January Witness

One of the things I learned through taking the Facilitator Training at Open Studio Project is to do an overall witness to a group of work you do. When we spend a weekend at the studio we put all of our work together and witness it as a whole. It is amazing how even things that don't seem to go together weave themselves into a powerful story.

I have decided to incorporate this practice into my work at home. As I complete a piece I tape it up onto a blank wall in my home and continually add to it. At the end of the month I can witness it all and then take it down and start fresh.

I always start with an intention and this month's intention was:

I see who I am through my art and I use what I learn to improve my life. 

I look at what is there. I write my impressions, what I learned, and what I need to learn. I ask questions and scribble the answers.

Here is some of what I learned:

• Finger painting is fun
• I love oil pastels more than I ever thought I could
• Playing is fun
• I love color
• Perfect is overrated 
• Darkness isn't always bad and sometimes you have to go through the dark to get to the light
• The journey is better than the destination
• I always get what I need
• When I am fueled by self love and worthiness I make wise choices in my life. 
• I love my life and my family

Have it Your Way

I was at an Open Studio Project workshop over the weekend with 8 other women. We had such a fabulous time diving into our creative process. We were drawing, painting, collaging, assembling and writing our little hearts out.

We talked about the process and what it means to us. How we use it in our lives and how we want to share it with others. It is so great to be in community with other women who love this type of work as much as I do.

At one point one of the women explained how difficult she finds it to try to explain the process to others who aren't familiar with it. I quietly agreed and the entire group erupted in laughter and said, "Join the club! We don't know how to explain it either!" We all had a good laugh and kind of moved on to the next topic.

But it got me thinking...how do you get women in a process that you cannot clearly articulate? How can you get them excited about when they really don't understand it. What a dilemma!

Part of the problem is that the process is so unique to everyone. This is what I think makes it so powerful because it meets you where you are. It doesn't force you to do anything you don't want to do or to experience anything you don't want to experience.

If your soul is looking for a little light fun to let loose and step into creative flow, that is exactly what you will be able to experience. If you are looking to understand yourself a little more, go for it. If you want to heal some past pain or get more in touch with your body, this process can be used powerfully for all of those. It is a completely open and unique creative practice!

I offer a variety of classes to give everyone a chance to experience Freedom Art the way they need it. I have a light hearted Creative Dance Class that is just pure fun. I have Freedom Art drawing and painting classes that are more structured with a beginning, middle and end. This format  lets each individual create their own experience that is perfectly tailored to where they are at that moment. It is all completely unique. There is even a class coming up that is all about nurturing yourself and taking care of yourself.

Perhaps I haven't been able to completely define what this practice is and guess what, I don't think you will fully understand it until you give it a try. If you would like to learn more, you can go to my website and sign up for my newsletter. You will get my free ebook, Take Back Your Life With Freedom Art when you sign up. That ebook with take you through the steps of Freedom Art and show you how you can try it for yourself.

I'm also teaching some classes that will give you an opportunity to come and try it out. All the supplies are here and all you have to do is show up ready to play. If you'd like to work one on one I am available to do that in the studio or online. There are so many options available to you. Isn't that amazing?!

Have it Your Way

I was at an Open Studio Project workshop over the weekend with 8 other women. We had such a fabulous time diving into our creative process. We were drawing, painting, collaging, assembling and writing our little hearts out.

We talked about the process and what it means to us. How we use it in our lives and how we want to share it with others. It is so great to be in community with other women who love this type of work as much as I do.

At one point one of the women explained how difficult she finds it to try to explain the process to others who aren't familiar with it. I quietly agreed and the entire group erupted in laughter and said, "Join the club! We don't know how to explain it either!" We all had a good laugh and kind of moved on to the next topic.

But it got me thinking...how do you get women in a process that you cannot clearly articulate? How can you get them excited about when they really don't understand it. What a dilemma!

Part of the problem is that the process is so unique to everyone. This is what I think makes it so powerful because it meets you where you are. It doesn't force you to do anything you don't want to do or to experience anything you don't want to experience.

If your soul is looking for a little light fun to let loose and step into creative flow, that is exactly what you will be able to experience. If you are looking to understand yourself a little more, go for it. If you want to heal some past pain or get more in touch with your body, this process can be used powerfully for all of those. It is a completely open and unique creative practice!

I offer a variety of classes to give everyone a chance to experience Freedom Art the way they need it. I have a light hearted Creative Dance Class that is just pure fun. I have Freedom Art drawing and painting classes that are more structured with a beginning, middle and end. This format  lets each individual create their own experience that is perfectly tailored to where they are at that moment. It is all completely unique. There is even a class coming up that is all about nurturing yourself and taking care of yourself.

Perhaps I haven't been able to completely define what this practice is and guess what, I don't think you will fully understand it until you give it a try. If you would like to learn more, you can go to my website and sign up for my newsletter. You will get my free ebook, Take Back Your Life With Freedom Art when you sign up. That ebook with take you through the steps of Freedom Art and show you how you can try it for yourself.

I'm also teaching some classes that will give you an opportunity to come and try it out. All the supplies are here and all you have to do is show up ready to play. If you'd like to work one on one I am available to do that in the studio or online. There are so many options available to you. Isn't that amazing?!

How to Have an Awesome Art Party

What a great night! I could not be happier about the outcome of my first open house at The Creative Healing Studio! So many great people came out and had fun doodling, painting, and drawing. 

 Food was set out and drinks were prepared. 

Everyone had a chance to create a collaboration on a big piece of paper. 

I was so happy to have a great group of kids too.

Hours of doodling and painting left some fantastic art and gave the studio so much great energy.

The doodle table was a favorite of many.

In fact, the fun continued after midnight!

 And I even got some men in on the fun. 

Thank you to everyone who came out. My first Freedom Art Class is this Thursday and I am offering a 50% discount to all first timers who have signed up for my newsletter. You can sign up here and you get my free ebook, Take Back Your Life with Freedom Art™.

Exploring Oil Pastels

Oil pastels have not been my favorite medium in the past. I typically don't like the way they feel on my hands and I don't like the way they smear onto everything they touch so I was not 100% convinced that I was going to enjoy this intuitive art process with them but I decided to go for it anyway. 

I taped a big piece of paper onto the wall and turned on some primal drumming music. I couldn't help but begin scribbling with passion. Whatever color tickled my fancy was used until the urge to get a new color arose. The energy was flowing and I didn't want to stop.

Watching colors combine and take on new shades really got me excited. My hands were covered in oil pastels and I didn't care. I added white and it was as if angels were singing! Perfection!

Initially a tree found it's way onto the page and then it burst into flames. 

'

What was I creating? What did it all mean? 

I didn't have time to care. I had to keep going. 

When I finished I was charged. I felt like the energy of this piece was surging through me. I was alive and unstoppable. 

Intuitive art that focuses on the process is powerful stuff my friends. It has the power to transform you, uplift you, and heal you. 

It makes you whole!

Mixing Business and Pleasure

My husband had a business trip to San Diego and asked me if I wanted to tag along.

San Diego?

Of course!

We decided to extend the tip a few days and make a vacation out of it. We fit a lot in and had such a great time.

And then it was time for him to go to work and what's a girl to do with all that free time?

Create of course!

I found an awesome Expressive Art Studio online before I even boarded the plane. I signed up for classes and even arranged to rent the studio for a little one on one time with paints. 

On the first day I arrived a bit early and decided to hang out at Santo's,  the local coffee shop. It was such a cute place and I really got myself in the right frame of mind while relaxing on the patio. 

 And the coffee was delicious!

Then it was time to play! It was such a fun space filled with color and tons of art supplies! I felt like a kid in a candy store!

The first day we played with collage. Working with color, image and texture we created pieces that reflected how we were feeling in the moment. 

  

Day two began with my private studio time. I taped up a large piece of paper to the wall...oooh the possibilities!

The tempera paints were especially vibrant and I just went to town. What pure joy it was to just play. There are a few little monsters that decided to show up. I welcomed them and let them speak their peace. 

She had a whole room just for sand play. I had never done anything like this before so I decided to spend a little time in there. 

The process was meditative and relaxing. It reminded me of my mosaic days a bit. No pressure though, just playing in the sand. 

I headed across the street for a bit of lunch and reflection time. 

Then it was time for Painting Aerobics. A wonderful bunch of women, paint, paper and some fun music. It was time to let my paintbrush dance. 

It was such a fun experience. No thought, no worries, just dancing around and splashing paint. 

The whole trip was great and my little art retreat was amazing. 

As women we need to refuel ourselves and fill our well. A creative retreat is absolutely perfect because tapping into the creative energy flow shifts you out of the everyday. It brings you to a place of infinite possibility and allows you to play in wonder. 

You don't have to go anywhere to give yourself the gift of a creative retreat. 

You can bring some crayons and paper outside and sit in the sun and color. 

You can play with magazines and cut and paste into a journal. 

You can play in the sand at your local beach and make patterns. 

But, if you're in San Diego or just passing through, you should definitely stop by and visit Tish for a little fun!

Welcome to My Studio!

Do any of you remember the HGTV show called That's Clever? They toured different artist studios around the country.  I used to love that show and taped every episode. They always seemed to start every segment with the words,

"Welcome to my studio."

I used to hit the 6 second rewind button when my husband walked through the room so he would hear that phrase over and over again. You know, hint, hint. He used to laugh but we both knew there was no way I was getting a studio any time soon.

Well, over a decade later and I'm finally getting my studio! Honestly, I am so excited about it!

We are turning my living room and dining room into one big studio for me. It's a pretty big job that involves electric work, new doors and walls, painting, and floors but the work has begun!

Stay tuned for more updates!

Be Here Now.

For those of you who follow me on Instagram (I LOVE Instagram! Come on over and follow me!) you know that I am in the process of getting an art studio...well, OK, my husband is in the process of making me an art studio. Hee hee.

I have always wanted my own art studio. My husband has spent the last two years toiling away in the basement to create an awesome space for my boys so I decided it was my turn. The idea is to turn my living room and dining room into my space.

The hardest part is running the electric for overhead lights and putting up a wall to give me some much needed privacy. I got a glass door for the entryway to allow light to pour through. I am so excited to see it when it is up.

As you can see, things are in a bit of disarray. I will spare you what the dining room on the right looks like. OMG, it is piled with stuff. Needless to say, this makes it rather difficult to access my paints and my art supplies. So I have been crocheting...A LOT.

At first I was kind of disappointed in myself. I love crocheting and it is a big part of my life but this was my year to paint and to create and it hasn't really happened.

But then I looked around and realized that there is no way I can really give myself to the creative process 100% at this point. It is the reality that is my life right now so why beat myself up? What good does that do?

And I surrendered to where I am and I focused on what I can do and how I want to feel and let me tell you, it has been wonderful. I have enjoyed myself so much this month. I have created so many fun pieces and I have shared my work with people all over the world and it feels good.

I think that it is so easy to get caught up in the idea of what we "should" be doing and allowing that critical voice inside to run rampant on our hearts. We want to DO everything and BE everyone but sometimes that is just not possible.

I encourage you to be where you are right now. Don't wish for something different. Stay in the moment and work with what you've got. Make THIS moment the best it can be. Focus on how you can be your best RIGHT NOW and see how things shift.

xo
Michelle