Magical Mandalas

Photo credit

If you haven't ever colored a mandala as a meditative practice, you should definitely try it. It is calming, relaxing, and allows you to open up and BE in the present moment. Below is a link to a matter of fact article on the process. (I do not enjoy the advertisements around the edges, but the article is worth reading). Check it out here.

Master Your Creative Anxiety

If you don't know who Eric Maisel is and you are in the ARTS of some sort, look him up NOW! He is brilliant, and has helped many creative people with their careers through his creativity coaching services, classes, and books. He is teaming up with The Daily OM and offering a e-course called Master Your Creative Anxiety. The course looks really good. Is anyone out there a member of the Daily OM community? If so, what do you think of it?

Eco Books

If you love unique handbound books, you'll need to check out this new book by Terry Taylor. It is called Eco Books. You can find it on amazon.com here.

EFT-Simple Techniques from Down Under

I have been listening to Steve Wells talk about EFT this week, which lead me to his website. Here is a video of the S.E.T. technique.

Belly Dancing

Have you ever considered trying the art of belly dancing? It is so liberating for women! It unleashes our inner goddess and helps us feel sensual and free! I highly recommend it. For more information on the topic here is the website link to iShimmy.com

Healing Stones

Have you ever wondered about healing stones? I recently read something about using hematite to help with balancing energy in the body. I don't know a lot about healing stones, so I went to google and did a little research. I found a very informative site on almost any stone you could imagine. It is convenient because they are listed in alphabetical order. There is also a nice clear image that goes with each description. Check it out here.

EFT

photo cred.

On my way home from work, I listened to nearly two Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) interviews. It was raining, so it took me nearly an hour and 30 minutes to get home! Granted, I wish I had gotten home sooner, but on the bright side, I learned some valuable things from the cd's I was listening to.

A few key points that I want to share are:

Instead of coming from a negative perspective when you approach something, be it a project, or a relationship issue, or whatever, look at the positive things. For example, I realized that I often first think about how messy my art studio is, which makes me not want to go into it to create. If I instead think about the wonderful feelings I get when I am creating, then perhaps I'll get myself in the studio and make work, mess or no mess!

Another point I came home with is that daily negative thoughts impact soooo many areas of your life. For example, if I don't feel good about my body each morning as I get dressed, I am setting myself up for more and more negative thoughts for the day. However if I wake up feeling grateful for my hair, skin, clothes, shoes, etc., then the energy has completely shifted into something positive. GRATITUDE IS VERY POWERFUL.

Check out Loretta Sparks, one of the women being interviewed that I listened to this evening. She is great!

Tomorrow morning, I am going to wake up and say what I am grateful for!!!!

We Are All Creative

I work with children, so I can see that the creativity is

within all of us.

"Creative" doesn't just mean "talented at drawing or painting". To me, creative means, being able to imagine something unique and put it (make it) into something concrete.

There are many levels of imagination.

There are many ways to create.

Hopefully you'll take some time to explore your own inner creativity.

When you do, share it with the world.

We all need to see the creative actions of others.

Journal Spilling

I just received a new book by Diana Trout. It is called Journal Spilling. It is a great book for people who are interested in experimenting with paint and other art supplies without worrying about the end result. I love it! Check it out here.

Goddess School

Goddess Leonie is offering two e-courses, which begin on Sept. 28, 2009. She is a lovely spirited woman who explains her courses well in her Vimeo video.

I learned of her in SARK'S latest book Juicy Pens, Thirsty Paper.

Check it out!

Introducing... the Goddess School! from Goddess Leonie on Vimeo.

Chakras

I've been thinking about chakras lately. Last week I really needed to balance mine. This week is much better.

I am dreaming up some images to paint.

Here is one I found on the internet that I enjoy. To learn more about the chakra system, I found rick richards site to be very informative. Warning: There are some graphic images of organs inside the body.

The Painting Experience

For more information, visit the website here.

What I Love about Art and Creativity

This is a video on YouTube created by Kira Harding. She is a great lady. I love it when she makes videos showing her art process. Check this out for inspiration and insight into the visual journaling world!

Peace,

Briana

Ten Things Creative

1. blog

2. write

3. craft

4. paint

5. printmaking

6. photography

7. scrapbooking

8. sew

9. knit

10. bookbinding

What is your list of ten?

The Great Failure

I have been listening to Natalie Goldberg's The Great Failure this week. I am getting ready to write my TRUTH.