After teaching

 

You Did It!

Your 13 Step painting class is finished, the students have gone home or exited zoom - whew!! And now what? 

After documenting the process and what came up - for you, for your beloveds, and some self care, there's your Canvas, in a special after- class limbo! What's next in your own process?

I try to take time after teaching to connect with my demo painting and do some of my own Journaling - as I usually don't get much time for that whilst teaching! Sometimes *another* Old Story has come up for clearing, and I make some new story cards. Did any recurring or new codes symbols come through? What do they have to say? 

If I did a demo before class, I may bring that out, and begin a dialogue with both. Perhaps I'll bring her out to my porch for morning café, and into my bedroom for awhile to inspire my dreams. 

Forest Queen 👑 

This can be a good time to consult our own Oracle - pulling a card or two from the Soulful Story or Wild Card deck can bring insights and inspire the next step ❤ 

Several years ago, Shiloh suggested this process for reclaiming a demo painting: To really change it up, set aside some time,  smudge, spray your canvas, and paint a strip of white (or white with a bit of color) along the top of the canvas - spray again, then sit back (6' away or so) and journal while it drips! Use that as a guide to move on, and reclaim her! Spending at least a long on the painting after a class as you allotted duringthe workshop allows you to listen for the painting's voice. 

Other options I've used after Journaling and sitting with the painting awhile, are to go in with another round of Lights and Darks, tending details, perhaps adding code and prayer dots, then glaze again. 

If I skipped any steps for ease of teaching, I might revisit those - pulling out my 13 step cards helps me refocus! I may also have had some insights around using the cards, and be ready to rework one or two! 

If the canvas calls for bigger shifts, I might do directional glazes, using different colors on each side, spraying and letting it drip, then turning the canvas and repeating.  I sometimes use gold for this, or my beloved interference paint! 

Sometimes m all the demo painting really needs is another round of Lights and Darks m a partial glaze, some listening and adornment! And sometimes m they seem fine for months - or years - then begin nudging is for attention!! 

She Changes

Mama Gaia Class

Another element of the after class process is a follow up connection with students, both for feedback and perhaps tending if a lot came up for them! While we're only responsible for our piece of the thread, when that piece includes teaching, there's also connection and tending. 

You may wish to schedule an occasional Open Studio session, where beloveds can bring their own WIP and receive support and tips! One beloved called me 18 months after class, and was ready to do more on her painting, so we scheduled a private session on her covered deck! I brought She Changes, which had been my class demo, and we painted together. 

Learning to balance your own creativity process and tending your students is ongoing, we've got this! 

Muse Time Beginnings

 I'm sometimes asked how Muse Timers began - pour a cuppa, and sit back!

The invitation read, “I am so excited to be offering my first 'Color of Woman Method' painting workshop, "Meeting Your Creative Muse", on February 15, 2014, at my new art space in my home. This process uses intentional creativity, visionary imagination, and intuitive painting, to encounter the Muse, thus accessing our own inner world and feminine wisdom,..." and I had to sign up!! 

Heron Walking - Legend 2021

A couple of us joined our friend for the class, and spent a lovely day painting with her and reigniting our creative sparks! After 'painting up a storm' over the following months, I signed up for the 2015 training later in the year, and completed in the fall of 2015 (turning in my own book at the 'last minute!!')

During my own year, I was aware some SiStars weren't able to complete. The following year, I was one of several 'readers' assigned to support small groups of students throughout their training - and was so happy when all of 'mine' graduated! Several gals who took one of my IC classes, or attended my monthly Red Thread Circles entered Color of Woman training, and all of those were able to complete as well. 

Occasionally I would run into the friend who offered that original Muse class, and if talk turned to CoW, she would lament that she still hadn't finished, and might add she still hoped to. After a particularly poignant conversation with her, and several with other students who 'hoped to' complete their Color of Woman journey, I began wondering what support those continuing students received, and asked Sarah! They were encouraged to complete, and had continued access to the materials and process, but there was no specific support system.

Sarah checked with Shiloh and Jena, and we decided I could start a support circle for those students who had taken extensions, so I began Muse Timers! Sarah sent me the email addresses of extension students from 2015 - 2017, and I started a FB group for those interested in March 2018 (that has been archived, and we now have a group on iMUSEA) 

From the beginning, Muse Timers have expressed that they felt alone on the journey after their classmates graduated, and gratitude for the continuing support of a circle of witness! Other graduates, many who took extensions themselves, followed the thread to help support the circle. I began writing a Muse Time blog, with tips on taking stock of where they were with the journey, using their IC tools and doing a reset. A continuing motto has been 'keep it simple!' Every time one posts her TaDa pic of her initiate group, I feel the same delight I did with my own completion! Another Star is shining bright!

Circle with Zander and Keira

When I was in CoW, my youngest grands were 4, and attending an art centered Playschool. I wrote about my Soul Work from that perspective of being a Grandmother, nurturing creativity in the children. Another thread of that Soul work is my offerings as a Reiki Master where I incorporate creative projects into the training. And the third thread is that of nurturing IC students in Color of Woman, as they weave their way to completion in their own and their Muse's Timing! 

Tools of Transformation

 During the Color of Woman quest, we have been given treasure trove of tools for accessing our own intuition, insights and vision, for calming the Critic and engaging the Muse! 

This Tool Kit is full of powerful offerings for our beloveds - and ... we often forget how helpful they can be for our own process! 

What can we do when the critic raises her head? Pull out the tool kit, and choose one or more to revisit!

My first Story Card deck and cover

• The Soulful Story Card process is one of the first assignments on the CoW journey - for good reason! 

In The Artist's Way, Julia Cameron wrote: "An affirmation is a positive statement of (positive) belief, and if we can become one-tenth as good at positive self-talk as we are at negative self-talk, we will notice an enormous change." 

If we only had the Story Cards as support for the rest of our journey, we'd have such a potent aide!! Often the very stumbling blocks addressed by the cards are encountered over and over - and in the cards, we have a wonderful way to turn them into stepping stones!  I share several ways to use them here.

I usually offer a Story Card session in my Red Thread Creatives Circle a couple of times each year, and use this as an opportunity to create a few new cards, to address other old Stories I've become aware of!  I like working on less expensive water color pads of paper for creating the cards. 

You may find this a good time to assemble your Story Card kit, for offering this as a virtual or in person class. So save your process papers with old stories and their antidotes to include in your kit. If it's been awhile since you created your deck, check in and see if there's are any old stories surfacing to be countered with new cards!

Story and Ally cards, plus 13 Step prompt deck

• The Medicine Basket - ooo, what a lovely image!! 

I love Shiloh's description of her physical basket, and items included!! You may wish to assemble a physical Medicine basket or bag to include some of your special tools! I've got a little basket for Red Thread and a couple of Shiloh's books, a little red silk bag for special scissors, and little balls of red yarn, and found a small purse made from Red Ties for bigger balls and tools! 

If you're feeling 'stuck' around your Piece of the Red Thread - pull out your Medicine Basket, and revisit your tools!

Red Thread Basket

Some of the Medicine Basket inquiries are:

• What will you be known for? 
• What Healing tools & remedies do you offer? 
• What can people count on you for?
• Who are your Beloveds?
• What is in your medicine basket?

Our Medicine Basket process helps us identify our special gifts, and points us toward our Soul Work! When I painted & collaged 'gifts' onto my first Medicine basket, I immediately saw this as a lovely process to include in my upcoming Reiki 2 class (and included that as my first RT event assignment). I invited my students to bring scrapbook materials, Quotes they might want to include, and then dream-stormed on how to integrate the teachings of Reiki, & the Medicine basket process. We created covers for the Reiki Journals I encouraged them to begin, over a background that included the Symbols they learned!

I've continued to include creating Story Cards and Medicine Baskets in subsequent Reiki 1 and 2 Classes, and love how they dovetail with the Reiki teachings on intention. I've also shared it in Red Thread style paint parties, like this one for my school chum Nancy (center with the basket on pink) and her friends and family.

Paint with Pals - Medicine Basket

• Many of us have felt we didn't quite 'fit' in this current world, family, community - the House of the Heart allows us to claim belonging. 

Shiloh comments - "We either experience everything as a miracle or nothing as a miracle. We experience the Universe as a friendly or unfriendly place. People's world view stems from their belief about whether they belong here." 

In the fall of 2019, I joined CoW graduate and EFT practitioner Sherry Reuger-Banaka in offering a workshop on Grief to Gratitude, using the house of the Heart as the class template. This was her Soulwork - combining IC and EFT! I've enjoyed doing this one on canvas several times, and they are such cheery houses! 

The prompts from a CoW student offering (via Zoom) led to recalling the cute 50s home my dad painted pink, with dark red trim and a white roof (to reflect the Central Oregon sun) ... And the Blue Door of my piano teacher's little back room Bible Bookstore. 

 

House of the Heart 2020 - on canvas

• Need a Treasure Map for finding your way? Pull out your Vision Plan Book! 

This is a process Shiloh Revisits each time she's planning a new offering - and is a great one for us to revisit as we seek insight and momentum. I love the whole brain, Muse led approach - our biz-coach, Stella Mac invites us to, "Create a business plan using your winged eye – you have to know how to look with a visionary lens to craft a business that reflects who YOU are." 

Vision Plan Book

In spring of 2020, Shiloh and Amy Ahlers offered a course called Dancing Entrepreneur, where we created a new Vision plan Book, plus a deck of 16 action cards to augment the booklet, and support moving forward with our plans! This is where I encountered the idea from another student of creating a board and planning pockets for a Visual planning system!"

Journal Calendar Biz-Plan

• Another tool is one we've all kept in various forms over the journey - the Journals!!  

This is where we've processed, and made notes around different assignments. 

I tend to keep both art journals for the longer painting processes, and the Smashbook style composition books for writing. I've amassed a lot of journals, and reviewing these can be helpful - reach for the one that 'falls off the shelf!' 

One of the biz tools I used following graduation was creating a monthly Smashbook spread with my goals  for that month splashed about, "popcorn" style. 

Some were specific to that month, while others are ongoing (hosting monthly Red Thread Circles, painting, blogging) I could see at a glance what I accomplished, and what I still wanted to work on!

I hope you're inspired to pull out some of your favorite tools from the training, and revisit the messages! This is a good time to complete or fine tune writing about the projects, and finding which best serve you.

Stardust Guild SiStars

 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 group on iMUSEA, a monthly call, which may include a teaching, and access to a graduate Video library for Continuing Ed appropriate to each training. For CoW, this includes additional classes of varying length at no charge, and sign ups for several we can receive a license to teach after completing the painting and any additional requirements. (These include Apothecary, Legend, Diva X... ) 

There's a link to add yourself to the Guild directory, and volunteer or employment opportunities are offered to active guild members first. 

Sepha, Nadya and Shiloh, 2016

There is also a Regional component. Nearly 20 Guild Gals currently live in Oregon and Washington, and several of us met for the first time in classes, at graduation, during travels, or an in-person gathering. (You can find local graduates and Guild members in the directory.) 

In November 2019, I invited the local gals to a Gathering at the studio in MECA gallery (since closed). We set our circle for the afternoon, and Jan from Southern Washington, 3 hours away, choose to stay overnight! 

Sharing Purple thread with Sepha and Janet

While we do Red Thread circles when gathering with students and beloveds in our broader community, when meeting with other Guild members, we often use a Purple Thread of Leadership. I've shared purple thread with several SiStars as they traveled through Oregon, weaning strands of connection. It's always a delight when we gather, and this was no exception! 

Olivia, Sepha, Uma, Nadya, Jan  - Nov 19

During that fall gathering, we shared chocolate and tea, warmth and SiStarhood. Our Muses must have consulted - our colors were delightfully coordinated! We passed the thread, and shared highlights from our year, and dreams for the future. 
We planned to share a Metacognative drawing practice, but after our check-in round we just kept talking!  And talking - laughing, commiserating, and finally said our fond goodbyes, with a stronger connection and sisterhood.

In 2021, Musea added regional 'Constellations' of Guild Members, with Guides for each group, and ours began having monthly calls in the spring. Our PNW 'Stardust SiStars' begin with a circle, sometimes followed by a short teaching or activity. We have begun scheduling separate "Nuts and Bolts" sessions sharing info on making prints, and other practical tips. 

We may be drawn to Collaborate with others from afar, or in our area. I've co-facilitated in person classes with several, beginning with Lora Pirtle during my own Color of Woman training, then Sepha, when she entered the following year. 

Olivia and Uma collaborated many times while they both lived in Portland, and after Uma moved out of the area, offered the first 'guild led' Legend class virtually in the spring, and I was their Art Doc! 

Another local grad and Guild member Linda Allen and I co-facilitate bimonthly Virtual Red Thread Circles as a pivot during lock down. These are so fun, drawing women from around the globe!! (as far as NZ and India!) Graduates or students in our area are also invited to post their offerings in our PNW MeetUp.

Purple Thread cuffP

I used the purple yarn from several circles with my Guild SiStars to crochet this little cuff bracelet. It's both decorative and a wonderful reminder I can just give a tug, and the support and love from my Guild sisters is on the other end! 

I extend the thread to you, and invite you to explore guild membership!

Recycling Content

 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 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 starting one - 

• What platform to use? 
• How to start?
• Who will help? 
• Can I edit and update myself?

A blog is a simple way to start, and figure the rest out later!! I happened to choose blogspot, and have enjoyed sharing content this way. Our IC Sister Hobby Parent had a blog on the same platform, with 'pages' which made it more like a website - an About page, events page, Gallery .... and I realized I could add those to mine as well!! It's easy to edit pages - as long as we remember, tee hee! 

It's simple to copy and paste from the blog to Instagram or FB, and share a poem or inspirational thought, a bit of a story .... and to use 'labels' (or 'hashtags') suited to post topics. Either can inspire content for the other (I usually go into edit to copy and paste from one to another) 

Hashtags I commonly use include #intentionalcreativity #intentionalcreativityoregon and #iammusea Be sure to have a link in your bio that takes the visitor to a link list or your blog or website. 

Do you have a blog? Post the link in the comments! 

Here are some of mine:

Creation Station, King's Touch Reiki, Red Thread Circles

Insta Magic

 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 - bypass ones that have over a million, and look for ones in the 50 - 500k range or lower
• Check out the tags your colleagues use - make a note of those which fit! (a tag may sound great - but when you visit it, the posts don't match your vision/intention!)
• It's a good idea to check out the tag, and see how the posts match your intention - I usually click "recent" as well 💖
• Choose a few # that are unique to you, or your small group. Recently I added red thread Creatives, as that's the name of my Facebook group. 

Building your following and adding content

• When you have a bit of extra time, visit some of the folks who 'liked' your recent posts, and choose several which appeal to interact with, follow and comment on.  
• When someone comments on your post, take time to reply - even if it's just 'thank you!'
• Post favorite quotes and tips from time to time - how can you uplift your beloveds?
• Click 'view insights' to see how your posts are performing, and who has viewed the post. You can see what time of day posts are most viewed, etc. 
• While we can use up to 30 tags in a post, the magic number is 11 - I generally use a few more.
• The Magic formula is to choose 5-8 'popular' tags that have been used 50-500k times
• 5-8 moderate 5-50k
• Several specific to your group or offerings
• And a few niche - personal to you!

Promoting your work and offerings

• When you collaborate on a class or other offering, choose a tag together, and use it with your posts. I was recently the Art Doc for a class two of my colleagues offered, and they chose #AwakeningMythicLegend for our class posts. 
• Encourage your students with accounts to use the tag, and to tag you on their posts!
• Be sure to tag your partner in your post with @____
• If you have your work in a show or at a gallery, tag the venue, and like/comment on posts they make, especially if you're mentioned/ tagged!
• Instagram allows one "active link" in your profile, so many folks create a link list (like Linktree) with link to classes, free offers, their main website, blogs. Check out the 'link in bio' on different accounts, and see which appeal to you. 

Whilst researching link options, I came across a YouTube tutorial from Canva on creating active web pages and decided to that for my profile link! I often use Canva for graphics, so that was an easy choice! 

• Post a link to your website or blog in your bio, and update your site regularly. 
• A blog is an easy 'website option,' if you haven't built a website yet. I have several, and post events on a couple of those. 
• If you're promoting an event, make the registration easy to find! (I often check these in colleagues' posts, and have to poke around for their current offer!)
• If you have several distinct business, you may want to add other accounts
• Post your bio link at the end of your text "click the link in my bio to register -@nadyakingartist 

Here's a recent post with in depth suggestions on using hashtags! 

Are you on Instagram? Go look - you may already have a page with 20 or more followers that you just need to claim! 

Challenge: post your most recent painting and a little blurb on your Insta page!

You're invited to post the link to your account in the comments, and share any tips you've discovered! 

 

SOULWork

 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 one of 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. 

If it's something you've already done, you can share the link (dropbox, youtube, blog post, google docs, etc) or you can simply flesh out your notes and any images you have of your project 'in the works.

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 offerings as a Reiki Master.

In 2015 and '16, I wrote about this on my King's Touch Reiki Blog, "When studying Intentional Creativity, preparing to become a Color of Woman teacher and IC coach, I needed to offer several Red Thread Circles and events. My teacher Shiloh Sophia invited me to consider the connections between Reiki and the IC teachings, "I know there are connections, explore what they are."

A Chinese legend tells that we are connected before birth with those whom we're destined to meet by an invisible Red Thread. Through out lives, the thread may twist, stretch and tangle, but will never break. We each hold, and are responsible for our own piece of this thread.

I immediately saw a connection with my own Reiki Thread, and considered how to weave the IC teachings to support my Reiki students. In April on 2015, I included my first Red Thread circle for the training during a Reiki I class, inviting each initiate to share her piece of the thread. One, Lora Pirtle, was already certified in IC, and was tickled. During our 2nd Degree class in July, we incorporated the symbol practice sheets into creating a Medicine Basket as a journal cover. 

Students Creating Journal covers

When I took Second Degree Reiki in 1990, we first learned the three symbols, and then (gulp!) burned the papers!! Scary, but empowering! We were at the coast, & that night, I danced the symbols under the stars - WOW!

With Intentional Creativity, we can use the creative process as our Holy Fire of transformation and integration. 

Some of the Medicine Basket inquiries are:

• What will you be known for? 
• What Healing tools & remedies do you offer? 
• Who are your Beloveds?
• What is in your medicine basket?

When I painted & collaged 'gifts' onto my first Medicine basket, I immediately saw this as a lovely process to include in my upcoming Reiki 2 class (and included that as my first RT event assignment). I invited the students to bring scrapbook materials or Quotes they might want to include, and dream-stormed on how to integrate the teachings of Reiki, & the Medicine basket process. 

Intentional Creativity has proved to be a lovely support the Reiki teachings. I've formulated a Red Thread Reiki curriculum, with creative projects to help the teachings of each level. These Red Thread teachings are available separately for those who have studied with another Master, and I would love to collaborate with other Reiki Masters in offering these.

In later Reiki Classies, we've made Prayer Flags on the Reiki Principles during First Degree and Apothecary Vessels for the journal covers. So my SOULWork was already present, and interwoven into other assignments for my certification, I just needed to see the pattern!

I invite you to explore the connections between IC and your own interests/ skills/ healing tools - how can you weave the treads together? 

Calling Council

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 Jena - if English is your second language, you can write in your Mother tongue, and just share some highlights in English!! 

I called my first Council on Summer Solstice 2014, after finishing the second painting in Flora Aube's Art of Allowing online course, Sekhmet. Flora was one of Shiloh's first students to branch out, and begin her own school! 

I held a 'council' meeting with 11 of the 12 of paintings I'd done between Feb and June (!!), & my "star lady" wall hanging in the background, which I stitched for my bodywork room over a decade before.

Spirit Council

Gabriella, Mary, Daffy-Down-Dilly

Gabriella - is my Muse of Creativity, from the first IC class I'd taken in February,  a 'Muse Encounter' workshop with my friend artist Elisabeth Friese-Mick! I refined her face, & added ribbons to her dress ... and added interference paint 'sparkle' to her hair!

Mary of Magdala - was the first I painted with inspiration from Shiloh Sophia from an online offering!
 & little Daffy-Down-Dilly (March) was for a local daffodil festival.

Dancers, Wind Horse

I began "Dancers" in March, on International Women's day, & gifted to my ballet teacher Emma Seth - it still hangs in the Marchant Dance studio. 

Beginning ballet classes as an adult with Emma's mother Lynn brought a whole shift in consciousness and body awareness, and intentional movement. Lynn is an important part of my creative lineage.

Drawing and painting horses was an early love, and Wind Horse, with her Red Thread Rider, began in an open studio at Elisabeth's home. The Blue lady, Presence, is my little mama Lois - inspired by her HS photo (around 1933) and her beloved hills and trees.

When calling council, you might pull out several of the inquiries from each assignment, and hunt up notes from your painting process: intention for each lady, notes on symbols, where you got stuck and how she helped you find resolution.

You might wait to review your notes till AFTER you've gleaned a round of messages; then do another council session after that revisit! 

Your story cards hold insights for this process as well - pull a card before or after chatting with each lady, which rewrite are you present to? Does one of the symbols in the painting match this shift? Is there an ally? Are there insights and messages from other IC processes like your Medicine Basket that dovetail?

After the council, you can pull out and refine the stories and information about your individual quest paintings for your initiate book.  I got a small journal to record these messages from my quest paintings and other ladies, for a dose of inspiration when I need it! 

Intention for the Self First

In our Reiki tradition, the lineage keeper Mrs Takata encouraged her students to practice "Reiki for the self first!" before treating others. She taught a simple self treatment pattern, and encouraged them to receive Reiki regularly as well.

With Intentional Creativity®, we begin each painting and project with an intention, an issue we are working on, a theme, a tool for identifying our gifts ... How do we connect with this intention and presence whilst competing our CoW quest? 

Lotus Wisdom - with Tina Greene

While tidying my space (a never-ending adventure!!) this morning, I listened to a favorite podcast with Home Purification coach Michael Spencer. One of the episodes I caught was this interview with mindfulness teacher Martha Rouleau from last summer.

Mindfulness and Intentional Creativity® share some beautiful interfaces and enriching practices.

• Self Compassion - as in our painting process, what if we couldn't get it wrong? We need to follow our inner Muse, not get caught in the tyranny of perfecting or comparison.
• There is an invitation to connect with our senses - touch, taste, smell, hearing, what an I present to? What do I feel? See? What will enrich me?
• Engage curiosity - what am i curious about? What calls for exploration? 
• Take time and space to just be - we can get so caught up doing, we forget to pause! Take a breath- you've got this!

Martha shared a couple of quick and simple movements, and exercises for becoming present. The first she calls Sunshine Breath (and talks through on the recording). A similar movement I've been doing for years comes from Qigong - I love my friend Alessandro's version, which he demonstrates here.

On longer IC calls, we often put on some music and take a dance break in the middle! 

Martha's second suggestion was a wonderful exercise for gaining perspective:

• Stand near a window, or go outside
• Look at something small and close, notice several things about it
• Now look as far away as you can see what's the colour? The form?
• Now choose something in the middle; micro, macro and in between! 

This can be very helpful when we start feeling overwhelmed - it brings our place and our focus in the Big Picture into better perspective.

She also shared the image of the wheel - the center hub, what Stella Mac would call our core values, is the constant. We might get distracted by something going on with one of the spokes - but come back to center for reference. Another image common to mindfulness practices is the lotus, which springs from the mud. No mud, no lotus! 

How can you be more mindful, and care for yourself today? 

Jump back on the train

 In early April, when I checked in with several of those still in process, one SiStar responded saying, "I need to jump back on the train."  

What a great image! Like our lovely Lighthouse circle last spring, jumping back on the train offers inspiration. It invites motion after a needed holiday, or necessary trip to take care of other business! 

Whilst several are in the last stages of assembling their competed assignments for the Initiate Book, (woot!!) others are still somewhere in the middle, with offerings, writing and or their paintings left to compete.

Before our Get R Done call in Dec 2020, Rosie Mac and I suggested sorting the remaining assignments into Ta-das and ToDos, then fine tune the ToDos into: 

• Easy peasy
• A bit more challenging, but I've got it!
• YIKES! 

Remember to check the pared down list of assignments, it doesn't have to be a Magnum Opus! The post with tips from that call is HERE.  

A couple of other posts on getting re-motivated are Reset and Welcome

Legend - Mythic Awakening - in process

The heart of Intentional Creativity is setting our intention for our paintings and projects, and this is a GREAT time to sit with your journal and calendar, and set intention for your next steps. Even if you plan for the longer extension, set yourself goals for your different projects! How do you best schedule and plan? Tap your strengths! The Visual Planning system is one of my favorites for SEEING what I want to focus on!

Check in with your Story Cards and see if you can identify any old stories that could hold you back - what  antidotes did you identify? I find I often have the tools to support me, but just forget to use them! Pull out your Vision Plan Book, and review your vision - what lights you up about IC? Perhaps you want to make a card or two that reflect this - a Chalice card for the abundance flowing - both your offerings nourishing others, and the energy exchange that will flow in .... A card for your Beloveds - Who is seeking you? ...

Heron Walking - Mythic Awakening

Writing a pros and cons list is a tool I sometimes use for making decisions - it can be helpful here, especially if you got off the CoW Train awhile ago - you still have the Ticket, what are some of the pros of jumping back on? 

What's are the Carrots on your Pros list, inviting you to finish your quest and compile your Initiate book?

• The relief of completion, and going on to plan your own offerings and collaborations!
• Graduates, including Muse Timers, are chosen for staff positions and support teams, (which includes payment or a scholarship for the class!) 
• Membership in the Guild at the Active level offers many opportunities for connection, continuing ed, and access to the wonderful library of classes we can take, and ones we can teach (some at no extra charge, others we need to be licensed for)
• I was the Art Doctor for the first Legend class to be offered by Guild Members, which will count as the prerequisite for CoW, and am licensed to teach Legend myself.

What may be holding you back - Cons 

•  Sometimes it's health or family issues - as much as you love IC and want to share it, you just don't have the band width! Your own health or responsibilities currently require too much time and energy. (A number of sisters have surmounted many of these obstacles, managed to complete 'After all!')
• What worked so far, and what was more challenging? (Can you approach that a different way? What are some other options?)
• One SiStar mentioned realizing she's so sensitive to energy, she's concerned about teaching groups. This is something Shiloh often addresses, reminding us not to allow other's energy into our fields, pushing it out with our hands and intention. Movement breaks during a class can help with this as well.  In her own in-person offerings, Shiloh clearly states she is not available during breaks, which she needs for recharge. Taking time for yourself both before and after classes is vital to staying energetically healthy!
• I'm happy to chat with anyone who wants to teach, but has a similar concern! My Reiki blog has some ideas for with and recharging your energy.
• And some gals realize the IC quest was more for personal growth, and feel complete the accomplishment, without certifying! If that's the case, you're invited to check in, and to fill out the Exit Survey.

You might want to take tea with your Muse and journal, or even a painting, to work with your personal pros and cons. Are their ways you can address/conquer your cons? 

If the pros prevail, pack your bag and jump on the train!! 

Instagram and Canva

I began posting on Instagram in 2018, after Maestra Shiloh Sophia suggested we do so, and use the #intentionalcreativity, to boost the numbers of posts tagging our brand to over a thousand - We are now have over 15K posts with that tag! 

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 enjoy that with Instagram you see the image first, and can connect with other artists and beloveds visually. There's one active link, on your bio page, and a number of people use a service like Linktree or Milkshake to link a series to that bio link. 

As I was exploring options over on YouTube, I discovered using Canva is an easy way to create a 'bio-link' landing page with active links! Who knew?! I've created a number of little posts using my free Canva account, so after watching several tutorials, and this one from Canva - decided to create a mini website instead! 

The bio-link page or website can be edited, so it's a great little link to post in our bios! I used the suggestion of using Bit.ly to shorten the link so it's easy to share. My current website needs to be revamped - so it was perfect timing.  If you want to direct someone to your link, put your Canva address in your post - @nadyakingartist 

I also used Canva to create a post about using hashtags, from an article Stella Mac shared with us! Check out your SiStars' posts for ideas of what to use. This is a simple and free way to begin to connect with your beloveds! 

 

Avoiding Overwhelm

This week, one of our Muse Time SiStars asked about avoiding overwhelm,  as she works toward completion. 

What a good inquiry!  It can help to dance between the Easy Wins, and your more challenging tasks, and to pace yourself. And - breathe!  You've got this! 

You may wish to choose one or two assignments to focus on a day/week, perhaps a set timer (20-45 minutes) then take a break. Pull out a calendar,  and schedule time to spend with your Muse. 

Yesterday I took part in a friend's group EFT tapping session on business, and one of the inquiries was around being successful - what fears arose when we thought of having more clients? 

We taped around being busier, and that it's  ok to set boundaries as well as intentions! The leader shared that she liked talking trine to meditate and enjoy her coffee in the morning, (morning cafe!) She decided not to take appointments earlier than 9:30 - and that her business increased after setting that boundary! 

Look for places similar ideas interface, and group or cross reference them - What are some of the themes that arose in your story cards and medicine basket - do some work together and suggest a class?  

As you work on your Menu of Offerings , jot down ideas for what you want to include in different classes.

Mermaid: shells on the altar, a ritual of blessing water, maybe allies or treasures from the sea, ocean sounds or tmusic ... (etc)

I sometimes make a little booklet or card or two for a class theme; you may wish to start a "future class and workshop" file!

As you work toward completion, be sure to celebrate as you make headway and complete assignments! Every step takes you closer to your goal. 

New Moon Altar

 One of the simple practices we often use in our Intentional Creativity® community is setting up an altar. Home altars have been used since ancient times throughout the world, be people from many traditions. 

An altar can be as simple or intricate as you wish, often set on a lovely cloth, holding momentos of loved people, pets, items from the natural world - rocks, a bowl of water, a candle, some smudge or incense ... I have little altars on surfaces all around my home!

Today marks the first New Moon of 2021, with the sun and moon both in Capricorn. New Moon can be a good time for setting intentions and celebrating new beginnings, and a lovely time to create or reset your altar. 

A couple of years ago Shiloh Sophia shared a process of gathering and blessing water, drawn from a service at her church. From Dr Maseru Emoto's work on water, we know that water responds to intention and spoken words, and can be patterned.

Altar with Magïc brushes and Holy Water

My blessed water from our session included well water, Bulgarian Rose Oil, Hathor oil blend, and Our Lady of the Cosmos flower essence bouquet (formulated for Red Madonna 2015). I placed it in a cut glass, stoppered bottle, which I'd used for Holy Water from a Buddhist lama in the mid 90s. 

I often "charge" water by placing it in a bowl in the moonlight, sometimes with crystals in it as well. We can add some of this blessed water to our paint water, and to a spray bottle. 

The altar cloth is a placemat from France, and holds my Magïc paint brushes, crystals and coral, a carved red turtle (Kenya), dragon on a small pottery plate, reindeer antler, a goddess of fossilized horn and silver, Hathor oil, rose  beads (around the angel), the flower essence bouquet, smudge sticks, a Red Jar candle, and chocolate!

2020 - Altar for Mystic Legend 

Some of my altars are set on cloths, others directly on a shelf. There are crystals, feathers, shells, Oracle cards, a candle or olive oil lamp, gifts from students, small baskets, flowers, holy water, smudge sticks, figurines ... Some are little arrangements on window sills - blue bottlers, a little bowl, bells ...

Denise Linn has written a lovely book on Altars and Shrines. While Zsuzsanna Budapest wrote a one on bringing altars and the Goddess into your workspace 

Do you have home altar? 

KISS - Keep it Simple Sweet one!

As we approach teaching online or in person, one key is to keep it simple! 

• Set up so they can see your demo - do a trial run with a buddy if this is new
• Give an overview of the the class and format 
• Talk a bit, then let them do that step! 
• Honor questions - they benefit everyone! (And set boundaries!)
• Allow time at the beginning for your circle, and time at the end for everyone to share their guidance, insights and painting

Ginger and Jean - 4 hour Harvest Queen

Handouts - email:

• Materials list
• Give journaling prompts as pre and post class homework
• You might have a common symbol handout, winged and flaming heart, spiral, bird, ... plus a few words on possible meaning
• Consider including a simple face map (full face is easiest) 
• 
  Linda Allen - Simplicity

Personal prep

• Choose your poem/ readings to match your theme
• Do a practice painting on your theme, in the time you've scheduled for your class
• Keep your sample simple, and leave it unfinished as an example 
• Jot down journaling prompts as you paint, to support your inquiry
• Do your own journaling! 
• I have a painting panel with options for features - eyes, lips
• Practice the visioning
• Have some tools for coping with the critic! 

Linda Allen - Simplicity

Flow

• Create your 13 step prompt cards and perhaps a few extras around your theme
• Combine some if its a shorted class
• The 13 steps are proprietary for intentional creativity, and for our own use. We usually don't talk about them much, saying, "now we're going to do a Risky Glaze to integrate the colors" (rather than "now we're doing the integration step") ...
• Keep the class moving along, give a bit of warning before moving on
• Allow for tea and movement breaks
• Have show and tell time at the end (~20 minutes) 

Two or more sessions

• Generally, glaze by the halfway point, or end of the first session
• If you offer the class over two + sessions, don't work on your class painting between!!
• You could work more on your practice painting - and at the end, share a screen shot of where you left off, and what it looks like after more attention! 
• Share additional journal prompts, including tips for coping with the critic
• Second session - do a mini circle and perhaps short visioning to bring them back 

Charging

• Check what others in your area charge for classes similar in length
• If your class is virtual, you may choose to charge less, as they'll supply the materials, you can still charge for your time!
• Consider the option donations to a favorite charity, provide the link
• Offer partial scholarships, or discount for a second person, as you choose

After completion, invite them to share feedback and photos, and do a follow up email. You may want to schedule a call if someone voices big challenges or insights. 

Thanks to Color of Woman graduate Linda Allen for sharing her Simplicity story card - you can find more of Linda's writing and work here.

Be sure to give yourself time for self care, and integration you worked hard!!    

Missing Out

In a chat with a Muse Time sister who is reengaging with her Quest, she said she  felt sad when she saw the assignment list, and realized how abbreviated it was compared to the the info available during the training. Would she be as well prepared as others?  I suggested she purchase a copy or download the pdf of the Color of Woman book, and check in with her Muse ...

Blessing Flower

This fear of missing out, and an urge to chase the Shiny Object are part of the Mindset that can lead to distraction! What would it take to start, and then see if we need more information? Can we set a task aside for a wee bit as we gather info, or start on a simpler one?

Rosie Mac and I led a call recently with 16 of our Muse Time SiStars, we invited you to submit questions and concerns, and to take stock of where you are on your quest. 

I suggested printing out writing out the assignment list from your class (Jena pinned post on the page with the link), and sorting them into Ta-das and ToDos, then fine tune the second list by: 

• Easy peasy
• A bit more challenging, but I've got it!
• YIKES! 

The blessing flower format is a creative way to arrange your ToDos. And for those yikes - remember to tug on the red thread - and that's often where the juice is!! 

Rosie, who completed her own Quest after 5 years - which included some major setbacks, offers inspiration and hope!  "If I can do it, you can, too!"

In addition to various physical challenges and unavoidable tragedies, which threw many off course, we identified several main issues: Mindset / limiting beliefs

• too little: time/ money/ energy. 
• I'm not as artistic as others // 
• I've got an art degree (and this should be easy for me!)
• Chatter from the Perfection Diva and Critic
• I'm not sure how to get inspired again!
• Overwhelm
• I can't get students [beloveds] for my class ...

Some of the solutions for these

• Simplify - it doesn't need to be a magnum opus
• Organize: put it on your calendar! 
• Can you commit 1/2-1 day a week?
• Do a bit at a time (even 20 minutes a day - or 5, if that's all you've energy for!)
• Use your tools - story cards to address old stories, vision plan book, medicine basket
• Collaborate, teach each other! 

If you halted during a painting, this post on journaling and reclaiming would be a good place to start as you revisit Her - does she need more work, or is she done for now? Again, simplify! (You can always return later - she'll call you back!)

If you've got several paintings to do, consider competing the current one, and be sure to do the journaling! Receive her message, and ask her assistance in moving forward. You can work on more than one painting at a time - Shiloh does this herself! Find what works for you! 

Be sure your studio is set up so you can do this easily, and put taking café with your paintings and process on your schedule - your own notes are a goldmine for future sessions and classes!! 

Check with the group, and see if anyone wants to paint or work on RT projects together virtually (it doesn't need to be the same painting!)  Share a Red Thread circle at the beginning, set a time frame, check in at the end! Be sure to sit with your cuppa and journal (at last 6' away!!) during/ after the session.

Red Thread mini altar

Organization  and writing

• Set up a file and folders for your Color of Woman assignments on the computer
• Write on paper first - write from your heart - then enter on your computer
• Simplify - you can always add more details later! 
• If English is your second language, write in your mothertongue, then translate
• Invite someone to help edit, and for tips on compiling your initiate book.

What's the carrot?

For Rosie, she wanted to join Kerry Lee in painting a series of murals in Christchurch, NZ - but needed to graduate first! So, even though she was still recovering from a brain injury, she reengaged with her quest, and graduated in 2019! 

Rosie and I have both benefited in many ways after graduating and becoming Guild members - access to classes, hearth tending, being support for courses. 

So ask yourself, 'what is my carrot?'  You began Color of Woman for a reason - what is it now? Look back at your Future Teacher Visioning - has it changed? Keep the orthogonal, but consider storing an update!

Take your inquiry to the page and canvas - what draws you forward? 

My beloved piano teacher, Marion Coe told me, "Commencement means to Begin!"

       

Metacognative Drawing

During our Muse Time call yesterday, We mentioned Metacognative drawing as a way to quickly tap into insights. Metacognation = awareness of our thoughts,  thinking about thinking! 

Shiloh has tapped into this over the last several years, and integrated it into the Motherboard coaching training. 

 Metacognative exercise: 

1) Take a few deep breaths, and ask yourself a question, perhaps 'What am I passionate about?' 'What's my next step?' 'Who are my beloveds?' ...

• Take a marker or pen, use a piece of paper, your Smash book, or fancier art journal. 
• Place the tip of your marker on the paper and doode for a minute or so, just letting the line flow. 
• Use your non-dominant hand if you wish 

Doodle, non-dominant hand

2) Then begin writing, inviting insights from your quick doodle. Write what comes to mind. Did new awareness arise? Write for another minute or two. 

3) Now, move to another page, choose a pleasing color, and sketch a symbol and wrote some of the words around it. Draw a line (a kind of ripple around your symbol and words) more words, and another ripple. 

Symbol and word ripples

In this case, the layers were:

• What becomes possible when I bring more scared space into my life?
• What form does it take?
• What needs to be released/added in my physical space?

Musea Atelier - step 4 sketch

4) Do a simple sketch, bringing form to your insight - here, we sketched our muse holding the visionary screen depicting our sacred space (my Atelier studio) 

This sketch can take any form - I like combining this practice with Neurographic noodling, and jotting a few words of insight on the reverse.

Wishing on a Star

We can jot down a couple of action steps that will help us bring our vision into reality, and choose one or two we can do in a day or two. I often put these on little cards on my board or in my Visual Planning pockets. 

Visual Plan Board

You can check the Educator directory to see who is in your part of the world, it look up sometime you've found inspiring.