Last week I shared with you some of my thoughts about Art Nurture, how it has grown, what it means to me, and what I am trying to do here. 

I want to dive a little more into that and share with you my heart for adventures.

If you know me at all, you know I am can be pretty fearful. The fears I face daily are a part of what makes me myself. We all have fears unique to us and our us-ness. For example, you can be both scared of heights and scared of talking to someone you have feelings for....two different kinds of fears that have an affect on the way your brain processes situations and the actions you choose to take or not take. 

Some folks might call me fearless, if you know me only on paper, I can see why I may come off that way. I have done things like run a marathon and I work with a wild horse. It might seem like I am brave or fearless....it just isn't so. 

The truth is, each day I face my fears and bump up against the walls of my finely tuned comfort zone. 

The majority of the time I am scared of tons-o-stuff. Not to mention the fact that there are many who constantly remind me of the dangers of my choices (i.e. being an artist is an uncertain career, you could get hurt, what if you don't cross the finish line). Yep. That stuff is for sure true. But there are other truths too. 

Sometimes it is good to know where our boundaries are and they can be there for some seriously good reasons. There are times you push those boundaries and face your fears in incremental moves. Just a little bit more, just a little change here, a small step there. It can be exhausting, but quite rewarding. Sometimes you take a leap, a dive, a big step out of that zone of comfort and familiarity. That can be both frightening and exhilarating at the same time.

The other truths I talk about are the deep rewarding lessons that come from doing something new and pushing yourself to learn, challenging your discomfort, growing deeper & wider than you ever thought possible. 

Adventures are humbling. Adventures push you and stretch you and open you up. Opening up your scope of possibility in yourself and in the world....and then coming out on the other side with more understanding and new character traits you did not possess prior or had never nurtured in yourself before. 

I remember my first trip out of my own country. I had the privilege of being a part of a youth choir that was invited on tour in London. I was 14 and sold Christmas trees the year before to earn the money to go with the group. I got my first passport and also my first heavy jacket ( I grew up in a tropical climate). I was a seriously shy kid with everyone except for my handful of close friends, so this was a big deal. The first thing we did upon landing in London was board a giant bus and head to a castle to check out some of the crown jewels. 

Wow! Castles are real! My eyes were wide absorbing everything I could. The sites, the sounds, the accents, the smells, the customs. My heart expanded and I had caught the travel bug. 

For years prior to this I had fought getting on a plane and successfully had avoided it at all costs because of a fear of heights. The year before my London trip I flew on a plane with my Dad on a business trip, so I had crossed that bridge of fear and knew that traveling was more important than my fear of flying. After London, I knew I was in for a lifetime of travel. I would seriously get on a plane and go anywhere if someone handed me a ticket. 

But I had to push up against a boundary first. I had to move along the wall I had built for myself, touch it, feel it, learn what it was all about...and then decide I didn't like it there anymore. The pain of it being there was too great in comparison with the potential joys of moving beyond its perimeter. 

That is why adventures are important. The small everyday adventures, and the big expansive ones. Both play a part in our growth. Both are necessary. They show you where your edges are and why they are there. They show you how different things are around the world or around the corner from your house. They show you how similar things are too. Some of those basic human needs and desires...shelter, food, clothing, love, family, art, joy...they may look different where ever you go, but they are present. 

My tiny day-to-day adventures and my big plan adventures help me to open up my scope of understanding and, I believe, make me a better artist and hopefully change me in positive ways as a woman as well. 

I encourage you in your daily life to seek out little adventures. 

Look for a new perspective in an everyday situation. 

Taste, smell, see, observe, and think anew. 

Explore your boundaries and ask yourself more about why they are there. 

Plan a purposeful adventure. Go visit somewhere in your hometown that you have never visited before. Pretend you are a tourist right where you are. Taste something new and listen to something different. 

Take the experience and turn it over in your hands, heart, and mind. 

Be curious! 

Curiosity about life...that's the good stuff art is made of and creativity is cultivated by....

Adventures have changed me. Travel has changed me. Art has changed me. 

...and given me so much joy. 

That is why I knew that Art Nurture had to have some adventures built in each year! 

If you want to hear more about Art Nurture's first official Andalusian Adventure to the Southern region of Spain this July, head here and read more. Get on the list to learn more! I'm pulling together a very special and small group of women to head there together for an adventure filled with sites, art, visual journalling, creativity cultivating, delicious food, and yes...flamenco dancing. 

I'll be adding more to this Art Nurture Manifesto as this process progresses. This is a conversation, feel free to leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts, or something you would like to see happen here...I'm all ears. 

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.

Tell me about your adventures, big and small, in the comments below!!!

Cultivate & Nurture, 
Court McCracken

I recently found a collage from when I was age 6. I am certain of this because I had scrawled my age on the back of it, something most artists stop doing after age 10. The collage was made using a combination of magazine cut outs and crayon...nicely glued down, then laminated for archival purposes.

On that collage was a cut out picture of a dog. Another of a horse. Another of a chocolate dessert. Another of a cup of coffee. And a cut out of the word "Art". So really, not much has changed for me over the last 24 years. 

I share this with you, because I am a real live person on the other end over here and I want you to get to know more about what Art Nurture is all about and what I am trying to do here. 

Truth is, all of us were kids once. With collages and hopes and dreams. I love that kid part of each of us. It's so alive and authentic. It's so in tune with the real us. 

Art Nurture is not about perfection. If you've ever met me or worked with me, you know I am not perfect. Some of you know more than others just how imperfect I really am...yikes! Thanks for still being there.

Here at Art Nurture, you will be wildly embraced in your imperfections...as well as given a kick in the pants to not let them hold you back. Oh no, embrace them and walk on, my friends!

Art Nurture is not about showing off, but it is about showing up and 
truly shining your unique light.

I want you to know how deeply grateful I am for you tracking with me on my Art Nurture Journey and sharing with me your Art Nurture Journey. 

I am learning too. In fact, I'm committed deeply to learning all about this stuff because it has changed my life and I just cannot help but share it. That doesn't mean I will be perfect all the time, but that does mean I will be present. So, whether you've been along for this ride for a while or you are just jumping on the trail here, glad to have you. 

You are important. Your art is important. The world needs you to be fully alive in your unique creativity and to give each of us your unique art. 

Figuring that out and living that out is quite a beautiful process. 

It is just that, a process. Not a wham bam overnight revelation. 
Engage in the process daily. It's incremental. It can be hard work. But don't fret, there are resources for all of that and encouragement to go along with it, with a healthy dose of accountability if you need it too!

Because of all of this, I am currently working on restructuring some of the ways I work with you, the Art Nurture Community! I want to figure out the best ways to continue to nurture community and share this Art Nurture goodness all around. It's my heart to serve, inspire, equip, and empower you to live out your Art Nurture Journey fully.

Some neat-o things are in the works. More one-on-one sessions, more group and community building, more chances to connect and cultivate. 

I'll be adding more to this Art Nurture Manifesto as this process progresses. This is a conversation, feel free to leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts, or something you would like to see happen here...I'm all ears. 

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

So, today is Friday.

Friday has many meanings for each of us, depending on our lifestyles. 

Friday could be the day you cut loose and go out, collapse on the couch, head to your weekend job, spend time watching your kids play sports, or whatever suits your fancy!

Traditionally, we think of Monday as the beginning of the work week. Sometimes we even get stressed out on Sunday night just thinking about Monday and all that it means for us. We work for the "weekend". Then Friday rolls around, the end of our "work week", and we are expected to really soak up life for a couple of days until Monday rolls around again.

Have you been working for the weekend? 

Do you just grit your teeth and make it through? 

Or do you have a sneaking suspicion that you are being pulled to a deeper calling, but aren't sure what that is?

Maybe you know your calling, but are uncertain of how you'd like to live that out in the world?

Maybe you are totally in the groove! Maybe you have it all figured out! Perhaps you are living in your "sweet spot" with a lovely poetic balance and rhythm with work, life, and your highest creative ideals. Beauty. 

It turns out, I have found it impossible to talk about Cultivating Creativity and Nurturing your Art without talking with people about their work, their time, their money, their talents, their desires. We really cannot separate the creative conversation from the work conversation. In fact, I began having these conversations with everyone!

That is why I am so excited about The Poetics of Work Project online workshop this upcoming Monday evening! 

The Poetics of Work Project focuses on 
four guiding principles.


Narrative- telling & living out your authentic story


Authentic Authority- growing your confidence


Voice- cultivating your work & your craft


Expansion- sharing your work in the world

What if life & work weren't so separate? 

What if it worked in beautiful harmony in rhythm? 

What if our lives were a balanced & beautiful piece of poetry? 

I would love for you to be part of the conversation. Please join us on Monday evening.

The Poetics of Work Project will illuminate the relationship between the work you do every day and your highest creative ideals.

Live your authentic story.

Love your commute.

Details:
Date: 3/3/14
The Poetics of Work Project 
Location: Livestream video  
Time: 7:00-9:00 pm EST
Ticket: $29 BUY NOW!

Included in your registration will be a complimentary recording of the workshop for you to listen to at any time. I also have some special Art Nurture bonuses for you when you attend our Monday workshop!

What are your thoughts on work, life, creativity? 
How do you find that Poetic balance in your life?
Please join the conversation by sharing your thoughts in the comments below!

If you are digging this Art Nurture goodness, join the newsletter to receive it directly in your inbox or share this post with someone you think will love it too!

As always, keep nurturing and cultivating,
Court   

I have been receiving lots of positive feedback from my recent presentation as a part of  the Underground Arts Initiative. I'm so glad that members of the Art Nurture community signed up to participate in this amazing event and were able to not only hang out for my presentation, but were also introduced to many whom I admire in the field as well! 

One of the main focuses of the Underground Art Initiative was gaining professional momentum with your creative work. What was truly unique about this event, was that it was chock full of some seriously amazing business savvy, but at the core of all of that was the necessity of authenticity in the work you are doing. 

Without authenticity, it doesn't matter how great you are at building a website or marketing or networking or whatever other business/work-type thing you do, your message will be unclear and it will not reach those with whom you want to work. It also doesn't matter how many creative ideas you have, if they are not truly authentic to you.

Authenticity is clarity within yourself. Once you have clarity within yourself, you are able to share your true gifts with others, for work, for art, or (yes, it's possible) for both!

I received a ton of emails in the last week about finding that clarity within from some trying to find their focus in their art, or their business , or their work life. First of all, I want to say that I am truly honored you would reach out to me and ask my thoughts on these matters. Thanks for your trust and support. Secondly, you all have really got me thinking! 

So here is what I have come up with...

4 Simple Steps to Finding Authenticity in your Creativity, Work, and Life

1) Get real with yourself about your values

Authenticity comes when we are clear with ourselves and then we make choices based on that clarity. When we live and make choices in line with our deep values, we are able to find that authenticity. Most of us struggle at many different points in our lives with that clarity when we move out of alignment with our deeper values. When this happens we feel confused and foggy and we simple need to re-evaluate where we are at both internally and externally. 

What do I value when it comes to my creativity? (new ideas, adventure, self-expression, problem solving)

What do I value with my work? (stability, freedom of time, freedom of place, making a difference & what does that mean to you)

What do I value in my life? (relationships, feeling valued, a lovely home, social outings)

2) Get honest with yourself about how you want to feel

How do I want to feel when I am in my "art"?
How do I want to feel when I am at my "work"?

So much of our life we think we are chasing results (being successful, being wealthy, being admired, being fit, etc.) but really we are chasing how those results or things will make us feel (happy, valuable, worthy, loved, free). When we are honest and authentic with ourselves about how we want to feel in our work, our lives, our creativity we can move into alignment with authentic choices.

3) Evaluate where you are at right now. 

Be gracious with yourself on this one, it is a necessary part of figuring out whether or not you are currently living in your authenticity. 

What am I doing now? 
Does it match up with my values? 
Does it make me feel the way I want to feel?
Is this taking me where I want to be?

Grace, grace, grace for this one. Just be honest, but don't use it to beat yourself up, ok?! It's called an Art Nurture Journey...yes, that's right, Journey, for a reason! 

4) Envision where you want to go, who you want to be, and what you want it all to look like! 

What do I hope to gain from engaging in my "art"? (and it may be a different art or different hopes depending on your season of life) 

What do I want my life to look like? 

What do I imagine my contribution to the world to be?

In what type of work/life situation would I be the healthiest and be giving my best? 

Take some time to write it all down. Dream and envision, but put it on paper as well, what your authentic life looks like. Most folks don't get their authentic dreams because the dream doesn't show up unless you do...authentically....so, get real and make it real by writing it down. 

A story about me, bumbling around, finding my authenticity...

For me, for a long time, all I knew was that I wanted to make visual art and I wanted to help people in some way. The two seemed really divergent to me for a long time. It seemed that my desire to make visual art was sort of selfish.

 I thought I was spending all of this time working alone and it's not like my painting was going to solve world hunger, ya know?! 

But, over time, and through my own trials, experiments, confusions, etc. Art Nurture was born. It came through years of trying and failing and feeling a little lost. 

But then one day it hit me, I was actually helping people by being an artist. People's lives were enriched by seeing my work, even if I made it in solitude. And I have found a way to work with people all over the world through my writing and my message. 

I thought for a long time that my introversion was a detriment to my helping others, but I realize that it is not, that we each have our own unique sets of gifts & talents and that the world needs that diversity. That we need the introverts as much as we need the extroverts. We need all different kinds of people to feed and nurture the world in their unique ways. 

A story about folks living outside of their authenticity ...

I know some folks who always said they wanted to travel the world and have adventures and that was their value, freedom of place. But the first thing they did was get a house and mortgage and a job they didn't really like and they felt a loss of a sense of themselves and they felt really listless. But it may be because their choices didn't line up with their core values. It wasn't authentic for them at the time. Perhaps downsizing and renting would have afforded them more freedom than home ownership. 

It's really all about what lines up with you. 
Trying different things and seeing how it shakes out. 

Focus also changes at different points in life. And sometimes, what was once our focus 5 years ago, is no longer. We have to re-evaluate and move forward from there. 

Re-evaluating our focus and our values and then making choices to be in alignment with those as we grow and change will help us stay in line with our authenticity.

Want more on this?

I have an upcoming opportunity to continue this conversation...

Art Nurture presents 
The Poetics of Work Project

Let's keep this momentum going! 

Join myself and poet, James Nave', for our very special workshop, 
The Poetics of Work Project.

This live online workshop takes place Tuesday, March 3rd at 7pm and I would love for you to be in attendance. 

The Poetics of Work Project will prove to be an amazing experience, asking important questions and seeking simple & authentic approaches to getting it all (work, life, art, whatever!) done.  

For more information click here or go ahead and get your ticket to attend The Poetics of Work Project Online Workshop here! 

I want to hear what you think! 
Please join the conversation by sharing your thoughts in the comments below!

If you are digging this Art Nurture goodness, feel free to join the newsletter to receive it directly in your inbox or share this post with someone you think will love it too!

As always, keep nurturing and cultivating,
Court   

It is so wild how I continue to have these conversations with folks.

It seems that they just flow so naturally. 

Everyone wants to talk about creativity and work/life balance.

I think many of us are reaching that point (or perhaps the movement is just growing!) of realizing that there is so much more that defines us than just our work. 

That there are many areas of our lives that deserve to be successful also!

Not only that, but that we can find meaning and purpose in those various places.

Yes, it's true, our identity, meaning, purpose, worth, or value is not just tied to where and how we earn our dollar bills. 

Here's another idea. Work doesn't have to be drudgery either. 

We can like it! 

It could even be an authentic expression of our creativity!

Say what?! 

Yep, I said it. Our careers aren't everything. There are so many areas of our lives to invest in and be successful in (i.e. our health, our relationships). But, we can feel authentic in each of those areas and find value in each of them as well. 

I propose that it is not a "balance" that we need. 

Balance occurs on a single point, with things on opposing sides. Balance has a lot to do with making sure things are even, that the scales aren't tipped in the direction of a particular thing, because if they are, then we are imbalanced and things can get out of hand. Balance also embodies this idea that these things are completely separate and potentially even divergent areas of the self. 

Yes, healthy boundaries are needed and we don't want to constantly be consumed with work and/or personal concerns when it's time to be professional. Let's consider other ways of thinking and ask new questions. 

What if we are just more integrated than all of that and this idea of striking a "perfect balance" is false? 

Maybe that is why we find it is constantly elusive before us and we are constantly comparing ourselves to others and envying their seemingly "perfect balance"?!

I prefer to think of it as clarity and integration. 

Clarity of your values and clarity of your vision. And by that I mean your overall big picture whole life kinda deal. When there is clarity, there can be integration into all areas of life. When you have clarity, you can integrate your vision and desires into your work, into your life, into your art...whatever! 

With clarity, you can integrate the necessary step in a direction you feel confident and passionate about.  It is the gaining of that clarity that is often the most challenging part. Quite frankly, most of us (myself included) have spent years or months in a foggy haze with little to no clarity.Most of us get stuck there and we fantasize about being "balanced" one day. 

I am honored to be a part of two upcoming opportunities for professional and personal clarity, where we head after not a fantasy of "balance" but clarity driven, integrated action steps. 

 Let's talk Creative Revolution and Poetry!


Underground Art Initiative 

Tomorrow evening at 8pm EST I will be speaking online on the subject of Authentic Creativity as a part of the Underground Art Initiative. 

If you can't catch all of the live interviews, 
the free recordings will remain up through January 24th.
  Register here to get in on the action and tune in tomorrow at 8 pm EST for my interview!  www.undergroundartinitiative.com

Art Nurture's Poetics of Work Project

Over the past 6 months I have been working on a collaboration with poet, James Nave', for Art Nurture's upcoming series The Poetics of Work Project! 

We launch on Tuesday, March 3rd at 7pm and would love for you to be in attendance. 

The Poetics of Work Project will prove to be an amazing Salon series asking important questions and seeking simple & authentic approaches to getting it all (work, life, art, whatever!) done.  For more information & to get tickets click here.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this idea of  a "perfect balance", so please leave a comment below.

If you are digging this Art Nurture goodness, feel free to join the newsletter to receive it directly in your inbox or share this post with someone you think will love it too!

As always, keep nurturing and cultivating,
Court   

I've come to learn, in this conversation about our Creativity, it seems our talk always veers towards the direction of our work. 

After all, our work is how we spend the bulk of our time! 

Our weeks are often dominated by the "work week" with a continuous movement towards the short "week end". 

In our culture it seems we often seek value and identity in what we do. That sometimes, what we do, seems to define a large part of who we are. 

I also get a lot of questions about creative careers and how to pursue them, or if it's even possible. 

I believe we can most certainly apply our creativity to our whole lives and what that looks like for each of us will be completely unique. 

I am excited to be a part of two really unique opportunities to kick off 2014 talking about these important questions. 

The first is the Underground Art Initiative which begins TOMORROW! It is a completely free online event combining the expertise of 24 creative rebels who share how they thought outside of the box to pave paths to creative career success. I am grateful to be one of the presenters, speaking on finding your authentic creativity. You can learn more and register for free HERE.

Oh, and if you want to mingle with the presenters and participants check out the FB group HERE.

The second opportunity to discuss these deeper questions is beginning in March.

Art Nurture is proud to present The Poetics of Work Project with special guest, James Nave'. 

The Poetics of Work Project illuminates a deeper sense of purpose through an intimate examination of the relationship between the work you do every day and your highest creative ideals.

The Poetics of Work Project does this through exploring the principles of narrative, authentic authority, voice, & expansion. 

The dates for the Poetics of Work Project 2014 Salon Series are:

 The Poetics of Work Project
March 3rd, 2014 ONLINE Salon 
7:00-9:00 EST
Get tickets here

The Poetics of Work Project 
Next Step Workshop
March 29th, 2014 ONLINE Salon 
10am-2:30pm EST (with break)
Get tickets here

The Poetics of Work Project 
Next Step Workshop
May 17th, 2014 Salon in Asheville, NC @ The Hatchery Studios
10:00-12:30
12:30-1:30 Lunch Break
1:30-4:30
Get tickets here

If you are ready to ask and answer some of those deeper questions about life, work, and creativity this is an amazing opportunity to do so. More information about both can be found at www.artnurture.com

I would love to hear your thoughts on either creative career or the relationship between the work you do every day and your highest creative ideals, so please leave a comment below to share.

If you are digging this Art Nurture goodness, feel free to join the newsletter to receive it directly in your inbox or share this post with someone you think will love it too!

As always, keep nurturing and cultivating,
Court   

Today I am continuing my series diving more deeply into my list: 

The Top 17 Reasons Why the World 
Needs You to be an Artist

When I was in art school, our professor would often give us an estimate of how long we should invest in certain projects. 

"You should invest in this drawing about 12 hours this week."
 "This painting will need to have about 20 hours total before critique."

That meant a lot of looking at one thing. 

If it was a still life project you were working you would stand in the same spot, day in and day out, staring at the same arrangement of cups, cylinders, and cones; trying desperately to get the perspective drawn correctly and the values of light and dark correct so that the whole thing made sense.

You train your eyes like an artist and you train your hands to synch up.
 
Staring, working, tweaking. 

Noticing. 

Really and truly seeing. 

There is just something about artists...they notice stuff. 

Artists are the type of folks who stare out the window, who think, who ponder. 

Artists are at work when on a walk observing, seeing, smelling tasting. 

Artists take all of that back to their creative practice and synthesize it and mold it and shape it into ideas, concepts, creations, systems. 

Artists notice tiny details and large patterns.

Artists find beauty in the overlooked. 

Artists bring attention to new ideas.

Artists compare and contrast old ways of thinking or doing things with the new.

Artists challenge the popular belief.  

The truth is, we all need to be noticed. 

We all have need. Some of us intangible needs, like connections and self-efficacy. Others have more tangible needs, like food and housing. Those world is full of need. 

The world needs people are skilled at noticing.

The world needs you to hone your attentiveness and your noticing, because there are people who need your noticing and attentiveness. 

Maybe it's your kids, your spouse, your family. 
Maybe it's your friends or your co-workers.
Maybe your community needs you to notice patterns and bring in new ideas. 

Noticing the roses and appreciating them, yes, that is great. Do that more. 
Notice others and appreciate them too. That is great. Do that more.

When we notice each other and give attention, fully, with the commitment of a dedicated artist....call me crazy, but I really believe that is a step in the direction of positive change for our world. First on a personal level and then watch it grow.

Yes, the world needs us to notice and see with the attentiveness of an artist. 

I would love to hear your thoughts on seeing with the care and attentiveness of an artist, so please leave a comment below to share.

If you are digging this Art Nurture goodness, feel free to join the newsletter to receive it directly in your inbox or share this post with someone you think will love it too!

As always, keep nurturing and cultivating,
Court   

p.s. Wanna cultivate creative community? Join the Art Nurture BOOK CLUB! It's FREE to join and the journey begins January 8th!
Read here for more details 

Today I am continuing my series diving more deeply into my list: 

The Top 17 Reasons Why the World 
Needs You to be an Artist

Beauty can be a loaded topic. 


We all crave it. We question it. We fear it. We desire it. 


Beauty is often considered something closely linked with desire. Desire of love or passion.


But we know that beauty is more than just skin deep.


We know that there are moments that are beautiful. 


Actions that are beautiful. 


Beauty can be found in instances where we are lifted up or encouraged.


Beauty isn't just about "pretty things" or creating a facade. 


Sure, we try to take care of ourselves and our belongings. But you know what I am getting at here.


There is quite a lot in this world that is unlovely. So when we fill that space of desperation or lack of hope with compassion through an action or a gift. Through community and forgiveness. We are giving some daily doses of beauty. 


When I was a new art school grad, I struggled with a lot of guilt about my chosen path. I had such a heart for others, but I had chosen this seemingly selfish path in some ways. I worked alone in my studio to make this stuff that no one actually needed to survive right?! 


So for a long time I struggled and thought about all these ways I can serve and do good in the world. I didn't want to be selfish and self-serving and a weirdo loner who didn't care about anybody else, just me and my art. 


How sad that was the idea stuck in my head of what living an artistic life would be like!


I see now the flaw in that type of thinking and the importance of the beauty that I offer. 


We could have blank cinder block walls OR we could paint interesting murals on them. We could all wear white t-shirts and never smile. But quite frankly, that is not the best we can do! Yes, our lips were made to curve up at the edges into smiles and there are so many colors to enjoy.


We were made for experiencing beauty.  


We were made for giving and receiving beauty.


I am friends with a number of mural artists. One thing we do is notice blank walls anywhere we go. Big walls. Walls that would be a challenge to paint. Walls that would be fun to paint. Walls that would impact the community if we painted them. Blank walls can be kinda boring if we left them all that way. 

That is why , when we see a blank wall, we see an opportunity to bring some beauty. 


If you find a space, a need, a gap, a need for beauty, instead of focusing on the negative, fill it with your art instead. 
 
Is your art organizing? 
Is your art fund raising? 
Is your art campaigning for a cause?
 Is your art collecting blankets to donate? 
Is your art preparing delicious food?
 Is your art encouraging others?
Is your art singing? 
Is your art your sense of humor that lifts others up?


Make it, do it, give it, receive it, live it....


The world needs daily doses of beauty, everywhere and in everything. 


I would love to hear your thoughts on this idea of beauty, 
so please leave a comment below!

If you are digging this Art Nurture goodness, feel free to join the newsletter to receive it directly in your inbox or share this post with someone you think will love it too!

As always, keep nurturing and cultivating,
Court   

p.s. Wanna cultivate creative community? Join the Art Nurture BOOK CLUB! It's FREE to join and the journey begins January 8th!
Read last week's post for more details. 

It is amazing to me that 2013 is quickly coming to an end and that 2014 is winking at us from around the corner! 

This past year has been a beautiful and wild one. I am grateful to you for joining me on   the Art Nurture Journey. 

Art Nurture: The Simple Guide to Cultivating Your Creativity came out in October and since then, I have gotten many requests for a BOOK CLUB to go through the book together! 

Creative Community creates a healthy support system for each of us as we face the inevitable ebb and flow of engaging with our creativity and nurturing our unique art.

An excerpt from Art Nurture: The Simple Guide to Cultivating Your Creativity... 

In an effort to cultivate creative community, I have created
  The Art Nurture BOOK CLUB!

BOOK CLUB is free to join! Simply click here and register with your e-mail address. I will send all details via e-mail to the BOOK CLUB List. 

BOOK CLUB will include....

A private Facebook Group for continuing community 
One weekly live call on Wednesdays at 6pm EST
I will e-mail links to the live call for those who are unable to be on the call

What you need to join BOOK CLUB....

A Copy of Art Nurture: The Simple Guide to Cultivating Your Creativity
Your own journal
A willingness to engage in this material within a supportive creative community!

Here is the Schedule for BOOK CLUB....

Sign-Up for BOOK CLUB is open now
Deadline to join BOOK CLUB is January 5th, 2014

Live Call Schedule

Week 1 
Your Art Nurture Journey
6 pm EST Wednesday, January 8th, 2014 

Week 2 
The Seed of Creativity
6 pm EST Wednesday, January 15th, 2014

Week 3 
Shed that Outer Layer
6 pm EST Wednesday, January 22nd, 2014

Week 4 
Taking Root
6 pm EST Wednesday, January 29th, 2014

Week 5 
Breaking Ground
6 pm EST Wednesday, February 5th, 2014

Week 6 
Growing Up
6 pm EST Wednesday, February 12th, 2014

Week 7 
Sustainability: How to Tend & Nurture Your Creativity for the Long Haul
6 pm EST Wednesday, February 19th, 2014

Join as many of the live calls as you can! 

I hope you choose to be a part of The Art Nurture BOOK CLUB!               

Creative Community is a part of a healthy and sustainable creative practice. 

Find a go - to person in your life, join a group, join a class, reach out for resources because they are here for you. 

When I felt the most dried up in my creative practice was the time I was most cut off from the resources available to me. That is where my heart is coming from with my book and now with creating the BOOK CLUB.

I would love to hear from you, so please leave a comment below!

If you are digging this Art Nurture goodness, feel free to join the newsletter to receive it directly in your inbox or share this post with someone you think will love it too!

As always, keep nurturing and cultivating,
Court   

 

You may remember my original post that included this list:

Reason #2
The world needs to be greeted by people who have a spark in their eye
 and a bounce in their step.

I'll be the first to say, it is impossible to always be happy, happy, happy. 

Some days we are just tired. 
Some days we are sick. 
Some days we have been pushed way too hard at work. 
Some days people ask a whole heck of a lot from us and we just don't know how much more we can give. 

I am not saying we have to be Mary Poppins all of the time, with a twinkle in our eye and a "hop-to-it" kind of attitude.

When I reference that spark in your eye and that bounce in your step, those things are a result of something deeper.

In Art Nurture: The Simple Guide to Cultivating Your Creativity, I talk about living life with the soul of an artist; with passion, intention, & purpose.

I go on to explain that passion is the fire inside of us. 
Purpose is our reason or meaning.
Intention is where we put it into action.  

These qualities come with a resilience or buoyancy to pick yourself back up after a bad day and to keep on with it all! These qualities bring you back to that place of spark!

I tell you, the last year for me has been a beautiful & wild one. 

I have learned a lot about managing time & big projects, sickness and stress, the joys of living passionately and doing work you are proud of...these things are all rolled in together. Life ebbs and flows. So does our creative energy. So does our art. 

You can't always rely on being in a good mood to get things done or feeling the highest levels of inspiration all the time. 

But coming back to these deeper, more important qualities...
Where does my passion lie?
What is my deeper purpose behind it?
Where & how will I put these things into action with focused intention?

The spark is there. 

The bounce will come back. 

Don't beat yourself up (p.s. I am talking to myself!) for not "feeling it" all the time. 

Embrace where you are. 
Come back to the deeper reasons behind.
Trust that tomorrow may be more spark filled.

A short anecdote from my life yesterday....


I was stressed. I was not feeling my best. I was on a tight deadline. 
The people at the shipping store where I was trying to package a piece of my artwork were busy. I had a list of specifications for how the work had to be packaged. I also had no time to wait. Ick!

Two of the employees there saw where I was at...once they saw me there, they shifted into spark and bounce mode. They quickly packaged my artwork, according to my weird artist list of specifications. They smiled at me. They seriously helped me out. 

They made my day. 

The beauty is, they did this all not knowing if I would be grateful or reply to them in kindness. They just did it. Truthfully, I really needed that right then. 
So, it can't always be me with the spark and the bounce. 

But if we are all moving towards being aware of this, we are in store for a more artful world filled with a great deal of beauty. 

Today I brought them chocolate chip cookies.

This is why Reason #2  made my list of The Top 17 Reasons Why the World Needs You to be an Artist.

I would love to hear your thoughts, so please leave a comment below!

If you are digging this Art Nurture goodness, feel free to join the newsletter to receive it directly in your inbox or share this post with someone you think will love it too!

As always, keep nurturing and cultivating,
Court   

p.s. Order your copy of Art Nurture: The Simple Guide to Cultivating Your Creativity here!

There will also be an Art Nurture BOOK CLUB beginning in January, FREE to sign up!
Included will be a weekly call and a private Facebook Group for all book club members. I will guide you through each of the 7 sections of Art Nurture: The Simple Guide to Cultivating Your Creativity and we will have the support of a lovely community!
Go ahead and get on the list to reserve your spot in the BOOK CLUB!