What's so BIG About January & February?

(working as an apprentice under the masters, allows one to explore 

the master's style… and later apply to your own works)

Part of my BIG for this year 

was a commitment to learning & growing…

a promise to myself to develop my own art with intent, 

as well as the art that I am teaching.

Kind of like those New Year promises that we make

that involve a gym, losing weight, and eating really healthy.

I am happy to say, that I haven't joined a new gym- 

haven't been drinking green blender drinks either...

 but I have kept the commitment to develop my art 

and I am really happy with what I feel is happening.
Part of the BIG 
was taking two online classes while juggling the rest of life.
Turns out to be one of the best decisions ever!
The quality of the two classes, along with the content has stretched me, 
pushed me, disciplined me, and opened a sense of freedom 
beyond what I was accustomed to in own my process.
So… the recommendation's go like this…
Studying with the Master's
a Jeanne Oliver class with some all-time favorite teachers 
(including my beloved Junelle Jacobsen)...
and Full Circle Workshop with Misty Mawn.
Both are in process, but are accessible online for a year or more.
Both have been instrumental for creative growth bigtime!

The charcoal sketch above and two pieces below are from

 Misty Mawn's Full Circle workshop.

The variety of work Misty teaches is amazing, and the techniques she shares, 

soooo allow you room to build upon. 

The parallel I found here, 

was whether working from 

the "masters" or working 

from a "master"…

you're going to learn about yourself & build upon your own style.

Just as "art learning" should be… 

I can see the BIG part of the past 7 weeks or so... 

to be that self-discovery 

that will only sharpen 

the process, and make my art 

and teaching better for the people I share with.

So grateful that we can learn so much from and with other kindred spirits

through this crazy thing called e-course!

…more master's study with Matisse..

Soul Work...

Did you ever 
spend time 
working on your 

soul...

Your every day... 

I am here 
because...

I am gifted with

 and love to do this...

because...
soul???

That's where I have been the past few weeks. 

Under a construction of sorts~ 

unearthing,

turning the dirt over,

and digging deep

into the  

w h y 's  the w h o 's and the w h a t 's 

of what I am doing 

in this creative world.

This  s o u l  searching journey 

began at a most relevant time 

for me and my art.

I have been so ready to "grow" my art, 

and am now engaged in 

looking at that process 

from the inside out... 

from the c e n t e r... 

starting with my very own  

w h y?

Can you imagine what this world would be like, 

if more people were looking 

inward 

as part of their business strategy???

And that is why,

 two of the biggest hearts in the creative world

formed this 

r e v o l u t i o n a r y

e-course... Hello Soul Hello Business.

Two notable women, whom I highly admire...

Kelly Rae Roberts & Beth Nicholls,

collaborated and co-created this 

10 week e-course, designed for creative businesses.

Kelly Rae is best known as an artist, author, and possibilitarian- 

(and I do believe, she could add a list of many, many more of credits to her name, 

after only being 3 weeks into this course. Take a look at her story!).

Beth Nichols is known as an artist, entrepreneur, 

and creator of DoWhat You Love artist retreats-

(I'd highly recommend reading her ABOUT ME tab on her website, as it will 

make one's jaw drop to know the ground she's covered in her young life.).

Learning from these two beautiful women, (and an online group of 300) 

has been making changes inside of me on a daily basis.

I am loving... every seed that is being planted, 

fertilized and cultivated through this process.

I am loving... that my paintings are starting out differently...

I am loving... that dots are being connected,

and I am loving...

that something 

soul-FULL 

is happening!

I came across a most appropriate quote....

"Change your mind 

to want what reflects

the You that you are becoming

rather than the You 

that you have been."

~Talyaa Liera

...linking up with the creatives at Studio JRU~ Sneak Peek Fridays.

If you ever wanted to read a story about a creative who is working from her soul, 

check out this week's story featuring... Beyond Words Designs~ Stephanie

And to see some creative blogs with heART... linking up with 

flytribe for valentines day