Hello Creatives!

Welcome to Issue #4 of the Studioworks Journal! Inside this creative journal flows from a place deep in my heart. Let us place one foot on the ground and reconnect with what can continue to propel us on our creative path.

What is the key factor in proceeding? Well, my friends, I believe it is courage. Courage to move forward, through fear, through limiting beliefs, through other people’s definitions of us. Yes, we must harness our courage and walk through the darkness to get to the light.

Let’s do it together.

xo,

Gathering Courage

I believe courage is a key element in leading a creative life but how do we engage in it? It sounds good to be courageous but what does that really mean?

We must learn to move with fear, to see it, to feel it and then gather up our courage and take a step forward. It’s a gentle act. One tiny step ahead. One foot in front of the other. 

As we move through your creative journal, let us all be open to this concept. To gather up our courage alongside our fear. To walk the path as a being of shadow and light.

power Word : Courage

Many believe that courageous people, brave people, strong people possess an absence of fear. That somewhere along their successful and glorious path, they were able to shed their self consciousness, their doubts, their fears. 

Courage lies with us all and can be called up when we desire, if and only IF we are willing to work with our fear.

We’ll learn to cultivate courage as a practice. Just like art is a practice, we learn to expect our fears, our vulnerabilities… dance with it, accept it and move forward.

Affirmation and color palettes

Each creative journal will have a positive affirmation to print and place inside your sketchbooks or somewhere in your studio. Saying words a loud is powerful and can begin to re-write some of our own limiting beliefs or calm our fears.

Each color palette included with your journal will help guide you through each creative lesson and exercise. Of course, you don’t have to adhere to this color palette, but you will see it reflected in the exercises and projects I share with you.

Master Artist Guide: Frida Kahlo

When one thinks of a courageous artist, it’s hard to not think of Frida Kahlo. She was force. Defiant, strong, passionate and highly sensitive – Frida is the embodiment of the wild, free and courageous artistic soul.

Her life was fraught with life altering health issues, chronic pain, difficult relationships and political controversy, yet she never stopped creating. Even while in a full body cast, after a horrific accident she painted in her hospital bed!

Let’s take a look at her incredible work and learn more about Frida Kahlo!

spirit animals

So as artists how do we connect with this wild, courageous, instinctual part of ourselves? Well, since we are visual, why don’t we try connecting with the animal world. When you close your eyes and think of a wild, courageous, free creature, what comes to mind?

It might be the eagle, the lion, the bear or it might be something else entirely. Perhaps you see a whale in the expansiveness of the ocean or an owl hunting the night sky. Whatever animal you connect with, I want you to focus on that. Align yourself with that wild creature and imagine it in the center of your being. This beautiful animal will be your totem guide and a representative of your wild, courageous heart.

Sketchbook explorations

Every issue we focus on sketchbook explorations, providing a cohesive theme for us to focus on. This will help unify our explorations and simple place to start when approaching a VERY white and VERY blank sketchbook.

Our sketchbook theme is – “Wild and Free”. This may mean different things to each of us. It may mean doing spontaneous expressive pages. It may mean drawing your spirit animal or unleashing some pent up emotion or finally drawing that powerful image that has been in your mind. It may mean quiet stillness, in free, open-minded, healing energy. We’ll explore…

• Spirit Animals: Sketch your wild and free spirit animal or any creature you feel drawn to. This could be a collage if you prefer, or it could be an abstract that contains the energy of your chosen creature.  

• Frida Inspired: Use our master artist as inspiration and create a page dedicated to the wild and free Frida Kahlo. You could paint yourself with flowers in your hair and monkey’s around your neck or do a master study of her work!  

• Your Inner Guide: Yes, we all have an inner critic but we also have our inner guide too! She might be called our higher self, our muse, our authentic self, our wild woman – whatever her name is, try and connect with her. 

• and more…

Podcast and Curated Inspiration

Looking for more inspiration and resources? One of my favorite things to do is curate inspiration. Your Studioworks Creative journal includes everything from Pinterest boards to books, resources, playlists and more – I love to share anything that might facilitate learning, expansion, and sparks of curiosity!

Plus, you’ll also get to enjoy the Studioworks creative journal podcast… included with every issue!

“Spirit Animal : A Lion Within”

I loved creating this lion spirit animal piece. It was so much fun to jump into the painting with both acrylics and then oils. I have never painted a lion before so this was a wonderful new experience for me.

I truly encourage you to join us and give it a go!

WHO IS THE CREATIVE JOURNAL FOR?

Anyone! Aligning yourself with your creativity and investing in your process will bring you so much joy! Having continual access these wonderful creative journals is just the ticket to stay inspired and continue learning and exploring.

Plus, you will be in a community of like minded artists where you can connect, share and grow together!

Did you know your Studioworks membership unlocks full access to over 90+ creative classes and so much more? No more waitlists or wishing you could join a class.

Plus, you’ll receive unlimited access to every issue of the Studioworks Journal. Each month you will be supported in your creative journey through teachings I will be sharing with you inside. This specially crafted online magazine will be packed with inspiration, guidance, creative prompts and sketchbook explorations.