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! 

It is now two weeks since the Art Nurture Book Launch Party and what a beautiful experience it has been! 

I have gotten messages and heard some reports from the field...

...you all are out there cultivating your creativity!

I have heard of blogs being started, dances being danced, new things being tried and considered, dreams being renewed, and living life to the fullest!

Keep the inspiration coming!

In the comments below, share with me how you are cultivating your creativity!

If you are diggin' this Art Nurture goodness, please share it with others with whom it may resonate and subscribe to the Art Nurture  newsletter here.

Keep nurturing your art and cultivating your creativity,
Court McCracken

p.s. You can now order your Art Nurture paperback on Amazon & the 
  Art Nurture eBook is now available for purchase & immediate download via PayHip! 

In this week's blog post, I have included a great big THANK YOU, a recording of this week's live Q & A on Creativity, and a call to meaningful work!

Art Nurture: The Simple Guide to Cultivating Your Creativity was officially released on October 14th and the party was awesome!!!

Below is a one minute video summing up the beauty of that evening and saying 
THANK YOU!

This is the last week of the series from each section of my book,
  Art Nurture: The Simple Guide to Cultivating Your Creativity

Week 1: Beginning Your Art Nurture Journey 

Week 2: The Seed of Creativity 

Week 3: Shed that Outer Layer 

Week 4: Taking Root 

Week 5: Breaking Ground 

Week 6: Growing Up 

Week 7: Sustainability
How to Tend & Nurture Your Creativity for the Long Haul (today!)

To continue with my sharing from each section of the book, this week I hosted a live 
Q & A call and I have included the recording here! 

The recording is 35 minutes long and I answer questions that you all submitted to me directly. You all sent me some amazing questions and I hope you truly enjoy this recording. It was such an honor to tackle your creativity questions, so thank you for joining me in this venture. 

I promised you a Thank You, a recording, and now.... a call to meaningful work!

We really don't talk about our creativity and our art and cultivating these things in ourselves without discussing the idea of work and our meaning. 

I believe if you are interested in the topics I discuss here on Art Nurture, you are probably interested in making your whole life work and that involves your work!

We spend a lot of our time doing a "job" or on our "work".
 
How are we contributing to the world? 
Are we doing something we believe in? 
Is our work meaningful? 
Is it making a difference in the world?

These are some important questions to tackle. 

This weekend I will be co-facilitating an exciting workshop in my studio entitled,

The Poetics of Work Salon
with James Navé & Court McCracken
For anyone committed to using their work to add value to the world.
Sunday, October 27, 2013 ~ 2:30-6:30 p.m. 
The Hatchery Studios ~1 Roberts Street ~ #141 ~ Asheville, NC 
If you are in Asheville this Sunday, please do join by registering here.

Just to put a bug in your ear about this whole 'putting the whistle in your work', we are talking about bringing this workshop to the web....be on the look out! 

To wrap up this week's edition of the Art Nurture blog:
1) THANK YOU for making the release of my first book, Art Nurture: The Simple Guide to Cultivating Your Creativity, so incredibly special! 
2) I hope you enjoyed the Q & A Recording
3) The Poetics of Work Salon this Sunday in my Studio
 
Remember, you can engage fully in your Art Nurture Journey. 
Keep nurturing your art and cultivating your creativity,
Court 

Last week I shared with you about Breaking Ground in your creativity. 

This week is all about the fun and the flow! 

Please take a moment to watch this short video where I share from section 6 of Art Nurture: The Simple Guide to Cultivating Your Creativity, Growing Up. 

Have you experienced this fun time of Growing Up? 

What does being in the flow feel like?

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

If you are diggin' this Art Nurture goodness, please subscribe to the newsletter here.

Stay up to date on this book release action.....

Book Launch Countdown Dates & Events

Week 1: Beginning Your Art Nurture Journey 

Week 2: The Seed of Creativity 

Week 3: Shed that Outer Layer 

Week 4: Taking Root 

Week 5: Breaking Ground 

Week 6: Growing Up (today!)

Week 7: Sustainability
How to Tend & Nurture Your Creativity for the Long Haul

October 14th, Official Book Release Party! RSVP on Facebook!
The release party will take place at Biscuit Head in West Asheville
Monday, October 14th 6:30-8:30pm

October 21st, 7:00-8:00pm EST
Live call for  where I answer your questions on creativity cultivating! 

To be a part of all of this Art Nurture cultivating 
order your copy today!

Keep nurturing your art and cultivating your creativity,
Court McCracken

Last week I shared with you about Taking Root in your creativity. 

This week, we begin to move above the surface of the soil. 

Please take a moment to watch this short video where I share from section 5 of Art Nurture: The Simple Guide to Cultivating Your Creativity, Breaking Ground. 

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

If you are diggin' this Art Nurture goodness, please subscribe to the newsletter here.

Stay up to date on this book release action.....

Book Launch Countdown Dates & Events

Week 1: Beginning Your Art Nurture Journey 

Week 2: The Seed of Creativity 

Week 3: Shed that Outer Layer 

Week 4: Taking Root 

Week 5: Breaking Ground (today!)

Week 6: Growing Up

Week 7: Sustainability
How to Tend & Nurture Your Creativity for the Long Haul

October 14th, Official Book Release Party! RSVP on Facebook!
The release party will take place at Biscuit Head in West Asheville
Monday, October 14th 6:30-8:30pm

October 21st, 7:00-8:00pm EST
Live call for  where I answer your questions on creativity cultivating! 

To be a part of all of this Art Nurture cultivating 
order your copy today!

Keep nurturing your art and cultivating your creativity,
Court McCracken

Last week, I shared with you from Section 3 of my upcoming book, Art Nurture: The Simple Guide to Cultivating Your Creativity. 

Last week was all about Shedding that Outer Layer so that the true potential of the seed of creativity could be revealed and the real work could be done.

Many people believe that right after that shedding of the outer layer that they need to burst forth and unleash their art to world. There is a more important step that cannot be forgotten in cultivating our creativity. 

Before we burst forth, we have to do the work of taking root. We have to plant ourselves deep into rich and fertile soil. Check out this weeks video to learn more!

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

If you are diggin' this Art Nurture goodness, please subscribe to the newsletter here.

Stay up to date on this book release action.....

Book Launch Countdown Dates & Events

Week 1: Beginning Your Art Nurture Journey 

Week 2: The Seed of Creativity 

Week 3: Shed that Outer Layer 

Week 4: Taking Root (today!)

Week 5: Breaking Ground

Week 6: Growing Up

October 14th, Official Book Release Party! RSVP on Facebook!

This week marks Week 3 of the Official Art Nurture Book Launch Countdown! 

In this short video, I share with you some thoughts from section 3 of Art Nurture: The Simple Guide to Cultivating Your Creativity, Shed that Outer Layer.

The true power of the Seed of Creativity 
can only be unleashed when the outer husk falls away.

What has built up your Outer Layer?

Have you allowed your Outer Layer to fall away?

What could you do to help that process?

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

If you are diggin' this Art Nurture goodness, please subscribe to the newsletter here.

Stay up to date on this book release action.....

Book Launch Countdown Dates & Events

Week 1: Beginning Your Art Nurture Journey 

Week 2: The Seed of Creativity 

Week 3: Shed that Outer Layer (today!)

Week 4: Taking Root

Week 5: Breaking Ground

Week 6: Growing Up

October 14th, Official Book Release Party! RSVP on Facebook!

Week 7: Sustainability-How to Tend & Nurture Your Creativity for the Long Haul

October 21st, Live call for all Kickstarter backers and pre-orderers where I answer your questions on creativity cultivating! To be a part of the live bonus call 
pre-order your copy today!

Keep nurturing your art and cultivating your creativity,
Court McCracken

 

This week I am sharing with you from section two of my book coming out October 14th, Art Nurture: The Simple Guide to Cultivating Your Creativity. 

Section two is all about The Seed of Creativity. 

Check out this short walk I took outside to talk with you about the seed of creativity. 

Do you believe you possess the seed of creativity?


If so, what evidence do you see of the seed of creativity in your own life?

I want to know what you think! Leave your answers and thoughts in the comments below!

If you are diggin' this Art Nurture goodness, please subscribe to the newsletter here.

Stay up to date on this book release action.....

Book Launch Countdown Dates & Events

Week 1: Beginning Your Art Nurture Journey 

Week 2: The Seed of Creativity (today!)

Week 3: Shed that Outer Layer

Week 4: Taking Root

Week 5: Breaking Ground

Week 6: Growing Up

October 14th, Official Book Release Party! RSVP on Facebook!

Week 7: Sustainability-How to Tend & Nurture Your Creativity for the Long Haul

October 21st, Live call for all Kickstarter backers and pre-orderers where I answer your questions on creativity cultivating! To be a part of the live bonus call 
pre-order your copy today!

As always, keep nurturing your art and cultivating your creativity....

Warmest Regards on this sunny September day,
Court McCracken

It is Week 1 of the Official Book Launch Count Down! 

I am completely jazzed about the fact that Art Nurture: The Simple Guide to Cultivating Your Creativity is officially launching October 14th! 

In this 4 minute video, I share with you some of the details!

Book Launch Countdown Dates & Events


Week 1: Beginning Your Art Nurture Journey (today!)

Week 2: The Seed of Creativity

Week 3: Shed that Outer Layer

Week 4: Taking Root

Week 5: Breaking Ground

Week 6: Growing Up

October 14th, Official Book Release Party! RSVP on Facebook!

Week 7: Sustainability-How to Tend & Nurture Your Creativity for the Long Haul

October 21st, Live call for all Kickstarter backers and pre-orderers where I answer your questions on creativity cultivating! Get your copy here!

As always, if you are loving this Art Nurture goodness, subscribe to the Art Nurture Newsletter and share it with others! 

How does this idea of Beginning Your Art Nurture Journey feel to you? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.  

Keep nurturing your art and cultivating your creativity,
Court McCracken

In this short video I share with you more about my story and how Art Nurture began, first as a personal journey and then to share with others. 

I also share with you my secret sauce for getting that creative spark back...Hint: Think childhood fun! 

Now I want to hear from you!

What helps you get your creative spark back?

What helps you to step away from the grind of adulthood and gets you into a more playful creative mood?

If you are diggin' this Art Nurture goodness, please share it with others!

Want to stay up to date with Art Nurture updates? Join the newsletter!

As always, keep cultivating that creativity! We need you to live life with the soul of an artist!

Talk to you soon, 
Court McCracken