A New Adventure is Beginning…

This weekend I head to California…for my first week of Wild Heart Expressive Arts Teacher Training with Chris Zydel of Creative Juices Arts.

I have been following Chris’ work for several years now, and I first painted with her last fall at Ghost Ranch. It was a magical time of painting just for the joy of it.

Looking back I realize that creating has pretty much always been about the process for me.

The magic is in the present moment, playing with the creation.

Since my time at Ghost Ranch I have created a small painting space of my own (above is my most recent painting inspired by a recent adventure to Sand Dunes National Park, and also the goddess Rhiannon who encourages you to question rather than doubt.

I’ve been wanting to share more about the magic of creating, and there has also been much doubt.

So I’m thrilled to be mentoring with Chris over the next ten months  – to ask questions rather than doubt, to gain skills and confidence, and to develop some fun creativity programs that I can share with you.

I am beyond excited about the where this might lead me and Mountain Mermaid Studios…and you…somewhere with loads of magical creative inspiration!

I can’t wait to share my experiences with you.

xox,
xox

xox

P.S. Wanna go on a musings adventure? We’re going to have some doodle fun! Click here to check out the details about this free e-adventure!

xox

Working with Resistance

Last Tuesday I participated in Resistance RX a webinar hosted by the lovely and wonderful Chris Zydel of Creative Juices Arts and Andrea Schroeder of Creative Dream Incubator.

I came away with a very interesting perspective on Resistance.

Resistance shows up when you want to grow and expand – which I have to say is something I’m working towards all of the time. Isn’t learning & growing what keeps life interesting?

So no wonder resistance is always hanging around…

Andrea and Chris lovingly pointed out that you cannot try to shove resistance in the closet…(it is not something you can fix). Resistance will always show up so you must learn to be with it, work with it, dance with it – own it!

(both images are my doodles from during the webinar)

xox

Whenever resistance comes up, they coached supportively, it is important to sit with those feelings, and then move forward with baby steps.

Sharing is a resistance that shows up for me…

every time I want to begin a blog post; post on Facebook; share a new offering and how I am stepping into my role as the creatrix of mountain mermaid studios – resistance taps me on the shoulder and smirks at me.

…not because I don’t like sharing — but because I am afraid that what I share is not enough, that it is awkward & ugly. Resistance wants to keep me safe so I don’t say or do the wrong thing.

And…my heart wants to share inspiration to create play and thrive.

So today I am celebrating resistance and sharing with you in all it’s awkwardness:

I am the proud Creatrix of Mountain Mermaid Studios where I share inspiration to create, play and thrive – and some fun products and courses to help you on your adventures.

I am a work in progress, and I hope there is fun and inspiration enough to keep you hanging around to see how my adventure evolves.

And I truly hope that this inspires you to own your resistance and work with it, too.
I think it is going to make a difference for us!

What is your resistance? And how do you work with it? I’d love for you to share!

xox,

xox

xox

P.S. Since I’ve been talking about sharing I can’t close out this post without sharing a little sneak peak about my new offering – coming later this spring.

The Musings Adventure Journal is a new undated version of the Daily Musings Journal! Stay tuned for more details coming soon – Sign-up here!

along the winding paths of daily life…

…unendingly

This is the line that emerged at the top of my “Tiny Gallery” piece (from a lesson in The Journey Within)

Yep – I think that it about sums it up 🙂

along the winding paths of daily life she contemplates This and That unendingly

long walks
color
imperfection
wabi-sabi
eating
nature
cities
Wanderlust

xox
living A LIFE LESS ORDINARY
Legacy
the beauty of The Moment

What This and That do you contemplate?

xox,

xox

xox

P.S. In case you’re wondering The Journey Within is a year long class of creative exploration through art journaling and handmade books hosted by Kiala Givehand. I’ve really enjoyed how this class is helping me show up for my creative practice, and I’m looking forward to being a guest artist teacher later in the year. If you want to find out more click here (or the widget on the right:)

The Short Days of the Year…and we have a winner

It’s that time of the year in the Rocky Mountains when the mornings are cold, the shadows are long and night falls early.

I want to cocoon and let go of all thoughts and responsibilities.

And it is the time of the year when my life is full

…of sharing the Daily Musings Journal with the world
…of preparing for holiday festivities
…of reflecting on the year past and what I’m dreaming of for the new year

Time seems to fly and stand still at the same time.

There is not enough time in a day to complete the tasks and to do’s I’ve assigned myself, and yet these dark days have just begun – it feels like it may be forever until the days begin to grow long again.

Do you ever have this feeling?

These polarities are the nature of life, and I am grateful for each moment of this wild & precious life.

During these cold, dark days when I feel the need to go inward and nest I am especially grateful

…for my cozy home
…for my loving hubby
…for my friends & family – near and far
…for the beauty that surrounds me

What are you feeling grateful for these days?

Before I  go, I also want to announce the winner of the 2016 Daily Musings Journal from the Mini Musings Adventure last week: Debra Marrs. I want to express my heart felt gratitude to Debra, and all of you who participated in the mini musings adventure. I received such wonderful feedback on the posts. And if you missed them, they are available for you to read at any time – just click here.

Wishing all of my U.S. friends a relaxing & joy-filled Thanksgiving.
And I’ll see you all when the final month of this year begins, and the days are still growing shorter in my corner of the Rocky Mountains.

xox,

 

Join me for a mini musings adventure next week!

Since it is the time of year when a new Daily Musings Journal is ready to go out into the world, I thought it would be fun to share a bit more about it’s evolution, and my eclectic, perfectly imperfect musings practice…

Each day next week I will share a bit about my musings practice along with fun musings tips & techniques, and info on tools for your adventure.
There will also be a chance to win a 2016 Daily Musings Journal.*

There is nothing you need to do to join in the fun, although if you want to get a taste of the Daily Musings Journal format (and you don’t have a 2015 edition), you can sign-up and receive a PDF download of the week spread of the journal.

Here is how I have it planned for the week to unfold…

Monday, November 16: Introduction/History and Tools for Your Adventure
Tuesday, November 17: Love Your Letters
Wednesday, November 18: Personal Iconography: Lines, Marks & Shapes
Thursday, November 19: Found Words Inspiration Collage
Friday, November 20: Developing a Practice for You

…although since my practice is perfectly imperfect, things could always change a bit.

I do know that if you share your adventures in the comments next week you’ll be entered to win a 2016 Daily Musings Journal.* And a winner will be chosen on Saturday, November 21 and announced the following Monday here on my blog.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you next week!

xox,

xox

xox

* Due to shipping costs the winner must be from the U.S. (sorry international peeps). And if you’ve already bought your 2016 Daily Musings Journal — I hope you’ll still join in the fun. Remember these journals make great gifts, and if you win I’d be happy to ship your journal to any address within the U.S.