoesareindeerfeelliketome?Peaceful,

walkingorlyinginnature,passivelytakinginthetrees...aconnectiontotreeswithbranchesthatarelikeantlers.Overall,Ithoughttheirplacewaswiththetrees.NextIthoughttomyself,Ishouldgotothetreesmyselfandrelax.Ihadn’t

beentothewoodsinalongtime.Thiswasthebeginningofanunderstandingoftherealpotencyofmywork:

theideaoftheabstractnarrative.Astorytoldfromabstraction,aplaceoffollowinginstincttocreateaworldthat,intheend,ispersonalandcorrectintermsofexpressionandconnection.Ibegantakingthetimetoanalyzetheelements—creatures,symbolsand

interactions—tofindmeaninginthem.Ifcreationcomesfromwithin,itmustrepresentafeelingofconnectionto

thosespecificcreatures,symbolsandinteractions.Aconnectionthatcanbelearnedfromorencourageideasthatareimportanttoourcoreandself-desires.

LittlebylittleI’daskmyselfeachtimeIsawanewcreatureorsymbol,Whatdoesthismean?EventuallyIcametoaplacefullofdialoguebetweentheseanimalbeingsandsymbolsthatgivemegreatinsightintomyself.

ChartofSymbolsIdiscovermuchunderstandingthroughseeminglyrandomshapes,colorsandmarkings.IfindmyselfwritingwordsbeforeIunderstandtheirmeaning,trustingthatIwillbewiseenoughtounderstandthemintime.Magicdoesnotrevealitselfeasily.Whentryingtoseethefuture,oureyesmustbegiventimetoadjust.Tofindourpurposewemustaskmanyquestionsofourselves.Wemustobserveourselveswithoutjudgment.Tofindsomethingnew,wemustmovewithoutbounds.Therearenohardquestionsfortruth.

1. 5Dashes:Keeptrackofyouraccomplishments,butdon’tletthembecomeyou.

2. BearTrap:Atrap—somethingtobeavoided.Man-madeandmechanical.Somethingthathappenswhenchoosingdiamondsoverhearts.

3. Boat:Beawareofyouractionswhentraveling.Respectthedifferenceofothers.Avoidconquest.

4. Branch:Growth.Abranchisawandtoawiseman.5. Circle:Wecanwalkincirclesforever;thisleadstomadness.Wemustmakeachoice.

6. Crown:Thekingwillalwaysseektocontrol.7. Diamonds:Riches.Beawarethatadiamondisjustasparklingstoneofstatus.It’snoone’sbestfriend.

8. Eggs:Unknownpotential.Somethingprecioustobeguarded.9. Feather:Freedom.10. FloatingEye:Beingabletoseewhatisbeyondyourvision.11. Flowers:Randombeauty.Thisiswhereconnectioncanbemadeor

ignored.12. FlowersinaGrid:Manyrandomconnectionsarewaiting.13. Gravestone:Window.Anopportunity.Wecanlookoutawindow.Thisis

notthesameasgoingoutside.Don’twaituntilyoudietoachieveyourgoals.Don’tfeardeath;letitmotivateyou.

14. Hearts:Love.15. HollowStar:Accomplishment.16. Honeycomb:Connection.Onethingleadstoanother.17. Keys:Usethesetounlockrestraintorunderstanding.18. Line:Directnessandclarityleadtoachievement.19. Lock-Locked:Thereissomethingthatneedstobeunlocked.20. Lock-Unlocked:Allisopentoyou.Whenthelockisopen,youarefreeto

movewithoutrestraint.21. Magic:Itiseverywhere.Youjusthavetolookveryclose.Questionwhat

yousee,notthatyouseeit.

1. Measurement:Alwaysmeasureyourselfagainstyourowndreamsandaccomplishmentsratherthanthoseofothers.

2. Moon:Naturalsigns.3. OneHalf:Halfofthestory.Movingbyoneself.4. Orion’sBelt:Somethingofpowerthatcannotbedenied.Itcanbeseenandunderstoodbyallwithoutargument.Thepowerofstars.

5. OuijaPiece:Talkingtospirits.Followingyourspiritratherthansystemlogic.

6. Phoenix:Risingfromnothing.Reborn.Alwaysrising.7. Pyramids:Empire.Pyramidschemes.Astructureofcontrolratherthanorder.

8. RandomEnergy:Energy.Thepotentialofenergyaroundyou.9. Square:Anopportunitytobetaken.Youmustmovetowardopportunity.10. Star:Guidance.Somethingthatcannotbedenied.Recognizingyour

connectiontotheuniverse.11. Trees:Growth.Beingawareofwhatisaroundyouandthatitwillaffect

howyougrow.Connectiontonature.12. TwoHalves:Thereismorethanonesidetoeverything.Bothsidesare

equal.13. Unicorn’sHorn:Greatpurityandrarity.Somethingmagical.14. Upside-DownPyramids:Turningtherulesofempireupsidedown.

Creatingyourownsystem,freeofcontrol.15. WindowSurroundedbyFlowers:Anopportunitywithmanyrandom

possibilities.Choosingtoengageinrandomconnection.16. X:Somethingbad.Somethingtobeavoided.17. SymbolsusedinBecomingaChief.

BecomingaChief

becomingachief

impatientlywaitingforalwaysrisinghereachedintotheoceanandbefriendedthecaptainofthesearingsexpandedfromthecenteroutwardifyou’relookingforgodzillaheisintheseaeggsfrom

stones

transformationmasktheexampleonlyhalferasedbetterthannothing

lookinsideseparatefromboundariesthereisnoedgeforpureintentionnohardquestionfortruthnothingstrongerthanthetruthabranchisequaltoawandtoawise

mangive

UniqueStories,FreeFromExpectation

byOrlyAvineri

Abirddoesn’tsingbecauseithasananswer,itsingsbecauseithasasong.—MayaAngelou

Deepinsidemelivesmysoulbird(aHebrewphrase).SheconstantlyremindsmeofmyboundlessnessandIamgladshedoes,becauseItendtoforget.Mysoulbirdismyart.SheismywindowthroughwhichIseefartherthanmyownwordsandworlds,theopeningthroughwhichIfeelmyfreedom,loudly,clearlyandoh-sosweetly.Attimesmysoulbirdfliesoutandbringsbackwithhervisitorstomysoultoeasemycasualloneliness.Mysoulbirdismajestic.Imakeartbywayofvisualjournaling.ItbringsoutthesongsIhave.Idoit

notbecauseIfeeltheneedtoperformbutbecauseIfeeltheneedtocreate,tocreateforthepurposeofconnection.Connectiontomyself,toothersnearandfar,andultimatelytothespaceIoccupy—thephysicalworldIamaminisculepartof.Therearecountlessmagnificentinvisiblelinestyingitalltogether.Myintentionistorecognizeasmanyofthemaspossibleandmakethemvisible.ItisthroughtheprocessofmakingartthatIfeeltheseinvisiblelinesswaying

me,movingme,enliveningme.Idoittofeelthecyclicaleventsthattakeplaceatanygivenmoment,tofeelthatIamasentientbeing.Theactualphysicalprocessconvincesmetimeandagainthatacreativeblockismerelythedarknessfromwhichalllightoriginates.Itisthecrisisfromwhichsurrenderemerges.Surrendersoonbringsabouttruefreedomofrawandhonestexpression.Contradictingelementsofdarkandlight,suchasebbandflow,decayand

bloom,warandpeace,shouldbenotonlywelcomed,butinvitedintoourcreativeprocess.Theyshouldbeallowedtobecomeintegralpartsofajourneyofself-discovery,growthandhealing.Theyremindustofocusonourdeepyearningsnottoproducebuttocreate.Theyremindustobreakthestructuresthatweremeticulouslybuiltbyusandbythosewhocamebeforeus,theforms

thatweremeticulouslybuiltbyusandbythosewhocamebeforeus,theformsthatstifleourspirits.Weareheretounveilwhatwehaveveiledtoolong.Torecallallthereisto

recallfromdeepwithin.Toknowthatallwereallyneedisrighthereinfrontofusandwithinus.Whenwestartcreatingweneedtofirstbecomecompletelyhollowandempty—emptyofwishes,expectations,pre-toldstoriesandchoreographeddances.Weneedtowantabsolutelynothingwhenwesetouttocreate.Resistanceorthewillingnesstofailwilldefinethenatureofourexperience.Ifweacceptallthattobetrue,weshouldbeabletoletgoofanythingwe’ve

previouslycreated,nomatterhowmagnificentwebelieveitis.Todisengageemotionallyfromitandinsteadwelcomewhatcomestobenext.Tobeabletocoverupandstartover.Tostopseeingourcreationsasmonuments.Theyarenot,theyarefragmentsofoursoulsthatwebroughtforth.Allweshouldbeafterisfindingthesongsthatnourishandsupportustonoend,gentlyandsteadily.Thecreativeprocessisonethatblendsourparadoxes.Initwegivevoiceto

whatisobvioustousandtothemysteriousaswell,toourfearandourcourage.Throughitweexpressourtactileandvisceralworlds.It’sastateofself-love,trustandacceptancethatmanifestsinaphysicalact.Thisactdoesnotinvolveourintellectorwhatwecallknowledge.Itsnatureisraw,instinctual,intuitiveandimprovisational.Itmeetsourneedtoliverichandsensuouslives.

Thestoryboardhererepresentseightofthemanyphasesonejournalspreadwentthrough.Eachonepreparedthestageandmaderoomforthenext.Thevisualnarrativewasnottoldherebymebutratheremergedonitsown,facilitatedoraccommodatedbymycreativeprocess.

Atbottomeverymanknowswellenoughthatheisauniquebeing,onlyonceonthisearth;andbynoextraordinarychancewillsuchamarvelouslypicturesquepieceofdiversityinunityasheis,everbeputtogetherasecondtime.—FriedrichNietzsche

TellingMyStory,ATapestryCollaged

byRoxanneEvansStout

Ihavealwayslovedthewaytapestryrugslookastheyage,orhowtheylookwhentheyareoverlappedinaroom,eachsquareorportiontellingadifferentstory.WhenIwasinNewYorkCityafewyearsago,Isawabeautifulrugthat

seemedtobemadeofsquaresfromdifferentrugs.Itwasallsewnandpiecedtogethercreatingbeautifulcolorcombinationsandpatterns.

WhatYouNeedawl

decorativepapers

fabricscraps

mattemedium

needleandwaxedlinen

paintbrushandwater

paperclipsandsmallmementos

ruler

twineorwire

STEP1:WhenIbeganthisproject,IknewthatIwantedtomakeatwo-pagespreadinabook.IfoundthepapersthatIwouldbeusingforthebackgroundandtorethemtothesizethatIwantedsothepurplepagewasalittlelarger.Totearthepaper,usingarulerasaguide,IpaintedtwolinesofwaterdownthelinethatIwantedtotear.ThenIcarefullypulledthepaperoutsotheedgeslookedthesameastheoriginaldeckleedges.IlearnedandmodifiedthismethodfromartistBeeShay.

STEP2:IlaidoutvariouspapersandfabricsthatIwantedtouseinthiscollage.Imovedthemaround,playingwiththedesignuntilitworkedforme.

STEP3:AfterIadheredthepaperswithmattemedium(andwhenitwasdry),Ifoldedthemandpokedfiveholesintothefoldlinewithmyawl.

STEP4:Istitchedthebooktogetherwithaneedleandwaxedlinen,usingamodifiedpamphletstitch.

STEP5:Ithenattachedthesmallerpiecesofartwithpaperclips—atab,asmallbookandametalpiece—allthingsthatIwantedtoaddtothecollage.

STEP6:Ipre-pokedholesandsewedthepiecestothebookpagesusingtwineorwire.ThenIattachedsomesmallbeadsinsomeplaces.

IhadaruginthebackofmymindwhenIcreatedthispiece.Inthepiece,Iamtellingmystory.Iamsharingmyloveforwarmandrichcolors,foroldpatternsandtexturedpapers,forfabricsandmetal,andIamsharingmyloveforthenaturalworld.Aloneeachpieceofthiscollagetellsastory,buttogetherallitspartsbecome

awhole—atapestryofwhoIam.

Exercise

MakingMarks,MakingMeaningSpendsometimethinkingaboutwhatsymbolscouldbemeaningfulforyou.Don’toverthinkit.Asymbolyouchoosetodaymightnotbesoimportanttomorrowormayhaveadifferentmeaningentirelyfromoneday(ormoment!)tothenext.ThesearealltechniquesIusetoloosenupandensureadiverseandinteresting

varietyofmarksinmypaintings.

WhatYouNeedcardboardscraps

fine-mistspraybottleofwater

foamstamps

GoldenFluidAcrylics

Turquoise(Phthalo)(optional)

QuinacridoneBurntOrange(optional)

mark-makingtools(skewers,eyedroppers,etc.)

oilpastels,includingwhite

paintbrushes

paper(drawingorwatercolor)

PersonalStasmpsOneofmyfavoritewaystomakepersonalstampsistousethefoambaseofapizzaormeattray,washedcarefullyandcutupintosmallpieces.Alternatively,youcanalsobuyaproductcalledScratch-Foamatmanyartsupplystores.Drawyoursymbolordesignontothefoamandonceyouarehappywithit,

useyourpentoetchadeeperline,creatingastampthatistotallyyourown,thatcanbeusedmultipletimes!

SymbolJournalStartasymboljournalandspendtimeeachweeksketchingdesignsandimagesyoucomeacross.Askyourself,“Ifthisdesignwastomeansomethingtome,whatcoulditmean?”Don’tgetstuckontryingtocomeupwithsomethingprofoundstraightaway.Recognizethatyouareabeautiful,changeablesoulandasymbolcouldmeansomethingdifferenttoyoutoday,tomorrowornextmonth.

STEP1:Mixupadarkcolor,usingtwoacrylicpaints.IveryrarelyuseblackwhenIpaint,andmyfavoritecombotomakeadarkistomixTurquoise(Phthalo)withQuinacridoneBurntOrange.Youcouldalsomixanydeepblueanddeepred.Alsochoosetwowater-resistantoilpastels,onewhiteandoneinacoloryoulove.Onapieceofpaper(drawingorwatercolor)looselypaintinthetitleofthisproject,“Making

Marks,MakingMeaning.”

STEP2:Paintanddrawyoursymbolsusingavarietyofmark-makingtechniques.Experimentwithabambooskewertomakedelicatemarks(e.g.,thebutterflyandladderyouseehere).Paintswatchesofdarkpaintandscratchintothemsothewhitepapershows,orpaintyour

imageinwhiteoverthetop.Useacoupleofdifferentsizebrushesandplaywiththefollowing:

imageinwhiteoverthetop.Useacoupleofdifferentsizebrushesandplaywiththefollowing:holdingyourbrushloosely,varyingthepressureofbrushonpaperasyoupainttheline,paintingwithyournondominanthandorpaintingwithyoureyesclosed.Drawinsomeofyoursymbolswiththewhiteandthecoloredoilpastels.Don’tbeafraidto

overlapyourimagesandworkfastandloosely.Addinsomewordsthatspeakaboutthemeaningofyoursymbolsandputitasidetodry.

STEP3:Whenthepaintisdry,takethetwocolorsyouusedtocreateyourdark,anddripthemontoyourpaintinginseveralareas.Spraywithafine-mistspraybottletogetthepaintmoving,andmovethepaintaroundwithabrushinsomeareas.Leaveafewplaceswhiteforcontrastandvisualinterest.Thewhiteoilpastelwillresistthewaterypaint,andyoursymbolswillpopthrough!

STEP4:Oncethepaintisdry,usesomestampstoaddsomemorefunsymbols.Usevariationsofthecolorsthatarealreadyinyourpaintingsotheworkiscohesive.Iincludedoneofmyfavoritefeatherstampsandusedpaintsinwhite,BurntOrange,Tealandmypreviouslymixeddarkshade.

STEP5:MakeyourselfasimpleviewfinderusingtwoL-shapedpiecesofcardboard.Movethemaroundthepainting,lookingforinterestingcompositions.Thisisafantasticwaytotrainyoureyetoseewhatworksinyourpaintingsandwhy.Make

visualnotesandtrytounderstandwhyyouinstinctivelyfeelthatacroppedareaworks.Isthereastrongcontrast?Abalanceofshapes?Adiversityofmark?Findseveralareasthatfeelrightandmarkthemwithapencil.

STEP6:Cutoutyourminipaintingsandplaywiththem!Usethesesmallworkstoexploreandexperiment.Youdon’thavetobepreciousaboutit.It’sjustpaper!HereyoucanseeIaddedtwototallynewcolors:QuinacridoneMagentaandGreenGold(with

alittlewhitethrownin).Iskimmedthecolorsaroundmybutterflyandovertheothersymbolsinvariousdegreesofopacity,thenscratchedinanotherladderinthetoprightcorner.Thelittlewhitedots,addedwiththeendofthebambooskewer,andtheladder,helptoleadthe

eyearoundthepainting.Fun!

STEP7:Youcanalsocreatesomestrikingminipaintingsbyglazingonecoloronlyovertheentirework.Intheseexamples,IusedTurquoise(Phthalo)andQuinacridoneMagenta.Youcanusea

glazingmediumorthinapaintdownwithwatertoaconsistencythatallowsallofthelovelyvariationstoshowthrough.

CHAPTERTWOTheSpacesBetween

ListeningtothebrilliantbeautywithinWhyareweallinsuchahurry?Wherearewegoing,whydoweneedtogettheresofastandhowmucharewemissingalongtheway?(IhavetoadmitIgetalittlekickoutofseeingcrazy,impatientdriversovertakemeonlytofindthemselvesrightthereinthelanenexttome,uptheroadabit,stoppedatthenextredlight.)Istartedpaintingattheturnofthemillennium,clumsy,naïvepaintingsof

ideasformedfromourtravelsinMexico.Iwastotallyineptwithacrylics,hadnocluehowtomakethemworkandninetimesoutoftenwouldendupsuper-frustratedatmyinabilitytogetwhatwasinmyheadoutontothecanvas!Irememberseeingotherartists’works—beautiful,layered,energetic

Irememberseeingotherartists’works—beautiful,layered,energeticabstracts,blendedwithrealisticelements—andwouldscrutinizethemendlessly,lookingforsomeclueastohowIcouldmakesuchwondrousthingsappearfromtheendofmybrush.OneNovemberdaywiththemagnificentbottle-brushtreeinblossomanda

latespringbreezeblowing,IfeltaspontaneousrushofcreativeenergyanddraggedthebiggestcanvasIhadevertackledouttothebackgarden.Grabbingabigbrushandashadeofboldlimegreenhousepaint,I

approachedthecanvaslikeJacksonPollock,wrenchingthelidfromthecanofpaintandflingingitscontentsacrossthecanvas.WithmybrushImadedeftstrokesthiswayandthat,lettingmygutguidemeandrevellinginthesploshinganddripping!Then,stridingbackintomystudio,Igrabbedacanofhotpinkspraypaintandletitflyaswell!Thisishowithappens,Ithought!Allyouneedistheconfidencetodowhat

youfeelandthemasterpiecewillappear!

Evenafterallthistime,theSunneversaystotheEarth,“Youoweme.”Lookwhathappenswithalovelikethat.Itlightsthewholesky.—Hafiz

WhenIwasdoneIputdownthespraycan,lookedatmycanvasandinonesecond,myexuberancewasreplacedbyanoverwhelmingfeelingofdepletion,followedquicklybyabarrageofself-doubt.Mycanvaslookedlikecrap!ItwasmanyyearsbeforeItriedanotherabstract.Somesixyearslater,

however,fueledbyknowledgeandexperiencegainedfromthreeyearsofstudyingforafineartsdegreeandmanyhoursspentexploringworkshopsandartists’practicesonlineandinperson,Iwasready!Somanytimesweareattachedtotheendresultinsteadofenjoyingthe

process.Willourartbeliked,salable,popular,published,licensed?Willourart-makingbringuspeace,health,happiness,restoration?Whatvaluecanweplace

onthesethings?I’mlearningtoslowitdown,breatheinthemoment,recognizewhenIneedto

takeabreak,tolieonthegrassandwatchthecloudsorwalkonthewhitesandbeachacrosstheroad.Thingsdon’tgowellwhenIignorethatneed.WhileIwasn’thappywiththeendresultofmypaintingonthatspringdaysix

yearsago,IdoremembertheblissIfeltofcreatinginthemoment.IcanseenowthatIpossessedthepassion;allIwaslackingwasabitofpracticalskill.Withtheinstructionandself-guidedlearningIhavegivenmyselfoverthese

recentyears,Icannowenjoytheprocessnottheendresult!(Mostdays!)Closeyoureyesforamomentandjustlisten.Whatdoyouhear?Birds,cars,

voices,yourbreathing?Listenmoredeeplytotheexclusionofallelse,andyouwillfindyourselfbecomingstill.Listeningcanbeaformofmeditation.Manyofmystudentstellmetheyfind

ithardtomeditate,tofindthatquiet,stillspaceamongsttheplethoraofthoughts(mostofthemonsomecrazyrepeatcycle)racingaroundtheirheads.Whenyoulisteninadeeplyfocusedwaytothesoundsaroundyou,youwillfindyourthoughtsdroppingaway,slowlyallowingyoutofeelmorecentered,moreintheflow,moreinthemoment.Themoreyoucanexperiencethisstillness,themoreyouwillbeabletorecall

thewayitfeelstobeinthisplace.Themoreyoucanrecallthatfeeling,atwill,themoreyouwillbeabletobringthatpeacewithyou,bothwhenyouarelivingyourdailylifeandwhenyouareinyourcreativezone.Themoreyouareinadeepstateofpeacewhileyouarecreating,themorethe

artyoumakewillcomefromaplacethatisatoncemadeupofyourindividualstoriesandconnectedtoaplacefargreaterthanyourself.WhenIreallyfeelthatIhavebeeninthatplaceofquietstillness,Icanstandbackfromapaintingwhenitisfinishedandsay,“Whoa…Wheredidthatcomefrom?”Inhisbook,TheSpelloftheSensuous,ecologistandphilosopherDavid

AbramdescribesanexperienceinwhichheistrappedinacaveinBaliwhenthefirstmonsoonalrainsoftheseasonerupt.Unabletoleaveasthecaveentrance

transformsintotwotumblingwaterfalls,Abrambecomestransfixedbythespidersharingthecavewithhim,rhythmicallyweavingitsweb.Withhisfocusonlyonthespider’screativity,heceasestoevenhearthetorrentsofwaterpouringdownjuststepsaway.Fromthisfocusedintent,thisslowingdownandbeingatonewithwhateveris

aroundus,happeningtousrightnow,Abramsuggestswearetappingintoaformofmagicusedbyindigenoushealersoverthousandsofyears.Inherpoem“TheStillnessandtheWaiting,”aboriginalartistandwriter

Miriam-RoseUngunmerr-Baumannspeaksoftheconceptofdeeplistening:“Ouraboriginalculturehastaughtustobestillandwait.Wedonottryto

hurrythingsup.Weletthemfollowtheirnaturalcourse—liketheseasons.”Itwasimportanttotheaboriginalpeopletopracticedeeplistening,asthiswas

thewayinwhichtheirDreamingStorieswerepassedfromgenerationtogeneration,throughmusic,danceandceremony.Thestoriesandspiritswerealsowithinthelandscape,connectedtoeachpersonthroughthelineageofdistinctsonglines.Thesesonglinescouldbetracedoverfortythousandyearsofhabitationinthisvastcountryandencompassedlaw,cultureandspiritualityinaliving,interconnectedweb.

Foraday,forjustoneday,TalkaboutthatwhichdisturbsnooneAndbringsomepeace,myfriendintoyourbeautifuleyes.—Hafiz

Itwasincrediblyimportanttoreallylisten,tobeintheflow,tobeconnectedtothewisdomofpast,presentandfuture.Miriam-RosespeaksofdeeplisteningasbeingagiftfromtheaboriginalpeopletoallAustralians.Iwouldliketoseeitspreadoutasagifttotheentireplanet,acallforcenterednessandconnectioninaworldthatissorelyinneedofsuchhealing.

aworldthatissorelyinneedofsuchhealing.Somanyofustrytofilleverysecondwithnoiseorclutterorthoughtsthat

clammertobespokenevenbeforewehavefinishedourlastsentenceofbeforewehavereallylistenedtotheonespeakingtous.Tappingintothestillnessor“gettingintothegap,”asauthorandinspirational

speakerWayneDyercallsit,allowsustoenterthemagicalspacewherepossibilitylivesandourmostbeautiful,creativeideascanflowthroughus.Whenyouslowdownenoughtoregularlyexperiencethisflow,youwillfind

thatserendipitousmomentsbegintohappenmoreoften,andyourintuitionleadsyoutothepeopleandplacesyouneedtoconnectwith.It’swonderfultodreambigbutit’salsoeasytogetaheadofourselves.

Creativepeopleareoftenbuzzingwithideas,jumpingaheadofthemselveswithexcitementoveranepiphany,onlytowishlaterthattheyhadsloweddownalittle,thoughtthingsthroughorwaitedfortherightopportunitytolettheirideabloom.Sometimesourbrilliantideasarelikelittleroughstonesandweneedtopolish

themforawhiletoseethefieryopalinside.IknowaboutthiskindofimpatiencebecauseI’velivedit—manytimes.MaybeIraGlasssaysitbest:“Forthefirstcoupleyearsyoumakestuff,it’sjustnotthatgood…Weknow

ourworkdoesn’thavethisspecialthingthatwewantittohave.Weallgothroughthis…It’sgonnatakeawhile.It’snormaltotakeawhile.”Patience,grasshopper,patience.Ifeelyourcreativeyearnings,dearreader.I

feeltheminmyheart.It’sallaboutthetiming.Keeppaintingandlearningandpaintingandlearningandpaintingandlearning.Cultivatethestillnesswithinandknowthatit’sallpossible.Yourseasonwillcome.

PersonalNarrative

byJulietteCrane

I’velearnedtogetoutofmyownwaywheneverIcreate.Thisallowsthetruebeautyintheprocesstocomeforth,andtoknowthatit’snotalwaysabouttryingtocreatesomethingspecificonagiventimeline.Followingmyinstinctsandallowingthingstoemergeinunexpectedwaysrevealsthestoryinmyheart.AfewyearsagoIwroteathree-hundred-pagemanuscriptaboutagirlwho

couldjumpintoherdrawings.Iwasn’tpaintingatthetime.Ihadn’tpaintedinyears.Allofmyartworkhadendedupinthebasement.Ididn’tseeanypointinpaintinganymoreandlockedawaythatpartofmyself.YetIhadtocreatesomething,soIstartedwritingmynovel.Iwasoneoffourteenwritersacceptedintoasix-weekwritingworkshopon

theEastCoast.IevenflewouttoWashingtonD.C.tomeetwithmyliteraryagent.ButthenIstoppedwriting.Mycreativespiritwasstuntedfromallofthewritingcritiquesand

constructivecriticism.Ihadbeenconvincedthatbecausemyvoicewasdifferent,itwasn’tright.SoI’dwrittenanovelthatboxedmyimaginationintofitastorythathadalreadybeentoldratherthanlettingmyownuniquestrengthsflowfree.Iwasn’treadytosharemystory.Togetmyspiritback,IreturnedtowhatIlovedasachild:paintinginmy

backyard.Idraggedoutallofmyoldartsuppliesandspreadeverythingonablanketinthegrass.IstillhadtheredplasticlunchboxfilledwithmyCrayolacrayons.IboughtgiantMasoniteboardssuchastheonesIhadlovedpaintingonincollege.AndIplayed.That’swhatstartedallofmywhimsicalpaintingsandblossomedintoa

That’swhatstartedallofmywhimsicalpaintingsandblossomedintoabusinessIlove.Ayearlater,afterI’dbeenpaintinglotsofowlsandgirls,Ifeltparalyzedwithmyartwork.Togetunstuck,IagainwentbacktosomethingIlovedasachild:chalkdrawing.Itookmyboxofneonjumbosticksanddrew,sketchinglittlecharactersonthebikepath,sidewalksandourbackyardpatio.Ifellinlovewithonecharacterwithabighead,boxybodyandlittlewings

andfeet.Butmymindimmediatelythoughtitlookedtoogoofytobeapainting.WhenIsawthatsamegoofycharacterintheIndiainksplattersofoneofmybackgrounds,Icompletelyresistedit.Afterafewfailedattemptstomakethecharacterintosomethingelse,Iwentwithmyfirstinstinct.ImovedtheeyeshigheruponthefaceanddefinedalongnosewhereIsaw

theminmybackground.Ifoundvintagewallpaperinmypapercollectionandaddedittothewings.IdefinedthehairandbodywithblackIndiaink.ThenIaddedmytopcoatandabeautifulmistakedefinedthebody.WhenIbrushedtheModPodgeoverthearttissuepaperI’dusedinmy

background,thecolorbledanddespiteloadsoflayersofacrylicpaint,oilpastelsandink,thebrightpapershowedthroughandmadethecharacterlookluminous.ItwasthenIrealized,I’dpaintedacharacterfrommynovel.I’dpaintedSnooteroftheBackwoods,oneofthecharactersmyprotagonistis

toldnevertotalktoortrust.OnceIpaintedoneSnooter,Icouldn’tstop.Ifellinlovewitheachoneandtheiruniquepersonalities.SeeingeachoftheseSnootersinmypaintingsremindedmetogetbackto

writingmynovel.Afterfouryearsofsettingitaside,mypaintingshelpedmeknowthecharactersandgaveanewdepthtothestoryinwaysInevercouldhaveplanned.IknewthenthattheseSnootersneededtoplaybiggerroles.Theymayevenleadmetowriteasecondbook.Eitherway,Iamexcitedtoseejustwheremycreativitytakesme.

TheStillnessofWaiting

byJudyWise

WhenTracygavemethesubjectformypainting,Iwasdeepinthestillnessofwaitingmyself.Allmycreativityfeltshutdown,thewellofjoyrundry.Iwrotethisinmyjournal:HowdoIhelpothersthroughthisdarkpassagebeyondadvisingthemtowait

andstayexpectant?Todootherthings(cleanthestudio,journal,cook,visitotherartistsinpersonoronline)andtosurviveanywayyoucanuntilthemusereturns.Notworkingispainfulforanyartist.Maybeithelpstoknowthatithappenstoallofusattimes.Wefindourselves

feelinguninspired,maybeevendepressedandoutofsorts.Sowecurlupandwait.Wefillourhourswithcompassionforourselvesand

practicebeinggentlewithintheprocess.Wereassureourselvesthatitalwayspasses.Mystrategyissurrenderandacceptance.Ihave,overtheyears,developedanunshakablefaithinthecyclesofabundanceandrenewal.

Exercise

SacredTransformationPaintingBeforeyoustartthisexercise,putatimeronfortwentyminutesandspendthetimereflectingonthethingsthatmakeyouuniquelyyou.Getyourthoughtsdownonapieceofpaperorinajournal.Trynottothinktoomuch,justkeepyourhandmovingandyourpenwriting.Ifyougetstuck,writedownthewordsIamandseewhatcomes.Whenyou

havefinished,lookoverwhatyouhavewrittenandhighlightsomewordsorsentencesthatreallyencapsulatetheessenceofwhoyouare.Youmightalsoliketolightacandleorsomeincenseorplaysomesoftmusic

duringthisexercise.

WhatYouNeed12"×12"(30cm×30cm)canvas

acrylicartistsinks,eitherawarmorcoolpalette(Ichosewarms:pinks,reds,oranges)

acrylicpaints,yourfavoritecolors,includingwhite

bambooskewer

fine-mistspraybottleofwater

gesso

inkdropper

oilpastels:white,silver,oneothercolor

papertowel

smallbrushes,2

STEP1:BeginwiththedarkshadeofacrylicpaintyoumixedforyoursymbolsintheexercisefromChapterOne.Verylooselypaintacrosstheentiresurfaceofyourcanvasthewordsandsentencesyoujotteddown.Forgetaboutperfection,justpaintaway.

STEP2:Thenwithapapertowel,wipeawaytheexcesspainttogetreadyforthenextstep.YESitlooksmessyandYESthat’sOK!Sometimeslifeismessyandthatincludestherealus!

STEP3:Usingsomegessothinneddownwithwater,paintalayeracrosstheentirecanvas.Thiswillmakethewordsappeartobepushedback,butstillbevisible.

STEP4:Usingacoloredoilpastelandstartingfromtheoutsideofthecanvasdrawaspiral,movinginward.Drawitslowlyanddeliberatelywithanintentionofcomingintoyourcenter,tothetruthofwhoyouare.Repeatthespiralwithawhitelinenexttothecoloredandthenaddapatternoverthetopwiththesilverpastel.Thinkofitasapersonalmandalaspiralingintowardyourauthenticcore.

HereisamoreclearrepresentationofthedesignIusedovermywriting.Feelfreetocreateyourownpatternswithinyourspiral,usingmarksthatspeaktoyou.

STEP5:Usingfourorfiveharmoniouscolors(colorsthatareclosetogetheronthecolorwheel)pluswhite,useyourthumborfingertomixdifferentcolorsandapplyyouruniquesacredmarktoyourcanvas,repeatedlyandslowly,contemplatingthemiracleofyouandfollowingthespiralfromtheedgeofthecanvasinward.

STEP6:Andthen...justsowedon’tgetallcaughtupinperfectionagain,giveeachquadrantasprayortwoandletthosemarksloosenupanddripintoeachother.Remember,eachmoveisacontemplation.Workslowlyanddon’toverdoit.

STEP7:Usingyourdarkcolor,painttheoutlineofabutterflyoranalternativesymbolthatspeakstoyou.Useapencilfirstifyoulike.

STEP8:Waterdownalittleofthedarkacrylicandpaintthebodyofthebutterflysoyoucanstillseethroughtothepatternsbeneathinsomeareas.Usingthecolorsonyourpaletteandwhite,roughlypaintintheareaaroundthebutterfly,usingboldandexpressivestrokes—transformationisexcitingstuff!Allowthecolorstomeetandblendonthecanvas!Youcouldchoosetofinishyourpaintinghereor...

STEP9:YoumightliketointroduceanentirelyNEWcolor!HereIusedTurquoise(Phthalo)thatmadeuphalfofmydark,mixeditwithalittlewhiteandfilledinthetipsofthewings.IalsousedalittlePhthalothinneddownwithwatertoglazeacrossasectionofthebottomwings(towardthebody)anddidthesamewithQuinacridoneMagentainthetopwings.

STEP10:Inkscanaddabeautifullayeracrossthetopofacrylics,eitherdroppedonandsprayedwithwaterforatransparentglazeortocreateintricatedesignsasIamdoinghere.Usetheinkdroppertodrawyourmaindesigns,andthenplaywithabambooskewertopulltheinkawayinmoredetailedpatterns.Ihaveusedsilverinkinthetopwingsandarose-coloredmetalliconthebottom.

STEP11:IaddedinsomemoredesignswithwhiteinkandmyfavouritecolorFlameOrange,andmySacredTransformationpaintingisdone!

Thankstoimpermanence,everythingispossible.—ThichNhatHanh

CHAPTERTHREE:LoosenUp,LightenUp

Breakingfreeofourcomfortzonesandself-imposedrestrictions

MayIsuggestsomethingoutrageous?SomethingthatmayseemtobearidiculousideainthisworldofschedulesandtrafficandterroristsandhighcholesterolandADHD,politicalcorrectness,GMfoodsandpharmaceuticaladsforeveryailmentunderthesun?

foreveryailmentunderthesun?MayIsuggestthatweareonthevergeofagreatremembering,ayearningfor

somethingsodeepandsonecessarythatitisthenumber-onethingstudentssaytomewhentheycometopaintatmyworkshops?MayIsuggestthatwearewoundsotightlyinourcollectivestrivingfor

acceptanceandbelongingandattainmentandrecognitionthatwehavealmostforgottenhowtorelax,howtoplay,howtolaugh,howtobesilly?“Iwanttoloosenup,”theytellme,oneaftertheother,whiletheothersinthe

groupnodtheirheadsinunderstandingandempathy.“Iwanttofeelmorefree,lessrestricted.”Itdidn’ttakelongformetorealizethatIwasinthegameofteachingself-

acceptance,tobreathethroughself-criticismandtoreleasetheneedtocompareourselvestoothers,farmorethanIwasteachingpeoplehowtoblendcolorsandapplypaintindiverseways.Iwasteachingthemtoloosenupandlightenup.Atwhatagedowebegintocensorourselves?Littlebylittle,bitbybit,wefall

intothetrapofcomparingourselvestothosearoundus,vyingforattention,competingforlove,adaptingourbehaviortoattainthegreatestshareofboth.

Freedomisnotgiventousbyanyone;wehavetocultivateitourselves.Itisadailypractice.—ThichNhatHanh

WildAbandonNotlongago,mysisterandherfamilycametostay.Ithadbeenseveralyearsbetweenvisits(Australiaisabigcountryandwearespreadoutalloverit).ForthefirsttimeIgottoholdmycutelittlenephew,Andre,allexpressiveeyesandcoyglances,pudgycheeksandCupid’sbow,pucker-upmouth.HisfacelitupwhenIaskedifhewouldliketodraw.AttwoyearsoldIthoughtitmightkeephimbusyforafewminutes.PickingupthenearestthingIcouldfindinmystudio,Ibroughtinalarge

sketchbookandasetofpencils,neveranticipatingthewhirlingdervishofcreativefirethatwouldemergenext.Smallchubbyhandsgrippedthepencilswithpassionandfervor,attackingthepagewithcolorandsprawlingline,totallyimmersedinthedoing.Atsomepointthedrawingwouldbedeemedfinishedandwithbarelyaglance

atwhathehadcreated,atotalnonexistenceofself-judgment(hmmm,shouldIreallyhaveputthatpurplerighttherenexttotheorange?).Hewasontothenextpage,racingthroughthatentiresketchbookwithanintensityandjoythatIhaverarelyencountered.Totallyinthemoment,sprawledoutonthepatternedgreenandredNavajo

ruginouradobe-walledloungeroom,hisfacecloseenoughtoeatthepage,sometimeswithtwopencilsgrippedtightlyinonehand.Hislittlearmsmovingwithdeliberateintention,spreadingrainbowsacrossthewaitingwhiteexpanse.Whenwasthelasttimeyouallowedyourselftofeelsuchabandon,toskip

alongthebeachorplayontheswingsofthelocalpark?Whatwouldtheworldlooklikeifwestoppedworryingaboutwhatwearesupposedtodo,stoppedthinkingaboutappearancesandallowedourselvestoexperiencemomentsofplay,sillinessandabandonment?AndifyouthinkforamomentIhaveitdownpat,thinkagain!I’mthegirl

whowassodesperateforacceptanceandapprovalmostofmylifethattenyearsintoourmarriageIwouldstillcasuallyleavethevacuumoutinthehallway

intoourmarriageIwouldstillcasuallyleavethevacuumoutinthehallwayseekingapprovalandvalidationwhenMarcoarrivedhomefromwork!EvenwhileIsitheretodaywritingnotesforthischapteronlaughterand

looseningup,Iamcompetingwithanoisyandincessantinnerdialogue,whichgoessomethinglikethis:Youcan’tsaythat!Whatareyourcredentials?Youneedtogogetsomefactsandfigurestobackthatup!Whoareyoutowriteabook?You’renoPattiDigh/AnneLamott/insertbest-

sellingauthorhere.Really,peoplearegoingtothinkyou’refrivolous,makinglightofthethings

thatareseriousintheirlives!Blahdity,blahdity,blah…Looseninguprequiresawillingnessonourpart,adailypracticethatfirst

beginswithbeinggentletoourselves.Thinkaboutthewaysthatyouarekindtothepeoplearoundyou,compassionatetothemistakesofothers,encouragingandwillingtoseethebeautyintheunfoldingpracticeofafriend.Canyoubegintotreatyourselfaswellasyoudoothers?Whenweallowourselvestheprivilegeofunwinding,ofsofteningintoself-

compassionandimperfection,wealsobegintofeellighter,tolaughmoreandtoappreciatehowwonderfulitistomakeregularexcursionsintosilliness.

TheSublimeandtheRidiculousImaybebiasedbutItrulybelieveweliveinoneofthemostbeautifulplacesontheplanet,juststepsawayfrompristineturquoisewatersandwhite,whitesands.JervisBayissurroundedbyastateforestand,fartherinland,rollinggreenhills,whichgivewaytotherockyescarpmentsofthehighlands.Thelandaroundusislushandproductivewithanabundanceofdairy,wine,strawberryandveggiefarms.Thesky,moreoftenthannot,isaclearazureblue,punctuatedhereandtherebywispsofcloudsandflocksofcockatoos.Acoupleofyearsago,ononesuchperfectdayinparadise,SiennaandIwere

headedhomeafterindulginginagirlydayofshoppingatthenearestlargemall(aboutanhourawayfromourhome).Atfourteenshehadjustbeguntoenterthateye-rolling,mother-disparagingstageofteenagehood.HavingsurvivedthesameperiodwithoureldestdaughterSantana,Iwasholdingontothesmallmomentsofchildhood-mother-adoringloveasIwatchedthemdisappearalittlemoreeachday.IfearedIwasinimminentdanger(forthesecondtime)ofbecomingSheWho

KnowsNothingWorthHearingAbout,theformerlylovedandadoredmamawhosemeaningfuladviceandmotherlywordsofwisdomwerenow,moreoftenthannot,greetedwithdisdainorasullenglareorworsestill,silence,nothavingbeenheardatallbythosesassyearsfilledwithheadphonesandmusicandhormonalrighteousness!Inthatmoment,however,theairwaslightastheverdantKiamacountryside

whizzedbyus,rollinghillsofemeraldononesideandadeepblueoceanstretchingtothehorizonontheother.Wechattedsporadicallyaboutschoolandlifeandournewclothes.Ifeltabubbleofjoyinmycenterandloveandcontentmentinmyheart.Outofthecornerofmyeye,Itookinthepatchworkcows,someslumbering

beneaththesprawlingfigs,whichhavestoodwatchherefarlongerthanI,othersnonchalantlystanding,nibblingatthegreenerybelowthem,willywagtails

nonchalantlystanding,nibblingatthegreenerybelowthem,willywagtailsperchedcockilyontheirbacks.Igiggledandsurprisedmyselfwithalowandbellowingmooo.Itwasarisk

yousee,itcouldhavegoneeitherwaywithMissNewlyBecomeCoolTeen.Sheglancedatmewithasidewayssmile,partedherlipsandletoutherownmooooototopmine,slightlylouder,slightlylonger,slightlymoredramatic.Icounteredwithasoundthatcamefromdeepwithinmybellyandtickledmy

lipsasthevibrationofmmmmmpassedbetweenthem.WithaglintinhereyeSiennagavebackasgoodasshegotandforthenextfiveminutesthecarwasfilledwiththesoundsoftwocompetitive,overbearing,baleful,constipatedcowsinterspersedwithfitsofbellylaughsandgiggles.Weslidintosillinessandhilaritywiththeeaseandfinesseoftwosix-year-

olds,andwhenitwasoverweponderedthethoughtsofthepeoplewhohadovertakenus,catchingusmid-moo,alookofsurpriseorbafflementfrozentotheirseriousfaces.Wedroveoninsilence,buthappy,ourmomentoflightheartedsilliness

remindingusthatwitheachotherwearesafetobewhoeverwewanttobe.Thatnotonlyisitsafetoabandonourselvestotheridiculous,itisnecessaryforthesoultoflourish.Howoftendoyouallowyourselfthefreedomtobesillyandwithwhomdo

youfeelsafetoplay?Or...doyouplayitsafetoooften?

TriptheWireWon’tyouchoseasilvertrail,likeabutterflyintheairWell,it’slikeinvisibleink,onadelicatesheetItcanmakeyouthink...(LyricsbyTracyVerdugo.Gotoyoutube.com/watch?v=husjUeBk7uUtohearthissong.)

TechniquetoFreeYourCreativeSpirit

bye’LayneKoenigsbergThisexerciseiseffectivebecausetheamountofmaterialsusedisminimal.Thismeanstherearenotsomanydecisionstomake,freeingyoutojustplayandexperimentandhavenoattachmenttotheendresult.

WhatYouNeed10"×10"(25cm×25cm)orsoMasoniteorplywoodboard

#4softpencil

decoupagemedium

fluidacrylicpaint,afewcolorsincludingwhiteandBurntUmber

lasercopier

oldcreditcard

paintbrush

photo(instructionsbelow)

sandpaper(optional)

variousscrapbookpapers

STEP1:Takeawalkandsnapapictureofsomethingyoufindinspiring,oruseaphotoyoualreadyhavethatyoulove.

STEP2:Makea4"×6"(10cm×15cm)laserprintofthephoto.

STEP3:Putonmusicthatrepresentsatimeinyourlifewhenyoufeltreallyhappyandcreative.

STEP4:Painttheboardanycolor(s)andletdry.

STEP5:Sandtheedgesoranypartofthesurface.

STEP6:Tearupscrapbookpapers,mapsordictionarypagesanddecideplacementforthemrandomlyontheboard.Ifsomeoverlap,thatisfine.

STEP7:Adherethepaperswithagenerousamountofdecoupagemedium,bothunderneaththepapersaswellasoverthetop.Useacreditcard(oryourfingers)togetoutallairbubbles.

STEP8:Continuethisprocessuntilyouhaveallyourpapersglueddownandletitalldry.

STEP9:Nextadhereyourphotothesamewayyoudidthepaper.

STEP10:Nowthefunbegins.Youcanpaintoversomeofthepapersandletotherpartspeekout;youcanmakeawashwithBurntUmbertotonedownthelook;youcanpencilincirclesorscallopededges;putinwordsorsayings;dippaintbottlelidsinpainttomakecircles.Atthispointifyourart“tellsyou”toaddanythingfromyourstudio—apieceofdriftwood,bottlecaps,abutton—doit.Letyourwildchildplay!

Exercise

OutsidetheSquare!ThegridisarepresentationoftheWesternwayofthinking,whereeverythinghastobe“justso,”rigidandcompartmentalized.Inthisartworkwearegoingtoembarkonthebeginningofajourneytoletgoofthisrigidstructureandstepbravelybuttentativelyintotheunknown.Almostassoonaswecreatetheseboxes,wearegoingto“gooutsidethelines”andescapethem!

WhatYouNeed12"×12"(30cm×30cm)plywoodboardorcanvas

acrylicpaints,favoritecolorsincludingTitaniumWhite,MetallicGoldandRawUmber

collageglueorgelmedium

collagepapers(text,scrapbookpapers,magazineimages)

disposablegloves(optional)

paintbrush

pencil

ruler

stencils/stamps

watercolorpencils(optional)

STEP1:Drawupagridoftwenty-fiveequalboxesonyourboard.Onapieceoftextthatspeakstoyou,lightlysketchanimageyoufeelalignedwith.Youcanuse

oneofyoursymbolsorsomethinginyourenvironmentthatspeakstoyou.IusedaDerwent

oneofyoursymbolsorsomethinginyourenvironmentthatspeakstoyou.IusedaDerwentwatercolorpenciltosketchwithsoitwouldblendineasilyonceIbeganaddingpaint.

STEP2:MixupawashusingTitaniumWhiteacrylicandwater.Brushlightlyinandaroundyourdesign.Watchforserendipitousmomentswheneveryouarepainting.AsIfilledinthewhite,the

wordsjoyandfliespoppedoutatmeintheheartareaofthebird.Love!Idecidedtoleavethemvisible.Thesewonderfuloccurrenceswillhappenmoreandmoreasyoufeelyourselfintheflowand

theywilloftendirectthenextstepofapainting.Addinadarktoneinacoupleofareas,too.

STEP3:Gatheryourcollageelementstogetherandbegintothinkaboutacolorpalette.Trytolimititalittlesoyoudon’tgetoverwhelmedwithpossibilities.Idecideduponsoftgreensandmagentaswithahintofaquaandgold.Movethemaroundtheboard,tryingoutdifferentplacementsuntilyouarehappywiththelayout.Thereisnoneedtostayintheboxes.Rememberwearebreakingout!Overlapsomeelementsandalsothinkaboutrepetitivethemestoconnecttheelementsofyourpainting.Ihaveseveralimagesandpatternsthatlinkbacktothemainbirdsymbol.Canyoufindthem?

Gluetheimagesinplaceusingcollageglueorgelmedium.Addathinlayerofglueoverthetop.Don’tworryaboutsmallcreasesandbubbles.Theseaddcharacterandwearemovingawayfromaneedforperfection.

STEP4:WithathinbrushandsomeRawUmberpaint,roughlypaintinthegridlinesthatarestillvisible.Thereshouldnowbeaninterestingbalancebetweenstructureandamoreplayfulplacementofyourcollagedelements.

STEP5:PlacethepaintsyouhavedecidedupononyourpalettealongwithsomewhiteandsomeRawUmber.Ipersonallyavoidusingblacktomixdarkcolors,butyoushouldexperimenttoseewhatappealstoyouwhenmixingcolors.Begintofillinareaswithyourpaints,looselyandintuitively.Placingdarkercolorsagainstlights

willaddapleasingcontrast.Don’tbeafraidtobemessyanddefinitelygooutsidethelines!Youmaywanttocoversomecollagepiecesupandleavesomepeekingthrough.

STEP6:Addastencileddesigntocreatemoretextureandsurprise,andrepeatthedesigninanotherspot.Usingoneofyourownpersonalfoamstamps,continuetolayerinmorecolor,scratching

throughsomeofthelayerswithdesignsandsymbolstoshowthecolorsunderneath.Pushsomeofthecolorsaroundwithyourfingers(disposableglovesareoptional)andwatchwhathappenswhenthecolorsmingle.Trytomaintainanattitudeofcuriosityandwonderandstayawareofthosemomentswhenyouareabouttoslideintopanicorcriticalmode.

STEP7:Lookforwaystoconnectareas,forexample,theturquoisepaintonthetopleft,lightlysmearedovertheRawUmbertoalmostmeetthecollagedblueflowerelement.OrthetinybluedotsIpaintedinfromtheneckofthebirduptothesquarepieceofcollagedpaper,whichcarriesthesamedesign.

STEP8:Continuetofindwaystorefinethecolorplacementandaddcohesiontoyourpainting.HereIaddedsomemagentaandturquoisetonestoseveralareasincludingthebird,afeatherstamp(morerepetition)anddotstoconnectthefeathertothedreamcatcheraboveandanchorthepaintingbelow.

STEP9:AfewMetallicGoldhighlightsforabitofoomphandanaddedbutterflysymbolinthedarkareatotheleftandit’stimetosayDone!

CHAPTERFOURDimensionalLanguage

ThereisaquotebyAnaïsNinthatIlove,whichtalksaboutthesolitudeofadreamandthepossibilityofpleasure.Ipaintedthispaintingwhileslowlyreadingthequoteoutloud,feelingthe

emotionofeachlineandpaintingaresponseuntilthepaintingwasfinished.

Sharpeningyoursensestoperceivetheworldaroundyou

SometimesapassageinabookIamreadingissobeautiful,Icouldrollthewordsaroundonmytongueandalmosttastethem,savoringthepleasureoftheimagestheypaint,notwantingtomoveonfromtheirevocativelushness.Sometimesthecolorsandemotioninapaintingreachouttomewithsuch

succulenceIamtransported,andmyimaginationawakenstoathousandnewpossibilities.Sometimesasongcanbreakopenmyheart,pullingdownthebarriersIhave

erectedtoprotectmefromfeelingtoomuch,andinthisreleasenewmarksandexpressionareabletopourforthontomyowncanvas.Wearesensorycreaturesandthereismuchbeyondthefivephysicalsenses.Inthesemomentsofconnection,thisinterminglingofthesenses,somethingis

bornthatiscompletelyunique,somethingprimalandnew,captivatingandfresh.Worksinspiredbyacollisionofthesenses,ofthebodyandtheheartandeverythingbeyond,outsidethelogicalboundariesofthemind,yieldabeautifulresult.

Wediecontainingarichnessofloversandtribes,tasteswehaveswallowed,bodieswehaveplungedintoandswumupasifriversofwisdom,characterswehaveclimbedintoasiftrees,fearswehavehiddeninasifcaves.—MichaelOndaatje

EachOurOwnLanguageDuringtheyearsIspentworkinginspecialed,IhadtheprivilegetobewithagroupofawesometeenageboysdiagnosedwithAsperger’ssyndrome.EquallywonderfulwasthefactthatthetwomainteachersIworkedalongside,Mr.JonesandMr.Lee,wereempathic,progressive,innovativeandtotallycommittedtotheboys.Oftenwewouldtalkwiththemabouthowtheirbrainsprocessedtheworlddifferentlythantheneurotypical—notbetter,notworse,justdifferently.Sometimeswestudiedotherconditionstobetterunderstandthemultitudeofdifferentandamazingbrainsthatexistamongpeopleingeneral.Oneofthesethatreallycaughtmymindandimaginationwasthatof

synaesthesia,afascinatingcondition.Insimpleterms,itisbestdescribedasaminglingorunionofthesensesinwhichtwoormoreofthefivesensesthatweusuallyexperienceontheirownaremergedinvoluntarilyandautomatically.Soundsorwordscanbelinkedwithcertaincolorsortastes.Musicalnotescanconjureuplettersornumbers.Anapplecouldhaveafeelingofpurpleoryellowwhentouched.Infact,anyofthesensescouldblendinanycombinationwithoutanythoughtordirectionfromthepersonexperiencingthem.Manysynaesthetesarehighlycreativeandmanycouldnotimaginetheirliveswithouttheirunusualsensoryperception.SometimesIwonderifthismightbepartofhumanevolution.Perhapsweare

allheadingtowardanopeningandblendingofthesenses,atimeofgreatercreativeexplorationandconnection.

MixingItUptoStimulateCreativeThinkingOneofmyfavoritegamesIusedtoplayinmykids’artclasseswasatwistontheAustralianshowTheNewInventors.InmyclassIplayedthehostandintroducedeach“inventor”tocomeshowcasetheirnewinvention.Icalledoutthenameofeachstudentinrandomorder,andtheideawasforeachchildtoquicklychooseanitemfromsomewhereintheroomwhentheywereintroduced

tothe“stage”andimprovisewhileannouncingtheirnewinvention.Theskitswerehilarious!Anemptycardboardrollbecameaninstantteleporteressentialforeveryhouseholdforeasyinterplanetarytravel!Ajarofgluebecamethenewestinhairgeltechnologyguaranteedtoholdyourstylefordaysorweeks!AredbucketcouldbethelatestinhautecoutureheadwearfromtheParisfashionrunways.Sometimesthenextstudentwouldgrabthepropfromthelastinventorandreinventitintosomethingcompletelynew!Thefreshassociationswereendlesslycleverandentertainingandalwaysgotusinthemoodforsomegreatcreativeoutpourings!

TheLanguageofNatureNatureitselfisoneofmybiggestinspirations,andItrytopayattentiontothenuancesoftheunseenworldwithinit,themysteriesofarealitythatliesbeyondourbasichumansenses.WalkingalongthebeachonedaywithMarcoandthegirls,wemarveledat

thelow-tidehieroglyphicsofthetinyclamsmovinginthewetsand,thiswayandthat,incirclesandjaggedlines,glidingsmoothlyforwardthenabruptlychangingdirection,incisingthesandandleavingdeepindentations.

Musingaboutlanguage,creaturesandourhumanassumptionthatwearethehighestorderontheplanet,wewonderedoutloudiftherewasperhapssomeformofcommunicationinherentintheirmovement,sosimilardothemarkslooktohumanformsofwriting.Wouldn’titbefunny,Iwondered,iftheywereactuallytryingtocommunicatewithusbutweweren’tadvancedenoughtounderstandthem?Movingforwardjustacouplemoresteps,wewerestoppedinourtracks,

astoundedtoseeinthesandatourfeetthreeperfectlyformedletters:

IC

U

Inmygarden,onebalmysummer’sday,Ibecameawareofabutterflyflittingaroundme.Itwouldcircleme,thenflyawayabit,thencomebackandcirclemeagain,eachtimeflyingoffinthesamedirectionbeforereturning.InclinedasIamtotalktobutterfliesandothersentientcreatures,Iaskedifitwastryingtotellmesomething.Itcontinueditspatternofcirclingandflyingawaytowardthebackofthegarden,andIbegantomoveinthedirectionitwasheading.ItseemedhappythatIhadnoticedandledmetoalargespiderwebabouttwentyfeetaway,outofsight,behindtheteatreeandbottlebrushtrees.Inthespiderwebanotherbutterflyhadjustbecomeentangledbutwasstillflappingitswingstryingtoescape.Luckilyitwasbarelycaught.Ihelpeditonitswayandthepairflewofftogetheroutofsight.

MingleYourSensesHerearesomeadditionalwaystogrowyourcreativeoriginalityandallowyoursensestointermingletocreatenewandoriginalideas.

Listentomusicwhileyoupaintandallowyourselftoflowwiththerhythmandemotion,makingmarkstomatchyourfeelingswithnothoughttooutcome.Holdanimageinyourmind—awoman,anelephant,atree,abridge—andwithyoureyescloseddrawaseriesoftheseonpaperwithafelt-tipmarker.Don’tpeekanddon’tworryabouthowtheylookwhenyouopenyoureyes.Collectimagesandphotosthatreallyspeaktoyouandcreateahaikuforeachone.Getoutsomepaintsandacanvasandreadyourselfafavoritepoem,stoppingaftereachlinetopaintthefeelingthatcomestoyou,reachingintuitivelyforthecolorsandtoolstoexpressthatfeeling.Keepbuildingupthese“feeling”paintings,overlappingoneontoanotheruntilyourpoempaintingiscomplete.Payattentiontonature.Talktoyourplants.Listentothewind.Withasenseofwonder,observesmallcreatures.Exploreothercultureswithanopenmind.Suspendyourbeliefsystemsforamomentandlookwiththemindofananthropologist.Createhappyfacesandrainbowswiththefoodservedonyourdinnerplatesevenifyourkidsareallgrownup.Lieontheearthwithyourhandsandfeetbare,andlistentothesoundsaroundyou.Makepaint-blotpapersfromtheleftoverpaintonyourpaletteandfindcreatureswithinthepaintshapes.

TexturesoftheHeartandSenses

Onapieceofpaper,drawupagrid.Youcanuseanynumberofsquares.Usingyourimagination,collectadiversearrayofitemswithdifferenttexturalqualities,cuttosize,andglueeachiteminsideasquare.Texturecanrelatetooursensesofsightandtouchbutequallytoourheart-centeredsenses,evokingmemoriesandassociations.InmygridIincludedwool,chiliseeds,lace,vintagewallpaper,film,smalltwigs,sprinkles,anoldkitchensponge,wiremesh,aluminiumfoil,adeadleaf,shellac,fabricandfeathers.Onaseparatepieceofpapergrabapenandengageinsomefreeassociation.Lookingatthecontentsofeachsquare,writedownwhatevercomestomindthatyoufeelorassociatewiththeiteminthesquare.Formethekitchenspongeevokedthefollowingwords:sanitary,home,cleanslate,clarity,dust-free,porous;whilethesprinklesconjuredup:childhood,sweetness,party,friends,anticipate,belonging;andthewiremeshbroughttomind:trapped,barrier,rigid,unspoken,fear,withheld.Thisexercisenotonlyallowsustobetterunderstandourselvesandourresponsestotheworldaroundusbutalsohelpstobuildavocabularyofcolors,texturesandsymbolsthatwillinspireandinformourownart-makingpractice.

ExercisesForColoringYourSenses

byLouiseGaleEnergyiseverywhereandcolorhasitsownenergymakeupthataffectshowweseetheworld,ourselvesandeverythingaroundus.Colorisessentialtoourlives.Thecolorsyouaredrawntoandlovearestories

ofwhoyouareandtheworldyouwouldliketocreate.Weoftenhaveourgo-tocolorswhenwecreate—onesthatmakeusfeelsafe.Usingthosecolorsinyourcreativelifeandday-to-dayistheultimateformofself-expression.Somecolorsmaychallengeyoumorethanothers,andthesearetheonesthat,

whenyouexplorethem,openupawholenewworldcreatively.Theseget-startedexerciseswillhelpstimulateyoursensesandawakenyour

creativemojototakeyouonajourneywithcolor—anadventurethatwillcontinueforyearstocome.

WhatYouNeedacrylicpaintsandwatercolorpencils

cameraandprinter

crayonsoranyfavoriteartmaterials

fabrics,texturedpaperandotheritemsinvariouscolors

glue

holepunch

largeclearenvelopestocollectbitsin

magazines

paintbrush

ribbon

rubberstampsandinkpad(darkbrownorblack)

sketchbook/journal

watercolororacrylicpaintingpaper

CreateYourOwnColorJournalCreatingajournaldedicatedtocolorisawonderfultool.Useittocollectimages,photosandpaintsamplesfromthehardwarestore,andmakecolorstudiestorefertoandexplorethroughoutyourlifeasanartist.Alteredjournalsarealsofuntoplaywith,socreateembellishments,page

cutoutsandpop-outs,andletthosecolorfulcreativejuicesflow.

GetStartedbyCollectingColorInspirationUseyourclearfoldersorenvelopestocollectmagazinecutouts,fabrics,ribbonandotherimagesineachcolor.

TakeYourCameraonaCreativeExplorationCapturethedifferentshadesandhuesinthecolorfulworldaroundyou.Takeyourcameraoutwithyouandyouwillstarttonoticecoloreverywhere!Popyourimagesinyourjournalandstudythedifferentshadesinyourimages.Itwon’tbelongbeforeyounoticethevarietyofcolorsaroundyouineverylittledetail.Theworldisabeautifulcolorfulpalette.

ColorSensingExerciseThisisafantasticdive-into-the-sensesexercise,whichyoucanreuseoverandoveragain.Colorisallaroundusandsometimeswedon’tevenrealizehowmuchofaparticularcolorwearedrawntoorevencolorsthatweavoid.Whenwehaveeverycoloroftherainbowrepresentedinourlives,wearemorebalancedandourcreativeenergycanflowmorefreely.

Takealookatthecolorsoftherainbow.Whichoneareyoudrawntotoday?

Takealookatthecolorsoftherainbow.Whichoneareyoudrawntotoday?Canyouthinkofareasonwhyyouaredrawntothiscolor?Whatcomestomindwhenyouthinkofthiscolor?Howdoesitmakeyoufeel?Usingyouowncolorjournalorsketchbook,exploreyoursensesusingthefollowingprompts:

Coloryourpagewiththiscolorandshadesofthiscolortoreallysubmergeyourselfintoitsenergy.Writethefollowingonyourpage:Whatwordscometomindwhenyouthinkofthiscolor?Howdoesitmakeyoufeel?Doesthiscolorrelaxyouorenergizeyou?Doesitmakeyoufeelhotorcold?Whataresomeoftheitems,objectsorevenclothinginyourownenvironmentandhomethatareinthiscolor?Isitmissingfromyourenvironment?Whatfoodsdoyouconsumeinthiscolor?Ifnone,howcanyoubegintointegrateafooditeminthiscolor?Whatsongscometomind?Whatscentsorsmellsdoyouassociatewiththiscolor?Doesitmakeyouthinkofaparticularseason?Orsparkachildhoodmemory?Isthisacoloryouusuallyliketocreatewith?Ifnot,whatdoyouthinkisholdingyouback?

CreateaColorStudiesPageinYourChosenColor

Starttofillyourcolorjournalwithcolorstudypages.Journalandcreateacolorpageinyoursketchbookwithasmuchdetailasyoucanrelatedtothisparticularcolor,andreallysubmergeyourselfintoitsenergyandhowitconnectstoyourworld.Focusingonallthethingsyouwritedowninyoursensesexploration,dive

moredeeplyintotheenergyofthiscolorbycreatingpagesforyourcolorjournal.Forthisexercisewearegoingtouseorangeasanexample.Pulltogetheryourfolderofitemsyouhavecollectedandletyourintuition

Pulltogetheryourfolderofitemsyouhavecollectedandletyourintuitionguideyouaroundthepage.

STEP1:Startbuildingyourbackgroundbyplacingalargepieceofcoloredpapertocreateastrongareaofcolor.Useyourwatercolorpencilsorcrayonstoaddmorecolortothepaper,thenusingarubber

stampandaninkpad,stampsomepatternintothecolor.

STEP2:Startcreatinglayersbyaddingpaper,drawingsandanyothercoloredpaperanditemsthatresonatewithyou.Movethemaroundthepagetoseewhatfeelsliketherightpositionforyou,thengluethemdownonceyouarehappywiththeirplacement.

STEP3:Mixyourpainttocreateyourcolor.Useanypaintthatyouhaveorprefertoworkwith.Youcanusecrayonsorpencilsinstead.

STEP4:Smothercolorintoyourpage.Gowiththeflowandletyourintuitionguideyouinhowmuchyouwanttoadd;youcanalwaysaddmorelateron.

STEP5:Addsomemorevarietytoyourpagebyholepunching.Usearegularorcraftholepunch,orcreatetheholesusinganawloranyothertoolsyouhaveavailable.Threadyourribbonorfabricthroughtheholestocreateabeautifulembellishment.

STEP6:Gatherthewordsthatresonatewithyouforthiscolorandaddthemtoyourpage.Tearingthemfrommagazinesorcreatingaperforatededgeaddslovelydimensiontoyourpage.

STEP7:Finishoffyourpagebyusingletterrubberstampstoaddanyadditionalwordstoyourpage.

Enjoyexploringtheenergiesofcolorandinnotimeyouwillhavebeautifulinspirationandresourcesinyourcolorjournaltorevisitandplaywithforyearstocome.Artandcoloristheconversationwearehavingwithourselvesandthestory

wearetellingtheworld.

Exercise

PaintaMemory

WhatYouNeedacrylicpaints

bambooskewer

blackacrylicink

memorablemomentphotos

paintbrush

scratchfoamboard

varietyofmark-makingtools

watercolorpaper

whitegelpen

Likemostofyou,Ibet,Iamanavidtakerofphotos.IliketocapturesnippetsoftimethroughthewindowofthecarasIdrivethroughanewtownorcity.SometimesIhavetodoitfurtivelylikethetimeIspiedanoldmanwholookedexactlylikeSantaClausonsummervacation,andIproceededtoembarrassSiennabyhidingamongstthefoliageinOldTownSanDiegountilIwashappywithmysnaps!OrthetimeItookabeautifulphotoofawomandeepinprayeroutsidetheBasilicaofGuadalupeinMexicoCity.ThescenewassomovingandevocativeIjustcouldn’tresist!

BackinmystudioIrotatethosephotosthatinspiremeonmystudiowall,lookingatthemfromtimetotimeasIwork.Sometimesseeminglyofitsownvolition,amemorymakesitswayoffthewall,scramblesitselfacrossthepaint-speckledflooranddropswithgustoontomycanvas.LikemanyofthetechniquesandprocessesIemploy,therearenohard-and-

fastrulestopaintingamemory,soIinviteyoutositbackandcomealongwithmeasIpaintsomeofmyown.Thisismoreofaglimpseintotheunfoldingofmyownworkandprocess,andIhopeyoucanuseitasasparktobringyourownimagesandmemoriesintoyourart!Rememberingthelazy,meanderingwalkswetookduringourtwomonthsin

PuertoEscondido,Oaxaca,in2008,Iselectedseveralphotosfrommywallofinspiration(OK,theydidn’treallyjumpontomycanvasbythemselves!)andlaidoutsomepaints,pastelsandgelpensandasturdypieceofwatercolorpaper.

STEP1:Lookingatyourownphotos,begintothinkaboutthetypesofthingsyoulovethatmadeyoutakethesepicsinthefirstplace.Here,IsawhowmuchIlovesmallglimpsesintowindowsanddoorways,imaginingthelivesof

thosewholivethere,thethingswemighthaveincommonandthewaysinwhichourlivesmightbeverydifferent.Jotdownsomeofthefeelingsthatcomeupinwordsrightthereonyourpaper.

STEP2:Chooseapaletteofcolorsbasedonthosethatarestrongestinyourphotosandbrushthemacrossthepaperquicklyinthick,lavishstrokes,varyingdirectionsandoverlappingsomecolors.Here,Iusedabambooskewertoscratchthroughsomeofthelayersofpaint,usingelementsof

Here,Iusedabambooskewertoscratchthroughsomeofthelayersofpaint,usingelementsofthephotosandthememoriesthatflowonasmyinspiration:adesignunderneathawindow,thememoryofthewavescrashing,thetextureofthethatchedroofsonthehousesandpalapas.

STEP3:Continuelookingatyourphotosandseewhatspeakstoyou.Iamdrawntoloadmybrushwithintensered,andintuitivelyIselectafewmoreelementstoaddtomyworkinprogress:ahotelsign,partofared-tiledroof,somestrongverticalblocksofredfromthedoorsatthebottomofoneofthepicswithatouchoftheturquoisethatnudgesthered.Addtheseadditionalelementswithoutthinkinghardaboutit.

STEP4:Consideraddinginsomedarkerareastoaddcontrasttothework.Maybeaddabordertoanelementwiththeshapeofanarchedwindow,oretchadesignfromoneofthephotosintofoamtocreateastamp.Iaddedstampstotheworkinseveralplaces,andthecolorscontinuetobuildvisualinterest.Thescraffitiedareaabovetheroofevokesthememoryoftropicaldownpours.

STEP5:Continuetoplaywithpaint,makingvariousmarkstounifyareas.Here,Iaddedsomedetailswithblackinkandabambooskewer—somepalmtrees,aboat,anotherarchway—as

morememoriesofouradventuresinPuertoEscondidodriftedthroughmymind.Igroundedsomeoftheseimagesbylooselyscumblingtheinkoverthecolorsbeneath.

STEP6:Youcanfine-tunesomeofyourdetailsusingawhitegelpen.IaddedmoredetailsasIthoughtaboutthesunsetswewatchedovertheoceaneachnight,thekittieswhonuzzledaround

ourfeetatourfavoriterestaurant,waitingforscrapsoffishandprawns,thefishingboatslineduponthebeach,andeverywherelushgreentropicalfoliage.

PossibilitiesAfterIfinishedthispaintingIplayedaroundwithaviewfinderandrealizedthatitspoketomemoreastwoseparateworks—rich,evocativerepresentationsofaveryspecialtimeinourlives.

CHAPTERFIVEInspirationAllAround

SeeingwithfresheyesandanopenheartCloseyoureyes.Whereveryouare.Takeadeepbreath.Emptyyourmind.Nowopenthemwideandlookaroundasifyouareseeingyoursurroundingsforthefirsttime,andbegintodescribewhatyousee,tinypiecebytinypiece.Thereisinspirationeverywhere.

Iamsittinghereinmybedroom,myfavoriteafternoonspotinthehouseduringwinter.Itiswarmandfilledwithlight.Iopenmyeyes,andlookingdown,IseethenotepadIamwritingon—messyscribbledthoughts,uncertainramblings—tryingtofindclarityamongstthescrawloftextandhaphazardmarginnotesofmyfirstdraft.Thenotepadrestsonapatchwork,embroideredIndiancushion,whichis

centeredonmylap.Thecushionevokesmysenseswithitsriotoffuchsia,tealandorange,andhereandthereavibrantredthreadzigzagswithdramaticflair,strikingnotesofdiscordandharmony,eachwiththeirownbeauty.Someofthepatchesarefadedandbitsofthreadhavewornaway.IamtransportedtoaRajasthanimarketplace,andalthoughIhavenotyetvisitedIndia,Icanalmostsmellthespiceswaftingthroughtheair.Irunmyfingersacrossthetexturedsurfaceandbegintoimagine,creatingstoriesinmymind,seeingother,earlierhandspainstakinglysewingthesepatchestogether,wonderingabouttheirstories,seeingtheirhandsinmymind,thecolorofnutmegandcinnamon,linedwithalifetimeofmanualwork.Iwonderwhatothermotherembroideredthissagegreenflowerwithitshot

pinkcenter.Iwanttosubmergemyselfinthiscolor,theseimaginings,sketchtheseancientsymbolsandfindoutwhattheymean.Ah,Iaminspired…

Andaboveall,watchwithglitteringeyesthewholeworldaroundyoubecausethegreatestsecretsarealwayshiddeninthemostunlikelyplaces.Thosewhodon’tbelieveinmagicwillneverfindit.—RoaldDahl

Lookingfarther,beyondthecushion,Iseemywhite-sockedfeet,casuallycrossed,attheendofmyoutstretchedlegs.Iamwearingblackyogapants,andtheblackandwhiteprovideastarkcontrastagainsttheheavilypatternedquiltcoverintonesofaubergine,cherry,chocolateandcoffee.Arealization!Myquiltcoverisaconcoctionofdeliciouscolors.Iwanttoeatit!SuddenlyIam

dreamingofmakingstuffedeggplantwithwalnutsandzucchiniandarichtomatosaucefollowedbyasliceofBlackForestcakelacedwithespresso.Ah,Iaminspired…Totheleftashaftofsunlightfallsagainsttheadobewallintheperfectshape

ofarhombus.Itsstraightgeometriclinesaresoftenedbythenichebuiltintotherough-texturedsurface.Serendipitouslyitiscenteredexactlyintheilluminatedrhombus.Insidetheniche,amemorylies—arockintheshapeofaloveheart,oneofmanywehavecollectedovertheyears.Thisonecarried12,000km(7,500miles)fromLaMissioninNorthernBaja,Mexico,wherewespentourtwenty-fifthweddinganniversaryin2012.Iamfloodedwithmemories:checkingintoourAirbnbapartmentonthebeachandfindingthebedroomfilledwithsilverheliumballoons,fresh-bakedcookiesandfruitplattersinthekitchen,akindandgenerousofferingbyacaringhosttocelebrateourmilestone.IaminstantlybackinPuertoNuevoeatinglangostaanddrinkingmargaritasasthelateafternoonsunwarmsourfacesandmariachissingBesameMucho.LaterbackattheapartmentwedrinktoomanycocktailswhilewatchingmultipleepisodesofStephenHawkings’sIntotheUniverseandponderingthebigquestions...drunkonlove,lifeandelJimadortequila.Thenextdaywewalktherock-strewnbeachtogether,savoringtheshortfivedaysuntilIreturntomyteachingtour.Theheartrockisilluminatedbythebeamoflight,nestledinthesmall

diamond-shapedalcove,againstabackgroundofpatternedglass.Theglassblockswepickedupforasong—discarded,unwantedremnantsofanotherperson’spre-renovationdemolition,prizedadditionstoournewlybuiltbedroom.Oneman’sjunk,another’streasure.Eachblockisstampedwithagridpatternseveraltimeshorizontally,verticallyanddiagonally,catchingthelightanddefractinganddiffusingitintoakaleidoscopicofferingofrainbowprisms,greenfoliageandbluesky.Bringingtheoutsideinliketinyjewels.Iwanttoputmypendownandruntomystudiotocapturethebeauty,the

memory,thefeeling.

Withoutevenmovingfrommybed,justbyopeningmyeyesandtakingtimetobestillandreflect.Ah,Iaminspired…

SeeingBeautyinAllThings

bye’LayneKoenigsbergConfuciussaid,“Everythinghasbeauty,butnoteveryoneseesit.”Whythendosomepeopleseebeautyineverypersonandineverysituationandothersdon’t?“Seeing”beautyisnotjustamatterofusingoureyes.It’salsoapracticeoflivingwithourheartswideopen.Itismybeliefthatwhatwelookforinlifeisexactlywhatwesee.Forexample,ifwegointothekitchenandsomeoneleftdishespiledhigh,wemightgetfrustratedthekitchenisn’tclean.Wecanchooseinthatmomenttobefrustrated,orwecanchangeourfocusandbegratefulforthebeautifulmealthatwascreatedresultinginapileofdishes.Ourjudgments,opinionsandfrustrationscangetinourwayofseeingbeautyintheworld.ThereisalittlegameIplaythatenablesmetoshiftmyperceptionofany

circumstanceatanymoment.IpretendI’mlookingthroughakaleidoscope.Itakeafewdeepbreathsandinmymind’seyeIturnthekaleidoscopejust

onedegreeandguesswhat...theworldtakesonanentirelynewpicture.So,ifI’meverfeelingannoyed,fearfulorjustplainbored,Ibringmybreathdeepintomybelly,whichbringsmeintothepresentmoment,andthenImindfullyfindbeautyinallthatsurroundsme.Sowhatotherthingsgetinthewayofourabilitytoseebeautyinallthings?

Simpleenough:Weusuallygetinourownway,whichiswonderfulnewsbecauseonlywecanchangeourselves.Onebigobstacleobstructingbeautyisthatwemovetooquicklythroughlife.Daysmushroomintoweeksandweekssnowballintoyears.Werushfromonecommitmenttothenext,andatday’sendhavenoenergyleftforself-care.Constantlyfeelingoverwhelmedbymyendlessto-dolist,Ifinallyhadaprofoundrealization.Mylistwasnevergoingtobefinished...andthat’sagoodthing;itmeansI’mstillalive;I’mstillinterestedinfullylivinglife.AndIfoundasolutiontomydilemmaoffeelingoverwhelmed.Insteadofato-dolistIcreateamust-dolist.Whenmymust-dotasksarecomplete,I’mdonefortheday.Thisisafantasticwaytofeel

tasksarecomplete,I’mdonefortheday.Thisisafantasticwaytofeelaccomplishedandalsoprovidesthetimetoslowdownenoughtodothethingsinlifethatnurtureoursouls.Wemustcontinuallyaskourselves,dowetaketimetosavorlaughter,tofind

ourinternalrhythm,toseeourowninnerbeauty,toexploretheactivitiesthatarousepassioninourbellies?Dowedeveloptheartofrelaxation,gazeinamazementatlightrefractingoffaraindroponanautumnleafandmakewaveswhenwehaveastrongconviction?Doweseekoutinterestingpeople,cultivatedeep,meaningfulrelationshipsanddaretodreambig?Wecantakealookaroundourhomeandlookatthefriendswehaveandseeinthismirrorthelifewehavecreated.Doourenvironmentandourfriendssupportourdreamsandpassions?Wecanusebeautyasourbarometerformeasuringarich,happylife—keeponlywhatwelove,theitemsthatareupliftingandmakeourheartssing,andkeepfriendswhosupportusandalsomanifestbeautyandgoodnessintheirlives.Toseebeautywemustwakeupthesensesandcultivateareceptiveattitudeto

appreciatethatwhichissimple.Simplicityisastateofmind.Ifwe’reallupinourminds,wemissthesubtlenuancesinlife:themoistureintheairbeforeastorm,theilluminatedpalmtrees’reflectioninthepoolandpeople’sfacialexpressionsspeakingvolumestheirwordsdonotexpress.Itisthroughthelanguageoftheheart,notthechatterofthemind,thatwebecomeattunedtolife’sprofoundmomentsandtheinfinitebeautysurroundingus.

TheInfinitePossibilitiesofFailureI’mnotsurethatI’veeverthrownawayorgessoedoveranartwork.I’veshovedthemawayinacornertogatherdust,tuckedthemintofoliosandfoldersandthenfinally,sometimesyearslater,pulledthemoutforareworkwheninspirationstruck.I’vecutthemupintointerestingpiecesforcollageortoworkintomixed-mediapiecesorcreatehandmadecards.I’veturnedthemintogratitudeflags,foldedthemintoconcertinabooks,scrawledpoetryacrossthemandmadebookmarksforgiftsandgiveaways.Inolongerregardanypieceasafailure,butinsteadIseeeachoneasa

vehicleforinfinitepossibilities!Whatcanwelearnfromourexplorations?Noteverythingyoucreatewillbeamazing.Infact,forawhile,asyouarestartingout,it’spossiblenothingwill.ItsOK;it’sallpartoftheadventure.Thereisanextraordinaryfreedominallowingyourselftoplayandexperiment

withoutattachmenttooutcome,withoutworryingwhetheryouwillhaveasalablepieceorwhetheryouhavejustwastedyourtime.Givingyourselfthegiftoftimetocreatewithoutexpectationorfearoffailurewillenhanceyourcreativelifeinsomanyways.Ipromiseyou.HereareafewthingsIliketodotofindinspirationwhenmycreativeplay

(moretimesthannot)doesn’tleadtoamasterpiece.

Takeapiecethatyouarenotinlovewithandspendsometimetryingoutnewcompositionsbytakingphotosofcroppedareasthatwork.Thinkaboutbalancinglightsanddarks,largerareasofcolorwithmoredelicatemarks,focusinginonareasoftheworkthattelladifferentstorywhentheyareisolated.Cropintoseveraldifferentareasofthepaintingandletyourimaginationrunfree.Perhapsyourponderingswillbecomethesparkofanewworkorawholenewseries.Cropinevenfurthertofindsimpleshapesandmoreabstractelementswill

begintoappear.ImportyourphotosintoasimpleeditorlikePicasaandplaywiththesettings.Invertthecolorsandseewhathappens.Notonlywillyoubeexposedtoawholenewpalettethatyoumightfallinlovewith,butyouwillalsohaveaninstantlessononthecolorwheelandcomplementarycolors!Playwithyourphotoeditoragain,invertingandenhancingcolorsandtryingoutdifferenteffects.Saveeachimageyoulikeasaseparatefileforfuturereference.Wheneveryouarestuckforinspiration,gointothesefilesforaninstantboost!

Thinkaboutdifferentwaysyoucouldutilizetheseideasparkers.Animageyouisolatemightmakeagreatpersonalstamp,afabulousbeginningforaseriesoflandscapelinocuts,oritcouldbetheinspirationforagiantabstractpaintingaroundtheconceptofjourneys!

InspirationasYou

byErinFaithAllen(PhotographybyLucySharpe)Youknowwhatyoulooklikeinphotographs,butinthislessonwearegoingtotakeaself-portraitphotoandembellishittoexpressbeyondhowyoulook.Wearegoingtoexpresshowyoufeel,inyoursoul,usingafewdifferentmixed-mediatechniques.Isyoursoulastream-of-consciousnesswordparadethatflowsacrossyour

surface?Doesitswooshingentleabstractharmonyorblazeitswayvibrantlyacrossthepage?Haveyouevercreatedapieceofartwithdirectconnectionandintentiontoexpressthispureanduniqueessenceofself?Theclarityofself-imagewillassistgreatlyinmanifestingyourdreams,

desiresandcircumstancesthatareyourheart’sdesire.Toholdaself-createdimageofwhoyouareisatalismanforgrowth,agiftthatkeepsongivingforyearstocome!Inthislessonyouwillbegiventoolsofself-awarenessthatcanbeutilizedin

yourstudioandcareertounleashyourpotentialthroughthiscreativeprocessatanytimeyouneedtoconnectwithyourselfforanswers,guidanceorfun.

WhatYouNeedacrylicmarkers

acrylicpaint

gesso

paintbrushes

paletteknife

patternedpaper

pencil

self-portraitphoto

STEP1:Beginbymakingmarksonyourpaperwithanacrylicmarker.(BecausethepaperI’vechosenhascirclesonit,Iamgoingtobuildmymark-makingoffthatpattern,bydrawingmorecircles.)Usethistimeofmark-makingtoreallybegintosettleintoyourcreativeimagination,allowingtheactionsofmarkingtoopenupyourcreativityandforgetabouttherealworld.Iletmyarmandspirittalktome,andmovethemarkeranywhereandeverywhereinanintuitive

andfreeway.ThemorefreelyIletmyhandmovearoundmakingmarks,themorefreedomIamgivingtomyself-expression.

STEP2:Next,selectacrylicpaintthatyouwouldliketouseformoremark-making,and,asabove,begintospreadthepaintfreely.ThoughIoftenusemyfingers,useyourbrushesifyou’dlike.

STEP3:Spatterpaintusingapaintbrushtomakerandommarksinselectedareasonthesurface.Workingwithmyfingersandpaintsoftenconnectsmetoamoreprimalspacethana

paintbrushdoes.Ithinkthereasonforthisisthatitputsmestraightintocontactwithmysurface,withoutanytoolsotherthanME.Sincewearetryingtoaccessaspaceofpurecreativeexpressionwithoutathoughtprocess,paintingfromaprimalplaceisperfectforthislesson.

STEP4:Continuetoworkwithpaintsandmarkersuntilyouhaveapatternthatyoufeelconnectedto.Rememberthisisaboutintuitiveworking,followingwhereyoufeelyourcreativitytakingyou.(Onatechnicalnote,oneimportantthingtorememberistoletyourpaintsdrybeforeyoutrytouseamarkeroverthetopofthem,orthewetpaintwillruinyourmarker.)

STEP5:Getoutyourgessoandbeginspreadingitwithapaletteknife.ApplyitinrandompatchesorinashapelikeIhavedonehere.Again,justfollowwhatyourguttellsyou,andhereiswherethefunlies:Youcanapplyitinthinlayersthatwillstillallowsomesubtletiesofyourmark-makingtoshowthroughlikesoft,muted,colorfultexture,oryoucanapplyitabitthicker.Wherethegessoisabitthicker,takethehardendofyourpaintbrushandbegintodrawintothe

gesso.Youcanusethistechniquetoshowtheunderlayerofcolorandmark-making,todrawin

gesso.Youcanusethistechniquetoshowtheunderlayerofcolorandmark-making,todrawinshapesortextthatyoulove,ortooutlineashapeyouwanttofillinwithothercolors.Iliketoapplyitbothways—thininsomeplaces,thickerinothers—andIloveputtingsymbolsintomyworkthisway.Itcreatesamazingtextureandenergy.

STEP6:Takeyourself-portraitphotoandletittellyouwhereitwantstobeattachedontothesurface.(Youmightwanttocutitoutofthebackground,soyoudon’thavetoworryaboutblendingthehardedgesofasquarephotographintoyourwork.)Onceyou’veplacedyourself-portraitontothepaper,amplifythepowerofyourimaginationandletyourself“see”whatisnotthere.Usually,thefirstthingIseeiswhatIbegintobuildonthesurface.

Takeastepback,andseeandfeelotherareasthatyouwouldliketofillwithsymbolsanddosousingtheprevioustechniquesoffingerpaintinganddrawingintowetpaintwiththehardendofyourpaintbrush.Whenthepaintisdry,useapenciltoshadesomeareassotheystandoutandtodrawsymbols.Thisisagentlepeeringintowhatyourimaginationwantstotellyou.Itisnot

drawsymbols.Thisisagentlepeeringintowhatyourimaginationwantstotellyou.Itisnotforced,contrivedorinanywayplannedahead.Itisasoftgaze,builtonyourintuitionandwhatimagerymayappearinyourimagination.

WhenIgazedgentlyatmyself-portrait,Isawwingsandroot-likeveins,soIbegantoallowforthosepiecestobeaddedintomypiece.Ibegantoblendthecutoffedgeofthephotographintoamatchingcolorpalettewithwhitegessoandtexturecreatedwiththeendofmypaintbrush.Applyingthegessoslightlythick,Iusedthehardendofmypaintbrushtodrawroot-likeveinsovertheareawheremylegsshouldbe.Idrewaveryquickoutlineofwingsusingmypencilandshadedtheoutlineofthewingswithturquoiseacrylicpainttoseparatethemfromthebackgroundandgivetheillusionthatthefigureisrisingoffthesurface.InmostofmyworkIusephotographsandthendrawinwhatisn’tthere.Idon’tworryabout

perfectionandadrawingthatlooksrealistic.Ilikeintuitive,simple,quicklinesthatconveyanenergy.Ilikesimpleandquickbecausetheydon’tleavetimeforself-judgment.Finally,Icutacirclefromamapandplaceditontothelowerbodyofmyimage.Fingerpainting

gessooverithelpsitblendintothesurface.Ta-da!Acollagedself-portraitthatexpresseshowIfeelinmysoul.Ihopeyouhavefunexploringyoursoul!

TravelingInspiration

LaurieMikaIhavefoundthattravelprovidesoneofthegreatestsourcesofinspirationforme.ExperiencingnewculturesprovidesthecatalysttocreateanewpieceofarttheminuteIreturnhome!ExploringfleamarketsandfindinglittletreasurestoembedinclayalsohelpstoprovideavisualreminderoftheplacesIhavebeen.Onesmallobjectcanoftensparkawholemosaicaswasthecasewithmy

mostrecenttriptoMorelia,MexicoandthebutterflywingsIcollectedthere.Moreliaishometothefamedmonarchbutterflymigration.ThemonarchsbegintheirlongannualjourneyinCanadaandmigratetoMexicoandthenreturntoCanada.Thelengthofthemigrationexceedsthenormallifespanofthemonarchsoittakesmanygenerationsofbutterfliestocompletethemigration.InMexico,itwasbelievedthatthemonarchsrepresentedthesoulsofthedeparted,especiallysincetheirarrivalinMexicoinNovembercoincidedwithDiadelosMuertos,orDayoftheDead.Allalongtheforestpathleadinguptowherethemillionsofbutterfliescluster

inthetrees,onecanseebutterflywingsliningthepathslikeorangeandblackjewels.Inspirationaboundsinamajesticsettinglikethis,andseeingthecontrastoflifeanddeathintheforestaroundmestartedmymindreelingwiththepossibilitiesofthesebutterflywings.IknewwhenIgothomethatIwantedtotrytoembedthebutterflywingsintopolymerclay.IalsoknewthatIwantedtodoafigurativepieceasatakeoffonthewordmonarch,whichisessentiallyaheadofstate,kingorqueen.Howperfectforsomeonelikemewhohasbeenhunguponcrownsandroyalimageryformanyyearsnow!Uponmyreturnhome(likethenextday!),Ibeganaseriesofpiecesrelatedto

themonarchmigration.Theworldisonegiganticpanoramaofpossibility.Oneneednotlookfaror

wide,forinspirationaboundsifweopenoureyesandourheartstoallthisplanethastooffer.Reallytakingthetimetolookandtograbontothatwhichspeaksto

hastooffer.Reallytakingthetimetolookandtograbontothatwhichspeakstoyourcoreandfillsyouwithwonderisattheheartofinspiration.

Thispiece,MonarchQueen,depictsmymonarchbutterflyqueenbeingcoronatedbyangels.ThisrepresentationcombinesEuropeanmedievalandMexicanfolkarttraditions.

ForCircleofLife,Ibeganwithaskeletonbodywiththequeen’sheadandbutterflywingsthatendedupontheassemblage.Thisreferstothelifecycleofbothbutterfliesandhumansandalsoreferstometamorphosisandhow“Nothingenduresbutchange.”

Exercise

PalettePrintsIoftenusepiecesofplywoodaspalettes,buildingupinterestingtexturesandcolorlayersandthenlaterusingtheoldpaletteasthebeginningofapainting.Atwistonthis(andagreatwaynottowastepreciouspaint)istopresssomecartridgeorwatercolorpaperdownontoyourpaletteattheendofapaintingsessiontopickupanyleftoverpaintandcreateamonoprintonthepaper.Istoreallofthesepalette-printedpapersinaninspirationstashandpullthemoutfromtimetotimetoseewhatIcanfind!

WhatYouNeedacrylicpaints(includingwhite)

bambooskewer

finebrush

goldorsilvergelpen

usedpalette(eitheronpaperorboard)

watercolorpencils

STEP1:Begincreatingpaletteprintsandsavethemforadayyou’refeelingdryoninspiration.OnthissheetIhadprintedtheleftoverpaintfrommypaletteandwipedoffalltheexcessredpaintfromthebrushIwasusinglast.AssoonasIpickedthispaletteup,Inoticedthetwoblackdotsinthecenterandsawthepotentiallittleelephantpeekingoutatme!

STEP2:Afterfindinginspirationinyourprint,gatheranyresourcesyoumightneedtobeginsuchasreferencephotos.(Iusedtwohere.)Thenbeginsketchingwhatitisyou’dliketocreate.IlightlysketchedanelephantwithaDerwentwatercolorpencil.AnydarkcolorwilldobutinthiscaseIusedBark.

STEP3:Withafinewetbrush,pulloutsomeofthecolorfromyoursketchedlinestobegintointroducesometonalvariation.

STEP4:Lightlyandloosely,paintaroundthesketchedshapewithasolidcolor,suchastheCobaltTealIusedhere.Leavingsmallglimpsesofthecolorsunderneathwilladdvisualinterestandkeepyourpaintingcohesive.(IalsousedatinyamountofTurquoisePhthalo,wettingseveralareasaroundtheearsandtopofthelegsanddroppingtheturquoiseintoshadowedpartsofthebodyoftheelephant.)

STEP5:Havefunaddingsomefinerdetailswithwatercolorpencils.InspiredbythepaintedIndianelephants,Ibegantoaddsomedecorativepatterns.

STEP6:Chooseafewbrightcolorsandsomewhite,andpaintthedecorativeelements.Varythetonesofthecolorsbyaddingmoreorlesswhiteandrepeatcolorsacrossthedesigns.

STEP7:Usingabambooskewer,addsomedottyaccentsingoldorsilver,usingpaintoragelpen.

STEP8:Chooseacolorthatisacontrastofyourbackgroundcolor.(IusedPyrroleRed.)Paintovertheinitialbackgroundcolorleavinglittleflowersorpeekholes.

CHAPTERSIX:YourGardenofPossibility

Cultivatingthelifeofyourdreams

HoldingtheKeySomewhere...waydowndeepinsideofyouthereisagemwhichholdsallthewisdomyouhaveeverorwilleverneed.

Itmaybedustyanditmaytakesometimetoshineit,butitsessenceisuntainted.

Openyoursensesandyouwillstarttoseeaglimmerfromthecornerofyoureye.

Slowitdownandyouwillopenupthebreathingspacethatbirthsadream.

Cradleyourimperfectionandwonderatthemiracleofeachmoment.

YouareatthecenterofthatmiraculousNOW.

Payattentiontothewhispersthatlingerinthesacredsilence.Graspthemwithadeterminedfist;givethemwingsthroughlovingaction,andthengentlyopenyourhandtoletthemfly.

Eachoneofushasaccesstoafieldofinfinitepossibilities,andeachofusholdsthekeytoallowing.

Noneedtowaituntilyouknoweverything;eachdayisadaytolearnanew.

Willyouopenthewindowwidetoleap...orchoosetostayinaprisonofyourownmaking?

Andthedaycamewhentherisktoremaintightinabudwasmorepainfulthantheriskittooktoblossom.—AnaïsNin

ForaverylongtimeIhadthiskindofambivalentattitudetowardcreatingthelifeofmydreams.Let’sjustsayit’sdifficulttodowhenyourdreamsarenotatallclearordefined.Ialsoharboreddubiousfeelingstowardtheveryideathatweareinchargeofcreatingourownreality.ForalongtimeIthoughtthatmeantthatifbadstuffhappenedIwouldbetoblame.Itisahugeresponsibilitytocreateyourownreality,anditstilldoesmyhead

in...sometimes...butmostlyIamatpeacewithit,andatthecoreofmy

beingthereisadeepknowingthatwedo,indeed,shapethefabricofourownpersonaluniversebythethoughtsthatloopthroughourmindsdayafterday.AsachildIwanteddesperatelytobeseen.Iwouldpirouettearoundtheroom,spinningandleaping,imaginingmyself

dancinginSwanLake,orcomingupwithwildimprovisationaldancemovesinspiredbywhatevermusicwasplayingontherecordplayer.Mygrandfatherwouldlaughandtrytotripmeup,callingmyperformanceTheDanceoftheDyingDuck.InthecaronlongSundaydrivestolookatdisplayhomesorpicnicat

WarragambaDam,IwouldsingatthetopofmylungswonderingifIsoundedmorelikeOliviaNewton-JohnorDollyParton.Dadwouldcounterbywinkingandcringingandturningtheradiowayuploudtodrownoutmyvoice.ThetallpoppysyndromewaswellandtrulyaliveinAustraliaintheseventies

and,notsurprisingly,Ilearnedtotoneitdown,playitsmallerandnotbeboastfulinlettingmytalentsshine.Myparentshadshownustheethicofworkinghard,hadachieved(aftermany

years)theAustraliandreamofahouseonthewaterontheGoldCoast,onlytoloseitallinafinancialcrisis—thehouse,thebusinessandtheirmarriagebythetimeIwasseventeen.It’snocoincidencethatthesoundtrackofthoughtsthatloopedthroughmy

mindinmytwentieswentsomethinglikethis:Gottaworkvery,veryhardtogetanywhere;don’ttakebigrisks;nothingiscertain;moneydoesn’tgrowontrees;peoplewithmoneymakemoremoney;thingscanchangefortheworseinasecondanddon’tgettoobigforyourbritches.Alongsideallofthesethoughts,myshiny,adventurous,creativeselfwas

screamingtobeheard,butwasalmostcompletelydrownedoutbythechorusofwoefulnegativerepetition!Inmythirties(afterthesurpriserevelationthatmyauntwasreallymy

biologicalmotherwhohadgivenmeupforadoptionateighteenmonthstoheroldersister)Iaddedintothemix:Don’ttrust;IamunwantedandIdon’tbelong.

Phew...whataheftysoundtracktocarryaround,andinthewordsofDr.Phil:“Howwasthatworkingforme?”Iwasworkingmybuttoff,nickel-and-dimingitineverybusinessventureI

started.Iwasdisorganized,unconfidentandalways,eventually,headingforfailure.Ihadyearsofstrugglingwithmoney,health,emotionsandrelationships.Strugglefeltlikemydefaultposition.IwishIcouldtellyou,sweetseekerofhappiness,thatthechangewas

revelatory,sudden,anepiphanyfromHeaven.Andmaybeforsome,ithappenslikethat.Forme,however,ithappenedlittlebylittle,smallparadigmshifts,punctuatingyearsoftreadingwaterandsometimesevenafeelingofslippingbackward.Throughitall,however,Iwasplantingseedsandthoseseedswerebeginning

togrow.Sometimestheywoulddonothingmorethangerminate,lifttheirstrugglingheadstothesunforabriefmomentandkeeloverdead,buteachtimemyparametersofpossibilityshiftedjustthatlittlebitmore,andovertimemygardenofpossibilitybegantoflourishandbloomineverycoloroftherainbow.Itbegan,thissubtlechangeindefiningaclear,purposefulandintentionallife,

withbecomingaware,withbeginningtotapintothatdeep,listeningstillnessandlearningtowatchmythoughtsasasilentobserver—practicingdetachmentastheyracedaroundmymonkeymind.Thedetachmentwasthehardestpart,andformanyyearsIwatchedthese

crazythoughts,fullyawareofhowlittletheyservedme,knowinghowmuchtheyharmedmeandthebeatinguponmyselfforhavingthem.Ialsobegantobecomeawareofthethingsthatlitmeup,makingliststhatincludedmakingthings(Ihadn’tyetbeguntopaint),cooking,travel,librariesandhelpingkidsfeelgoodaboutthemselves.AsIputmyattentiononthesethingsinmylife,Ifoundthatmoreopportunitiestoexpanduponthembegantoappear.IdabbledinpaintwhenSantanawasababy,invitedpeopleintoourhomefor

Mexicancookingclassesand,withMarco,beganabusinessimportingbeautifulhandcraftedfolkartfromMexicoandGuatemalaintoAustralia.

In1999,Icameacrossanarticleinthelocalnewspaperaboutaweeklyartclassforbeginnersandthebiggestseedeverwasplanted!Therewasalsoheartacheandpainduringthistime.Veryfewofusget

throughlifewithoutit,andthereisagiftinthestrength,empathyandwisdomthatcomeoutofit.Inthedarkestofthesetimes;inthemidstofrelationshipcrisis,panic,depressionandloss,Ihadadreamonenight;itwasclearandbrightandcarriedwithitanoverwhelmingsenseofhopeandjoy.Ourhumblehomehadundergoneamagicaltransformation.Itwasfilledwith

love,laughterandlightandMarcowasinthebeautifullyrenovatedkitchencookingupastormwithourdaughterswholookedtobeintheirearly-tomid-twenties.Theirpartnerswerealsowiththem,andeveryonewashavingawonderfultime.Inthelivingroom,surroundedbygreeneryandwithlightstreamingthroughtheskylightsoverhead,Isawmyself,older,earlyfifties,inabusinesssuitwithtwootherwomenIdidnotrecognize.Therewaswarmthandjoyandexcitementamongstus,andIcaughtsnippetsoftheconversation:retreats,women,creativity,travel...ourflourishingbusiness!Iwokeupwithastartandknew,withoutanydoubt,thateventually

everythingwouldbeOK.Iamstillafewyearsawayfrombecomingthatwoman,Marcodoesnotcook

veryoftenbuttellsmethatonedayhewouldliketolearn,andaftertwenty-sevenyears,wehaveworkedthroughourstruggles,arestilltogether,happilyinlove,andtherenovationthathecompletedonourhomein2008isevenbetterthantheoneinmydream!SometimesIsearchthefacesofthebeautifulcreativewomenInowcallmycreativetribeandwonderifIhaveyetmetthewomeninmydream.

ListeningtoWhispersandHoningYourDreamSomewherearoundthistimeIpurchasedmyfirstartbookbyPortlandartistDoryKanter.WhilethetitleofArtEscapesintriguedmeandtheexercisesinsidewerefunandinformative,Iwasevenmoreblownawaybythediscoverythattherewas,inthisworld,ajobthatinvolvedtravelingtobeautifullocationsaroundtheworldwithothercreativepeopleandhelpingthemalongontheircreativepaths.Iremembersoclearlythinking,Signmeup!andrunninginsidetoMarco,

bug-eyed,pointingatthebookandyelling“ThisiswhatI’mgoingtodo!”Ithenrememberturningthebookovertoseewhothepublisherwas.Isawthe

wordsNorthLightforthefirsttimeandheardthewhisperinside:“OnedayyoucouldwriteabookforNorthLightBooks…”

Thesesmallmixed-mediapieceswerecreatedintuitively,holdingmyhighest,shiniestselfinmindwhiledrawingthenakedselfwithmyeyesclosed.Usingavarietyofstitchedandgluedelements,Icreatedawholeseriesofthesedivinewomen,addingtextfromanoldbookthatseemedtoserendipitouslyhelpmefindclarityaroundmanyaspectsofnotonlymyjourneybutthejourneyofmywomenfriends.

PlantingYourSeeds

Begincultivatinganinnerstillnessandawareness.Payattentiontoyourthoughtsandbegintofocusonthethingsyouaregratefulforandthethingsthatlightyouup.Domoreofthethingsthatlightyouupandallowyourselftodesignadreamlife,whichwouldencompassyourpassions.Ownthefactthatyouareworthyofthisdream.Searchoutthosewhoarelivingtheirbiggestdreamsandreadtheirstories.Makecontactontheirblogsorbye-mail.Sayhelloandyouwillfindouttheyarerealpeoplejustlikeyouandme.Begintounderstandthatifitispossibleforthem,itispossibleforyou.Begintoalignyourselfwithotherswhobelieveinpossibility,whobelieveintheirowngreatnessandwillhelpyoubelieveinyours.Spendlesstimewithpeoplewhowanttokeepyousmall.Takesmall,steadystepstowardyourdreambutdon’twaittobeperfectatwhatyoudo.Youwillbewaitingalongtime.Testthewatersalongtheway.Jumpin!Tryoutsomedifferentstrokes,afewdifferentbathingsuits.Noteverythingwillworkout.Youwilllearnalongthewayhownottodrownandwhichswimmersworkforyou.Writealettertoyour“now”selffromyour“future”self.Dateitoneyearorfiveyearsfromnow,whateverfeelsrightforyou.Tellyourselfallabouttheexcitingthingsyouaredoing!Here’salittleglimpseofmine:SailingintheRivierawithaclientwhohasjustcommissionedmetoprovidepaintingsforhisnewhotelchain,financingawonderfulcreativeschoolinanimpoverishedcoloniainTijuana,teachingalloverEuropeforayear,celebratingmyfiftiethbirthdaythereandwritingabest-sellingmemoiraboutittoinspireotherwomenaboutthepowerofpossibilityandthediminishingmythofmiddleage.

Dreambig!Writedownyourwildestcreativedreams!Aboveall,remembertobegentlewithyourselfandtreatyourselfasyouwouldabelovedchildordearfriend.Youwillfall.Youwillmakemistakes.Youwilllearnfromthem.Wealldo.Thesooneryoucangetoutofyourownway,thesooneryouwillfindtheclaritytofulfillyourvision.

Youhavebrainsinyourheadandfeetinyourshoes.Youcansteeryourselfanydirectionyouchoose.You’reonyourownandyouknowwhatyouknow.Andyouaretheonewho’lldecidewheretogo.—Dr.Seuss

UnfoldingDreams

bySethApterAbookistheperfectcontainerthroughwhichtocreate,captureandliveyourdreams.Itservesasametaphorandaphysicalrepresentationofallthepossibilities.Bookstraditionallytellastoryand,inthiscase,thisbooktellsthestoryofmyhopes,mygoalsandmydreams.Likeeverybook,ithasabeginning,amiddleandanend.Inmystory,thistimelinereflectsthedevelopmentof,theefforttowardandtherealizationofmydreams.IcanclosethebookwhenIamfeelingtoovulnerable,andmoreimportantly,IcanopenitatthepointwhenIamreadytoexperiencethepossibilities.AsIturnthepagesandunfoldthebook,onebyone,eachstepIneedtotaketorealizemydreamunfoldsinfrontofme,servingasareminderandaguide.Itismystory,mymuseandmydreamcometrue.

WhatYouNeed90-lb(190gsm)watercolorpaperacrylicglazingliquidbookboard

brayer

collagematerial,ephemera,photographs,diecutsfluidacrylics

gesso

heatgun(optional)letterstickers

markers,pens

maskingtape(optional)paintbrushes

PVAorotheradhesiverub-ons

scissors

texturedmaterials

STEP1:Cutasheetof90-lbwatercolorpaperintoa40"×5"(102cm×13cm)strip.(Ifnecessary,usemaskingtapetoconnectaseriesofsmallerpieces.)Thiswillbecomeyourinsidepages.Inaddition,cut90-lbwatercolorpaperintotwopiecessized7 ⁄ "×7 ⁄ "(20cm×19cm).Thesewillserveascovers.Usingacrylics,paintbothsidesofthewatercolorpaperstripandonesideofbothofyour

covers.Useasmanyorasfewcolorsasyoulike,applyingthepaintinanypatternyouchoose.

STEP2:Insmallsections,brushwhitegessooverallpaintedsurfaces,beingcarefultoleavesomesectionsoftheunderlyingcolorsshowing.Placeyourchoiceoftexturedmaterial(e.g.,bubblewrap,embossedpaper,fabric)ontopofthewetgesso,rollabrayeroverthesurface,and

3 4 3 8

pulloffthetexturedmaterial.Repeatthisprocessuntilyouhavecoveredallofthepaintedwatercolorpaper.

STEP3:Layeraseriesofacrylicglazesoverallthegessoedsurfacesinarandomfashion.Theglazescanbemadebymixingfluidacrylicpaintwithacrylicglazingliquid.Alloweachlayertocompletelydry(byairorheatgun)beforeaddingthenextlayer.Repeatuntilyouarehappywiththeresults.

STEP4:Foldthepaperaccordion-style.Eachpageshouldnowbeapproximately4 ⁄ "×5"(12cm×13cm).

3 4

STEP5:Createyourcoversbycuttingbookboardintotwopieces,5 ⁄ "×5 ⁄ "(15cm×14cm)each.Glueyourtwobookboardpiecestothecenteroftheunpaintedsideofyourwatercolorpaper

covers.

3 4 3 8

STEP6:Mitertheedgesofyourpapercovers.

STEP7:Foldovertheedgesandgluethemtothebacksideofthebookboard.

STEP8:Gluetheinsidepagestothecoversbyadheringthepageattheendofeachsideofthefoldedwatercolorpaperstriptotheundersideofthecovers.

STEP9:Designeachpagebychoosingmaterialsbasedonyourbooktheme.Youcancollage,addalteredphotos,write,drawandmakemarksusingpensandmarkersthatworkonacrylicpaint,andaddrub-onandstickerletters.Designyourcoverusingthesamematerials.Youcanalsocreatedimensionbyusing

embellishmentsand/orfoundobjects.

Exercise

LittleBookofDreamsOneofmyearliestchildhoodmemoriesisofahugeoldbookthatIwouldhauldownofftheshelf,timeaftertime,titledPeopleoftheWorld.Iwouldstareatthoseblack-and-whitephotosofexoticpeoplewithbonesthroughtheirnosesandincredibleheaddresses,andsomethingdeepinsidemewouldstir:wanderlust,eventhoughitwouldbemanyyearsbeforeIwouldbegintotravel.Asateenagermygrandmothergavemeanancientatlas(asIlookatitnowI

realizeit’saboutasoldasIam),andIwouldspendhoursporingovermaps,writingdetailedlistsoftheplacesIwouldgoandthethingsIwouldsee.BeforeIeverdiscoveredmypassionforcreativity,mydreamjobwastobea

travelwriterortravelshowhost,soitwasquitenaturalasIbeganmyartjourneythatIbegantolookforwaysthatartandtravelcouldinterlink.In2006ourfamilycreatedahugevision/dreamboardtohelpclarifyour

intentiontotakeaseven-monthfamilyholiday,campingourwayuptheWestCoastoftheUnitedStatesforthesummerandthenheadingdowntosouthernMexicoforseveralwonderfulmonthslivinginatropicalvillageonthebeachinOaxaca.Togetherwecutandgluedandtalkedanddreamedandacoupleofyearslaterfoundourselvesontheroad,livingthedreamthatwehadenvisionedtogether.Itwouldtakeanotherbooktotellyouallthestoriesleadinguptothetripandthemiraclesthatoccurredwhilewewereonit,butfornow,letmesayIstronglybelieveinthepowerofintentiontomanifestyourdreams,andcreatingadreamboardisapowerfulwaytodeclareyourintentions!Inthisprojectwewillcreateadreamboardandthenturnitintoseveral

smallerbooksofdreamstoplaceinareasinyourhomeasremindersofthelifeyouarecreating.Myprojectherewillbebasedaroundmytraveldreams,butyoumaywanttofocusonyourart,yourfamily,health,abundanceorallofit!Whateveritisyouwouldliketoseemoreofinyourlife.Whileyouworkonyourdreams,trytoalsoholdinyourheartallthatyouare

gratefulfor.Gratitudeanddesirearetwosidesofthesamecoin.

gratefulfor.Gratitudeanddesirearetwosidesofthesamecoin.

WhatYouNeedephemera

gelmedium

gluingbrush

largesheetsofpaper

patternedpaper

scissors

smallstackofmagazinesyoudon’tmindtearingup

whitecardboardorposterboard

STEP1:Takeatriptoyourlocalthriftstore.(InAustraliawecallthem“opshops”—shortforopportunityshop.Don’tyoulovethat?)Grababunchofoldmagazinesandbooksthatmightofferpicturesandwordsonthethemeofyourdreams.Findsomequiettimeandthumbthroughyourstashofbooksandmagazines,holdingyour

dreamsinmind,tearingoutimagesandwordsthatappeal.Don’tthinktoohardandtrynottogetdistracted.Addinsomepatternedpapersandephemerathatyoulove.Spreadyourcollagegoodiesoutandlooselyseparatethemintosmallergroupswithsimilar

colorthemes.

STEP2:Onalargesheetofwhitecardboardorposterboard(Iused24"×26"[61cm×61cm]),startingfromthebottomedge,begintogluedownimages,usinggelmedium.Tryusingscissorsonlyforthepiecesontheedgeandtearingtheotherpieces.Placeimagesandwordsintuitively,overlappingedgesandlinkingbycolorpalette.Repeatelementsasyougo.(Monarchbutterflywingswerecollagedinseveraldifferentareasonmycollage.)Asyoubegintofilltheboard,lookattheshapesyouaretearingandlookforemptyspacesthat

willworkfortheseshapes.Trustthatsomethingmagicwillunfoldwhenyouarefocusingonyourdreams.Asyouwork,remembertothinkaboutthethingsyouhaveinyourlifethatyouaregratefulfor.Itismucheasiertomanifestyourdreamswhenyouarecomingfromaplaceofabundanceandgratitudethanaplaceoflack.Allowyourdreamboardtodry.

STEP3:Usingtwolargesheetsofpapertocropoutsectionsofyourdreamboard,findthebestplacestocropyourfullpieceintoseveralsmallerstrips.Thisisgoingtoallowyoutocreate

multiplelittledreambooks.Thestripsneednotbeequalinsizetooneanother.

STEP4:Usingasimpleaccordionfold,createyourlittledreambooks!Youwillprobablyfindplentyofserendipityinhoweachbookcomesout.Manywillhaveacentralthemeormessage.Iloveitwhenthishappens!Placeyourdreambooksinseveralplacesaroundyourhometoremindyouofthedreamsyou

arecallingintoyourlife,anddon’tforgettotakealittleactioneachdaytowardmakingthemareality.

CHAPTERSEVENCreativeWanderlust

Thispainting,NightDive,wasinspiredbytheoneandonlytimeIhaveever(despitestayinguptheentirenightbeforeterrifiedatthethought)sunkbeneaththeblackdepthsoftheoceanwithascubatankonmyback.

Beingopentotheartisticpossibilitiesofthejourneycre·a·tivewan·der·lustkrē-ā-tiv/wän-dәr-lәst/

1. theinsatiableurgetomakecoolthings,seenewstuffandimagineandexperiencenewpossibilities

2. theactoflivingajoyfullife

3. theexperienceofbeingopentothecreativepossibilitiesofthejourney.

Okay,Imadeallthatup!Butitstrue,don’tyouthink?Thereisnothingquitelikethethrillofanewplace,anunknownculture,the

excitementofbeinginaplaceyouhaveneverbeenbeforewherethemundanebecomesmagical.Thesky,adifferentblue;thetrees,adifferentshape;thepeoplesittingatthe

busstopsomehowmoreintriguing,moreinterestingthantheonesintheparkbackhome.Travelingallowsustoseewithfresheyes,toapproachournewsurroundings

withcuriosityandwonder,torevelinthedifferencesandconnectwiththesimilarities.Travelallowsusinmanywaystodropourmasks,torelatetoothersoutside

theparametersofreligion,race,professionandincomestatus.Andguesswhat?Allowingourselvesspaceandtimetocreatebringsus

exactlythesamegifts…

Twentyyearsfromnowyouwillbemoredisappointedbythethingsyoudidn’tdothanbytheonesyoudiddo.Sothrowoffthebowlines,sailawayfromthesafeharbor.Catchthetradewindsinyoursails.Explore.Dream.Discover.—MarkTwain

Creativityisaperfectpartnerforwanderlust,andthejourneyswetakecanbelargeorsmall,yearsintheworldoramomentunderamicroscope,eachequallyvalidforthepossibleworldsthatopenupforus.Atriparoundtheworldcanofferamultitudeofnewperspectives,butsocana

triparoundourneighborhoodifwearewillingtoopenoureyestoseewhatisthere.Overthirteenyearsofteachingkids’classesinmylittlebackyardstudio,I

havelearnedtoreadthebarometerofunbridledenergythataccompaniesmygorgeousstudentsastheytumbleintotheroomalleffervescentandwildaftersixhoursofholdingthemselvesincheckatschool.Iofferthemaplaceto

sixhoursofholdingthemselvesincheckatschool.Iofferthemaplacetoexplorewherethereisnorightandwrong,wherewelearnfromandinspireeachotheraswefearlesslycreate.ManyofthethingsIbringintomyadultworkshopsIhavelearnedfromthesecherishedkids.Sometimestheirenergycannotbecontainedinsuchasmallspaceandsoout

intotheworldwego,seekingnewperspectives,viewingtheworldfromhighuponthetreeplatform,leaningbackagainstthepeelingbarkofthebeautifulmelaleucatree,lyingnexttotheseasidedaisies,upcloseandpersonal,sketchingabuzzingbeecollectingpollen.Sometimesweleavetheconfinesofourpropertyandsetoffonanimpromptu

journeytothebeachtomakesandsculpturesorsketch,“accidentally”fallingintothewateronhot,steamydays.Ononesuchdaywegatheroursketchbooksandpencils(noerasersbecause

therearenomistakes)andheadsouthtowardMoonaMoonaCreek.Ihavedevisedagameandouronlyprop,besidesoursketchingtools,isasmallcontainerfilledwithtornbitsofpaper.OneachpieceofpaperIhavejotteddownarandomnumber—7,52,18,165.BeforeweleaveIpulloutascrapofpaper.Collectivelywewalk—big,deliberate,hilarioussteps—countingoutthenumberandstoppingwhenwereachourcounteddestination.Atthispoint,pencilsready,wedrawthefirstthingoureyeslandon.Somekidssketchtheirshoe,withtangledlacesrestingonspikygrass.Anothercapturesthetrafficsignacrosstheroad,sharplyoutlinedagainstaloosebackdropofeucalyptustrees.Theneighbor’sletterboxisfeatured,asisapieceofcrumpledgarbageinthegutter.Wepullanothernumberandmoveon,continuingthiswayforalmostanhour,

downthedirtbushtrackbesidethecreek,pastthemangrovemudflatsandintotheforestbeforeheadinghome,whenthemosquitoesbecometoofierce,andwearespendingmoretimeslappingourlegsthansketching.Sometimesalownumberispulledandatfirstthekidscomplain,“We’vehardlymoved!There’snothingnewtodrawhere!It’sexactlythesameasthelastspot!”“Lookaround.Drawwhatyousee,”Itellthem.Theydoandfifteennew,

“Lookaround.Drawwhatyousee,”Itellthem.Theydoandfifteennew,inspiredsketchesemergefromfifteensmall,intentandbusyhands.Howmanytimeshaveyoustoppedonyourjourneytodaytoreallyseewhere

youarestanding?Howmanyfreshperspectivescanyoumusterasyoutravelthroughtheworld

today—inner,outer,largeorsmall?

TheWanderingDressSantanaspringsintotheloungeroom,facealightwithexcitement.“Ijustgotane-mailfromOhDeer!Theypickedme!”“Awesome!”Isay,“Soundswonderful!What’sOhDeer?”“It’sanonlinevintageboutique!”sheexclaims.“Theyhavethiscollaborative

thingtheyaredoingcalledTheWanderingDress,andtheyaskedforsubmissionssoIsentthemsomeofmyphotosandtheypickedme!TheyonlypickedtwentyphotographersfromthewholecountryandI’moneofthem!”Sheisflippin’-the-moon,happy-pantsexcited,asmysweetfriendKelliwould

say.Iamüberproudandexcitedforher,too.Happythatshehastakentheriskofputtingherworkoutthereandoverjoyedthatshehasreceivedvalidationforherbeautifulphotographs.Theconceptisfabulous.Thefirstofthetwentyphotographerswillreceivea

simplevintagedressinthemailandwillhavefivedaystocaptureaninterpretationofthedressusingtheircreativevision.Theywillthenchoosetheirfavoriteshotandsubmitittotheboutiquetobefeaturedontheirwebsite.Theexposurewillbegreatanditisawin-winsituationforeveryoneinvolved.Withoutevenhavingseenthedress,Santanabeginstodreamupstoryboards

andlocationsforherphotoshootwithhergorgeousfriendEricaasthemodel.Whenthedressarrives,itisacutelittlepolka-dotnumberincoralandwhite.

Thegirlsheadoffforthedayandcomebackwithanincredibleportfolioofimages,richinmoodandtexture,sultryshotsagainstthewhitesandsandsparklingwaterofthebay.Thisdemuredressshowsitswildside,teamedwithasimplefeather-adornedheadbandandthinleatherbelt,liftingitshemstoshowErica’slongtannedlegs.Thisbriefstopinitswanderingjourneybringsoutitscarefreenaturespirit.Santanasendsitalongtothenextphotographer,andoverthecomingweeks

thedresstakesonmanypersonalities:Theadditionofalacecollaronared-locked,porcelain-skinnedmodel,setagainstatrailingjasminevine,suggestsan

locked,porcelain-skinnedmodel,setagainstatrailingjasminevine,suggestsanEdwardiantheme;ahula-hooping,wide-smiledgirlwearsthedresswithjoyfulabandonwhileanothersitscross-leggedonthegrassinbobbysocks.Eachphotographer’scarefullyconstructedvisiontellsanewstory,addinglayersofinteresttothesimpledress.Thedressisawillingparticipant,opentonewsurroundings,willingtoplay

dress-upwithnewaccessories,bloomingandgrowingwitheachnewexperience,sweptalongbyitsfabulouscreativejourney,becomingevermoreexpansiveasitstepsmorefullyintothepossibilitiesofitsownpotential.Whatifweallowourselvestobelikethatwanderingdress?Immersing

ourselvesinourliveswholeheartedly,opentoexploringnewthings,expressingthemyriadofemotionsthatmakeushuman,fullyacceptingourwildnessandourvulnerabilities,ourhesitationsandourstrengths.Opentowearingourtutusandtiarasandequallyascomfortablemakeup-lessandlounginginourpj’s.Andwhatifeachofushasourownvisionaryphotographicdirectorbyoursidegentlyguidingusthroughtheeventsandcircumstancesonjourneysthatwillleadustoourhighestgrowth?Howwillyoucelebrateyourjourneytoday?Willyouallowcreativitytobe

yourconstantcompanion?

ExplorationFuelstheMuse

byKeciaDeveneyInmyearlydaysofbecominganartist,Iwouldjustsortofputzaroundinmylittlenookmakinggiftsfortheholidays.Ihadalotoffunjustplaying,andtheenjoymentcameoutofthegivingpart.ThensomeonesuggestedthatIstartsellingatshows,whichseemedlikeagreatidea.However,therewasapartofmethatdoubtedmyworkbecauseIfeltlikeIwasn’treallyfollowinganyrules;Iwasjustdoingmyownthing.IthinkIhadamisconceptionthattomakerealart,youhadtogotoartschoolandyouhadtofollowrules(naïvethinking!).Atoneoftheshows,agirlmentioned“alteredart”tome,acategoryIhadn’t

heardofbefore.ShesuggestedIcheckoutsomemagazinesatthebookstore,whichIdid.Icouldn’tbelievethattherewereotherpeopledoingwhatIwasdoing.ItwassostrangebecauseallmylifeI’vebeencalled“weird”forthingsIliketodoorfindenjoyable.Butherewerealltheseotherpeopledoingthesamething.Itwaslikefindingatribe!Asmycareerprogressed,Iwaspublishedandthengotintoteaching.Somewherealongtheway,Irealizedthatartcamefromtheheartand

followednorules.Itseemsnowtheonlyrulesareonesweimposeonourselves.Self-criticismisthebiggestjoykillerincreatingart.Whendoubtbeginsto

creepin,it’shardtocontinueon.Luckily,Idon’thavetoomanymomentsanymoreofself-doubt.I’velearnedtoproceedwithprojectsbytakingmytimeandevaluating.IfIdon’tlikesomething,Ithinkaboutwhy.ButIdon’ttakeanydrastic

measuresonanythinguntilI’vethoughtaboutit.IfIhavetoletapaintingsitforafewweeks,Iwill.WhenIamstuckonsomething,though,Ifindgettingoutintotheworldhelps.Asanartistandfull-timecaregiverformyson,Iamisolatedandspendagreatdealoftimeathome,whichcanbeveryclaustrophobicandcagey.Mysensorsbeginfeelingconfined.Soforme,leavingthehouseona

Mysensorsbeginfeelingconfined.Soforme,leavingthehouseonabeautifuldayandhittingafleamarketorantiquestore(myfavoritepastime),isabigboosttocreativity.Samewithtraveling;it’sthenewnessofanarea—neverbeenexperiencedbefore—thatsendsasignaltomyinnercoreandreignitesthepassionIhaveformyworkandhowIseetheworld.IalwaysreturninspiredbythingsIhaveseenorpurchased.IalsotakelotsofphotoswhereverIgoandthosephotosareremindersofcolorsorjuxtapositionthatappealstome.Thosethingscomeinhandylaterwhentryingtomakemyartcometogether.

WanderlustisInspiration

byErinFaithAllenWanderlustisaratherpotentthing,creativelyspeaking.Travelevokessomethingprimal,ethereal,cerebralandemotionalinme.Thenewnessoflocationswirlsaroundmeandscintillatesmysenses;Iamleftreelinginthemostdelightfulways.Mysensesgoonoverloadtakingintheamazingsights,smells,soundsand

feelingsthataresoakedinthenewatmosphere.Invigoratedtobegintheprocessofwrappingmyheadaround—andabsorbing—thenewnessofcultureanditsinsidiouswaysofbeingineverything,Ifeelsurroundedbyablanketofvisceralstimulationthatpiquesmycuriosity.WheneverItravel,Icarrymycameraloadedupwithmemorycardsanda

coupletrustylenses.IshootabsolutelyeverythingIsee.Ialsobringmydiaryandletwordstumbleoutofmethatcontaintheexperiencethatisunderway.Beingaconstantseekerofnewinformationandknowledge,andalways

challengingmyselftoevolve,meansthatIameagertolearnhowthethingsIamexperiencingintravelingtoforeigncountriesrubupagainstmyedges.Newculturesinevitablyaskmetoopen,expandandbendinordertolearnfromthepeopleandlandthatsurroundmeinthisnewdestination.Inevitablythereareemotionalexperiencestomatchthesensory,andIsave

themtogetherinapreciouscreativecocoonofdiarymeetscamera.Heretheyincubateinwaitforfullandcompleteexpressionintimestocome.Iamanintuitiveartist,writerandphotographer,meaningIdon’tcontriveor

preconceiveanything;Isimplyopenandexpresswhatispresentandwantstobeknown.UltimatelyItrustinmycreativeinstinctsandhavefaiththatwhatmyimpulsesaskmetocapturewillunfoldinacreativeprocesssometimelater.

InmyjournalIwritewhatIfeel,uninhibited.InthesamewayIcapturewhatIfeelusingthecameraasmytoolsoIcanholdontopreciousandtransitorysnapshotsoftimethathaveneverhappenedbeforeandwillneverhappenagain.Uponreturningfrommytravels,Ibegintocombthroughmyphotosand

instinctivelychooseanumberofthemtoprintoutthroughlisteningtothesurgeoffeelingsanyparticularimageevokesinme.IfIhaveagushoffeeling,Iknowthisphotographpacksapowerfulpunchthatwillsurelyinspiremeinmystudio.Oncethephotosareprintedandlyinginatantalizingstackonmystudiotable,

Ibegintocallbacktheenergy.Anditalwayscomesback,thememoriesandimpressionsoftheforeignlandIwalkedandengagedwithallmysenses.PhotographsthatItakeareverypowerfulwhenIrevisitthem;itisasiftheyaremagicalportalsbackintime.Theyexplodeinasymphonyofsensorymemorythatotherwiseliesdormantsomewhereinmybody.Onebyone,Iplacemyphotographsamongsttextures,text,imageryand

paperandafullrangeofmyfavoritetrustedmixed-mediatechniques.Whatthiscreatesformeisafullcircleofexperience,fromoutinthebeautiful

wideworld,intomycameralensandjournals,andontoasurfaceinmystudio.Ilivefortheanticipationinnateinwanderlustitself,theexperienceofmy

Ilivefortheanticipationinnateinwanderlustitself,theexperienceofmysensesinaforeignland,theoverflowing(andsometimesbreaking)ofmyheartasIwitnessandfeelmynewsurroundings,andtheexpressionofmydiscoveriesandadventuresofmytraveluponreturntomystudio.

RecipeforArtfulTravel

byLisaSonoraBeamTravelandartmakingaremytwinpassions,soIalwaysmaketraveljournalswhereverIgo.Whenpeopleseemytraveljournals,theyaresurprisedtolearnthatItravelverylight,withjustasmallbackpack,whichincludesallofmyartsupplies.Travelinglightallowsmetoexperiencelifeandnewforeignlandsmore

authentically.ThisisanexampleofatraveljournalImadeinMexico,usingmanyfoundsuppliesandcarryingonlyafewofmyfavoritebasics.FirstI’llsharetipsonhowtotravellightwithartsuppliesandexperiencelife

morelikethelocalsdo.ThenI’llwalkyouthroughhowImadethispageandwhatmaterialsIused.

TravelArtJournalTips

Packjustaveryfewessentialsinyourcarry-on,thingsthatarehardtofindelsewhere.Findasmallzipperbagthatfitsinyourdaypackorpurse,andlimityourartsuppliestothisonesmallbag.Iliketousecosmeticbagsandplasticzipperedpencilpouches(thekindmadeforchildren’sschoolsupplies)formytravelartsupplies.Bringthesmallestsketchbookornotebookthatyoucanworkin.Themoreportableyourbook,themoreyouwilluseit.Plantofindyoursuppliesonthegoasyoutravel.Shoppingfornontouristythingswhenyoutravelputsyouwherethelocalsdotheirshopping.Placestolookforartsupplies:schoolsupplystores,druganddepartmentstores(checkthestationeryandchildren’ssectionsforinexpensiveartsupplies),officesupplystores.

Suppliestolookfor:datestamp,smallscissors,gluestick,markers,stickers,

Suppliestolookfor:datestamp,smallscissors,gluestick,markers,stickers,envelopes,crayons,alphabetstencils.Visitcreativeplacesyouliketogoathome,exceptdothiswhenyoutravel.HerearesomeofthecreativeplacesImakeapointtovisitwhenItravel,andthesuppliesIlookfor:

Usedbookshops:Ahardcoverbookwithnicethickpapermakesagreatsketchbook.Simplywhitewashthepageswithcheapcraftpaint,orcollagethepagesonblackpaper.Usedbookstoresalsooftenhaveoldmaps,postcards,guidebooksandforeignlanguagedictionaries.Clippingsfrombooksmakegreatephemeratoaddtoyourtraveljournal.Sewingandfabricstores:Lookfortrim,ribbon,glue,glitter,buttons.Manyfabricshopsalsosellpaintandartsupplies.Thelocalpostofficeornewsstand:Postagestampsandpostcardsaregreattouseinyourtraveljournal.Usethepostcardsforpagesandthestampslikestickers.

Nowthatyou’veexploredyourtraveldestinationlikealocalandfoundsomenewsuppliestoaddtoyourtraveljournal,it’stimetofacetheblankpage.Findaplacetoplayinyourtraveljournal.Iliketoworkincafés.Thebonus

ofworkinginpublicisthatyouoftenmeetlike-mindedpeoplewhoareinterestedinartandartistswhoaresketchingorwriting.

MyTravelArtSupplyBagIncludesalphabetrubberstampsorletteringstencils

permanentinkpad-black

permanentmarker-black

afewblackinkpens,apencil

afewtinybottlesofcheapcraftpaintinmyfavoriteneutralcolors:buff,lightgrey,white

watercolorcrayons(brokenintosmallpieces)

smallrollofclearshippingtape

individuallywrappedmoisthandwipes(tocleanhands,stampsandremoveextragluefrompages)

TechniqueInMexico,blanksketchbooksareimpossibletofind.Soforthistraveljournal,Irecycledanoldbookfoundinausedbookshop.

STEP1:Whitewashthepageswithawatered-downlayeroflight-coloredacryliccraftpaint:white,cream,bufforlightgrayaremygo-tocolors.

STEP2:Afterthebasecoatofwhitewashdries,addcolorwithabitofwater-solublewaxcrayon,watercolorpencilsorwatercolorpaint.

STEP3:Nowyou’veloosenedup.Sipyourcoffeeandobserveyoursurroundings.Whatdetailsdoyounotice?Useyourpenciltosketchinafewdetails.OnthispageImadesomecloud-likedesignsbecausetheMexicanskyissobeautiful.IalsosketchedapatternIsawonatextile.

STEP4:Thinkaboutyourexperience.Whatdoyouwanttorememberrightnow?Itdoesn’thavetobeabouttraveladventuresnecessarily,butwhateveryouareexperiencinginthemoment.

Here,Iwasthinkingaboutmygreatloveoftravelandofartmaking.SoIcutoutaheart-shaped

mapandusedarubberstamptocapturemyfeelings.

STEP5:Addpaintedlinestoemphasizephrasesorasnippetofpoetryordialogueyouhear.Ialsocutbluepiecesofpaperfromthemapandusedthecoloredpaperto“paint”with.Userubberalphabetstampsorletteringstencilsorevenyourownhandwritingtowriteontopofthepaintedlines.Consideraddingthedatetoyourpage,inpencilorusingadatestamp.

MeditationWalkAndNatureMandala

byLouiseGaleTakingourselvesonameditationwalkcanbeaninspiringpartofthedayandessentialforourcreativesouls.Ourworldisconstantlyfilledwithinspirationandwhenweslowdownona

meditationwalk,westarttonoticelayersofdetailtofuelourcreativeintuition.Whetheryouareinanexoticlocationbytheocean,aweekendawayinthecountryorinyourownneighborhood,creativewanderlustcanalwaysbefound.Theworldisyourartstudioandnatureyourmaterials.Inthefollowingexercisewearegoingtotakesometimeouttoslowdown,

groundourselvesinthenaturalworldandusematerialswefindalongthewaytocreateanaturemandala.MandalameanscircleinSanskrit,anancientIndo-Aryanlanguage,andisusedtocreatesacredspaceformeditation.Wewillbecreatingourownmandalawithfoundobjectsanduseourcreationtorelax,groundourselvesandconnect.Ournaturemandalawillalsobeagiftwewillleavebehindforotherstofind,

practicingtheartoflettinggo.Meditationwalking,findinginspirationinnatureandtappingintoourcreativeenergieswillenableustospreadbeautywhereverwemayroam.

WhatYouNeedanopenmindtohelpyouclearyourthoughtsandconnecttothepresentmoment

camera

comfortableshoes

pencilsand/orpen

sketchbookorjournal

totebagorsmallbagtocollectitemsin

water(andsnacks)

STEP1:Beginyourjourney.Standstillandcloseyoureyes.Takethreedeepbreaths,breathingslowlyinandthenslowlyout.Breathingdeeplyslowsthemindandhelpsusfocusonthenow.Letyourbreathflowfreelyandletyourbodyrelax.Noticehowtensionmaystarttoleaveyourshouldersandneck.Openyoureyesandstarttowalkslowly,notthinkingtoomuchaboutyourdestination,butinsteadgivingyourselfpermissiontojustwanderandletyourintuitionguideyou.

STEP2:Consciouslytakenotice.Asyouwanderslowly,takenoticeofeverythingaroundyou—yourstepsonthegroundandthesoundsintheair.Whatcolorsdoyousee?Howmanypetalsareoneachflower,whatpatternsdoyoudiscoverin

theleaves,whatshapesareinthetrees,thebuildingsorthegroundyouarewalkingalong?Maybeyourwalkwilltakeyoutoapark,thecountryside,abeachorapond,orthroughanopen

dooryouwouldn’tnormallywalkthrough.

STEP3:Liveinthemoment.Lookaroundyou;noticeeveryteenytinylittledetail.Useyourcameratophotographthebeautyyoudiscoverasyoutravel,slowingdownyourpaceorstoppingtomakeasketchandadmiringthedetail.Reallytakenoteofhowyoufeelinthismoment.

STEP4:Gather.Whatfoundobjectsarearoundforyoutocollect?Leavesfallenfromplantsortrees?Flowersthathavefallentotheground,twigs,stones,shellsorbark?Gatheranythingyouaredrawnto.Onlycollectitemsthathavefallenorarelooseonthegroundandpopthemintoyourbag.Ifyou

canfinditemswheretherearefourtoeightofthem,evenbetter,astheywillcreateasymmetricalmandala.

STEP5:Groundyourself.Aftersometime,findyourselfaplacetorelax.Ifyoufeelcomfortabletodoso,takeoffyourshoesandstandbarefootontheground.ThiswillhelpyouconnectwiththeenergyofMotherEarthandisasimplewaytogroundyourselftobecompletelyinthemoment.Allowyourselftoconnecttotheenergyoftheearth.(Thisisalsosomethingyoucandoonadailybasisinyourownbackyard.)Howdoesthismakeyoufeel?

STEP6:Sketchthenaturalworldaroundyou.Takeaseatandopenyoursketchbook/journal.Journalhowyoufeelaboutyourmeditationwalksofarandanyfeelingsthatarecomingupforyou.Lookaroundyoufornaturalobjectstosketch,orselectafewyouhavealreadycollected.Takesometimetorelaxandsoakupyoursurroundings.Drinklotsofwaterandhaveasnack.

STEP7:Preparetocreate.Findyourselfaplacetocreateyourmandalaandgatheryourfoundobjects.Placethemonthegroundandletyourintuitionguideyouastohowtolaythemout.Youmaybuildfromtheinsideoutorcreatetheoutercirclefirstwithpebbles.Thinkaboutyourconnectionwithnatureasyouplacetheobjectsintothecircle.Howdothe

objectsfeel,whatcolorsdoyouhave?Consciouslyfocusonwhatyouaredoinginthismomentandsimplyenjoythemomentcreating

thisofferingbacktotheearth.

STEP8:Createyourmandala.Asyoulayeachpieceintothemandala,thinkaboutexperiences,peopleandplacesyouaregratefulforinyourlife.Onceyouhavecompletedyourmandala,nomatterhowsimpleordetaileditis,spendsometimephotographingyourcreation,sitwithitandjournalanymorethoughtsthatmayarisefromyourmeditationwalk.

STEP9:Letgo.Thanktheuniverseforallthatyouaregratefulforandforenablingyourcreativetalentstoflowfreely.Thanktheearthforitsabundanceandmindfullyofferyourmandalaasawayofthankingevery

livingthing.Weareallconnected.Youmaywanttoleaveanoteforanyonewhofindsyourcreationorsimplyletitbeinallits

beautyforotherstoenjoyastheydiscoveritalongtheirownjourney.Whenyouareready,makeyourwaybacktowhereyoustartedandcompletetheprocessby

spendingtimewithyourjournal,gatheringyoursketches,photosandthoughts.

MyOdetoMexicoMexico,sweetMexico!Landofvibrantcolors,richhistoryandfieryfoods.Wheresmellshitthe

senseswithbluntandhonestforce,practicalityrulesandwhimsical,fatalistichumorabounds.Landofathousandcontradictions:outrageouswealthandbrutalpoverty,a

deep-seatedreverenceforSpiritintertwinedwithstarkandbrutalviolence.Wehavetraveledyourpotholedroadsovermountainsandfromcoasttocoast

byplane,bybusandinouroldChevytruckcompletewithourlittlecasaontop.Wehaveexperiencedyourbeautyasyoung,childlesstravelersandwithour

childrenasbabies,toddlersandteens.EverytimeyoubeguilemeandIgrowalittlemoreintothepersonIwasmeanttobecome.Youhavetaughtmethevalueofcompassion,thebeautyofdifferenceandthe

wisdomoftrustinginthejourney.Youhavefilledmyworldwiththejoyofcolorandhelpedmetorecognizethe

dormantartistwithin.IhavelearnedtowelcomenewfriendsintoourhomeascountlessMexicanos

havewelcomedusintotheirs,andthroughtheseconnectionsandexperiencesIhavelearnedthattheretrulyarenoaccidentsinlife.Ihavecometorealizethatfaithisawondrousthing,andthatmiraclesand

magicexistinallofourliveswhenwearewillingtoletthemin.Ihavelearnedthatwedon’tneedasmuchaswethinkwedo,andthatwhen

youaregenerousinspirityourownworldbecomesfarmorebeautifulandbounteous.Iamstilllearningtolaughheartilyandspontaneously,anditmaytakemany

morevisitsbeforeIcandancewithfreedomandwithoutinhibition.Icherishthememoriesandholdthefuturepromiseinmyheart.

Exercise

ConnectingThroughOtherCulturesOneofthegreatestgiftsIhavebeengivenwhilejourneyingthroughotherculturesisanawarenessoftheexpansivenessoflife.InMexicothereisaknowingthatlifeistobecelebratedandthatdeathisjustadoorwaytoanotherrealm,andbetweenthetwoathinveilexiststhatisatitsmosttransparentduringthecelebrationofDiadelosMuertos.Inthisexercise,Iwillsharewithyouafunandeasywaytocreateyourown

printingblock,whichyoucouldcarvewithamotifrepresentinganyculturewithwhichyouconnect.

WhatYouNeedacrylicpaints

blackpermanentmarker

borderembellishments

brayer

gelpens

paintbrushes

pencilorpen

pieceoffoam,suchasfromameattray

smallblockofwood

varietyofpapers

STEP1:Gatheryoursuppliesandpaintyourblockofwoodwithblackpaint.

STEP2:Lightlydrawyourdesignontoyourpieceoffoam.

STEP3:Oncehappywithyourdesign,pressmoredeeplyintothefoamwithapenuntilyouhavemadeanindentationofthewholedesign.InthispieceIcreatedadesigninspiredbytheMexicantraditionofDiadelosMuertos.Makesureyouhavepressedfirmlyintothefoamtocreateastampthatworkswellwithpaint.

STEP4:Brushyourfavoritecolorofpaintacrossyourfoamstampevenly.Useadrybrushsowetpaintdoesn’tgetcaughtupinthelinesofyourdesign.

STEP5:Playwithdifferentcolorsofpaint,stampedontoavarietyofpapers.Thiswillallowyoutoplaywiththethicknessofpaintandalsogiveyousomegreatcollagepiecesforhomemadecards!

STEP6:Choosealightcolor(IusedHansaLightYellow)andcoatyourstamp.Thenlayitfacedownontoyourpaintedblockofwood,andusingabrayertotransferyourpainteddesigntothewood.

STEP7:Beopentothepossibilityofanimperfecttransfer.Imperfectionisfarmoreinterestingthanbeingexactforme.

STEP8:Usingafinebrushandyourfavoritecolors,paintinthedetailsofyourdesign.

STEP9:Usingadrybrushandlightpressure,paintawhiteborderaroundyourdesign.

STEP10:Tryadifferentcolorbackground.Youcanalwaysdrybrushoverit,andeachlayerwilladdanewdepth.Usegelpenstoaddinfinedetailsandablackpermanentmarkertoaccentuateanymissingtransferlines.

STEP11:BorderOptions:Playwithribbontransferstickers.Roughlyscribblewithagoldpaintpenandlightlyrubforadistressedmetallicborder.Cutborderstripsfromaluminumfoilandetchadesignintothembeforegluingtothewoodwith

ahotgluegun.

CHAPTEREIGHTThrowingOuttheRuleBook

Findinghappinessinplay,faithandbalanceOnethingIknowforsureisthatwhenwegiveourselvestoomanyrules,webuildacagethatenclosesourexperiences(past,presentandpotentiallyfabulousfuture!),imposinglimitationsonourworldandrestrictingthediscoveriesthatcouldbemadeifonlywelooseneduptheguidelinesalittle.Ifwecanopenthatcagedoor,perhapssprayalittleoilonthoserusty,rigidhinges,wemayfindourselvesheadinginthegeneraldirectionofalighterstateofbeing—ourhappyplace!NowI’mnottalkingabouttherulesthatkeepussafeintheworld,therules

thatkeepusbeingkindandlovingtowardeachotherandourselves,therulesthatarenecessarytoholdasocietytogether.

thatarenecessarytoholdasocietytogether.I’mtalkingmoreaboutthefear-basedrules,theonesthatstartoffwith

distrust,fearofnotbelonging,fearoffailing.Theonesthatmakeuswearourhairaparticularwaywhenwe’relongingtoexperienceacertainshadeofmagenta,theonesthattelluswe’retoooldtotrypoledancingortowearatutu,(thankyou,ArtIsYou,forbreakingthatone!)orthatit’sirresponsibletotakeourkidsoutofschoolforsevenmonthsandembarkonafamilywanderlustsabbatical(Icanhighlyrecommendthatone!).YouknowthekindImean.

Tellme,whatisityouplantodowithyouronewildandpreciouslife?—MaryOliver

FormanyyearsI’veresonatedstronglywiththeideathatthereareonlytwocoreemotions—fearandlove—andthateverythingthathappensinourlives,everydecisionwemake,stemsfromoneortheother.Maybewecantakeitonestepfurther.Maybe,thereisonlyloveandweareeithermovingclosertowarditorfarther

awayfromitwitheverythought,everyaction,likeagiganticgameofspiritualwarmer/cooler.Whereisthelove?Isitinthisdark,scarycupboard?ThislistofthingsIwishIcoulddo,ifonly?Gettingcold,ohverycold!Isitoverhereinthisboxofbeautifuldreams,thiscanvasswirlingwithcolorandintuition,thiswarmembracefromsomeonewholovesme?Gettingwarmer,warmerandhot!Takethisideaforaweekandplaywithit.Watchthethoughtsthatcomeup

foryouineverysituation,andtrytodecideiftheyarebasedinloveorfear.Ihavehadmanyepiphaniesaroundthisconcept,andtheyhavehelpedmesomuchtoreleasealotofthefearsIusedtocarryaroundinmylifeandtoexpressmyselfcreativelywithouttheself-judgmentthatwasoncemysteadycompanion.PerhapsoneofthefirstlightbulbmomentsthatmademerealizeitwasOKto

throwouttherulebook,happenedmanyyearsago,illuminatingthenightskyonawindsweptdesertedbeachinnorthernBajaCalifornia.Although,inthat

awindsweptdesertedbeachinnorthernBajaCalifornia.Although,inthatmoment,itwashardtoseethelightinthedarkness,hindsighthasawayofmakingimportantlessonsveryclear.*

ItisearlyJanuary1991andthegrayskiesoverTijuanaarebeginningtobreakupenoughforsmallglimpsesofbluetopeekthrough.WehavejustcrossedtheborderafterdaysofheavyrainthathaveleftthedrainsofSouthernCaliforniaoverflowing,unabletocopewiththisrareoccurrence.Behindtheelegantblackwrought-ironfence,thehomeofMarco’sabuelita

andhersister,whitewashedwithturquoisetrim,isahavenoffoliage,flowersandmemories,arefugeamongstthegreystreetsoftheovercrowdedmetropolis.Weareatthebeginningofungranviaje!Anadventureintothewildsof

Mexicothatwilltakeusthebetterpartoftheyear.Miamorisreadytoexploretheoff-roadsandsurfthebiggestwavesinplaces

noonehasheardof,tosleepunderthestarsinswayinghammocksanddiscoverancientruinsintropicalovergrownjungles!Iamsittingquietly,makingalistofthethingsIwillnotbedoing,alistof

conditionsIwouldlikehimtoagreeuponbeforewebeginthetrip,alitanyofexpecteddangersandwaystoavoidandpreventthem.Iamtwenty-five,haveneverdoneanythinglikethisbefore,andmyheadis

filledwiththestoriesfromwell-meaningbutanxiousfriendsandfamily:storiesofrapeandroadblocks,banditosandbribery,scorpionsandlandslides!Outsidethehousewearereadytoembark.Abuelitahasgiftedusasumof

moneywhich,withtheoutrageousearlynineties’exchangerateofthirtythousandpesostooneU.S.dollar,hasturnedusintoinstantmillionaires.Westuffthecashinsidecushions,nestleitbetweengrainsofriceinTupperwarecontainers,tuckitintosocksandundermattresses.Thetwosisters,AgripinaandToto,havelivedtogetherinthishomeforsixty

years,bothwidowedyoung.TheyarefiercelyindependentanddevoutlyCatholic.Toto,inawell-worn,softmauvedressinggown,standsbesidethe1979Chevytruck,itslittlecamperperchedontop.Thiswillbeourhomeforthe

1979Chevytruck,itslittlecamperperchedontop.Thiswillbeourhomeforthenextyear.Shepraysintently,herolive-skinnedhandspassingfromonerosarybeadtothenextassheblessesthetruck,ourjourneyandus.Herblessingisgreatlyappreciatedbutnotquiteenoughformetothrowout

thelistofrulesIhavebeenformulating,atthetopofwhich,inboldletters,arethefollowingtwoprovisos:

1. Absolutelynodrivingaftersunset!2. Nocampinginisolated,unpopulatedareasunlessitisaknowncamping

spotwithothertravelersaround.

Surelynottoomuchtoask?Webidadiostothetwosisters,leavingthemtotheirafternoonnovelaand

drivethroughtheoutskirtsofthecitytowardthecoast.Makeshiftcoloniasclingprecariouslytothesidesofhills,theirfoundationscompromisedbytheheavyrain.Atatteredblanketofcardboard,scrapmetalandrandombitsoftimbercoverthelandscapeasfarasIcansee,acitybuiltofdesperatedreams.Whenweroundacorner,theoceanstretchesoutinfrontofusandwehitthe

oldcoastroad,puckeredwithpotholesfromtherecentdeluge.OurmissionforthisfirstdayistogettoCuatroCasas,aprimesurfdestinationafewhoursdownthecoast.Marcohasassuredmetherewillbeotherpeoplethere,itwillbecompletelysafe,andwewillarrivelongbeforedark.Unfortunatelythegoingisslowwiththedamageonthehighwayandbythetimewereachthetrackthatleadstothebeach,itislateafternoon.“Howmuchlonger?”Iaskhim,littlesparksofanxietybeginningtofireinmy

mind.Wearebouncingalongtheruttedtrack,tryingtoavoidthemud-filledpotholes,andinthedyinglightIfeelasenseofforeboding.Wepassagroupofworkersleaningnonchalantlyagainstapeelingconcretefence.TheywatchuswithwhatIamsureismenacingintent.Marcofailstoswerveintimeandinaninstantweareboggedinapuddleof

mud.Myapprehensionandangerheighten.BythetimeweextricatetheChevy,itisaftersunsetandalthoughwehavearrivedatthebeach,wearestillnotatthe

itisaftersunsetandalthoughwehavearrivedatthebeach,wearestillnotatthecampgroundandhavelittlechanceoffindingtherighttracksinthedark.Marcolaughsoffmyfearsandassuresme,alittleimpatiently,thatallwillbe

OK,butIamrighteouslyindignantthatontheveryfirstnighthehasbrokenmytwomostimportantrules!Itrytoseethehumorossidewhilecookingupsometortillasandbeansinour

tinykitchen.Marcopassesmeacoldbeerandwesettleinforwhatwillbecomeapopulardailyritual:ahealthy,albeitcompetitive,gameofScrabble.Halfwaythroughthegameandalmostallthewaythroughmysecond

Bohemia,Iamsufficientlymellowtobegintoallowmyanxietiestosubside.Iheadoutintothenighttofindapatchofbeachtopee,andundertheimmensestarryskyIsquatdownandcontemplatetheenormityofthisadventurewearejustbeginning.ClosingmyeyesforabriefmomentIhearthewavescrashandwithdraw,Ihearthechirpingofcricketsinthesanddunes,Ihear...theunmistakabledroneofacarengine.OpeningmyeyesIseeheadlightsinthedistancebutcomingcloser,alongthebeach.Ifeellikeadeerstunnedbytheheadlights,withmypantsaroundmyankles!HastilyIpullmyselftogetherandsprinttheshortdistancebacktothetruck.

Heartpounding,Idissolveintopanic,franticallyclimbtheladderuptoourbedandhidebehindthewall,possiblyevenundertheblankets.“Yougotusintothis,youcandealwithit!”Iyellatmybemusedhusbandwhilequiveringinthecornerandlisteningtothesoundofavehiclepullingupalongsideus.Inmymind’seyeIseeourfamilyatthefuneralservice,tearfullywailing,“Oh

diosmio,quelastima!Andtheyhadonlyjustbeguntheirjourney.IfMarcohadjustpaidattentiontotherules…”Ihearthesoundoftwodoorsslammingshutandprickmyearswaitingforthe

clickofatrigger.Instead,aknockatthedoorandavoiceunmistakablyCalifornian:“Dude,isanyonehome?”MarcoopensthedoortogreettwosurferswhohavealsolosttheirwayandsheepishlyIclimbdownfromthebed,avoidinghisI-told-you-soglare.WeinvitethemforagameofScrabbleandopenabottleofKahlúa,sharing

WeinvitethemforagameofScrabbleandopenabottleofKahlúa,sharingstoriesandmuchlaughter,andonthatnight,Irealizedforthefirsttimethatarulebookrootedinfearwasnotacompanionweneededonthisjourneyoranyother.Throwawayyourrulebooks!Happinessdoesnotliveinsidethosepages.

TheHappyChoice

byJessicaBroganOneofmyfavoritequotessays,“Thechoicesyoumaketoday,directlyimpactyouropportunitiestomorrow.”Inthatvein,I’llletyouinonalittlesecret:Happinessisnotaplacetoarrive,it’sadailypracticeandachoice.Theattitudeyouchoosetoday,howyoudecidetointerpretwhathappenstoyouinyourlife,directlyaffectsyouroverallhappinesstomorrow,thenextdayandeverydayinthefuture.EverysinglepersonIknow,bothinreallifeandonline,hashadtraumasand

tragedyandpainintheirlife.Noone,andthisisafact,notonepersonisexempt.Nottherich,notthefamous,notthepeoplewhoseliveslookperfectonsocialmedia.Thedifferenceinhowmuchpainandunhappinessonepersonexperiences,versusanother,lieswithin.Itisnottheamountoforthenatureofthedifficultiesthatpeoplegothrough.Instead,itisthenatureoftheperson’smind-setinternally,andhowshechoosestogreettheissuesthatarise.Youactuallyhaveasmuchcontroloveryourhappinessasanyotherpersononearth—rich,poororseeminglyperfect.Happinessisyoursforthetaking,butyouhavetochooseitandgoafterit.Oneofthemosthelpfulpracticesyoucanusetoshiftyourmindsetinto

happinessmodeistodevelopthepracticeofreframing.Reframingistheeasiestwaytochangeyourattitudeaboutwhatlifethrows

intoyourpath.Itgoeslikethis:You’reonalongroadtrip,whenyougetanastyflattire.Notwhatyou’dplannedanddefinitelysomethingthatmostpeoplewouldgetupsetabout,allowingtensionandstresstoinfiltratetheirbodies.(Weoften,infact,practicallywavestressinwithawelcomesign.)Butwhatifthatflattirepreventedyoufromgettinginamajorcarcrashjustamiledowntheroad?Whatifitactuallysavedyourlife?You’llneverknowforsure,buttherein

liesthekey.Yougettochoosewhatyoubelieve(andIforonewanttofeelgood,don’tyou?).Andthatiscalledreframing.Imaginethenexttimesomethingofthisnaturehappens,andyouaresittingin

thewaitingroomofthemechanicshopwithasmileofgratitudeonyourface,becauseyouhavechosenhowyouwishtointerpretthesituation.Reframingasapracticecanbecomeautomaticandeffortlesswhenyou

practiceit.It’seasytoapplytosmallsituationsandhiccupsinyourdailylife.Butwhataboutthereallyhardtimes?Thedeeppainsandtheperiodsofourlivesthatseemtrulydevastating?Whatifyoucamedownwithadisease?Orsomeoneyouknowandlovepassesawaysuddenly?Or,likeme,youarestrickenwithsomethingyou’dneverevenheardofbefore—postpartumOCD—whenyou’reatyourmostemotionallyfragile?Howdowepracticehappinessinthefaceofthesethings?Inthesetimes,Isuggestturningtotwothings:art,andfaith.Inregardstoyour

art-makingpractice,oftentheconfusedanddevastatedmindneedstofeelareestablishedconnectiontothebiggerpictureoflife,andthereisnobetterwaythanthroughacreativepractice.Anythingyoucando—fromgardeningtopaintingtosinging—willhelpreestablishyourconnectionwiththegreaterspiritoflife.Youwillfeellessalone.Youwillfeelhealed,evenifit’sslightatfirst,eachtimeyoucreate.Thenthereisfaith.Faithdoesnothavetoapplytothereligious.Faithinlifecanmeanthatyouchoosetobelievethatgoodandhappinesswillreturnagain.Insteadofdisbelief,youchoosetolookfortheopportunitiestofeelhappinessseepingbackin.Faithisalsotrustingthatyouhavethekeys.Ifyouareinturmoil,facingagreatlifechallenge,Iencourageyoutolisteninward.Whatdoyouhear?Whatdoyouneed?Happinesscanbefoundrightthere.

Andfinally,whatabouthappinessinyourcreativepursuits?ThemajorityofpeopleIknowhaveaspecialknackforgettingcrankyabouttheircreativework!Wesettoworktocreate,andalmostinstantlyourinnercriticwakesupandbeginstoinformusofallthethingsthatare“Wrong”(withacapitalW)withwhatwe’redoing.Thisisyetanotherthingthatnooneisexemptfrom!Thistime,theeasy-peasysolutionisaffirmation.Foreveryuglymessageyouhearwhileyouarecreating,youmustrespond.Youmustfightforyourrighttoahappyandjudgment-freecreativepractice.Isuggestyoukeepanotebooknearbyandactuallywritedownthethingsthatyouhearinyourhead.Thenwriteback.Soundsalittlesilly,buttryit.Comeupwitharesponsethatemboldensyouanddiminishesthatvoice.Everytimeyouhearyourinnercriticlashout,respondimmediatelywithyouraffirmations!Creativityisaboutthespiritofplay,andthereisnoroomforunhappinessinit!Itwon’thappenimmediately,butIpromisethatifyoudothisovertimelikeatelephonesalesman,withyourpersistence,he’lleventuallygiveup.Youcandiminishthatinnercritic,andin

doingso,youwillfindsomuchmorehappinessflowingthroughyourcreativetime.Yourhappinessisinyourhands.

PaintedPages

byJulietteCrane

WheneverIpaint,myintentionistohavefun.Ibelievethatjoygetsinfusedintoyourartworkandmakesanyonewhoseesitsmile.IhavecertaincolorsandtechniquesthatIalwaysgobackto:turquoiseand

hotpink,fingerpaintingandlayeringtissuepaperoncanvas.Thesethingsmakemehappyandhelpmespreadjoytoothersthroughmypaintingsandinmyeveryday.

everyday.IfIdon’tlikesomethinginmyartwork,Icoveritup,knowingthatevery

markisimportant.Forme,it’sallpartoftheprocess,andallowingthosebeautifulmistakesandfalsestartstohappen,addsdepthtoeachpainting.Ithelpsmeexpressmystoryasanartistandtoheal.Outsideofpainting,Ialsofindhappinessandbalanceinmorningmeditation,

yoga,healthyeating,startingmydaydoingsomethingniceforsomeoneandkeepingagratitudejournal.

WhatYouNeedcollageelements

favoriteartsupplies(Ilovebleedingarttissuepaper,CobaltTealandneonacrylicpaints,watercolors,coloredIndiainks,Liquitexinks,Krinkpaintmarkers,ShivaOilPaintstiksandwater-solubleoilpastels.)

glue

musicyoulove(IcurrentlylovetopainttotheAméliesoundtrack.Italwaysgetsmeinawhimsicalmood.)

sketchbook

varietyofbrushes(foam,bristle,sponges,calligraphy)

RULESTOREMEMBER(ORFORGET!)

OftentimesmymindjumpsinandsaysIcan’tuseacrylicswithoils,butthenItryitanywayandrealizeitlooksbeautiful.IfIfeellikemybackgroundisn’tprettyenough,itusuallymeansI’vestoppedhavingfunandbecometoofocusedonthefinaloutcome.That’swhenIstartanewpaintedpageorgobacktousingmyfavoritecolorsandtechniques.IalsocoverupthepartsI’mstrugglingwith,withcolorsorpapersIlove.Ifmypaintedpagelookstoobusy,I’lladdinsomesolidareaswithIndiainksormyfavoritecoloracrylicpaint.IfIwritesomethingIdon’twantanyonetosee,Icoveritupwithbleedingarttissuepaperorabookpage,thenpaintoveritsomemore.Ifitseemslikethepageneedssomethingmore,Iaddafewofmyfavoritestampsorstencils.

STEP1:Putonyourfavoritemusicandgetoutallofyourartsupplies.Iliketosetthemupinrowsliketeachersdidinpreschool,soeverythingisreadytogo.

STEP2:Grabwhateverartsuppliescatchyoureyeandplayinyoursketchbook.Atthisstage,Iworkfastandfollowmyinstincts.Iscribble,smudgeandletthecolorrunalloverandbleedifIwant.Imakesillymarkswithacrylics,doodleinpencilandthenscribbleoveritwithoilpastels.Iwritewhateverwordscometomind.Workonafewpagesatonce.Thisphaseisallaboutcoveringupthewhitespace.WhenI’vecoveredmostofmywhitespace,Istartanotherpiecewhilethefirstdries.Ialways

havefiveorsixpaintedpagesgoingatonce.ThatwayInevergetimpatientortooattachedtojustone.

PhotobyKateDaniel

STEP3:Addasecondlayertoeachpaintedpage.Nothinghereneedstobeperfect.It’sallaboutstayinglooseandhavingfun.SometimesIpulloutsheetmusicandoldchildren’sbookslikeJamesandtheGiantPeachand

gluesectionsdowninstrips.IfI’mfeelingsentimentalandrememberinghowlovelyitwastorunthroughtheflowergardeninthesummertime,IwillbedrawntobutterfliesandbirdsongiftwrapandvintagepostcardsaswellastissuepaperI’vesavedfromfavoritebirthdaypresents.OnceIfinishlayeringmypapers,Iuseacrylicpaintstofillinbetweenthecollageelements,

poppingoutareasIlikemostwhilecreatingsolidsectionsofcolorfortheviewer’seyetorest.Tokeepwiththewhimsicalfeel,Iscribblewithwater-solubleoilpastelsandwaxcrayons.This

remindsmeofcoloringasakid,spreadoutwithallofmyartsuppliesonabigblanketinthegrass.That’sthewayIstilllovetopaint.Itmakesmestaycarefreeandplayinmyartwork.IoftenripoutthepartsIlovemostinthesepaintedpagesandgluethembacktogetheragain

likepuzzlepiecesoncanvasorwoodtostartanewbackground.Thereisnorightorwrongway.

PhotobyKateDaniel

Exercise

InkySojournIhavediscoveredthathoursspentbehindacomputerscreenarenotconducivetoarelaxedstateofmind.Andarelaxedstateofmindiskeytocultivatingastateofhappiness.ToomanytimesIhavefeltthatfuzzy,heightened,unfocusedbuzzofbeinggluedtothescreentoolong,flittingbackandforthfromoneofthemanyopentabs,tryingtogeteverythingdoneyetgettingdistractedtimeandtimeagain,neglectingtodrinkwaterorgotothebathroom,tryingtogetjustonemorethingdone!RecentlyIhavediscoveredthatforcingmyselftoleavemyofficeaftera

coupleofhours,headonoutsideintothegardenandthenlyingspread-eagledonthegrassforatleasttenminutes,takinginthesoundsandbeautyaround,feelingthesunshineonmyfaceandbody,willbringmestraightbackintoagrounded,relaxed,connectedandfarmorefocusedstate.Aquicksojournintomystudioafteragardensunbathtoplaywithcoloredinksaddsevenmoretothehappinessequation.Iinviteyoutostepawayfromthescreenandjoinmeinsomeinkyexploration!

WhatYouNeedacrylicartist’sinks

eyedroppper

foambrush

skewerorothermark-makingelements

spraybottlewithwater

viewfinder

watercolorpaper

whiteoilpastel

STEP1:Usingyourfavoriteinks(mineareFWDaler-RowneyAcrylicArtistsInks)andalargesheetofwatercolorpaper(feelfreetoexperimentwithdifferenttypesfordifferenteffects),beginwithblack.Usingthedropperasyourdrawingtool,begintolaydownimagesandmarksinspiredbythegarden.

STEP2:Wetsomeareasofthepaperrandomlywithdrips,foambrushstrokesandaspraybottleandwaitforhappyaccidents!

STEP3:Addingacouplemorecolors(IaddedTurquoiseandOliveGreen),playwithsploshing,sprayinganddrippingtheinkswithnoexpectationofoutcome.Canyouseethelittlebluebirdthatmagicallyappearedinawetbrushedarea?

STEP4:Idrewinsomemoregarden-inspireddesignsandmarkswithawhiteoilpastelandthen

droppedandsprayedmyFlameOrangeinkintothemix.

STEP5:Withabambooskewerand/oryourfingers,pickupsomeofonecolorandmoveitaroundthepage,dabbing,dottinganddrawing,balancingoutthecompositionwithbroadswatchesofcolorandmoredelicatemarks.Iworkplayfullyandnottoofast,leavinglotsofwhitespacesforabalanceincontrast.Tofurtherenhancethevisualcontrast,addinsomeswatchesofdarkerareas.Abiggreenloveheartpuddleformedinthemiddlehere.Somuchfun!

STEP6:Iaddedsomeredandochreintothepicture,blottedtheexcesswaterwithapapertowelandlettheimagedry.

STEP7:Whenyourimageisdry,playaroundwithasmallviewfinder,lookingforpleasingcompositions—smallerimageswithinthelarger.Iliketousearuleredgetotearthesesmallerimagesfromthelargerexploratorypiece.ThiswayIalwayshaveamultitudeofbeautifulimagesinmyinspirationstashtoworkintoandcreatemoreart!

Happy,HarmonicBalance

byMaryBethShawFindingandkeepinga“happyplace”sometimesseemslikeafull-timejobinandofitself.Likemanyartists,mymostnaturaldispositiontendstowardextremesonbothends.IspentalotofyearsthinkingIsomehowhadtosufferoranguishtocreatepowerfulandmovingart.Or,thatIhadtoputmyselfintoamaniatogetanythingdone.However,Ihavemostrecentlyfoundthesetypesofbehaviorultimatelyendupcausingmetospinout,whichresultsinawasteofmyprecious(ohhowpreciousitis!)timeandenergy.Ittookmeoh-so-longtogettothispointandIguessIamsoundingaweebit

likeanoldfogeyinherfiftiesevensayingit,butIthinkImight,justmighthavefinallylearnedsomething.IperformbestandammyhappiestwhenIremaininsomesemblanceofharmonicbalance.Thisrequiresregular—asindaily—attentiontomyphysicalandmentalstateofbeing.ThereareanumberofthingsItrytodo:exercise,meditation,aproperdiet

andquasi-normalsleeppatternsdefinitelyhelp.Thedaysofall-nightersinthestudiojustdon’tcutitanymore.Imean,sure,Idoitwhenabsolutelynecessary,butIgenerallytrytobemoredisciplined.Itmaysoundüberbasic,butthefactisIfunctionbetterifItakecareofmyphysicalself.Myenergylevelsoars!Extrasthatcontributetomysenseofwell-beingareyogaandtimeinnature,

suchastakingawalkonmostdays.PlayingwithmycatsisanindulgenceIallowmyselfeverysingleday.Asmyhusbandsays,“Timespentpettingakittyisneverwasted.”Andbeingwithmygrandchildrenisatremendousjoy.Notraisingchildrenofmyown,thesegrandkidsthatIinheritedarequitespecialandtendtonaturallykeepmeverymuchinthemoment.Thisallbeingsaid,youareprobablythinking,Whenonearthdoesshehave

timetomakeart?Well,guesswhat,whenlifeissmooth,timeforartrevealsitselfeverysecond,minute,hour,well...allthetime!Thereisanundercurrent

ofartthatisconstantformeandIloveitthatway.Itsortofdefieslogic,butthisishowIthinkitworks.IdeasaboundinjoyfulwaysandIfeelsoluckytolivethislife.Yes,makingartisthecherryontopofthesundae,ormaybeitiseventhesundaeitselfbecauseforme,artandlifeareinextricablylinkedinsuchawayIcouldneverpointtothedivisionline.Myartismylifeisme.Andthiskeepsmehappy.WhichleadsmetothefinalthingIdowithoutfaileachandeveryday.Before

Isleep,Idoabriefgratitudepractice(prayer,whateveryouliketocallit).IremindmyselfoftheabundanceinmylifeandallthethingsforwhichIamgrateful.Althoughitisamentalexerciseonly,itisabeautifulwaytofallasleep.

PhotobySantanaVerdugo

CHAPTERNINEComeTogether

ConnectingwithCommunityItis1997.Siennaissevenweeksold,apeacefulbabyalreadysleepingthroughthenight.Santanaisaprecociousthree-and-a-half-year-old.Wehavejustboughtahouseandhavemovedfromablandrentalonaone-acreruralblocktoacottageinneedofalotofTLC,oneblockfromthebeach,withnumerousmakeshiftadditionsandabackyardfilledwithaviaries.Thereareeighthundredpeopleinthisvillagebythesea.Weknowonlyoneofthem.Amoleonmyleftshoulderdarkenedduringmyrecentpregnancy,andmy

doctorrecommendedweremoveitafterthebirth,justtobesafe.Amongstthebusynessofmovingandbeinginacloudy-headedstateofnewmamahood,ithadslippedmyminduntilIfeltititch.

hadslippedmyminduntilIfeltititch.Asimpleexcision,onestitch,andthenaphonecallthenextmorning.Nevera

goodsign.Dr.Harper,ajovialsurgeonwithaheartofgold,tellsmeitismelanoma,malignant,superficial,spreading.Myheartsinks.Hetellsmehethinkswehavecaughtitearly;Iclingtotheoptimisminhisvoice.ThenextdayMarcodrivesmetothehospital.ItryinvaintousethebreastpumpsoMarcocanfeedSienna,butnothingwillcome.ThenurseassuresmeI’llbeabletofeedherinafewhours.OntheoperatingtableIcountbackward.100,99,98,97...Islipinto

oblivion,andthen,Iamawakeagain.Ajaggedlineofstitchesextendsfrommycollarbonedownmyleftarmintheshapeofalightningbolt.Theyareconfidenttheyhaveremoveditall.Iamsenthomefromsurgerywithmythrobbingarminaslingandstrictinstructionsnottoliftanything.Ilookatthemblankly.Iambreastfeedingaseven-week-oldbaby.“Maybeyoucanhaveafriendcometohelp.Afamilymember?”theyask.Thereisnoone.Marcoisinthemiddleofabuildingjobandcan’ttakethetimeoff.

Humankindhasnotwoventheweboflife.Wearebutonethreadwithinit.Whateverwedototheweb,wedotoourselves.Allthingsareboundtogether.Allthingsconnect.—ChiefSeattle

ThenextdayInoticeSienna’schestmovinginastrangeway.Itisasthougheverytimeshetakesabreathherribcagesinksinward.Sheisstruggling.Wedrivebacktothehospital,andintheemergencyroomtheTVisshowinganewsstoryaboutanepidemicofbronchiolitisinthearea.Thebabyonthenewshasachestthatisdoingthesamestrangething.Siennaisadmittedandspendsfivedaysonoxygen.Iambeyondexhausted.Spent.Worriedformylifeandmybaby’slife.Thenursesarebeautiful.Theysetmeupforfivedaysinwhatissupposedtobeanovernight-onlyparent’sroom.TheydressmywoundandwakemewhenSiennacries,helpingmetoherroomandliftingheroutofthecotandintomyarms.

WhensheisstablewereturnhomeandIholdmybabycloseandcryasIlistentothewheezethatwilllingerforthenextsixmonthsasherlungsslowlyheal.Ihaveneverfeltsoalone.Isayasilentprayer,askingforcommunity.SeveralyearslaterandIaminthecompanyofagroupofwomenwhoknow

eachotherwell.Theyaresoeasywitheachother,accepting,comfortable.Therearestoriesandwineandlaughter.Iamanoutsider,therewiththemforbusiness.Ilongforagroupofwomenfriendslikethis.Theconversationswingstothetopicofheadlice.Itisrampantatschoolandtheyhavealldealtwithitatonetimeoranother.Oneofthemumsmentionsshehashadanitchyhead,andimmediatelyherfriendscheckherscalp.Itisdecidedthattheywillallgettogetherthenextdaytowashandcheckeachother’shair.Iamastoundedattheirwillingnesstobeopenandvulnerable.Iamalsoenvious.Somehowinthatmoment,pickingnitsbecomesasymbolforauthenticfriendshipandcommunity.Severalmoreyearspass.Ihavebegunmycreativejourney,Iampaintingand

holdingexhibitionsandpartofaninteresting,flourishingartscommunity,helpingoutonthecommitteefortheWinterArtsFestivalinourbeautifulJervisBay.Thegirlsareinschoolandwearemeetingnewpeopleallthetime,findingourtribeandfeelingathomeinoursmallcommunity.RelaxingaroundtheBBQaftersailingoneSaturdayevening,myfriendKatietellsmethattheshampoosheisusingmusn’tbeagreeingwithher.Shecan’tstopitching,especiallyatthebaseofherneck.Itakealook,anexpertonthesubjectnowthatIhaveschool-agekids.“Oh,Katie,”Isay,“youneedtocomeovertomorrowsowecandealwiththis.”Nextdayinthesunshine,wesitonourbackdeckforseveralhoursasIcomb

throughherhair,strandbystrand,removingthepeskylittleeggs.Itellhermystoryandhowspecialthismomentistome.Welaughaboutnitpickingasametaphorforfriendshipandconnection,butIknowthatIhavebeguntobuildcommunity,thatIambeginningtoletdownmyguard,toconnectonadeeperlevel,andIknowhowimportantthatis.

*TenyearsagowhenIwasstillveryearlyinmyartjourney,Iwrotemyfirstartiststatement.Itflowedasifitcamefromsomewhereoutsideofmeandrevealedtomyselfmyfascinationwiththeinterconnectednessofallthings.Theuniversalthemeofconnectionunderliesallofmywork:connectionto

eachotherandthewaysinwhichweexpressourhumanity,connectionwiththenaturalworldandthebeautythatsurroundsus,connectionwiththedivineandasenseofsomethinggreateratworkinourlives.Iliketobelievethatweareallpartofanintricateandbreathtakingtapestry.

Ouronlychoiceeachmomentiswhethertobeapartofthecreatingorapartoftheunraveling.Ihaveneversincefelttheneedtomodifythatstatement.Itstillencompasses

thewaythatIseeandwalkthroughtheworld,onlyastimepassesmyunderstandingdeepens,reinforcedtimeandtimeagainbytheconnectionsIhavemade,friendshipsforged,livesintertwined,storiesexploredandshared.AsIcontinuetopaintandteach,Istepwithmoreopennessintotheendlesspossibilitiesthatpresentthemselves,acceptingallwithlove.

AGardenGrows

byPeterPerez

DartmouthGarden,Boston,Massachusetts

Everythingisanarttool—abrush,apen,apencil,ahammer,astove,ashovel,aplant,treeorrock.The1970swereagreatchapterinBostonhistory,andIwasapartofit.MyadvertisinghistoryinManhattanprecededmetoBostonandpavedthe

wayformetoopenmyowndesignstudio.Itwasthedestinyofmymanywildestofdreams:fromtheorangegrovesofSouthernCalifornia;aone-waytickettoMadisonAvenue,NYC,intheearlysixties;andthentoBoston.“YouhavetobuyabrownstoneintheSouthEndofBostonforawrite-off,”

thefinancialadvisortoldme.LittledidIknowthatitwouldturnintoatwelve-yearrestorationartproject,notonlyofthebuildingbutoftheentireSouthEnd.ItwouldalsocreatetheSouthEndHistoricalSociety,theBostonCenterfortheArts,theFirstNightandNewYear’sEvecelebrations,CommunityGardensand

Arts,theFirstNightandNewYear’sEvecelebrations,CommunityGardensandmanyotherextraordinaryprojects,includingtheDartmouthGarden.Threehousesdownfrom19DartmouthStreet,towardCopleySquare,wasa

vacantlotnexttothepublicschool.The1863brownstonethatoncestoodtherehadburneddownmanyyearsbeforeandthelotwaswaist-deepintrashanddebris.Passingbyonemorning,Ithoughtthatitcouldbeanicesittingparkoneday.SoeachtimeIwentbyIfilledalargeyardwastebagandputitonthecurbforremoval.Eventuallyallthetrashwasgone.ButthenIrealizedthatifnothingelsewasdone,itwouldonlyfillwithtrashagain.Sincenoonehadobjectedtomycleaningitup,Idecidedthatnoonewould

objecttomyplantingafewthingsthere...orabitofexcavation.Ididn’taskwhoownedthepropertyorgetpermissionfromthecitytomakeapark,Ijustdidit.IhadtheBostonFlowerMarketasaclient,andtheyhadamountainofrejectedplantsandtreesthatIcouldhelpmyselfto.Overtime,Icontinuedtoaddflowerbedstothegarden—tulips,daffodils,iris,

climbingvinesofheavenlyblueandmulticolormorningglories,honeysuckle,fernsandtrees.Thegardengrewandflourished.EachMother’sDayallthetulipsandbulbsinbloomwoulddisappear.The

thirdyearIputupanicelittlesignthatsaid,“PleasewishyourmotherahappyMother’sDayfromtheGarden.”Mybesthelperswerethehomelessfolkswhoadoptedthegardenasasafe

placetositandsleep.Theyalsomadesurethattherubbishandemptieswentinthecan.OneChristmaswedecoratedthepinetreewithnipbottleshangingasornamentsandwrappedupsix-packsofbeerunderthetreefromSanta.OfalltheamazingartprojectsintheBostonchapter,Iammostproudofthis

littlegardenthatwillalwaysbeapartoftheSouthEndhistory.

Community

byJessGreeneCommunitycanbehard.Reallyhard.Evengut-wrenchinglydifficultattimes.Andthecreativecommunityisnotimmunetoallthedifficulties.Youwillget

nastycommentsonyourblog;youwillhave“friends”disappear;youwillencountercliquesandfeelexcluded;youwillsende-mailsthatwillneverbeanswered;youwillwatchothersformlifelongbondsandwonderwhereyoursare.Despiteallthedifficult,oftenconfidence-shakingexamplesofpoor

communitythatIhaveexperienced,mymindisalsofilledwithaplethoraofpure,piercinglybrightvignettesofsolidcommunityandcreativeconnections.Icanhonestlytellyouthatwhilethecreativecommunityisnotwithoutitsflaws,itistransformationalaswell.WhenIthinkofthetimesIhaveexperiencedpositivecommunity,the

followingarestoriesthatcometomind:

In2011,IappliedandgotintoanartistresidencyinSpain.Oneartistfriendhadpromptedmetoapplyinthefirstplaceandthenanotherfriendpushedmetocomeoutofmyshellenoughtotellpeopleaboutmyacceptanceataneventwewereat.AfewweekslaterIlaunchedacrowd-sourcingcampaigntofundmyexperience,andalargeportionofsupporterscamefromthepeopleIhadmetatthatevent.Thosetwoartistsbelievedinmeandpushedmeforward,whichresultedinevenmorepeoplesupportingme—inafinancialway—whichblewmymind.Earlyin2012,IdecidedIwantedtodrivearoundtheUnitedStatesandCanadaofferingfreeart-makingeventsandmeetingthecreativepeopleIknewonline.ThewildideawasmetwithenthusiasmonFacebook,andIreceivedenough“Comehere!”requeststomakethewholethingpossible.I

stayedinonlyfourhotelsduringmythreemonthsontheroadbecausetherestofthetime,Istayedinpeople’shomes—peopleIhadonlyknownonlinethroughthecreativecommunity.Sharingtheirlivesandtheirhomeswasoneofthemostprofoundaspectsofmytrip.Duringthe2012roadtrip,IwasgatheredinBigSur,California,ataretreatcalledMatrilumina.Idrewawordfromapileduringanactivity.Thewordwasadventurous.MostofthewomeninthatroomburstoutlaughingwhenIreadit,andinthatmomentIknewIwasseenandknown.Thosewomenknewmeenoughtoseethepowerfulserendipityinmychoosingthatwordandsharedthatmarvelwithme.AndjustlastweekafriendsensedthatIwastryingtoforceanewbusinessmove.Iwasflounderingandunclearbutstilltryingtomakeaprojectwork.Shesentmeanicee-mailwithherthoughtsincludingasuggestionfromherandfromtwoofourotherfriendstorest,relaxandinsteadfocusonrestoration.Icried.ThenIcalledherandhadagoodconversationinwhichIrevealedjusthowconfusedIwas.Beingunderstoodandbeingledawayfrombaddecisionsandhavingmyfrustrationheardandmetaresomeofmymostcherishedbenefitsofcommunity.

Butoneofthehardestthingsaboutcommunityisfindingit.Ithastakenmeyearstofindmine.Andcommunityisnotsomethingyoujustarriveat;itevolves.ThebiggestthingIhavelearnedinmyjourneyistokeepshowingup.Ifyou

wantthemagictohappen,youneedtobethere.Gototheretreats,takethee-courses,commentontheposts,sharewhatresonateswithyou,replytothenewsletters,reachoutwithasimplee-mail,getintroducedtosomeonenew,drivetomeetpeopleyouonlyknowonlineandhavelotsofphonedates.Anddon’tjustlookuptothoseyouadmire;lookaroundforthosewhoareonasimilarpathasyou.Ifyoukeepshowingupwithyoursoulbared,willingtohelpothers,the

communitythatismeantforyouwillshowupwithahello.Neverstopseeking

communitythatismeantforyouwillshowupwithahello.Neverstopseekingthatwhichyourheartwants,andotherswillnotice.

We’reAllConnected

byMaryBethShaw

Ihaveexploredtheconceptofcommunityandconnectionformanyyearsthroughseveralofmyseries.Itisastrongbeliefofminethatnomatterwherewehappentolive,itispossibleforustoallfind“ourpeople.”Thisparticularpieceissymbolicofmaintainingasenseofselfwhilealso

beingpresentinthetribe.Lotsofpersonaltopicsmaybeexploredbyusingsimplepaperdollimagery.

WhatYouNeedfluidacrylicpaintsgelmedium

gesso

gesso

paintbrushes

papercollagematerials(assorteddecorativepapers)papertowels

pencil,black

scissors

ScribblesDimensionalPaintstencils

stretchedcanvas

STEP1:Selecthand-paintedpaperandfolditintoanaccordionshape.Drawhalfofachildlikepaper-dollshapeupagainstthefoldsideofthepaper.

STEP2:Cutouttheimageandgentlyunfold.

STEP3:Selectneutral-coloredcollageelementsandtearintosquareandrectangularshapes.Usinggelmedium,gluethesecollagepiecestoastretchedcanvas,beingcarefultoputgelmediumunderandovereachelement.Wetabrushandpaintsomedilutedwhitegessoacrossyourcollagepieces.Thisunifiesthebackgroundtosomeextentbutstillallowstheunderneathpartstobeseen.

STEP4:Selectaverylimitedpaintpalette.IusedPrussianBlue,TransparentOrangeOxideandTitaniumWhite.Keepthepaintsthinandwet,andblendanddripcoloracrossyourcanvas.Setasidetodryoruseahairdryer.

STEP5:Continuetoaddpaintuntilyouhaveachievedapleasinglook.

STEP6:Usingapatternstencil,applypaintovertwo-thirdsofthecanvas.Onceyouhaveremovedthestencil,useadamppapertoweltogentlyblotthestenciledarea,whichblendsitintothebackground.

STEP7:Continuetoaddstenciledareastothepieceasyoustarttoconsiderpossibleoptionsforcomposition.

STEP8:Addcollagecomponents.Takeyourtimeandmovethepartsarounduntilyouaresatisfied.Usingwhitepaintandablackpencil,workondetailstoincreasethecontrastandpopthewhitesandblacks,forinstance,aroundthepaperdollsandothercollageparts.

STEP9:UseaScribblespainttoadddotsandotherfeatures(outlineofthegirls’dresses)tothepiece.Addmorestencileffectsifneeded.

Exercise

PuttingItAllTogether!

WhatYouNeedacrylicartistsinks

acrylicpaints(IusedGoldenfluidsandheavy-bodied)

collageelements

largecanvas,boardorpaper30"×30"(76cm×76cm)

mark-makingtools:foambrushes,twigs,otherbrushes,bambooskewer

paintbrushes

sketchbookpaper

spraybottlewithwater

stencils

water-resistantoilpastels,varietyofcolors

water-solublepencil,anycolor

whitechalk

EverythingIsConnected!Inthisfinalprojectyougettosneakapeekintooneofmyworkshopsandwatchmydemopaintingunfoldfromstarttofinishusingacombinationofmanyofthetechniquesinthepreviouschapters!Remembertoapproachyourpaintingwithanattitudeofcuriosityandwonderandplayfulexploration.Feelfreetomixthestepsup,useyourownsymbols,poems,musicandwordstoinspireyou,andlistentoyourheartandyourpaintingasitcomestolife.Alloftheprojectsinthisbookareflexible,justlikethatpartofyouthatyearnstoloosenupandbelessrigid.Let’sseetogetherhowfarwecanpushtheboundariesofourart,breathingalifeintoourpaintingsthatspeaksourownauthenticstory.Andmostofall,don’tforgettohaveFUN!

ANoteontheSymbolismofDeerIneverknowwhatorwhoisgoingtoemergefromacanvas,andIamalways

Ineverknowwhatorwhoisgoingtoemergefromacanvas,andIamalwaysintriguedtofindoutthesymbolismofanunexpectedvisitortomystudio.Iamabigbelieverinsynchronisticeventsandserendipity,soIwasdelightedtofindoutthatthisbeautifulcreaturewhohasdecidedtogracethefinalpagesofabookthatIhopehelpsyoutoexplorenewcreativeterritoryissymbolicofgentleforaysintoenticingnewadventures.Thedeerspeaksofnewperceptions,expansionandgrowth.And,likeallofus,adeerhasamultitudeofpersonalities:strongandfeisty,withacalltoadventure;acautious,protectiveside;butaboveall,agreatsenseofindividuality.Thedeerasks,likeIdo,thatyoulearntotrustyourselfandyourintuitionasyoujourneyonfurtherinthiswonderfulcreativeadventure!

ChangeYourPerspectiveTokeeptheflowgoingandyourperspectivefresh,turnyourcanvasoftenduringsteps1–6sotheorientationchanges.

STEP1:Usingawater-solublepencil,divideyourcanvas,boardorpaperintoagrid;norulersallowed!Weusedforty-ninesquaresona30"×30"(76cm×76cm)canvas,butthereisnosetformulaforanintuitive,playfulartexploration.Ithinkofthegridasrepresentingourself-imposednotionsofwhatisrightandwrong,andinstructmystudentstojumpoutoftheboxandpaintoutsidethelinesassoonaspossible.Maybeyouwouldliketostartwithaspiralorconcentriccirclesinsteadofagrid.Useyourimaginationandtryseveralnewstartingpoints!UseyoursymbolsfromChapterOneandpracticepaintingthemontothecanvasusingasmany

diversemethodsaspossible!IusedadarkpaintmixedfromTurquoisePhthaloandQuinacridoneBurntOrangetopaint,andsomecolorfuloilpasteltodrawmysymbols.Paintyoursymbolsusingarangeofdifferentbrushes,old,new,thick,thin;varythepressure

whenapplyingpaint,skippinglines,switchingtoabambooskewertopaintwith,blockinginwholeboxeswithdarkpaintandscratchingyoursymbolsin.Raidyourkitchenorthetoolshed,thehardwarestoreorthegarden,andfindnewtoolstobringdiversitytoyourwork!Grabsomeoilpastelsanddrawyoursymbolsontothecanvas.Thiswillgivesomebeautiful

resisteffectswhenyouapplythefirstlayerofpaint!Experimentwithyournondominanthandandyoureyesclosed.Makesurethatoneofyoursymbolsisyourownuniquethumb-orfingerprint.

STEP2:Next,let’splaywithwarmandcoolcolors,usingGoldenFluidacrylicpaintsandDalerRowneyFWacrylicartistsinksinterchangeably.Dripharmoniouscoolcolorsontooneendofthecanvasandwarmcolorsontotheother.Spray

thecolorswithwaterandwatchthemspreadandmingle.Noticewhichcolorsworkwelltogetherandwhichonescreatemuddytones.Storethesethingsawayinyourmemoryfornexttime.Don’tdespairoveralittlemuddycolor;justbesuretokeepsomeseparationbetweenthedifferentcolorsformorevisualinterest.

STEP3:Movethepaintaroundnow,usinganyofyourtools,butremembertoincludeadiversityofmarks.Ifyouwanttomakeaswirl,makeoneandthenmakeanother,butdon’tcoverthecanvaswithswirls.Ifyouwanttoaddsomefingerprints,throwsomeinthereandthenmaybeafewdiagonallyopposite,butdon’tfingerprintthewholething!Spreadthepaintwithyourfoambrushforbroadswatchesofcolors,thenpickupsomepaint

withthebambooskewerandmakedelicatedots.Pickupalittleofthecoolercolorsandmovethemintothewarmareajusttoseewhathappens.Repeatsomeofyoursymbolsinsomeareas.Spendatleasthalfanhourtoanhouronthisstep.

Studentworkfromlefttoright:AndreaHenning,BethSaxena,PamelaBeck

STEP5:Nowit’stimetotaketheselittlefeelingpaintingsandduplicatethemontoyourcanvas.Youwillprobablyfeelsomeresistanceatthispoint.Maybeyoudon’tlikethecolorsyouchoseorthelittlepaintingsyoucreatedseemuglytoyou.Givere-creatingthematryanyway.Trustme.Wewillsetourselvesupwithsomeproblemsandfindwaystosolvethem.Getthoselittlepaintingsontothecanvasandthentrythefollowingthingstobringcohesion

backtoyourpainting:

Repeatthefeelingpaintinginanotherplace,especiallyifyouhavejustintroducedanewcolororadominantbolddesign.Usewhite,pastelcolorsoradark(suchasPayne’sGreyorRawUmber)toscrubinsomebroaderswatchesofcolor.Trynottopaintoverareasthatyoudislike;instead,usetheswatchesofcolortobreakthemup,perhapsscrubbingoverjustacornerorlinkingtwoquitedifferentareaswithaswatchofcolor.Usemarkssuchasdots,fingerprintsanddashestolinkonecolortoanother(e.g.,oneredareaononesidetoanotherredareaacrosstheway).Stencilsandpaintedwordscouldalsobeusedinthisway.Usestencilstounifyoneareawithanother(e.g.,astrongareaoforangenexttoanareaoflimegreencouldbeunifiedbyaddingastenciledpatternoverpartsofbothinaslightlylightertoneofeitherorangeorgreen).

STEP6:Spendsometimenowjustlookingatyourpainting.Leanitagainstawall,turnitdifferentwaysandsquintyoureyestoseeifanythingsparksyourimagination.Wearenotlookingforanimagetojumpoutatyou,althoughsometimesthatmighthappen.Wearelookingforsomethingthatmightleadusinacertaindirection.AfterIbeganmyelephantseries,InoticedelephantpotentialineverycanvasIstarted.Inclass,

ifIseeapotentialfish,forexample,suddenlyeveryoneintheroombeginstoseefishontheircanvases.Ourbrainsworkwelltofindthethingswefocuson.Thinkaboutcompositionwhenyoufindapossiblebird,fish,giraffe,elephant,etc.Woulditbe

wellplacedonthecanvasorsquashedtowardthebottomorfallingofftheside?Oneofmyfavoritetoolsatthispointisaplain,whitepieceofchalk.Makelinesonyourcanvas

whereyouseepossibility.Drawinacrazycreaturearoundsomethingthatremindsyouofaneye.Doesthatcurvelooklikethesideofadancingwoman?Roughlydrawitinandseehowitmightlook.Youcanadjustyourdrawingorgetridofitcompletelywithadamppapertowel;justmakesurethepaintisdrybeforeyoustartthisstep.LookingatmypaintingthiswayIdecidedthatIcouldseethebeginningofsomekindofanimal

withthebolddarkdottowardthecenterasaneye(withblueeyelashesmaybe?),thespiralbelowasasnoutandadefinitesuggestionofaneckandshoulderline.Coulditbeagiraffewithabutterflyonitshead?Maybe,butthenwhatwouldIdowiththeotherhalfofthecanvas,anddoesn’tagiraffeneedaverylongnecktolook,giraffe-like?Iplayedwiththechalkawhilelongerandsuddenlyithitme:Adeer!Withplentyofroomforbig,

beautifulantlers!

STEP7:Atthispoint,it’scommonforseveralofthestudentstofeelthattheirpaintingsarestillquitedisjointed,busyorjarring,andIoftenwanttounifymypaintingalittlebeforeproceedingtothenextstage.Glazingoverthewholepaintingorsectionsofthepaintingwithoneorseveralharmoniouscolorsisagreatwaytopullthingstogether!Glazingeffectscanbeachievedwithglazingmediums,butIfindwateralsohighlyeffective,

Glazingeffectscanbeachievedwithglazingmediums,butIfindwateralsohighlyeffective,especiallywhenusingpaintslikeGoldenwithintensepigmentquality.PouringalineofTurquoise(Phthalo)acrossthetopofthecanvas,Iproceededtosprayitwith

mywaterbottle,allowingthepainttodripdownandusedafoambrush,myhand(youmaywanttouseadisposableglovewhenpaintingwithyourhandsandfingers)andpapertowelstomoveandcontroltheflowanddrips.Alternatively,youcanglazewithyourcanvasflatonatabletohavemorecontrolovertheconsistencyoftheglazeindifferentareas.Usingapapertowel,Iselectivelyblottedareastoallowsomeintensityofcolortoshowback

through.

STEP8:Usingthewhitechalk,Idrawintheoutlineofmydeer,adjustingandreadjustingasIgo.UsingPayne’sGreyIaddinanothereye.Feelfreetoaddinanyelementssuchasthistoyourownpaintingtocompletetheimageyouarevisualizing.

STEP9:WithTitaniumWhiteandasmallflatbrush,paintinallthenegativespacesaroundtheformyousketchedwiththechalk.AsthedeeremergedImademoreadjustmentsnowthatIcouldseethebalanceoftheformagainstthebackgroundbetter.Youmaydecidetouseacolorotherthanwhitearoundtheformthatemergesfromyour

canvas.Playwithdifferentcolorsinbothopaqueandtransparentapplications.

STEP10:It’snicetoleavethetransparencyofthewhiteinsomeareas,butyoumaydecidetovarythepaintopacitylevelinothers.UsingmyfingersIscoopedoutsomeheavy-bodiedwhiteandapplieditthicklytoseveralareasaroundandabovethehead.

STEP11:Experimentwiththeadditionofcollageinyourpainting,eitherintheearlystagesortowardtheendasIhavehere.Whenaddingacollageelement,besuretorepeatpatternsinseveralareasforcohesion.Topushthepatternsbackyoucanglazeoverareaswithaunifyingcolor.

STEP12:Completeyourpaintingbyaddinginsmallareasofdetailwithintheformusingafinebrush.

SomePartingAffectionIhopethestoriesandprojectsinthisbook,sharedgenerouslybyagroupoffabulousimperfect,human,creativebeings,justlikeyou,giveyoutheconfidencetoexplore,awillingnesstoletgoandmakemistakes.Ihopethisbookistheimpetustodefiningyourownauthenticart-makingpractice.Mayyoushineyourcreativelightonhighbeamsothatothersareentrancedandinspiredbyitsglow!

ContributingArtists

ErinFaithAllen

PhotobyLucySharpe

Asanartistandempath,Iexperiencetheworldonasupernaturallevel.Imakearttounderstandandprocessmyself,lifeandtheplanet.Feelingthestrongandundeniablepresenceofuniversalwoman-ness,I

conjurefemalelegacyandstorythroughwordsandpictures.Ispilloutmyworldincolor,textureandstream-of-consciousnesswritingin

anendlessdancebetweenphotography,painting,illustrationandtext.Myartconveysthedelicatedancebetweenlightandshadow.Wemusthowl

inwild,starkexposureatthemoontoknowtrueblissintheglowofthesun.erinfaithallenart.com

SethApter

Iam...happiestinthosemomentswhenIloseallsenseoftimebecauseIamsocompletelyengrossedinmakingart.Iam...alwaysexcitedwhenthefirstcoatofgessoisbrushedon.Iam...abletoseethebeautyinanendlessarrayofobjectsthatothershavetossedaside.Iam...thoroughlyconvincedthatthereismagictobefoundineverytubeofpaint.Iam...anartist.thealteredpage.blogspot.com

OrlyAvineri

Iamsurroundedbypossibilities:tostretchmyowncanvases—atalltimes,atallplaces—tomakemanypapersthathavecolors,patternsandtextures—papers

places—tomakemanypapersthathavecolors,patternsandtextures—papersthatarerawandhavewordsonthem,printedorscripted,boundintoartjournals.Journalpagesconstantlyandconsistentlyprovidemewithcanvasesonwhichtodepictmynewernarratives.ThesevisualstoriesmakemefeelthatIamcomplex,notcomplicated;thatIamvisibleandindivisible.Blankpages,lusciouslyfilled,makemeyearnforthenextblankpage.oneartistjournal.com

LisaSonoraBeam

LisaSonoraBeamisanAmericanartist,therapist,businessownerandstrategist.Sheispassionateaboutthehealingandtransformativepowersofcreativeexpression,andaboutturningacreativecallingintoaviablebusiness.LisaistheauthorofTheCreativeEntrepreneur,theaward-winningandbest-sellingvisualguidebooktocreativityandbusiness.Anavidtravelerandkeeperofvisualjournalsketchbooks,sheteachesworkshopsglobally.Herlatestbookisamemoir:Sketchbooks:MyPersonalCreativePractice.lisasonora.comcreativeentrepreneur.biz

JessicaBrogan

JessicaBroganisanationallypublishedwriterandphotographer,apopularbloggerandaguide,showingwomenhowtoliveapassionatelifefromtheinsideout.Littleknownfacts:Shecollectssoap,haslivedinEuropefourtimesand

dreamsofbeingabarrelraceronhorsebackandofsplittinghertimebetweenHawaiiandItaly.jessicaleighbrogan.com

JulietteCrane

PhotobyStephanieClaireBirr

I’manartist,teacher,storytellerandadventurer.Asoftenaspossible,Ipaintoutside,mostlyinthegrass,surroundedbyflowergardensandthetallesttrees.I’mthecreatorofaseriesofonlinecoursesthatencouragethousandsaround

theworldtoletgo,togetcreativeandlivetheirdreams.

MyworkhasbeenpublishedinGlamourmagazineUK,SomersetStudio,SomersetStudioGalleryandArtfulBlogging.WhenI’mnotteaching,traveling,cookingandpaintingingardensaroundthe

world,Ilivewithmybluegrass-singinghusbandinMadison,Wisconsin.juliettecrane.com

KeciaDeveney

KeciaDeveneyhasavintagesoul,andshelovestheindividualityoffoundobjects.Withherpassionformakinganddisplayinggiftsandhomedécor,Keciafoundherconnectednesstotheartcommunitybyblogging,sellingherbeautifulartonline,teachingandthroughthecreationofherwebsite.Herworkhasbeenpublishedinmagazinesandsheenjoysworkinginadiversityofartmediumsreflectedinthefree-spirited,gypsynatureofherartwork.lemoncholys.blogspot.com

LouiseGale

PhotobyNavyblur

LouiseGaleisaBritishartistwithapassionforcolor,nature,patternandenergy.Louisespendsherdayscreating,runningcreativeworkshopsandassisting

othercreativesoulswiththeirbusinesses.Aftereightyearsinacorporatejob,shefoundthecouragetopursuealifefilledwithmorecreativityandfreedom.Nowshewalksbarefootinthesandeverymorningasthesunrisesandhasasecretobsessionforsacredgeometry.Hermixed-mediaseriesSewHobokenisapermanentcollectionatthe

HobokenHistoricalMuseuminNewJersey,USA,andherworkhasbeenpublishedinTheNewYorkTimesandfeaturedinInc.magazineaswellasotherpublications.louisegale.com

JessGreene

PhotobyDanielleIntile

JessGreeneisanadventurer,artist,teacherandexperiencedesigner.Afterspendingyearsassuringmiddleschoolersthatdespitebeingasexcell,pollencan’tgetyoupregnant,Jesshasnowexpandedherfocustowritingandguidingothersthroughtransformationalexperiences.AsthefounderofSeekYourCourse.com,Jessinspiresadultsworldwidetoengagethecreativityinsidetheirmindsandtocraftinspiredlives.jessgreenestudio.com

e’LayneKoenigsberg

e’LayneKoenigsbergisamixed-mediacollageartist,businessowner,artistempowermentcoach,author,teacherandmother.Hermissionistocreateinspirationalartandtosupportwomentothrivespiritually,emotionally,physically,artisticallyandfinancially.ShefoundedTribeWildWomen,an

onlinecommunitywherewomencancometonurturetheirsoulandcreativespirit,andsharetheirempowermentjourneysinthelightoftruth,sisterhoodandlove.artbyelayne.com

LaurieMika

LaurieMikaisanartist,instructorandtheauthorofMixed-MediaMosaics.Overthelasttwodecades,Laurie’sworkhasevolvedintoanoriginalandeasilyrecognizablestyleofmosaicsandassemblage.Heruniqueapproachcombineshandmadepolymerclaytileswithbeads,jewelrypieces,charms,glasstileandfoundobjects.ShefeelsveryfortunatetobeabletocombineherloveoftravelandpassionforartthroughteachingatartretreatsbothintheUnitedStatesandabroad.mikaarts.com

PeterPerez

Iamagraphicdesigner,painter,curator,culturalhistorianandanationaland

Iamagraphicdesigner,painter,curator,culturalhistorianandanationalandinternationalrecipientofseveraldesignawardsandrecognition.Ichosetobeanartistataveryyoungage(1949inMrs.Howard’sfourth-

gradeclass).Noonethoughtitwasaverygoodidea,butIknewitwasmycalling.AtfifteenIsetoffonmyowntobeanartist,andsincethattime,Ihaveenjoyedaforty-yearartcareerandmyowndesignstudio.Tome,everythingisapossiblearttoolandpalette:Foodisartonaplate;

gardensarealivingpalette;anythingcanbeabrushtoenhancetheworldaroundyou,andthisapproachmakesitalltastebetter.ForthepastthirteenyearsIhavebeenontheroadpainting,curatingand

promotingDayoftheDeadcelebrations.Therecognitionofthisimportantculturaltraditionhasgainedpopularacceptanceandisanopportunityforallpeopletocelebratetheirculturalrootsandpassfamilymemoriesonfromgenerationtogeneration.Artpavesthewaytothenextadventureinthenextdimension.Itiswhatwedowhileweareherethatmakesthedifference.

facebook.com/peter.perez.31508

JesseReno

JesseRenoisaself-taughtmixed-mediapainter.Hehasbeendrawingsincehecouldholdapencil,andpaintingandexhibitinghisworkssince2000.JessehasamassedoverthreethousandpaintingsinthelasttwelveyearsandhasexhibitedhisworkextensivelyacrosstheUnitedStatesandCanadaaswellasFranceandMexico.HisworkhasbeencoveredinvariousartpublicationsincludingJuxtapoz,ARTnews,Artension,dpiandSomersetStudio,justtonameafew.OneofJesse’slargestworkscanbeseeninWinnipeg,Canada,wherehewascommissionedbytheProvinceofManitobatocreatea25'×40'(8m×12m)muralasareminderoftheculturalimportanceoftheNativeAmericanpeopleintheregion.jessereno.com

MaryBethShaw

MaryBethShawworksinmixedmediabecauseshelovestoplaywithartsupplies.Shecontendsthatmixedmediaisforartistswhocan’tmakeuptheirminds.TheownerofStencilGirlProducts,sheusesstencilsonanythingandeverything.Herspontaneousprocessutilizespastel,ink,markerandacrylics,layeredwithvariouscollage,textureandthree-dimensionalmaterials.Shewelcomesso-calledmistakesbecausetheyleadtowonderfulopportunitiesanddiscoveries.

SheisauthorofFlavorforMixedMediaandStencilGirl,bothpublishedbyNorthLightBooks,andisacolumnistforSomersetStudio.LivinginWildwood,Missouriwithherhusbandandthreecats,MaryBethispassionateabouteverymomentoflife.mbshaw.comstencilgirlproducts.com

RoxanneEvansStout

RoxanneEvansStoutisamixed-mediaartistwholivesandcreatesinthePacificNorthwest.Sheteachesartworkshopsandhashadherworkshownandpublishednationally.Roxanneisconstantlyinspiredbynaturalhistory,themountainsandtheriverlandssurroundingherhome.Thisinspirationhasalwaysbeenanintegralpartofherart.Bookarts,artjournaling,encausticpaintingandcollageareherfavoritewaystoexpressherself.rivergardenstudio.typepad.comfacebook.com/roxanne.evansstout

JudyWise

JudyWiseisalifelongpainterwholovestostareatthings,playwithunfamiliarmaterials,daydreaminherjournalandthinkaboutexistence.Shelovestoteachandtravelandhasbeenluckyallherlife.judywise.com

AboutTracy

PhotobyStacydelaRosa

IfTracyVerdugoweregiventheopportunitytocoinatermforanewartmovementbasedaroundwhatsheteaches,shemightcallit“curiosityandwonderism”ormaybe“loosen-upism”or“endlesspossibilitism.”Whensheisnothangingoutwithherfamilyintheirartsyadobehomeina

smallvillageontheshoresofJervisBay,Australia,orthrowingpaintaroundinherlittlepurplestudiointheirbackyard,youmayfindherwranglingwithtwolargesuitcasesattemptingtoboardtheBARTinSanFranciscoenroutetoteachatanartretreatorsittinginacircleonSt.PeteBeach,Florida,listeningintentlyaswomensharetheirstoriesofcreativelonging.Tracyisaninspirationinstigator,prolificpainter,singer/songwriterandlover

ofthewrittenword,smittentravelerandsoaker-upofallthatisbeauty-full.SheteachesherPaintMojoandothercreativeworkshopsalloverthisamazingplanet

teachesherPaintMojoandothercreativeworkshopsalloverthisamazingplanetandremindsherstudentsofthewonderthatalreadyresideswithinthem.Mostly,though,sheisMamaBeartotwogorgeous,zest-filleddaughters,

SantanaandSienna,andco-adventurer-in-lifewithheramoroftwenty-eightyears,thetalentedandbrilliantMarco.www.tracyverdugo.comartoftracyverdugo.blogspot.comfacebook.com/tracy.verdugoinstagram.com/tracyverdugoDon’tbeshy!Comesayhello:-)

WhatIreally,reallywantistopainttheworldinrainbowsofpossibility.—TracyVerdugo

Thank-Yous

WhatabeautifulunfoldingjourneyIhaveundertakenthesepastfewyears.Ifeeldeeplygratefultosomanyforallthathasledmetowritethisbook.ToMarco,SantanaandSiennaforwrappingmeinyourwarmlovewhile

givingmethefreedomtopursuetheBIGdreamevenwhenitmeantbeingwithoutyourwifeandmamaforextendedperiodsoftime.Iamoneluckywoman!Tomyfamily,friendsandcommunity,bothonlineandintheflesh,for

supporting,encouragingandalwayscheeringmeon.Tomyhostsaroundthisbeautifulplanetwhohaveextendedtheirhospitality

andfriendship,welcomingmeintotheirhomesandheartsandenrichingmylifeinamultitudeofways.Tomyincrediblestudentswhoshowupeagertolearnandwhoteachmenew

andwondrousthings...everysingletime.Tomygorgeouscontributorsforsharingtheirwonderfulstories,adviceand

artonthesepages.Youhavemadethissuchajoyfulcollaboration.Tothemanyartistswhohaveinspiredmebybeingbraveenoughtobeout

theredoingtheirthingintheworld,spreadingbeautyandcreativityandnotsubscribingtothestarving-artistmyth.Mayweallbeparadigmshiftersforeachother.Tothebesteditorintheworld,ToniaJenny,formakingthewholeprocess

seemnotsodauntingandforstandingbesidemeeachstepoftheway,evenwhenIfloundered.Andtotwowomenwithheartsofgold,SallianneMcClellandandEllen

Legare,whotookachanceonacheeky,enthusiasticAussiegirlandcatapultedmeintothelifeofmydreams.Endlessgratitudetoall.

ContributingPhotographers

SantanaVerdugo

SantanaVerdugoiscaptivatedbylight,thebeautyofculturaldifferenceandthenaturalenvironment.ShelivesonthepristineshoresofJervisBayandisinspiredtotellthestoriesofheradventuresintheworldwithhercameraandaneyeforthebeautyoftheordinarymoment.santanaverdugo.com

BethSaxena

BethSaxenaisamixed-mediaartistandphotographerlivinginAustin,Texas.In

BethSaxenaisamixed-mediaartistandphotographerlivinginAustin,Texas.InherpaintingsBethuseslayersofrichcolor,expressivemarkmakingandhand-paintedcollageelements.Theendresultisapaintingrichintextureandhistory.Sheisinspiredbytheintricatepatternsfoundinnatureaswellasthepatinaofagedsurfacesandgraffiti.Inherphotography,Bethfocusesoncapturingthefineartofnature.bethsaxena.com

ePUBPaintMojo.Copyright©2012byTracyVerdugo.Allrightsreserved.NopartofthiseBookmaybereproducedinanyformorbyanyelectronicormechanicalmeansincludinginformationstorageandretrievalsystemswithoutpermissioninwritingfromthepublisher,exceptbyareviewerwhomayquotebriefpassagesinareview.PublishedbyNorthLightBooks,animprintofF+WMedia,Inc.,10151CarverRoad,Suite200,BlueAsh,OH45242.(800)289-0963.FirstEdition.

OtherfineNorthLightproductsareavailablefromyourlocalbookstore,artsupplystoreoronlinesupplier.Visitourwebsiteatfwmedia.com.

eISBN:9781440333217

Thise-bookedition:June2015(v.1.0)