My book

Ranked top 5 on amazon.com in crafts + hobbies and creativity + genius, Taking Flight: Inspiration + Techniques to Give Your Creative Spirit Wings is a book that will inspire your creative soul. To purchase and/or learn more, click right here.
what is and is not okay
art supplies i can't live without
- ott lite
- shiva paintsticks
- golden fluid acrylics
- brayer
- caran d'ache pastels
- white gel pen
- heat gun
- stabilo pencils
- gallery style canvas
- gel medium (gloss)
- claudine's paints
- distress ink (all colors)
- alcohol ink (all colors)
- gold + silver leaf
- india ink
- pitt pens
- molding paste (light)
- palette paper
- gesso
- graphite
camera gear
creative business resources (for you!)
Thursday, November 05, 2009
kansas blessings + upcoming product sneak peek!

Monday, November 02, 2009
giveaway winners and a quick hello from kansas!

Saturday, October 31, 2009
playful wings.....a video time lapse.

Friday, October 30, 2009
!!!! giveways...(SIX winners)
In addition Alisa is also giving away one of her hand made clutches. The Stitched Circle Clutch is made from hand painted and dyed fabric that has been stitched full of colorful circles with free motion stitching- A totally unique piece of art to carry!
What is Courageous Living? from Kate Swoboda on Vimeo.
One lucky reader will win a free spot in Level 1 (which is the first 10 weeks) of Kate Swoboda's e-course called The Courageous Year.
In Kate's words:
"The Courageous Year is an e-course that starts in January 2010. While it is called "The Courageous Year" because a series of courses spanning the year are available to those who are interested, there's no obligation to take an entire year, especially if that seems like too much to take on. The course is designed to be taken in levels, with each level lasting ten weeks. Each level builds on the next, such that one year from now, someone who started from the beginning could be supported for an entire year in stepping into their vision for themselves and making THIS the year that they do something they've been telling themselves they wanted to do.
"Level 1 runs from January 18-March 27th. Lessons will be self-paced and fit perfectly with busy schedules because you can do as much, or as little, as you wish."On the website, I mention that this "isn't a Stuart Smalley kind of e-course." I am a huge believer in the power of positive thinking and affirming our worth to the world, while also acknowledging that for me, simply repeating affirmations was not enough. I needed real tools for creating balance in my life so that I could fully embrace myself and step into the fun of magical thinking--tools for dealing with emotions, tools for self-care, tools for my relationships and friendships. I believe that this course will be really helpful for anyone who knows they want to make a change, who feels it deep down inside, who has perhaps even tried a few times, and something has derailed the process each time.
"Last, I'm excited to create something that keeps bringing in fun and PLAY! as part of the process of growing our lives. Who says it all has to be drudgery?
"Courage is: being afraid, doing it anyway, transforming.
"What's included: The course includes private access to weekly lessons, handouts, audio and video, scheduled conference calls that you can join in on (specific dates and times will be announced to participants), access to discussion boards, and your own personal server space to create a profile and document your process. Participants will also receive special, discounted rates on any retreats or workshops held through my coaching website, Your Courageous Life. Lessons will be delivered in English, and participants from around the United States and the world are invited to join in!"
giveaway rules:
* to enter the giveaway, leave a comment in this post - but there's a twist. please just leave a one-three word comment. using just 1-3 words, tell us the first thing you see when you look up. the very first thing (for me, it's a book called My Grandfather's Blessings).
* just one comment per person, please.
* i'll announce the winner on monday.
* go!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Photo credits
**Photo of my hands in blog banner was taken by my friend and superhero photographer, Andrea Scher.
my journey (in chronological order) into the creative life (circa 2006)
- the whispers of inspiration
- the beginning
- feeling my heart lift
- obsessed
- first attempt at girlie painting
- humble beginnings
- i've come a long way since this
- when everything changed
- finding my style
- a review of that first year
- deciding to take the leap
- selling my first item on etsy
- beginning to build a business
- launching my website
- learning to be fearless
- still working out my style
- up up and away
- my first showing
- first gallery opening
- spilling myself into a book proposal
- book proposal accepted!
- the gremlins
- a more cohesive style emerges
- working on book projects
- published in a magazine for the first time
- a trip to ohio to meet with book publisher
- quitting my day job
- where i wrote the book
- embracing my vulnerabilities
- showing at a big san fran art festival
- licensing for the first time
- on guilt + the blues
- becoming a possibilitarian
- figuring out wholeness
- burnout
- on becoming
- on saying no
- on magic + beginnings
- on anxiety
- finally seeing myself
- finding my community
- book is released
- teaching for the first time
- thoughts on riding the wave
- teaching in italy
- new studio space in seattle
- creative style turning point
- pretending until we're not
- new affirmation paintings emerge
- hired an assistant
- first keynote
- national product (home + gift) line debuts with DEMDACO














































