by lara blair

I always thought of myself as a “Free Spirit”, an artsy-farsty person…a dreamer.
Yet, it appears that I might be…..

A control freak.

Yikes.

Believe me, the mere thought of this label makes me want to toss all my worldly possessions and dance off into the sunset with a drum circle (the truth of the matter is, I’d be much too busy working on the marketing plan for the portrait studio on my own, without help to actually do it.)

The first time I heard someone I love teasingly call me this horrible name, I felt pure embarrassment and shame. Was I really?

“Oh, that’s such an unnatural way for an artist to be,” I thought to myself.

Artists are fly-by-the-seat-of-their-creative-pants people. They have many hues of paint on these pants, dishes in the sink and dance wildly with their children when they should be cleaning their toilets. Okay, this is a bit of a paint-soaked view of the creative spirit, but it is clear that I’m not even close to this image I’ve created in my head…and for some reason, it worries me.

Maybe the reason I’m not giving myself the creative time my new creative endeavors need is simply because I’m scared. Scared that a piece of art will turn out less than how I envisioned it. Scared that I might love creating collages in my messy space more than I love taking pictures, which is supposed to be my “real job”. Scared that I may shirk wife/mother duties for more time in a “Room of My Own” complete with glue under my fingernails.

Letting go is something that brings anxiety into my world. To me, it always leads to vulnerability, which of course, leads to unknown waters. I like having a compass—pointing it out “to sea” several times a day—adjusting that darn ship wheel to the point of muscle strains in fear that the slightest deviation in course will “make waves”. Making waves is an enemy to keeping everyone happy and I am conscious of repeating patterns I watched in my youth in my own tense household. I do believe that asking for what you want can (as if by magic) clear the way for a necessary change in course. The survival of authenticity relies on voicing concerns, communicating our anxiety, and revealing the deepest fears that lie within us. I think that being honest and true to yourself about what you really desire is essential to sharing it with those you love. As in: “I need alone time in the studio” or “We’re eating later tonight because there’s a project I need to finish” or “Working on the is book is something I need to do even though it may never be published” or “I’m tired because I had a fabulous time blogging until 2 am”.

Saying these kinds of words out loud is so difficult for me. Yet, I know I need to gain strength to say them if these ideas have any hope of becoming tangible creations, be them portrait collages, books or blog entries. They all require time to explore—yet my family also deserves my best. It’s a delicate balance and I take it hard when either side of the see-saw hits the dirt…sometimes with a deafening thud.

I do believe that it can be done, and though I’ve never professed to be a woman who “wants to have it all”, I do believe that creative types can have a bit of desire for control (translate: balance) in their life with art and family. I need to believe it’s possible so that when I do sit in my creative space, I’m clear-headed enough to let ‘er rip with wild abandon…maybe even with a little paint on my pants.

Lara Blair owns her own portrait studio, Lara Blair Images, and has many artistic ambitions. These include, but are not limited to, a jaunt to the mixed media/book writing/blogging worlds. She often finds that living a creative life can be complicated, but it is always very rewarding.

by susannah conway

While sorting through several boxes of Polaroids the other day I began to pull out shots of my sister and gather them together on the table. Most of my family snaps from the last few years are on my computer, so it was a pleasure to be able to delve into a pile of actual physical photographs. My sister has always been my muse. Back in art school I’d dream up photo shoots we could do together, taking her out into the woods for a fairytale fashion shoot, or applying elaborate makeup for a black & white portrait – I was lucky to have a sister who’d so willingly indulge my creative whims. In more recent years she’s become the person I want to photograph most, recording where we are and what we’re doing, both physically and emotionally.

In some ways Abby has become my alter-ego in these photos, representing my own moods and feelings. Self-portraiture is a very particular type of photography, requiring increasingly creative ways to capture your own likeness, but with a muse I can project what I want to say onto her image. Of course, this never happens consciously – it’s only when I look back at the shots that I see me in the picture. Every shot is not only filtered through my eyes but also my thoughts, life experiences and hopes for the future. It’s all there in the picture.

The photography I find myself most drawn to always carries the stamp of the photographer’s heart. You’d recognise a photograph by Dorothea Lange or Martin Parr because they had/have such a unique and personal way of seeing the world. We see the things their eye was drawn to, and what moved them to click the shutter. We learn more about a person when we look at their creation, whether it’s a photograph or painting, an apple pie or freshly painted yellow wall. We respond to creations that have integrity and personality, whether we understand what we’re looking at or not.

When first venturing out with a shiny new camera in our hands, the world is filled with so much to shoot the choice can be overwhelming. How to develop your own way of seeing, and create with this imbued sense of integrity? Start looking for your muse.

Look for something you can photograph over and over again – maybe a particular place, or something portable you can shoot in different locations. Become the expert in capturing coffee cups, flowers, vintage teaspoons or your dog. I like to photograph my feet wherever I find myself and can always remember how I was feeling on any given day just by looking back at these shots.

In the last years of his life André Kertész overcame his grief at losing his wife by exploring his immediate world with a newly-launched Polaroid SX-70 camera. The great master was seduced by the glossy squares of instant film and found his creativity reinvigorated when he found a small glass bust in a store in his neighbourhood. He shot hundreds of Polaroids of the bust in different settings around his apartment. By experimenting with the light and his new camera, Kertész found his muse – and purpose – again.

Who or what could be your muse?

Susannah Conway is a photographer, writer and the creator of the Unravelling e-courses (www.susanahconway.com). She lives in Bath in south-west England and is obsessed with her collection of Polaroid cameras. She blogs about life at http://www.inkonmyfingers.typepad.com/.

creative play workshop hosted by leah piken kolidas and jennifer lee

it is such an increadible experience to to be surrounded by the creative energy of like-minded souls… the inspiration, the playfulness, the shared passion for living a unique, juicy, fullfilling life. our creativity can often be very solitary (which honestly, in many ways i love), but the flip-side of that is a strong desire for community. whether it is here in the wishstudio or out in the world chasing our creative dreams, forging kindred connections is so important. it supports us, validates us, inspires us and makes anything seem possible.

i had the wonderful opportunity to meet up with many artful lovelies over the past weekend. an afternoon spent collaging with leah and jenn’s fabulous workshop group (hello everyone!), and then an evening at squam where i soaked in all the deliciousness of my creative tribe. i can’t even begin to tell you what a magical experience that was!

many of you i was meeting for the first time face to face. and even though i’ve been following your blogs or art for years or have collaborated with you virtually, it was like we’ve known each other all along, and i love that. in denise’s lovely words to me, “it’s seamless…” and dreamy. kindred indeed.

i’m looking forward over the coming months to continue growing this community and getting to know You. it really makes my heart soar to see all of you gathering here and sharing your inspiration with one another. i have some exciting wishstudio projects in the works that will offer you new and fun ways to stay connected, collaborate creatively, and fill your well with yummy goodness.

so get comfy and stay a while, and i would love to hear from you since it’s You who makes the wishstudio such an inspiring place… what are your creatvie dreams? how are you connecting to community? what else would you like to see in the wishstudio? do you have something to share (i bet you do)?

tell me… and we can sip some tea, laugh, and wish and dream together!

by kimberly wilson

September is National Yoga Month so it felt apropos to muse on the benefits and ways to embrace yoga – along with providing a brief how-to for the sensational sun salutation. Yoga translates to “union” and offers a way to live life with mindful flair. The physical poses and breath work associated with yoga in the West are catalysts, but not the end all be all of this ancient practice. Yoga is a way of being. My favorite mantra lokah samasta sukino bhavantu translates to “May all beings everywhere be happy and free. May the thoughts, words and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.” That is yoga!

You are always in motion – browsing a bookstore, sipping tea at a café, volunteering at a local shelter – and you can find balance by staying connected to your yoga practice off the yoga mat. For example, while waiting for a late subway train, instead of growing impatient, shift your weight onto your right leg and place your left foot on your right ankle to practice the tranquility-invoking tree pose or practice taking long, full breaths. You can find peace within the pandemonium by spontaneously practicing the principles of yoga (summarized in the mantra featured above) in your everyday.

Yoga can transform your life on so many levels. A few of the main benefits include: increased confidence; attention to the impact of situations, people, and food on your body; the chance to slow down and take a break from life while on the mat; meet a community of like-minded people; deep breathing to ground you in sticky situations; improved sleep patterns; a connection to your inner voice; toned body; relief from pain, headaches, and stress. Oh, and the list goes on and on and varies among yoginis. Needless to say, yoga can have profound effects on your joie de vivre!

To get started, I recommend a weekly practice to slowly immerse your body and spirit into yoga. When you start to get more serious, a daily practice is ideal, even if only for a few minutes. I try to carve out time each day for at least a forward fold, especially when traveling or on deadline. You may find that your body begins to crave the practice and your muscles actually ache for it when you take a hiatus. Yoga is different from other forms of exercise because most femmes find they love to practice rather than adding another “should” to their already-packed life.

To get started or to deepen your personal practice, begin to explore sun salutations. This series is sure to bring pep to your step and awaken your spirit. I recommend at least five of these to start and end your day…

hello everyone… we have a special sponsor giveaway this month just for our blog followers! it’s a little thanks for all of you who have officially joined this creative community. take a peek on our sidebar to see who else is sharing in all the inspiration here… i love stopping by all of your blogs and seeing all the amazing creativity happening!

lewa’s designs is offering to give the lucky winner a dandelion blowing in the wind laptop decal in whichever color they choose! stop by the website to see all the wonderfully whimsical vinyl decal art for your walls, windows, or mirrors.

to enter, be sure you’re signed up as a follower (or become one today), and leave a comment on this post by the end of the day friday. a random winner will be chosen and announced on saturday, september 19th. good luck, and thanks again for all of your creative energy and support!

by jennifer lee

As Musepreneurs we follow our creative intuition in our work and life. Our intuitive Inner Muse sparks new ideas, nudges us into uncharted territory and surprises us with nuggets of juicy insight when we least expect it. When we ignore our intuition we can get stuck in a rut and we lose connection with our wise-self.

Last month, during my Expressive Arts Teacher Training program with Chris Zydel, I had many visceral experiences of what it’s like to intently follow my intuition. (And, as a surprise bonus, I got some valuable insights into my creative business.) In the creative practice of intuitive painting, you focus on the process not the product. You let your paintbrush move you. You attune yourself to your intuition. And you learn to trust it, no matter where it takes you!

You start by simply asking yourself, “What color, what form or what image?” You pick the one that has the most juice for you (whether that be curiosity, resistance, aliveness, you name it!). Then you let the painting unfold. It doesn’t need to make sense. It can be ugly, trite or meaningless. If you stop to think about what you’re doing, the critical mind barges in stopping you dead in your tracks. The important thing is to keep in your flow and pay attention to how you’re feeling, what your direct experience is, and where you’re most alive. Even though I was painting strange creatures that didn’t make sense to me, I was fully engaged and present in the process. By not censoring my intuition, I was able to explore new places of my imagination, I gave myself permission to be big and I ultimately embraced a lighter, more open perspective on a business issue I’d been struggling with.

What I love about the intuitive painting approach and how it applies to a creative business is that you start from a blank canvas. There is no right or wrong. There are no preconceived notions about what will appear. All you need to know is color, form or image to get started. As an entrepreneur, this is especially key when you’re just starting out on a new project or creative endeavor or if you’re at a crossroads. Ask yourself what are three things that could happen, given anything can happen? Then pick the one that has the most juice for you. Allow your creative intuition to guide you as you brainstorm ideas, gather inspiration or take that first action step. Keep listening to your intuition as you move toward what brings you most alive. Your creative business is an expression of you, so let your Inner Muse help you live and work in full, vibrant color!

For more information on the intuitive painting process, check out Chris Zydel’s Painting From the Wild Heart video below.

Painting from the Wild Heart from Peter Lee on Vimeo.

*Musepreneur and certified coach Jennifer Lee, of Artizen Coaching, is the creator of the Right-Brain Business Plan. She loves yoga, painting, reading and hanging out with her husband and dog. She blogs at Life Unfolds.

by sperly girl

i believe somewhere i read a quote from goldie hawn in which she referred to motherhood as being a vessel for your children to pass through – both literally and figuratively. being on the cusp of the birth of our second child, i can see the wisdom in her words. our children are separate of us the moment they greet this world. our job as mothers is to nurture, guide, teach, listen, and expose them to the beauty and wonders of this world – but they will always experience this in their own unique and individual ways.

as i started thinking about this, i realized creativity too passes through us in much the very same way. some seedling of an idea, a thought, a poem, photograph or painting begins within us but quickly becomes much bigger than us and we must ‘birth’ those ideas into reality – but they are never truly our own nor do we control them. they are born from us, contain pieces of us, but they are separate of us – and greet the world this way.

so in thinking about all of this, i wondered why it is that creative people (more personally, this creative person) tend to fear the creation of their ideas? when i started to think about creativity in the same way that i have come to view motherhood – i was reminded that we truly control so little in our lives. and some of the most successful moments we face are those when we are brave enough to step out of our own way, let go of the invisible leash of control, and just allow the moments to pass through us without resistance. in doing so, we seem to find strength, wisdom, and creative courage.

the question then becomes, how is one able to remain open as this creative vessel? how are we able to continually summon the muse? for me, the answer is growing more and more clear – we must walk through life completely awake to the world.

many creative people are highly sensitive ones too. they notice things in the world around them that may seem ordinary, mundane, fleeting, or even ridiculous to others who might simply walk past without a second thought. sometimes that heightened sense of our world is “taught” out of us either by society or our own doing. and then what is left to fill it…

it is a gift to be able to notice these seemingly ordinary details of life and an even bigger one to allow our creative selves to recognize this and whisper of their significance through our words or visuals. and as a mother, i think our greatest challenge for our children, is to grasp this vessel for creativity as bravely as we can and to allow our children to experience the gifts that can unfold when we are brave enough to allow our creative possibilities to pass through us out into the world.

whenever i hear this catchy little tune it always warms my heart. love the fun art, the simple and clever lyrics, and especially the sweet little messege to let yourself shine in your own unique way on the world! perfect for a sunny saturday morning… and you’ll be humming this all day long!

think of this as a smile from me to you :)

by christine mason miller

by susan tuttle

There is poetry to be found in our simple, ordinary lives. All we need to do is be still, look closely, listen keenly; open our hearts and let it enter us and move us to dance.

There was seemingly nothing out of the ordinary the morning I wrote this, until I wrote this…

the blurry line between dreaming and living;
a dwelling in the webs of shadow and light.

where a single kiss
can change your life.

it is the story of souls
the truth of the day secretly filling notebooks
a ballad summoned by the spirits
like dozens of cellists
making a music
resounding…

…the world is not a failure

…the world is not a failure.

~poem by susan tuttle

Susan Tuttle is a mixed-media and digital artist who resides in a small-town community in the Midcoast region of Maine. Her first book, Exhibition 36: Mixed-Media Demonstrations + Explorations, was released by North Light Books in December 2008, and her second book, Digital Expressions: Creating Digital Art with Adobe® Photoshop® Elements, a technique-based publication on digital art, will be published by North Light Books in April 2010. Susan is a frequent contributor to Stampington & Company publications. You can visit her site at www.ilkasattic.com and her blog at http://www.ilkasattic.blogspot.com/ through which she is offering online digital art workshops on the subjects of photomanipulation, digital montage, and a variety of Photoshop techniques.