justBeConnected

Interview Day - Merveilles en papier

Hello,

I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving! Today, in my last interview in this series, I'm chatting with Laetitia Miéral, French papier mâché magician creating under the name of Merveilles en papier. I hope you'll enjoy her work as much as I do.

Laetitia, besides being enchanting, your creations also take papier mâché to a new level. Could you tell us about your creative path and how you came to work with papier mâché?
I’ve always done crafts and drawn since I was a child but my father introduced me to the world of papier mâché when I was around 14 or 15 as he often turned to that to create my brother's carnival costumes (samurai-inspired outfit, the Lumiere character in Beauty and the Beast, dragons and pirates...) and I soon realized how infinitely flexible a medium papier mâché was. Around that time I created shoes, masks, corsets, costumes, jumping jacks and big pirates with jointed limbs as well as all their accessories (barrels, swords, the sign for the Admiral Benbow’s inn in Treasure Island) and many historical characters (already!) : Louis XIV, Catherine de Medici as a witch riding her broomstick and also Richelieu as a devil. Papier mâché has allowed me to give a concrete shape to my ideas and drawings. I am self-taught, even though I spent two of my high-school years in a class focused on plastic arts (which didn’t give me a lot, to be honest). A few years later, when I was 23 or so, I started selling my first papier mâché fairies and plant creations at the craft and art market in Lyon, France, and did this every Sunday for four years.

For those of us who don't know much about papier mâché, would you mind sharing a bit about your process and why this medium appeals to you?
I use newsprint such as the free ad or newspapers you get in your mailbox. For small characters I create a wire framework, and for bigger ones I use wire netting or chicken wire. I then glue the paper, which I tear off as I go along, and roll it around the wire. I use a variety of small tools to sculpt the face details, dentistry tools, but pen tips also work just fine. I then allow the piece to dry. To get perfectly smooth surfaces, I sometimes rework a face once it is dry, allow it to dry once more, and over again until I'm fully satisfied with the result. I always create the faces, and often the hands, independently and assemble them to the body once all pieces are dry. One of my secrets is to add only a bit of water to the glue; this way the paper is much easier to sculpt and allows me to create the most fanciful shapes and details. I then paint the faces, which is my favorite stage in the process.

Your work speaks of fairy tales, legends and sumptuous bygone days. What in those worlds sparks your imagination?
Not an easy question to answer… these worlds have always been part of me. They have filled my dreams and my imagination since I was a child. I was literally immersed in fairy tales, the stories on tapes I would listen to when playing with my dolls, the fantasy movies but also the wonderful animation movies and series from the 80s known to people of my generation: Les Mondes Engloutis ("Spartakus and the Sun Beneath the Sea" in English, an animated series about children who go on a quest to find Arkadia), Gummi Bears, Albator, The Three Musketeers as animal characters, L’Oiseau Bleu (The Blue Bird)… What I loved as a child continues to inspire me today: magic, beautiful costumes, beautiful decors and interiors, talking animals… everything which reality lacks, in fact…

Talking about inspiration, every artist knows the occasional dry spell and feels the need to replenish and refuel. How do you refill your creative well ?
My dreams are my main source of inspiration, my main idea "suppliers". Since I can’t live too long without feeling the need to escape somewhere, I travel quite regularly and it’s a wonderful way for me to replenish.

If I could grant you a creative wish right now, what would you ask for?

That would be to complete and publish a fairy tale I wrote a few years ago, a story created around what are, by far, my best ideas. It is, in any case, a world which my other creations don’t really hint at.

I’d like to conclude with a small « Proust questionnaire ». If you were one of the following, what would you be and why?
- A song. Glosoli by Sigur Ros, because it’s what I'm listening to these days and because this tune takes you to another place.
- An era (whether in history, legend or fantasy). I’ve always been fascinated by the 18th century because it was a period of ultimate exuberance, of sheer overindulgence and excess, of extremes and of overstatement in interior decoration, art, architecture and music, a time when too much was never enough. Most of my favorite historical characters lived at that time: the pirates Red Rackham, Ann Bonny and Mary Reed, the Chevalier d’Eon, Farinelli and Vivaldi, the Marquis de Sade and Heinrich Füssli, to name but a few. When I think of the 18th century, I imagine masquerades in Venice, pirates and corsairs navigating raging seas, dangerous liaisons, balls and boudoir secrets at Louis XV’s court…
- A book. My copy of Andersen’s fairy tales because I grew up with these and they are my favorite fairy tales.
- A movie. Legend by Ridley Scott, without any hesitation. Even though the music score sounds really outdated now, this movie features everything I like: elves, gnomes, magic, unicorns and evil creatures. The photography is very beautiful and full of poetry. I was 6 or 7 when I saw that movie for the first time and even though it scared me a bit then, it made a lasting impression on me, if only for its cult scene featuring the evil dancer and the princess.
- An animal (real or mythical). A unicorn, because it embodies wisdom and mystery.
- A place. A Scottish castle in ruins standing at the edge of a cliff swept by winds, such as Dunnottar Castle in Stonehaven because it is by far the most magical place I’ve had the chance to see.
- One of your creations. The fairy tale I wrote because it truly reflects my inner world and my dreams, more so than any of my other creations.

You can find out more about Laetitia and her paper marvels on her blog, her website and her online boutique.

(The original interview, conducted in French, is also available on my blog.)

Blessings,
Chantal

Interview Day - A Fanciful Twist

Hello,

Today I have the honor and pleasure of sharing with you an interview I did recently with Vanessa Valencia of A Fanciful Twist. I've been following her blog and her work for quite some time now and all I can say is that I'm always entertained, enchanted and inspired by everything this quintessential storyteller creates, be it with words, paints or paper. I hope you'll enjoy our little encounter. Blessings, Chantal

Vanessa, to set the tone, could you please tell us about your creative background and path?
My creative background started around 5.  When my piano lessons turned into a passion for all things emotionally inspiring.  I can remember creating just about as long as I can remember being alive.  I still play piano and compose.  As for painting, I started painting regularly when I was 13 years old.  When I was 18 I started my full fledged business.  I had artwork in a downtown gallery in Tucson Arizona when I was 18.  I sold several pieces.  However, I was a student at the University of Arizona at that time.  My parents felt that I should not study art.  They encouraged me to study something more business related.  I received a degree in International Retailing and Consumer Studies and a minor in Photography.  I painted regularly through college and sold many of my paintings.  From the age of 17 I was creating commissioned pieces for people.  I think, my art path has simply evolved on its own and is still unravelling.  I don’t know what is to come, all I know is that art is my everything.  There is no time that I am not thinking of little characters or creating in my mind.  I don’t know any other way of life…

How would you describe your art?
I think my art has little stories hidden in it.  Primarily because as I am creating each piece, I feel the character is telling me a bit about him or herself.  I would say my art has a bit of a curious fairytale quality at times.  Some whimsy perhaps.  My work varies, so it is quite difficult to place it under one description.  But I like to think the art pieces are a bit of fairytale and dreamscapes, brought to life through mixed media.

You surely are one of the most prolific artists I know and I quite admire your energy and commitment to your art. Do you create every day, and could you tell us what a typical day in the life of Vanessa Valencia looks like?

I love creating everyday.  A good creative day would mean, waking up, brewing coffee or tea, and checking my e-mail for orders or e-mails.  I then go into my studio, put on wonderful music, and usually start several projects at once.  Creating paper dress girls…  Drawing, painting.  I might start 5 paper dress girl mixed media pieces at a time.  Putting them outside to dry.  Paint flying all over the place… Glue bowls overflowing…  I mostly stand when I create.  So I take small breaks whenever my body tells me to.  Other than that, I would just be in a creative frenzy for hours.  Music is key though.  I must have my music.  I might start a clay sculpture while mixed media pieces dry, waiting for the next step…  I slow down the day with books, and more computer checks.  My blog and my e-mail get a lot of my attention, and I love that part very much.

Where do you find all that creative energy, those original ideas? What keeps you creating again and again?
For me, the more I create the more my mind sends me creatures & stories.  I see characters everywhere I turn.  My mother sometimes looks at me wide eyed when I ask her is she sees what I see in the wood grain on a wall or on a door (then she sees it too, and totally gets me).  I have to be honest, I wonder myself where the ideas come from and if they will stop one day?  But, I think this artistic side of me is simply something I was born with.  It has no rhyme or reason.  I don’t “Try” to please, I simply do what I love.  I am astounded each and every time someone is interested in my work.  It is all so surreal. 

All I can say is, it is crucial to keep your mind young and alive, embracing fairytales, cinema, and the work of great masters.  The list is never-ending… I keep a very youthful outlook and give myself the freedom to not fit into any social mold.  I embrace the beauty in so many things.  I love to cook and decorate.  I love to read and write and play instruments.  Some days I won’t paint or draw, and I refuel with other loves as described.  That is what keeps the creative flow going, variety and peace of mind…

If you were one of your paintings, which one would you be and why?

I think I might be “The Curious Playroom.”  A girl in a room, with stories and other worlds fluttering about…  A bit like me in my creative world…  I love the door knob and keyhole in the checkered floor.  The tree growing through a crack in the wall.  A ship floating overhead, and a doll house, oh how I adore dollhouses.  She seems a lot like me in my room, with my imagination swirling about.

You recently had a very successful two-day art show. Can you tell us a bit about it? And what new projects are simmering in your creative cauldron these days?

OOooo, I love a creative cauldron! 

The two day show was a local art show.  It is for Catalina, Arizona artists to showcase their work and let visitors into their studios.  It is a juried art show, and the group has grown into a non-profit organization.  I am lucky enough to have a little space to use as a gallery.  I am very private about my studio, cringing at the though of people walking through it. Although I have shared it on my blog.  We get many visitors both days and it is an exhausting show. But, it is one of my favourite parts of being an artist.  I love the Artists Studio Show. 

In my cauldron are brewing all sorts of thoughts right now.  More illustrating…  I am trying new mediums, which is always fun.  Also, I think perhaps more sculpture.  But always the paper dress girls, who seem to be evolving with me…  They hold a special place in my heart.

What advice would you give to any artist dreaming of living successfully from their art?

Well, all I can say is it is a long process… Or at least it has been for me.  I am 31 years old and this is the first year that I have totally supported myself from my art.  I was always too scared to quit my job and jump in.  Luckily, I have had a self-employed job for 8 years that gave me the flexibility and the confidence to be able to continually create & start offering much of my work for sale online in December of 2006.  Before that I sold in shows etc.

I would say, do not give up and try to find your niche.  If you want to make a living at it, make sure you price your work to sell.  People say, Vanessa, your work is priced way too low. But, right now, I simply want to sell it & share it.  I want to let it get into the hands of real people, who would like a lovely affordable piece of art.  I have been collecting art since I was 24 years old.  I own some remarkable pieces.  But, being a collector allows you to see a whole other side of the art world.  Prices are bound to change if there is a demand for an artists work, but how can an artist know what the demand is if the pieces are too high?  I don’t know, it is simply my own philosophy. 

Hold on to your dreams and work towards them everyday…

I invite you to further explore Vanessa's fanciful world through her blog, her website and why not her Etsy shop. You won't be disappointed.

Interview Day - An Artist and Her Muse

Hi, this is Chantal again, all excited to share with you this interview with wonderful lady, blogging friend and artist Sharon Tomlinson. Enjoy!

Sharon, could you tell us a little about your creative journey? For instance, how did you come to do mixed-media art and were you already creating before walking down this versatile creative path?

My discovery of mixed-media art, as I know it to be today, was on the internet. I don't remember whose blog I first discovered but I do remember that it was in January 2006. I have a son who is 39 years old and it was when he was a baby that I first started doing crafty type things which led me to tole painting. I think tole painting is very similar to one-stroke painting that is done today. A neighbor taught me this method.

I don't have a formal art education and am self taught for the most part. I remember taking a watercolor workshop in the mid-70s; however I never really became accomplished at watercolor. The very valuable thing I remember about this class was the way the instructor taught one to see the object you were painting as shapes. He said everything was either a square, triangle, or circle shape. Even landscapes were nothing more than shapes. I use that bit of knowledge even today.

I graduated myself from tole painting with oils to oil painting on canvas at some point before the watercolor workshop. It was when our family moved to a new town that I met the most fabulous artist I have ever known. In addition to oil painting, we were both interested in sculpting and various other crafts. We had a "studio" together downtown where we played ART everyday. You just learn so much by doing it with someone. In the early 1980's our family made another move and it was shortly after that move that I strayed from my art. Probably raising two teenagers and getting involved with my husband's business had something to do with it.

Discovering mixed media art jolted me back into art but in a whole new form. Of all the different mediums I had used, I never thought I could use acrylic paints. I don't remember the collage element in the mixed media art form a long time ago. My blog well documents my journey as I started the blog just months after the discovery of art journals, collage and mixed media arts.   

Readers of your blog are very familiar with Norah’S, your muse. Could you share how she came about, how you connected with her?

Oh yes, Norah'S my muse. But the name happened several years ago (before blogging) when I made a cookbook for a sorority secret sister gift. I wanted to give her a clue who the

cookbook was from so I called it Norah'S Cookbook. See, it is Sharon spelled backwards.

Then when I started my blog, I needed a name. At that time I didn't know if I wished to remain anonymous or not. So that is how All Norah'S Art came about. Months into blogging and enjoying my new found art form, I had this Epiphany one night when I was painting and realized that my art seemed to be flowing from me in an intuitive way that was unfamiliar to

me from my early art days. I started to thinking about the right brain/left brain thing and

the mirror image of Sharon and Norah’S and I knew at that moment that Norah'S my muse. Just discovering that you have one is huge. It is someone, a thing, a feeling, a way of letting the inner critic be silent and letting the art flow. I never worry what will come after the first step. I seldom ever try to plan past the first step. I just know that it will happen.

I'm hoping I don't sound....well a little crazy.

Apart from Norah’S, where do you draw your inspiration from?

I soak up a huge amount of inspiration from all the art blogs. Sometimes, my inspiration is nothing more than a color. Sometimes, words can be the trigger. Oh yes, I do day dream a lot. Actually I have an inspiration journal that I write or rather jot down or sketch inspiration when it happens. I will never get around to all that is in me. I am also inspired by art magazines to try new techniques. If I could, I would subscribe to every one of them.

Anahata Katkin often talks about the artist's "symbolic alphabet". How would you describe yours?
In one word, I would say Flowers. Then I would add things that fly. Probably color is part of my symbolic alphabet. I can't seem to do anything in a neutral, colorless tone.

Besides creating unique collages and paintings, beautiful decorated journals and fun mailart, you also sew whimsical "one of a kind" bags. Do you have a favorite medium among these and is there a "new to you" technique or approach you can't wait to explore?

My very most favorite medium is acrylic paints. All flavors, brands, and colors. I love to sew the bags but I have so limited time to play ART that I just can't seem to do that. I have discovered that I would rather be painting than sewing.
There is a "new to me" medium that I am resisting with all my might. It is the PMC, precious metal clay. Two decades ago, my art passion was doll sculpture and mold making. I love with passion clay and sculpting, and I know without doubt that I would love this medium just as much. I resist for the lack of time to ever accomplish all that I wish to do.

If you were to go away on a trip for which you had to travel so light you were only able to bring 5 items (or packs of) to create with, what would those essential supplies be?

Oh what fun that would be. I would love to go away on a trip and be challenged with just 5 items. Let me see; I would take my favorite "pack" of brushes. That would be a 1.5 inch flat, a 5/8 inch angular flat, and a 1/4 inch angular flat. Definitely my most used brushes. Heck, I might as well take one more and that would be a tiny liner brush.

My second item would be a bolt of muslin fabric. Easy to travel with, paint on and roll up for my return trip. Then I guess I would need to take Gesso or maybe I could prime the muslin before leaving. In that case, I would take Golden Matte Medium. I use many other Golden Mediums but this one is a must for me for painting and collage.

OK, for my fourth item, I'm saying all my Golden heavy body and liquid acrylic paints are counting as a "pack". However, to keep it light, I will only take the following must have colors: (heavy body) Zinc White, Titanium White, Naphthol Red Light, Hansa Yellow Medium, Yellow Ochre, and a new favorite Violet Oxide. The Golden liquid colors I would take: Paynes Gray and Green Gold. I would probably sneak in a bottle of liquid Quinacridone Red Light.

Number five item: My German Hymnal or a "pack" of assorted ephemera papers for collage.

This would be a fun trip. I think I could get all of these items except the bolt of primed muslin in my "She Bag". I pack it everyday with art supplies so I can do a little art-at-the-desk when time permits.

Finally, to what extent (if at all) has blogging shaped your creative life?

Blogging and my art seem to go hand in hand. Having a place to show and share what I've done inspires me to create. I enjoy sharing all of my creations. I do have to find a balance between the two regarding time spent. Otherwise, I would be out there soaking up tons of inspiration but never have the time to use it in creating.

I warmly invite you to check out Sharon's (and Norah'S) blog, Flickr gallery and Etsy shop to see more of their creations.

Interview Day - Inspired Jewelry

Hello, I’m Chantal from Celestine Musings and I’m delighted to be your host every Saturday this month. Today, I have the pleasure to introduce you to Swati Nigam, a wonderful lady I crossed paths with during my training as a healer and intuitive. When I realised that Swati was also the creator of a line of most beautiful and healing handcrafted jewelry, I got very curious about her approach to creativity.

Swati, I'm struck by the sheer beauty and light which imbue your jewelry. Could you tell us about your approach, your creative process?
My approach/creative process is very unplanned most of the time. I just "let it happen". I usually go into my jewelry room, and ask for Divine help/guidance, and stare at the stones or the wires and invariably one of the stones calls out to me. And then I just go by my feelings. I ask myself, "What wire do I feel like picking up?" The answer comes by feeling drawn towards a particular metal. After that I let my hands do the work and I watch the piece being created. Most of the time I have no idea what a certain piece is going to look like till the time it is completed. Sometimes I plan out designs, but those are not for my wire pieces. This is done for pieces that I will make from sheet metal by sawing, soldering etc. I hold the pencil and doodle on the paper, thinking usually of a Divine Being...be it an Angel, Archangel, Ascended Master, Gods, Goddesses...and I draw what I "feel" about the Being. For example, I often draw shields and swords when I think of Archangel Michael. I set the stones that go with that particular Being...for example. Lapis Lazuli for Archangel Michael. I have not yet started selling my non-wire pieces. I will be adding them on later. I do not need to plan my wire pieces because working with wire feels like drawing on a paper with pencil to me. Besides, wire seems to have a mind of its own, especially when I am sculpting pieces with wire.

As an energy healer and intuitive, how did you come to create your own line of jewelry? Was it a natural evolution for you? To what extent do you consider creativity as a healing path?
I started off by making bracelets by stringing semi-precious beads and pearls in 2003. I used to use stones for their healing and metaphysical properties. I would use those stones that a client would benefit from. For example, if someone told me they needed something for healing a broken heart, my obvious choice would be Rose Quartz and Fresh water pearls. Oftentimes I would make the bracelets as I was inspired to...picking up the stones that called out to me, and people bought those bracelets based on the healing/metaphysical properties of the bracelets. Of course, many bought them just because they looked beautiful to them!

After making a bracelet, I used my training as an energy healer to infuse it with healing energies... mostly customized for the client. If someone wanted to heal from sadness, wanted more Joy in their lives, I would infuse the pieces with the energies of Joy. For doing this I used the healing modalities I have trained in: Usui Reiki, Kundalini Reiki, Ethereal Crystals, and Theta Healing. I also called upon The Creator, Angels, Masters and other Beings of Light and Love to work with me when infusing a jewelry piece with the energies. The result was that the client invariably felt the energies very strongly from the jewelry pieces. And I have carried on using the same process of infusing healing energies into my jewelry even now when I have moved on to more varieties of skills in jewelry making: wire work, sheet metal, stone setting etc.

To me, jewelry making is yet another path for helping heal...others and self. Creative expression is certainly a very healing path in my opinion. I have talked about how I use my creativity for helping others in their healing journey. But expressing one's creativity is highly healing for self too! Even the simple act of stringing beads can be very meditative and peace inducing. When I am creating, I feel most joyful, happy about being alive, I laugh more, and my whole outlook is very positive. When I am not doing any creative work, I feel low, dull, depressed...I even feel ill. I believe humans are creative by nature, and each person has their own outlet for creative expression. Jewelry making, writing, acting, cooking, drawing, painting, music, dancing, sculpting are some well known creative outlets. But apart from these there are many others...like the ability to make people laugh (and you don't have to be a professional comedian), the ability to make people feel better when they are sad just by talking with them...there are so many means of creative expression. And each is truly healing. Creativity is energy. When it does not flow, there is stagnation of energy which causes depression, ill-health etc. You let it flow, and it is naturally healing.

Where do you find your inspiration and how do you refill your creative well when/if inspiration dries up?

I find my inspiration from the Divine. From that part of us, deep within us that is truly Divine, that is truly royal! I believe we're all Kings and Queens, Princes and Princesses... Divine and Royal. I make my jewelry to speak to that part of us that is Divine, that is Royal. I find my inspiration from our Creator... my feelings for the Creator, the emotions invoked in me when I think of our Creator. I create to express my love and admiration for those Beings of Light who are always with us, protecting us, loving us, guiding us....our Spirit Guides, our Angels, the Archangels, the Ascended Masters, the Gods and the Goddesses.

Beautiful things, beautiful feelings, beautiful scenes, moving events inspire me. Oftentimes, I am inspired to make jewelry to honor the beauty I see in another human. Each of us has something really beautiful about them...something that stands out about them. I make jewelry to represent that quality about the person. For example, X comes and tells me they love Y for their spiritual awareness and loving compassion, and X would like to have a piece of jewelry to honor Y for these very qualities. I will most probably use Amethyst and Rose Quartz, and a design that will honor spiritual awareness and loving compassion, a design that in some way represents Y. Sometimes sadness inspires me too. When we lose someone...for example, to death, we like to honor them in various ways. I love to make jewelry in that person's loving memory. I could use a photograph, stones that represent the person, or inscribe words that the person said, maybe use flowers that the person was fond of... there are many ways to do this. I usually make pendants or bracelets for this purpose.

Sometimes the well of creativity and inspiration does dry up. I do not force myself then. I take a break for a few days, and then get back to it again....often by looking at beautiful things, beautiful stones, beautiful beads, beautiful jewelry, thinking of those I love and honor...and it starts back again.

Do you have other creative outlets, or are you drawn to other forms of artistic expression?
I have been involved in some creative activity or the other almost all of my life. I draw, I paint, I sing, I write journals, I sculpt, I love taking photographs...especially portraits. I love to take pictures of people to show them how beautiful they are. I invariably find something absolutely lovely about everyone! I think everyone can do that. And then I "fall in love" with my subject and capture his/her beauty on photographs. Often people see the pictures that I take of them and they get surprised, "Wow! Do I look THAT good??!" LOL! My answer is, "See yourself the way I see you...you'll see how gorgeous you are!! And I have photos to prove it!" LOL! I do not use special make-up or any special effects to make someone look beautiful. Somehow, when I focus on the beauty of that person, and "fall in love" with his/her beauty, the photo invariably turns out remarkable! Try it for yourself.

What advice would you give to anyone hesitating to embrace their creative dreams? Do you have any favorite "fear busters" you could share with us?

I would say what I have said before...creativity is energy. When you stop your creativity from flowing, your energy stagnates, and you do not feel good. Doing what feels good to you will only end up helping you get better at what you do. Often we hesitate to embrace our creative dreams because we feel we're not really good enough. If you feel that way, the good news is, the more you indulge in it, the better you will get. And remember we are often our worst critics. When we are sure we did not create something really lovely, there will be others who will simply LOVE what we made! You can train yourself....go to classes, or self-train by practicing and practicing and practicing. Sometimes we feel guilty about indulging in our creativity if it is taking away time from family/work. Trust me...when you give time to your creative pursuits, you will only end up being happier and will end up having happier times with family, and will perform better at work. Of course, everything should be balanced :-). There are many stories that speak of people recovering from terminal illnesses just because they decided to go ahead and have fun with their passion. I'll say it again, try it for yourself! :-)

Fear busters? The best fear buster is to "just do it". Show your work to people, you will be amazed at how much praise you receive. We invariably judge ourselves harshly, but when we work on something we are passionate about, we end up doing work that touches people's hearts. They will feel your passion in your work, they will sense it, and they will appreciate it. This does not mean everyone will like your work, but there will be many who will like it a lot. Appreciation from fellow human beings helps like magic! Try it and see ;-).

Swati can be contacted via her Purple Flower Jewelry shop on Etsy.

Interview Day - Inspiring Creativity

Hi everyone!!!! I'm Jana, and this is my final Interview Day for this month.

At the Creative Bazaar a few weeks ago, I met the enchanting blogger Jamie, who was SO MUCH FUN. We had only exchanged a couple of e-mails before that, but as soon as I met her, I felt like I’d known her forever! Some people just make you comfortable being yourself, ya know?

When I heard that Jamie was starting on a new career path, helping others be comfortable with themselves as well… I just HAD to know more!  So we sat down in the midst of total chaos (my art room) for a little chat.  Want to eavesdrop?

*leaving the door open just enough for you to hear*

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Hi Jamie, can you tell us a little about yourself?

I’m a certified life coach, a Nia instructor, a creative blogger and a creative spirit. I am passionate about supporting people in being themselves in the world and being madly in love with their lives. I believe that we all benefit from engaging in creative activity. We’re all meant to sing out loud and dance wildly and create with abandon. That’s a celebration of life and of our selves, and I want to help people experience that. There’s nothing better than having someone in my Nia class rediscover the joy of dancing and the pleasure of being in their body, or in coaching someone to move towards a dream that before they didn’t dare believe was possible. Magic happens. One of the reasons I love the creative blogging community is that we are there to remind each other that that’s true!

How did you become this creative spirit that you are today? Who in your life inspired this passion for creative living in you?

I have to say that the primary influence in my developing as a creative spirit is my mom. When I was a little girl, there was always paint and puppets and musical instruments and stories and spotlights and costumes. That was just the world I lived in. It was wonderful. You know, I have memories of sitting around with my family making vision collages out of old magazines. It took me a long time to realize that not everyone did that kind of thing!

That is SO awesome Jamie! I want my children to grow up in that kind of environment.

What’s been the most challenging aspect of your creative life?

My first and strongest love has always been dance. I came to training later in life (I was 15 – isn’t that crazy to think of that as later in life?) and I never had a dancer’s body. I’m curvy and not that tall. Though I gave every ounce of time and love to my dancing, it didn’t look like a performing career in that area was viable. And so for a long time I didn’t really dance. Believe it or not, clubbing reawakened that passion in me. On the dance floor I realized that when I dance, I remember who I am. So it doesn’t matter if it’s a career or not, the reality is my spirit needs to dance. Period.

I hear that you are attempting to become an expressive arts coach! What IS expressive arts therapy?

Now, I have to say that I’m only 2 classes into my program, but I’ll answer that question the best that I can. Expressive arts therapy uses interaction with various arts (music, writing, visual arts, theatre, dance) as a way of creating positive change in a person’s life. It is often used in a healing context. As a coach, I’m really excited about using it in a way that helps people discover more about themselves and feel inspired to be all that they can be in the world. One of the keys to expressive arts therapy is inter-modality and what that means is you switch between the art forms. For example, you might start out playing with clay and then you might write a poem about your creation and then you might sing that poem aloud. This playing between the arts opens up all sorts of possibilities and perspectives. There’s lots of fun and learning to be had!

How did you become interested in being an expressive arts coach?

Currently there isn’t officially a discipline called Expressive Arts coaching, though my friend Jennifer Lee has coined the term. I think it’s a perfect way of describing work that uses the expressive arts in a coaching context. I’ve been eyeing the expressive arts therapy program for a few years now but didn’t feel able to commit to another 3 years in school, which is what the regular program requires. Recently, ISIS created a 1-year program designed to provide a new skill set for people who are already in a helping profession (psychotherapy, social work, coaching). I have always wanted to facilitate creative experiences for people that would lead to greater self-awareness and self-development, so it seemed like a perfect fit. Just to be sure I took a workshop earlier this year. I felt 100% at home spending the day painting, dancing, making music, writing poetry and sharing in order to better understand ourselves. I knew I was in the right place.

How can people find an expressive arts therapy coach located near them?

There is an association of expressive arts therapists, IEATA. They are currently creating a directory that will hopefully provide precisely that information. In the meantime, search “Expressive Arts Therapist” and your city and hopefully there will be someone near you.

Of all of the things I noticed about you, what stood out to me the most was not only your confidence in yourself... but your ability to put others at ease with their own selves as well.  What advice do you have for those of us who struggle with our self-esteem? What do you think is the first step toward learning to celebrate ourselves?

Take the time to honour what is magnificent about yourself. We tend to remind ourselves daily of where we’ve messed up and why we’re not enough. You are enough. In fact, you’re amazing. Right now, whoever’s reading this interview, say out loud 1 thing you’re really proud of. It doesn’t matter how big or how small. And don’t just say it in your head. Say out loud, “I’m a loyal friend” or “I cook a mean apple pie” or “I didn’t yell at my daughter this morning.” Consider creating an acknowledgement journal and writing down 5 things that you’re proud of each day.

The other big thing is realizing that confidence comes from being yourself. It can’t come from pretending to be someone you’re not. So as long as you are pretending for the sake of keeping the peace or for that job or for that relationship, your confidence will struggle. But each time you take a small step towards authenticity, you are stepping towards confidence. Share an opinion, suggest to your partner a movie that you really want to see, say no. The truer you are to yourself, the more centred you will be – centred enough to know that you can weather the winds of change – and that’s confidence.

Thanks so much for the interview Jamie.  You are definately an inspiration to me!

Interview Day - A Changed Life

Sometimes life doesn't go like you planned it, ya know?  I had an interviewee lined up for today, had the questions lined out and given to her last Friday... and somehow things fell through, and her response isn't here. 

But while we are on the subject of things not going the way we planned... let me take a minute to give you an interview with myself, so I can tell you how MY plans changed one day... when someone simply encouraged me to try.

MY STORY:

A long time ago, in a land far, far away... there was a blogger named Jana.  She blogged about religion, life, and funny things that happened in her life... but felt like something was missing.  The youngest of 5 grandchildren in her family, she'd grown up watching her older cousins and aunts create amazing arts and crafts at the dining room table... she'd watched Debby tat, Amy make woodcrafts, Jo crochet at the speed of life, etc.  And all the while, she'd sat there, wondering why she couldn't do anything. 

She tried to paint, but couldn't stay in the lines.  She tried to sew, but it just couldn't keep her interest.  She tried to crochet... she tried as hard as she could... she really thought she'd gotten it this time! She presented her potholders to her cousin, so excited... and learned that they were not thick like they were supposed to be.  And so, she gave up.  She quietly read blogs, posted on her own blog...

And then one day, she found Melba's blog.  She heard that a group of bloggers were reading a book called the Artists Way, and for reasons she couldn't even begin to explain, she decided to join in!  She spent money she really didn't have, to buy the book.  She took time to write morning pages.  She visited the blogs of other participants. She noticed collage on Melba's site!  She found painting on Leah's site!  She found writing on Marilyn's site! She found drawing on Tinker's site!

And then one day, in a fit of bravery... she created something of her own.  She was so proud! She posted it on her blog, and showed it to all her friends.  Finally, something she had done had turned out right! 

FAST FORWARD:

Sunday, I secured permission to sell my artistic creations (boxes, embellished with all sorts of things) at a local vintage market!!!!!! 

So what is the point of this little story?

Always remember to encourage those who admire your art... they may seem so small and incompetent... but you never know who they could become.

Interview Day - Crafting With Love

Hi everyone!

I’m Jana, and I’m your host for Interview Days this month!  I didn’t really introduce myself to you all last week, so let me stop for just a second to tell you a little about moi!

My name is Jana, and I’m from

Indiana

… (hehe, that rhymed!) I’m engaged to be married in June, and loving the life I have.  I’m pretty new to the creative life, and am officially launching my creative business this weekend at the Creative Bazaar!

Now, onto the interview!  Who are we interviewing?  My awesomely supportive and creatively blossoming friend, Jami!

Hi Jami, and welcome to Create a Connection.  Thanks for interrupting your busy schedule to meet us here today.  You’re a pretty busy gal these days, huh?

Yes! This year, I've been realizing my dream to be a swing dancer. Going to practices and lessons and dances and just recently joining the Charleston Chasers swing dance troupe. I'm really proud of that, and really expect to learn so much within the next year.

I hear that you have taken up another new craft!  Can you tell us about it?

My friend Jennifer wanted to take up knitting, so she had me sit down with her to watch a how-to-knit video online. She's been doing well with the traditional needles approach, finding that looms limit her creativity, but I've been knitting exclusively on round looms for the past two months, or so.

It's like knitting cheating, really.

So what are you making now?

I am working on a scarf on one loom, and a beaded hat on the other.

I've made my husband 2 hats, and threatened him with more. A hat and scarf set for my mother-in-law. I just need to finish off the ends of that scarf for her and it will be complete. I've made mostly hats and scarves, and learned something with each one.

So are there any unexpected benefits to your new creative outlet?

Well, I've been getting closer to the memory of my late grandmother. Sometimes it seems like it's easy to let the memories of former family members just move along. But now I feel closer to my family history.  I inherited some of her yarn and my needles for my birthday. So, I like being part of my heritage, in a line of crafsty women. It's almost like I can smell my grandma after her bath (Dove and talcum powder), knitting on the couch under her bright light placed "just so", "watching TV". I like that a lot.

Jami, the reason I choose you to be interviewed this week, is what you DO with the things you make.  I always hear you saying you're making something to GIVE to someone.  What inspired you to use your new craft to bless others?

Well, what I love most about the raspberry "beret" that my friend Victoria made for me is that she had me in mind when she took the time to pick out the yarn and make me something that would make me happy. She knew I liked the big ol' floppy pompom, and she made one for me.

I love that aspect of knitting, that I can maybe make someone's day a little more bright, knowing that I cared.

I know sometimes people think that "Oh, a HANDmade gift is cheaper" and really look down on that, but I don't think they've checked out the price of yarn, lately. I also think that's really rude, because it doesn't take into account all the heart that goes into a knitted item, no matter if it is a hat or a blanket or a really intricate sweater.

So, I think your readers really get that...they understand that creativity is sometimes more than making themselves happy...it's putting their love into a work of art made specially for someone else.

I've really enjoyed tapping into that with knitting. Even if I'm cheating at it.

Feel free to visit Jami at her blog, and give her hugs.

Interview Tuesday with Lore Caldwell

Hello all you wonderful bloggers, it's me again, groovyholly.  I'm sorry to report that I haven't received my interview yet, but I have a friend who is sending me her interview tonight, so unfortunately, I'm late again. Please accept my most sincere apologies everyone, I should have the interview up a little later. In the meantime, you can go here to read about one of my most favorite bloggers, Colin Beaven aka No Impact Man. He's my hero! I'll be back later tonight with another fun interview. Again, I feel like such a dork!

Well, I've got my interview now (special thanks to Lore for her speedy response) I'm interviewing a wonderful soul who I first came in contact with on Lani's yahoo group.  Lore is such a sweet, wonderful person and her artwork is stunning. She inspires me with her endless creativity and her passion for creating art each and every day.  Without further ado, I present to you, Lore Caldwell.

1)  Would you please tell us a little bit about yourself, where you
live, how you spend your days.

I live in Northeastern VT right on the border to NH and about an hour south of the Canadian border. I spend my days during the work week in my office in NH. I am an Art Therapist and work with children and adults. We use art to to facilitate healing and self-exploration.


2)  I have read on your picture trail that you create every day, where
does your inspiration come from?

I don't know if I would call it inspiration or necessity. If I do not do something creative in each day for me, I feel off balance. I need my Art like I need air. 







3)  What keeps you motivated to create?

All of my online art groups, the one I am most involved in is "14 Secrets for A Real Happy Artist's Life". The connection of the art community is amazing and I have some folks that are like sisters to me from the group, so we can motivate each other when needed.



4)  How do you come up with such marvelous works of art?

Wow! Thank You! I feel like they come from my "Soul Self". I also just play alot with art supplies and throw most of the "rules" out the window. Scribbling helps too!




5)   Any good books you recommend to those of us just getting started?

There are so many books out there it depends on what you want. The Complete Guide to Altered Imagery, is a good one, Art is a Way of Knowing  by Pat B. Allen is great for cutting loose and trusting the process.


6)  What does your studio/art space look like? Organized or utter chaos?

Utter CHAOS! I have a studio upstairs in my house that I am in the neverending process of trying to get organized. But mostly I sit and work on the couch in the loving room with a plastic little mermaid breakfast table over my lap. I am not doing clay right now, which is a passion, so it is ok for paper arts and small things.


7)  What's your favourite non art activity?

Being by the ocean, which is hard to do in Vermont. Pretty much I am always doing art, even by the ocean! I also love movies, riding my bike, walks, and connecting with people I love. Oh, and hanging out with my dog.


8)  Do you have any words of wisdom for those of us who want to find
more time to create art?

Make art everyday! Everything you create is art and it is your birthright.


9)  What are some of your favourite websites to go to for inspiration?

Oh MY! I have so many in my favorites but here are a few.

www.lanipuppetmaker.com   

www.teeshamoore.com   

www.whalefishstudios.com

10)  If you could be any animal what animal would you be and why?

One who does art!

Interview Tuesday with Beth Dargis

Hi again everyone,
It's me again, groovyholly, here with another fun interview.  A couple of years ago I reread Cheryl Richardson's book "Stand Up for your Life" and was so inspired by the whole coaching concept.  Curious, I began to look around for a coach of my own.  After interviewing a few people, I really clicked with Beth Dargis.  I was totally blown away by the whole coaching experience, really!  Beth has so many fun tools and programs on her website and she is so gentle and insightful.  I was rereading my journal entries on when I was working with her and it is so neat to see me start to blossom.  Finding Beth was great for me on my healing journey. Thanks Beth, you really did help turn my life around! In fact, I still miss our weekly chats.  If you've ever thought of getting a coach, there's so many different kinds too, I highly recommend it!   Without further adieu, I introduce Beth to you!

1)  Can you please tell us a little bit about yourself and your day to day life?
I work at home as a life and simplicity coach. I have two teenagers and have been married 15 years.  I get up early enough to have a quiet time and exercise before getting work started at 8am. Most of my work is done by computer or phone. I take 3-10 minute breaks each hour so I can keep my energy up. And I never eat lunch at my desk. I quit at 3pm or 5pm when the kids come home from school/activities, so we can chat. My husband is a 3rd shift engineer so he usually gets up about that time as well.

2)  What different career hats have you worn?
I got married and had kids right out of college, so I started with receptionist work at the beginning. Then I was able to stay home with the kids for quite a few years and taught myself graphic design and web design. I started getting paid for my work. I also published a few magazine articles during this time. When my kids started school, I worked out of the house as a graphic designer for two years - a very stressful two years where I read everything I could on simplifying your life plus took coaching courses. After two years in that stressful environment I came back to work at home.

3)  How did you come about becoming a "life coach?"
I wasn't sure I was going to do graphic design or something else. But, my graphic design contract said I couldn't do any work with my former design clients. I floundered a bit unsure whether to write, design, coach, do web design again or what. I did a lot of journaling, talking with friends and doing a bit of this and that until it became clear my next career path was to be coaching. I got certified and put up my business.

4)  What's the most fulfilling part of your job?  What is the most challenging?
The most fulfilling part is taking overwhelmed people that are unsure of what is important to them and helping them crystallize what they want and get rid of the things weighing them down. I love giving clients permission not to do everything and not to have to be perfect. The most challenging is dealing with clients who aren't really committed - they don't do the assignments and don't make the changes they so clearly want to make.

5)  Dealing with people's energies can be draining, do you have anything
special you do to recharge your batteries?
Especially for me. I am ultra-sensitive so I can pick up people's moods really easily. It allows me to be a good, understanding coach - but if I don't let go of the feelings after the sessions it can be really draining.  My breaks help. I know lots of coaches like to do one session right after another, but I feel I blur people's energies that way so I spread clients out further. I also do yoga in the evening, write in a gratitude journal with my teens and watch my thoughts closely so I don't stay down too long.

6)  Where's a place on earth you would love to go and visit?  Why does it call out to you?
There is a campground that my family goes to every Labor Day weekend near the upper peninsula of  Michigan. My family and my grandmother's church have gone their for 54 years now. So I am surrounded by old family and friends who have known me since diapers. I feel childlike as I catch frogs with the kids or shiver in the cold water with my cousin. The beauty of the place with the lake surrounded by woods and white pines, walking in the sand, and seeing wildlife soothes me. I take walks by myself  or sit high overlooking the water.
The place closer at home that calls to me is the library. I love the quietness and having other's words envelope me. I feel the books as I search for the ones to get out. New titles surprising me. I love being able to sit down and not be disturbed.

7)  What direction would you like to take your life in? Where do you want to be in a few years?
I would like to help even more people through groups. I did a couple seminars this year and would like to continue to do that. I've also felt the call to do more writing and working to get published. I would also like to travel more.

8)  Is there anything special you'd like to do/learn like a new hobby?
I have so many hobbies - music, scrapbooking, genealogy, reading, writing, web design, camping, hiking, jewelry making, etc. that I keep saying I can't have another hobby. But, I get interested in things. I want to learn constellations so I can see the pictures in the night sky. I want to learn to draw. I've always had more of an artist's vision then the skill. Maybe learn to paint.

9)  What book was most beneficial to you during your journey through life?
The book Do It by Peter McWilliams, I have used over and over at different life stages. And right now I am reading Alexandra Stoddard's book You are Your Choices that is affecting how I do things.

10)  What's your favourite internet website that you go to just for fun?
I like to visit Enchanted Learnings Activity Calendars - http://www.enchantedlearning.com/activitycalendars/ I always find something new I didn't know before even though it is geared for children. And I like Comfort Queen's Mood Changer: http://www.comfortqueen.com/mood.html

Well, there you have it.  I just love Beth, so down to earth, so friendly and always helpful.  She helped me in so many ways, it was great having her in my life for those months.  I still refer back to some of the things she taught me.  Beth got me journalling again, and in touch with what I wanted with my life, there's no price tag that can be put on that!  Hope you enjoyed my interview with Beth and that you learned a little bit about coaching.  I'm at the stage in my life where I'm even thinking about hiring another coach, hmmmm, anybody know of a good coach to help me get back into working out and eating healthy? 

Interview Tuesday with Marney Makridakis

Hello again everybody,
It's me, groovyholly, with another interview from a wonderful woman who has inspired me for many, many years, Marney Makridakis.  Marney is the founder of Artella, writer of many e-courses and e-books, hoster of numerous and inspiring teleclasses, author, poet and artist.  She really is a very talented woman.  I've taken many of Marney's e-classes and learned so much from them, she helped me chart my goals and then she went ahead and offered me a wonderful job at Artella.  Guess those classes really paid for themselves!  Marney has helped me out in so many ways, so I just had to interview her, she's so much fun too.  Hope you all enjoy getting to know one of my s-heroes, Marney!

1) Please tell us a little bit about yourself, 
your home, your loves, your passions 
and inspirations.

I recently moved to the Big Island of Hawaii, where I live 
with my husband Tony. The Island has inspired an entirely 
new kind of art to splash from my imagination, as it is just 
impossible not to see new colors and feel new rhythms of 
life here. I am deeply grateful for this experience of living 
and being here.

I am very lucky to get to be creative for my job, because I 
am always creating something for my company, Artella.  
But even outside of Artella, try to engage in some kind of 
art-making almost every day, and I love trying new media, 
techniques, and styles.  
I have re-cast the old "jack of all trades, master of 
none" phrase to be: "jack of all trades, master of FUN!" because the more I dabble in, 
the more happy I am.  However, combining words and art is always my first love.   
I also love collaborating with friends, partners, and groups to create art, and 
keep myself inspired by participating in lots of ongoing swaps, round robins, and 
other projects.

Things essential to my art and life include the color orange, poetic novels,
singing loudly, daily naps, the love of a good man, an active practice of
gratitude and hero worship of Mary Poppins.
 


2) When did you realize you were "different" from everyone?

As long as I can remember, I guess, because I was always
 different from everyone I knew as a child.  
My mom says that sending to my room was never punishment,
 because that is where I wanted to be, usually, 
where I'd get lost in all my made-up worlds and stories 
and amuse myself endlessly just playing with my 
imagination.  Being "different" didn't really bother me 
as a child, in fact I rather liked it!  It was just when 
I got older that I got sucked into typical conformity 
beliefs.


3) How did Artella come into being?

In my mid-twenties, I learned that art and crafts 
were excellent conduits for emotional healing.  
I had been writing all my life, but it was only when 
I desperately needed that healing, myself, 
that I became attracted to experimenting with art, 
beginning with paper arts and simple watercolor paintings.  
In the summer of 2002, I began to combine my two loves 
- art and writing - and create a new kind of work for 
myself that really meant a lot to me.  I loved it all:
 writing about art I had created, making art to illustrate my writings, and 
creating some works that included both writing and art from the original 
concept. Somehow each element made the other one more real and vivid.  

That Fall, I was in a rehab hospital for an extended time, following knee
replacement surgery.  I obviously had a lot of time on my hands, and
somewhere between all the time alone and perhaps aided by the altered state
of heavy pain medications, I had the idea to start a publication that
focused solely on works that combined both words and art, and, specifically,
one that fostered connections and collaborations among writers and artists.
By the time I got out of the hospital, I had the whole idea mapped out and
was ready to get started!  The name "Artella" came from the words "art" and
"telling".

I started a small Web site to announce that I was seeking submissions.  At
the time I didn't know about the world of "art zines", so it was exciting to
discover that my idea was current with the trends!  I started an email
newsletter to get the word out, and worked toward printing the first issue.
Because I had no idea how I'd be able to print the first issue, and was
absolutely determined to make it full-color, I had to get creative in terms
of finding ways to fund it. As I started receiving submissions and talking
with the artists and writers who submitted them, I began to notice trends in
what they were saying was missing from their creative lives. One common
theme was the difficulty in setting and reaching goals.  To raise money to
pay for the issue's printing, I decided to create an e-course that was
specifically designed for creative people, to help them reach their goals in
creative, non-linear ways.  That course, called "Goalar Energy", was a
success, and that was the beginning of Artella's line of e-courses,
teleclasses, and eBooks that are designed to help creative folks live more
inspiring and fulfilling lives.


4) What keeps you going when things get rough? 
How do you keep finding inspiration and creative 
artists to keep Artella moving along?

I am extremely blessed to be able to do work that I love, 
and one of my passions is to help other people discover ways that 
they, too, can do work that they love.  If you have a passion 
that is true and authentic, that will get you through the rough times.  
I've had plenty of difficulties, not just with my business but personal 
challenges,  but having a passion and focus helps the wind stay at my back.  
If there's nothing that I feel passionate about on my desk at any given time, 
I know I have to do something about that in order to get me through any 
challenges I might face, and so I'll create something new to get jazzed about. 
I see both Artella and my life as a whole as a container, a beautiful spun-glass 
vase.  I know that I must take the responsibility in choosing what I put in 
that container and what I don't.  Life is too short to live in fear and worry.  
It's so much better to just keep making choices -- small choices, big choices -- 
that express who we really are.  So when I'm frustrated or overwhelmed or challenges, 
I try to just do small things that I know will make me happy and most myself.  The
quickest way I know to re-charge internal inspiration is to give to someone
else.  Generosity is an amazing spackle to fill in those rough roads.



5)What activities do you do to keep your 
batteries charged and to refresh your spirit?

As I said, I try to create something every day, even if it's 
just something small. I enjoy watching movies and reading all
kinds of books.  
I also enjoy taking drives and just taking in everything there 
is to see. Keeping  the senses stimulated is very important to me. 

6) If you could go back in time to a different era, 
what era would you choose? 
Who do you most long to meet?


What a great question!  I guess I would choose to travel 
around the world at the turn of the century.  There were so many 
great creative surges going on, in so many countries, at that time.  
And so many of my favorite artists were working then, like Chagall 
in France, Hannah Hoch in Germany, Picasso in Spain. The ultimate 
would be a round-the-world tour of art tudios at that time!

There are eras in my own life that I sometimes wish I could go 
back to, and make different choices, do different things, so 
things could have played out differently.  But in my moments 
of best perspective, I realize that all those times have made 
me who I am, and that even if I COULD go back and re-live parts 
of my life, doing so would make me less me.  


7) What advice would you give to small business owners just 
starting out?    Any favorite resources?
The passion has to be there, so if you have an idea that you like but 
you're not 100% passionate about, you should keep tweaking the idea 
until you feel your heart beat quicker and feel your mouth grin wider 
when you think and talk about it.  Don't get intimidated by the 
"business books" out there. Most of them are written for left-brain 
people, not quirky right-brained geniuses like us! So if you go to 
those resources, it's easy to just feel totally lost, and even worse,
to give up because you feel like you can't do it.  
I have pretty much written my own business rules from the beginning, 
because I didn't like the other  rules that were out there.  

There is one great resource for Web site that I do really 
recommend if you are just starting out.  It's called 
Site Build It (SBI), which can be found
at http://buildit.sitesell.com/MarketingForAbundance.html
I attribute so much of Artella's success to this suite of tools.  
There's a case study about Artella at that link, 
to read more details about how it helped me.


8) What direction would like Artella to take 
and where do you hope it will be 5 years from now?


Everything that I have ever added to Artella has been 
in direct answer to what I hear from creative folks, 
in terms of what they need and what is missing for them. 
If I get a sense that there is a need out there, I start 
churning away at what Artella could do to meet that need. 
I want Artella to continue to evolve in this way, 
motivated by the community.  In five years I would love 
for Artella to be actively engaged in not just making a 
difference for creative people, but also making a 
difference in the world at large.  
We have several new projects currently in the works that 
will connect us to working with charities and more wide-spread healing.  
We're just in the baby stages of that now, but in five years I believe there 
is so much that can be done.  And then, there's always the juicy element of 
surprise!  Just as five years ago I couldn't have imagined what Artella is
like now, I love the fact that I really have no idea what is in store for
the future.  I work more intuition than I do on long-range planning, and even 
hough I have some general visions, when it come down to details I'd rather 
not know than know.

Well, hope you enjoyed getting to know my friend Marney, she's just so much fun!  
I don't know where she gets her energy from but I'm so glad she's here to share 
it with everyone! 
See you next week.