Creative Courage Soul Sisters : Part I

There are loads of creative e-courses out these days, I know. A unique strength of Creative Courage is the huge variety of fresh, talented guests I gather to share with us each session. 

I'm so very honored to have these amazing women join us on our new journey this September! Each week, my course features two exclusive interviews where our Soul Sisters will share their secrets on how they have realized their creative goals. Spaces are filling quickly for this session, so please don't hesitate to sign up here. 

The next session starts in September (my last Creative Courage session for 2012), and I'm delighted to introduce the following incredible guests who will be joining us:

*****

Alena Hennessy does what she loves best, living life as a working artist, author, and teacher. She is deeply inspired to teach others the creative process and to find their own unique voice though art making. She also has a passion for free movement, yoga, plant spirit medicine, and the healing arts.

Alena's book Cultivating Your Creative Life: How to Find Balance, Beauty, and Success as an Artist, published by Quarry Books, is now available and she is also leading an online workshop called Abundant Wild Life starting in October. 

Her prints and gift-wares can be found through out the US and abroad. She has exhibited her paintings in galleries in major cities though out the United States and has received press from several publications including Dwell, The Washington Post, ReadyMade, Redbook, ME Home Companion, Victoria, and Natural Health magazine.

Christine Mason Miller is a Santa Barbara based writer, artist, illustrator, seeker, explorer, and author of several books including Desire to Inspire: Using Creative Passion to Transform the World and Ordinary Sparkling Moments. 

Christine's mission to inspire has provided the foundation for all of her creative work; the desire to encourage others to pursue their passions and create a meaningful life is the common thread throughout an expansive body of work that includes mixed media collage, commercial illustration, photography, writing, teaching and speaking. 

Arounna Khounnoraj is a cofounder of bookhou, a multidisciplinary design studio based in Toronto, that emphasizes natural handmade materials, editor of the poetic bookhou at home online journal. Together with her husband she creates furniture, textile accessories and home goods, they started the company 10 years ago and currently run their practice out of a studio/storefront in Toronto, Canada.

Arounna’s work includes drawing, sculpture, ceramics and fiber-arts, with a particular focus on screen-printed textiles. In addition, she has also spent 15 years teaching art and design in various institutions inspiring students at all levels from children to college and university.

Combining her studio, shop and home, Arounna has found a way to live a creative life, and to make it part of her everyday experience. 

Victoria Smith is a design expert, photographer, writer, and editor of sfgirlbybay, one of the West Coast's leading design blogs. She is a contributing writer to uppercase, anthology, and 7×7 magazines, and she has also worked as a freelance art buyer and stylist producing photo shoots for advertising agencies and designers on accounts such as condé nast publications, including high profile home and shelter magazines domino, architectural digest, house & garden, gourmet and bon appetít.

Victoria has 1/2 million followers on pinterest which include influencers like oprah winfrey and ellen degeneres. She was just mentioned in this forbe’s magazine article: “new web 2.0 phenomenon pinterest saw its success finally take off after after partnering with influential blogger sfgirlbybay.”

Heather Moore is an illustrator, writer and designer from Cape Town, South Africa, creator of the design label Skinny laMinx, owner of the Skinny laMinx store & studio and extremely successful Skinny laMinx online shop. 

Visit Heather's blog at www.skinnylaminx.com to find out more about her work, and you can watch a beautiful Etsy produced video profile about her home, studio and work here. (You will love Heather's gorgeous South African accent too!)

Alicia Paulson is a Portland, Oregon based designer, writer, photographer, crafter, and charming, delightful multi-talent. She is the author of the books Stitched in Time and Embroidery Companion, and  the creator of the lush, beautiful Posie gets cozy blog.

Alicia's drop dead gorgeous photographs and her gift with words never fail to cheer me up, to make me hungry, and to desperately want to visit Portland, Oregon. Be sure to visit Alicia here.

Thank you lovelies for taking part!

And I hope you will join us starting in September! Be sure to register today to save your spot here.

Hugs from sunny Berlin and Part II on the way...

xoxo

Stephanie

Creative Courage Fall Session Now Open!

 

Hi lovelies! I'm delighted to open registration today for our next session of Creative Courage! 

Our Fall Session will run from September 24, 2012 - November 2nd, 2012. I'd love for you to join us! Be sure to sign up today to get your Early Bird Discount.

Creative Courage is an international e-course for women around the world, and I've designed it as a practical guide to help you start making your creative goals real.

As always, I've invited 12 expert guests to join us for brand new, fresh, and exclusive Creative Courage interviews.

I'm thrilled with the amazing group of women who will be joining us! 

Here is a peek at our Fall Session Creative Courage featured interview list:

Alena Hennessy - internationally known artist, designer, illustrator, and author of the gorgeous, new book Cultivating Your Creative Life: Exercises, Activities, and Inspiration for finding Balance, Beauty, and Success as an Artist

Victoria Smith - design expert, photographer, writer, and editor of sfgirlbybay, one of the West Coast's leading design blogs, contributor to many major art and design magazines

Lisa Sonora Beam - mixed media artist, writer, workshop leader, adventurer, and author of The Creative Entrepreneur: A DIY Visual Guidebook for Making Business Ideas Real

Alicia Paulson - crafter, writer, photographer, multi-talent and author of Stitched in Time, Embroidery Companion, and creator of the lush, beautiful Posie gets cozy

Christine Mason Miller - artist, illustrator, seeker, explorer, and author of several books including Desire to Inspire: Using Creative Passion to Transform the World and Ordinary Sparkling Moments

Heather Moore - illustrator and designer from Cape Town, South Africa, creator of the design label Skinny laMinx, owner of the Skinny laMinx store & studio and extremely successful Skinny laMinx online shop

Arounna Khounnoraj - cofounder of bookhou, a multidisciplinary design studio based in Toronto, that emphasizes natural handmade materials, editor of the poetic bookhou at home online journal

Patricia Zapata - designer, illustrator, creator of A Little Hut and Zapata Design boutiques, author of Home, Paper, Scissors: Decorative Paper Accessories for the Home, guest on HGTV's That's Clever

Eleanor Mayrhofer - owner of e.m.papers, designer of unique, printable stationery, paper goods, and invitations, featured in Apartment Therapy, Martha Stewart Weddings, and BRIDES magazine

Heather Braun-Dahl - painter and ceramic artist based in Vancouver, creator of Dahlhaus and the Dahlhaus art shop, featured in InStyle, style at home, and House and Home magazines

Candy Glendening - textile artist and creator of Candied Fabrics, featured in Dyeing to Stitch, a DVD filmed on the set of Quilting Arts TV, prolific art quilter, designer, and author

Susan Schwake - artist, illustrator, owner and artistic director of artstream studios, a contemporary gallery and workshop space, author of the popular new book Art Lab for Kids

These powerful ladies from around the world will share their secrets with us on how they have published books, built online businesses, created workshops and e-courses, opened stores/galleries, been featured for incredible press opportunities, and are now thriving as successful artists, authors, crafters, photographers, and designers.

Creative Courage is 6 weeks of fun, color, inspiration, tools, and resources to kick start your creative life!

Our topics include:

• clarifying and believing in your creative dreams 

• pushing through your fears and developing your self-confidence

• fresh ideas on how to earn more money with your art and creative skills

• building an online presence to grow your career as an artist

• making connections and finding press opportunities to spread the word about your work

• creating artwork without inhibition and how to avoid getting stuck

• nurturing your body and soul to increase your creativity

• avoiding burnout and promoting balance in your life

• finding positive support for your work and building a community 

• connecting and collaborating with others to energize your creative business

• developing helpful strategies for time management for busy women

• and much more! 

I've added new, bonus material for this session as well:

• tips for using certain colors in your home and studio areas to activate your creativity

• my behind the scenes adventure tales from my 12 Countries in 12 Months European tour

• an expanded bibliography and resource list for continued learning

• brand new exercises to boost your personal courage and creative spirit

I'll be sharing my experiences as an artist, published illustrator, working mom, and American expat living in Germany. I'll also tell you how my family and I do our best to juggle it all and make our lives more creative, interesting, and rewarding.

You'll be able to connect with like-minded women in our private Creative Courage Facebook and Flickr groups. This supportive, community spirit is one of the very best parts of Creative Courage!

When you sign up for Creative Courage, you will receive:

• inspirational, visually inspiring daily posts (Monday - Friday) on a private website to encourage, support, and help you start turning your creative dreams into reality

• a weekly video featuring my personal tips for each week's topic

• colorful PDF worksheets to download, use, and keep forever

• fun, helpful activities to help clarify your thoughts and strengthen your self-confidence

• abundant resources with links so that you can explore each topic in depth

• exclusive, in-depth interviews with an amazing group of 12 of today's top creative experts

• access to a community of international, like-minded, supportive creative explorers who share your wish of living a richer, fuller, more colorful and joyful life

For more detailed information about the course and to read what previous participants have to say, please visit my Creative Courage information page here.

I encourage you to register for the Creative Courage e-course, open your mind and heart, and start listening to your deepest, truest wishes for your life. 

I'd love for you to take part in the Creative Courage e-course! Get six weeks of fun, color, encouragement, inspiration, love, access to a supportive community, plus 12 exclusive expert interviews for only $99.

Our Fall Session will run from September 24th - November 2nd, 2012.

To sign up for Creative Courage, simply click on the Add To Cart button below to secure a space and complete your registration. You'll be redirected to PayPal to complete your payment, and then you'll receive a welcome and confirmation email from me.

Thanks so much for your interest, and I look forward to beginning our next session of Creative Courage in September with you! 

xoxo

Stephanie

heather moore : artists who blog

This week's interview is with South African designer and illustrator Heather Moore, otherwise known as Skinny laMinx. Heather makes beautiful designs for textiles, ceramics, and home decor and is also a contributor for the Elle Decor SA blog. You can see a wide variety of her multi-faceted work in her portfolio as well as in her Etsy shop. Heather just recently sold her 1000th item on Etsy, so congratulations and much continued success!



from July 25th, 2008:

Why did you decide to start a blog?

I started my blog because I wanted an online portfolio of my work, and a blog seemed like a cheap, easy-to-update option. The world of blogs was totally new to me, and I thought it was fantastic – so generous and enthusiastic! I had no idea that I’d end up with lots of people reading mine.



How has blogging affected your work as an artist/designer?

I’ve joked before that a blog is like one of those Tamagotchi games where you have to keep caring for a little virtual pet. And it’s true! You have to keep feeding the blog, and sometimes you’re not even sure why, but you know you do!

It may sound funny, but my blog has really been a brilliant tool for me to keep producing work. Sometimes, when you’re starting out, there’s nobody to show the things you make, so they sit in a corner, gathering dust. But a blog allows you to do something with the thing you make. So even if it does gather dust afterwards, at least it’s had some purpose, even if it’s only a virtual one.



I’ve learned a lot about taking photographs and about making them look better in Photoshop. It’s perfectly evident to me that a good design blog has good photos, and so I’ve been trying hard to get better. Taking photos has also improved my eye for composition and colour, as well as enhancing my enjoyment of looking. Also, anticipating sharing something on the blog (“I’m so blogging this!”) is a very pleasureable activity.

The biggest affect my blog has had is that it’s given me the most incredible exposure, all over the world. I have not had to do much self-promotion at all, as my blog has done all the work. So although keeping a blog takes quite a lot of effort, it’s definitely worth it.



How did you come up with the name of your blog?

I named my blog Skinny laMinx before I really even started my label. It’s one of the names we give to our funny little Siamese cat called Monkey – it’s kind of a corruption of the old playground chant Skinny malinky long legs… It doesn’t mean anything really, it just sounds kind of cute.



What are your favorite artist/designer blogs? Why?

Wow, this keeps changing, cos there’s such fabulous stuff out there. But here are some current (and ongoing) favourites:

Jezze - Jesse is a good friend of mine and we often work together. I love seeing how she posts about her work, as I’ve often seen the real thing, or the steps towards the real things. She’s got a great quiet humour and a cute dog!

Orange you Lucky - Helen Dardik is a supercharged Canadian illustrator with an incredible zest for life. She never seems to stop creating and sharing, and she is a very generous and encouraging commentor on my blog too. She’s a total inspiration.

Ninainvorm - Nina van Goor is a young Dutch blogger who posts on such a variety of topics, and has a marvellously crazy colour sense. I like her strong opinions and enthusiasm.

Print and Pattern - This is a long-time favourite, and the mysteriously anonymous bowie style always posts an amazing dose of daily pattern inspiration.

The Bedlam of Beefy - Uncle Beefy makes me laugh every day. He’s a tonic!

Bloesem - Irene Hoofs’ Bloesem has been a favourite of mine right from the start, when she used to post in Dutch! She has an amazing warmth and friendliness that shines through all her inspirational posts.

There are so many more, but I should stop now, cos I could go on…



Why do you think blogs have now become so popular with artists
and designers?

It’s such a great way to connect with people who are interested in the same things as you are. I have found the design blogging community to be so generous and friendly. Whenever I come up against a problem, I don’t hesitate to turn to a more experienced designer who blogs to ask her opinion, and people often do the same to me.

Also, a lot of designers and illustrators work in a fairly isolated way, and sometimes there’s nobody to show the work to (and it’s not fair to expect the cats to clap their furry paws and jump up and down every time you make something). Blogs allow you to go “ta-dah!” when something’s finished, and maybe, if you’re lucky, you’ll hear a faint clapping from your audience.



Do you have any advice for artists/designers who are starting a blog?

Don’t try too hard. Make it fun for yourself, or it will be hard to maintain. Make sure your pictures are big and beautiful, and remember to thank everyone who helps you out.



What has been the most positive and inspirational aspect of having a
blog for you?

Again, I think it’s about the level of generosity and kindness that has been shown to me. When I started blogging, there were blogs like Design*Sponge and Decor8 that seemed so supersonic that I could never have the courage to show them my work. But when I did get in touch with them, they were so friendly and helpful. I’ve never experience this type of kindness in other fields, but I think it’s a culture that is quite well-established now, and is quite self-perpetuating. I find I’m very willing, if not eager, to share my knowledge, because that attitude has helped me grow so much.

And, of course, just the sweet comments that I get every day from my readers are just fantastic. I really appreciate every comment, virtual smile and thumbs-up, because nobody has to do it, but if they do take the time, it’s because they want to connect, and I’m always grateful for that.

Thanks Heather for your open, honest answers and for sharing the exquisite photographs of your work!