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Creative Thursday

How to Get Over a Creative Block

How to Get Over a Creative Block

Moments away from hitting publish on a new painting collection, in today's episode I share with you how made it past all the resistance that came up for me in the creation of this new series.

Even after 14 years of painting, I still find myself encountering reasons why now is not the time to be painting, especially when venturing into an entirely new medium, oil paints.

This is it, my one tip that gets me through a creative block every time.

 

Join the preview list to be first to see the new Calm Skies collection

 

 

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Artistic Discovery + Reinvention with Contemporary Dancer + Choreographer Seda Aybay

Artistic Discovery + Reinvention with Contemporary Dancer + Choreographer Seda Aybay

"Be Inspiring and go out and Inspire Someone Else" is a message my Contemporary dance teacher Seda Aybay always closes our class with. 

You're going to love today's episode. An invitation to discover, reinvent, stay curious, adventurous and to be fully present, especially during times that are like none we've ever experienced.

What new creative possibilities are developing that we've not even begun to explore, yet?

And if you've heard a call to try dancing or come back to dancing, now is the time!

 

Join Seda and her dance company Kybele Dance for a beautiful live performance on Zoom this Saturday November 14 at 6 or 8 pm PT.

Click here to get tickets

You can find all things Seday Aybay

@aybay_seda on Instagram

https://www.kybeledance.com/

 

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Sketches + Transparency and How to Find Certainty in Uncertainty

Sketches + Transparency and How to Find Certainty in Uncertainty
I never show you my sketches.⁣
Because they are the very bare bones of my creative process, and I don’t always think that they’re really anything worth sharing They’re raw + rough. ⁣
But today I realize they are a big part of my process that is also one of the best parts, because it is the part that is the most free and full of possibility. ⁣
I always think I’m being transparent, but not enough. ⁣
What do my sketches have to do with transparency? This may not feel related to you at all, but today, transparency means everything to me. ⁣
I believe we are in the mess we are currently facing in our country because of a serious lack of transparency and that is not only to do with our current leadership but in how people here in the US really, truly, actually feel. ⁣
By the division I see happening literally on a map, I think people have been “pretending” a lot of beliefs that they don’t truly stand behind - I HAD NO IDEA the split was this BIG in the current country I call home. ⁣
What this undecided election is revealing to me is to focus on what I currently have control over and that is me, how I choose to focus feel and share in the world. I know that it’s time for me to be more transparent with you.⁣
Not to mention feeling more thankful every day for what I already have and for the incredible people like you who are here with me on this journey. The inspiration behind these new mug, maybe, designs I’m working on. ⁣
I want you to know if you’re following me here, exactly what I stand for. No blurry lines, no wondering, no glossing over to keep everyone comfy.⁣
Because I’m no longer comfortable with that. My focus remains joyful and optimistic, always has, always will and yet…⁣
More to come, but for now let me clearly say I stand for integrity and morality and whatever religious or political beliefs you have, I honor them, and I will also say that i believe this election isn’t about either, it’s about human decency. Without a doubt, it has been shown by example not just opinion or belief that our current leadership is far, far beneath treating humans with dignity. And we as Americans, as global citizens, deserve so much more.❤️⁣
⁣Today's podcast episode: 

I admit, this is a tiny, just a tiny bit of a rant on the current state of our election, after I share 4 of my go to tips for finding certainty in the midst of so much uncertainty. 

And yes, I also made Art today. When all else fails, and any other time you want to feel better, turn to your Art supplies.

Hang in, stay well, find some moments of peace, we got this. Enjoy the episode

 

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Give it a little Distance

Give it a little Distance

Continuing on with the them of finding stability + calm in the midst of chaos. A short and sweet episode with thoughts on what to do when it's just one of those days, or weeks, or years.

 

Enjoy the new episode. 

Hang in. We got this. We will be on the other side soon.

Thinking of you xo

 

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How Do You Want to Feel? with Flamenco Dancer + Online Entrepreneur Rina Orellana

How Do You Want to Feel? with Flamenco Dancer + Online Entrepreneur Rina Orellana

Dance is Art. Art is Life. And the joy is truly in the journey. As Rina says, Dance with Abandon!

It's not about where you're going, but how you feel on the way.

Can you take a moment to connect to what brings you joy, even if it's just 5 minutes or 10 minutes a day.

This is the story of how a professional Flamenco Dancer, had a greater vision for supporting herself with her career, while being a mom and bringing her love of Flamenco to dancers all over the world. 

Celebrating 5 years this month, long before this time where online is one of the only ways we can come together for dancing, The Online Flamenco Studio founded by Rina Orellano is empowering women in life through the language of dance. 

Today, October 22 Rina is kicking off her free Online Flamenco Challenge. All levels are welcome! 

Click here to join her!

https://www.onlineflamencostudio.com/join-improv-challenge/

You can learn more and find all things Rina at 

www.onlineflamencostudio.com

www.rinaorellanaflamenco.com 

 

Enjoy my conversation with Rina!

 

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4 Tips for Stability during Chaos from an Egg Chair

4 Tips for Stability during Chaos from an Egg Chair

Did I mention that I got an Egg Chair for our garden? 🥚❤️⁣

Did I also mention that I still haven’t taken it outside yet?⁣

And did I mention that you can find me + the studio mates (sometimes all 3 of them) in this exact spot at some point every day from coffee to wine time.⁣

Let’s just say I unpacked the box right here in our living room, never moved it, and now we currently have an oversized piece of furniture in a space that is most definitely too small for it. ⁣

But who cares, because these are still extraordinary times and I’ll take my comfort and joy where I can get it. And Sean is tolerating the overcrowded living room for now ⁣

This egg chair has become my Quarantine, step away from the chaos hideaway + sanctuary. (Plus there’s a really good view out the great big picture window that looks out on our back yard from this spot)⁣


Tell me, what’s your current sanctuary, favorite “safe” comfort + joy spot, oh and! beverage of choice? ☕️🍷

As we head into more interesting times on top of already extremely interesting times, I'm sharing 4 tips for how I'm finding stability in chaos especially over the next few weeks.

 

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From Art School Teacher to Online Entrepreneur

From Art School Teacher to Online Entrepreneur

 

I had the honor and pleasure of hosting 1400 participants in my Sell A Piece of Art this Week Challenge.

 

Wow! We are officially one step closer to a vision I shared last year, of leading 1,000 Women Artists to seven figures in sales, and it's been incredible to see so many creatives raise their hand and declare themselves, not only an Artist, but an Artist who sells.

Watching the Artists go through the steps of selling their work, some having sold work before and some for the very first time.

 

Some selling within minutes and others selling like I did just this past Tuesday, months after an original was created to the Collector for whom it was waiting.

 

This week I was reminded about the beauty of right timing.

 

There's no better example around timing than looking at the world of art, from how long it takes an Artist to discover their unique voice, to how long a piece takes to create and sell.

 

What's incredible about dreaming today, opportunities we once didn't believe were in our grasp, ARE in fact real possibilities.

 

The flip side of this, comparing our journey to the highly visible (and curated) success stories of others, is that if the timing of our success doesn't match someone else's, or not on the timeline we expect, we think we're doing it all wrong, and can end up blaming ourselves and others in our lives. 

 

If we judge our timing, it can be too easy to think that it's just not happening fast enough, and maybe our dream isn't really meant for us, and worse yet, give up all together.

 

Today I just want to remind you that whatever dream you have whether it's to make Art, sell your work as an Artist, or build your own online business, it's already meant for you.

 

What happens next is learning to trust the timing. To know without a doubt, that the way your story unfolds is exactly right for you, not anyone else~  just like the incredible story of Sarah Kelly one of our Expansive Artist members who is my guest on this week's podcast episode.

 

From Art School Teacher to Online Entrepreneur. Sarah and I first connected online in 2008 and the story that's unfolded for her since then, leading her to a crisis point during the start of the Pandemic this past April, and the choice she made that changed everything for her ~it's so inspiring, you've got to listen to the episode.

You can find all things Sarah Kelly at 

SarahEliseKelly.com 

@sarahelisekelly

and click here to learn more about Sarah's Collage, Connect, Create!

 

Enjoy Sarah's episode below! 

 

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The Mistake that Almost Cost Me My Business

The Mistake that Almost Cost Me My Business
Promise me you won't make this same mistake. Today I'm sharing a hard-learned, painful lesson that caused my business to stall. Also, I wish someone would've told me this secret to success that is shared by so many of the top entrepreneurs and business owners.

Join us! For the Sell A Piece of Art this Week Challenge kicking off on Monday September 21. Click here to register.

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How I sold $2K of Art on a Train from Paris

How I sold $2K of Art on a Train from Paris

 

Never before have I been so thankful to have an online business.

And I'm so grateful for the community, including you! that building this online business online has introduced me to, especially during this past year.

 

As much as there are days when Pepita (my tiny chihuahua) and I can't take one more hour on a Zoom call…I kid because it's the Zoom calls both the ones I where I'm coaching, and where I learn, (and especially the calls where I'm dancing +  yoga-ing) that are keeping me grounded, connected and focused forward on beauty and possibilities yet to come.

 

These are just some of the reasons why ~ community, creativity, support, learning, income, impact, inspiration + fulfillment and endless possibilities ~ I get SO PASSIONATE about encouraging you to stay connected to your dreams, and helping you build + grow a creative business online.  

 

No spoiler alerts on this one, in episode #201, I'm sharing the story of how I sold $2K of Art on a train from Paris. (If you've recently asked if I've changed my mind and will once again host a retreat, maybe? in France, after this year away and on lockdown for months, there's nothing I'd love more than to gather in person over delicious food + wine + creativity… I think that answer is a strong YES, so stay tuned.)

 

 

Thank you for posting your review in celebration of the 200th episode! The giveaways is now closed, your entry has been received and I'll be announcing the winner of the Creative Thursday Collector box this week!

 

And I appreciate your kind notes, and joining me for the LIVE and on replays over at Instagram and Facebook for the 30 days of Creative Epiphanies with Marisa. We are continuing on, and day 8 is up now includes me painting the finishing details of this Unicorn Painting.

 

 

Enjoy the new podcast episode below!

 

 

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Are you Hiding? + Celebrating 200 Episodes!

Are you Hiding? + Celebrating 200 Episodes!

Happy Creative Thursday! Today calls for a celebration!

 

Story time: in 2006 I started a podcast, Creative Thursday with Marisa. (remember that time? when nobody knew what a podcast was.)

 

In August of that year, I brought the podcast to my website, and started blogging with each episode~ which was exactly what initially helped me to become known in my creative circle, and begin to grow my successful Art business.  I then put the podcast on pause for what I thought was to put all of my focus on my Art  (but truthfully it was because I was hiding…the topic of today's episode…) 

 

In December of 2017 I brought it back and have consistently recorded a new episode every week since then. 

 

For an introvert who was still worrying “what people will think of me” and would honestly on most days rather quietly paint than share my voice with the world, 200 episodes is a BIG accomplishment.

 

Because when I paused it before, and then kept getting the pull to come back and share my perspective beyond my Art ~with the hopes of making a positive impact, inspiring, and uplifting you ~ it took a lot of inner courage for me start up again. (Because I was also judging myself for stopping, and equally frustrated at the momentum I had a lost in a space I was once a pioneer)

 

While I was away from the podcast, there was also a season of life filled with a lot of loss (I've shared why in other episodes) that caused me to retreat and I just wasn't sure if I had the energy to return.

 

But if I was being really truthful with myself, staying in the background was the last thing I wanted to do. I knew if I chose that path, I'd be giving up on me.

 

My frustration over not fulfilling a passion for this kind of self expression was mounting, and I could deny it no longer.

 

And yet, in all these many episodes back I realized on this 200th one that I am still not playing full on. 

 

And it's time to change that, which is why maybe you've caught a few epiphanies, I've also been jumping on LIVE on both Instagram and Facebook for 30 days of Creative Epiphanies with Marisa.

 

My question for you: If you genuinely want to shine your light once and for all, be seen and have a desire to make a positive impact in this world, why aren't you? Are you hiding somewhere in your life? Where are you allowing your light to be dimmed? These are 3 examples to know if you might be hiding

 

  1. You aren't sharing your voice, your creations, your Art (in whatever expression or discipline) with the world (and/or you're afraid to start your business)
  2. You don't want your picture taken or refuse to take a selfie
  3. You won't raise your hand in class (meaning if you are in person, or on a Zoom call like many of us are these days, you might not put your camera on and more specifically if you are being invited to get help, ask a question, share a challenge or a win, you stay silent)

In today's live broadcast, day 5 of the 30 days of creative epiphanies I share with you 3 gentle steps you can take to stop hiding.

 

 

And lastly!

 

hello! a celebration isn't a celebration with out a GIFT for you!

I'm hosting a GIVEAWAY!

Want to win a never before released, coming soon to the shop Creative Thursday Collector Box! Yes! Here's how: If you're loving the podcast be sure to leave a review over on iTunes. Hop into your podcast App, scroll to the bottom, beneath the reviews there's a little box that says “Write a Review”. Screenshot it, share on Instagram, tag me, email me or dm me the screenshot on Instagram and you will be entered to win!

Thank you so much for listening! Enjoy episode 200 below.

 

 

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