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! 

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? 

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!"

       

Journalong and Reclaiming

As you travel through your CoW Quest, if you're like me, you likely have been filling journals with your process and progress! I use spiral bound art journals for sketches and Metacognative drawings, and covered and repurposed a bunch of composition books following Catt Geller's lead. 
I have a page on my blog with some tips on journaling, and recently wrote about continuing process journaling on their own for my students. I intend to print this and offer it as a handout, or email it as a PDF after the class.

Star codes

When I'm teaching, one of the things I find hardest to do is my own journaling during class! I give the prompt for my students, and may jot a few notes, but rarely do as much as I might on my own. I may also have done a trial painting on my theme before the class, to work out the kinks. It's helpful to leave some of these unfinished, and include them in the "Ladies" I bring as examples to the class. It is especially helpful for new painters and for those in shorter classes to see simpler work.

Soo... 

I try to take time after class to connect with my painting and journal. I also make notes on what came up for students, insights, sketch symbols, flesh out ideas for the next class, and ways to improve the teaching, set up, etc. When I co-facilitate classes, we try to meet for tea and debrief a few days later! 

Muse -2016 with Livestream

You may wish to dedicate a new journal for your class notes and insights, and include a section for messages from your demo paintings. This is a great place to record new class ideas, the journey and poem you plan to include, etc. Revisit it after the class, to add notes, sketches and do some journaling with your new muse.

A delightful suggestion from Shiloh on reclaiming that demo painting after class is to spray the canvas, run a swath of white paint along the top, spray again, then sit back with your journal as you watch the drips! What's going into the Fog? What came up during class you're ready to process/release? What new insights are emerging?

Same canvas, flipped for Muse 2018

This is a canvas I began supporting the Livestream for muse in 2016, when my friend Sepha was in CoW. I didn't really connect with it, and it sat for a couple of years ... 
I rarely gesso over a canvas, so I likely did a glaze or two, and I think used the white glaze tip, then flipped it and used it for the 2018 Muse. 

Soul Spark

Like Shiloh, I often have several canvases in process at one time, and use left over paint on different ones ... Soul Spark now has Star codes and I've been adding to her recently.

Do you have any favorite tips on journaling or your process work your demo painting? 
Share in the comments! 

Reset

Muses light fuses! 
What has your muse been whispering? Mine seems to have been on a bit of a sabbatical this year - I wish we could say we've been somewhere fun!! I've led my monthly circles, but only taught a few classes, and painting has been sporadic as well. As I feel into my piece of the thread, I pull out the new 18 month daybook/calendar I got this fall, and jot down notes.

What's your process for organization? When I began my CoW quest, I found a little red

Vision flower

checkbook style calendar at the dollar store, and entered each month's assignments in the notes at the bottom of the page, in addition to marking quest time each week. It was fulfilling to check them off, or Tune into what I needed to do to finish. I'm someone who can tend to procrastinate, and push deadlines, so it was often tight! i also like to play with Color and make plans in a less linear way, like this vision flower.

As you enter the next leg of your quest, I invite you to consider a reset.
 As we often did between paintings, this is a good time to clear and reset your altar, hang a different piece of art on the wall, set out a new candle. Choose a story card and place it on the altar. Spend some time in your studio, making it easier to work in. Sweep the floor, organize supplies, make a list of ones you need. Do you have enough light? A cozy chair for cafe and journaling? A place to sit "at least 5 feet back" from your painting/s? 

One of my periodic practices is calling council with my paintings! Like getting information from an individual lady, I set paintings around me, and invite their wisdom. 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! 

For this next phase of your quest, you'll be setting your own time line, so this is a great time to take stock. Do you need a new calendar and/or art journal?  What Insights about your journey have come in?

What do you still need to compete? Are some almost done? Are any of those "good enough" already? 
Are they in the Color of Woman file on your computer? Have you offered your RT circles and 13 step class? You may want to rank your "to do" list by ease of competing, and alternate easier with more challenging tasks. 

Here are some ideas for a reset:

• Reset your studio and altar
• Refresh your Supply list (watch for sales, add add items to your wish list)
• Get a new calendar and schedule time each week/month for CoW
• Spend some time with your journal, process and inspiration

• Set goals and time frame for completion
• Prioritize assignments to write up and check off 
• Call Council with your ladies
• Revisit your Future Teacher visioning, has something changed?

• Choose a story card for your altar each week
• Revisit your vision plan book for ideas, contacts, 
• Connect with an Accountability buddy 

Tugging on the Red Thread, you've got this! 

Muse Time Welcome

Welcome to this gathering place for Color of Woman competing their quests on Muse Time, and those who have gathered in to offer support! These tips and insights are designed to supplement the teachings you received during the Color of Woman classroom, and provide encouragement for the rest of your quest.

Shande'nea Star Path - Legend 2015

Muses each have their own energy and timing, their own interests and inspiration. Shiloh Sophia has provided a wonderful vessel in which our Muses flourish, and encourage us to shine in our own special ways!

As always, Sarah Mardell is our communication priestess, and the person you will be checking in with for official business your initiate book. If you have questions about fees, Sarah can help! For clarification on assignments, requirements, and submitting your book, email Jena.  

Wherever you are on your quest, I invite you to take stock. This is a excellent time to pull out notes from your interview with Shiloh, and your original intention on entering Color of Woman. Has that shifted? In what ways? Do you have a calendar where you schedule painting and writing time? I like little 'check book' size calendars, and used one for my CoW Quest.

Paintings
You might wish to bring out your Legendary Lady, and Muse, plus your notes on them, and the intention you wrote on the canvases, and call Council.
Pour a cup of cafe or tea and sit with your journal, Red Thread and your ladies. 

Put on some music, perhaps what you've painted to, or something you currently love.

• What messages and insights do your ladies carry for you?
• Do they have suggestions for how to proceed now?
• Which of your other ladies carry messages for you and your quest?
• What is your next step?
• What's your piece of the thread?

If you are still in process painting any of your ladies, include them, as you consider where to dive in. Ask her! Sometimes I do a light glaze, then sit back and journal while it drips. If you've already taught your 13-Step class, and/or one of Shiloh's recent classes, check in with those paintings - what insights do they carry?

Reset - This is a good time to clean up your painting supplies, and reset your altar. Get out a new candle, your ball of Red Thread and maybe some flowers to welcome your muse! Include your Story Cards, and perhaps pull one weekly. Sweep the floor, open the curtains, it's time!

Though it was optional, creating a new Cosmic Smashbook is a great way to connect with where you are now and to process your Muse Time journey. The prompts "show me, teach me, inform me" invite the Muse's presence, perspective and assistance. You can write your frustrations, and then 'compost' them by painting or collaging over them! I also like making little monthly 'calendars' with colored circles for different projects on my agenda / wish list for the month!

Smaskbooks - planning and Grounding Spreads

Writing and Red Thread projects:

Gather your information! 

• Do you have written assignments in your word program, ready for your initiate book? (This is a vital step!)
• Did you record some things in your Smashbook or other journals?
• Or perhaps in external blog posts?
• Which assignments almost compete, and how are you tracking them?
• Have you written about each of your ladies?

You may want to choose one or two writing assignments to focus on and compete. In many cases, we've done much of the work, and just need to document it! What is "the low hanging fruit," something that would be easy to compete? That's a great place to start!

If you're almost compete, what will it take to finish? If you'd like someone to look over any of your writing, post a request in our Muse Timer group on iMUSEA. If you were in the 2021 class, someone from your Regional Cohort may be happy to help! 

Circles and 13 step class:

• Have you offered your Red Thread circle and events?
• Do you have ideas for other offerings? 
• Have you offered your two day class, or have your theme?
• Have you written about it, gotten feedback, and have photos? 
• Do you have a place to teach and ways to advertise?
• These can be offered online! Zoom is an easy format to use for these.

- Remember, your initiate book is really for you, and most of what you have is likely already *good enough* ... We often fall prey to the tyranny of perfection, which gets in the way of completion! 

As you go through your assignment list, note which are already good enough! If English is not your Mothertongue, you can write in your own language, and add little highlights in English.

I look forward to what you have to share!