Art Nurture

Gratitude: Even for lessons hard learned

11/25/2014

Tis the season to focus on Gratitude.

Gratitude is something I try to practice regularly.

But it is not always easy.

Gratitude is definitely something to cultivate.

Often times, though, it's easy to be grateful for some things
and more challenging to be grateful for others.

It's more challenging to be grateful for stuff when you are going through a really tough time.

It's more challenging to be grateful when you don't know the answers or what to do next.

It's more challenging to be grateful when someone you love is really sick.

It's more challenging to be grateful when things aren't going your way at all.

It's more challenging to be grateful when you are having to work really hard for something and it looks like no fruit will come from all of your toil.

A story from my Art School days...

I am grateful to have had the joy of studying at a variety of places throughout my Art School days. I got to work with some really amazing artists who were my professors. I learned unique things from each of them that I carry with me each day in my art practice.

Some of those lessons were not always easy to learn.

One of my professors told me point blank once, "Court, you are not the most talented student I have. You're not even the most gifted in this class. But you are really creative and I can see that you want this, so you are going to have to work."

It was a hard thing to hear. It was a true thing to hear. I did want to be an artist so badly, with everything in me, I wanted to make visual art. I didn't want to do anything else!

Blargh! How could I want to do something that I am not good at?

I took the words to heart and put myself to work. I realized that I had so much to learn and I had to focus and really see differently, train my hands, train my eyes, learn techniques, and study.

It's hard to be grateful for a piece of truth that hits
like a sack of potatoes.

So I became incredibly studious and focused on my artistic development.
I did everything I could. I put in tons of hours...TONS.

Then, the end of the year rolled around.

The art department awards were coming up.

I was nervous at the awards ceremony. I told myself it was fine if I didn't get anything, I had worked really hard, but it was fine. I was fine. I was going to be fine. I tried really hard to detach from the hope of receiving some recognition for all of my hard work. I didn't want to hope...

...but I really couldn't help myself from hoping quite a lot.

Each discipline had it's own award category. They rattled off the disciplines and the names of the recipients of each award.

Drawing. Nope, nothing there.

Painting. Nope, nothing there either.

My hope dwindled.

Every discipline went by, some of my fellow students had even been recognized in multiple categories.

I was recognized in none.

I had worked harder that year than I ever had up to that point. I sat in my chair, trying to choke back my emotions. The last thing I wanted was for anyone to think of me as upset because other people had been honored and not me. That wasn't really what it was about.

It was more about the fact that I had this dream and, now, sitting in a plastic chair at my department awards ceremony, I didn't quite know what to think of that dream any more. Maybe that dream was a curse. Maybe it was a fantasy. I just really didn't know.

I held onto my chair and sat still and unmoving. I stared at the speaker, trying to concentrate. He was saying something about another student. I guessed that there was another recipient. I ran through my mind...no, all of the departments had been mentioned, every single one of them.
What other award could there be?

It was my professor. He talked on and on about some student who was exemplary in their discipline. Yada, yada. Some student who had really gone the extra mile. Blah, blah, blah. I wanted this whole thing to be over so that I could head back to my room and consider dropping out of school. He then announced that the last award would now be given.

It was an award from the entire department. This was the 'Ultimate Art Department Award'.

I am certain that is not the official title of the award, but he was building it up so much he may as well have called it that....

...then the girl next to me is hitting my arm.

People sitting around me turn towards me clapping and smiling.

I had been lost in my own sad thoughts that I didn't even realize that they had called my name!

Yes, I had been sitting there feeling sorry for myself and I missed the fact that I had just won the Art Department Award.

Awesome.

Everyone was really happy for me. They told me they knew how hard I had worked and how they really felt like I deserved this acknowledgement.

Talk about overwhelming humility.

The beauty is, had my professor not shared the tough words with me those many months before, I wouldn't have kicked it into high gear. I wouldn't have dug deep. I wouldn't have known to put the extra effort in and see what I was really made of...tough stuff.

I also think that this particular time in my life is what really led me to have a heart for teaching.

So I'm grateful for that for sure! I'm also grateful that I learned so much about process. I learned how much I could learn when I really tried.

I could have taken the words my professor shared in another way. I could have shut down. I could have not been grateful for his honesty. I could have not been grateful for that tough year that I put a lot of work in. I could have been so ungrateful that I got up after the last department award had been announced and stormed out of there, only to miss what was actually going to happen.

At the time all of this was a really tough series of lessons to feel grateful for, but over a decade has passed since then and I see how much these lessons have served me and will continue to serve me. I believe they also serve my community, when I get real honest and share them!

Now it's your turn.

Have you ever gone through something tough that you were able to find gratitude for later?

Please share in the comments below.

If you are loving this, please share it with those you believe would love it too.

Art Nurture is about being fully alive and living life with the soul of an artist. A life filled with passion, intention, and purpose. Thanks so much for your time and your presence.

Cultivate & Nurture,
Court McCracken

p.s. If you want to receive Art Nurture goodness straight in your inbox, make sure to get your name on the list and receive a gift from me to you!

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The reason I love this work: Creativity Cultivation, Art Nurture, all of it....find out why this is my happy place

11/18/2014

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Recently, I shared with you why I love my art. The cool thing is, my art encompasses more than it used to...or at least it is more now than I thought it was or would be....it's not just the visual art I make any more that I count as my art. This work that I do here at Art Nurture has become my art. Really this journey began as a personal exploration for me to get myself back in my art studio and it has grown and become so much more than I could have ever imagined.

I love this work. I love working as a "Creativity Cultivator".

I truthfully couldn't imagine my life without Art Nurture and I find it so interesting that it happened as just an experiment. Art Nurture was born because I was wondering if creativity could be nurtured. And now I know, the answer is a resounding 'YES'!

The reason I love this work, is because I really love people.

Not only that, but I love seeing people at their best.

I believe people are amazing.

Yes, I know, I know. People can hurt you. People make mistakes. People can let you down. It's true. We can be a sloppy mess more days than we would care to admit.

But the longer I do this work, the more I get to know people and share in their Creativity Cultivation process, the more I see that most people's creative dreams are really beautiful and really good.

So, there you have it: the reason I love this work is because I get to be a part of all kinds of people's lives and I get to watch them fly.

I don't need credit here, I am happy to be a catalyst.

In fact, being a catalyst suits my introverted nature well.

But I get to see all kinds of people do all kinds of amazing work!

I get to see people's confidence grow.

I get to see people's projects get funded and take off and fly!

I get to see people raise money for charity.

I get to see creativity cultivators develop their art skills and hone their craft.

I get to be a witness to the creative process as someone buys their first instrument and takes a lesson.

I get to see people make amazing steps and strides for themselves.

I get to watch it spill over into their community.

I get to hear about it!

I feel honored that the folks I work with share so much of their lives and their world with me. It's such a beautiful exchange, some days I can hardly keep from smiling and crying at the same time.

You are what I love about this work.

You.

You are amazing.

Your Art Nurture Journey is completely unique to you.

Being a support to you on that journey is why Art Nurture exists in it's form today and why I am committed to growing with it each year.

Just as I love my own art because it causes me to go deeper, it beckons me to grow, so does my work here at Art Nurture.

It's a joy to show up to the office when I get to work with you. I look forward to it each week.

Thank you.

Now, it's your turn. Why do you love what you do?

Please, share in the comments below.

If you are loving this, please share it with those you believe would love it too.

Art Nurture is about being fully alive and living life with the soul of an artist. A life filled with passion, intention, and purpose. Thanks so much for your time and your presence.

Cultivate & Nurture,
Court McCracken

p.s. If you want to receive Art Nurture goodness straight in your inbox, make sure to get your name on the list and receive a gift from me to you!

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Take Care of You. Self-Care for the Creative

11/7/2014

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I spend a lot of time working with my clients on honing their creative energy. In fact, I've been learning so much recently on creative process (yes, there is always more to learn!), that I am working on a new workshop for you too! It will be all about honing your creative energy and bringing it into focus. But there is one thing you simply have to do to work with your creative energy at all.

I am always reminded of this one thing
during the changing of the season.

My number one rule for nurturing your creativity.

Take care of you.

I am by no means an expert on self-care. This is a journey I am walking and learning about so much. In fact, I used to be the poster child for total lack of self-care. I used to pour it all out until I would be completely exhausted and burned out.

If you have read Art Nurture: The Simple Guide to Cultivating Your Creativity, you know that I share my biggest fault; not taking care of myself.

I have had to really work on this consciously over the past couple of years and am definitely improving and am happy with that for myself.

Because taking care of yourself makes it more possible to have a sustainable practice of creativity.

Creativity and living the Art Nurture Journey is not a sprint. It's not fast and furious. It's not a jet-setting type of lifestyle. What it is, though, is an intentional choice.

To live and create your life as a work of art
is an intentional choice.

But we can't make good choices when we are exhausted, sick, run down, over stimulated, unclear, frustrated, etc.

The number one rule for nurturing your creativity is to take extra care for self-care.

Drink that cup of tea during the cold season. Don't over book yourself. Be gracious and honest with yourself about how much energy you have to give. Head to bed and get some rest and all those other healthy things.

Take care of you. You'll have more to give. You'll have more fresh ideas. You'll be able to create from a better place.

I want to hear from you! Please, let me know your thoughts on this in the comments below.
Are you great at self-care?
Is it something you are learning?
Do you notice that when you take care of yourself that you are able to create from a better place?

If you are loving this, please share it with those you believe would love it too.

Art Nurture is about being fully alive and living life with the soul of an artist. A life filled with passion, intention, and purpose. Thanks so much for your time and your presence.

Cultivate & Nurture,
Court McCracken

p.s. If you want to receive Art Nurture goodness straight in your inbox, make sure to get your name on the list and receive a gift from me to you!

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Living a FearFULL Life

10/28/2014

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Yes, it's Halloween this week
and I just had to get a little spooky.

I admitted to you recently that I am a big ole coward. The truth is, I really can't stand anything Halloween-ish if it's even a teeny bit scary. I get scared pretty easily.

But I do live a life full of fear on a regular basis. The Art Nurture Journey puts me face to face with my fears. In my last post I talked about why I love my art (you can read the full post here). I love my art because it causes me to get real and become more authentic.

Also, trying to make a thing is scary. Putting yourself out there and sharing that thing you just made is even scarier. You open yourself up to criticism. You open yourself up to failure.

Just like anyone else, I fear criticism & failure.

That fear is powerful. It has the power to freeze you up and keep you from working and keep you from sharing that work. It can freeze you for days, weeks, months, even years!

So what do you do?

Many of us are familiar with the Eleanor Roosevelt quote of, "Do one thing every day that scares you."

In my FearFULL life, I have developed a policy that goes as follows: Feel the fear and then do it anyway.

Thanks, Eleanor, I hope I am not letting you down.

This coward right here has cried and said the words, "I'm not sure I can do this. I don't know if I'm strong enough to do this" within the last week. No joke.

I reached out to a knowledgable friend who could help me through my creative problem (Yes, I utilize my community like HAH!) and then used the struggle as an opportunity to recommit to my learning process.

I kept at it in the face of fear of failure.

Yeah, that's right...in it's face.

Ok, admittedly sometimes I am tentative and shy in my facing of fear. But several days later, after recommitting to the particular creative process I had been struggling with and showing up to it daily, I am in a new place.

I have learned more and with any creative process, knowledge is powerful. Perspective is powerful also. Knowing that you faced fear and lived to tell about it...that is personally empowering as well.

So when fear pops up. I expect it.

Yes, on my Art Nurture Journey, fear has become a companion. Fear jumps in the passenger side and I say, "Just so you know, we're going anyways."

Fear tries to tell me that no one cares about my work.
Fear tells me that my Art will not make a difference.
Fear tells me that someone else could do it better.
Fear tells me I am wasting my time.
Fear tells me it will cost too much money and bring in none.
Fear tells me I stink in comparison.

I nod.

Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh. Yep. That list sounds about right.

And then I proceed.

I equip myself with knowledge.

I invest time.

I show up daily.

I live FULLY and embrace the fact that most stuff worth doing ain't easy. Can I get an 'Amen'?

This week I challenge you to do your thing. I challenge you to pursue your Art. I challenge you to commit to doing it in the face of fear. If you know those thoughts, call them out and tell them that they are welcome to be there, but that you are going anyway.

After all, you get to decide.

I want to hear from you! Please, let me know your thoughts on this in the comments below.

If you are loving this, please share it with those you believe would love it too.

Art Nurture is about being fully alive and living life with the soul of an artist. A life filled with passion, intention, and purpose. Thanks so much for your time and your presence.

Cultivate & Nurture,
Court McCracken

p.s. If you want to receive Art Nurture goodness straight in your inbox, make sure to get your name on the list and receive a gift from me to you!

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The reason I love my art is not what you may think

10/21/2014

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Yes, you heard me correctly. The reason I love my art is not what you may think.

It's not because I think I am good at it.

The reason I love my art is because my art beckons me to go deeper.

The journey it takes me on is an adventure.

An adventure calls you to be brave. Being brave calls you to face your own cowardice.

Truth be told, I am a big ole coward. I struggle with fear every single day. The reason I love my art is because of the journey it takes me on. I'm not good instantly. In fact, often times, I'm not even good after a while. But my art causes me to show up.

Showing up causes me to face my fears and anxieties on the regular.

This is an incredibly humbling practice for me.

In fact, dare I say it, it's downright spiritual.

I could be writing this with tears in my eyes and though I am misty in my eyes, I write this more with resolve.

I love the Art Nurture Journey because it is always whispering to me, calling me to deeper authenticity. More radical self-acceptance and more daily bravery.

I can't tell you how many times I have chosen the safe route. I can't even count how many times I've actually practiced sheer avoidance.

But still my art nudges me in my process.

Deeper & deeper into the realness.

Deeper into authenticity.

More honesty. More feeling of fear.

This stuff gets real.

No, I don't love my art because I'm just "a natural" and it's "oh-so-easy". I don't love my art so I can tweet out how cool I am when I do something and get approval or self-significance.

I love my art because it causes me to face all of those human needs. All of those deep and real desires.

My Art Nurture Journey brings things into sharper focus and clearer view.

Not only does this stuff get real, but it causes me to get real.

Sometimes (most times) it ain't pretty.

And that is the gorgeous, wabi-sabi, imperfect, humanity of it all. But it's dense. It's real. It's rich.

It is elegant in that imperfect way that can only be one thing: authentic.

You know when that stuff is for real.

So, yeah, I don't embark on this journey thinking I know it all. The more I learn, the more I "unlearn". The more I master, the more I am a student. The more I succeed, well that just means I started failing faster. The more I share with you, the more I have had to peel back the layers of me.

It's not for the end result, though results can be cool, but it's for who you become in the process.

That is why I love my art.

It's for who I am growing into on this journey.

Now, it's your turn. Have you heard the whisper of your art calling to you? Please, share in the comments below.

If you are loving this, please share it with those you believe would love it too.

Art Nurture is about being fully alive and living life with the soul of an artist. A life filled with passion, intention, and purpose. Thanks so much for your time and your presence.

Cultivate & Nurture,
Court McCracken

p.s. If you want to receive Art Nurture goodness straight in your inbox, make sure to get your name on the list and receive a gift from me to you!

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That moment in your creative process where you are so close to finishing, but you are completely exhausted.

10/9/2014

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If you've read my book, Art Nurture: The Simple Guide to Cultivating Your Creativity, then you know I have trained for and run a marathon.

I don't go into great detail in Art Nurture about the story of my training season and that fateful day known as Race Day, but those who were present have heard the story and saw me on my journey.

I'll give you the readers digest version. I had an amazing training season. I was on track to hit my goal. Not a injury, not an illness, not even sore! My recovery runs were going well from my long days and all was lining up better than I could have anticipated going into race day.

Then race day arrived and I awoke to something unexpected.

I was feeling off. It wasn't anxiety. Nope. It was the onset of a bug of some kind. I had a fever. Not a bad one (at first), but a little itty bitty slight one.

And, yes, I ran anyway.

I had literally trained for TWO YEARS to get to this day! I wasn't going to let anything stop me from this. It had taken so much mental resiliency already.

DISCLAIMER: I do not in anyway endorse this choice for anyone else.

It was the best of times and it was the worst of times.

In fact, I was off my time and my race the entire 26.2 miles. It was not pretty in any way, shape, or form. My mind and I had it out. We had conversations. Novels. Fights. We made promises to each other that we never intended to keep.

And I'll be honest with you... even though I didn't actually feel ok for any of the 26 miles of that race, it was the .2 at the end that was the real kicker.

It's that moment when you pass the 26 Mile Marker sign and you still can't see the finish line, because it's around the corner, and you still have 352 Yards left to run!

That is the length of three and a half soccer fields plus 6 feet!

I was feeling rough, but I knew I was almost done.

The crowd is getting thicker along the edges of the race railing and you're searching for your cheering section. When all of a sudden, I see my little group. They have signs with my name on them. There was nice usage of glitter glue and bold markers. They are jumping up and down and screaming my name.

All of a sudden, as ragged-y as I had been the whole race, I picked up my pace and began sprinting as fast as I could. I heard one friend say, "How is she doing this?!" And then she started running along the sidelines with me until I crossed the finish line.

It took me an hour longer than I thought it would.

I learned a lot that day that has served me
in my creative life well.

I learned that I was stronger in my mind than I thought.

I learned that I was capable of more than I thought.

I learned that, really no one would have judged me for stopping running that day. Really everyone would have understood. There is no judgement. Nothing to prove.

I learned that the "cheering section" of your life is extremely important. Especially when what you are pursuing is really challenging and takes a long time and makes you really tired. It's good to have good folks in your corner.

I learned that that day only happened because of two years of focused, dedicated, unwavering commitment and training. I had to show up. And show up I did.

Also, I learned that good running shoes and socks are worth the investment.

I definitely don't believe everyone has to run a marathon to learn this stuff. It was just a part of my journey.

But having an A+ cheering section in your corner, when you are completely exhausted, yet so close to completion of your creative endeavors...

...priceless.

In fact, it's a total game changer. I can also say, as I approach the one year anniversary of the release of Art Nurture: The Simple Guide to Cultivating Your Creativity, that my A + Cheering Section was fully present for that as well.

I learned a lot about myself, projects, working with others, and allowing others to help.

I learned so much about the magic that happens when you let your community take part.

All that to say, I'm feeling pretty sentimental these days and feeling pretty grateful for my cheering section.

When you hit that moment in your creative process when you are so close to finishing, but you are completely exhausted, let your cheering section know.

They'll help you dig deep.

Those are the folks that believe in you and they want to make you glitter posters.

We don't do this stuff alone.

My heart with Art Nurture has always been to cultivate creative community and that is what has been naturally growing through the years here.

Right now the BETA round of Art Nurture's Cultivators Community is happening and it is amazing! Make sure to get on the newsletter list and find out about plans for the 2015 Cultivators Community when it becomes available.

Art Nurture is about being fully alive and living life with the soul of an artist. A life filled with passion, intention, and purpose. Thanks so much for your time and your presence.

Cultivate & Nurture,
Court McCracken

p.s. I've got something special I'm working on for you for the one year anniversary of Art Nurture: The Simple Guide to Cultivating Your Creativity so make certain to jump on the newsletter list to receive it!

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This one small shift can completely affect the outcome of your creative pursuits...

10/3/2014

10 Comments

I love working with my clients.

Seriously, I think they are amazing.

Because ya know what?! It's brave to have a creative dream! It's brave to step up and articulate that you wanna do something, even if you don't fully know what that something is going to look like yet.

It's even braver to admit you need help.

Because the dream is worth it.

One of my favorite things to weave into my strategy sessions with my clients is mindset.

When you work out a strategy and a plan of action, it doesn't matter if you have the exact "formula" for your creative project. It doesn't matter if you are acting out exactly what has made every other creative project fly...if you're mindset is off.

Shifting your mindset is the most powerful step you can take in the direction of your creative dreams.

You can have all of the tools. Invest all of the money into the "right stuff" or the "right PR", but if you don't have your mind pointed in the right direction, you will never reach fruition of your project or the culmination of your creative dreams in their fullest form.

There is one major mindset mistake that creatives make on a regular basis and one tiny shift can make all the difference.

Most creatives are focusing their energy on running away from failure.

We are so scared to fail, that in all of our energy and movement, we are seeking to just simply try not to fail. The problem with that is it completely changes your energy.

When you shift your energy in the direction of forward momentum towards your dream, you are moving towards hope, which is from a place of positivity.

The simple shift colors every single choice you make.

You do not want to color your creative project with undertones of fear and failure.

You want to color it with hope, light, positivity, and forward momentum. All of those attributes give you more of the conditions for the potential success of your creative dreams!

Fear does not give you the conditions to create success.

I'm not saying that you should obliterate fear or that you should be completely fearless.

I feel fear regularly. I use it as a guide. I know my pursuits must be important to me if I'm feeling a little scared. I use it as an opportunity to shift.

I don't want to move away from potential failure, but I want to move towards my dream.

Stay in tune.

Pay attention.

If you are feeling the fear of failure, don't use it as a compass of what you are trying to avoid, but use it as a compass of what you want to move towards.

And make the shift.

It will change everything.

Art Nurture is about being fully alive and living life with the soul of an artist. A life filled with passion, intention, and purpose. Thanks so much for your time and your presence.

Cultivate & Nurture,
Court McCracken

p.s. I've got something special I'm working on for you for the one year anniversary of Art Nurture: The Simple Guide to Cultivating Your Creativity so make certain to jump on thenewsletter list to receive it!

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The Art Nurture Book has it's one year anniversary just around the corner! Fall, change, and a time of reflection: A year in review for Art Nurture

9/19/2014

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The days are still warm here in the mountains, but the evenings are turning cool and leaves are beginning to sound of crinkle and crunch.

Fall is in the air here in the lovely Blue Ridge Mountains I call home. It's got me thinking all about change and reflecting on this past year with myself and Art Nurture.

Last year at this exact time, I was painting this mural with my friend Jon Graham on the side of Biscuit Head on Haywood Road.

Photo by Zen Sutherland

Biscuit Head is where the book release party for Art Nurture: The Simple Guide to Cultivating Your Creativity was officially released on October 14, 2013!

It was one of the best parties I've ever been to, but I may just be partial because it also happened to be my birthday (wink!).

Then, in January 2014 came the inaugural Art Nurture Book Club with 40 members from all over the globe!

We met online and via phone, but some folks stopped by the studio too!

Summer 2014 brought some serious adventure to Art Nurture...

Art Nurture's Andalusian Adventure was not only Art Nurture's first retreat, but an international one at that...dang!

So glad to be collaborating with Elizabeth Sanchez on this one and thankful for the amazing women who traveled with us, adventured with us, and most importantly...

...ate with us!

Make certain to join the newsletter for announcements of next years dates!

Not only that, but we are two weeks into an amazing BETA run of Art Nurture's Cultivators Community! Already I am being propelled by the amazing and supportive group dynamics of this awesome community. We are testing out this format of a group coaching community for you and if all goes well, we will continue into 2015 and launch the official run of the Cultivators Community!

I also had the privilege of speaking at The Underground Art Initiative hosted by Shana LaFore, in Madison, WI!

And I also spent a lot of time hanging out with a wild mustang horse that I accidentally fell in love with...perhaps more on that later!

To be super frank with you, this year also included some serious personal challenges for me and also some of the best opportunities for growth and learning.

Tell me again why that stuff just can't be easy? Maybe it can...we'll see!

But what kept me going through all the fun stuff, the tough stuff, the planning, the waiting, the unknowing, the struggles, and the ease was my creativity.

You see, I kept having to figure out how to bounce and move forward and keep going and stay focused on my dreams and vision for Art Nurture and where it would go.

That is all thanks to you!

Creativity is more than the art you make, it is how you navigate.

My heart is to serve you and guide you to igniting that creative fire you already have inside of you.

I love, love, LOVE seeing you on fire and growing and cultivating your creative practice and creating a life that is a full work of art.

So thanks for hanging with me over this last year, as I navigate my own way, and find more ways to reach out through this medium of Art Nurture, of writing, of connecting...

... I thank you for sharing with me, for giving me honest feedback, for partnering up with me, for being the reason why Art Nurture The Book came to be...for all of it, THANK YOU!

I am also looking for new ways of doing this more effectively with a deeper impact and I want to hear from you!

What is your deepest need when it comes to your creativity?

With your help, I hope to grow Art Nurture to continue to serve you and your creative growth needs. I want to hear from you, so please do share with me in the comments below, or send me a message and let me know what you and your creativity are seriously craving.

Thanks so much, in advance, for sharing your thoughts. And thanks for making this last year incredibly special.

Art Nurture is about being fully alive and living life with the soul of an artist. A life filled with passion, intention, and purpose. Thanks so much for your time and your presence.

Cultivate & Nurture,
Court McCracken

p.s. I've got something special I'm working on for you for the one year anniversary of Art Nurture: The Simple Guide to Cultivating Your Creativity so make certain to jump on the newsletter list to receive it!

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On travel + jet lag + cracking your creative process wide open

8/11/2014

1 Comment

A few days ago, I returned from Spain.

Art Nurture's first Andalusian Adventure was more beautiful than I could have ever conceived. The women whom I had the privilege of traveling with were exceptional.

In the past few days since my return, I have been dealing with the typical jet lag that occurs when you throw your body into a new time zone and routine outside of your norm. The jet lag has been a kind of strange gift, leaving me in this slower moving dream like state in which to process my adventures and re-enter life back home.

Truthfully, I'm not very different on the outside, maybe a bit more tan & a few extra pounds from the delicious bread, but mostly I am still Court.

The beautiful thing though, about stepping away, is noticing the small ways things shift, change, crack open, reveal, fade away, grow anew.

Truth is, they were happening all along, just too slowly to realize. But stepping away, opening your eyes, experiencing anew...all of that breaks you open to the new changes occurring. Slowly, organically, with intention.

Those things were in motion all along. Most changes don't happen over night. Most changes are not big & dramatic. Most changes are more about deliberate microscopic movements.

Experiences, both new & familiar, integrate and become a part of the person perceiving and processing them. Then we make choices. Then we make choices again...each day.

Then the culmination of that cumulative effort becomes our life and becomes where we are at in the present moment. That is also how art is made. Process. Process. Process.

Be gentle with yourself. Be kind. You are human. Perfection is an illusion. Movement and change are real and natural. They are slow, they are deliberate. The cracking open wide of the creative process can happen if you allow it. Don't let it scare you too much, it doesn't happen all at once. It really shouldn't. For it to stick and be a real change, let it unfold. Allow it to reveal mysteries. Don't choke it, don't control it. Be present in the beauty of each moment. Each imperfect, perfectly beautiful moment.

That's what I like about painting. That's what I like about horse whispering. That's what I enjoy most about working with children and art. That's what I love about travel. There's just no where else to be than in that sloppy, delicious, perfectly unpredictable moment. It's just gorgeous there.

Thanks for hanging with me on my dream like, jet lag, pondering meanderings here on Art Nurture.

When have you noticed the cracking open of your creative process; in life, in art, in anything? Please share below, I'd really love to hear from you. This is a conversation, by the way, and you are a part of it!

Wanna know what's happening this month for Art Nurture?

Tonight: Monday August 11th 6:30-8:00pm I will be speaking at Malaprops book store in Downtown Asheville, NC as a part of the Small Press & Self-Published Authors evening. Come on down and say 'hello' and get a signed copy of Art Nurture: The Simple Guide to Cultivating Your Creativity

August 21st-August 24th The Underground Art Initiative LIVE in Madison, WI. Only 3 spaces remain to attend this amazing retreat for creative professionals! I will be speaking and attending and I cannot wait to connect with each person there! If you want one of the remaining spots, contact Shana LaFore, Founder of the Underground Art Intiative via her site and let her know I sent ya!

September 2nd-December 10th: Art Nurture's Cultivators Community BETA

Make sure to jump on the Art Nurture e-mail list to receive up to date Art Nurture goodness directly to your inbox.

Art Nurture is about being fully alive and living life with the soul of an artist. A life filled with passion, intention, and purpose. Thanks so much for your time and your presence.

Cultivate & Nurture,
Court McCracken

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What to do in the thick of the process and why I'm doing a BETA run for Art Nurture's Cultivators Community

7/9/2014

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In this video, I share with you what I've been working on in my creative cave and how I would love to hear from you and have you be a part of it!

Check it out and let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Check out the details here if you would like to learn more about
Art Nurture's Cultivators Community, please check it out and join if you want to be a part of the BETA run beginning soon!

You can live life with the soul of an artist; a life of passion, intention, and purpose.

Cultivate & Nurture,
Court McCracken

Make sure to jump on the Art Nurture e-mail list to receive up to date Art Nurture goodness directly to your inbox.

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Tis the season to focus on Gratitude.Gratitude is something I try to practice regularly. But it is not always easy.

A story from my Art School days...

It's hard to be grateful for a piece of truth that hits like a sack of potatoes.

Yes, I had been sitting there feeling sorry for myself and I missed the fact that I had just won the Art Department Award.Awesome.

The reason I love this work, is because I really love people. Not only that, but I love seeing people at their best.I believe people are amazing.

So, there you have it: the reason I love this work is because I get to be a part of all kinds of people's lives and I get to watch them fly.I don't need credit here, I am happy to be a catalyst. In fact, being a catalyst suits my introverted nature well.

You are what I love about this work. You. You are amazing.Your Art Nurture Journey is completely unique to you.Being a support to you on that journey is why Art Nurture exists in it's form today and why I am committed to growing with it each year.

I am always reminded of this one thing during the changing of the season. My number one rule for nurturing your creativity.Take care of you.

If you have read Art Nurture: The Simple Guide to Cultivating Your Creativity, you know that I share my biggest fault; not taking care of myself.

Because taking care of yourself makes it more possible to have a sustainable practice of creativity.

To live and create your life as a work of art is an intentional choice.

The number one rule for nurturing your creativity is to take extra care for self-care.

Take care of you. You'll have more to give. You'll have more fresh ideas. You'll be able to create from a better place.

Yes, it's Halloween this week and I just had to get a little spooky.

Just like anyone else, I fear criticism & failure.

In my FearFULL life, I have developed a policy that goes as follows: Feel the fear and then do it anyway. Thanks, Eleanor, I hope I am not letting you down.

I kept at it in the face of fear of failure.Yeah, that's right...in it's face.

So when fear pops up. I expect it.

Fear tries to tell me that no one cares about my work. Fear tells me that my Art will not make a difference. Fear tells me that someone else could do it better.Fear tells me I am wasting my time. Fear tells me it will cost too much money and bring in none. Fear tells me I stink in comparison.

And then I proceed.I equip myself with knowledge.I invest time. I show up daily.I live FULLY and embrace the fact that most stuff worth doing ain't easy. Can I get an 'Amen'?

But still my art nudges me in my process. Deeper & deeper into the realness. Deeper into authenticity. More honesty. More feeling of fear. This stuff gets real.

I love my art because it causes me to face all of those human needs. All of those deep and real desires. My Art Nurture Journey brings things into sharper focus and clearer view. Not only does this stuff get real, but it causes me to get real.

Sometimes (most times) it ain't pretty. And that is the gorgeous, wabi-sabi, imperfect, humanity of it all. But it's dense. It's real. It's rich.It is elegant in that imperfect way that can only be one thing: authentic.You know when that stuff is for real.

If you've read my book, Art Nurture: The Simple Guide to Cultivating Your Creativity, then you know I have trained for and run a marathon.

Then race day arrived and I awoke to something unexpected.

And, yes, I ran anyway.

It was the best of times and it was the worst of times.

And I'll be honest with you... even though I didn't actually feel ok for any of the 26 miles of that race, it was the .2 at the end that was the real kicker.

I learned a lot that day that has served me in my creative life well.

I definitely don't believe everyone has to run a marathon to learn this stuff. It was just a part of my journey.

But having an A+ cheering section in your corner, when you are completely exhausted, yet so close to completion of your creative endeavors......priceless.

When you hit that moment in your creative process when you are so close to finishing, but you are completely exhausted, let your cheering section know. They'll help you dig deep. Those are the folks that believe in you and they want to make you glitter posters.We don't do this stuff alone.

I love working with my clients. Seriously, I think they are amazing.

Because the dream is worth it.

Shifting your mindset is the most powerful step you can take in the direction of your creative dreams.

There is one major mindset mistake that creatives make on a regular basis and one tiny shift can make all the difference.

Most creatives are focusing their energy on running away from failure.

When you shift your energy in the direction of forward momentum towards your dream, you are moving towards hope, which is from a place of positivity.

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Tis the season to focus on Gratitude.

Gratitude is something I try to practice regularly.

But it is not always easy.

It's hard to be grateful for a piece of truth that hits
like a sack of potatoes.

Yes, I had been sitting there feeling sorry for myself and I missed the fact that I had just won the Art Department Award.

Awesome.

The reason I love this work, is because I really love people.

Not only that, but I love seeing people at their best.

I believe people are amazing.

So, there you have it: the reason I love this work is because I get to be a part of all kinds of people's lives and I get to watch them fly.

I don't need credit here, I am happy to be a catalyst.

In fact, being a catalyst suits my introverted nature well.

You are what I love about this work.

You.

You are amazing.

Your Art Nurture Journey is completely unique to you.

Being a support to you on that journey is why Art Nurture exists in it's form today and why I am committed to growing with it each year.

I am always reminded of this one thing
during the changing of the season.

My number one rule for nurturing your creativity.

Take care of you.

To live and create your life as a work of art
is an intentional choice.

Yes, it's Halloween this week
and I just had to get a little spooky.

In my FearFULL life, I have developed a policy that goes as follows: Feel the fear and then do it anyway.

Thanks, Eleanor, I hope I am not letting you down.

I kept at it in the face of fear of failure.

Yeah, that's right...in it's face.

Fear tries to tell me that no one cares about my work.
Fear tells me that my Art will not make a difference.
Fear tells me that someone else could do it better.
Fear tells me I am wasting my time.
Fear tells me it will cost too much money and bring in none.
Fear tells me I stink in comparison.

And then I proceed.

I equip myself with knowledge.

I invest time.

I show up daily.

I live FULLY and embrace the fact that most stuff worth doing ain't easy. Can I get an 'Amen'?

But still my art nudges me in my process.

Deeper & deeper into the realness.

Deeper into authenticity.

More honesty. More feeling of fear.

This stuff gets real.

I love my art because it causes me to face all of those human needs. All of those deep and real desires.

My Art Nurture Journey brings things into sharper focus and clearer view.

Not only does this stuff get real, but it causes me to get real.

Sometimes (most times) it ain't pretty.

And that is the gorgeous, wabi-sabi, imperfect, humanity of it all. But it's dense. It's real. It's rich.

It is elegant in that imperfect way that can only be one thing: authentic.

You know when that stuff is for real.

I learned a lot that day that has served me
in my creative life well.

But having an A+ cheering section in your corner, when you are completely exhausted, yet so close to completion of your creative endeavors...

...priceless.

When you hit that moment in your creative process when you are so close to finishing, but you are completely exhausted, let your cheering section know.

They'll help you dig deep.

Those are the folks that believe in you and they want to make you glitter posters.

We don't do this stuff alone.

I love working with my clients.

Seriously, I think they are amazing.