Creative Fairy Godmother

 In 2018, Shiloh Sophia revived the medieval practice of gathering those who have developed proficiency in an art or trade into a Guild of Journeywomen for the graduates of the Color of Woman teacher training. We'd had a Graduate group for several years - this was the 'next step.'  With the addition of the Motherboard Coaching program, and Red Thread Guides, the Guild now includes graduates of those programs as well. (The Certifications page has links to the prospectus for each program.) Active Guild benefits include a monthly call, which may include a teaching, and access to a graduate Video library (or Continuing Ed appropriate to the other trainings) including additional classes we can receive a license to teach after completing  (inc: Apothecary, Legend, Diva X...), and volunteer or employment opportunities are offered to guild members first.  S epha, Nadya and Shiloh, 2016 Nearly 20 Guild Gals c urrently live in Or egon and Washington , and several of us met fo...

 I recently sent a note to a graduate who writes beautiful blog posts, and HAS an Instagram page, but hasn't posted much to her page. She just completed her website, so it's a perfect time to add that link to her bio, and begin recycling some of the great content from her blog!  I love to write - and I am  lazy   frugal enough to want to use what I've written different ways! One is between blogs (I confess, I have several!!) I often borrow content from a personal blog, to repost on one of the support blogs, editing to match the audience. I've done the same with my website, and if I want to post something on Instagram or Facebook, it often appears on my blog before or after. Atelier Altar I began my first blog ( Creation Station ) after reading an article about how simple they were, and could be set up in 15 minutes - who could resist?? And it worked!!  Often students and graduates who don't already have a website feel a bit stuck as they consider creating one....

  Wow -  I have 1300 (now nearly 1400!) followers on Instagram!  Canva Thank you Graphic I began posting on Instagram three years ago, after Maestra Shiloh Sophia suggested Guild members use the #intentionalcreativity, and see if we could boost the numbers of posts over a thousand or so tagging our brand! We are now at 19.7K! I love the visual focus of Instagram, which is ideal for our artist selves. Our own Stella Mac posted tips on using Hashtags, which proved invaluable!  (you can use up to 33, about 12-15 are most effective - and be selective!) In those early days, I  wrote ,  "It's been fun playing with my pictures for posts, making little montages (which don't always behave!) And meeting new virtual friends! I love the journal pages @quantummemoir does, and ... I'm @nadyakingartist ❤" Do you already have a page on Instagram? I invite you to begin posting your art and share inspiration!  When you start typing a tag, suggestions will come up - bypa...

The invitation reads: " Your SOULWork Project is a culminating presentation exploring Intentional Creativity as applied to a personal interest. Plan to take 6-8 hours taking your interest to the 'next level.' Document in the way that makes sense: writing, link to a hosted URL, etc." How do we make that connection between a personal interest and IC? A good place to begin is to pull out your journal, your Medicine Basket, and  draw a couple of Story Cards.  Sit with your paintings, and inquire,  What are some of my Personal Interests and how do they dovetail with IC?  How can I serve MY beloveds and my Soul Purpose?  Perhaps do a Metacognitive Drawing around the inquiry.  I originally wrote about my SOULWork from the perspective of being a Grandmother, and using it to support my grandchildren. While that's been a part of work since the beginning, when my 4 year old grandkids added strokes (invited!) to my CoW paintings, I realize that another thread is my off...

  As you've traveled through your CoW Quest, you likely have been filling journals with your process,  progress, and messages from the ladies! I use spiral bound art journals for long paintings (Legend, CODEX), sketches symbols and Metacognative drawings, and have covered and repurposed a bunch of composition books following Catt Geller's lead. And I love making Cards!! As we begin to offer classes, we need to find ways to introduce and include journaling to balance the painting for process, symbols, messages and insights. Often during a first class or circle, a beloved tells me, " I don't really have an art journal, is that ok?"   While  of course  it's ok, ( you can't get this wrong!) ,  it's helpful and satisfying to have a journal (+) dedicated to projects, and to process what's  up  in our life!  For in person classes,  I often provide little journals, and encourage their use throughout the class. I may send a prompt around the...

As we move toward the finish line of any project or quest, it can be tricky to find balance between completing and overwhelm! It can help to dance between the  Easy Wins , and your more challenging tasks, to pace yourself, and - breathe!   You've got this!  I love Jena's lists - checking off what you've finished and submitted is such a good feeling!  It may help to choose one or two of your remaining assignments to focus on next, perhaps a set timer (20-45 minutes) then take a break. Pull out a calendar, and schedule time to spend with your Muse.  While we want to complete, there can be fear around leaving the Nest of this kind, supportive community!  Last winter, I was in a friend's EFT tapping group session on business, and one of our inquiries was around being successful - what fears arose when we thought of having more clients?  We tapped around being busier, and that it's OK- and important - to set boundaries as well as intentions! The le...

At times, writing about our paintings can be a struggle,  and how do we translate their messages for the initiate book? One of my periodic practices is calling council!  Like getting information from an individual lady, I set paintings around me, pour a cuppa, and invite their wisdom. I allow myself time, and am creative in my inquiries! Are there ladies in addition to the 5 from your quest you wish to include in your Council? Perhaps one painted with Shloh or another IC teacher, before you began Color of Woman? While you may not include their stories in your book, they are part of your story and journey! Note :  per a recent inquiry, Jena replied that many graduates share their poems and writings in their Mother tongue, if English is their second language; with just some captions and highlights in English for their Initiate book!  I called my first Council on Summer Solstice 2014, after finishing the second painting in Flora Aube's Art of Allowing online course, Sek...